Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 484 - 426
Qi Xiu nodded. The True Dragon Clan had always been synonymous with power, mystery, and wealth in the eyes of the cultivation world. If the Guixu Sea really contained the remnants of the True Dragon Clan’s legacy, even the most minor remnants would be enough to transform an ordinary cultivator, turning them into a one-in-ten-thousand genius. Cultivation itself was a defiance of the heavens, and faced with such an opportunity, many would undoubtedly choose to take the risk.
"This voyage is estimated to take about two months," Daoist Yunxiong continued. "Zhao Qianqiu, wary of Liu Tai and Feng Jun, has also sided with us, so there shouldn’t be any action on the ship. But once we reach the Southern Ming Wasteland, that fellow will surely seize the opportunity to make a move, so you must be on guard. This person rebuilt himself after destruction. He not only cultivated many of the Zhao Clan’s Secret Techniques to their fullest, but his combat strength is also among the top in the ranks of True Monarchs of the Dao Body. Moreover, he has also embodied the Great Five Elements Path. His Five-Colored Divine Light is said to be unstoppable by anything in the world, unless you can transcend the Five Elements. If a battle really ensues, aside from sects like the Domineering Body Sect that purely cultivate the physical body, others who face him will likely be at a disadvantage."
Mentioning Zhao Qianqiu, Daoist Yunxiong’s expression turned grave. After all, this person had managed to cultivate once more from a state where his paths were destroyed. Furthermore, his cultivation level had become even more powerful than before. This clearly demonstrated his ruthless and tenacious temperament. Combined with his embodiment of the Great Five Elements Path, this power, which ranked within the top hundred of the Three Thousand Grand Paths, naturally possessed an innate oppressive force over other paths. If a battle were to commence, even he could not guarantee his victory.
"Unstoppable by anything in the world?"
Qi Xiu’s brow arched slightly as he recalled a warning from his master, Magic Immortal Gu: if he intended to Attach Dao to the Five Elements, Zhao Qianqiu would be a thorn that must be removed. Otherwise, this man would definitely disrupt his process when he tried to achieve Dao Embodiment.
Heh, ’unstoppable by anything in the world,’ I wonder if Mr. Zhao would be able to affect my Innate Primeval Breath...
Mentally calculating, Qi Xiu slowly twirled the Golden Cry Jade Beads on his wrist, his gaze flickering continuously.
He pondered whether or not to...
Strike first?
...
"You seem unfamiliar, Daoist. Probably a newly advanced True Monarch? May I know how to address you?"
Inside the Dragon Whale King, a space expanded by the Universe Prohibition Skill was comparable to an ordinary mansion’s domain in the outside world, stretching far and wide. The spacious cabin provided all imaginable material comforts and could even transform to create various environments based on the passengers’ desires.
Under a particularly striking banner, the Shen brothers were seated on two Taishi Chairs. The Dharma Axis floating with various goods had become even larger, and the items appearing on it had also increased. Like a long river, it wound around both sides of the brothers, drawing people over to observe and choose.
Noticing Qi Xiu approaching, Shen Ziyi, who had just been tilting his head back to sip lightly from a purple clay pot, shifted his gaze. He promptly set down the teapot and smiled, coming forward with a cupped-fist greeting.
"Manager Shen, you’re too courteous. Just call me Qi Xiu. May I ask if you have some time? Can we talk?"
The sharp intuition of a merchant let Shen Ziyi sense the scent of a big deal. He immediately nodded with a smile and said, "Qi, you’re too kind. A guest is always welcome. My time is for my guests."
He gestured for Qi Xiu to follow him, lifting his chin to give his brother Shen ZiXiao a look. After seeing the latter nod in understanding, he whisked out an Array Plate with a sweep of his sleeve.
Divine lights of various hues flowed, and suddenly, the surrounding area was transformed into a secret space, isolated from all prying eyes and secret techniques.
"This is the Heaven and Earth Secret Formation, a unique formation exclusive to our Shen’s Myriad Goods Pavilion. Once activated, unless it’s a Primordial Spirit Boss, absolutely no one can penetrate this formation to eavesdrop on our conversation."
With a beaming smile, Shen Ziyi confidently introduced the great formation he had laid out as he invited Qi Xiu to take a seat. Their Shen Family had managed to extend their business across the entire Great Xuan Dynasty, leveraging some outstanding capabilities.
"Actually, I’ve come to see Manager Shen about a business matter I’d like to discuss."
Skipping any superfluous courtesies, Qi Xiu’s gaze shifted slightly as he straightforwardly stated his purpose for the visit.
"Oh? Is Qi looking to sell or to buy? At our Shen’s Myriad Goods Pavilion, there’s nothing we don’t buy and nothing we don’t sell. I believe you’ve heard of our reputation."
Shen Ziyi’s smile remained unchanged; his demeanor betrayed no hint of his inner thoughts. He utilized his innate composure as a businessman to its fullest.
"I’m looking to sell, and to buy."
With a flip of his palm, a luscious, fresh spirit peach appeared out of nowhere in Qi Xiu’s hand. It had pink skin, green leaves, was enveloped in a gentle, fluffy halo, and faintly bore the character for ’Longevity’.
Longevity Peach! It was a unique product of the Longevity Star Realm.
"This is..."
After glancing at the Longevity Peach in Qi Xiu’s hand, Shen Ziyi blinked and subtly manipulated a spell with his hands hidden inside his sleeves. The next moment, this True Monarch of the Dao Body, whose foundation was in the Commerce Path, abruptly stood from the Taishi Chair, his expression cycling through several changes. Only after a dozen or so breaths was he able to suppress the shock in his heart. His countenance returned to normal, and he sat down again.
"How many of these does Qi have?"
Shen Ziyi took a deep breath and neither inquired about the origin of the peach nor how much Qi Xiu was asking for it. Instead, he directly asked how many peaches he had. He seemed to have already decided to include this item in the inventory of Shen’s Myriad Goods Pavilion!
"Hehehe, Manager Shen, don’t be in such a hurry. You haven’t even heard my price yet. As a connoisseur, you should know this item is quite valuable."
Qi Xiu noted Shen Ziyi’s reaction with a light chuckle, confident in his plans.
"Just name your price, Qi. However many you have, the Shen Family will take them."
Leaning on the Taishi Chair, Shen Ziyi seemed to have lost his judgment, his eyes showing a resolute certainty like that of a rich landlord who possessed immense wealth.
"Manager Shen is truly sincere. My trip here was not in vain. However, Manager Shen has now seen what I want to sell. Why not also listen to what I would like to buy?"
Narrowing his eyes, Shen Ziyi suddenly realized that this fair-looking young Daoist, who always wore a faint smile, made him feel an inexplicable reverence. That composed demeanor and calm, detached gaze were strikingly similar to the ancient living fossils from his own family who had lived for thousands of years.
What exactly is this Qi up to?
Although filled with surprise and suspicion, as a businessman, Shen Ziyi quickly suppressed the various thoughts in his mind and said, "Please, enlighten me."
Raising a finger, streams of water vapor began to emerge from Qi Xiu’s fingertips, slowly condensing into three words in the void.
Seeing these three words, Shen Ziyi’s pupils suddenly shrank. He showed an uneasy smile and said, "Surely, Qi, you’re not joking?"
"What, Manager Shen thinks I’m joking?"
Qi Xiu did not directly answer Shen Ziyi. Instead, he fiddled with the Longevity Peach in his hand, the implication clear enough.
"Qi, you might be mistaken. We are legitimate businessmen, not assassins..."
"Doesn’t Shen’s Myriad Goods Pavilion claim that anything can be bought and sold?"
Using Shen Ziyi’s own words to silence him, Qi Xiu tilted his palm and tossed the Longevity Peach directly to Manager Shen.
"This Longevity Peach is an extraordinary item from Outside the Domain. Its effects are something you, Manager Shen, should be well aware of. I can say outright that in the entire Tianyuan Main Realm, only I possess this item. If Manager Shen is willing to meet my request, I can provide these Longevity Peaches exclusively to Shen’s Myriad Goods Pavilion. Of course, this is business, and the decision whether to proceed or not is still up to you, Manager Shen. I do not like to force people. We still have two months until we reach the Southern Ming Wasteland. Please take some time to consider this during our journey. Whether we agree or not, just inform me before we disembark from the ship. What do you say?"
With a slightly tense face, Shen Ziyi gazed at the Longevity Peach in his hand with a complex expression. He took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Alright, Qi, rest assured. I will give you an answer before we disembark. And everything we’ve discussed today, I will keep to myself. If I betray my word, may I perish under a calamitous tribulation."
"Very well, then. I shall take my leave, Manager Shen."
With a smile and a bow, Qi Xiu turned and left.
Moments later, Shen ZiXiao stepped into the Formation. He saw his brother holding a Longevity Peach with an indecisive expression and asked with furrowed brows, "What’s the matter?"
"This Daoist Qi Xiu wants to buy something from us."
"Buy what?" Sensing that what his brother mentioned must be no ordinary item, Shen ZiXiao pressed on.
After a deep breath, Shen Ziyi slowly raised his head, his eyes as deep as a still pond. He said, "A life!"
"Uh? Whose life?" Shen ZiXiao narrowed his eyes.
Without a word, Shen Ziyi raised his hand and pointed toward the words made of water vapor in the void that had not yet fully disappeared.
Following his brother’s gesture, Shen ZiXiao’s face turned pale. He saw, in the air before the chair, three words formed of fading water vapor, brimming with intent.
Zhao Qianqiu!
