The Grey Rat's Demon Path

The small trade meet wasn’t just for trading; it was also a place to get acquainted with various Demon Veins.

In addition, there were private rooms and elegant chambers set up outside the main area for socializing.

They were stocked with an abundance of Spirit Fruits and Spirit Wine, and the ambiance was quite exceptional.

However, Xu Chang’an wasn’t particularly interested in any of that.

He wandered from one stall area to the next, stopping here and there to ask a casual question or two.

As he walked up to one stall and was just about to ask a question, Xu Chang’an felt a stir in his mind.

Just now, his panel had reacted.

Within a very small radius, the panel could sense the fluctuations of Spiritual Items.

Moments ago, the panel had reacted as he passed each stall.

But those reactions had all been normal; none of the fluctuations had been as intense as this.

Xu Chang’an’s expression remained impassive as he casually asked a question.

"Excuse me, fellow Daoist, do you have any Tier Three Spiritual Items for sale?"

Xu Chang’an observed the items laid out on the stall.

There was a Token, a Compass, a Ring, a Broken Sword, a coil of Red String, several stalks of Spirit Medicine in wooden boxes, and a number of Array Flags and Array Plates.

There were also several stacks of Demon Talismans, some assorted bottles and jars, and a few Jade Scrolls.

The one running the stall was a top-tier Great Demon, who had assumed the illusory form of an old man.

The character for "King" was faintly visible on his forehead; he was clearly a Tiger Demon.

"Everything’s on display! See for yourself, fellow Daoist!"

The Tiger Demon spoke nonchalantly, his tone lacking any enthusiasm.

Xu Chang’an paid it no mind.

He began to examine the items one by one.

The items on the stall were all of a high Grade.

Most were Tier Two Middle-Upper Grade, and there were even a few Quasi-Third Tier Spiritual Items.

However, there were none of the Tier Three Spiritual Items that Xu Chang’an had just asked about.

Tier Three Spiritual Items were exceptionally rare; even a top-tier Great Demon would find them difficult to obtain.

Hmm!?

’This is it!’

After examining each item, Xu Chang’an located the source of the intense fluctuation.

It was the Broken Sword on the stall!

However, Xu Chang’an didn’t immediately reveal his objective. Instead, he picked out a few other items and inquired about them one by one.

This was a common mistake made by Junior Cultivators.

They would deliberately inquire about one item and buy it, then feign indifference while casually picking up the item they truly wanted as an afterthought.

All to conceal their true intentions.

Little did they know, a Demon who could become a top-tier Great Demon was invariably a seasoned veteran, honed by years of experience.

Such a simple ploy would be seen through in an instant.

When Xu Chang’an asked about the Broken Sword, the Tiger Demon offered a short explanation.

"To be honest with you, fellow Daoist, this old one participated in the previous war against the Human Race. I obtained this Broken Sword from a Human Race Cultivator!"

"It is undoubtedly a Magical Treasure Fragment! Though damaged, it can still be imbued with Demon Power and used in Magical Combat!"

"It’s a shame it’s so badly damaged," Xu Chang’an lamented. "Otherwise, with its toughness and sharpness, it could rival an ordinary Quasi-Magical Treasure!"

The hilt of the Broken Sword was intact, but three-quarters of the blade was missing, with only a quarter of it remaining.

The Spiritual Secret Patterns etched upon it were fractured, and while some Spiritual Light still flickered, it was dim and indistinct.

"It might not be a Quasi-Magical Treasure, but it’s still much stronger than an ordinary supreme-grade Magical Artifact! If it weren’t so severely damaged, this old one wouldn’t be selling it!"

That was true. Even a Magical Treasure Fragment, while lacking the full power of a complete Magical Treasure, still held immense utility.

If the damage hadn’t been so severe, it likely wouldn’t have been inferior to an ordinary Quasi-Magical Treasure.

For a top-tier Great Demon, it could serve as a hidden trump card.

"You have a point, fellow Daoist! I am quite interested in items from the Human Race. What price are you asking?"

Xu Chang’an’s face showed his interest.

"Sixty thousand Demon Stones!"

The Tiger Demon stated his price.

The value of a supreme-grade Magical Artifact generally ranged from over ten thousand to over thirty thousand Demon Stones.

The exact price depended on its power and the condition of its Restrictions.

A top-quality item among supreme-grade Magical Artifacts would typically be valued anywhere from over twenty thousand to over forty thousand Demon Stones.

The price the Tiger Demon quoted was significantly higher than even that of a top-quality supreme-grade Magical Artifact.

"Fellow Daoist, that price is a bit steep!"

Xu Chang’an feigned distress.

The Tiger Demon glanced up at Xu Chang’an.

"If you’re sincere about buying, fellow Daoist, I can give you a discount of one thousand Demon Stones!"

’Fifty-nine thousand Demon Stones!’

It wasn’t a price Xu Chang’an couldn’t afford.

But it was clear the Tiger Demon was, on the one hand, trying to rip him off, and on the other, testing him.

If he agreed too readily, there would likely be complications.

"You jest, fellow Daoist! While Magical Treasure Fragments are indeed good, there are plenty of ways to acquire one if you’re determined."

Xu Chang’an’s expression returned to calm. He then ignored the Broken Sword and started asking about the other items.

The coil of Red String was a supreme-grade Magical Artifact.

Its primary function was for support in combat.

Its power was impressive; once ensnared, even a top-tier Great Demon would have difficulty escaping.

The stall also had some Secret Techniques suitable for top-tier Great Demons, as well as some powerful Magic.

However, these were of little use to Xu Chang’an.

In the end, Xu Chang’an bought a stalk of Quasi-Third Tier Spirit Medicine.

After paying, just as Xu Chang’an was about to leave, he heard the Tiger Demon say.

"Fifty-five thousand Demon Stones, and the Broken Sword is yours, fellow Daoist!"

"Still too high!"

Xu Chang’an shook his head.

’I’ve already made up my mind. If I can’t buy it through normal means, then I’ll just have to use other methods to obtain this Broken Sword!’

"What price do you think is fair, fellow Daoist?"

The Tiger Demon changed his tune.

As a Magical Treasure Fragment, the Broken Sword was indeed impressive.

But without the support of complete Spirit Patterns, its overall usefulness was likely inferior to some supreme-grade Magical Artifacts.

By channeling Demon Power to activate the inscribed Spirit Patterns, one could unleash its miraculous abilities.

But the Spiritual Secret Patterns etched on this Broken Sword were fractured, leaving only the miraculous property of sharpness.

Comparatively, it was far too one-dimensional.

Most importantly, the method of Magical Combat using the Broken Sword didn’t suit the Tiger Demon’s own fighting style.

"Forty thousand Demon Stones!"

Xu Chang’an wasn’t deliberately lowballing; he quoted a reasonable price.

"Fellow Daoist, that’s..."

The Tiger Demon looked hesitant.

Xu Chang’an gave him a glance, said nothing, and turned to leave.

He had only taken seven or eight steps when the Tiger Demon’s voice called out from behind him.

"Wait, fellow Daoist!"

In the end, Xu Chang’an purchased the Broken Sword for forty thousand Demon Stones.

After buying the Broken Sword, Xu Chang’an did not immediately leave the trade meet.

Instead, he lingered at the gathering for a long while, even purchasing some more Spirit Medicine.

Only when the trade meet concluded did Xu Chang’an finally depart.

...

「Thunder Demon City, in a temporarily rented cave residence.」

"What’s so miraculous about this Broken Sword that it caused such a strong reaction from the panel?"

Xu Chang’an mused as he caressed the Broken Sword, examining it closely.

From its appearance alone, there was nothing special about the Broken Sword.

Its Spirit Patterns were fractured, and when activated with Demon Power, the Spiritual Light it emitted was dim and indistinct.

It was merely an ordinary Magical Treasure Fragment!