Continuing down the road, Austin observed the merchants and inspected their wares. Some stalls sold
furs, bones, and organs of a variety of beasts, while others peddled medicine and weapons, as well as
special elixirs.
There were also several that offered books on martial arts techniques.
After strolling for several minutes, Austin caught sight of two stalls selling books on martial arts.
One of them only displayed two manuals. The disciple came up to the stall and inquired how much the
manual on a first-level offensive technique called Wild Bull Broadsword Skills cost.
He was told it was five thousand vital energy crystals.
He then asked about the other book, one on the second-level body-refining technique titled Iron Armor.
This one was priced ten thousand.
What was disappointing was that the stall owner didn't allow Austin to look through the books before
paying for them.
Cunning as he was, Austin would never agree to such a risky deal. One thing very clear to him was that
almost half of the stall owners in that street were swindlers. So, it was highly probable that he would
regret paying for either of the two books.
"Sixth-level cultivation method on sale! Come, have a look!"
Raising his brow, Austin thought, 'Sixth-level cultivation method?'
Any cultivation method in that level was extremely precious. Only key disciples of super large sects
with a long history could get a hold of these books.
'Well here you go, another fraud, ' Austin sighed.
But since Austin was in no hurry to leave, he decided to take a look at the stall to satisfy his curiosity.
A heavyset man, who appeared to be honest and trustworthy, was kneeling behind a stall. In front of
him was a large black cloth, where a manual on martial arts and an unusually-shaped scarlet dagger
lay.
Seeing the dagger made Austin's heart skip a beat.
The dagger nestled on the black cloth was the exact size, shape, and style as the one Austin
discovered in Rafat's Space Ring. The only difference was their color. This one was scarlet. But set
aside this detail, the two daggers appeared as if they came from the same mold.
"Can you tell me what is so special with that dagger?" he asked with great interest.
The young disciple bent down to pick it up for further examination. His wrist instantly gave out under
the weight of the dagger. Like the one he already owned, it was surprisingly heavy.
Happily, he thought, 'It sure is the same as the other one.' However, he kept his expression passive, so
there was no trace of affection for the dagger.
It had been several hours since the man kneeling behind his stall had been crying out to customers to
sell his wares. But very few were interested in them, primarily because no one believed the stall carried
a genuine manual on a sixth-level cultivation method.
To most people's thinking, if super large sects ever obtained one, they would cherish it and do
everything to keep it for themselves. So how could a man in a small secret market allege that what he
was selling was the precious and the genuine thing? Even an idiot would easily recognize it was too
good to be true.
So, while there were many people loitering near his stall, they were all busy chatting and laughing,
eager to learn how that man's trick could be exposed.
"Brother, this dagger came with another piece. They make up a set. The red one is the Positive
Shadow Blade, the other, the Negative Shadow Blade. Together, they are called the Twin Shadow
Blades. They can only be used with the sixth-level cultivation method that you can find in this book.
It is my father who risked his life to get these two objects out from an Ancient Relic," the man
explained.
At first, I really had no intention of selling these rare objects. But when my father was seriously injured
in a fight against his foe, I had to reconsider. And since we now badly need money for his medical
expenses, I decided to sell these treasures," he added.
His interest aroused, Austin asked, "And how much will you sell these?"
Something told the disciple it could be valuable.
"Truthfully, I was going to sell it for eight thousand vital energy crystals. But since no one believed me, I
think I'll accept five thousand vital energy crystals for now. That amount should be enough to cure my
father. Please, brother, do this as a favor to me," he pleaded.
"Although for the moment, the Negative Shadow Blade is missing. If in the future you are lucky enough
to find it, you will be able to practice this amazing cultivation method."
Before he could finish his sentence, the crowd of onlookers burst into laughter.
"That is so hilarious! What a dumb sixth-level cultivation method! You're going to need luck before you
can practice it!" someone hollered.
"I'm with you there. These days, in order to make profit, these frauds really dare to make up all kinds of
stories. Their bullshit is something more appealing than those in story books," another said.
"Yeah. And they're tapping into people's sympathy. See? The story this one made up is very touching!"
"Ancient Relic? For heaven's sake, those are not tales you can find everywhere. He was just bluffing."
"That's right. Last time I ran into a fraud who tried selling elixirs. He insisted his goods were refined with
cores of sixth-level diabolic beasts. But I turned him down. Later, I asked another merchant about it,
and was told those elixirs were in fact hawthorn berries cooked in some potion."
More laughter sounded. "Hawthorn berries will do you good as well. They can whet your appetite and
help in digestion."
People continued to mock, tease, and curse the sturdy man. It seemed all of them regarded him as a
fraud.
The insults, however, made the man turn livid. He was now breathing heavily, his chest heaving,
obviously from rage.
Gazing down at him, Austin saw his eyes were sincere and anxious, and not the eyes of a liar. Besides,
he did have a black dagger that was exactly the same as the red one being offered. So that verified the
man's tale.
If it was truly a sixth-grade cultivation method, the deal of five thousand vital energy crystals was
definitely a bargain!
After thinking things over, Austin finally made a decision.
"I believe in you.
So, here you are. Five thousand vital energy crystals," he said.
The young disciple fumbled while extracting the vital energy crystals inside the Space Ring he carried
inside his chest pocket. Once he had what he needed, Austin tossed these to the ground in front of the
man. Then, he stuck out his hand and grabbed the manual and scarlet dagger.
The man was in near tears, so thrilled by Austin's words and gesture. He kept thanking the young man
as he got busy collecting the crystals.
An uproar ensued when bystanders saw that Austin had indeed paid for the goods. There were snide
remarks while others shook their heads dismissively. And then there were good-natured spectators,
who attempted to talk Austin out of the sale.
But Austin ignored every one of them. Instead, he squeezed his way through the crowd and took
off.
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