Chapter 319

Chapter 319

Bai Chenxing took Qu Kun, Mu Chen, and Ye Shi to Ding Qi Pavilion, the most high-end artifact store in the domain, where even the lowest-grade artifacts were of sixth rank.

Inside the pavilion, a screen constantly displayed images of various artifacts with accompanying descriptions.

The array of splendid artifacts dazzled the eyes.

After wandering around the store, Qu Kun's expression became unreadable.

"Grandfather, what do you think?" Ye Kun asked, leaning close.

Qu Kun shook his head, replying with irritation, "What's there to think? Overpriced junk." He was reminded of the proverbial saying about being 'poor' upon entering such a store.

What's considered rare and precious in the outer regions is commonplace here, revealing the vast disparity between the Central Continent and the outer regions. No wonder Central Continent folks look down on outsiders. Entering this store, Qu Kun felt like a country bumpkin.

Ye Shi remarked nonchalantly, "No worries, grandfather. Dad's wealthy, he can buy what you want."

Qu Kun nodded, "True, your father has a 'please fleece me' look about him."

Bai Chenxing: "..."

Mu Chen: "..."

Ye Shi glanced at Bai Chenxing, saying, "Grandfather, don't worry. My father is formidable; no one would dare cheat him. Do you fancy anything?"

Qu Kun, arms crossed and an air of pride, said haughtily, "I'm beyond seventh rank artifacts. Eighth rank is passable, but the ones here—a bow, flying needles, and a flower basket—none are to my liking."

Bai Chenxing: "..."

"Grandfather, you have such refined tastes," Ye Shi commented admiringly.

Mu Chen, lowering his head, mused: Praising his taste when he hasn’t even really looked? Since when is this how good taste is recognized?

Bai Chenxing addressed the shopkeeper, "Do you have other eighth rank artifacts?"

The shopkeeper eyed Qu Kun, thinking: He's only at Martial Master level, but he's so demanding. Looking down on seventh rank artifacts? Only an eighth rank will do?

How did Bai Chenxing end up entertaining such a Martial Master?

"The only eighth rank artifacts we have are the three you've seen," the shopkeeper replied somewhat awkwardly.

Ye Shi looked at Qu Kun, who was nonchalantly standing with hands behind his back.

"Father-in-law, would you like to look at something else?" Bai Chenxing asked.

"Better nothing than mediocrity. I won’t settle," Qu Kun replied indifferently.

"I apologize for the lack of suitable artifacts. What exactly are you seeking?" A gentle voice inquired.

The newcomer's voice was clear, but Mu Chen detected inherent dominance in it.

Bai Chenxing and the rest turned towards the entrance.

The owner of Ding Qi Pavilion's face changed upon seeing the visitor. As he moved to greet him, the newcomer, Ling Chuan, signaled him to stop.

Bai Chenxing's expressions shifted rapidly. This man was a Martial Saint. He had just suspected Ling Chuan, and now he appeared. Could his suspicions be correct?

Ye Shi appraised the newcomer with curiosity. He looks even more handsome in person than in portraits!

Whispering to Qu Kun, Ye Shi inquired, "Is it him, grandfather?"

Qu Kun replied tersely, "Didn’t I tell you? His face and hair were covered in blood, filthy and smelly, worse than a beggar. I couldn't discern his features."

Ye Shi communicated with a hint of frustration, "Grandpa, you should have cleaned it up for him... Now, even if that person stands in front of you, you won't recognize him."

Qu Kun rolled his eyes, replying, "I spared him, which is fortunate on his part. To clean up after him is wishful thinking. If I can't recognize him, so be it. There's nothing worth recognizing anyway."

A radiant smile crept onto Ling Chuan's face, giving Bai Chenxing a peculiar feeling. Ling Chuan was over two decades older than Bai Chenxing, but in Zhongzhou, twenty-odd years is trivial. They were on par in terms of power and family status, effectively peers.

Bei Chaoyang frowned. If Qu Kun really had ties to Ling Chuan, then he'd be considered a generation lower than Ling Chuan.

Mu Chen furrowed his brows, sending a telepathic message to Ye Shi, saying, "Don't continue."

Ye Shi, filled with confusion, telepathically responded to Mu Chen, "Why?"

"No reason," Mu Chen said, his brow still furrowed.

The telepathic communication between Ye Shi and Qu Kun was somewhat rudimentary; it could deceive the average person, but not someone of a martial saint's caliber.

Feeling wronged, Ye Shi gave Mu Chen's foot a light kick but remained silent.

Ling Chuan took step by step towards Qu Kun, who involuntarily furrowed his brows.

Ling Chuan was too close, his breath falling directly on Qu Kun's face, making Qu Kun quite uncomfortable.

"I wonder what kind of artifact you prefer," Ling Chuan said with a teasing smile, arms crossed, looking at Qu Kun.

Qu Kun clenched his fists, lifting his head with evident annoyance, "Who are you? How proficient are you in artifact crafting?"

Bai Chenxing: "..."

Mu Chen: "..." Why does Shi always act so provocatively? He's just like Qu Kun. Genetics really is powerful.

The shopkeeper shot Qu Kun a displeased glance, saying, "This gentleman is from the Ling family..."

Ling Chuan raised his hand, interrupting what the shopkeeper was about to say. He smiled at Qu Kun, modestly stating, "I've wasted many years and my artifact crafting skills are still quite basic, only at the late eighth level."

Qu Chong scrutinized Ling Chuan, advising earnestly, "Since you know your skills are basic, you should lock yourself away, delve deep into your studies, and aim to elevate your skills to the ninth level instead of wasting time out here."

Mu Chen: "..."

Bai Chenxing: "..."

Inside the shop, several onlookers glanced at Qu Kun with bewildered expressions.

The shopkeeper was stunned by Qu Kun's words, taking a moment before looking at him with a mix of astonishment and anger.

Ling Chuan gave the shopkeeper a cold stare, stopping him from voicing his reprimands.

Bai Chenxing stepped forward with some embarrassment, "I apologize, Brother Ling. My father-in-law is from a foreign region and might not fully understand certain things..."

Ling Chuan laughed dryly, "No need, your father-in-law is right, my crafting level is indeed a bit low."

Bai Chenxing: "..." Ling Chuan is too modest. An alchemist of the late eighth level is already among the highest in Zhongzhou.

Ling Chuan frowned, in truth, his crafting level had already reached the ninth level, but he publicly stated it as the late eighth level.

Ling Chuan never expected that his late eighth level skills would be looked down upon by the other. Such high standards!

Qu Kun paced with his hands behind his back, his expression slightly agitated.

"Let's go," Qu Kun said to Ye Shi and the others.

Ling Chuan blocked Qu Kun's path, smiling appeasingly, "You haven't mentioned what kind of artifact you'd like."

Ye Shi blinked, "My grandpa uses swords."

Ling Chuan sized up Ye Shi, then pulled out a sword from his space ring, offering it to Qu Kun, "This is the Dragon Shadow Sword. It might be of use."

Many customers in the shop twitched at the sight of the sword. The Dragon Shadow Sword, a high-grade level eight treasure! What was Ling Chuan thinking?

Qu Kun looked at Ling Chuan with evident annoyance, not taking the sword.

Ye Shi took the sword, asking, "How many spirit stones is this?"

"If your grandfather likes it, it's on the house," Ling Chuan said without hesitation.

Mu Chen: "..."

Bai Chenxing: "..."

Ye Shi's eyes sparkled, "How can we possibly accept this?"

"It's just a small token of appreciation," Ling Chuan remarked with an air of nonchalance.

Ye Shi looked at Ling Chuan, a hint of admiration flashing across his face.

Ling Chuan handed the sword he was holding to Ye Shi. Immediately, Ye Shi felt a surge of passionate fervor.

A gleam of sharpness flashed in Ling Chuan's eyes, his smile brightening a touch.

Bai Chenxing squinted, giving Ling Chuan a cold stare. Ling Chuan glanced back, a trace of mischief gleaming in his eyes.

Bai Chenxing clenched his fists, remaining silent.

...

"Thank you, Elder Ling," Mu Chen began, offering a small pouch. "It's just a small token, not much, but I hope you'll accept it."

Ling Chuan chuckled lightly, replying, "I gave you that sword. I can't possibly accept a gift in return."

Mu Chen's brow furrowed.

"Let's go," Qu Kun said impatiently, and without waiting for the others, he left.

Mu Chen and Bai Chenxing exchanged glances, both with a sense of urgency on their faces.

"I'm really going to take it, you know," Ye Shi said, eyes twinkling mischievously as he teased Ling Chuan.

Ling Chuan smiled gently at Ye Shi, saying, "Go ahead, take it. If there's anything else you desire, just let me know."

"Maybe next time," Ye Shi responded with a pleased grin, following Qu Kun out.

Bai Chenxing and Mu Chen, feeling they had no choice, bid Ling Chuan farewell and left.

As Bai Chenxing and the others left, the place quickly emptied.

"Master Chuan, what brings you here so unexpectedly?" the shopkeeper inquired.

Ling Chuan glanced at him, saying nothing.

The shopkeeper, feeling a bit awkward, continued, "Master Chuan, that Qu Kun really is out of line. I heard he's been abroad and only recently arrived in Zhongzhou. He has no manners."

Ling Chuan fixed a cold gaze on the shopkeeper, retorting, "Who are you to judge Qu Kun?"

Shopkeeper: "..."

Watching Qu Kun's departing figure, Ling Chuan mused: Despite my best efforts, I couldn't find that male spirit. But now I realize that person isn't from Zhongzhou.

Ling Chuan lifted his hand, gazing at his palm. A bright smile played on his lips. He was sure he felt a familial bond when he handed the sword to Ye Shi.

The elders in the clan have recently been envying the Bai family's good fortune, especially since Bai Yanxing, a direct descendant, has also brought a genius pill master into the family.

Bai Yanxing is actually his grandson. Technically, Bai Chenxing should address him as "father-in-law". However, it seems Qu Kun has a strong prejudice against him. Accepting him back into the fold might not be easy.

Back in the day, Ling Chuan had been particularly harsh towards Qu Kun.

Yet at that time, he was poisoned and utterly irrational.

Ling Chuan recalls feeling as though he was on fire, an overwhelming urge to destroy everything in sight consuming him.

Qu Kun had then inadvertently entered his line of sight. The young man's round face ignited Ling Chuan's destructive urges even more.

Ling Chuan remembered that Qu Kun had resisted, which resulted in a severe beating. The boy cried as if his heart would break.

Thinking of the past, Ling Chuan felt a twinge of unease.