Chapter 58: The Sixth-Order Sword Formation

No one born yet could make a huge profit or take advantage of him.

The divine weapons sold by this middle-aged vendor were all flawed.

However, even with these flaws, as he said, they were crafted by a fourth-rank artificer. Despite some minor defects, they were still far superior to second-rank divine weapons and ordinary third-rank ones.

Chu Tianchen, having inherited the Dragon Emperor’s legacy, also possessed the Way of Artificing. The small imperfections within these divine weapons could not escape his perception.

He actually had his own plans for divine weapons; this time, he was just temporarily choosing one to use.

Compared to the third-rank Fire Cloud Sword, he was more intrigued by the ancient broken sword.

Although that ancient broken sword was no longer usable, the runes engraved on its hilt seemed to record a set of divine skills. As for the level of these skills, that required further study once he returned.

In any case, these two swords together were worth the fifty thousand low-grade elemental stones. Chu Tianchen would not suffer a loss.

For the vendor, it was also a profitable deal.

After all, even in his hands, the vendor could not copy the divine skills inscribed on the broken sword.

When Chu Tianchen offered fifty thousand elemental stones for the two swords, the vendor’s face twitched in pain.

“Brother, this isn’t bargaining—it’s practically cutting into a man’s artery,” the middle-aged vendor grumbled miserably.

Chu Tianchen took out fifty thousand low-grade elemental stones from his storage ring and handed them over.

Then he smiled at the vendor. “Whether you profit from this or not, you know better than anyone.”

“You’ve been in the weapon business for years. Do you know any sixth-rank artificers?”

“If there’s a reliable sixth-rank artificer, I can help you make a big profit.”

Hearing this, the vendor paused, sizing him up carefully.

“A sixth-rank artificer? You want a sixth-rank divine weapon?”

“Brother, no offense, but how much do you really understand about divine weapons? You’re only at the fourth stage of the Meridian Realm; even wielding a third-rank divine weapon might be difficult for you.”

“To be frank, with a sixth-rank divine weapon, your vitality might not even sustain a single strike.”

“The energy consumption would be too great,” the vendor said bluntly.

“Or,” he pondered, “are you crafting weapons for someone else?”

Chu Tianchen replied, “The introduction fee is one hundred thousand low-grade elemental stones.”

The vendor’s eyes widened in disbelief.

One hundred thousand low-grade elemental stones!

In an instant, this young man before him seemed much more impressive—completely different from the one who just haggled.

“Brother, I do know a sixth-rank artificer. He’s currently in the imperial city. If you want to create a certain type of divine weapon, just tell me. I’ll—” the vendor hurriedly began.

“Send him a message to come to Yunhai City,” Chu Tianchen interrupted.

“Huh? A sixth-rank master to Yunhai City? Do you think I have that kind of influence?” The vendor’s expression fell.

He knew well that earning one hundred thousand elemental stones wasn’t so easy.

Sixth-rank artificers were as rare as sixth-grade alchemists. Within the entire Great Qian Empire, there were only a handful.

Usually, it took long appointments just to meet one.

“You tell him I have a sword blueprint for a sixth-rank divine weapon. If he’s willing to come, I’ll give him the blueprint as a gift,” Chu Tianchen said with a smile.

“A sixth-rank divine weapon blueprint?”

“You mean soul-forged sword?”

The vendor asked in surprise.

“You know quite a bit for a merchant.”

“I’ll pay you fifty thousand elemental stones now. If you manage to get him here, whether or not he forges the sword for me, I’ll pay you the remaining fifty thousand.”

“I’m a disciple of the Outer Academy of Yunhai Academy. My name is Chu Tianchen.”

“Once he arrives, tell him to come find me at Yunhai Academy.”

“Oh, and here are the raw materials for forging the sword. Help me look for them.”

“As long as you find them, I’ll pay one thousand elemental stones above the market price.”

After speaking, Chu Tianchen put the broken sword and the Fire Cloud Sword back into his storage ring and turned to leave.

The middle-aged vendor stood there dumbfounded, watching his retreating figure.

Chu Tianchen hadn’t even asked his name—wasn’t he afraid the vendor would run off with the fifty thousand elemental stones?

A fourth-stage Meridian Realm cultivator with such boldness was truly rare.

But on reflection, this vendor, Niu Dali, had been in the divine weapon business for sixteen years, and his family was in the trade.

They all had stalls in various academy divine weapon shops.

Recalling Chu Tianchen’s words, he grew intensely curious about the sixth-rank divine weapon blueprint in Chu Tianchen’s possession.

Though he had been in the divine weapon business for decades, he had never seen a complete sword blueprint.

A sword blueprint was like an alchemist’s pill formula.

Ordinary divine weapons required no blueprint; a strong enough artificer’s soul force and precise control of the forging process sufficed.

But those weapons had form without spirit.

Divine weapons forged with a blueprint could be infused with the user’s soul power and gradually cultivated to achieve a state of unity between sword and soul.

Such a weapon would directly recognize its master.

Even if others obtained your divine weapon, they wouldn’t wield it properly or unleash its true power.

Furthermore, only sixth-rank or higher divine weapons had blueprints.

A fourth-stage Meridian cultivator—where had he gotten such a blueprint?

What they could not know was that Chu Tianchen had inherited the Eternal Dragon Emperor’s legacy and understood the Six Paths. These things were like imprinted marks on his divine consciousness, deeply etched in his mind.

It could be said that Chu Tianchen simply lacked the time and also the soul power to forge such a weapon himself.

For now, he had to set aside artificing and alchemy, focus on opening the nine meridian wheels, and step into the Tongyuan Realm.

The new student trial in the Monster Beast Mountains was also a test for newcomers.

It lasted three months, during which hunting a single first-rank monster beast core was enough to pass.

Those who failed within the allotted time—if below the seventh stage of the Meridian Realm—would be expelled from the academy.

This rule had never changed.

In truth, the trial was not very difficult for Meridian Realm cultivators. The outskirts of the Monster Beast Mountains were teeming with first-rank monster beasts. Even with bad luck, killing three of them would yield at least one core.

Not every monster beast had a core.

A monster beast’s core was akin to a human’s dantian.

Like humans, some weaker monster beasts lacked a core, making killing them pointless.

Moreover, such coreless beasts had strongly off-putting meat, barely edible.

So, barring human interference, most would pass the trial.

However, Chu Tianchen’s goal for these three months was more than just passing.

It was an opportunity.

Within three months, he intended to open at least three more meridian wheels!

Soon after, he joined the newcomers at the Outer Academy’s training ground. After a headcount, they would set off for the Monster Beast Mountains together.