Chapter Forty-One: Preparing in Advance-Immortality: Unlocking New Abilities Through Farming(An old man with silver hair engages in lively conversation, laughter flowing effortlessly from his lips.)

"I will handle this matter with the Spirit Feather Sect myself," Gu Qingzhao said, her voice as clear and cold as a mountain spring, carrying an undeniable authority. "Fellow Daoist Qin, you need only ensure that the Beast Fang Rice is harvested on time. There’s no need to worry about anything else."

Hearing this, Qin Ming finally felt relieved, the weight on his heart easing. He hadn't expected Gu Qingzhao not only to refrain from blaming him, but to seem fully capable of resolving the issue.

Their conversation concluded, Qin Ming didn’t hurry back to the Serene Retreat. Instead, he went downstairs in search of Manager Liao.

"I’d like to buy a magical weapon. Do you have any recommendations?" he asked.

Manager Liao’s eyes brightened at the prospect of business, and he greeted Qin Ming with a warm, eager smile. "What sort of magical weapon are you looking for, Fellow Daoist Qin? Our shop carries a wide selection."

"Something offensive," Qin Ming replied after a moment’s thought, "preferably suited for a body cultivator."

Manager Liao paused, surprised, but didn’t pry further. He smiled and said, "In that case, please follow me up to the fifth floor, to the Armory Pavilion."

The entire fifth floor of the Gathering Pavilion was dedicated to the sale and purchase of magical weapons. As soon as they ascended, an attendant hurried over to greet them, leading Qin Ming past rows of dazzling showcases, introducing items along the way.

"A mid-grade magical weapon, the Frost Sword—its edge is razor-sharp, with an added ice attack, priced at three hundred and fifty spirit stones."

"Mid-grade magical weapon, Azure Steel Blade, forged from century-old cold iron, crafted at the Blazing Forge, for four hundred spirit stones."

"Mid-grade magical weapon, Blazing Hammer..."

After listening for a while, Qin Ming interrupted, "Do you have any high-grade magical weapons?"

Manager Liao’s face immediately lit up, his spirits rising. He turned and barked at his staff, "Did you hear that? Bring out the best treasures—no dawdling!"

Soon, three elegantly packed long wooden boxes were placed before Qin Ming. Manager Liao opened one; inside lay a pitch-black spear.

"This is the Dragon Spine Spear, a high-grade magical weapon. The spearhead and shaft are a seamless whole, forged from Firecloud Gold Crystal. Every thrust carries a burst of flame, and its armor-piercing power is extraordinary. The price... nine hundred spirit stones." He watched Qin Ming for his reaction, gauging his interest.

"Go on," Qin Ming nodded.

"The next is the Rock Sword, also high-grade, forged from meteor iron from beyond the heavens. It’s incredibly tough and weighs a full thousand pounds. It costs one thousand spirit stones."

Qin Ming stared at the massive sword, its size dwarfing even the one wielded by Yang Guo in old tales, and couldn’t help but be amazed.

"And this last one..." Manager Liao opened the third box, revealing a black longblade.

"The Blackwind Blade, a high-grade magical weapon, forged from wind-infused materials sourced from a place of deadly yin energy. However..." Manager Liao hesitated.

Qin Ming frowned slightly. "However, what?"

"To wield this blade, a cultivator’s vital energy and blood must be exceptionally robust. Otherwise, the baleful energy is nearly impossible to control and could even backfire on someone with a weaker constitution," Manager Liao explained with an embarrassed smile.

Qin Ming reached out and grasped the Blackwind Blade. Instantly, a surge of violent baleful energy rushed up his arm. He tensed, letting the power of his own blood and energy flow into his arm. The blade’s ferocious aura, which had seemed so menacing a moment ago, shrank back as if it had met its nemesis, becoming docile in an instant.

Manager Liao’s smile froze in astonishment.

"How much for this Blackwind Blade?" Qin Ming asked.

"I… I hadn’t realized you were a body cultivator, Fellow Daoist Qin. For others, the price is negotiable, but for you, it’s just twelve hundred spirit stones."

Qin Ming’s lips twitched. If this wasn’t targeted selling, what was? His pouch contained just over thirteen hundred spirit stones.

"Can you go any lower?" he asked outright.

Manager Liao gave a sheepish grin. "Fellow Daoist Qin, you know our reputation for honest trading. Twelve hundred is already the lowest. But how about this: I’ll throw in a manual for the Blood Ignition Blade Technique, worth a hundred spirit stones, as a gift. It’s a perfect match for the Blackwind Blade."

"Since you’re buying from us, you’ll also enjoy a twenty percent discount on all purchases—quite a savings," he added earnestly.

"Deal," Qin Ming replied, gritting his teeth. Having made enemies of Jiang Kun’s group, he urgently needed a reliable weapon. He had no choice but to part with his precious spirit stones.

As for the spoils from killing those five who had attacked him before, they were all low-tier magical weapons—useless to him now, and he’d have to find another place to dispose of them. Selling them here was out of the question.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, that will be one thousand and eighty spirit stones," Manager Liao said, barely able to hide his delight at closing such a lucrative deal.

Qin Ming efficiently counted out the spirit stones and handed them over, then accepted the Blackwind Blade and stowed it in his storage pouch.

With the transaction complete, Manager Liao invited him, "Fellow Daoist Qin, won’t you join me downstairs for a cup of tea?"

"No, I have other matters to attend to," Qin Ming declined with a shake of his head.

"In that case, allow me to see you out."

They descended to the first-floor lobby. In the restaurant below, two cultivators strode in, boisterously calling out, "Hey, Manager! Do you buy demonic beast carcasses here? We’ve got five or six, all mid-tier."

As he spoke, the bald, middle-aged cultivator spat a glob of phlegm onto the floor, utterly unconcerned.

The diners glanced over, some with disgust, but none daring to speak up. After all, anyone capable of hunting five or six mid-tier beasts at once was no ordinary figure. The two wore battered leather armor, clearly seasoned beast hunters.

"Of course we buy, gentlemen! Please, come in," Manager Liao said eagerly, his grin spreading—another deal just landed in his lap. "Fellow Daoist Qin, I’ll leave you here. Come back another day to drink with me; I’ll prepare a fine table for you."

Qin Ming nodded. "No problem. Go ahead and take care of your business."

With that, he stepped out of the Gathering Pavilion.

Back at the Serene Retreat, Qin Ming couldn’t wait to draw the Blackwind Blade and began to practice. Every swing of the blade was accompanied by a chilling, baleful aura that seemed to moan through the air.

"A worthy high-grade magical weapon—what a fine blade!" he exclaimed, caressing the weapon lovingly.

Then he opened the Blood Ignition Blade Technique manual. The technique required a powerful flow of blood and energy to wield, and consisted of seven forms. Mastering even the first allowed him to unleash eighty-one slashes in an instant, each one igniting his blood and producing a fierce, fiery blade arc—a vital skill for anyone who roamed the wilds.