From Beast Abilities to Sect Grand Master

Lin Fan held the sword tighter, ready for any moves from the shop assistant.

A moment later, he relaxed, releasing his tension.

He'd realized that the system hadn't prompted him that the shop assistant had any ill intentions toward Lin Fan.

"I'm Pei Tong, shop assistant for this He Xian Weapons shop," the shop assistant introduced himself, glancing left and right to check if anyone was looking at them, then continued, "Please sheathe your sword and come with me."

Lin Fan lowered his hand with the sword and followed Pei Tong.

"Here, come with me," Pei Tong ushered Lin Fan through a door behind the counter and into the back of the shop.

In the back, there were old men holding weapons in their hands, carefully looking at them, periodically taking down notes as they did so.

"These men are trying to put a value on the weapons for sale. Different levels of weapons command different prices," Pei Tong explained when he saw Lin Fan looking at the men.

"Different levels?" Lin Fan asked.

"You don't know about them? There are the Mortal, Spirit, and Mystic levels of weapons that I know of. There are more above the Mystic level, but I'm not privy to that information."

"What's the difference between these three levels?" Lin Fan probed further, trying to learn more about this world.

"Mortal level weapons, which is what we mostly have here, are used by normal people and low-level cultivators. They're usually made of common materials like iron or steel and don't have special attributes.

"Spirit level weapons are forged and used by low-level cultivators. They have increased sharpness, durability, and minor elemental attributes like lightning-charged broad knives.

"Mystic level weapons, usually used by mid-level cultivators, are made from rare materials, enhanced with runes or inscriptions. They possess inherent abilities like self-healing and even limited sentience."

Pei Tong explained the different levels of weapons patiently to Lin Fan.

"What level is this sword?" Lin Fan asked.

"Ah, your sword.

"You are very lucky, you know.

"That sword belongs to the Flowing Cloud Sect, and you clearly aren't a disciple from the sect. It will attract unwanted trouble to yourself," Pei Tong replied.

"Flowing Cloud Sect..." Lin Fan mumbled to himself as he thought about the sect.

"They suddenly disappeared one year ago. Hence, you will be in trouble from their enemies or the sect members, carrying that sword and walking around like that."

"Thanks! I didn't know that. So how much can you offer for it?" Lin Fan asked.

"I can only offer you fifty copper coins for it. I can't sell this sword out in the open. I'm buying it because I love collecting weapons from the different sects."

"Deal," Lin Fan didn't need to think much and agreed on the spot.

The price was already more than enough for Uncle Liu's injury.

And Pei Tong was not a bad guy; Lin Fan wanted to be on cordial terms with him.

He needed to build up a network of trustworthy folks to help him.

Past life experience told him that no one could reach the top with just enemies alone.

"Here, a silver bit equivalent to fifty copper coins," Pei Tong handed a piece of silver to Lin Fan.

Lin Fan took it and pocketed it.

"Now that you have the money, are there any weapons that are to your liking?"

Lin Fan thought for a moment, then said, "I want something not so prominent, hidden, and deadly out of nowhere."

"I have just the thing for you. Wait here..."

Pei Tong walked out into the shop and returned with a belt in his hand.

"This is a belt?" Lin Fan pointed to the belt.

"This is a belt sword..." Pei Tong pressed on the belt buckle and then drew out a sword from the belt.

The sword, from being curved, immediately straightened when it was drawn out.

"Here, try it," Pei Tong passed the sword to Lin Fan.

Lin Fan wielded it around.

It felt not as durable as the Flowing Cloud sect's sword, but it had that element of surprise.

Lin Fan preferred to be able to lie low and surprise the enemy when necessary.

After all, Lin Fan's real trump card was his Beast Abilities.

When he was satisfied, Lin Fan asked, "How much for this?"

"It's free for you. I've been looking to collect the Flowing Cloud sect's sword for a very long time. This is the least I can do for you," Pei Tong replied.

"Thanks," Lin Fan bowed with his hands clasped together.

Pei Tong immediately bowed back.

"Lin Fan, where are you?" Ho Ming, engrossed in the weapons, started to look for Lin Fan when he realized Lin Fan was nowhere to be seen in the shop.

"That's my friend looking for me. I should get going," Lin Fan walked back out to the shop.

"There you are," Ho Ming sighed in relief when he saw Lin Fan.

"I'm done. Let's go to the medicinal hall."

Ho Ming then led Lin Fan to the Chang Shou Medicinal Hall.

In comparison to the weapons shop, this medicinal hall wasn't crowded.

The customers inside the medicinal hall looked like wealthy merchants and nobles.

They waited for their prescriptions with their servants.

When Lin Fan approached the counter, the shopkeeper looked at Lin Fan with a side-eye and covered his nose when he saw Lin Fan wearing coarse clothes and hemp fabric.

But when he saw Ho Ming beside Lin Fan, his face immediately changed to a smiling one.

"Ah, young master Ho Ming. Are you here for the Qi Concentration Pills?"

"Yes. The usual number, please."

The shopkeeper turned around to the big wooden cabinet behind him.

The wooden cabinet spanned the length of the shop.

There were drawers with writings of what was contained inside.

The shopkeeper pulled one of the drawers and took out a white bottle with a red-colored stopper.

He then passed the bottle to Ho Ming, and Ho Ming paid him twenty copper coins.

Lin Fan was surprised at how much it cost; twenty copper coins could sustain a family like Uncle Liu's for half a year.

Ho Ming shrugged and said, "That's the way it is. Anything to improve the chances to join the Qing Feng Sect. I hope you can pass the abilities tests without any pills to enhance your foundations."

When the shopkeeper heard Lin Fan wanting to try to pass the abilities tests without any pills and elixirs, he couldn't help but snicker out loud.