337: Chapter 337 Scamming the Lin Family of Spirit Stones

The man was a middle-aged figure dressed in black, with a resolute face and eyes that held a hint of aloofness. He wore a tight-fitting black robe, a black short-sword hung at his waist, and his Spiritual Qi was restrained. One could tell at a glance that he was no ordinary Cultivator.

As the middle-aged man in black reached the main gate of the Lin Manor, a series of hurried footsteps echoed from within. Lin Zhentian, clad in a brocade robe, walked out quickly with a smile plastered on his face. He cupped his hands in greeting from a distance, saying, "Fellow Daoist Hei Feng, your presence brings great honor to our humble abode. Please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner!"

This scene caused the surrounding Cultivators who were preparing to enter the manor to stop in their tracks, a flicker of surprise crossing their eyes.

Lin Zhentian was the head of the Lin family, a man of deep cultivation and noble status. Usually steady and self-contained, he rarely lost his composure like this, let alone personally coming out to greet a Cultivator. It was clear that this middle-aged man in black was someone of extraordinary status.

Qin Changsheng also stopped, his gaze falling inconspicuously on the middle-aged man in black, a flash of joy appearing in his eyes.

For Qin Changsheng knew that this Hei Feng possessed a crimson flame fruit and a golden spirit seed.

Hei Feng nodded slightly, his expression remaining cold. Without much pleasantry, he simply raised his hand to return the greeting, his voice flat: "Manor Lord Lin is too polite. I am only here today to participate in the trade assembly while passing through. There is no need for such formalities."

Lin Zhentian hurriedly stepped aside to lead the way: "It is the Lin Manor's honor that you could come, Fellow Daoist. Please, come in. Tea and refreshments have been prepared. You may rest for a moment before the trade assembly begins."

Hei Feng said nothing more, nodded slightly, and walked straight into the manor.

Lin Zhentian followed closely behind, conversing in low tones with Hei Feng as they walked. His expression was respectful, not daring to be negligent for a moment. The two soon disappeared into the crowd within the manor.

Seeing this, the surrounding Cultivators began to discuss in low voices, speculating about Hei Feng's identity and purpose, their tones filled with curiosity and awe.

Qin Changsheng also walked toward the main gate of the Lin Manor.

A guard nearby saw him, stepped forward with a slight bow, and asked respectfully, "Senior, are you here to participate in the trade assembly, or do you have other business?"

Qin Changsheng's expression was calm as he spoke in a flat tone, "I am a Loose Cultivator. I've come today because I wish to sell some Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts in my possession to the Lin family in exchange for Spirit Stones."

He did not reveal much, simply stating his purpose.

Upon hearing this, a polite smile appeared on the guard's face: "I see. Senior, please wait a moment. I will take you to the main hall. There are Elders specifically in charge of purchasing Magical Artifacts there who will inspect your artifacts and negotiate the price."

Qin Changsheng nodded slightly and followed the guard into the Lin Manor without another word.

Spiritual Qi steamed within the manor, and Cultivators moved in an endless stream. Temporary trade stalls were set up on both sides, where Cultivators haggled over prices and selected treasures, creating a bustling atmosphere.

Qin Changsheng inconspicuously scanned the surroundings, keeping an eye on the side hall while searching for Shen Bing's figure.

The guard led Qin Changsheng through the lively crowd, avoiding the noisy trading areas, and headed toward the depths of the manor.

Before long, they arrived outside a grand and magnificent hall. The vermilion doors were wide open, and within, several Cultivators in brocade robes could be seen sitting together. They were clearly the high-ranking members and Elders of the Lin family responsible for purchasing Magical Artifacts.

"Senior, this is the hall for purchasing Magical Artifacts. Please enter; the Elders inside will attend to you." The guard stopped and bowed, his tone respectful.

Qin Changsheng nodded slightly, straightened his plain cloth clothes, and stepped into the hall with a composed expression.

Inside the hall were several carved wooden tables. A few Lin family Elders in brocade robes sat around them, their expressions steady as they discussed matters related to purchasing artifacts in low voices. All of them radiated the Aura of the Golden Core Stage.

As soon as Qin Changsheng entered, a white-haired Elder was the first to stand up. He wore a dark blue brocade robe and had a kind face, yet his eyes held a hint of sharpness. He was the Third Elder, responsible for the Lin family's artifact acquisitions.

The Third Elder sized Qin Changsheng up. Seeing his ordinary cloth clothes and unremarkable Aura, he felt a bit of doubt, yet he maintained his politeness: "Fellow Daoist, the guard just informed us that you wish to sell Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts? I wonder what treasures you wish to sell? Why not bring them out for this old man to see?"

In truth, this Third Elder didn't hold much hope.

After all, Qin Changsheng's cultivation did not look high; he didn't seem like someone who would possess Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts.

Qin Changsheng offered no extra words, only nodding slightly. With a gentle wave of his hand, a faint spiritual light burst from his sleeve.

In the next instant, three Magical Artifacts, glowing and flowing with spiritual light, appeared out of thin air and landed steadily on the carved wooden table before him.

A long sword, a jade shield, and a jade pendant—each radiated the thick Aura of a Medium Grade Earth-Grade artifact. The sword was sharp, the jade shield was gentle, and the jade pendant was lustrous. Their surfaces were flawless and their brilliance was dazzling; one could see at a glance they were no ordinary artifacts.

No one knew that these three seemingly perfect Medium Grade Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts were actually treasures Qin Changsheng had repaired all at once using his golden Repair trait. While they looked exquisite, they had only temporarily regained their form and Aura.

After just one use, these treasures would all shatter into fragments and become scrap metal.

Changsheng deliberately chose not to reveal more artifacts, bringing out only three to test the Lin family's reaction and to avoid being too conspicuous and inviting unnecessary suspicion.

The Third Elder's gaze fell upon the three artifacts on the table, his pupils shrinking slightly. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes as he hurriedly leaned over to inspect them closely.

He lightly stroked the sword's edge, feeling the thick Spiritual Qi and sharp Aura within. His expression gradually turned solemn, then shifted into joy.

These three were indeed genuine Medium Grade Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts, and their quality was excellent, with abundant Spiritual Qi far exceeding ordinary artifacts of the same grade.

"These... these are three Medium Grade Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts?" The Third Elder's voice carried a hint of disbelief as he quickly looked up at Qin Changsheng. "Fellow Daoist, you actually have such treasures to sell?"

One must know that Medium Grade Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts were already quite precious and difficult for ordinary Cultivators to possess. For three to appear at once was even rarer.

Knowing this was a major matter he could not decide alone, he hurriedly sent someone to call Lin Zhentian.

At this time, Lin Zhentian was accompanying Hei Feng in the side hall. Seeing the servant running over in a hurry, he felt confused and quickly stood up to apologize.

At the same time, he invited Hei Feng to the side hall to take a look.

Hei Feng nodded slightly and followed behind Lin Zhentian.

"Third Elder, what matter is so urgent?" Lin Zhentian walked quickly into the hall, his tone carrying some urgency. But when his gaze fell upon the three Medium Grade Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts on the table, his footsteps halted instantly, and the urgency in his eyes was replaced by wild joy.

"Earth-Grade Medium Grade! To think there are three Medium Grade Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts!" Lin Zhentian murmured to himself, his voice full of delight.

He hadn't expected to acquire such fine treasures on the very first day of the assembly.

A hint of surprise also appeared in Hei Feng's eyes.

He had come to the Lin family specifically to see if he could acquire a defensive shield of Earth-Grade or higher.

Thus, the moment he entered, he took a liking to that Medium Grade Earth-Grade defensive shield.

Lin Zhentian suppressed the wild joy in his heart, carefully reaching out to pick up the long sword and inspect it thoroughly.

A moment later, Lin Zhentian set down all the artifacts.

He found that all three artifacts were Medium Grade Earth-Grade, and their quality was exceptionally good.

He didn't notice in the slightest that while these artifacts appeared intact, they actually harbored hidden flaws.

Lin Zhentian's heart was filled with the joy of acquiring heavy treasures. He was already planning to take these three artifacts into the Lin family treasury to further enhance the family's strength.

Glancing at the overjoyed Lin Zhentian, Qin Changsheng's Divine Sense also fell upon Hei Feng.

He knew that this Hei Feng had a crimson flame fruit in his possession.

He discovered that while Hei Feng's gaze seemed scattered, it was actually focused on the jade shield in the hall. His eyes hid an irrepressible fondness and covetousness, but because Lin Zhentian was present and due to his own status, it was inconvenient for him to step forward and start a fight for it.

Qin Changsheng understood instantly: Hei Feng had definitely taken a liking to that Medium Grade Earth-Grade jade shield. It seemed the shield's defensive attributes perfectly suited his cultivation needs.

Just as Qin Changsheng was calculating in his mind, Lin Zhentian finally withdrew his gaze from the artifacts. With a joyful smile still on his face, he turned to Qin Changsheng and spoke with urgent sincerity: "Fellow Daoist, these three Medium Grade Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts are of excellent quality; I am very satisfied. I will be blunt: for one Medium Grade Earth-Grade Magical Artifact, I offer five million Spirit Stones. For the three, a total of fifteen million Spirit Stones. What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"

This price was not particularly high.

However, Qin Changsheng didn't care. After all, these Medium Grade Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts were one-time-use treasures.

They had no real value at all.

Upon hearing this, a look of hesitation appeared on Qin Changsheng's face. He feigned a contemplative look and remained silent for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons.

After a while, he said, "Manor Lord Lin's offer is fair. For the sword and the jade pendant, five million Spirit Stones each—I have no objection. However, for this jade shield, I do not wish to exchange it for Spirit Stones. I want to trade it for a crimson flame fruit."

"crimson flame fruit?" The smile on Lin Zhentian's face froze instantly. A look of difficulty flashed in his eyes, and his brows knit tightly. He spoke with a hint of helplessness, "Fellow Daoist, to be honest, the crimson flame fruit is a precious spiritual fruit and extremely rare. We do not have any in the Lin family storehouse. I'm afraid it will be difficult to meet your request."