Martial Arts Longevity Begins with the Equipment Slot

Chapter 53 The Demon Blade Slays the Deer, The Hero's Blade

"Take it all with you?"

Zhu Jingchun's lips twitched three times at a speed visible to the naked eye.

He remained silent for a long time before taking out a thick book, "Xuantai Pinqi Lu" (Record of the Mysterious Platform for the Selection of Artifacts), from his pocket.

This book records the estimated prices of nine famous artifacts.

"Junior brother, your idea is really good."

Zhu Jingchun's voice was calm and without any ripples.

"Liquan Spear, estimated value 30,000 taels of silver."

"A horse-slaying sword, 25,000 taels."

"A spiked club, eighteen thousand taels."

"Iron fan, twelve thousand taels."

"Meteor hammer, 16,000 taels."

"Golden silk soft armor, 90,000 taels."

"Three-section staff, thirteen thousand taels."

"The Xuan Tie Heavy Sword, 50,000 taels."

"The deer-slaying knife..."

Zhu Jingchun paused, glancing at the scarlet weapon with its two eyes.

"priceless."

He raised his head and looked at Chen Yu expressionlessly.

"Not counting the deer-slaying knife, the total is 254,000 taels of silver."

"..."

Faced with this astronomical figure, Chen Yu could only remain silent.

"Of course, if you can't afford it, there are other options."

Zhu Jingchun added, his tone frighteningly serious.

"It would be too vulgar to measure our staff's worth solely by money."

"Once you enter the inner courtyard, you can try to challenge the 'Nine-Story Xuanfeng Tower' set up by the first patriarch. If you succeed in the challenge, you will be able to obtain the 'Xuanfeng Token' corresponding to each level of the 'Hidden Edge Cave'. Each level has nine challenges, and you can obtain a maximum of nine 'Xuanfeng Tokens'."

"Each 'Mysterious Edge Token' can be exchanged at the 'Hidden Edge Cave' to freely choose a weapon from the corresponding level."

Zhu Jingchun closed the booklet.

"So, if you want to take these nine weapons for free, all you need to do is clear all nine levels on the first floor of the 'Xuanfeng Tower'."

"The 'Mysterious Peak Tower' must be very difficult to clear, right?"

Chen Yu seemed to be deep in thought.

"If it were that easy to pass, there probably wouldn't be many weapons left in the 'Hidden Weapon Cave' by now."

"It is indeed very difficult to pass the level, but the 'Hidden Edge Cave' replenishes its weapons every year, so the consumption does not seem to be much."

Zhu Jingchun recalled for a moment, then continued his story.

"Since the establishment of the Xuanfeng Tower, more than 3,000 people have tried to challenge it. Of these, 92 people were able to pass through one level of the lower three levels, and only 33 people were able to pass through all three levels."

"Up to the top, the number of people is even smaller. There are 29 people who can pass one level in the middle three levels, and only 7 people can pass all of them."

"The difficulty increases significantly on the upper three floors. In the past ninety years, only three people have made it to the top. Two of them passed three challenges on the seventh floor, and one passed five challenges on the eighth floor."

"As for the highest level, the ninth level, no one has been able to pass any level to this day."

"That explains it. With so few people passing through, they naturally can't take away many weapons."

Chen Yu understood immediately.

"You don't need to think about that now."

Zhu Jingchun put the booklet into his pocket.

"Your top priority is to enter the inner courtyard. If you are not an inner courtyard disciple, you are not qualified to challenge the 'Mysterious Peak Tower'."

Chen Yu nodded, his gaze returning to the Xuan Yu stone platform.

It's not possible to take all nine weapons with us for the time being.

He certainly doesn't have 254,000 taels of silver on hand, and he can't challenge the Xuanfeng Tower anytime soon.

"Since things have come to this, let's take one item first, and leave the rest here temporarily."

After much deliberation, Chen Yu finally chose the Deer-Slaying Knife.

The reason is simple: this deer-slaying knife is placed in the central Tai Chi position and is also called a priceless treasure, so it is obviously of a higher grade than other weapons.

Choosing the most expensive option is always a good choice, and the special effects are comprehensive enough.

As for the negative effects, they are insignificant compared to the powerful special effects.

Anyway, there is a solution; it's just a matter of killing some people and feeding them blood.

After Chen Yu made his decision, Zhu Jingchun took out a bright red key.

As he inserted the key into the central groove, the entire stone platform suddenly emitted a dull rumble.

"boom--"

The sound of the mechanism turning accompanied the trembling sound of the dormant weapon waking up at the same instant.

The blood-jade eyes on the Deer-Slaying Knife suddenly opened.

The crimson light swept across the entire stone chamber as if it were a tangible substance.

As the light shone on them, the two felt a chill on their necks, as if they had already been decapitated.

"With such intense killing intent, it truly is a weapon!"

Chen Yu couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.

My choice was definitely right.

What a fine knife, perfect for killing!

Zhu Jingchun took out the black iron knife box from the hidden compartment of the stone platform.

The box is engraved with a pattern of a taotie swallowing a deer, just like the knife guard.

He put the deer-slaying knife into the box and then inserted the three mountain-suppressing bronze talismans into the box lid one by one.

With each inserting of a deer-slaying knife, the hum of the knife deepened.

"Legend has it that this sword was created during the Warring States period, and was forged by the master weaponsmith Xu Muzhi using meteorite iron from outer space and pure Yang deer blood."

"On the day the knife was made, the king lost his deer, and the whole world chased after it, hence the name 'Deer Slaughter'."

Zhu Jingchun's tone gradually became more serious.

"Throughout history, those who have possessed this sword have all been heroes of chaotic times. Only those with the aura of a tyrant can wield it, and only those with the heart to contend for supremacy can control it."

"However, none of its previous owners met a good end, and the blade gradually became covered with red rust. Later, the first patriarch of our sect sealed it in a black iron box and suppressed its ferocious nature of devouring its master with a mountain-suppressing copper talisman."

"Junior brother, please remember that one mountain-suppressing bronze talisman can only last for seven days. We have three now, which can last for twenty-one days."

"You must come to me in twenty-one days to exchange for a new copper talisman. It costs three taels of silver per talisman. Prepare it in advance."

"Thank you for reminding me, senior. I will definitely change it in time."

Chen Yu took the knife, turned around, and walked out.

Behind them, the precious light on the black jade platform grew weaker and weaker.

Zhu Jingchun watched Chen Yu's departing figure, the birthmark on his left cheek flickering in the remaining dim light.

"When the king loses his throne, the whole world vie for it."

He muttered to himself repeatedly.

"It remains to be seen who will emerge victorious..."

The waterfall curtain parted again, revealing the cliff behind it.

As the sun dipped below the mountain ridge, its dark red light bathed the entire sky.

Chen Yu walked out of the cave.

His right hand unconsciously rested on the hilt of the knife.

Press your thumb against the guard and slowly push it outwards.

The blade was drawn three inches from its sheath.

The bluish-green light of the blade leaked from the scabbard, mingling with the dark red light of the sky.

The light fell on his face.

Half of it was bathed in light that made it appear bluish, while the other half was illuminated in red.

"Buzz—"

The remaining blade vibrated continuously inside the sheath.

A buzzing sound came from the hilt of the knife.

It passed through the wrist and arm, and then burrowed into the chest.

It seemed like a living thing, urging its owner to try out the knife quickly.

Chen Yu steadied his breathing.

He tightened his fingers around the handle and pushed it outwards another inch.

"Ring ring ring—"

The sound of the blade sharpened.

The roar of the falling water curtain couldn't be suppressed.

Chen Yu felt the deer-slaying knife moving on its own, as if it wanted to come out and find prey.

But he prevented the deer-slaying knife from succeeding.

Continue applying pressure with your fingers to slowly push the blade back into its sheath.

The bronze talisman that wards off evil spirits is still working.

With each inch the blade penetrates deeper, the vibration decreases.

Finally, the hilt pressed tightly against the scabbard, and the sound completely disappeared.

The wind swept up from below the cliff, dispersing the mist stirred up by the waterfall.

The sound of the water continued to roar, like ten thousand horses galloping.

Chen Yu raised his head and looked at the setting sun in the distance.

"The Blade of a Hero..."

"Unfortunately, I am neither a hero nor have the ambition to conquer the world."

"All I wanted was to protect myself and kill everyone who posed a threat to me."