Chapter Seven: Unlucky to the Extreme

The plump shopkeeper stared in astonishment as this rookie produced a handful of top-grade Celestial Stones, inwardly lamenting that even he could be mistaken sometimes. Adjusting his expression, he replaced it with a smile and said to Li Chengzhu, “Please wait a moment, sir!” Then he turned and disappeared into the back room.

Soon, the shopkeeper returned carrying several flying swords, which he gently set before Li Chengzhu. “Please, sir, see if any of these flying swords suit your taste.”

Li Chengzhu examined the weapons carefully. Their quality was excellent—every one was a top-grade flying sword.

He picked one out, weighed it in his hand—it fit perfectly, neither too heavy nor too light. He asked, “What is the name of this sword? Does it have any story behind it?”

“This sword is called ‘Shadowless,’ and it was crafted by none other than myself!” The fat shopkeeper’s flesh quivered with pride, his face alight with satisfaction.

Li Chengzhu glanced at him, a little surprised—this fellow actually had the skill to forge such a fine sword? That was certainly impressive.

“I’ll take this sword. What’s the price?” Li Chengzhu asked.

The shopkeeper’s smile didn’t fade, nor did his tone change. “Twenty top-grade stones!”

Li Chengzhu looked at the shopkeeper’s earnest expression. “Ten. Not a single stone more.”

The shopkeeper managed a wry grin. “Sir, your bargaining is truly fierce. How about eighteen stones?”

Li Chengzhu simply folded his arms and stared at the man in silence.

“Seventeen! I can’t go any lower!” the shopkeeper said through gritted teeth.

Li Chengzhu rolled his eyes.

“Sixteen! My shop barely makes ends meet; this is the absolute bottom line!” the shopkeeper pleaded.

With a faint sigh, Li Chengzhu swept the Celestial Stones off the table and into his ring. “Forget it. Since you’re unwilling to make the deal, I won’t force you.”

As Li Chengzhu was about to step out the door, the shopkeeper’s voice called after him at just the right moment, “Fourteen! This is practically bleeding me dry, sir. Please, don’t haggle any further!”

Li Chengzhu turned back with a sly smile and came over again. “Twelve. Let’s both make a concession.” Seeing the shopkeeper’s pained expression, Li Chengzhu knew there was no hope of lowering the price any further.

The shopkeeper clutched his head in agony, wiping sweat from his brow. “You really are going to be the death of me, sir. Who bargains this ruthlessly?”

Li Chengzhu chuckled. “You’ll still make a profit.”

The shopkeeper gave a weary smile. “Fine. Just promise you’ll patronize my shop again in the future.”

Li Chengzhu grinned mischievously. “No rush. I have something to sell as well. Do you buy flying swords here?”

The shopkeeper looked puzzled. “Of course. Are you looking to sell one?”

Li Chengzhu drew a sword from his ring, brimming with spiritual energy—a dazzling, high-grade stolen item, now making its brilliant debut.

Unable to contain his excitement, the shopkeeper took the sword with trembling hands, muttering, “This… This is almost a Celestial Sword.” After caressing it for some time, he turned to Li Chengzhu, barely able to contain himself. “What’s your price, sir?”

Li Chengzhu smiled mysteriously. “Two hundred top-grade stones!”

With a thud, the shopkeeper’s face drained of blood and he collapsed to the floor.

“Hey, boss? Boss?”

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In the end, they settled at one hundred and twenty top-grade Celestial Stones. As the shopkeeper handed over one hundred and eight top-grade stones and the sword to Li Chengzhu, Li Chengzhu could see the genuine emotion and even a tear of excitement glistening in the fat man’s eye.

Ha! Now I’m rich too. Li Chengzhu strutted down the street with the air of a man worth millions.

But before he could finish savoring his excitement, a shrill alarm sounded from the little creature in his travel pack. In the next moment, Li Chengzhu felt an unimaginably powerful spiritual pressure descend upon him.

With a crash, he was forced to his knees by the force before he could even circulate his energy to resist, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Cultivators on the street scrambled to mount their swords and flee, desperate to avoid disaster.

“Damn it all!” Li Chengzhu cursed inwardly. Had the sword’s original owner found him so quickly? Just his luck! That little creature actually left a trail. Once this danger passed, he would definitely reclaim those hundred Celestial Stones.

Summoning his remaining spiritual power, he slowly forced himself to stand.

Before him, at some point, stood a beautiful woman in ancient white robes: delicate features, flowing hair, luminous eyes, and rosy lips—perfect, if not for the murderous glare she fixed on him, as if he had wronged her entire family.

But… why a woman? How could it be a woman? It couldn’t possibly be a woman!

After he’d escaped the inn, he’d clearly heard the owner’s voice—it was a man! Could this be some kind of shape-shifter? Or a demon?

Yet, looking at her, there was something faintly familiar, as if they’d met somewhere before.

And the spiritual pressure she exuded was terrifying—far beyond that of the six-star qilin beast he’d faced in the forest. Was she an immortal? That would explain her ethereal presence and the aura of celestial energy around her.

Li Chengzhu calculated silently. Somehow, this crazed woman was an immortal—and she harbored the deepest resentment toward him.

Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Li Chengzhu frowned and asked, “Are you an immortal?”

The woman in white remained silent, her murderous gaze never wavering.

Li Chengzhu’s head began to ache. Not only did the immortal refuse to speak, but she just kept staring at him. Under those bright, hate-filled eyes, he felt his mind fill with guilty thoughts. Clearing his throat, he tried to compose himself. “Since you’re an immortal, why are you suppressing a mere Nascent Soul stage cultivator like me with your spiritual pressure?”

Even speaking took a tremendous effort under such crushing force. Li Chengzhu wiped sweat from his brow as he finished.

The woman in white still didn’t speak, but the rise and fall of her chest told Li Chengzhu she was seething with rage.

Afraid she might do something drastic, Li Chengzhu hurried on, “I don’t think we’ve met, have we? And as far as I know, I’ve never offended you. Why do you look at me with such hatred?” Her chest heaved even more violently as his voice grew weaker.

Mustering his fading spiritual energy, Li Chengzhu put on a pained expression. “Fairy, at least tell me what I did to offend you! If you just kill me with your spiritual pressure without explanation, I’ll never rest in peace!”

Finally, the woman parted her cherry lips. The sound of her voice left Li Chengzhu wishing for death.

“My surname is Gu. I am Gu Linglong. Two years ago, I ascended from Earth.”

With a thud, Li Chengzhu collapsed to the ground in a dead faint!