MTLNOVEL Chapter 775: Moonlight Grass (Part 2)
Luo Chen's eyebrows furrowed slightly; he didn't like this kind of bullying attitude, but he also didn't want to make unnecessary enemies.
He was about to speak, but Qing Shuang took the initiative and said, "This gentleman, it's not that we can't afford it, we just don't want to quarrel. This Moonlight Grass has special significance for us, so we ask that you consider other items."
The young man's face turned grim; he clearly didn't expect to be rejected, a hint of anger flashed in his eyes, "Hmph, do you know who I am? I am Lu Tianfeng, the Young Sect Master of the Tianjian Sect. What I want, I have never failed to get."
Luo Chen felt a chill in his heart; the Tianjian Sect was a powerful sect in the area, he didn't want to make enemies, but he also knew that if he backed down now, he might be looked down upon in the cultivation world.
"Young Sect Master Lu, this Moonlight Grass is indeed very important to us." Luo Chen tried to remain polite, "How about this, we each take a step back, I am willing to pay a higher price, but not double, this way you won't lose face, and we can get the spirit grass we need."
Lu Tianfeng snorted coldly, obviously dissatisfied with Luo Chen's proposal, but he also didn't want to lose face in public.
His gaze shifted, suddenly revealing a sly smile, "In that case, since you insist, let's have a fair competition. If you win, the Moonlight Grass is yours. If I win, you must give it to me."
Luo Chen sighed inwardly; it seemed today's competition was unavoidable.
He nodded, "Alright, what will the competition be?"
Lu Tianfeng's mouth curved upward, "Let's have a swordsmanship duel, how about it?"
Luo Chen's heart moved; although he was skilled with various weapons, swordsmanship was his strong suit.
He glanced at Qing Shuang, who also understood his meaning and nodded in support.
"Alright, I accept your challenge." Luo Chen said in a deep voice.
The two agreed on the time and place for the duel, and Lu Tianfeng left with his attendants, looking smug.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang continued to look for other potentially useful items in the workshop, also preparing for the upcoming duel.
Time passed quickly, and soon it was the day of the competition.
Luo Chen and Lu Tianfeng each stood on the competition stage, surrounded by many cultivators eager to see the outcome of this swordsmanship duel.
The duel began; Lu Tianfeng drew his longsword, the sword light was like water, and he started with the Tianjian Sect's secret technique, the Heavenly Sword Nine Styles.
Each sword move carried fierce sword Qi, aiming directly at Luo Chen's vital points.
Luo Chen remained calm; his longsword moved like a dragon, agile and swift, with each move and style perfectly counteracting Lu Tianfeng's attacks.
His swordsmanship contained a unique flavor, as if resonating with the Moonlight Power between heaven and earth.
The two exchanged moves, sword lights intertwined, making the audience dizzy.
Finally, after a masterful sword move, Luo Chen's sword tip gently touched Lu Tianfeng's chest, and the outcome was decided.
Lu Tianfeng's face turned ashen; he hadn't expected to lose to an unknown cultivator.
But being the Young Sect Master of the Tianjian Sect, he quickly regained his composure, snorted coldly, "I lost this time, the Moonlight Grass is yours, but our Tianjian Sect won't let it end here."
Luo Chen smiled slightly, "Young Sect Master Lu, you are too serious, this was just a fair competition, I hope we have the opportunity to spar again in the future."
Lu Tianfeng said nothing more and left in a hurry with his attendants.
Luo Chen received the Moonlight Grass from the shopkeeper, breathing a sigh of relief.
He knew that although he won this duel, he had formed a grudge with the Tianjian Sect, which might lead to more trouble in the future.
Still, getting the Moonlight Grass was undoubtedly a good thing.
"Brother Luo, next..."
Luo Chen looked at Qing Shuang beside him, smiled, then said, "Next, let's go to that auction house in the workshop, there's a auction event today, we might as well take a look."
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang walked slowly towards the famous auction house in the workshop.
Sunshine filtered through the clouds, casting a warm light over them, adding some warmth to the tense atmosphere.
Qing Shuang's face carried a faint worry; she knew that although Luo Chen won the swordsmanship duel, the Tianjian Sect's power was formidable, and more challenges might come.
"Brother Luo, do you really think going to the auction house is a good idea?" Qing Shuang asked softly, with a hint of concern in her eyes.
Luo Chen smiled gently, reassuring her, "Qing Shuang, don't worry too much, we act cautiously and will find what we need, plus, auctions often contain unexpected surprises."
Qing Shuang nodded; she knew Luo Chen always had his plans.
They entered the auction house; it was luxuriously and elegantly decorated, with walls adorned with various precious paintings and antiques, capturing the attention of many.
They found the auction house's reception staff and stated their intent.
The reception staff was a refined middle-aged man; he greeted them with a smile and led them to a private box.
"Welcome guests, this is our VIP box, you can quietly watch the auction here and use this Communication Stone to communicate with us to bid on items you are interested in," the receptionist introduced politely.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang sat down, and the auction quickly began.
The auctioneer was a charming middle-aged man, his eloquence remarkable, with each item's introduction enticing the audience.
The auction proceeded passionately, with various rare magical treasures, spirit grass, and ancient tomes featured, drawing awe from the audience.
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang participated in several bids but remained restrained, only purchasing items genuinely helpful for their cultivation.
Near the auction's end, a mysterious item was placed on the auction stage.
It was a rustic wooden box, covered in traces of time, seemingly unremarkable, but the auctioneer introduced it mysteriously, "Ladies and gentlemen, this item has an extraordinary origin, reportedly excavated from Ancient Relics, and contains earth-shattering secrets, starting price, ten thousand Spirit Stones."
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang exchanged glances, each seeing curiosity in the other's eyes. Luo Chen picked up the Communication Stone and quoted a price, "Fifteen thousand Spirit Stones."
The auction hall fell silent; clearly, this price exceeded most expectations.
But soon, another voice from a different box came, "Twenty thousand Spirit Stones."
Luo Chen's eyebrows furrowed; he knew this might be a representative from a major power.
He picked up the Communication Stone again, "Twenty-five thousand Spirit Stones."
"Thirty thousand Spirit Stones," the other party seemed unwilling to give up easily.
Luo Chen took a deep breath; he knew this price was nearing his limit, but his curiosity about the secrets within the wooden box propelled him.
He quoted again, "Thirty-five thousand Spirit Stones."
The hall went silent, everyone awaiting the other party's response.
However, this time, the other party didn't bid again.
The auctioneer struck the hammer, announcing, "Congratulations to that VIP; this mysterious ancient wooden box is yours."
Luo Chen and Qing Shuang exchanged smiles, knowing this might be their biggest gain of the day.
Though, they didn't realize the box would lead them into a future filled with thrilling adventures.
After the auction, Luo Chen and Qing Shuang returned to their residence with the box.
They cautiously opened the box, finding a yellowed parchment inside, bearing strange symbols and patterns.
"Brother Luo, what is this?" Qing Shuang asked curiously.
Luo Chen studied the parchment's contents intently; his eyes gradually revealed astonishment, "This... this seems to be a map leading to some ancient ruins!"