After leaving the Library Pavilion, Chu Linfeng went straight back to his room. He knew his time was limited and he had to quickly master the Wind Chasing Sword Technique to win the family competition.
Lin Yanran wasn't in the room. After closing the door, Chu Linfeng prepared to practice this Mid Profound Tier martial skill.
Wind Chasing Sword Technique—just from the name of this martial skill, it's clear that it's a skill deployed very gracefully and swiftly, leaving no trace like the wind.
The content of the Wind Chasing Sword Technique appeared in his mind. The skill is divided into nine forms: the first three focus on stepping techniques, the next three on attack, and the last three, the most difficult, left Chu Linfeng puzzled.
It was naturally impossible to practice this skill indoors as the space was too cramped. Chu Linfeng decided to go to an open area on the back mountain, where no one usually went and wouldn't be disturbed.
Just as he was about to step out, the voice of the Sword Spirit appeared in his mind, "You should find yourself a suitable sword first. It's impossible to practice the Wind Chasing Sword Technique without a sword. Also, your Star Power is almost depleted, making practice impossible."
Chu Linfeng understood the Sword Spirit's meaning—he knew from practicing Phantom Finger that only by using Star Power could he achieve anything, as Spiritual Power was ineffective.
However, getting a suitable sword was a bit difficult. Even though the family had an armory, the quality of the weapons there was poor, and you couldn't even find a Lower Grade Spirit Sword.
"Got it. On the streets of Liuyun City, people often sell their weapons due to financial difficulties. Maybe I'll find something there," Chu Linfeng decided, leaving the Chu Mansion.
The streets of Liuyun City were bustling with traffic, and people came and went without end. The calls of vendors and waiters echoed in the air.
Chu Linfeng hadn't walked these streets for a long time. Branded as a failure, he stayed either on the peak of Liuyun Mountain or at home, rarely going anywhere else.
There were many vendors setting up stalls on the street—selling herbs, pets, martial skills—but after searching for a long time, Chu Linfeng didn't see anyone selling weapons.
Feeling a bit disappointed, just as he was about to leave, a voice rang out, "Come and see, come and buy, Spirit Level weapons of Lower Grade, first come, first served!"
Following the voice, Chu Linfeng quickly found the shouting vendor. He had passed by here before but didn't see him, perhaps he had just arrived.
As the vendor shouted, many people had already gathered around his stall, proving that weapon sales were indeed popular.
Squeezing into the crowd, Chu Linfeng saw the weapons laid out by the vendor: three long swords, a broadsword, and a weapon resembling a Crescent-Blade Halberd.
Someone quickly inquired about the price, "How much for this sword?" It was a middle-aged man wearing a purple robe with a conspicuous long sword at his waist. He seemed like someone not to be messed with.
"The sword is 100 Spirit Stones, the broadsword 80 Spirit Stones, and the halberd 80 Spirit Stones," the vendor replied honestly.
"So expensive?" someone exclaimed.
One Spirit Stone was equivalent to a hundred gold coins, which was the usual monthly expense for an ordinary household. It must be said that the vendor's prices were quite steep.
"All my weapons are Spirit Level weapons, so they're not really expensive. If you want to buy, act fast; if not, please make way!" the vendor shouted.
Chu Linfeng also wanted to buy, but unfortunately, he didn't have enough Spirit Stones, so he could only watch as others bought the weapons before him.
In a flash, all five weapons were sold out, leaving Chu Linfeng feeling slightly disappointed.
The crowd dispersed, and the vendor started packing up, looking very pleased with the prices he got today, a bright smile on his face.
As the vendor was about to leave, he noticed Chu Linfeng staring at him, "Young man, anything I can help you with? If you're looking to buy weapons, come earlier next time as today's are sold out."
"I really want to buy, but your weapons are too expensive. Do you have anything cheaper?" Chu Linfeng asked, although he wasn't really interested in lower-quality weapons, knowing the family armory had plenty.
"You're serious about buying?" the vendor asked.
Chu Linfeng felt there was hope, "Yes, but I don't have many Spirit Stones, so I can't afford anything too expensive!"
The vendor looked at Chu Linfeng closely and then laughed, "I have an Iron Sword, but it's rusted all over. I found it in a cave while searching for swordsmithing ore, and it nearly took my life."
"Is that so? Tell me more," Chu Linfeng suddenly grew interested.
"It's too noisy here, let's find a tea house to sit and talk. I think you're a good fellow, and I'm in a good mood today, so I'll tell you the story of this Iron Sword!" the vendor said, heading to a tea house.
Chu Linfeng followed him, "Are you a Swordsmith?"
Chu Linfeng had some knowledge about the special professions on this continent. Swordsmiths and Alchemists were both formidable, holding generally high status.
Typically, Swordsmiths and Alchemists rarely roamed freely as they were recruited by large families or sects. Hearing the vendor mention he was searching for swordsmithing ore made Chu Linfeng ask.
"That's right, I'm a Swordsmith, but my rank is too low to be noticed by the sects, so I craft and sell my own swords," the vendor said with a bitter smile.
The streets of Liuyun City had many teahouses and restaurants, and soon Chu Linfeng and the vendor arrived in front of one.
The teahouse's waiter greeted them warmly. The vendor found a table and sat down, "This Iron Sword, it's strange. Even I haven't seen its swordsmithing material before, though it seems rusted over. Hence, I call it the Iron Sword."
Chu Linfeng sat down, noticing the vendor looked about twenty-five or twenty-six, "You're older than me, so I'll call you elder brother. Please tell me how this Iron Sword almost took your life, I'm very curious!"
The waiter brought over a pot of tea, pouring it before leaving. The vendor took a sip, "Ah, comfortable. The tea here is cheap and good, really nice."
Chu Linfeng remained silent. The vendor put down his teacup and smiled, "I remember that time I accidentally entered a cave, hoping to find materials for swordsmithing, never expecting to encounter a giant snake as thick as a barrel inside."
The vendor paused, seeing the astonishment on Chu Linfeng's face, feeling satisfied, "The snake was at least a Tier Five Magical Beast. With my skills, I naturally couldn't defeat it.
Before I could escape, its enormous tail swept toward me; its speed and power were indescribable."
"Did its tail hit you?" Chu Linfeng asked worriedly.
"Of course, the cave was only so big. Its tail came out of nowhere, and I had no chance to dodge it, impossible to avoid," the vendor said meaningfully, seemingly still savoring the danger of that moment.
A Tier Five Magical Beast had the strength of an Earth Martial Realm expert, and surviving such an encounter showed the vendor's prowess.
"So what happened then? You didn't just get knocked out, did you?" Chu Linfeng asked, sipping his tea.
"If only I had fainted, that would have been better. I was knocked flying by its strike, smashed against the cave wall, causing the cave to collapse, and I was honorably buried in the rubble," the vendor said with a bitter smile.
"You weren't hurt?"
"Not too badly. I only broke four ribs and had some cuts and bruises, far from death!"
Chu Linfeng took a deep breath. This guy was extremely tough, evidently experiencing a close call with death at that time.