Chapter Fourteen: The Stone Fortress

  Nanhuang, with Xuan Kong Shan as its main terrain.

  On the vast southern wilderness, there is an ancient city called Stone City. It is said that this city has existed since the dawn of time, although it is in ruins, no one looks down on it. Everything that can be passed down from ancient times has its own unique place.

  In this seemingly ordinary small town, there are some powerful people hiding in the crowd, no different from ordinary people. So, it is very peaceful here, and no one dares to make trouble, fearing that they might provoke a hidden strong master, which would be fatal.

  "Is this Shi Cheng?" A young man looked at the ancient small city in the distance, shocked.

  "Yes, Master. It is said that Shi Huang obtained the Tao here and the name of Shi Huang also originated from Shi City. Some people say that Shi Huang has nothing to do with Shi City, there are many rumors but none have been confirmed." A young man with a scar on his face said respectfully.

  These two were naturally Jiang Xiaoyu and Qin Feng. After rushing for half a month, Jiang Xiaoyu finally arrived at the second stop in this world, Shicheng.

  Jiang Xiaoyu smiled and nodded, gazing at the distant buildings, feeling a sense of nostalgia. Although some were in ruins, they still couldn't hide their former glory. In ancient times, this city must have been extraordinary as well.

  "Many powerful individuals have come here to seclude themselves, precisely in order to explore the mysteries of the ancient era." Qin Feng continued.

  Few things have been left from ancient times, and even if there are any, they have already fallen into the hands of big shots. The Stone Castle originated in ancient times, so many people want to explore this ancient city.

  As time went on, more and more people came, and this place became one of the prosperous cities in the southern wilderness.

  "Selling a high-quality magic artifact, want it quickly, sky-high price of only 350 spirit stones!"

  "Blowing a cow's skin, huh? A top-grade artifact costs 350 spirit stones? Come on, let me take a look... You're this incomplete top-grade artifact!"

  "Otherwise? If it's complete, can 350 spirit stones buy it?"

  Although the ancient city is small, it's crowded with people coming and going. Some people even sit on the ground to set up stalls and sell things. As Jiang Xiaoyu walks through the crowd, looking at the scenery around her, she feels happy too.

  Compared to Pushe Village, this place has a more festive atmosphere, who doesn't like the excitement? For anything new and interesting, Jiang Xiaoyu couldn't help but stop and take a closer look.

  Qin Feng, who was following beside him, didn't say much, anyway, whatever Master said, he would do!

  It was already noon when they finally found a place to stay. The master and apprentice walked out of the wine tower with their heads hung low, Jiang Xiaoyu's face full of gloom.

  "Disciple, how can you possibly be out of money?!"

  "Master, I...I was being chased by Yun Xiu at that time, and I was already a dead man. What's the use of bringing so much money..." Qin Feng had an innocent look on his face.

  The two stood outside the wine tower, both looking dejected. A single coin could bring down even the greatest heroes, and in this world, the universal currency was spirit stones. Jiang Xiaoyu didn't need to say it, but he definitely didn't have any of those things, and Qin Feng also hadn't brought... So where would they stay now?

  "If only I had known, I would have kept some to exchange for points, and then I could have exchanged them for something to sell." Jiang Xiaoyu thought to herself, shaking her head in dismay.

  After Qin Feng broke through the Air Sea, Jiang Xiaoyu opened up three more acupoints, now he has a total of 21 acupoints! Moreover, he also obtained some extra points, but in order to let Qin Feng grow quickly and have a strong bodyguard, Jiang Xiaoyu exchanged for another Air Sea Realm cultivator's elixir, which forcibly raised Qin Feng to the peak of the second layer of the Air Sea. Later, Qin Feng relied on himself to break through to the third layer of the Air Sea!

  Qin Feng felt a bit embarrassed, his master was a reclusive expert, it was understandable that he didn't have any money. But this disciple of his was someone who mixed with the secular world, yet he didn't even have any spirit stones, Qin Feng suddenly felt that he had been an unqualified disciple!

  Hesitating for half a day, Qin Feng gritted his teeth and made up his mind, saying: "Master, how about I sell my sword?"

  Hearing his apprentice say this, Jiang Xiaoyu's heart surged with warmth, staring at Qin Feng for a moment, unsure of what to say.

  Seeing the master not speaking, Qin Feng continued: "This knife of mine is also a pretty good weapon. I remember when I bought it, I spent 100 spirit stones to have someone forge it. If I sell it, it should be able to fetch more than 30 spirit stones..."

  For a swordsman, as long as the sword is present, he is present. However, now Qin Feng had no choice but to painfully sell his sword, just so that his master could have a place to live.

  Generally speaking, staying in an inn for a day only costs one piece of spiritual stone, but the traffic in Shicheng is too large, making the accommodation fee here very high. Without three pieces of spiritual stone, you can't even get in!

  Jiang Xiaoyu was filled with bitterness, originally full of confidence, wanting to make a name for himself in the world. But he didn't expect that as soon as he encountered the first city, he would make such a blunder, which was quite a blow to his morale. Just at this moment, he received a prompt from the system.

  "Found a promoter, Ou Jiangzi, 47 years old, Qi Hai Jiuchong Tian boundary, is a good refiner..."

  A large amount of information floated in Jiang Xiaoyu's mind, and then he smiled at his apprentice, patted him on the shoulder, and said: "Don't worry, how could Master let you come to sell knives? Go help Master find out where the nearest blacksmith shop is around here."

  Listening to the words in front, Qin Feng's gloomy face suddenly lit up with joy, but when he got to the back, he was a bit puzzled. If you don't sell knives, why look for an iron shop? Out of trust in his own master, Qin Feng didn't think much about it, and if his master said not to sell, then he definitely wouldn't sell! At that time, he found a few people to ask around.

  After a while, Qin Feng ran back and said: "Master, if we walk forward and turn a corner, there is an ironwork shop."

  Nodding in satisfaction, Jiang Xiaoyu said mysteriously: "Follow me, and don't speak too much for now."

  Qin Feng hastily agreed and followed Jiang Xiaoyu in the direction of the blacksmith's shop.

  Clang! Clang! Clang!

  After turning a corner, I saw an ironwork shop. However, the business of this ironwork shop didn't seem to be very good. Except for an old man over 40 years old, there were no customers in it.

  Based on the description of the promotion system, it must be this person. Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaoyu continued to walk over.

  As he approached, Jiang Xiaoyu only then noticed that the walls of the house were adorned with a dazzling array of weapons, all sorts and kinds. But the blacksmith didn't even lift an eyelid, instead continuing to hammer away at the iron, "Want something? Go inside and take a look yourself, pay after you've made your selection."

  With such a temper, it's strange to have guests! Jiang Xiaoyu secretly evaluated this person in her heart, and then didn't say much, leading Qin Feng into the house.

  Qin Feng secretly wondered in his heart, "We don't have any spiritual stones on us, why did Master come to this blacksmith's shop?"

  However, Jiang Xiaoyu had also told him before not to speak too much, so he didn't ask further.

  On the walls hang what the blacksmith considered satisfactory works, and on the ground there are also some weapons, but they all have a thin layer of dust on them, presumably the opponent's casual work.

  Dà Fēng Dāo: Sān Bǎi Líng Shí.

  Translation:

  Big Wind Saber: Three Hundred Spirit Stones.

  Damn it! Seeing the price of this weapon, Jiang Xiaoyu almost cursed out loud. A broken knife actually costs 300 spirit stones. Qin Feng also saw the knife and his eyes couldn't help but heat up. Which swordsman doesn't like a good sword?

  Noticing his apprentice's gaze, Jiang Xiaoyu smiled secretly in his heart and decided to start with this knife.

  "Qin Feng, put down the knife." Jiang Xiaoyu said.

  He nodded, Qin Feng took the Big Wind Knife off the wall and gently stroked it. He had never touched such a good knife before! His own knife, although worth 100 spirit stones, was not in the same league as this one!

  With a faint smile, Jiang Xiaoyu asked: "Qin Feng, what do you think of this sword?"

  "Blade weighs thirty-six catties, blade edge is razor-sharp and unparalleled, and the blade body is smooth to boot! And also..."

  As he spoke, Qin Feng lightly gestured with his hand, and in an instant a small gust of air rushed towards him, this was the wind!

  The blacksmith outside chuckled and continued working without stopping, there were still people who knew their stuff. But Jiang Xiaoyu's next sentence made him angrily throw down the iron hammer in his hand.

  "Is that what you think is a good knife?" Jiang Xiaoyu said. Seeing Qin Feng nodding heavily, Jiang Xiaoyu shook his head and took the knife, lightly flicking it, "But in my eyes, this knife doesn't count as good, can only be said to barely pass."

  "Mediocre? This knife is top-notch wherever it's from, what's mediocre about it?" The blacksmith walked in, his face expressionless.

  Qin Feng's eyebrows furrowed slightly, how could this person speak to his master in such a tone? At that moment, he wanted to take action, but was stopped by Jiang Xiaoyu stretching out his arm. Jiang Xiaoyu took a step forward and asked, "May I ask the shopkeeper, who made this knife?"

  "It's just below!" The blacksmith snorted and then said: "You say this knife is decent, where is it decent? Tell me about it!"

  Jiang Xiaoyu handed the knife to Qin Feng, indicating that he should put it back, then turned around and said slowly: "The design of this knife is still pretty good, and its appearance is also quite good. If it were an ordinary person, they wouldn't notice, but I can see that there's a problem with the internal structure of this knife."

  This sentence suddenly changed the blacksmith's complexion, and he stared at Jiang Xiaoyu in surprise.

  The other party's performance, Jiang Xiaoyu just smiled and said that the promotion system has an introduction. This person's refining method is good, but it has gone astray. It can't take care of both inside and outside, if the outside looks good, there must be a problem inside, and if the inside is good, the outside must not look good.

  So Jiang Xiaoyu can say with such confidence that there is a problem inside the opponent's knife, but he cannot say where the problem lies. However, he is not in a hurry at all. This time, the secret recipe for promotion, he has seen it on the road for half a month, so he has the confidence to make the opponent speechless and kneel down to ask him to accept him as an apprentice.

  "The vessel is not for the ruler, the ruler is not a vessel, the vessel can be used by the ruler, but the ruler cannot be used as a vessel."

  Sixteen words, one by one, struck the blacksmith's heart. At first, he thought nothing of it and just smiled disdainfully. But then he carefully savored them again, his face turning serious. Then he carefully recalled them once more, and suddenly his eyes widened in shock as he stared at Jiang Xiaoyu. The blacksmith really couldn't figure out how an opponent who looked like a young man in his early twenties could say such things!

  He immediately lowered his tone by a few degrees and slightly bowed: "I am Ou Jiangzi, dare to ask who the senior is?"