Chapter 14: Sword Finger Technique

“The second spell is the Golden Light Technique, a top-tier Buddhist defensive spell,” the elderly man continued with a smile. “It boasts incredibly strong defense and activates swiftly, emitting a golden light that envelops the user, providing excellent protection against sinister attacks. Its effectiveness is unparalleled against such spells. Its price is also one middle-grade spirit stone. And now, the third spell….”

The old man presented a total of four spells, all of which were quite impressive.

Ye Chen couldn’t help but be impressed by the old man’s background. It was no surprise that he had been an outer disciple of Green Cloud Sect. While such roles were usually given to those with no hope of breaking through, being backed by a major sect still made them far more powerful than independent cultivators.

Of the four spells, Ye Chen was most intrigued by the Sword Finger Technique and the Golden Light Technique.

However, the old man was praising the technique far too much. According to him, the Sword Finger Technique could seemingly pierce through anything, while the Golden Light Technique was impervious to all attacks.

Ye Chen almost wanted to ask which would win if the Sword Finger Technique was used against the Golden Light Technique. But that would be a bit too much of a spoil of the fun. It was best not to spoil things for himself.

After thinking it through, Ye Chen decided that his priority would be to acquire an offensive spell. The Sword Finger Technique was the clear choice. As for the Golden Light Technique, he could always save up spirit stones for it in the future.

“Senior, can the Sword Finger Technique be a bit cheaper?” Ye Chen pointed to the jade slip containing the technique as he asked.

Since the deal was happening privately and not at the market price, there had to be some room for negotiation. Ye Chen didn’t have that many spirit stones on him.

The Green Cloud Shop manager furrowed his brows at Ye Chen’s request. “How much are you willing to offer?”

Recalling his mother’s bargaining tactics in his past life, Ye Chen immediately cut the price by half. “Fifty lower-grade spirit stones!”

The old man immediately twitched his mouth, dismissively waving his hand. “Go, go. Take your business elsewhere.”

The old man was no longer interested in selling.

Ye Chen panicked a little. Had he gone too far with the discount? Was the tactic of halving the price not applicable in the cultivation world?

“Seventy spirit stones! No, wait—seventy-five!” Ye Chen quickly raised the offer.

But the old man crossed his arms and glanced at Ye Chen with a look of indifference, as if too lazy to even speak. It was clear he wanted Ye Chen to leave.

Ye Chen sighed in resignation. “Eighty lower-grade spirit stones. That’s all I have.” He then took out all the spirit stones from his robes, showing the old man that he truly had no more.

The old man looked up, clearly uninterested, and said, “Ninety lower-grade spirit stones, and you can take it.”

Ye Chen immediately felt that the price was non-negotiable. He only had eighty spirit stones. It seemed he would have to wait for another opportunity. Besides, Lin Ke’er probably wouldn’t be heading into the mountains anytime soon. He still had time.

As Ye Chen began packing up to leave, the old man’s expression shifted slightly. He seemed to realize that Ye Chen might actually only have eighty spirit stones, not trying to pull a fast one.

After a brief hesitation, the old man spoke again, “Fine, fine. You young cultivators don’t have it easy. Eighty spirit stones it is.”

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Ye Chen’s face broke into a smile, and he quickly laid down the spirit stones, completing the deal.

The old man, watching Ye Chen’s eagerness, couldn’t help but wonder. This young man didn’t seem like someone who would be so quick to spend all his savings on a spell.

Had he been tricked?

“Well, it’s done,” the old man muttered inwardly, resigned.

Once the spirit stones were confirmed, the old man handed the jade slip to Ye Chen. “One-time use. Once you activate it, the slip will shatter.”

Ye Chen nodded and gently touched the jade slip with his brow, activating it. The Sword Finger Technique was indeed inside, accompanied by a brief introduction. However, after reading it, Ye Chen couldn’t help but feel the old man had exaggerated quite a bit.

The technique allowed one to channel sword qi through the fingertips, and indeed, the speed was astonishing. It also allowed for rapid, consecutive strikes.

But as for the power? It was average at best.

The so-called “invading the enemy’s meridians” effect was also lackluster. It was useful, but not much more than that. This technique was best suited for targeting vital points or surprise attacks. In other situations, it would only be adequate. It seemed the old man had been puffing up its merits.