Chapter Ninety-Two: Birds of a Feather

In the blink of an eye, Ye Yun had already been secluded in his inn room in Luzhou City for three whole days.

Refining Lü Mengqiu’s three flying swords was significantly more challenging than the treasured bell he had worked on before. Yet, upon success, the results thrilled Ye Yun beyond measure.

During the process, Ye Yun discovered that he could clearly perceive the intricate array patterns within the flying swords. Though he did not yet understand the true art of formations, after refining them, he found he could use these three swords to set up a sword array.

The Minor Three Talents Sword Array was the formation Lü Mengqiu had embedded within the swords. When facing an enemy, if all three swords were unleashed and arrayed together, their might was considered among the finest of mid-grade magical weapons.

Back then, the Demon Lord Wuji had unleashed a spell so swiftly that Lü Mengqiu had no chance to deploy the sword array before being instantly slain.

Among Lü Mengqiu’s storage treasures, there were also numerous array flags, but since Ye Yun had never studied the art of formations, he had no idea how to use them.

However, he did spend some time comprehending the basics of talisman crafting, gaining a rudimentary understanding of the talisman arts.

Besides spirit stones, pills, and a few talismans, Ye Yun sorted through his belongings, intending to sell off anything unnecessary before the auction commenced in exchange for more spirit stones.

“A common lower-grade flying sword fetches fifteen lower-grade spirit stones each,”

The owner of a treasure shop in Luzhou City glanced at the six flying swords Ye Yun had brought and named his price without hesitation.

These swords were of ordinary quality, not crafted by any master of formation arrays, and typically sold for around twenty lower-grade spirit stones apiece.

Selling one would net a five-stone profit, so this offer made Ye Yun frown slightly.

Seeing Ye Yun’s dissatisfaction, the shopkeeper’s expression darkened. “That’s a fair price throughout Luzhou City. If you think your goods are treasures, you’re welcome not to sell.”

In such a chaotic place as Luzhou City, the shopkeeper was adept at reading people. From the moment Ye Yun entered, he could tell this was a young, inexperienced cultivator.

“Then I won’t sell.” Ye Yun shook his head, waved his sleeve, and moved to reclaim his six swords from the table.

It wasn’t that he minded the difference of a few stones so much as that he was repulsed by the shopkeeper’s underhanded ways.

Though still young, Ye Yun had traveled and trained with his master Ye Yu since childhood and had seen far too many such schemes.

He disliked playing mind games and had no patience for people like this shopkeeper.

“Hold it right there!”

As Ye Yun began retrieving his swords, the shopkeeper’s face turned cold. “Is this your first time in the trade, boy? Since you’ve entered my shop, you must sell to me. That’s the rule!”

Ye Yun was momentarily stunned, then suddenly smiled, gazing at the middle-aged shopkeeper. “I’ve never heard of such a rule. These six lower-grade flying swords could fetch at least seventeen spirit stones apiece at any other shop.”

“Are you from the Ye Clan of Yunshui City?” the shopkeeper asked, glancing at the token at Ye Yun’s waist.

“So what if I am? So what if I’m not?” Ye Yun replied coolly.

“Just another country bumpkin from a minor clan at the border. If your Ye Clan’s Foundation Lord were here, I’d have reason to be wary, but you’re just an early-stage Foundation cultivator. If you fall into the hands of me, Wang Heng of Watercloud Palm, you’ll suffer.”

The shopkeeper’s eyes glinted with menace as he sneered, “Six swords, ten spirit stones each. Sell them to me, and I’ll let you off easy.”

Business among cultivators in Luzhou was rife with strong-arm tactics. Every time the trimonthly auction approached, the city became a haven for crooks and cutthroats.

Ye Yun, though young, was no naive child. This Wang Heng was clearly one of those unscrupulous types, preying on those without strong backgrounds or power.

He could see Wang Heng was determined to take advantage of him. The price had dropped from fifteen to ten spirit stones per sword.

“Watercloud Palm’s Wang Heng, is it?” A cold glint flashed in Ye Yun’s eyes.

“That’s right. Ask around this street, and you’ll find few who don’t know my name,” Wang Heng boasted, stroking his beard.

“And if I refuse to sell, will you resort to force?” Ye Yun asked.

Wang Heng’s smile widened. “You’re quite sharp for a youth. I wouldn’t dare make a move inside Luzhou City, but outside the city’s another matter.”

He paused, then smiled affably, trying to appear a trustworthy merchant. “There are rules in our trade. We wouldn’t rob you outright. As long as you sell to me, others will respect that and leave you alone.”

Wang Heng’s words veiled a threat, hinting that he was not the only one in Luzhou who played such games.

“It seems the shopkeeper has quite the network in Luzhou,” Ye Yun remarked with a smile.

“Of course!” Wang Heng replied, clearly elated at the prospect of doubling his profit by reselling the swords.

“Pity,” Ye Yun cut in, voice turning icy. “To me, you, Wang Heng of Watercloud Palm, are nothing.”

Without another glance, he turned and strode out of the shop.

“You insolent brat! You’ll regret this!” Wang Heng’s face twisted with malice as he spat his threat.

Ye Yun gave Wang Heng’s threats no heed. Though his cultivation was only at the early Foundation stage, unless he encountered a Golden Core expert, even those at peak Foundation would be hard-pressed to deal with him.

Golden Core cultivators, lofty and proud, would never stoop to this kind of business, nor would they covet a few lower-grade swords.

If Wang Heng was foolish enough to make a move, Ye Yun wouldn’t just defend himself—he’d turn the tables.

In the world of cultivators, strength was everything. Ye Yun had enough confidence in his own power not to fear Wang Heng’s threats.

“Is this your first time at Luzhou’s auction, young friend?”

A voice called from behind. Ye Yun turned to see a young man clad in white, smiling at him.

“Oh? And what advice might you have?” Ye Yun asked calmly.

Seeing Ye Yun’s wariness, the white-robed man smiled gently. “Every auction brings newcomers to Luzhou. I saw you leaving Wang Heng’s shop just now. Did he try to swindle you?”

Ye Yun said nothing, merely watching the man, uncertain of his intentions.

“I mean no harm,” the man continued. “Just a friendly warning—if you’ve been cheated, it’s done. But if not, Wang Heng will have his eye on you now. Be careful.”

“Why warn me? We’re strangers,” Ye Yun asked.

“I just happened to pass by and thought I’d mention it. Whether you heed my words is up to you,” the man replied.

“Are you trying to steal my business, White Daoist?” Wang Heng emerged from the shop, eyes narrowing as he glared at the man in white.

“So, birds of a feather…” Ye Yun sneered.

(A heartfelt thanks to Fellow Daoist Kuimei for the generous reward. Life has been stressful lately, and I’ve been suffering from insomnia for a month. I wish I could update more, but I simply haven’t the energy. Some friends have complained about the slow pace, but I hope you all can understand.)