C19 One Question Ten Thousand Gold

As Lu Feng strolled through the shop, his bold demeanor became increasingly apparent, leaving the two servers exchanging glances, both taken aback by the sudden shift. Their earlier contemptuous expressions had disappeared, replaced by obsequious smiles as they eagerly followed in his wake.

"Guest, feel free to choose whatever you like. I'll carry it for you," one of the servers offered, eagerly taking the materials from Lu Feng's hands.

Lu Feng perused the items, ranging from the 100 to the 900 sections. His selection appeared casual, but in reality, he didn't need to scrutinize the materials closely. With the keen eye he had honed over three years in Exquisite Valley, he could effortlessly identify the most flawless pieces.

He chose over a dozen items, from Crystal Jade to flawed Spirit Beast cores, yet managed to keep his spending under 1,000 Copper Soul Coins. The priciest item he selected was a piece of Rough Jade from the 200 section. Most of his choices were more modest, valued at just a few dozen coins from the 100 section.

It wasn't that Lu Feng didn't desire the more expensive items; his current financial situation simply didn't allow it. With the Soul Coins he had left, including those given by Jiang Ruoyun, he had less than a thousand Copper Soul Coins to his name, prompting him to opt for the most affordable materials.

The servers, however, saw things differently. They had never encountered someone who chose items without meticulous inspection, especially from the lower-priced sections. In their eyes, Lu Feng was no longer someone to be scorned but rather a novice Soul Master who didn't yet require high-grade materials.

But they knew this was only for the time being. Eventually, he would need more, and so their service became even more enthusiastic. After all, they viewed Lu Feng as a potential long-term, big-spending client who was generous and nonchalant with his purchases.

Unaware of the servers' thoughts, Lu Feng completed his selection and gestured towards the second floor, indicating that they should lead the way.

One server went to tally the cost of the materials while the other eagerly escorted Lu Feng upstairs, hopeful for further selections.

The second floor was more compact, and upon ascending the stairs, they were greeted by a large Bagua hanging on each wall, shimmering with a soft radiance indicative of a sophisticated array formation.

Compared to the nine sections on the first floor, the second floor was divided into just two areas: items priced below ten thousand and those above. However, the variety and styles here were much more abundant than downstairs. In addition to high-grade Spirit Beast cores and natural crystals, there were even Array Diagrams for sale.

Array Diagrams, while not exceedingly valuable, were still fairly uncommon, and it wasn't often that you'd see them available for direct purchase. After perusing their descriptions, Lu Feng realized they were merely basic Spirit Arrays and his surprise faded.

Surveying the room, a piece of dark green Rough Jade in the corner piqued his interest.

He strode over, turned the jade over in his hands, and inquired, "How much for this jade?"

The shop assistant approached to take a closer look but was interrupted by an elderly man who emerged from a side door, gesturing for the assistant to step aside. The old man then turned to Lu Feng and asked, "Young man, do you recognize this piece of jade?"

A side door on the second floor? Hidden behind a Bagua arrangement on the wall, it was nearly imperceptible unless examined closely.

Lu Feng eyed the elder and responded with a hint of irritation, "What's this? If I recognize the jade, does the price drop? And if I'm clueless, it costs more?"

On this continent, swindling unsuspecting customers was all too common. Without knowledge, one could only blame oneself for being duped. Sometimes, people would even spend a fortune on worthless rocks.

But this case was different.

The old man chuckled at Lu Feng's words, hunched over, and took a step forward, taking the jade from Lu Feng's hand. He reminisced, "This jade was not easily obtained. I found it in a mountain fog barrier several months ago, and it took considerable effort."

"So what? Possessing a treasure without knowing how to use it is a waste," Lu Feng said with a nonchalant smile. This Rough Jade was worth far more than a mere ten thousand gold coins. To those who recognized its value, it might even fetch a hundred thousand Copper Soul Coins.

Yet here it was, disgracefully placed in the ten-thousand-coin section.

The old man paused, then, visibly excited, he asked, "Do you actually know about this jade?"

Indeed, as Lu Feng had mentioned, the old man had unexpectedly come across the Rough Jade and found himself unable to see through it. He had no idea which Spirit Array it was suited for, or even how to properly store it, resulting in it being discarded here, gathering dust.

"So what if you know?" Lu Feng said casually, observing the old man's eager demeanor. He knew the man would soon ask a favor of him, so he began to play hard to get.

"Tell me..." the old man implored, his voice filled with excitement.

"Why should I share such information with a stranger?" Lu Feng replied with a sly smile, clearly having ensnared the old man.

Taken aback, the old man gave Lu Feng a surprised look, realizing that despite his youthful appearance, the man's maturity was unnervingly profound.

"State your terms," the old man demanded, looking directly at Lu Feng. It was clear that since Lu Feng was not leaving, he must want something in return.

"I'll tell you, but in exchange, I get to choose any item from this area," Lu Feng said, gesturing to the section priced below 10,000 Copper Soul Coins. Originally, he had intended to point to the more expensive area, but after spotting another item, he decided to switch his choice.

One question for ten thousand Copper Soul Coins!

"Young man, that's quite the demand," the old man remarked with a hint of scorn. The cost of the question was steep. Though he had grown less concerned with wealth in his old age, the price of ten thousand gold coins was still more than he was willing to bear.

Lu Feng glanced at the old man's stooped figure, picking up on some clues. "Your body seems to have been recently afflicted by the forest's miasma, hasn't it?" he inquired.

The old man's expression shifted dramatically at the mention, his eyes flickering between shock and excitement. "Yes, yes, yes," he nodded vigorously, his voice tinged with urgency. "Could this jade possibly cure me?"

"It's hard to say if it will cure you, but it could lessen some of your suffering," Lu Feng explained. He was familiar with the agony of miasma invasion, a pain that felt like it was tearing through the body during damp weather, excruciating yet untreatable.

"Very well, if it might be of use to me, then you may choose an item," the old man conceded, waving his hand. His eyes shone with hope.

"Agreed," Lu Feng said with a smile. He didn't rush to explain the jade's properties but instead walked over to a nearby table and picked up a carving knife covered in a thin layer of dust. The knife appeared dull and unsharpened.

"If I explain the function of this jade, then the knife is mine, agreed?" Lu Feng proposed to the old man.

"Are you an Array Master?" The old man examined Lu Feng with a hint of astonishment. He was surprised that Lu Feng had not chosen something else but instead opted for a simple carving knife.

Lu Feng just smiled, offering no further explanation—it wasn't necessary.

After stowing the knife away in full view of the old man, who made no move to stop him, Lu Feng began to explain, "The jade you're holding is a type of Cloudmist Stone, known as the Chilling Cloud Stone. It can draw out and neutralize miasma, evil energies, and various other harmful gases."

He paused briefly before adding, "The miasma within you can be completely absorbed by this stone."

With that, Lu Feng turned to head downstairs.

The old man quickly stepped in front of Lu Feng, blocking his path with impressive speed and agility.

"Changed your mind?" Lu Feng asked calmly, a touch of surprise in his eyes at the old man's swift movements. He had noticed something unique about the old man's steps, but he wasn't intimidated. If he truly wanted to leave, he was confident that no one could stop him.

"Not at all, not at all. You've explained the types and uses of the jade, but you haven't told me how to use it," the old man said, a bit embarrassed.

"Just set up a basic Qi Gathering and Spirit Gathering Array, and place the jade at the Array Heart," Lu Feng instructed, though inwardly he wondered how such an obvious solution had eluded the shopkeeper.

"Really? It's that simple?" The old man laughed awkwardly, realizing he had overcomplicated things. He would never have guessed that such a valuable piece of jade could be used in conjunction with the most elementary Spirit Array.

With the revelation that the miasma in his body could be neutralized, the old man's demeanor softened considerably, and he seemed to shed years off his age in an instant.

"Where do you reside, young man? Should the miasma in my body show improvement, I will surely come to express my gratitude," the elder inquired.

Lu Feng understood the old man's skepticism, suspecting that he might be making empty promises and simply walk away. If his treatment proved successful, the question about his residence was genuine; otherwise, it could be a means of seeking retribution.

"Jiang Mansion, Lu Feng," Lu Feng replied with a hint of irritation. There was no need for pleasantries with someone who doubted him.

Noticing Lu Feng's discontent, the elder felt somewhat remorseful. As he prepared to see Lu Feng off, he offered a gesture of goodwill, discounting the materials Lu Feng had purchased downstairs by half.

Watching Lu Feng's retreating figure, the elder murmured to himself, "Since when did Jiang Mansion acquire such an exceptional Array Master?"

...

Lu Feng was immensely pleased with his acquisitions from the trip. He had not only secured enough arrow feathers but also gathered numerous materials for his formations. The highlight was the complimentary carving knife.

Lu Feng's keen eye could discern the extraordinary nature of the knife. It was unfortunate that no one in the Secular World recognized 'Void Spirit Essence Iron,' resulting in the obscurity of such an unparalleled Spirit Blade.

During his time in Exquisite Valley, Lu Feng had access to many exquisite carving knives, but upon departure, the elders reclaimed them, fearing that possessing such treasures might draw unwanted attention and lead to trouble.

The blade he had stumbled upon, although not on par with those from Exquisite Valley, was more than adequate for his current level of cultivation.

After leaving the Array Shop and heading back to Fragrance Gathering Garden, Lu Feng discovered that Jiang Ruoyun and Qiao Xueer had already finished their meal and departed.

With no other option, Lu Feng set off for Jiang Mansion alone. However, as he passed a jewelry store on his way back, a familiar voice reached his ears.

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