C16 Broken Axe

"Hey, Xiao Tian, are you sure we really need to head to the Drakenfell Mountains? That place is so dangerous even a Kingbane might not make it out alive. There are dire beasts everywhere, and while we're pretty tough in the Wild Bull Desert, we might be nothing over there," Qin Wudi said as he followed Xiao Tian toward the mountains.

"Let me ask you again, do you want to become strong?" Xiao Tian glanced at Qin Wudi.

"I do," Qin Wudi replied, nodding with certainty.

"If that's the case, then don't question my decisions. To become strong, you must be willing to face challenges and have the courage to confront any danger. So what if the Drakenfell Mountains are dangerous? No matter how perilous, as warriors, we must enter as if it's our own territory," Xiao Tian said firmly to Qin Wudi.

"I get it, I really do, but those mountains are seriously dangerous. There are Shadow Dragons at the Kingbane level there. I can't even imagine facing one. If a Shadow Dragon appeared in front of me, my small frame would be torn to pieces in an instant," Qin Wudi said sheepishly.

"You're calling that a small frame? You're completely ruining the term 'small frame,'" Xiao Tian shook his head and continued, "If you really don't want to go, you can leave now. I'm not forcing you. But since you've chosen to follow, stop asking questions."

"Oh," Qin Wudi scratched his head, then closed his mouth and followed Xiao Tian with large strides.

Over two hours later, Qin Wudi and Xiao Tian arrived at the Drakenfell Mountains, finding themselves in a small town at the mountain's base.

Though the town appeared small, it was bustling with activity. It was a hub for warriors, offering rare herbs, Soulsparks, treasures, and even materials from dire beasts that were hard to find elsewhere.

As Xiao Tian and Qin Wudi entered, the first thing they heard was the lively shouts of vendors.

"Sabertooth tiger teeth, going cheap! Don't miss out, only $999, just $999..."

"Trading second-level, three-star Heavenly Fragrance Grass for second-level, one-star Bewitching Grass. Anyone interested, come trade quickly!"

"Looking for a team! Anyone up for taking down a Master Level mammoth? We just need one more, just one more!"

"Flying Dragon Adventure Team, looking for a sponsor! If you're the one, come quickly. A hundred thousand gold banknotes a day, the best team choice for you..."

Hearing the bustling calls, Xiao Tian and Qin Wudi weren't surprised. In the World of War, scenes like this were quite common. The Drakenfell Mountains, despite being perilous and teeming with dire beasts, were a prime spot for warriors seeking to hone their skills and find rare treasures. Naturally, where there are many warriors, trade follows, and markets spring up with ease.

Many warriors came to the Drakenfell Mountains to boost their strength or earn some money. Merchants here bought materials and Soulsparks, which was quite convenient for the warriors.

"Hmm?" Xiao Tian, leading Qin Wudi forward, suddenly showed a hint of surprise. His attention was caught by a particular stall amidst the surrounding clamor. On that stall lay a battered axe, full of nicks and covered in rust, looking almost like scrap.

After a moment of surprise, Xiao Tian quickly made his way to the stall. "How much for this axe?" he asked the stall owner.

The stall owner, a small-eyed old man in a blue coat and leather hat with a goatee, flashed a sudden gleam in his eyes upon hearing Xiao Tian's question. He then held up one finger.

"One hundred bucks? That's a steal, buddy. Pay up," Xiao Tian said, surprised, glancing at the stall owner before turning to Qin Wudi.

"Sure thing," Qin Wudi replied without hesitation.

"Pfft."

As Qin Wudi responded, the stall owner nearly choked in disbelief. He thought he'd finally snagged a big spender who'd take interest in the old axe he'd picked up from the Drakenfell Mountains. But to his shock, the guy only offered a hundred bucks.

It didn't make sense. The man in front of him was dressed in fine clothes, looking every bit the dashing gentleman, with a sidekick in tow. Typically, someone like that wouldn't blink at the price, let alone haggle.

The stall owner had raised a finger, expecting the gentleman to interpret it as ten thousand, or even a hundred thousand. How did he come up with just a hundred bucks?

"Hold on, this isn't a hundred bucks. Hey, mister, quit messing with an old man. In this town, the lowest deal starts at a hundred grand. What can I do with a hundred bucks?" the old man with the goatee grumbled at Xiao Tian.

"A hundred grand, then. No big deal. Buddy, pay him," Xiao Tian said nonchalantly.

The old man with the goatee spoke up again, "This axe isn't something you can buy with just a hundred gold banknotes. It's called the Sky-Breaking Axe. Just from the name, you should know how powerful it is—it can even break the sky. So, it's priced at a firm ten thousand gold banknotes."

"You've got some nerve calling it the Sky-Breaking Axe. It's rusty and full of nicks. If I didn't think it might still have some use, I wouldn't even offer you a hundred. And yet, you dare to ask for ten thousand. Offering a hundred is already generous on my part. But, well, since I'm feeling generous today, I'll give you a thousand gold banknotes and take it off your hands." Xiao Tian glanced at the old man with the goatee, then, with an air of nonchalance, reached for the axe on the stall, ready to have Qin Wudi pay and leave.

"Wait, at least give me ten thousand. That's the minimum," the old man quickly interjected.

"Eight hundred gold banknotes," Xiao Tian countered.

"What? Eight hundred? How is your offer getting lower?" The old man looked at Xiao Tian, eyes wide with disbelief.

"If you keep haggling, I'll drop it to five hundred. I might not be short on cash, but I'm no fool. You know how worn out this thing is," Xiao Tian said coolly.

“Alright, alright, a thousand gold it is. Take the item.” The old man with the goatee spoke, sounding a bit downcast. However, despite his expression, he was actually quite pleased. Selling something he picked up by chance for a thousand gold was a pretty good deal.

Xiao Tian glanced at the old man but didn’t haggle further. He had Qin Wudi drop a thousand gold banknotes and was about to leave.

“Hold on, I’ll take that axe for ten thousand gold.”

Just as Xiao Tian was about to leave, a voice filled with arrogance rang out. A young man in a purple robe, holding a folding fan and accompanied by a woman in a red dress, approached. His eyes were fixed intently on the axe in Xiao Tian’s hand, and he was visibly excited, gripping his fan tightly.

What an incredible surprise—the Sky-Breaking Axe.

Yang Dong couldn’t believe his luck in finding the Sky-Breaking Axe here.

The Sky-Breaking Axe was the legendary weapon of the Axe Demon, who, with the strength of a Kingbane, could challenge even the mightiest warriors. Its power was truly astounding.

Rumor had it that this axe held a great secret within.

Today was truly Yang Dong's lucky day. This was something he absolutely had to get his hands on, and quickly, before anyone else who knew about it could. He needed to be the first to seize it.

Anyone who dared to stand in his way would face dire consequences.