Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 355 - 198: The Strange Stone of Sword Qi_2

Qin Xue couldnʼt help but ask, ”That thing is worth ten million?”

According to the market price, ten million is basically the price of a Mystical-level top-grade Treasure!

Wen Mingyan chuckled, ”Of course! Sword Gang, to put it plainly, is an external force forging an unconventional Sword Intent! If Xiao Sheng can refine Sword Gang, even if heʼs only at the Silver Bone Realm at the time, he could instantly kill anyone in the Golden Bone Realm! And if he breaks through to the Golden Bone Realm, even those whoʼve undergone one or two marrow-refining transformations would find it hard to kill him. Now tell me, isnʼt it worth ten million?”

Anything that grants cross-boundary combat ability is extremely expensive. For example, the pill that Wu Gui just consumed is worth over three million Silver Taels per piece, and thatʼs merely a temporary enhancement with significant side effects afterward. Yet, itʼs still exorbitantly priced because such items are equivalent to a second life in certain situations. For those with money, many are willing to spend for such insurance.

If that Sword Gang Stone truly can grant Gu Sheng cross-boundary combat ability, then forget ten million—even if the price were twenty million, it wouldnʼt be unreasonable!

”The Mu family might have owned the Sword Gang Stone for many years, but theyʼve never understood its true value. They likely wonʼt demand an exorbitant price! Once the time comes, Iʼll enact a little strategy to get it at a very cheap price.”

Qin Xue was curious, ”What kind of strategy?”

Wen Mingyanʼs face revealed a mysterious smile, ”Donʼt worry about that! Time to sleep, time to sleep. Tomorrow, Iʼll make a trip to Mu City.”

The night passed uneventfully, and the next morning, as the first light of day appeared, Gu Sheng was already awake and practicing swordsmanship beside the giant rock.

Seeing Gu Shengʼs diligence, Wen Mingyan felt quite satisfied internally. After offering a few words of advice, he summoned his flying beast and departed.

Mu City

The Red Cloud Prefecture encompasses the area radiating outward from the Governor Mansion at its center, managed by two sects, three clans, and four Powerful Families.

As one of the four Powerful Families, the Mu family has its city, known as Mu City, and the Mu familyʼs commerce hub is headquartered there.

Wen Mingyan rode his flying beast, landing outside Mu City. He did not arrogantly storm in but instead handed his flying beast to the designated personnel, paid the entrance fee, and walked inside.

Upon entering Mu City, Wen Mingyan wasted no time wandering. He went straight to a grand, golden, and ornately luxurious mansion at the center of the city.

The mansion was vast, spanning roughly ten thousand square meters—a fitting headquarters for the Mu family!

Being a business-centric family, the Mu family surpassed other forces solely in financial power. Even a prestigious sect like the Holy Pill Sect, with its stable high income, couldnʼt rival it.

As Wen Mingyan approached the mansion, he was swiftly stopped by guards.

”Mu family mansion—idle individuals are not allowed!”

The speaker surprisingly possessed cultivation at the Golden Bone Realm. Wen Mingyan, observing the man, silently cursed in his heart, ”Filthy rich bastards!”

The Mu familyʼs wealth was truly unrivaled— even their gatekeeper wielded a Low Grade Yellow Level Treasure.

”I am Wen Mingyan of the Holy Pill Sect, here to visit the Mu familyʼs Family Head for a brief chat.”

The guard urgently raised his head upon hearing this, scrutinizing Wen Mingyan. When Wen Mingyanʼs face matched the image in his mind, his expression shifted to shock. ”Peak Master Wen!”

Wen Mingyan displayed a genial smile, ”Indeed, it is I. May I trouble you to inform your master of my arrival?”

”No need!” boomed a hearty laugh from inside the mansion, moments before a rotund man emerged. Dressed in opulent attire, he sparkled with jewels, radiating an air of affluence.

The rotund manʼs chubby face and sparse eyebrows had a humorous vibe—he was none other than Mu Guangfu, the Clan Leader of the Mu family.

While Mu Guangfu appeared to be similar in age to Wen Mingyan, he was actually several years older than Lu Junyi. His youthful appearance was mostly due to his annual investment of substantial Silver Taels into anti-aging elixirs and medicinal herb collections for refining pills.

Wen Mingyan clasped his hands toward Mu Guangfu, ”Brother Mu, Iʼve arrived unannounced, and I hope you donʼt mind.”

Mu Guangfu roared with laughter, ”What nonsense! Peak Master Wen is a distinguished guest— I can hardly invite you even if I wanted to! Come in! Let us drink until we can drink no more!”

The two entered the mansion, passing numerous pavilions and water features, before arriving at a spacious, luxurious reception hall.

Seated, Wen Mingyan promptly spoke, ”Brother Mu, my visit today is to discuss a deal with you.”

In the Red Cloud Prefecture, Wen Mingyan had a reputation as a tough negotiator and a miser. Buying anything from him involved relentless haggling, and he was widely known to shamelessly try to secure freebies. His disregard for his prestigious status often led him to absurd antics. For him to begin talking about business directly today startled Mu Guangfu, who instantly sat up straighter, adopting full alertness, with the smile on his face becoming slightly strained.

”Brother Wen, how about we drink instead? Discussing business can wait until another day.”

Wen Mingyan naturally knew that the man was wary of him. Without hesitation, he got straight to the point, ”To be honest, I came this time to purchase your Sword Gang Stone. Leaving that thing in your possession doesnʼt amount to much—why not just sell it to me?”

As a businessman, Mu Guangfuʼs sharp instincts immediately deduced that Wen Mingyan had big plans for the Sword Gang Stone. Otherwise, considering Wen Mingyanʼs character, he wouldnʼt have voluntarily come knocking.

Though the Sword Gang Stone was unique, all the Mu family had discovered about it over the years was its ability to slightly accelerate Sword Cultivatorsʼ comprehension of Sword Force. This boost only lasted until entry-level; it had no effect afterward.

Even so, the Mu familyʼs Treasure Appraisers had affirmed it as an extraordinary artifact, albeit one lacking the appropriate activation method. They had once tried auctioning it, but due to its steep price, there were no buyers, and the item was withdrawn from auction. Ultimately, the stone was reserved within the family for use by disciples gifted in Sword Dao.

Over time, its perceived value had somewhat diminished. But now that Wen Mingyan had come knocking, its price was bound to rise.

Mu Guangfu immediately put on a troubled expression, ”Brother Wen, itʼs not that I donʼt want to sell it to you. Itʼs just that our familyʼs Treasure Appraisers recently discovered a new application for the stone—it allows our Sword Dao disciples to advance their cultivation at a phenomenal pace! As a Sword Cultivator, you understand how important such a tool is. In recent years, our family has seen a sudden influx of disciples with exceptional talent in Sword Dao. I truly canʼt part with it!”

Wen Mingyan internally sneered, fully aware that this old fox was making up nonsense. However, he chose not to expose him.

”Brother Mu, you and I are old friends. We both know exactly what the Sword Gang Stone does. Letʼs spare each other the detours—you name a price. If itʼs reasonable, Iʼll take it!”

As an elite businessman, possessing exceptional mental fortitude and perceptive skills was a given. Mu Guangfu, as a leader in the trade world, excelled in both.

From Wen Mingyanʼs demeanor, Mu Guangfu could tell that Wen Mingyan placed significant importance on obtaining the Sword Gang Stone. Observing his confident attitude, Mu Guangfu inferred that his budget wasnʼt low.

Mu Guangfu shook his head, ”You know, while I may be the Clan Leader of the Mu family, certain decisions arenʼt solely up to me. This stone is crucial for our disciples—my hands are tied.”

Wen Mingyan cursed silently, recognizing that the old fox was waiting for him to open negotiations.

Without hesitation, Wen Mingyan aligned two fingers, instantly channeling Sword Intent. A red glow crystallized into a miniature sword at his fingertips.

The tiny sword exuded such potent energy that even Mu Guangfu was utterly shocked.

”Sword Intent! Youʼve actually comprehended Sword Intent!”

Mu Guangfuʼs eyes widened with astonishment as he looked at Wen Mingyan.

Wen Mingyan retracted the Sword Intent with a flick, ”If you sell the Sword Gang Stone to me, Iʼll leave behind one strand of Sword Intent for the Mu family—your disciples can use it for cultivation insights. How about that?”