Eternal Life: I Have the Favor System

"If that Talisman is taken out, its power will no longer be contained, and all three of us will die together."

Jiang Ruhong snorted.

He reached for the Jade Box.

Both Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei watched his hand. The master and disciple didn’t trust Jiang Ruhong completely. If Jiang Ruhong was merely putting on an act for Chen Liang and took the Talisman out of the Jade Box, then perhaps only the two of them would be in danger.

That was why they watched his hand so carefully.

To their relief, Jiang Ruhong closed the lid on the Jade Box.

But just as he was about to take the Jade Box back, Guo Wei placed a hand on the back of his. "This Talisman is quite special, and it was the very thing Chen Liang used to ambush us. It’s best if we hold onto it."

"Alright."

Jiang Ruhong readily withdrew his hand.

Chu Lingguang spread his Spiritual Sense over the Jade Box. ’He worried there was some other trick involved. Even with the Talisman sealed inside the Jade Box, what if Chen Liang could still activate it and unleash the Power of the Necromancy?’

"Lin Guang, let’s sell this Talisman,"

Guo Wei said.

"Good idea."

Chu Lingguang’s eyes lit up.

There were factions and gangs within the Profound Celestial Sect, and plenty of resourceful disciples sold Elixir Pills and Magical Treasures. Naturally, where there were sellers, there were also buyers.

"Junior Brother Jiang, you’re coming with us,"

Guo Wei added.

"...Alright,"

Jiang Ruhong said, his expression stiff.

’He felt his sincere intentions hadn’t earned Guo Wei’s and Chu Lingguang’s trust. Instead, he was met with deep suspicion. But things had already reached this point. If he couldn’t build a good relationship with them, his break with Chen Liang would lose all meaning.’

Then, in an effort to win their trust,

Jiang Ruhong took the initiative and led Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei to a black market within the sect.

Here, Outer and Inner Sect disciples bought and sold Magical Treasures, Spirit Medicine, and even some Cultivation Techniques. It was a place Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei had discovered about half a month after they had arrived.

Even the older generation of cultivators in the Profound Celestial Sect knew this place existed.

The Profound Celestial Sect’s leadership didn’t interfere, instead allowing the black market to flourish. Over many years, the market had grown to a considerable scale.

Rumor had it that even items needed by the sect’s own leadership could sometimes be found for sale there.

The dealings involved were incredibly complex.

But its main appeal was its security.

No matter what you brought in, someone would be willing to take it off your hands.

"Master, we have the Qi Manipulation Technique now, but we’re missing a Flying Sword,"

Chu Lingguang said.

"Hmm, I hope this Necromancy Charm can be traded for two Flying Swords,"

Guo Wei said, clutching the Jade Box.

"You don’t have any Flying Swords?"

Jiang Ruhong looked astonished.

He then realized that Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei always seemed to be carrying Long Spears.

"How much is this Necromancy Charm of ours worth? Can we get two Flying Swords for it?"

Guo Wei asked.

"A Necromancy Charm is a Talisman refined by a Necromancer. Its value depends on its power. The one my Jiang Family gave to Chen Liang is actually a flawed one. However, at a critical moment, it can still deal with any cultivator below the Foundation Establishment stage. At the very least, the Power of the Necromancy is not something a Qi Refining cultivator can handle."

"So, if you want to trade it for two Flying Swords, they would have to be ordinary grade ones. But for you, that would be a significant loss,"

Jiang Ruhong analyzed.

Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei couldn’t help but stop in their tracks.

Guo Wei glanced again at the Jade Box in his hand. Jiang Ruhong’s expression didn’t look fake. "How about this," Guo Wei proposed. "We give you the Necromancy Charm, you get us two Flying Swords in exchange. We’re new here and don’t know our way around. Right now, besides you, there’s no one else we can trust."

"This..."

Jiang Ruhong hesitated.

"It’s a rare opportunity. Didn’t you want to bury the hatchet with us? This is your chance,"

Chu Lingguang chimed in.

"Alright. My Jiang Family acquired this Necromancy Charm from a Necromancer, so we understand its power better than anyone. It’s true that trading it for two ordinary Flying Swords isn’t exactly a loss."

"As it happens, I brought two extra Flying Swords with me when I came to the Profound Celestial Sect. Come with me. We’ll make a clean trade,"

Jiang Ruhong said with a serious expression.

"Alright."

And so, Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei, who had been planning to sell the Necromancy Charm at the black market, ended up at Jiang Ruhong’s courtyard instead.

Chen Liang’s courtyard was situated at a higher elevation. From a distance, he saw Jiang Ruhong lead Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei into his courtyard. He couldn’t help but clench his fists. He turned and went back inside, starting to organize his things while muttering, ’I went through so much trouble to get that Necromancy Charm from the Jiang Family. There’s no way I’m letting those two just walk away with it.’

’Jiang Ruhong, you dare to trick me, to play me for a fool! Hmph. Then don’t blame me for turning ruthless.’

Chen Liang knew that with his plot exposed, he had to eliminate the threat immediately. If he waited until Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei were fully prepared, the outcome would become dangerously unpredictable.

「Inside Jiang Ruhong’s courtyard.」

Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei each received a Flying Sword from Jiang Ruhong.

The Flying Swords looked identical to mundane longswords. The only difference was that they had been tempered with Spiritual Power, making them far more effective for Sword Flight and killing.

"These two Flying Swords were gifts from my family’s elders. Although their grade is ordinary, the craftsmanship is exquisite. Whether for Sword Flight or for combat, they will more than double your effectiveness,"

Jiang Ruhong explained patiently.

"SWISH!"

Chu Lingguang gave it a practice slash.

He heard an incredibly sharp hum from the blade; it felt excellent.

Guo Wei, examining his own sword nearby, also found it to be of excellent quality.

Besides, the master and disciple pair had been sorely lacking Flying Swords. They were overjoyed to finally get their hands on them, even if they were only of ordinary grade.