This was a vambrace-type magic artifact. Its entire body was a pale cyan color. What was more unique was a slightly protruding component embedded on the outer side of the vambrace, only about an inch long, shaped like a swift bird, quite exquisite.
Looking again at the note, it read: "Swift-Return Vambrace, mid-grade magic artifact. Infuse true essence to launch swift darts. Power is astonishing. Darts return automatically after firing, possessing the ability to strike the enemy unprepared. Price: Six low-grade spirit stones."
It was actually a mid-grade artifact! A flicker of delight appeared in Lin Feng's eyes. He looked again at the vambrace in his hand, his thoughts stirring.
"Equipment Integrity: 70%"
"Repair Materials Required: Wind-Attributed Tier-1 Essence Ore."
Lin Feng was immediately stunned. "A mid-grade artifact, and it only needs Tier-1 essence ore for repair?"
Using Tier-1 essence ore to forge a mid-grade artifact meant the skill level of the artifact's creator was quite high.
"This is the one!!"
Immediately, Lin Feng made his decision in his heart—a mid-grade artifact, effective for both offense and defense, and the repair material only required Tier-1 essence ore. This was the most cost-effective treasure available.
After thinking for a moment, Lin Feng turned to Cao Yang behind another counter not far away and said, "Brother Cao, is this the artifact you mentioned earlier? How many spirit stones did we acquire it for?"
Cao Yang seemed somewhat distracted; Lin Feng's voice seemed to startle him. He paused for a moment before nodding. "Hmm, that's the one. Acquired for four low-grade spirit stones. Why?"
Four low-grade spirit stones—this was within Lin Feng's expectations. The artifact was decent, just its integrity was a bit low. Even without using an Appraisal Technique, it was obvious to the naked eye. If it were new, it could probably sell for over twenty low-grade spirit stones.
Lin Feng said, "I'm quite taken with this artifact, Brother Cao. Have you reported it to Manager Li yet?"
Cao Yang was stunned again. A strange glint seemed to flash in his eyes before he shook his head. "Well... I haven't reported it to Manager Li yet. Do you want it? That's... not quite appropriate... And, what would you do with this artifact?"
Lin Feng smiled. "Nothing much, I just like the look of it... Since it hasn't been reported to Manager Li yet, then consider it a private purchase by me. That shouldn't be inappropriate, right? — Didn't Brother Cao 'privately' buy a mid-grade artifact from one of my customers just the other day?"
"This..." Cao Yang's expression instantly stiffened. He forced a dry laugh. "Heh heh, I was just saying... Since you like it, consider it yours..."
After speaking, he lowered his head to examine an account book in front of him, pretending to be very busy. No one saw the trace of unease on his lowered face, as if he was pondering something.
Noting the strange flicker in Cao Yang's eyes earlier, Lin Feng said no more. He reached into his robe, took out four low-grade spirit stones, placed them into the spirit stone cabinet under the counter to replenish the stones Cao Yang had used to purchase the vambrace. Now the vambrace was his.
Four low-grade spirit stones! That was more than his monthly salary!
Lin Feng couldn't help but wince at the expense internally. However, looking at the vambrace afterward, his mood brightened again. After fiddling with it for a while, he simply rolled up his sleeve and fastened the vambrace onto his right forearm. The vambrace wasn't heavy and had some elasticity. Once fastened, it clung tightly to his forearm. Lowering his sleeve, it was almost invisible.
"Tier-1 Wind-Attributed Essence Iron... I wonder if the shop has acquired any of this material. But even if not, it shouldn't be hard to find at the free market in the east district..."
Pondering this, Lin Feng stopped looking at other treasures. He only had three low-grade spirit stones left now, which needed to be saved to buy the materials required for repairs.
"Sigh... Two months' wages. Looks like nothing will be left today. Spending it is far easier than earning it! But it's fine. As long as I have a little time, earning spirit stones shouldn't be difficult in the future..."
...
Lin Feng was deep in thought when he suddenly sensed someone in front of him. He looked up to see a man around twenty-five or twenty-six years old standing before the counter.
"Esteemed brother, how may I assist you? The magic artifacts in our shop are both fine and affordable. Look at these treasures; though a bit old, many are still seventy to eighty percent new, and the prices are absolutely reasonable..."
Lin Feng collected himself and began his professional duties, speaking with a smile.
"I'm not here to buy," the man shook his head slightly. "I'm here to sell. Please see how much these two items are worth in spirit stones."
As he spoke, he pulled two items from his robe and placed them on the counter before Lin Feng.
"Oh, certainly." Lin Feng nodded, his smile unwavering, and lowered his gaze to inspect the two items the man had produced.
Then, his eyebrows rose slightly, revealing a look of surprise.
"Huh? This is..."
...
Lin Feng picked up the item on the left, somewhat surprised. "This is... a Chained Fireball Talisman?"
It was a crimson talisman slip, three fingers wide and three inches long. Judging by its complex runic patterns, it wasn't an ordinary disposable Tier-1 talisman, but a Tier-2 Chained Talisman!
Ordinary disposable talismans could only be used once. This type of chained talisman, however, could be used repeatedly until its talismanic power was exhausted. The crimson talisman slip before him was clearly a Tier-2 Chained Fireball Talisman. If brand new, it could consecutively activate ten to twenty fireballs, and their power would be greater than that of a Tier-1 Fireball Talisman.
However, the runes on this talisman were already somewhat blurred, and it had almost no luster left. It was evident it had been nearly used up—perhaps only two or three activations remained. This could technically be considered a 'damaged treasure', but it was rare for someone to sell one.
The young man nodded. "Yes, correct. This is a Chained Fireball Talisman. It should still have three activations left. Its power is extraordinary. This talisman has saved my life many times. I wouldn't be selling it now if I weren't in urgent need of spirit stones. And this mid-grade artifact, it's still seventy percent new. I bought it originally for twenty-five low-grade spirit stones. For these two items, what price are you willing to offer?"
...
After a round of bargaining, Lin Feng bought the two items for eleven low-grade spirit stones: ten for the dagger-shaped mid-grade artifact, and the talisman was only worth one.
After seeing the middle-aged man off, Lin Feng placed the mid-grade artifact in the display case, pricing it at thirteen low-grade spirit stones. As for the talisman slip, he quietly tucked it into his own robe, simultaneously taking out one low-grade spirit stone and placing it in the cabinet—this talisman was now his.
"Equipment Integrity: 80%"
"Repair Materials Required: Tier-1 Fire Scorpion Blood."
—This was the information that had appeared in Lin Feng's mind the moment he picked up the Chained Fire Talisman. At that instant, he had almost immediately decided to keep it.
"I never expected talismans could also be repaired! Well... talismans are considered a type of magic artifact after all." Lin Feng felt a small surge of excitement inside. "If that's the case, once this talisman is repaired, its usefulness might even surpass the Swift-Return Vambrace! Perhaps... it might already be enough to deal with those people!"
In battles between cultivators, besides one's own cultivation level, the role of magic artifacts and techniques was enormous. This was especially true for low-level cultivators. Possessing a powerful artifact could allow one to easily defeat opponents stronger than oneself.
According to the previous man, the fireballs unleashed by this Chained Fireball Talisman were powerful enough to match those cast by a cultivator at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. Lin Feng estimated that the 'muscle man' from yesterday was at most at the sixth layer of Qi Refining. With this Chained Fireball Talisman, plus the Swift-Return Vambrace, and the short sword at home... he might already be able to deal with him!
Thinking this, Lin Feng's heart grew urgent. He wished he could go find those people immediately and snatch his ring back. Although he knew they probably couldn't break the seal on the ring, who knew if it might fall into someone else's hands? The longer the ring remained in enemy possession, the deeper his worry grew.
"I won't wait! I'll head straight to the free market to buy the materials, then go find those people!"
Finally, unwilling to endure the torment any longer, Lin Feng's expression hardened. He abruptly stood up and strode out.
"Liu Cui, when Manager Li comes back, please ask for leave on my behalf. Tell him I have an urgent matter. I appreciate it!"
Under Liu Cui's astonished gaze, Lin Feng left these words and then rushed out of the shop like the wind.
"Eh... you..." Liu Cui was slightly stunned. By the time she reacted, Lin Feng was long gone. She muttered to herself in confusion, "Lin Feng is really strange today. Not only was he late, but he left again after being here such a short while... What kind of urgent matter did he encounter?"
"Just what is he trying to do?!" On the other side, Cao Yang had actually been secretly observing Lin Feng's actions all along. He had even seen Lin Feng privately pocket that talisman slip. His eyes instantly revealed a trace of anxiety, seemingly mixed with a hint of panic...
...
After Lin Feng walked out of the Treasure Pavilion, he immediately turned into a side street and strode quickly towards the free market in the east district.
He had originally thought about checking in the shop to see if they had the materials he needed. However, Manager Li wasn't present now, so he couldn't ask. Moreover, if asked later, it would be difficult to explain. Besides, he couldn't wait any longer. So, he decided directly to go to the free market to buy the materials for repairing the equipment.
The free market was a gathering place for low-level cultivators in the city. Some cultivators, not wanting to sell their things cheaply to shops, set up stalls there themselves. Although the items there were generally low-grade, the variety was extensive. Lin Feng believed he could definitely find the few materials he needed there.
"Tier-1 Wind-Attributed Essence Ore, Tier-1 Fire Scorpion Blood, and Tier-1 Essence Iron... Although I don't know exactly how much is needed, it shouldn't be too much. I still have two low-grade spirit stones; it should be enough..."
Thinking this, Lin Feng quickened his pace and soon disappeared into the crowd on the street...
Meanwhile, Lin Feng had no idea that almost the moment he left, Cao Yang also departed from the shop. Frowning, Cao Yang glanced in the direction Lin Feng had vanished. His brows tightly knit together as he turned and walked towards another side street...