Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

Chapter 138: Exchange
Accompanied by the real estate agent, Wang Chen walked through every corner of the house.

If nothing unexpected happened, he feared this would be his last visit here.

Interestingly,

during the tour, the agent always held a Memory Stone in his hand.

It “captured” the entire scene of the mansion, inside and out.

In this way, potential buyers didn’t need to inspect the property in person to gain a clear understanding of every aspect of the house.

It also saved Wang Chen the trouble of accompanying people to view the house in the future.

It was very convenient.

After the shooting was finished, the mature cultivator asked, “May I ask, sir, how many Spirit Stones are you willing to sell it for?”

Because Wang Chen had a Jade Token on his belt representing his identity as an Inner Sect Disciple,

the real estate agency’s attitude was very polite, sending their most experienced agent to serve him.

Wang Chen asked, “What’s the current market price for my house?”

The agent thought for a moment and replied, “Between ten thousand and eleven thousand Low Spirits.”

Wang Chen nodded.

This price was roughly in line with his estimate, “Then help me list it for thirteen thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight Low Spirits.”

The agent was startled, “That price, I’m afraid…”

It was too high.

Although the price of houses in Cloud Mountain City had risen sharply over the past few years, reaching new highs,

they had remained stable in the last six months without any upward trends.

So Wang Chen’s asking price was rather unrealistic.

However, Wang Chen directly interrupted the agent, “That’s the price!”

Wang Chen wouldn’t tell the other party that the unit price of the house he had bought in his past life, emptying his savings for the down payment, was exactly this number.

And because of the issue with the Talismans, he was harboring some resentment.

So he decided to list it at a high price!

But seeing the agent’s expression, Wang Chen added, “We can discuss in detail if there is sincere interest.”

The agent immediately breathed a sigh of relief, “Alright then.”

Having sorted out the issue with selling his house, Wang Chen returned to his Sunset Peak estate to continue his secluded cultivation.

What Wang Chen didn’t expect was,

the next morning, a Messenger Crane flew into his home!

Wang Chen caught the crane and read the message.

The person who sent him the Crane Message claimed to be “Zhu Jingfang of Changyang Peak,” inviting him to meet at Yueyue Pavilion in Cloud Mountain City that evening.

Changyang Peak was one of the Cloud Sun Nine Peaks,

ranking fourth among the Nine Veins.

But Wang Chen had never heard of “Zhu Jingfang” before, and couldn’t figure out what he could possibly have to do with the man.

However, Zhu Jingfang’s words were very polite and showed no ill will.

After thinking it over, Wang Chen sent a Crane Message to Cao Xiu, inquiring about the other party’s background.

An hour later, he received a reply from Senior Brother Cao.

After reading it, Wang Chen knew what to expect.

So he replied to Zhu Jingfang with a Crane Message, accepting the latter’s invitation.

That evening, Wang Chen arrived at Yueyue Pavilion on time as agreed.

Guided by a beautiful waitress, he entered an elegant room on the third floor.

There he met Zhu Jingfang.

Zhu Jingfang was a young cultivator with a jade-like face and elegant demeanor, who in every aspect of his attire and conduct, emitted the temperament of a descendant from a Noble Clan of immortal cultivation.

Wang Chen knew that the other party was a direct member of the Purple Mansion’s Zhu Family, with a Qi Cultivation Level of eight,

and he was quite popular in Changyang Peak.

He also had an excellent reputation.

He even guessed the purpose of Zhu Jingfang summoning him.

But the one with the real interest was not Zhu Jingfang,

but Zhu’s cousin who came along!

After some pleasantries, as they took their seats, Zhu Jingfang got straight to the point, “Junior Brother Wang, I have invited you here to talk about the house.”

He gestured to his cousin sitting beside him, “My cousin is interested in purchasing your house in Cloud Mountain City, but the price is quite steep. I wonder if you could do me the honor of offering a discount?”

The latter looked respectful and willing to follow his cousin’s lead.

Wang Chen laughed, “Since Elder Brother Zhu has asked, I will certainly show respect!”

Zhu Jingfang also smiled, “Then I am very thankful to Junior Brother.”

Because Wang Chen was so accommodating, the Inner Sect disciple from Changyang Peak specifically explained, “My cousin has taken a fancy to a junior sister from the Outer Sect Main Hall, and she has also agreed to become his Dao companion.”

“But she required my cousin to buy a house for her parents in Cloud Mountain City so they could enjoy their later years in comfort.”

“During this time, my cousin has been looking for a suitable property.”

“He happened to see the house Junior Brother Wang put up for sale, so he asked me to help contact Junior Brother.”

Zhu Jingfang’s explanation cleared things up for Wang Chen.

The cousin, being an Outer Sect disciple, didn’t have the confidence to negotiate with him, an Inner Sect disciple.

That’s why he asked Zhu Jingfang to step in.

The relationship between the two brothers was obviously very good.

Wang Chen thought for a moment, then said, “Senior Brother Zhu, I also have a favor to ask of you.”

Zhu Jingfang said, “Speak.”

Wang Chen planned to ask Huo Zhenghai, a Refinement Master of the Cloud Sun Sect, to custom-make a flying sword for him.

However, he didn’t have the connections, so he needed Zhu Jingfang to help make the introduction.

After hearing this, Zhu Jingfang laughed and said, “Junior Brother Wang, you came to the right person!”

Huo Zhenghai happened to be Zhu Jingfang’s maternal grandfather!

Wang Chen, of course, knew about the relationship between them, otherwise he would not have made such a request.

Seeing that Zhu Jingfang was amenable, he took the opportunity and said, “Senior Brother Zhu, I’d like to exchange the house for a flying sword, what do you think?”

Huo Zhenghai was famous within the Cloud Sun Sect, being both a Refinement Master and a member of the Purple Mansion Superior.

Although Wang Chen was already an Inner Sect disciple,

he did not have the standing to directly ask for a custom-made flying sword.

Wang Chen’s proposal, however, made Zhu Jingfang blink, clearly not expecting a house to be linked with a flying sword!

But after some thought, he found Wang Chen’s idea to be quite good.

A custom-made flying sword of a magic artifact caliber had a starting price of around ten thousand Spirit Stones.

The market value of Wang Chen’s house was just about right.

And it was a lot cheaper than the price he had listed.

If the trade could be made, Zhu Jingfang would come out looking good both on the surface and underneath!

But since it involved his grandfather, he didn’t dare agree hastily, “Junior Brother Wang, let me talk to my grandfather first and see if the old man has time. I’ll give you an answer tomorrow, how does that sound?”

Wang Chen happily replied, “No problem, thank you for the trouble, Senior Brother!”

“Don’t mention it.”

Zhu Jingfang raised his wine cup with a smile, “Come, let’s have a drink!”

The atmosphere at the gathering became lively.

After three rounds of drinks, Zhu Jingfang, with a slightly drunken glow, curiously asked, “Junior Brother Wang, with your Qi Cultivation at just the fifth level, why are you in such a hurry to have a flying sword made?”

To practice the Sword Control Technique, one must at least be at a high stage of Qi Cultivation.

Prepared for this question, Wang Chen replied, “I want to become a Sword Cultivator, so I need to nurture a flying sword ahead of time.”

Zhu Jingfang suddenly understood.

Some Sword Cultivators custom-make flying swords at the beginning of their Qi Cultivation and then nurture them with their mana and breath day and night.

Once they advance to a higher tier and start practicing the Sword Control Technique,

their mastery becomes extremely fast, not to mention that controlling the flying sword is as natural as moving their own limbs, and the power is enhanced by a third.

Wang Chen was intent on taking the path of a Sword Cultivator.

Having reached the fifth level of Qi Cultivation before having a flying sword made, he was actually quite late!

Seeing Zhu Jingfang had no suspicion, Wang Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

“A man is not guilty for owning jade; the crime lies in letting it be known he does.”

If possible, he very much wanted to quietly sell off the house in Cloud Mountain City and then stealthily acquire a flying sword.

This was in line with the doctrine of keeping a low profile.

However, since the house was registered in his name, any transfer of ownership could not possibly be kept from others.

It so happened that Zhu Jingfang came to him.

After inquiring about Zhu Jingfang’s situation and giving it careful consideration, Wang Chen made such a decision.

He would ask Huo Zhenghai to refine a flying sword for him using Zhu Jingfang’s connection.

This was not only because of the other party’s exquisite skills,

but also with the intent to deter any potential evildoers by leveraging the renown of the Purple Mansion Superior.

———-

The second update is delivered.