Naked Sword Art

"You'd be right in that assumption, but unless you buy something from this floor, you won't be allowed up to the next one."

"Ah, is that so…" Xiao Fang murmured. The sheer number of items on the first floor made it impractical to inspect them all. Rather than waste time, he turned to her and asked, "Tell me, what do you think is worth buying here?"

"That depends on what you're looking for. There are cultivation weapons, tools, pills, collectibles, paintings, and more. But if you ask me, none of the cultivation items here are truly worth their listed prices, so I suggest you buy something cheap just to get past this level."

Hearing the girl's explanation, Xiao Fang gave the floor a quick scan, planning to stop at the first thing that caught his attention. Eventually he found something he felt would come in handy.

"Are there any good spears here?" Xiao Fang asked.

"Sure, it's just this way, but if you really wanted to buy a spear you'd be better off buying them from the upper floors. If I were you I'd save my money for the better stuff up there," she advised.

Xiao Fang acted blind and extended his hand, seeing that she paused.

"Here, you can hold onto this handkerchief," she said before letting him grab onto the other end of the beautifully embroidered handkerchief.

It was customary for people from different classes to not touch one another, especially if it was between a man and a woman. So from this action alone he could tell her background wasn't ordinary.

…

Xiao Fang viewed all the spears in selection, he didn't need a good one, just something to throw away in case he ever needed to use the [ Javelin ] skill again.

"What about this one?" Xiao Fang asked as he reached to feel it. It was the only spear not encased in a glass-like formation.

"Ah, that? That's a Dragon Dynasty Spear, there are only a few of its kind, but it's not really a weapon—more of a collector's item. It is said to have once belonged to an emperor of the Eastern Azure Dragon Continent. Its material is unknown, but it's so dense and durable that rumors claim that it once withstood a full battle against an immortal," the young woman explained.

It was a golden spear, standing at an impressive three meters tall, with extravagant carvings of celestial beasts adorning its handle.

"A collector's item, huh," Xiao Fang muttered. As the young woman continued rambling about the spear's history and legends, he reached out and attempted to lift it—only to realize just how heavy it was.

His muscles flexed as he applied the enhanced strength he had gained from the Golden Beast Core. With a surge of effort, he managed to lift it just an inch off the ground with one hand, holding it there briefly before setting it back down. It was far too heavy to be practical as a weapon. Without the Golden Beast Core, he doubted he could have moved it at all, even with both hands. However, he knew that if he activated his [ True Immortal Lightning Tribulation ] Spirit Attribute, carrying—perhaps even throwing—it wouldn't seem like such an impossible task.

Cutting her off mid-ramble, Xiao Fang said,

"I've made up my mind. I want this one."

"What? Why, if you don't mind me asking?"

"It feels right," he replied simply.

Collector's items were always wildly overpriced. While the other spears only cost a few silvers, this one was a staggering 15 gold coins. The young woman couldn't help but wonder if he was an incredibly wealthy noble or simply a fool who had stumbled upon some fortune. Since she had never heard of him before, she assumed it was the latter.

Though Xiao Fang didn't fully understand the value of currency in this place, 15 gold coins were nothing compared to the hundreds he had obtained by looting the Scavenger Sect.

"Young Master, if you provide us with your residence, we would be happy to arrange transport for this item to your estate."

Xiao Fang didn't know how he felt about being referred to as a young master, but since the cat was out of the bag now, Xiao Fang didn't see a point in hiding his wealth from the manager of the 1st floor.

"There's no need," Xiao Fang replied.

Placing his hand around the three meter tall majestic spear, it suddenly vanished before their eyes. Both the manager and the young women were momentarily shocked. It wasn't every day that they encountered a cultivator possessing a spatial ring. However, it only confirmed what the girl already suspected about him, Xiao Fang certainly wasn't an ordinary figure.

"May I proceed to the next floor?"

"Yes! Right this way," the floor manager replied.

Xiao Fang began to follow him but paused when he noticed the young appraiser wasn't following him.

"Aren't you coming?" Xiao Fang asked.

"I can't travel to the 2nd floor," she replied.

Xiao Fang turned to the floor manager and asked if he could take her with him, he said he was welcome to take any of the appraisers on this floor up with him, but that the girl he was referring to was still in training.

"Shall I fetch you one of our appraisers to assist you in your search?"

Xiao Fang thought for a moment then asked. I'll be heading out for a moment, but before I do, there's something I would like you to arrange for me.

Xiao Fang told him the details of what he wanted to do then showed him one of his spatial pouches holding his valuables.

The floor manager's eyes lit up in disbelief, then agreed to his request.

"I will have it ready for you when you return," the manager said.

Xiao Fang nodded as he walked towards the exit.

"Are you leaving already?" the young woman asked.

"Mn, but I will return in a few minutes. There's just someone I need to get."

She was reluctant to see him go, because there was just so much mystery in his character she wanted to uncover.

"Ah… right, I forgot to ask. What's your name?"

Xiao Fang paused for a moment then eventually replied, "Just call me Fang."