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**
"A Dou Zun expert..."
Sensing the imposing aura emanating from the elder behind the counter, Mo Yu paused, a peculiar glint flashing through his eyes.
Although he couldn't discern the elder's exact strength, this sharp and domineering presence far surpassed that of a master craftsman and was even more intimidating than Bing Lao.
Of course, this didn't mean the elder's cultivation realm was significantly beyond Bing Lao's. Rather, Bing Lao, despite being a Two-Star Dou Zun, was primarily an weapon refiner and not particularly adept in combat.
The elder before him, on the other hand, exuded an aura like an unsheathed sword, clearly a battle-hardened expert.
Though Mo Yu had anticipated formidable figures lurking on the third floor, he hadn't expected to encounter a Dou Zun expert so soon after finding a suitable material.
Still, Mo Yu wasn't flustered. Keeping a calm demeanor, he pointed at the chunk of Bloodfallen Demon Crystal and turned toward the elder.
"Sir, may I ask how much for this Bloodfallen Demon Crystal?"
As his words fell, Feng Mu and Lan Yingying curiously drew closer. When their eyes landed on the sizable chunk of Bloodfallen Demon Crystal, they both lit up with delight.
"If you want this Bloodfallen Demon Crystal, you do not meet my requirements. Look elsewhere or have your elders come," the elder replied without so much as opening his eyes, his expression as stoic as ever.
Hearing this, Feng Mu and Lan Yingying exchanged resigned smiles, as if they'd anticipated this response.
This third floor was the highest level of the weapon refiner trading conference. Only seventh-tier artifact craftsmen or Dou Zun-level experts could freely roam here.
Although the three of them had entered thanks to their mentors' influence, such connections were insignificant to these Dou Zun experts.
Evidently, this elder was one of those peculiar and temperamental figures.
Feng Mu had merely intended to show Mo Yu around the third floor. But now that Mo Yu had set his sights on the Bloodfallen Demon Crystal, there wasn't much he could do to help.
Patting Mo Yu's shoulder, Feng Mu offered a bitter smile. "Junior Brother, if you truly want that Bloodfallen Demon Crystal, perhaps you should ask our teacher for help. If he intervenes, he might be able to strike a deal with this elder."
Mo Yu frowned slightly at the suggestion.
He was determined to acquire the Bloodfallen Demon Crystal, but Bing Lao had already helped him a great deal, and he didn't wish to trouble him further.
Moreover, Mo Yu believed he could qualify to negotiate with a Dou Zun expert on his own.
"May I ask your esteemed name, sir?" Mo Yu inquired again, unwilling to give up.
The elder furrowed his brow slightly, his face twitching before he finally spoke. "My former name has long been forgotten. I later chose a new one: Tie Jian."
"Tie Jian? Could you be the Tie Jian Zun Zhe who single-handedly annihilated the Jade Sword Sect years ago?" Lan Yingying gasped, her delicate face showing a mix of surprise and awe.
"Tie Jian Zun Zhe..."
Mo Yu's heart stirred at the name. It seemed oddly familiar.
Although he hailed from the Northwest Continent, Mo Yu understood that Dou Zun experts were far more numerous across the Dou Qi Continent than they appeared on the surface.
Apart from the One Hall, One Tower, Two Sects, Three Valleys, Four Pavilions, countless other Dou Zun experts existed, though they often stayed out of the public eye.
In fact, the Dou Zun experts Mo Yu had encountered recently far outnumbered those officially recognized on the continent.
For the Tie Jian Zun Zhe to have earned such a title, he was undoubtedly extraordinary. More intriguing to Mo Yu, however, was that this name seemed to have appeared in the original work.
"Junior, Xiao Huohuo, greets the Tie Jian Zun Zhe," Mo Yu said with a polite bow, continuing to use his alias given the crowded setting.
"I've already stated you lack the qualifications to exchange with me. If you insist on the Bloodfallen Demon Crystal, bring your elders. Only then will I consider it," Tie Jian Zun Zhe said coldly, still keeping his eyes shut.
"Hmm, so you require a weapon refiner?"
The elder's words triggered a realization in Mo Yu's mind. It seemed the Tie Jian Zun Zhe was in dire need of a high-tier weapon refiner.
With this insight, Mo Yu gained confidence.
"I see you require a skilled weapon refiner. While I may not know your specific needs, I believe I might be qualified to assist," Mo Yu replied with a confident smile.
"You..."
Hearing this, the elder finally opened his hawk-like eyes and scrutinized Mo Yu. His sharp gaze grew darker, and a cold sneer spread across his face.
"Boy, I don't care who your elders are. If you continue spouting nonsense, I'll personally throw you off this floor!"
"Uh..." Mo Yu was momentarily taken aback by the stern rebuke but soon offered a wry smile.
The elder was as rigid and unyielding as his appearance suggested, lacking any inclination for negotiation.
Feng Mu and Lan Yingying quickly grabbed Mo Yu, worried he might provoke the temperamental expert further.
Although falling from the third floor wouldn't be life-threatening, the humiliation of such a public spectacle would be unbearable.
Having gauged the elder's temperament, Mo Yu refrained from further rashness. A contemplative look crossed his face before a subtle smile appeared on his lips.
Fixing his gaze on the elder, Mo Yu began forming seals with his hands. As his movements quickened, a vast and powerful spiritual force surged from within him like a raging tempest, spreading an overwhelming pressure across the third floor.
The immense spiritual power immediately drew the attention of numerous experts, their gazes filled with curiosity and astonishment.
Even Feng Mu and Lan Yingying were visibly shaken by the display of Mo Yu's formidable spiritual strength, their eyes brimming with disbelief.
"This is..."
The overwhelming spiritual energy startled the stoic elder, compelling him to open his eyes again. His formerly indifferent expression faltered, and a ripple of emotion passed through his eagle-like gaze.
"Sir, I am also a high-tier weapon refiner. I wonder if I now qualify to make a deal with you?" Mo Yu said with a faint smile, releasing his powerful soul power.
Hearing this, the elderly man known as Tie Jian did not reply immediately but no longer showed the cold rejection he had earlier.
Clearly, this Dou Zun expert was somewhat astonished that someone as young as Mo Yu possessed such a formidable soul power.
Noticing the elder's reaction, Mo Yu smiled slightly and withdrew his soul power.
Though he had been focused on improving his Dou Qi cultivation lately, with the help of the Spirit-Merging Holy Chalice, the Divine Sky Soul Art, and the Black Lotus Soul Thunder, his soul power had also grown considerably. At this moment, it had advanced from the early seventh-grade to the late seventh-grade.
With his current strength, Mo Yu could stand his ground against a high-level Dou Zong using just his soul power.
While there was still a significant gap compared to a Dou Zun, Tie Jian clearly understood that someone with such formidable soul power could not be a mere ordinary weapon refiner.
Perhaps even among the five great elders of the Weapon Alliance, none had soul power that strong.
With this realization, the stern old man stood up and slowly approached Mo Yu and his two companions.
Seeing this, Lan Yinying and Feng Mu exchanged surprised glances, casting a look of astonishment at Mo Yu. They hadn't expected this rigid elder to be moved by him.
However, recalling the soul power Mo Yu had just unleashed, they couldn't help but wonder in shock what grade of weapon refiner he might be.
Sixth-grade? Or seventh-grade?
The thought that Mo Yu might be a seventh-grade weapon refiner filled Lan Yinying and Feng Mu with awe.
After all, even within the entire Weapon Alliance, a seventh-grade weapon refiner was a towering presence at the pinnacle of the hierarchy.
Bei Hao, merely a low-tier seventh-grade weapon refiner, had already become the Weapon Alliance's rising star, earning respect even from veteran forgers.
If Mo Yu was also a seventh-grade weapon refiner, it would mean his lineage had a new flagbearer.
"You desire this Bloodfallen Demon Crystal?" The stern elder looked at Mo Yu and, for the first time, spoke formally.
"Yes. Name your price, sir. As long as it's within my power, I'll do my utmost to fulfill it," Mo Yu replied with a faint smile.
The old man gave Mo Yu a long, scrutinizing look, his calm eyes flickering with a hint of skepticism before he sighed lightly and said, "Very well. I'll trust you this once..."
With that, the elder ran his fingers across his right hand, and a wide longsword emitting an overwhelming sharpness appeared.
The massive sword, half a meter long and a foot wide, had an imposing presence. Its blade glinted with a cold light that hinted at the number of lives it had claimed.
However, at the center of the sword, there was a thumb-sized crack, like a black hole, spreading and causing further damage.
This crack rendered the once awe-inspiring sword akin to a gravely ill patient, teetering on the brink of death.
"This sword is called the Heavy Sword. It has accompanied me for decades of battles across the Central Plains. Initially, it was an ordinary heavy sword, but after decades of nurturing with my Dou Qi, it became an unrivaled blade perfectly attuned to me.
Unfortunately, several years ago, during the destruction of the Jade Sword Sect, the sect master self-destructed, inflicting damage on my Heavy Sword. Over the years, I have sought out numerous weapon refiners to repair it, but none have succeeded."
As he spoke, the elder's expression darkened, his large hand caressing the sword with a trace of sorrow in his eyes.
Hearing this, Mo Yu was momentarily stunned. Though the sword appeared unremarkable, after being nurtured by a Dou Zun for decades, it had shed its mortal status. While not yet a divine weapon, it was comparable to a peak seventh-grade weapon, rivaling the Black Dragon Howling Sky Sword of Hei Jian.
Moreover, since this sword had been painstakingly nurtured by the elder, it was extraordinarily attuned to him, capable of displaying power on par with an eighth-grade weapon in his hands.
Repairing such a blade, akin to an eighth-grade artifact, was no easy feat for ordinary weapon refiners.
"I recall that the Weapon Alliance has an eighth-grade weapon refiner, Elder Zhu Jian whose refining skills are renowned across the continent. Sir, since you're here in Wan Bing City, have you not sought his assistance?" Mo Yu asked suddenly.
"Hmph! The Jade Sword Sect, like the Ten Thousand Sword Pavilion, once retained Elder Zhu Jian as an honorary guest, lavishing wealth upon him annually.
I've heard that Elder Zhu Jian is vindictive. Having destroyed the Jade Sword Sect and cut off his source of income, how could he possibly help me repair the Heavy Sword?"
The elder snorted coldly, his tone bitter.
Mo Yu was momentarily taken aback, surprised by this backstory.
Thinking of this, Mo Yu's mind began to whirl. Since the elder had grievances with Elder Zhu Jian, perhaps it could be leveraged.
He suddenly remembered who this stern elder was: the Tie Jian Zun Zhe, a memorable character from the original story.
This elder was a mutual friend of Feng Zun Zhe and Yao Lao. When Yao Lao was captured, Xiao Yan traveled to the Central Plains to find Feng Zun Zhe, who then prepared to rescue Yao Lao.
To repay Yao Chen's great kindness, the Tie Jian Zun Zhe participated in the battle at the Death Soul Mountain Range. When the Black-White Tian Zun appeared, forcing the group to retreat, the Tie Jian Zun Zhe stayed behind, prepared to self-destruct to cover their escape. He was later rescued by Zhu Li, the third elder of the Ancient Void Dragon, and taken to the Ancient Dragon Island.
In the Dou Qi Continent, where power and schemes reigned supreme, this man's righteousness and gratitude were rare qualities.
Recalling his deeds, Mo Yu couldn't help but feel a surge of respect.
With a plan forming in his mind, Mo Yu turned to the elder and said, "Sir, this sword, nurtured for so many years, has long surpassed ordinary weapons. Repairing it may not be easier than refining a new peak seventh-grade or even eighth-grade weapon.
While the Bloodfallen Demon Crystal is valuable, trading it for the repair of this Heavy Sword seems a bit unequal, wouldn't you agree?"
Hearing Mo Yu begin to bargain, Lan Yinying and Feng Mu exchanged shocked glances.
Repairing such a high-grade sword was a task their teacher wouldn't dare attempt, yet Mo Yu appeared confident.
Could the difference between people truly be so vast?
Tie Jian Zun Zhe was also startled by Mo Yu's confidence. After contemplating for a moment, he said, "Besides the Bloodfallen Demon Crystal, what else do you want?"
Mo Yu smiled faintly and raised three fingers.
"I hope that when I face danger, you will lend me your aid three times!"
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For exclusive access to 500+ advanced chapters and more, visit my Ko-fi page and support the journey:
ko-fi.com/laoyao95
Laoyao with L yeahh..thanks for the support.
or Support me at patreon for 500+ advanced chapters :
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