Chapter 205 - 199: Trading Again
As a top-tier healing elixir among Second-Grade Elixirs, its importance to Foundation Establishment Cultivators was self-evident. When Shen Xingchen produced it, a look of pained reluctance inevitably flickered across his face.
But he showed no hesitation, guiding the elixir to Yu Changsheng’s lips as if to feed it to him.
"Your condition isn’t good. If you keep pushing yourself, you might damage your foundation. It would be a waste of this opportunity to give up now. Just swallow this elixir, and you’ll be fine."
Shen Xingchen explained slowly while keeping the elixir afloat, his gentle tone as pleasant as a spring breeze.
"This... Alright, many thanks!"
Yu Changsheng hesitated for a moment. Sensing the state of his body and feeling unwilling to give up, he shot Shen Xingchen a grateful look, took a deep breath, and swallowed the Small Rejuvenation Pill.
He truly was unwilling to give up just like this. He had already scanned the Small Rejuvenation Pill with his Divine Sense and found nothing amiss. ’I can’t worry about anything else right now. I just have to get through this first.’
The moment the elixir entered his mouth, a rich medicinal fragrance burst forth, transforming into a warm current that surged through his entire body. His once-pale face instantly flushed with color, his chaotic aura stabilized, and waves began to stir in his depleted Sea of Consciousness. A dense wave of vitality erupted within him.
"Huuu..."
Exhaling a plume of white vapor, Yu Changsheng planted his feet firmly. A silver light flashed in his eyes as he let out a low cry.
"Thousand Mountains Body! Complete!"
CRACKLE! CRACKLE...
With the elixir’s power as reinforcement, the Thousand Mountain Armor, which had already reached ninety-four percent completion, began to condense further, his qi and blood surging and mingling within it.
Ninety-four percent... ninety-six percent... ninety-nine percent...
An earthy yellow light flashed. The next instant, a suit of grayish-black armor, tinged with yellow and streaked with blood-red, instantly enveloped Yu Changsheng. A sense of overwhelming power flooded his mind and spirit.
Joy filled Yu Changsheng’s eyes. He abruptly swung his arm, and the air roared with the power of wind and thunder!
RUMBLE...
His arm left an afterimage in the air, making the space itself tremble. A sonic boom erupted, and the massive shockwave even disturbed the heavy waters of the Sword Cleansing Pool. The ambient Sword Qi was shattered, striking the Thousand Mountains Body only to be repelled without leaving so much as a white scratch.
As the shockwave rolled away, a torrent of physical strength erupted from him. Yu Changsheng’s eyes grew even brighter as he slowly swung his arm.
’Impressive. Worthy of a Body Refining Technique. And that was just a casual swing. With the enhancement from the Thousand Mountains Body, my physical form has improved by more than just a single level.’
’Now, if I go all out using only my physical body, without any other techniques, I could probably even fight a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.’
Yu Changsheng’s eyes shone. This increase in strength gave him a solid boost of confidence.
"Congratulations, Brother Changsheng, on reaching a new height."
Shen Xingchen congratulated him with a smile, his gaze profound as he looked at Yu Changsheng’s Thousand Mountain Armor and chuckled.
"This is all thanks to Senior Brother Shen. I owe it all to your elixir."
Yu Changsheng snapped back to reality and looked at Shen Xingchen with gratitude, clasping his fists in a salute.
It was safe to say that Shen Xingchen’s Small Rejuvenation Pill had been indispensable for such a smooth breakthrough.
"Don’t mention it. We’re fellow sect members; it’s only right that we help each other. Besides," he added, "I still have to thank you for the Dragon’s Roar Sword, Junior Brother."
Shen Xingchen waved his hand and smiled faintly, speaking dismissively as if he hadn’t given the matter a second thought.
"Let’s keep things straight. If it weren’t for Senior Brother Shen, this wouldn’t have gone so smoothly. I’ll find another elixir to repay you later. Or, if there’s anything else you need, Senior Brother, I’ll do everything in my power to help."
Yu Changsheng’s expression turned serious as he spoke with great solemnity.
Without a doubt, Shen Xingchen had helped him immensely this time. By all accounts, Yu Changsheng now truly owed him a favor.
Especially a Small Rejuvenation Pill with two Pill Patterns—its starting price was comparable to some Third-Grade Elixirs, making its value astonishing.
"There’s no need to be so formal. We’re fellow disciples. It was only an elixir..."
A smile lingered in Shen Xingchen’s eyes. A Small Rejuvenation Pill was certainly a precious resource to him, but it wasn’t something he couldn’t afford to part with. As the Vice Sect Leader’s Disciple, he had never been short on resources, thanks to Lu Ruikai’s generous support.
"Actually, if you really want to repay me, there is one small thing I need help with, Brother Changsheng..."
Shen Xingchen hesitated for a moment, a conflicted and slightly embarrassed look on his face. He paused before continuing.
"Go on, Senior Brother Shen," Yu Changsheng said with a nod.
"Well..." Shen Xingchen swallowed, choosing his words carefully. He looked up at Yu Changsheng and mulled it over for a couple of seconds.
"This matter... it actually has to do with Huang Suyu."
"Oh? Tell me more. What about him?"
Yu Changsheng was curious and a little puzzled.
"Junior Brother, when you searched Huang Suyu’s Hundred Treasures Pouch, did you happen to find anything besides the Dragon’s Roar Sword?"
Yu Changsheng was taken aback, a little surprised. ’I already gave the Dragon’s Roar Sword from Huang Suyu to Shen Xingchen. Is there anything else from him that would be worth Shen Xingchen’s attention?’
After a moment of recollection, Yu Changsheng nodded, a reminiscent look in his eyes. He said in a low voice, "I’m not sure what you mean, Senior Brother Shen. Could you be more specific about what you’re looking for?"
’Since Shen Xingchen was asking this, he must have already done some research. Rather than guess, it would be better to have him say it himself.’
"Something in the category of swordsmanship, for example."
Shen Xingchen raised an eyebrow, gesturing pointedly.
Yu Changsheng put on a look of sudden understanding, though inwardly he felt a sense of relief. He nodded and smiled. "There were indeed one or two swordsmanship manuals. You must be talking about the Four Swords of Annihilation, Senior Brother."
’Aside from that,’ he thought, ’I can’t imagine anything else that would have attracted Shen Xingchen’s interest.’
"Yes, that’s the one. So, do you have it?" Shen Xingchen’s expression grew slightly excited as he looked at Yu Changsheng with hopeful expectation.
’The Four Swords of Annihilation was immensely powerful; one could tell just from the might Huang Suyu displayed when he used it. What’s more, the Secret Manual couldn’t be found anywhere in the sect, so Huang Suyu must have acquired it through some other fortunate opportunity.’
"Yes, I do have an incomplete scroll of the Four Swords of Annihilation."
Yu Changsheng answered honestly. With a mere thought, he located the scroll for the Four Swords of Annihilation, which he had tossed into a corner of his Hundred Treasures Pouch, and took it out.
"An incomplete version is good enough."
Shen Xingchen chuckled, not minding that it was an incomplete version. He didn’t rush to take it, but instead looked up at Yu Changsheng. After a moment’s thought, he also took a scroll out from his Storage Pouch.
"If you need it, then just take it. I have no use for it anyway."
Yu Changsheng didn’t hesitate. He handed the scroll for the Four Swords of Annihilation to Shen Xingchen. The technique was valuable, but for a non-Sword Cultivator like Yu Changsheng, it wouldn’t increase his power by much.
Rather than letting it gather dust in his possession, it made perfect sense to give it to Shen Xingchen and repay the favor. ’After all,’ he reasoned, ’I have Shen Xingchen to thank for this breakthrough. A payment is definitely required.’