My dreams can simulate the future.

Chapter 10 Purchasing Magical Artifacts

Hou Ming's idea is also the idea of ​​most independent cultivators: having no hope for their own path to enlightenment, they just want to have a child with good talent.

Because the internal environment of Blackrock Mountain Market is relatively stable, many independent cultivators have children here, and some have even gone out to establish families after five or six generations.

Within the market town, there are several families who have lived for generations and have accumulated considerable resources and traditions. However, lacking suitable land, they have no choice but to continue residing within the market town.

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Back in his own courtyard, Jiang Chen pondered what to do next.

"I'm only at the fourth level of Qi Refining now, which isn't enough to fend off those with ulterior motives. Especially the gang behind the one-eyed swordsman, they've probably been watching me all along."

Right now, what I need to do is twofold: first, improve my own strength; second, find a powerful backer. I currently have over 130 spirit stones, which should be enough to buy some magical artifacts for self-defense.

As for backing someone, as the monkey mentioned before, once you become a mid-level first-grade talisman master, you can register at the town's garrison and choose to join their ranks.

With the garrison command as their backer, they shouldn't have to worry about that secret gang causing trouble. However, relying on the garrison command will inevitably come at a price.

Old Zhang has already pledged allegiance to the Garrison Command; I can ask him for information. Perfect timing—I can buy some magical artifacts at Old Zhang's shop and inquire about news while I'm at it; he won't refuse.

Early the next morning, Jiang Chen headed towards Zhang Laokou's shop. He arrived at the door of Zhang Laokou's weapon-refining shop and was about to step inside.

Click~~

A strange noise came from the lintel, and Jiang Chen immediately flew backward.

Thump~~

A plaque fell to the ground with a dull thud.

The plaque was extremely dilapidated; the characters were barely legible, and it was riddled with cracks.

Just then, Zhang Laokou, whose hair was still disheveled, walked out of the store.

Jiang Chen complained, "Grandpa Zhang, your signboard is in such a state, yet you still can't bear to replace it. It almost hit me."

Old Zhang picked up the plaque and casually placed it by the door.

"I do business with my own skills, not this signboard. In the entire Blackstone Mountain market, how many weapon-refining shops can compare to my business?"

My skills are excellent; I don't need a signboard. Why waste money on that?

These words left Jiang Chen speechless.

However, what Old Zhang said was not wrong. Apart from the weapon-refining shops of those powerful forces, there really was no weapon-refining shop whose business could compare to his.

"Grandpa Zhang, your signboard really startled me. I'm here to buy some Buddhist artifacts today, so you'll have to give me a discount."

Old Zhang said with disdain, "Back then, your grandfather was a master at bargaining, and he never managed to get a single grain of spirit sand from me."

"You little brat who hasn't even grown his beard yet, you think you can bargain with me? If I let you succeed, my reputation will be ruined!"

So-called spirit sand is the residue produced during the processing of spirit stones. It contains spiritual energy, but it is easily dissipated. Generally, one pound of spirit sand is equivalent to one spirit stone.

After saying that, his expression changed, and he released his divine sense to carefully investigate Jiang Chen's situation.

"Good lad, you've actually broken through to the fourth level of Qi Refining. No wonder you're here to buy magic artifacts."

With your skills and Old Jiang's guidance, you should be able to draw mid-grade first-rank talismans.

At twenty-five years old, at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and a mid-level first-grade talisman master, he truly has a chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm in the future.

Jiang Chen smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Your eyes are so discerning, my skills are truly beyond your comprehension."

As the two entered the shop, Old Zhang pointed to the shelves on both sides and said, "All the magical artifacts for sale in this shop are here, and the prices are all marked. No bargaining."

Jiang Chen looked at a piece of black soft armor, and Zhang Laokou explained, "This is the Black Rhinoceros Armor, a high-grade first-rank magic weapon, made from the toughest and thickest hide from the back of a hundred-year-old Black Swamp Rhinoceros."

Crafted using my unique methods, even ordinary high-grade first-rank bladed magical artifacts would find it difficult to break through this black rhinoceros armor.

Injecting enough mana can also create a protective barrier that can completely withstand a full-force attack from a Qi Refining Peak cultivator without any backlash.

"If the old man hadn't made a small mistake while crafting this magical artifact, reducing its quality to ordinary, it would have sold to you for at least eighty spirit stones."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen was quite tempted. Wearing this soft armor, even if he faced a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, he wouldn't be killed in one blow.

Looking at the price tag of the Black Rhinoceros Armor, it was a whopping fifty spirit stones.

Among first-grade magical artifacts, ordinary ones generally cost no more than twenty spirit stones. However, soft armor-type defensive magical artifacts have always been very expensive.

At this time of year, selling the Black Rhinoceros Armor for fifty spirit stones is a fair price.

Jiang Chen gritted his teeth: "Fine, I'll take this Black Rhinoceros Armor. Grandpa Zhang, I also want a magic weapon for ambushes, and one that can store spiritual energy and release a defensive barrier."

Old Zhang was all smiles, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth, and his face was so wrinkled it could trap a fly.

He quickly picked up an earth-yellow jade pendant: "This thick earth jade pendant can store the magic power equivalent to ten low-grade spirit stones."

When faced with a full-force attack from a Qi Refining Level 5 cultivator, it will automatically release a defensive barrier that can withstand three full-force attacks from a Qi Refining Peak cultivator within 15 minutes. You will be unharmed until the barrier shatters.

It can also be triggered actively with divine sense, with the same effect.

"However, this thing is countered by the barrier of the Qi-breaking restriction. If the opponent's magic weapon has a Qi-breaking restriction, the effectiveness of this defensive barrier will be greatly reduced."

"This jade pendant is only thirty spirit stones for you, which is a fair price."

Defensive methods are divided into two types: [Gang] and [Jia]. Gang is a defensive method condensed using magical power, and defensive barriers belong to Gang. Jia, on the other hand, is physical armor.

Gang can completely withstand impact and is suitable for resisting heavy weapons and magical attacks, but its defense against sharp blades is generally weak.

Armor has extremely strong defense against sharp blades, but it cannot withstand impact and is countered by heavy weapons.

After saying that, he picked up a jade box, inside which were four needles, one large and three small.

"This is a mother-child needle, with one mother and three children. Through the mother needle, the child needles can be controlled remotely with divine sense."

I also added special materials, making this magical artifact virtually undetectable by divine sense. It's not impossible to kill a peak Qi Refining cultivator by surprise.

However, this needle lacks the ability to penetrate armor and spirit barriers. It can be used for surprise attacks, but its power is insufficient in direct confrontation.

A mid-grade first-class magic weapon, of good quality, is definitely not expensive at twenty spirit stones.

Jiang Chen was very satisfied with these three magical artifacts. He could draw talismans himself, and all his attack methods could be entrusted to the talismans.

Without leaving the market, protected by the Black Rhinoceros Armor and the Thick Earth Jade Pendant, even if a Qi Refining Peak cultivator came to assassinate him, he would not be instantly killed.

The mother-and-child needle is perfect for using a small investment to achieve a large return; success is ideal, but even if it fails, the magical artifact provides protection.

"I'll take all three of these magical artifacts. Also, there's something else I'd like to ask Grandpa Zhang."

Old Zhang instinctively wanted to refuse, but Jiang Chen had just bought three magical artifacts, spending a hundred spirit stones. He couldn't afford to offend such a big customer.

"If the matter you're asking is of great importance, I won't answer it."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chen smiled and said, "Don't worry, I will never make things difficult for you."

I've heard that the Garrison Command is recruiting talent. Those who can reach the mid-level of the first rank in alchemy, artifact crafting, talisman arrays, and other skills can join the Garrison Command. And Grandpa Zhang, you have already joined the Garrison Command.

"This junior would like to ask, what are the costs of joining the garrison command?"