"This is not your ordinary treasure—it's a Soul Weapon," Madam Feng said with a subtle smile. "And it's called the Empyrean Overlord."
"A Soul Weapon?" Yu Tian's interest visibly deepened.
"Hm? Don't you also have a Soul Weapon, Brother?" Yu Rou suddenly asked, turning to him.
"Eh?" Madam Feng's eyes widened in surprise as she looked between them.
"You… You also possess a Soul Weapon?" she asked in a trembling voice. "If you don't mind, may I take a look?"
Yu Tian calmly nodded and retrieved his Starry Abyss.
The moment the weapon appeared, a faint but terrifying energy pulsed through the shop.
"Incredible!" Madam Feng exclaimed, her voice slightly breathless. "This is the first time I've encountered another person with a Soul Weapon in over five hundred years! If I may ask, where did you obtain this beauty?"
"It was given to me by some people I helped," Yu Tian replied simply.
"It was… given to you?" Madam Feng repeated, stunned. Her expression turned dazed. Just what kind of existence is this young man, for someone to part with a Soul Weapon so casually…?
"And what about you?" Yu Tian asked her. "Where did this sword come from?"
"I discovered it within the Legacy Tomb of a powerful cultivator about five hundred years ago," Madam Feng replied, her voice touched with nostalgia.
"Legacy Tomb?" Yu Tian echoed.
"They're essentially the graveyards of powerful Cultivators," Xiao Hua explained. "Near death, some leave behind trials to pass on their inheritance. Those who succeed inherit their legacy and treasures."
"I'm more curious about what you said earlier…" Yu Rou muttered, still stunned. "You found it five hundred years ago? Do Cultivators live that long?"
"At the Spirit Grandmaster level, yes. One can live up to 1,000 years or more," Madam Feng explained.
Yu Rou's eyes widened. "Then… what about Spirit Kings?"
Xiao Hua's eyebrow twitched slightly at the question, sensing Yu Rou's not-so-subtle curiosity.
"I'm not completely sure, but a Spirit King should have a lifespan of at least 10,000 years," Madam Feng answered with a somewhat awkward smile.
"10,000 years…?" Yu Rou whispered, her gaze flicking toward Xiao Hua.
Madam Feng then sighed. "Even though I managed to obtain this Soul Weapon, it never accepted me. No matter what I tried, it refused to recognize me as its master."
"It didn't recognize you?" Yu Tian asked, his expression thoughtful.
Xiao Hua stepped forward and calmly addressed Madam Feng, "Since the Soul Weapon is on display in this store, does that mean you're willing to part with it?"
Madam Feng nodded after a brief pause. "T-That's right. But only through trade—something of equal value. If you… don't mind."
Despite her composed demeanor, her voice was clearly restrained. Even now, she held lingering caution around Xiao Hua.
At this moment, Rei Lin, who had remained silent, finally stepped forward. He had already traded the Demonic Beast Core earlier using a Gold Pattern Jade Stone, and now his eyes shifted toward the Empyrean Overlord.
He calmly said, "A fine blade… but of no use to me."
Madam Feng blinked. "You're… not interested?"
Rei Lin simply shook his head as he stepped back, uninterested.
Xiao Hua, who stood silently at his side, gave a small nod before raising her hand. In the next moment, several weapons radiating Divine-grade pressure appeared, floating around her like stars orbiting a sun.
"T-These are…" Madam Feng gasped, her knees slightly buckling as she instinctively took a step back. These weren't ordinary items—they were high-tier Divine-grade weapons, each one carrying a frightening aura of power. Her gaze shifted to Xiao Hua, her eyes filled with disbelief. Just who is this girl, to casually summon Divine weapons like this?
"I can exchange all of these if you wish," Xiao Hua said calmly, her tone light but clear. "Feel free to pick a few that you like."
Madam Feng swallowed nervously. "A-All of them…?" she repeated in a trembling voice, struggling to believe what she was hearing.
"Mn," Xiao Hua nodded. "But only if you think it's a fair trade for the Soul Weapon."
"I… I wouldn't dare be greedy," Madam Feng said after a moment, still shaken by the sheer quality of the weapons before her. "I will only take three… That's already more than generous for something I could never use anyway."
Xiao Hua simply nodded again, unbothered.
Madam Feng nodded and placed the Empyrean Overlord before Yu Tian. "You may attempt the bond with your blood. If the sword recognizes you, it will respond."
Yu Tian knelt down, used the Starry Abyss to prick his finger, and let a drop of blood fall onto the Empyrean Overlord.
A wave of powerful aura burst out the moment the blood touched the blade.
The Empyrean Overlord trembled violently, and a ripple of divine will spread through the room. The Starry Abyss in his hand also quivered in resonance—two legendary weapons responding to each other.
Madam Feng's body shuddered. Then, a sweet, indescribable fragrance filled the air.
This scent… his blood?! Her thoughts swirled in confusion and awe. What is this… divine bloodline?!
The Empyrean Overlord slowly levitated, glowing red as it hovered in front of Yu Tian.
Yu Tian stood up, blinking. "It worked… it really recognized me."
"Congratulations, Brother Yu Tian," Xiao Hua said softly.
"Told you," Yu Rou grinned. "You're more amazing than you think."
But before they could celebrate, Madam Feng approached, her eyes distant and dazed.
"Madam Feng?" Yu Tian asked.
"I… I'm sorry. I can't control myself…" she whispered, then suddenly grabbed his hand and placed his bleeding finger into her mouth.
"H-Hey—?!"
"M-Madam Feng?!" Yu Rou screamed.
Lost in a trance, Madam Feng sucked his blood with a moan, her cheeks flushed.
"Let him go!" Xiao Hua snapped, releasing a wave of energy that pushed Madam Feng back.
Yu Tian looked at his soaked finger. "At least it's still there…"
Realizing what she'd done, Madam Feng fell to her knees, trembling. "I-I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me—your blood, it… it overwhelmed me!"
"My blood?" Yu Tian muttered, confused.
"I swear on my cultivation—I didn't mean to!" she cried.
Yu Tian sighed, wiping his hand. "Just… don't drink anyone's blood again, okay?"
"Yes!" she nodded frantically.