I Am Overlord c1-962
Page 12
Just as he was about to take ahold of the box, he found that there was a price tag attached to the box. Upon taking a look, he reeled back in horror, “Five thousand points or five pieces of low-tier spirit crystal?”
During the past few days, Xiang Shaoyun had been taking note of a few details surrounding Martial Hall Palace. One of the things he noted was that 1 point at Martial Hall Palace was roughly equivalent to 1 gold coin. This meant that 5,000 points was roughly equivalent to 5,000 gold coins. And 1 low-tier spirit crystal cost about 1,000 gold, so using 5 low-tier crystals in place of 5,000 points was reasonable.
However, this amount of currency was difficult for many households to take out. Truthfully, he had never imagined that mere low-tier spirit medicine would cost this much. What surprised him more was the realization that he had once used low-tier spirit medicines like these as food for demonic beasts!
“Kid, even if you’re the junior brother of Elder Zi, you shouldn’t have 5,000 points on you, should you? For your wound, you should go to Elder Zi himself. He’s bound to have spirit medicines for treating wounds,” the overseer, recognizing Xiang Shaoyun, kindheartedly advised.
Waving his hand, Xiang Shaoyun did not answer the overseer but continued to quickly browse through the different herbs in the Hall.
“Snake agility vine, low-tier spirit medicine. One can increase one’s speed and learn Snake Step.
“Moonstar flower, low-tier spirit medicine. Shaped like a moon with a lustrous glow, it can greatly increase one’s astral energy.
“Three transformations grass, mid-tier spirit medicine. It strengthens the body, temporarily granting a threefold increase in combat power.”
By taking a mere look at their names, Xiang Shaoyun was able to discern their uses. It was just a pity that he could not afford these spirit medicines for the time being. He did not linger any longer, and he headed to the area for old medicines.
These were all medicines around the age of 100 to 300 years old. Although their medical efficacy could not compare to spirit herbs, they were all that he could afford. It was more important that he treat his wound first.
“Old medicines definitely cannot match up to spirit medicines, but with so many of them here, I might be able to refine a pill or even a medicinal solution! Then, the effectiveness will definitely not be inferior to that of a spirit medicine!” Xiang Shaoyun muttered to himself.
Very quickly, he selected three different old medicines—100-year-old haemostatic vine, a 200-year-old skin-healing grass, and a 300-year-old stainless flower. Although they were merely three old medicines, they cost him a hefty 800 points, even after a 20 percent discount!
Xiang Shaoyun initially thought he’d be able to dine without worry for a whole year with 1,000 points, but within the blink of an eye, he was merely left with slightly over a 100 points. If he exchanged them for a regular weapon, he would be broke. However, not once did he hesitate, immediately handing over his jade plate to purchase the three old medicines.
“This is the jade plate from the Hall of Limits! Not bad at all, kid! I’d thought that Elder Zi personally gave you your jade plate! It seems that the matter of you clearing the first room of the Hall of Limits is true!” The overseer at the Medicine Hall took a look at the jade plate in Xiang Shaoyun’s hands and laughed jovially. A genius who was able to break through the limits was sure to have a boundless future.
“Great overseer is praising me too much,” Xiang Shaoyun humbly replied before speaking up again. “Can I also ask overseer to lend me a tool for grinding medicines?”
The overseer naturally had no reason to refuse such a small request. After borrowing the grinding tool, Xiang Shaoyun immediately threw the three old medicines into the grinder and began fiddling with it. Watching the actions of Xiang Shaoyun, a trace of surprise flashed in the overseer’s eyes as he thought to himself, Does this kid know how to concoct pills and solutions?
Although Xiang Shaoyun had no experience with the dao of pills, concocting a few medicinal solutions was a piece of cake for him. Since he was young, he had watched his father use various solutions to strengthen his body. Just from his own powers of observation, he was able to gather quite a few things.
After mashing the three old medicines into a pulp, he wrapped the resulting solution with a silk cloth, forming a makeshift medicinal pouch. Pressing the medicinal pouch against his face, he squeezed it with a bit of force, resulting in some medicine flowing onto his face.
Pshhhhh!
As he held the pouch against his face, a sharp pain shot from his face, causing him to take a sudden gasp.
“Li Hong’er, this young master won’t ever forget this whip!” Xiang Shaoyun swore to himself. As the solution dripped onto his wound, his wound felt cool almost at once. The pain had also lessened, and he was feeling much better. After an hour, feeling a slight itch on his face, he lowered the medicinal pouch.
The overseer, who had been paying close attention to Xiang Shaoyun, lightly gasped, “Your wound has formed a scab already?”
Hearing the overseer’s words, Xiang Shaoyun lightly touched the place where the wound had been. Finding that there was indeed a scab, his mood brightened a lot. “It seems that the efficacy of such medicinal solutions is not bad at all!”
After he finished speaking, he cupped his hands towards the overseer before leaving the Medicine Hall. His wound would not heal at once, but he would definitely regain his previous looks within two to three days. It was only after settling this matter that he rushed to the Weapon Hall.
The Weapon Hall was indeed worthy of being a shop of weapons. There were various weapons—sabers, swords, spears, pitchforks, and so on. All sorts of weapons of varying ranks were arranged neatly within the store, making it a sight to behold.
“Bluefish Sword, a tier-2 primary-grade sword, 580 points.
“Fierce Marking Spear, a tier-2 mid-grade spear, 750 points.
“Sawtooth Saber, a tier-3 primary-grade saber, 1,800 points.”
Weapons were different from medicinal herbs. Each and every weapon required large amounts of resources and manpower to forge. A weapon at the same corresponding rank as its herbal counterpart would cost much more.
Chapter 19: Prelude to the Battle!
Although the Weapon Hall was a feast for the eyes, all Xiang Shaoyun could do was watch sadly. He simply did not have the points required to purchase a weapon. Even tier-1 weapons cost at least 200 points. Even if he could get a 20 percent discount with his jade plate from the Hall of Limits, he would be extremely hard pressed and would have no points left to dine at the restaurant.
“Nevermind, I must have a weapon. At the very most, I’ll go to challenge the Hall of Limits’ second room.” In the end, Xiang Shaoyun decided that even if he had to use up all his remaining points, he would get hold of a weapon. Browsing through the section for tier-1 weapons, his eyes fell upon a saber.
Heavy Cleave Saber, a tier-1 saber. Weighing 139.2 kilograms, it was the heaviest weapon among all tier-1 weapons.
“Kid, this saber has been soaked in a small amount of blackiron. It’s just a pity that the quality of the blackiron wasn’t the best, or it wouldn’t have been a stretch to forge a tier-2 weapon. This weapon is extremely heavy; normal Basic Realm cultivators will be unable to wield this saber deftly.”
For a saber weighing close to 150 kilograms, anybody third-stage Basic Realm and above would be able to lift it. However, to become adept with the weapon, one required sufficient arm strength as well as an unyielding will. Most Basic Realm cultivators wielded weapons weighing at most 100 kilograms.
“Overseer is indeed correct. Most Basic Realm cultivators will be unable to use it well. However, it is suitable for me, Xiang Shaoyun, to use!” Xiang Shaoyun replied immediately.
“Oh? You’re that confident? Give it a try then! This overseer will give you a 10 percent discount,” the overseer said as his eyes sparkled.
“A discount of 10 percent? Great! Adding onto the 20 percent i
nitial discount from the Hall of Limits, in total, I’ll get a 30 percent discount! I’ll have enough points then!” Xiang Shaoyun said joyfully.
The Heavy Cleave Saber was not a cheap weapon. Priced initially at 260 points, after a 20 percent discount, Xiang Shaoyun would still be short by a little over 10 points. However, with the additional discount from the overseer, he had just enough points to make it work—and even enough to live on for the next few days.
“Brat, your jade plate is actually from the Hall of Limits! You should’ve said so earlier! I’ll make a loss now,” the overseer cried out in surprise.
“How can you be making a loss? Whenever I dine at the restaurant, I always get a 40 percent discount while the Medicine Hall and Weapon Hall only give me a 20 percent discount.” Xiang Shaoyun was still slightly unsatisfied.
“What do you know? Food can easily be gotten anywhere! On the other hand, weapons and medicines aren’t that easily obtainable! A 20 percent discount is the most we give to all the personal disciples!” the overseer replied.
Lightly sneering, Xiang Shaoyun chose not to speak further, leaving the Weapon Hall with the Heavy Cleave Saber in hand. The Heavy Cleave Saber was his weapon of choice only for now. The stronger he grew, the more unsuitable the Heavy Cleave Saber would be for him.
Once again heading for the restaurant, Xiang Shaoyun exchanged all his remaining points for food in preparation for entering secluded cultivation to hone his saber techniques. This could be considered preparation for his battle with Wu Mingliang.
Among the five tier-1 battle techniques he had obtained from the outer court’s Battle Technique Hall, there was a technique called the Heavy Cleave Technique, which nicely corresponded to the Heavy Cleave Saber. This was the first and foremost reason why he chose the Heavy Cleave Saber as his weapon.
Maybe the Heavy Cleave Saber was forged to complement the Heavy Cleave Technique? The emphasis for the Heavy Cleave Technique was naturally on the word “heavy”. Only a saber heavy enough would be able to unleash the full potential of the Heavy Cleave Technique.
Images depicting the Heavy Cleave Technique flashed through Xiang Shaoyun’s mind. As he strung a few of them together, the imagery became much more vibrant, as if a saber user was demonstrating the technique right in front of him. Done with his imagery, he used the mantra for the Heavy Cleave Technique to begin his saber training.
Xiang Shaoyun’s comprehension of battle techniques was at a level others could not begin to fathom. As he sent out slash after slash, he quickly furthered his understanding of his saber technique. Just like that, he holed up in his personal compound for four days straight.
Eventually, the day of Xiang Shaoyun and Wu Mingliang’s arena battle arrived. Around the outer court’s sparring arena were seated more than 100 outer court disciples, each and every one of them eagerly anticipating the start of the fight.
One of the participants was the fourth-ranking outer court disciple whose combat power among Basic Realm cultivators was at the peak, and the other was the genius who had triggered five stars illuminating the sky; it was merely a pity in the eyes of others that he was only at the third stage of the Basic Realm.
No matter how one looked at it, everybody believed that the latter would most definitely lose.
“Look, look! Isn’t that Senior Mo Buhui? Practically nobody’s seen him ever since the day of the examination!” Everybody present gasped with surprise towards a certain direction.
In one corner, there was a handsome young man carrying a sword. He was much taller than most of his peers, making him seem like a crane among chickens. Furthermore, his eyes, filled with utter indifference, made him seem like an existence a thousand miles away.
This stalwart young man was Mo Buhui, the second-ranked Basic Realm practitioner in the entire outer court. It was confirmed that he was already a nominal disciple for one of the various elders.
Standing beside him was a girl with extraordinary looks dressed in floral clothing, and the various colors on her dress seemed to light up the scenery around her. She was Mei Lianhua, ranked third among all outer court disciples.
“Senior Sister Mei has come as well! Even the two of them want to know just how extraordinary this Xiang Shaoyun is!”
“Precisely! Wu Mingliang isn’t a match for either of them. They’re definitely not here to watch him!”
“Brother Mo, is it really worth our time to watch this match?” Mei Lianhua asked in a dignified manner as she tidied her fringe.
“I just wish to see how special the boy who triggered five stars illuminating the heavens truly is. Even daring to challenge the ninth-stage Wu Mingliang at merely the third stage...,” Mo Buhui indifferently replied.
Mei Lianhua gave her thoughts on the situation: “Even if he has an extraordinary physique, he would’ve been able to raise his cultivation by at most one stage. Unless the Purple Lightning Marquis used various spirit medicines to forcefully raise his cultivation several stages, he’s bound to lose this fight.”
“The Purple Lightning Marquis wouldn’t be so stupid so as to prematurely cut short the growth of a genius. That would be utter foolishness.” Pondering to himself briefly, Mo Buhui then added, “If he really is able to pull off the impossible, we should consider pulling him into our plans.”
“No way! Isn’t that just giving him a free ride there?” Mei Lianhua protested.
“The matter isn’t as simple as you imagine it to be. It’ll be hard for just the two of us to swallow the whole thing there by ourselves. Besides, pulling him into our plans may not be as straightforward as giving him a free ride,” Mo Buhui said, various thoughts flashing through his mind.
“Young Master Wu is here!” With a single shout, the entire arena looked towards a direction.
Wu Mingliang and his lackeys swaggered into the arena. Arriving before the arena, Wu Mingliang leapt onto the arena platform. With a spirited expression on his face, he possessed an otherworldly aura.
“Xiang Shaoyun, get your ass on the platform so that I can kill you!” Wu Mingliang mockingly shouted. His voice was particularly sonorous, his words reaching every corner of the outer court.
“Are you that eager to reincarnate? Let me help you then!” a distinct voice replied from a distance.
One could see Xiang Shaoyun sauntering over, the wound on his face already gone. He looked much more refined than when he had first arrived, having specifically combed his hair for the occasion, adding immensely to his heroic bearing.
Chapter 20: I’ll Defeat You in Three Moves!
“I just realized that Xiang Shaoyun is actually really handsome! No wonder I hear that Lu Xiaoqing is interested in him!”
“He really is quite handsome! He seems rather gentle and considerate, just my type!”
“I really hope that he somehow manages to win! He’s much more likeable than that stinky Wu Mingliang.”
“He may be handsome, but he’s completely useless! I’m afraid he’ll be beaten to a pulp by Wu Mingliang soon!”
Many of the female disciples in the arena began swooning over Xiang Shaoyun, with some of them even casting furtive glances at him. Xiang Shaoyun felt extremely gratified. He had not felt admiration from the masses in a very long time. What a pity it was that his good mood was utterly ruined by a certain fellow.
“Boss, do your best! I have my eyes on you, so don’t lose too terribly, ok?” Xia Liuhui cheered, a towel wrapped around his forehead as he waved a white flag in support. This fellow was dressed up as if he was there to offer surrender. And after hearing his words, Xiang Shaoyun almost felt like coughing out blood on the spot.
“This damned bastard,” Xiang Shaoyun cursed to himself then walked up steadily onto the arena, no longer turning to look at the audience.
At this moment, Xiang Shaoyun was carrying a large saber on his back. His entire bearing had transformed since he entered Martial Hall Palace; he no longer looked like a mere scholar but more of an upstanding young saber wielder.
“Xi
ang Shaoyun, you really came! Young Master Wu will teach you a lesson!” a voice filled with resentment came from below the arena. The one who spoke was none other than Wu Mingliang’s number one lackey, Gou Zi. His injuries had not yet healed, his head still wrapped like a dumpling, making for an extremely comical sight.
Xiang Shaoyun looked down and coldly laughed, “It’s a pity I don’t have a brick here, or I would’ve given your Young Master Wu the same treatment!”
“You really like to talk big for someone who can only rely on their physique to boast! You even dare to stand before me, a ninth-stage Basic Realm cultivator, with your pathetic bit of cultivation? Naive!” Wu Mingliang shouted, utterly despising Xiang Shaoyun.
“We’ll know just who the naive one is after the battle!” Xiang Shaoyun replied confidently. Thinking back to just a few days ago when he was humiliated in the canteen, his heart burned with rage. From being a lofty young master with much influence, he fell to the point where he was made fun of by mere Basic Realm cultivators. He had to settle this particular debt.
Just then the officer, who had been waiting in the arena for a long time, said, “I don’t care what your grudges are, but you must settle them in this arena today! But I must make this very clear—no matter whether who wins or loses, neither of you are to attempt to take the other’s life. Those caught trying to do so will immediately be expelled from Martial Hall Palace! Do you understand?”
“Yes!” Wu Mingliang and Xiang Shaoyun simultaneously replied.
“Good. I declare the start of the match!” the Martial Officer shouted.
“Xiang Shaoyun, if you’re willing to concede now and swear fealty to me, I can spare you from suffering. Furthermore, I can offer resources to help you fully grow! What do you think?” Wu Mingliang suggested before the fighting even started.
“You? Hah hah! This really is the greatest joke under heaven! Come and accept death, you braggart! I’ll defeat you within three moves!” Xiang Shaoyun threw his head back and roared with laughter.