Chapter 6: Oh No!

A month later, Lu Qingyang rarely descended the mountain.

Of course, if he had no need, he would never leave the sect so easily.

Fortunately, today's itinerary was to purchase some things at the market below the Chaotian Sect's mountain.

It was not considered far from the Chaotian Sect's territory.

So he was not afraid of encountering any mishap.

"I exchanged for the Nightshade Shuttle, but now my contribution points can't afford the Object-Commanding Art."

"A complete copy of the Object-Commanding Art costs a full hundred contribution points at the Spell Art Bureau."

"I can only hope to find a cheap, incomplete version of the Object-Commanding Art down the mountain."

"Otherwise, this Nightshade Shuttle can only be used as a throwing dart for now."

Lu Qingyang sighed, his figure speeding toward the foot of the mountain.

Today should have been the day he could run a Simulation, but he wanted too badly to master the Nightshade Shuttle sooner.

He could only set it aside for now.

After all, if he didn't know the Object-Commanding Art, he could only attach spiritual power to the Nightshade Shuttle and use it as a throwing dart.

If he wanted to fully unleash the Nightshade Shuttle's power, he still had to learn the Object-Commanding Art.

Whoosh whoosh!

Lu Qingyang raced along the rugged mountain path, his clothes flapping loudly.

After traveling the mountain path for about half a day, a long street resembling a small town came into view.

Seeing this, Lu Qingyang's mood couldn't help but stir slightly.

Finally arrived.

He patted his storage bag and pulled out a bamboo hat, placing it on his head.

Then, with a flicker of his figure, he transformed into a black phantom and shot toward the center of the small town.

......

"Sky Star Grass, freshly picked Sky Star Grass, anyone buying!"

"First-rank demon beast hide, a whole Fire Fox pelt, only fifty spirit stones!"

"Qi-Nourishing Pills! Spirit-Restoring Pills! All sold cheap!"

Before Lu Qingyang even approached the small town, waves of hawking voices reached his ears.

"This Chaotian Market is said to be a trading market established by the families of the sect's Inner Gate disciples."

"In the market, aside from all kinds of herbs, the most common goods are demon beast pelts."

Lu Qingyang muttered inwardly.

He accelerated toward the small town.

After arriving in front of a stall, Lu Qingyang scanned it carefully and asked.

"Fellow Daoist, do you happen to have a cheaper Object-Commanding Art? Even a fragment would do."

Lu Qingyang walked up to an old man.

The old man glanced at Lu Qingyang's attire and sneered.

"Fellow Daoist, the Object-Commanding Art is the Object-Commanding Art. How could a mere Qi Refining Art have a fragment version?"

Hearing this, Lu Qingyang frowned and was about to leave.

But the old man reached out and blocked him.

"Don't be in a hurry!"

The old man chuckled. "I imagine Fellow Daoist wants to buy a fragment of the Object-Commanding Art because your purse is a little tight."

"But there's no such thing as a fragment of the Object-Commanding Art in this world."

"I do have a fragment of the Sword-Commanding Art here!"

"If Fellow Daoist wants it... this old one can give you a discount!"

As he spoke, the old man's eyes swept over Lu Qingyang's waist.

There was a hint of prying, as if searching for his storage bag.

Seeing this, Lu Qingyang tensed inwardly. He slightly turned his body, placing his right hand behind his back to grip the Nightshade Shuttle...

"Heh heh, young friend, don't be nervous. It's just that this fragment of the Sword-Commanding Art costs at least a hundred spirit stones."

"This old one only wishes to know... can young friend afford it?"

The old man seemed to sense Lu Qingyang's vigilance and gave an embarrassed chuckle.

Lu Qingyang nodded slightly, not relaxing his guard.

"A hundred spirit stones is too expensive. I am a disciple of the sect! I am willing to trade thirty contribution points for it."

"But I need to see that fragment of the Sword-Commanding Art first."

Lu Qingyang bit down hard on the words "disciple of the sect" to warn the old man of his identity.

Hearing this, a trace of disdain flashed through the old man's eyes.

But in an instant, he returned to normal.

"Haha, in that case, young friend, take a look first. The price is negotiable."

As he spoke, the old man took out a pale green jade slip missing a corner and handed it over.

Lu Qingyang took the jade slip and infused his spiritual power into it.

Instantly, streams of information poured into his mind like flowing water.

Lu Qingyang was inwardly astonished.

This was actually a Foundation Establishment-level Sword-Commanding Art!

After all, the Object-Commanding Art and the Sword-Commanding Art differed by a single word, yet the gap between them was like a chasm that could not be crossed.

An ordinary Object-Commanding Art could only simply command a Dharma Artifact to move, or to fight an enemy.

But if it suffered interference from a spell, or if a Dharma Artifact interrupted its execution, it could not display its true power at all.

A Foundation Establishment-level Sword-Commanding Art, however, was very difficult to interfere with.

Even when used to command other Dharma Artifacts, it was extremely effective.

However, this Sword-Commanding Art was a Foundation Establishment spell. Normally it was very precious — how could it possibly be sold so cheaply...

"Fellow Daoist, isn't this Sword-Commanding Art very powerful?"

Seeing Lu Qingyang silent for a long time, the old man spoke with a smile.

"Why can a Foundation Establishment-level Sword-Commanding Art be sold so cheaply?"

"Didn't I already say? This is a fragment of the Sword-Commanding Art, extremely difficult to practice. If no one was willing to buy it, how could it be sold so cheaply?"

Having said that, the old man's eyes flickered slightly.

Lu Qingyang could naturally see how difficult this fragment of the Sword-Commanding Art was to practice.

Presumably, ordinary Foundation Establishment True Persons looked down on it, while Qi Refining disciples couldn't learn it, so the price was low.

But to him, this was no difficult matter.

At this thought, Lu Qingyang couldn't be bothered to waste more words on the old man.

He directly took out his identity jade token and waved it.

"Thirty contribution points. If you're willing to sell, I'll find a place to exchange them for spirit stones right now and buy it."

"Ah, no need, no need. Seeing how straightforward young friend is, and I am a disciple of the sect as well. You can just transfer it directly to my identity jade token."

The hemp-robed old man looked at Lu Qingyang's identity jade token, his eyes brightening.

Although at the Chaotian Market, one sect contribution point was officially worth one spirit stone, that was only the official price.

Privately, even trading one for two was rare.

After all, these contribution points could be exchanged for rare items within the Chaotian Sect.

Seeing the other party agree, Lu Qingyang quickly completed the transaction with him.

Soon, he disappeared into the market with the jade slip.

After Lu Qingyang's figure completely vanished at the end of the market.

The old man, who had just been wearing a fawning smile, gradually turned cold, his face full of gloom.

He let out a cold snort and turned to leave.

"Hmph, kid, do you really think opportunities to pick up a bargain are lying all over the street!"

"Read fewer cultivation picture books!"

......

Lu Qingyang left the market and headed straight for the Chaotian Sect's mountain gate.

His figure flickered rapidly through the dense forest.

His heart was also on high alert!

The pitch-black Nightshade Shuttle was hidden in his sleeve, guarding against the surroundings.

For some reason, he had a nagging feeling of unease.

But I'm probably overthinking it. That old man, though not exactly well-behaved, is at least a disciple of the sect. He shouldn't act recklessly.

Thinking of this, Lu Qingyang relaxed slightly.

He continued speeding toward the Chaotian Sect.

About three hours later.

The Chaotian Sect was already visible in the distance.

But at this moment.

Suddenly!

Whoosh!

A sharp whistle of cutting wind rang out. A dagger radiating faint light sliced through the void.

"Hm?"

Lu Qingyang's pupils constricted sharply.

He twisted his body, dodging the strike.

The dagger brushed past his shoulder.

A cold light flashed in Lu Qingyang's eyes!

Could it be...

Lu Qingyang's expression turned grave.

He looked back, and sure enough, the hemp-robed old man appeared.

He was currently standing several zhang away in the dense forest, a playful smile on his face.

The hemp-robed old man glanced at Lu Qingyang with a smile. "Kid, ever heard that picking up small bargains leads to big losses!"

This man is truly courting death!

Having been ambushed, Lu Qingyang had no intention of wasting words on this old thief.

He immediately prepared to form a spell to summon the sect's Law Enforcement Bureau disciples.

But the next moment, his expression changed drastically.

Because he saw the fragment of the Sword-Commanding Art, which should have been stored in his storage bag, slowly floating out.

And at this very moment, he realized that the spiritual power within his body had actually been suppressed.

Damn it!