Lin Wei stood before the city lord, a composed expression masking the whirlwind of thoughts within. He had agreed to share information about the mysterious crystal but withheld the fact that he possessed more than one.
I'm willing to share," Lin Wei began, "but I have a few conditions.
The city lord leaned forward, curiosity piqued.
First, I require a payment of five billion gold coins."
A murmur spread through the room. The sum was astronomical, but the value of the crystal justified the demand.
Second, I need all available information about the crystal. I want to understand its origins, properties, and potential.
Five billion gold coins," the Clan Lord stated, his voice smooth yet edged with steel. "And all known records of the crystal's origins will be delivered to you.
Lin Wei nodded, but his mind was already three steps ahead. He needed more.
You are married, correct?" Lin Wei asked abruptly, tilting his head as if the question were casual.
The Clan Lord's eyes narrowed. The other's in the room stiffened, their suspicion palpable.
"Yes," the Clan Lord answered slowly.
Lin Wei smiled. "How much do you love your wife?"
A dangerous silence settled over the room. The Clan Lord's fingers twitched, his knuckles whitening.
"Very much," he replied, voice colder than winter's breath.
Lin Wei pressed on, undeterred. "If you could turn back time to your wedding day, what gift would you give her now? The most precious treasure from your vault—the one that would make even the heavens envious."
The Clan Lord exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. Yet, curiosity flickered in his gaze. He listed them—the Phoenix Coronet, a relic said to grant eternal beauty; the Dragon's Tear Pearl, capable of healing any wound; and the Soulbound Mirror, which could reveal one's deepest desires.
Lin Wei laughed. "I want two of those, the Phoenix Coronet and the Dragon tear Pearl, I can't be greedy to go for the soulbound mirror because that sounds expensive."
The Clan Lord's face darkened. The air itself seemed to grow heavier, pressing against Lin Wei's chest.
Before fury could erupt, Lin Wei raised a hand. "I will give you the crystal to hold—temporarily. Once you're ready to explore the realm, I'll return. But first, I need those treasures… and a few other things."
You still need more?, the city Lord smile but everybody can feel that this is no longer smiling, he was already at his end and small thing might make him erupt.
Don't worry it is something you can afford, not so expensive, I need high-grade storage ring
The Clan Lord's jaw tightened, but Lin Wei's next words stopped him.
"I have more surprises for you… but not now.
The unspoken promise hung in the air. The Clan Lord, though seething, relented. Within two hours, everything Lin Wei requested was delivered.
As discussions continued about the realm's dangers, the City Lord warned Lin Wei, "You have no cultivation. That place will devour you."
Lin Wei smirked. "I'll take my chances."
Before leaving, he inquired about the black metal he had arrived with. The City Lord admitted ignorance but promised to investigate.
As Lin Wei descended the grand staircase, an inexplicable dread seized him. His chest burned—a phantom pain, as though his heart were bleeding. He stumbled, catching himself on the railing. The sensation was unnatural, a bad omen whispering of unseen horrors.
His mood darkened. The guild that he booked was waiting for him aside and was able to noticed the shift immediately.
Is something wrong?" the guide asked.
Lin Wei didn't answer. The oppressive feeling grew heavier, an invisible weight pressing down on his soul.
Is there anywhere interesting you'd like to visit?" the attendant asked.
"Is there anywhere… interesting here?" Lin Wei finally muttered.
The guide hesitated. "There is… if you have the coin.
The attendant mentioned a unique shop where patrons could purchase stones, each potentially containing valuable treasures. Intrigued although not guaranteed that all must contain something, Lin Wei decided to visit.
The shop was bustling with activity. Patrons eagerly selected stones, hoping to uncover hidden treasures. Each stone cost 5,000 gold coins to open, a gamble many were willing to take.
Lin Wei observed the process, noting the excitement and disappointment on the faces around him.
As he reached for a stone, faint tendrils of smoke curled from its surface. His breath hitched. He glanced around—no one else seemed to see it.
Can I see through them?
(This is the first time he is witnessing such situations but he didn't dwell on it because he did not want to look some kind of suspicious to other's)
He bought one stone, heart racing. The shopkeeper cracked it open—a crystal! Worth only 3,000 gold (a loss, but proof).
Then he saw others—some stones emitted thick smoke. One pulsed with a crimson glow, as if burning from within.
Though he incurred a loss, Lin Wei was intrigued by his apparent ability to detect valuable stones.
Deciding to test this newfound skill, he approached the shop owner. "I'd like to purchase more stones, but I want to open them myself because I don't have time to be opening, I want to buy and take away, am in hurry.
Do you sell the necessary equipment for cracking it open?"
The owner, seeing an opportunity, offered the equipment for 500,000 gold coins because he have seen some that normally behave like Lin Wei, it is not a new thing for him and he have no problem with that.
Lin Wei's lips curled. He purchased the stone-breaking equipment for 500,000 gold, then spent 1.5 million on more stones—selecting only those with the strongest auras.
The shopkeeper smirked, thinking him a fool.
Impressed by Lin Wei's spending, the owner mentioned a special collection of stones with higher chances of containing treasures, priced at 10,000 gold coins each which Lin Wei agreed to see them.
In the special section, Lin Wei felt a strong and excitement in his heart was overflowing
The shopkeeper lured him deeper. "For 10,000 gold per stone, the treasures here are greater."
Lin Wei agreed.
The inner chamber hummed with energy. And there—at the far end—a stone burned with silver fire, its presence screaming of something heaven-defying.
He bought it. And ninety-nine others Inside the inner part totaling 300 plus because he was also asked to choose bonus of two more which he did without wasting time.
three of which emitted a silver glow, indicating exceptional value.
As Lin Wei departed from the store, the heaviness in his heart intensified.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong back home but he wasn't sure that what he is feeling, everything that is happening today is so unrealistic to him, acquiring a vision that can see through valuable things even when he is not a cultivator and now the pain in his heart that comes and go, he decided to just put everything at the back of his mind and focus on what he is here in the city to do.