Xiao Qian's face showed disappointment. Her total assets did not amount to two hundred mid-grade spirit stones.
Lu An, however, smiled slightly, took out a bag, and handed it to the shop assistant. The shop assistant weighed the bag briefly and his face lit up with a smile.
"Please, both of you, go upstairs."
Since these two could produce such a large amount of spirit stones, they must be well-off. If he could sell an upper-grade magic artifact, he would earn a significant commission.
The two went upstairs, only to find that another group was also selecting artifacts. A young man with a female companion and several bodyguards were there. The young man was so focused on his companion that he did not notice Lu An and Xiao Qian.
Lu An ignored them and examined the artifacts around him. After a while, he nodded; the artifacts on the second floor were indeed much better than those on the first floor. Most were second-tier mid-grade or higher, and even the lower-tier ones had special uses.
He was a bit tempted; his Soul Devouring Sword, having been nurtured for so many years, had reached the threshold of second-tier lower-grade artifacts. But it was still insufficient for him.
Fortunately, with the third-tier lower-grade Nine-turn Blood Soul Banner, he had something presentable.
He thought for a moment and then shook his head slowly. "The Soul Devouring Sword can be upgraded continuously with my spiritual sense, so I'll first find a suitable weapon for Xiao Qian."
As he was looking around, Xiao Qian seemed to have found something. She held a deep blue ice sword with a look of joy.
Lu An walked over and smiled. "Not bad; it's actually a second-tier upper-grade artifact. Judging by its aura, it's probably not far from being a top-grade one."
"With daily nurturing, it might even have a chance to advance to the top grade."
He turned to the shopkeeper on the second floor and asked, "How much is this sword?"
The shopkeeper, seeing that they were interested in the sword, praised it enthusiastically. "Friend, you have a good eye. This Ice Cloud Sword is forged from Mystical Yin Dark Iron. It can slow down the opponent's true qi flow, and the longer it is used, the more effective it becomes."
"So, naturally, the price is a bit high."
"It costs two hundred and eighty mid-grade spirit stones."
Lu An raised his eyebrows. He could afford two hundred and eighty mid-grade spirit stones, but buying this sword would leave him penniless.
When Xiao Qian heard the price, she gaped and quickly waved her hand. "No need. We were just browsing."
The shopkeeper's breath hitched, and he stopped paying attention to them.
"Lu An, let's go. This artifact is too expensive. I'll just pick something from downstairs."
She reluctantly placed the Ice Cloud Sword back on the counter.
But Lu An stopped her. "Since you've found a suitable weapon, how can we just let it go?"
"Don't worry. I still have some spirit stones here. It's enough to buy this sword."
Xiao Qian hesitated for a moment and then nodded. "I can contribute a hundred mid-grade spirit stones. The rest I'll borrow from you and repay once I have accumulated enough in the future."
Lu An smiled faintly. He knew Xiao Qian would not take the spirit stones without giving something in return, so he did not press the issue.
"Shopkeeper, I'll take this Ice Cloud Sword."
The shopkeeper's face lit up with a broad smile. He didn't expect these two to be so decisive, buying the sword with just a few words.
As he was about to wrap up the sword and hand it to them, a voice interrupted from nearby:
"Hold on!"
A young man walked over arrogantly, addressing his female companion beside him. "Do you like this sword?"
The female companion nodded, clinging to his arm and saying, "This sword is beautiful. If Young Master Zhuang gives it to me, I might reconsider your previous request."
Young Master Zhuang's eyes lit up with a hint of lasciviousness. "Shopkeeper, I'll take this sword."
The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment, his voice trembling. "Young Master Zhuang, this sword has already been chosen by this friend…"
Before he could finish, he was cut off by Young Master Zhuang.
"Don't you understand what I'm saying?"
The shopkeeper seemed extremely fearful and quickly nodded. "I understand, I understand. I'll wrap it up for you right away."
Xiao Qian frowned and stepped forward, her voice cold. "We were the ones who picked this sword first. How can it be sold to this person just like that?"
The shopkeeper gave her a warning glance, signaling her to stay silent.
Young Master Zhuang turned his gaze towards Xiao Qian and was momentarily stunned. He had been focused on his female companion and hadn't noticed Xiao Qian's appearance until now. Seeing her, he was instantly captivated, finding his previous companion less appealing by comparison.
"Oh? This fairy also wants this Ice Cloud Sword? That's a problem."
He pretended to think for a moment, striking a pose he deemed charming, and said, "Since the fairy also likes it, I can only reluctantly give it up."
"Shopkeeper, wrap the sword for this fairy and put it on my account."
The female companion was shocked and quickly grabbed his arm. "Young Master Zhuang, didn't you say you'd give it to me? Tonight, I'll come to your manor with my sisters."
Young Master Zhuang roughly shook off her arm, his voice cold. "What nonsense are you talking? Sisters? I'm not interested in that sort of thing."
The female companion wanted to say more, but Young Master Zhuang's icy glare silenced her. She could only shut up, not daring to speak another word.
Young Master Zhuang's expression softened a bit, and he forced a smile towards Xiao Qian. "Fairy, would you honor me with your presence at my manor tonight?"
Xiao Qian's face was already icy cold, but he was completely oblivious.
"No, we have spirit stones and will buy it ourselves."
Young Master Zhuang, like a lovesick fool, was enchanted by Xiao Qian's cold and beautiful demeanor, something he had never seen before despite having many beautiful women around him. He was not willing to let this opportunity slip by.
His expression darkened, and just as he was about to say something more, he suddenly felt a chill, as if being stared at by a fierce beast. He turned around and noticed a young man beside Xiao Qian.
Lu An's eyes were cold. If it weren't for the prohibition against fighting in Wanren City, he would have acted already.
Feeling the pressure from Lu An, Young Master Zhuang's expression shifted between different emotions. Although both were Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivators, he sensed that Lu An was an extremely dangerous person.
This feeling came from their ancestral technique that could gauge part of an opponent's strength, which had rarely been wrong.
After pondering for a moment, Young Master Zhuang suddenly smiled faintly. "Since the fairy insists on buying it herself, I'll let it be. I'll take my leave."
He turned and walked away, ignoring his female companion.
After exiting Wanbao Pavilion, his face darkened completely.
"Go, find out the identities and whereabouts of those two. I must have that woman!"
He licked his lips, his expression extremely grim.