Chapter 1: Brother and Sister

  "No way, calm down..."

  "Damn it, over 4000 pieces of low-grade spirit stones and you're getting arrogant. What kind of accomplishments can you achieve? Just wait until I buy the Symbol Armor and cultivate to the sixth layer of Qi Refining realm. Then, I'll be able to venture deep into the Desolate Expanse and find trouble with those eighth-layer Qi Refining demonic beasts. At that time, wealth will come pouring in. Must stay calm, or it'll be too embarrassing..."

  Afraid of being laughed at by Qi Xianghai and Lin Hongjin, Lu Chen quickly calmed down. At this time, the effect of Qing Xin Jue was immediately revealed. In just a short while, in the blink of an eye, Lu Chen's mind was as calm as still water, as if these 4000+ low-grade spirit stones were nothing to him.

  Lin Hongjin didn't have the mood to look at Lu Chen, his eyes had been absorbed by the sparkling crystal on the table. This usually steady and nearly thirty-year-old cultivator, at this moment, unexpectedly drooled a puddle... The greed in his eyes was even more intense.

  He secretly took a glance and Lu Chen couldn't help but laugh to himself, it seemed that no matter where he was, wealth would always be the thing people yearned for the most...

  Lu Chen's calm and composed demeanor, as elegant as a green pine tree, was not only due to the warnings in his own heart but also largely because of the Clear Mind Secret. And what caused this demeanor, something Lu Chen never expected, was that his behavior once again made Qi Xianghai look at him with newfound respect...

  "Mount Tai collapses in front of him and his expression doesn't change~" Qi Xianghai first praised, then thought to himself: "This Jade Lake has a calm and composed mind, although his actual strength is unclear, but one thing can be confirmed, he absolutely won't have strength beyond the 7th layer of Qi Refining. Someone like this would never have such wealth before. And yet, seeing so many low-grade spirit stones doesn't faze him, someone as calm as this is a first for me to see."

  At this moment, Qi Xianghai no longer dared to look down on Lu Chen. In his opinion, only those who had truly reached the realm of immortals could have such a mindset, and yet this unknown young man also possessed it. Unless there was someone powerful behind him guiding him, it was absolutely impossible for him to achieve such a state of mind at such a young age, where he would remain unmoved even if Mount Tai were to crumble before him.

  "This person is absolutely not simple."

  Finally, Qi Xianghai put Lu Chen in a position where he could face himself.

  After some deliberation, Qi Xiang had made up his mind and casually pulled out a celadon-colored jade token.

  "Jade Lake Daoist friend." Qi Xianghai handed the jade token to Lu Chen's face and said, "Please accept this Immortal Alliance Jade Token."

  "Immortal Alliance Jade Token?"

  Lin Hongjin's gaze was still wandering on the dazzling pile of spiritual stones, when suddenly this voice sounded in his ear, he turned his head abruptly, and looked at Qi Xianghai with an extremely shocked expression. Apparently, he knew how important the Xianmeng Yu symbol was.

  "What's a Xianmeng Yufu?" Lu Chen had never seen anything like this before and naturally didn't understand what Qi Xianghai meant.

  Lin Hongjin hastened to offer his respects, saying: "Brother Yuhu, you are unaware that this Xianmeng Jade Token is the symbol of the Xianmeng Auction House. With it, one can possess some special privileges and preferential policies."

  "What special privileges and preferential policies?" Lu Chen looked at Qi Xianghai in astonishment.

  He stroked his silver-white goat beard and smiled, "Not bad, with this thing, fellow daoist can enjoy a 9% discount when shopping at any Xianmeng Auction House branch within the Eastern State's borders. Not only that, but whenever Xianmeng Auction House holds an auction, you won't need to pay any entrance fees, and you'll have access to a private room where everything inside is free for your use."

  "So many benefits?"

  Lu Chen's eyes lit up, and he fondled it lovingly, unwilling to let go.

  "What a coincidence! I just happen to need to buy a symbol of armor, and this thing can enjoy a 10% discount. Isn't it equivalent to saving a piece of spiritual stone? Hmm, it's indeed a good thing."

  Lin Hongjin looked at Lu Chen with boundless admiration. He knew that the Xianmeng Jade Token was not something that just anyone could possess.

  The existence of the Xianmeng Yu Fu is not so simple. Although there are some reasons for absorbing long-term large customers, most of the time it is a means for the Xianmeng to encircle the Dongzhou territory and capture high-level cultivators. Having such a thing, ordinary cultivators will generally form a good cooperative relationship with the Xianmeng. And the reason why the Xianmeng can make the Daozong Qimen acknowledge its existence is precisely because the Xianmeng represents not just a few powerful cultivators, but rather an alliance of all the scattered cultivators in the Dongzhou cultivation world...

  In Lin Hongjin's memory, anyone who possessed the Xianmeng Jade Symbol was a master with foundation period strength. Even the weakest had to have had at least three transactions of this scale with the Xianmeng Auction House before they could be recognized as an important person, someone worth cultivating...

  "Alas, people are compared to people, and it's suffocating...". Lin Hongjin couldn't help but size up Lu Chen, with a multitude of emotions in his heart.

  Lu Chen naturally wouldn't know Lin Hongjin's thoughts at this moment, seeing Qi Xianghai being so sincere, he didn't need to pretend anymore. He cupped his fists and thanked him sincerely: "In that case, Yuhu thanks Officer Qi."

  "Thank you, fellow Taoist..." Qi Xianghai was also delighted and said: "Fellow Taoist can put away the spirit stone now. If there are more of these materials in the future, you can directly come to the Xianmeng Auction House to find me, Qi Xianghai, and I will naturally give a better price to Yu Hu Dao friend."

  That's what good partnership is all about.

  Lu Chen nodded and didn't put away the spirit stone. Instead, he said, "Don't be in a hurry, Yuhu still has something to ask of you."

  "Oh? Fellow Taoist, please speak clearly... As long as I, Qi, can accomplish it, I will definitely do my best..." Qi Xianghai said sincerely.

  Lu Chen smiled and said: "Actually, it's not a big deal. Yuhu just wants to find a close-fitting symbol armor in your esteemed shop, I don't know if you have one or not."

  "What's with the armor?" Lin Hongjin's heart skipped a beat as he suddenly understood: "Damn, this kid is going to stay in the Wilderness for a long time, that's freaking awesome."

  Zhi Xianghai naturally understood Lu Chen's meaning, and smiled slightly: "This is not difficult, I have three sets of Fu Jia records here, Yu Hu Dao can choose one at his discretion."

  As he spoke, Qi Xiang Hai patted his hand, and a maid walked in from outside. After giving her some instructions, the maid left and soon returned with three silver trays.

  Three silver plates were all covered with expensive golden silk, and it was impossible to see what was inside, but faintly, there were a few strands of light flashing out, dazzling the eyes...

  "It should be Su Jia." Lu Chen was convinced in his heart.

  Qī Xiàng Hǎi opened up the three silver plates of silk, and instantly the whole room was filled with dazzling light.

  "Let me introduce them to you: these three are Symbol Armors, classified by material, they are Tungsten Gold Symbol Armor, Chromium Gold Symbol Armor and Golden Cicada Symbol Heart Armor. All three have been infused with the Diamond Symbol Mantra, making them extremely sturdy... please choose one at your discretion, Fellow Daoist Yuhu."

  "Tungsten Gold Symbol... Chromium Gold Symbol..."

  Tungsten and Chrome are materials used for refining equipment. Lu Chen had also seen them in the "Dongzhou Museum Records" before, which said that these two raw materials were the lowest among the refining equipment materials. Chrome was slightly more durable than Tungsten, as expected, it was naturally more expensive. Both sets of armor could withstand the claws of low-level demonic beasts at the 7th level of Qi Refining, but they looked very heavy and would definitely affect one's speed if worn on the body.

  Lu Chen looked down on it, his attention was completely drawn to the thin, almost transparent back heart symbol armor. Lu Chen pointed at the golden cicada symbol armor and asked: "What's going on with this?"

  "Haha." Qi Xianghai smiled and said: "Brother Yuhu is indeed a connoisseur, this Golden Cicada Symbol Armor is made from the shell of a Golden-backed Mountain Mouse infused with a small amount of Cold Iron, forged during refinement to be light and thin as a cicada's wings, hence its name. Of course, its toughness is also the strongest among the three, even high-level demon beasts can't damage it. It's just that this armor is difficult to refine, so there's only one piece, the back plate."

  "No wonder." Lu Chen had just seen that the tungsten gold armor and chromium gold armor were full-body equipment, but only the golden cicada armor had a single vest.

  "Not even a high-level demon beast can damage it in the slightest; doesn't that mean this thing can withstand a blow from a 9th-layer Qi Refining cultivator?"

  Lu Chen immediately asked: "How many spirit stones does this sell for?"

  "4,000 low-grade spirit stones."

  "So expensive?" Lu Chen furrowed his brow, he had struggled for three months to get over 4,100 spirit stones, if he bought the Golden Cicada Symbol Armor, wouldn't he become a poor wretch again?

  Zi Xianghai smiled and said, "It's not expensive if you consider the past. The Golden Cicada Symbol Armor would have been sold for at least 6,000 if it weren't for its defects - it only has a back piece and the cold iron inside is made from scrap materials. Otherwise, how could the Golden Cicada Symbol Armor ignore the attacks of high-level demon beasts?"

  "I understand." Lu Chen nodded and began to calculate in his mind: "4,000, at a 10% discount would be 3,600. He could still save over 500 pieces of spirit stone for himself, which was enough."

  In order to speed up his cultivation and increase his chances of survival, Lu Chen gritted his teeth: "I'll buy it."

  Lin Hongjin watched from the side, not even daring to breathe loudly. Seeing Lu Chen spend 3600 spirit stones without hesitation, he couldn't help but feel envious: "Damn, rich people are really something else. They're so extravagant, 3600 spirit stones is enough for me to earn in several years."

  He gave a thumbs up, and his eyes were filled with envy...

  "Haha, then congratulations to Jade Lake fellow for getting this treasure!" Qi Xianghai smiled and stood up, with a wave of his hand the Ling Stone was divided into two piles.

  One of the piles of over 500 spirit stones was taken back by Lu Chen himself. Qi Xianghai, being a considerate person, saw how fond Lu Chen was of the Golden Cicada Symbol Armor and smiled, saying: "Yu Hu Daoist friend, this armor is best worn close to the body to ward off cold and heat. Why not equip it now? I'll wait with Hong Jin outside while you get ready, then we can escort you downstairs."

  Life-saving things should be worn on the body, and something as eye-catching as the Golden Cicada Shell Armor is best worn early.

  "Whatever."

  Lu Chen nodded and Qi Xianghai and Lin Hongjin stood up and went out...

  As they reached the gate, Lin Hongjin finally burst out with a half-day's worth of doubts and asked: "Qi Zhi, this Xianmeng Yufu is given to him so easily, doesn't it seem a bit irregular?"

  Zhi Xianghai shook his head, his expression very serious: "It's not according to the rules, but it should be worth it."

  Lin Hongjin didn't understand, so Qi Hai said to him: "This person is not very old, but his cultivation is not low. He was able to survive in the Desolate Expanse for three months and even hunt down over a thousand Unihorned Fire Wolves. There must be a reason for this. Whether it's because someone is protecting him or for some other reason, one thing is certain: this person has great potential. You didn't see his eyes when he bought the Golden Cicada Symbol Armor just now... Ah, that was after struggling to decide whether to spend almost all of his spirit stones. This proves that those Unihorned Fire Wolves were definitely hunted down by him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have shown such a reluctant expression..."

  "How is that possible?" Lin Hongjin had guessed Lu Chen's record more than once, and he had also thought that there must be a big figure behind Lu Chen. But after Qi Xianghai's analysis, Lin Hongjin was even more unbelievable.

  "It's not impossible, anything can happen." Qi Xianghai let out a breath and then very solemnly said to Lin Hongjin: "The power behind him is unclear, if we investigate carelessly and he finds out, it will definitely cause his dissatisfaction. So, we cannot afford to offend this kind of person. Hongjin, you handled this matter correctly, since there's this opportunity, you should sincerely befriend Yu Hu, I dare say that in the future, you will benefit from his influence. Heh, you can also be considered as having done a great deed for Xianmeng Auction House, so here's what we'll do: I'll notify Wang Zhi, and from now on, you won't have to go guard the city anymore, come to Xianmeng Auction House to help me."

  Lin Hongjin was still in shock when he heard this remark, especially the last sentence, and he was stunned on the spot.

  "No need to guard the city? Can still join the Xian Alliance auction house?" Lin Hongjin almost didn't dare believe his ears, he didn't think that this big client he brought in would bring him such a huge benefit: "Damn, it's worth it even without the 5% rebate. Hmm, looks like I need to find an opportunity to get close to Yuhu, that little kid."

  Lu Xun in the room still did not know, at this moment because of some unconscious behavior and performance he brought, unexpectedly let another originally mediocre person gain great benefits, and someone has already regarded him as a figure valued by a certain hermit...

  "Wow, this Golden Cicada Shell is indeed a great item..."

  In the room, Lu Chen exerted his powerful magic on the flying sword, slashing it across his chest, yet not even half a mark was left behind.