Magic Sect of Beauties: The Strongest Mage is in a Cultivation World

Chapter 144: Old man Zhang Li's Den; Negotiating with a Master Collector. Facing the Celestial, Emperor Cloudcrest's Divine Decree.

Deep in the Spirit Beast Market, there stood a renowned store known for fair prices and top-quality products. Folks wouldn't dare show up empty-handed here; it'd be an insult to the folks running the show. Only the most skilled cultivators ventured here, and even then, only occasionally. The store's owner, Zhang Li, lounged in his chair, sipping herbal tea with the air of an elderly sage.

His apprentice, Ren Yun, swept the floor with a bamboo broomstick.

"Master Zhang, it looks like business is booming lately," Ren Yun remarked, pausing in his sweeping.

Zhang Li nodded, chuckling softly. "Indeed, with the auction coming up in a month, I'm bound to sell out."

Ren Yun chuckled along. "Glad to hear it, sir!"

Zhang Li reclined in his chair. "Me too, my boy."

Then, Yang Wei entered the store.

Zhang Li's tea nearly hit the floor as the old man hurried over to the counter, moving with slow, deliberate steps to spare his back. "Greetings, cultivator. How may I assist you today? Are you looking to buy or sell?" he asked, eyeing Yang Wei who had already approached the counter. Explore more at m,v l'e-NovelBin.net

"Oh?" Yang Wei smiled. "I'm Yang Wei, Star Disciple of the Dragon Blossom Sect. I have some special goods that might interest you..."

The old man chuckled, but behind his facade, he was glaring at Yang Wei.

He's a clever one, trying to show off his status as the Star Disciple of a prestigious sect, hoping I'll buy at a favorable price for future benefits. Nice try, but I'm not falling for it!

"It's always a pleasure to deal with the Dragon Blossom Sect," he said, though the warmth in his tone didn't quite match the look in his eyes. "I know quite a few cultivators from there."

Yang Wei mirrored the chuckle. "Oh, is that so?" he replied, his own gaze sharpening as he silently returned Zhang Li's glare.

This bastard knows my game. He's basically saying he's dealt with folks from top sects before, so I shouldn't think I'm all that special...

Zhang Li nodded, maintaining his composure. "So, what do you have for me?" he inquired.

Yang Wei reached into his storage pouch and pulled out a massive sack, the largest Zhang Li had ever seen. Even Ren Yun seemed intimidated by its size. But Zhang Li remained calm; he knew that the size of the sack didn't matter – it was the contents that counted.

Yang Wei laid out some of the monster parts on a polished stone counter.

"Hmm," Zhang Li scrutinized each piece with a discerning eye.

After all, this old man was a seasoned collector of rare materials.

"These are impressive specimens," his gaze lingered on the array of claws, scales, and fangs. "But you know I'll have to buy at a lower price due to the absence of cores. It's highly sought after in the cultivation community after all."

Yang Wei rubbed his chin and nodded proudly, "Hmm, I didn't realize you weren't so educated in monster corpses. Anyone knows— cores or no cores, it doesn't affect the value much."

Zhang Li grit his teeth furiously.

This brat, still wet behind the ears, has the nerve to doubt my expertise in monster parts. It seems like the gossip about Star Disciple Yang Wei being an arrogant bastard is true after all.

"Explain."

With a confident smile, Yang Wei began his deception.

"These monsters are all in Core Formation realm and have condensed vast amounts of spiritual energy within their bodies. Their flesh, blood, and bones are infused with this energy, making them invaluable resources for cultivation. Trust me, I've tested them myself... Imagine the potency of the elixirs brewed from their flesh, it'd be excellent for body-refinement.

And their bones, when properly refined, can be crafted into exquisite talismans with unparalleled defensive properties."

Old man Zhang scoffed. "What would a child like you know about medicinal benefits of cultivation pills?"

Yang Wei knew mere words wouldn't sway Zhang Li, so he played his ace – the red pill. "Behold, a sixth-grade Blood Strengthening Pill," he announced, showing it to the old man. "I refined it using the blood of these monsters that was supersaturated by the aura of their cores."

Zhang Li's eyes widened as he took a step back, stunned. "A sixth-grade pill?!" he exclaimed.

Blood Strengthening Pills at best are rudimentary fourth-grade pills. How did he get a sixth-grade one? Look at those petals around it, it's authentic!!

Yang Wei nodded confidently. "Indeed. Would you pass up the chance to buy from an esteemed Apothecary Grandmaster like myself, one even better than Pill Master Huo?"

Old man Zhang's astonishment grew. "Even better than Huo Zirou?!"

With a mischievous grin, Zhang Li edged closer. "Wei, my boy, would you consider selling me all these, including that Blood Strengthening Pill? I'm willing to pay 500,000 mid-grade spirit stones for everything."

Ren Yun's eyes nearly popped out at the staggering offer.

Yang Wei cleared his throat, acting offended. "Hmph! I'll be taking my leave then. It seems my talents aren't appreciated here." He started to put the blood pill back into his pouch, but Zhang Li leaned over the counter, grabbed Yang Wei's arm, and chuckled. "Come on, Grandmaster Yang, I was only joking. What I meant to say was 200,000 high-grade spirit stones."

Yang Wei chuckled in return. "Fair enough."

...

At nighttime, in the Dragon Blossom Sect, the Mu clan settlement was already under patrol by its guards. Mu Lingxi was making her way back to her room when Mo Chang stopped and bowed his head. "I'll go make reports to the Clan Head," he informed her.

Mu Lingxi nodded. "Sure," she replied. But just as Mo Chang was about to leave, she called out to him. "Chang!"

Mo Chang stopped and turned to her. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone about what happened today." It was obvious she was going to beg him not to talk about her "date" with Yang Wei, so he preferred to quickly put her at ease.

"You know," Mu Lingxi smiled and gave Mo Chang a playful punch on his arm. "I like you a lot Chang." Then, she left.

As he watched her leave, Mo Chang gently touched his arm, caressing the spot she hit. "Get over yourself, Chang," he whispered to himself.

She's obviously in love with that Yang Wei... and I don't think I can compete with someone like him.

Then, he went off in search of the Clan Head.

Meanwhile, Mu Lingxi entered one of the many large houses in their clan's settlement. She looked around suspiciously and then took out the box that Yang Wei had given her, smiling at it. "I can't believe he gave me these," she mused to herself. "Sure, I'm not really the type to focus on things like these, but it's just so sweet of him."

Her smile grew wider as she reminisced about the fun they had at the ramen house.

Suddenly, she heard Mu Lin's voice behind her. "What's that?"

Startled, Mu Lingxi turned to see Mu Lin and Mu Yuki, the fifth child of the family, standing there.

Mu Lingxi quickly hid the box behind her, pretending to tuck her hands behind her back innocently. "Oh, it's nothing," she said casually.

Mu Yuki smiled and greeted her, showing some respect by bowing his head. "Greetings, Senior Sister," he said.

"Greetings, Fourth Junior Brother," Mu Lingxi replied, returning the courtesy. "It's good to see that at least a few of my younger siblings have some respect," she added, giving Mu Lin a pointed look.

Mu Lin folded her arms, giving Mu Lingxi a scrutinizing look. "As if I would ever greet you when you haven't earned my res--" But then she sniffed something and edged closer to Mu Lingxi.

Right away, Mu Lingxi realized that Mu Lin must have caught the scent of the Spirit-cleansing Fragrance Pill on her body. She had taken one after she and Yang Wei concluded their day together. So, she asked, "W-what's wrong?"

Mu Lin narrowed her eyes. "I hope you haven't been touching my fragrance pills. They're expensive," she said accusingly.

"Preposterous," Mu Lingxi retorted. "I have my own!"

Mu Lin grinned smugly. "Come on, we both know you don't have a man in your life. What reason would you have to use them?"

"Such big words coming from that small mouth of yours," Mu Lingxi shot back. "It's not like you have a man in your life either..."

Mu Lin straightened up, dressing her long hair as if to show off. "Of course I have a man in my life. In fact, he's the most capable man any woman could ask for~"

Mu Lingxi gritted her teeth. "As if I would believe such nonsense," she muttered before storming off.

Mu Yuki approached Mu Lin from behind. "Wow, you really got Senior Sister angry this time."

Mu Lin rolled her eyes. "As if I care."

Mu Yuki pressed on, asking, "Sooooo, do you really have a man in your life?"

Mu Lin nodded proudly. "Of course. I may be the youngest child, but I'm quite mature in other aspects."

Mu Yuki looked at his sister with starry eyes, as if she had done something incredibly impressive. Then, he whispered a question to her, "So, have you two... done the thing?"

This instantly brought to Mu Lin's mind the memory of her and Yang Wei in bed, making her blush and glance away.

Mu Yuki then exclaimed, "Wait, you really have?!"

Mu Lin immediately pounced on him, using her hands to cover his mouth, and whispered urgently, "Shhhhhh! No one can know about this!"

...

In a small forest nestled between the Dragon's Peak Mountains Range and the H?i Lóng Mountains, a pivotal discussion that would determine the fate of the Azure Tree unfolded.

The silent gaze of the moon watched from the skies.

Mu Zhihao, Mu Zhong, and a few Clan Elders stood facing a figure whose presence transcended mere mortality – Emperor Cloudcrest. Hovering in the skies, clad in pristine white robes, Emperor Cloudcrest regarded them with a face as gentle and innocent as a baby's.

He spoke softly.

"This is a celestial decree upon the Mu Clan. Will you honor it?"

Mu Zhong looked to his father, Mu Zhihao, and said, "Father, we can't--" but his father silenced him with a raised hand. "I know, my son," Mu Zhihao said solemnly. Not once did his eyes leave Cloudcrest. He did a small rethink and said, "There was an agreement with the Sacred-Emperor," he said, but was swiftly interrupted.

"You fool," Cloudcrest's voice was soft but menacing. "Dare you challenge the command of a divine entity? A mere 1st Path Cultivator..."

His smile was gentle, but his golden eyes glared at them all, instilling a killing intent strong enough to make them grip their chests. It felt as though the aura of an ancient beast swallowed them all up.

Finally, Emperor Cloudcrest made his declaration.

"If you do not bring me Lingxi in two months, I will pass divine judgement upon this ant-infested world..."

No one dared speak their mind at this juncture.

---

vol 2 End.

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