Chapter 23: Blue Python Robe, Acquired!
Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Blue Python Robe, Acquired!
Amidst the vast snowy landscape, two figures emerged from the withered woods. Both appeared to be in their early forties; one was slightly plump, the other somewhat thin. Judging by their features, the thin one had a resolute gaze, projecting a natural aura of authority even when not angered, while the plump one looked somewhat simple and honest.
They followed the rutted tracks that had yet to be buried by the snow, walking all the way north until they finally reached the Ancient Dust Marketplace. However, they only arrived at the perimeter, choosing not to enter. The two exchanged a glance, their eyes lighting up almost simultaneously.
"Boss, there’s another fat mark!" the plump Tribulation Cultivator beamed.
The thin Tribulation Cultivator nodded in equal satisfaction. "Judging by the depth of the wheel tracks, the cart is carrying at least five hundred catties. Anyone selling five hundred catties of grain is likely around the Qi Refining Second Layer. It seems we haven’t waited this past month in vain."
"Exactly. In the middle of nowhere like this, just traveling back and forth takes over an hour every day. If no one showed up soon, we’d have to go back to plowing the fields." Even as Tribulation Cultivators, they still couldn’t escape the bitter life of a farmer.
"It’s just a pity that the kid who slipped away last year hasn’t shown up again!" The thin Tribulation Cultivator ground his teeth in irritation. "It’s all that damn woman’s fault. Well, at least she’s truly dead now."
"Boss, maybe that kid is already dead."
"That’s also possible!" he said, nodding.
***
"You can look, but no touching." The Magic Robe Shop owner squinted one eye, his voice sounding authoritative. It seemed that if Chen Mo even reached out, the man would mercilessly chop his hand off.
"Sir, do you have any Magic Robes to recommend?" Chen Mo didn’t know much about them, but since he had to buy one anyway, he figured it was best to ask.
"You’re actually buying?" The shopkeeper slowly sat up straight, opening his other eye as well.
"Yes."
"The cheapest Magic Robe I have here costs thirty taels of Spiritual Sand. Do you have that?" To avoid wasting time, the shopkeeper chose the most snobbish approach—which, of course, was also the most efficient.
"I’m buying!" Chen Mo nodded. "But you’ll have to explain them to me."
Hearing this, the Magic Robe Shop owner finally stood up. He walked over to Chen Mo, pointing at the fairly exquisite Magic Robes hanging on the wall, and asked, "What price range are you looking for?"
"Around forty taels."
The shopkeeper’s gaze swept the room before he took down a Purple Python Robe from a corner. "This piece is sewn from the silk spun by a ten-year Spiritual Cicada. Furthermore, it features an Array personally laid down by a Qi Refining Late Stage expert. Against attacks below the Qi Refining Third Layer, it can weaken Magic attacks by seventy percent, and it can even withstand a full-force blow from someone at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer."
Chen Mo thought it was a great item. As expected, Magical Artifacts were the fastest way to increase one’s strength! With Magic attacks weakened by seventy percent, he should be able to hold his ground.
"Anything else?"
With a guaranteed sale at his door, the shopkeeper was no longer annoyed. He gently placed the Purple Python Robe on the counter and took down another piece. "This one was also crafted by the same expert. It can weaken Magic by sixty percent. While it doesn’t have the ability to block an attack from the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, it can amplify the power of a Qi Refining Early Stage Cultivator’s Flame Magic by ten percent."
Ten percent might not sound like much, but in actual combat, the difference would be extremely obvious.
"Do you have any others?" Chen Mo asked again.
By now, his gaze had settled on the bright yellow Dragon Robe displayed right in the center of the shop. In the Mortal Realm, dragons might symbolize supreme status, with incredibly strict rules about who was allowed to wear them. But in the Cultivation Realm? Dragons were just another motif. However, both the appearance and the aura of this Magic Robe exuded a breathtaking presence.
Hearing this, the shopkeeper chuckled teasingly. "That is a Magic Robe only meant for someone at the Qi Refining Late Stage."
"How much is it?" Chen Mo still wanted to know. After all, it didn’t have a price tag.
"You really want to know?"
Chen Mo nodded.
"Eight Low Grade Spirit Stones!"
GASP!
That was certainly a steep price. Chen Mo inquired about a few more pieces. The cheap ones had poor effects, while the effective ones were too expensive. That was how things worked everywhere. Scammers aside, you got exactly what you paid for. Ultimately, Chen Mo could only choose between the two Python Robes.
"Sir, which one do you suggest I take?"
"The Purple Python Robe, naturally!"
"Why?" Chen Mo asked in return.
"It can withstand a full-force blow from the Qi Refining Fourth Layer. Is that not enough?"
"But why would I go out of my way to provoke someone at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer?"
"Do you think they won’t conveniently kill you just because you didn’t provoke them?" This time, it was the shopkeeper’s turn to ask the real question.
That made a lot of sense. But what would happen after blocking that full-force blow? Wouldn’t he still end up dead anyway? It wasn’t as if a single block meant he could actually defeat a Qi Refining Fourth Layer opponent!
"I’ll take that Blue Python Robe!" Chen Mo pointed at the second piece.
The Magic Robe Shop owner’s mouth twitched into a fake smile. "Forty-two taels."
"Can you make it cheaper? I’m just a Spirit Plant Cultivator, I don’t have much money in my Dou." Back when Chen Mo was in school, he had often relied on the "I’m just a college student" excuse to haggle with shopkeepers.
"Forty-one taels." The shopkeeper conceded slightly, though clearly not because of the Spirit Plant Cultivator title.
"Thirty-eight taels, and I’ll buy it."
"Get out!" The man was decisive, turning to hang the robe back on the wall.
Chen Mo stared for a moment, and sure enough, the shopkeeper actually hung it back up. He turned and walked away, and the shopkeeper made no move to stop him. Left with no choice, Chen Mo turned back after walking seven or eight meters away from the shop.
"Thirty-nine taels!"
The shopkeeper didn’t even raise his eyes, clearly indifferent.
"Forty, that’s my final offer!" Chen Mo knew very well in his heart that this Blue Python Robe was absolutely worth it.
Only then did the shopkeeper reluctantly get back up. He took down the robe and handed it over, saying, "I hate dealing with you people the most. You have no money, yet you still want to buy a Magic Robe."
He had run this shop for a long time, but he had truly never encountered a Spirit Plant Cultivator buying a Magic Robe before. So stingy!
Now, Chen Mo finally got a proper feel of the robe. As soon as it touched his hands, a refreshing coolness seeped into his body—a sensation that silk or synthetic fibers couldn’t possibly match. He took off his padded jacket and was just about to put the robe on when the shopkeeper stopped him.
"Where’s the Spiritual Sand?"
No money, no fitting.
When Chen Mo pulled forty taels of Spiritual Sand out of his Dou and handed it over, a flash of surprise flickered through the other man’s eyes. Clearly, even though they were about to complete the transaction, the shopkeeper still harbored some disbelief.
After putting on the Blue Python Robe, Chen Mo felt entirely refreshed and invigorated. Only then did the shopkeeper speak up again.
"As long as it doesn’t take any attacks, you’ll need one tael of Spiritual Sand every two to three years to nourish the Array inside the Magic Robe."
"It needs Spiritual Sand for nourishment?" This was something Chen Mo hadn’t anticipated.
"Otherwise? Where do you think the Spiritual Qi comes from?"
"And if it takes an attack?"
"Anywhere from one or two years to a couple of months. Of course, if it takes a hit from the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, you don’t expect it to remain completely undamaged, do you?"
Chen Mo nodded; that was quite reasonable and acceptable. Now that he had this Magic Robe, his ability to protect himself had improved by quite a few margins. However, right now, he only had five taels of Spiritual Sand left in his Dou.
Chen Mo stepped out of the shop and glanced at the sky. It was still early. He had plenty of time to make it back to the fields before dark. Without delay, he wrapped his padded jacket around himself, grabbed the wheelbarrow he had arrived with, and hurried back toward his home.
He would have to make another trip tomorrow!