Chapter Fifty-seven: The Demonic Cultivator Feng Liang

"Esteemed Immortal Lady, please, come inside. May I ask what kind of magical artifact you wish to purchase? Our Pavilion of Magical Artifacts is one of the largest establishments in the Lingnan market. Whether you seek offensive flying swords, long blades, or defensive shields…”

As soon as Chu Xiner arrived before the grand, ancient three-story building adorned with flying eaves and intricate brackets, a young attendant hurried up to greet her. His cultivation was at the early fifth level of the Qi Refinement stage. Though he could not discern the beauty hidden beneath Chu Xiner’s mask, out of professional courtesy, he still addressed her as “Immortal Lady.”

“I need a flying sword with a water attribute. Do you have any for sale?” Chu Xiner asked coolly. Although Huang Yipeng had given her a flying sword and a low-grade storage pouch, the sword was not water-attribute, and its compatibility with her spiritual power was poor, making it impossible to unleash its full might in battle.

“A water-attribute flying sword? No problem. May I ask what quality you require? Our pavilion has middle-grade ones, and even high-grade, though the price is a bit steep…” Facing a female cultivator of such superior realm, the young attendant needed no further prompting. He began to introduce their wares with practiced enthusiasm.

“A low-grade one will suffice. How many spirit stones does it cost?”

Hearing that there were even high-grade flying swords coveted by Foundation Establishment cultivators, Chu Xiner’s beautiful eyes lit up, but soon dimmed again. All her possessions amounted to less than a hundred low-grade spirit stones, and that was only because she had robbed two or three junior cultivators on her journey. Buying a high-grade flying sword was simply out of the question.

Moreover, on this trip to the market, she also needed to buy a spirit beast pouch as a dwelling for Xiao Wenzi. She couldn’t spend all her spirit stones here, so she had no choice but to settle for a low-grade sword.

“Fifty-five low-grade spirit stones. Since this is your first visit to our store, if you need anything else, and your total reaches a hundred spirit stones, I am authorized to offer a five percent discount—just ninety-five low-grade spirit stones in all.”

The young man was indeed experienced in bargaining. With sharp insight, he noticed the subtle shifts in Chu Xiner’s expression and immediately deduced her lack of funds and her intent to purchase other items.

Coincidentally, Chu Xiner had exactly ninety-five spirit stones. She shot him a helpless glance and asked, “Do you have spirit beast pouches?”

“Yes, a low-grade beast pouch is forty-five low-grade spirit stones—just enough for the discount.” The young attendant smiled promptly, having read her intentions perfectly.

What else was there to say? It was as if he was pricing the goods by looking at the spirit stones she carried. Chu Xiner sighed inwardly at her poverty, took out her spirit stones, and paid for the flying sword and beast pouch she needed.

With the transaction complete, her gaze was full of helpless resignation at her sudden impoverishment. The other customers in the artifact pavilion paid her little mind. After all, a transaction of less than a hundred spirit stones could not tempt cultivators above the twelfth level to kill for treasure, and those with cultivation similar to Chu Xiner’s dared not act recklessly.

Yet, not long after leaving the Lingnan market, Chu Xiner’s expression grew steadily darker. She could not shake off a tail no matter how she tried—a sallow-faced middle-aged man whose cultivation was on par with Zhou Kai, both at the late eleventh level.

At first, he kept his distance, but after following for dozens of miles beyond the market, he closed in to within a hundred paces behind her, clearly up to no good.

A few days ago, Chu Xiner would not have feared him at all. But now, the water-attribute flying sword she had just bought was not yet refined, and her medium-grade ice spike talisman, her trump card, had long since been expended. She was in no condition for a confrontation.

Feng Liang was a rogue cultivator of the evil path. To have reached the eleventh level without the protection of a sect spoke to his impressive talent. However, he was notorious for his lustful nature. The moment he laid eyes on Chu Xiner in the market, he was instantly smitten.

It was not surprising; the mask Chu Xiner wore was only a common low-grade artifact, sufficient to block the spiritual sense of those below the ninth level. For someone like Feng Liang, intent on seeing, it was no obstacle—he saw through to her true face at once.

Barely eighteen, with a graceful figure and a doll-like face of devastating beauty, Chu Xiner was the most exquisite maiden Feng Liang had ever set eyes upon. What’s more, her cultivation was close to his own, making her the perfect partner for dual cultivation. Feng Liang decided to try persuasion first; if she did not comply, he would not hesitate to seize her by force.

Now, out on the deserted plains, Feng Liang threw caution to the wind and sped up his pursuit.

Chu Xiner, anxious, likewise pushed her spiritual power to flee. She had no confidence in defeating him, and if she could escape, she would avoid fighting at all costs.

However, his cultivation outstripped hers. After fleeing several more miles, the distance between them shrank to less than thirty feet.

“Please wait, Immortal Lady!” Feng Liang called out via voice transmission as he pursued, growing impatient. “I am Feng Liang. I was captivated at first sight. I simply wish to become your dual cultivation partner. I mean you no harm…”

“Fellow Daoist Feng, I already have someone in my heart. I hope you will not persist in this pursuit.” Chu Xiner, of course, did not believe his nonsense. Still, if she could avoid a desperate fight, it would be for the best, so she slowed her flight and replied.

As for her supposed beloved, it was merely an excuse. If she truly had an affectionate senior brother in her sect, why would Huang Yipeng have remained so unrelenting?

Little girl, whether you have someone or not is none of my concern. I’m only after a cauldron to break through my bottleneck—you’re far too naive.

Feng Liang’s face betrayed nothing, but inwardly he sneered. As he spoke, he had already closed in, within range for his magical artifacts. With a flick of his wrist, a pair of gleaming hooks appeared.

Infusing them with spiritual power, the twin hooks spun and flashed, launching a brilliant assault toward Chu Xiner.

“Hmph, did you really think I’m so easily bullied?”

The plains around were utterly desolate. All the while fleeing, Chu Xiner’s spiritual power had been heavily depleted. The reason she had slowed her flight was not out of hope for a peaceful resolution, but because she knew if she continued, she would be overtaken regardless—and if her spiritual power ran too low, she would be at his mercy. She had no pills to restore her strength quickly.

Better the pain be short than long. Since a fight was inevitable, as she snorted coldly, Chu Xiner formed seals with both hands. The flying sword beneath her feet flared with a brilliant light and clashed with the twin hooks, while she used a lightening technique to gracefully descend to the ground below.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The crisp clash of refined iron rang out as the sword was knocked back, spinning through the air. Clearly, this newly acquired, unrefined, and ill-matched sword was far inferior to her old one.

Fortunately, Feng Liang did not press his advantage. Seeing that the girl had stopped fleeing, he was confident he could capture her alive. He too withdrew his light and landed among the yellowed grasses of the deserted plain.

It was already the depth of winter; the ordinary vegetation had withered away. With the bleak atmosphere and the chill in the air, a sense of desolation pervaded the scene.