The Great Martial Saint!

Chapter 802 A Deadly Intent Revealed, Fragments of the Precious Scroll
Chen Ping'an's voice was hoarse and low, echoing through the desolate forest. The surroundings were silent, but there was no response.

A gentle night breeze rustled the fallen leaves, creating a soft, rustling sound.

Chen Ping'an's expression was calm and composed, his eyes deep and unfathomable, like a cold, dark pool in the depths of hell.

"Fellow Daoist, you have followed me all the way, and now we have reached the outskirts of the city. Why hide your head and face and make yourself a laughing stock?"

Chen Ping'an's gaze fixed on one spot, as if he could see through illusion.

The sound echoed and faded, eventually disappearing without a trace, leaving the surroundings deathly silent. It seemed as if what had just been said was a soliloquy.

As if understanding what the other party was thinking, Chen Ping'an suddenly laughed. His laughter was cold and hoarse, with a sense of decay, like iron chains rubbing against a dry well.

“Fellow Daoist has followed me all this way, it must be arduous. Now you're avoiding me, acting like a coward, you must be exhausted and unable to turn back. I am kind-hearted and cannot bear to see such things. Perhaps I should let it be.”

"How about we send you on your way?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Ping'an's ghostly light suddenly shone brightly, his soul swept over him, exuding a chilling and icy aura.

Wow~
The desolate forest swayed, and the withered leaves fell like surging waves.

"Hahaha"

A laugh rang out, and gray mist surged through the desolate forest, spreading all around, gradually revealing a figure.

"Fellow Daoist's perception is so sharp, I admire it."

The man's eyes were gray and misty, his skin was as pale as frost and snow, and his bluish-gray veins, like the roots of an ancient tree, spread across his body.

"Since I began my cultivation, I have rarely seen someone like you, fellow Daoist. I was in a moment of inspiration and couldn't help but make a joke. If there was anything inappropriate, please forgive me, fellow Daoist Qijin."

Luo Hou's voice was tinged with amusement, and the surging, spreading gray mist obscured his figure. This gray mist had the effect of isolating the soul, making him appear blurry and indistinct.

Chen Ping'an lowered his eyes and stared coldly, his old eyes seemingly able to see through illusions.

“Fellow Daoist Luo Hou, you seem to be in high spirits. I am old and do not have such refined tastes. If you delay any longer, I will assume that you have been killed by thieves. There will be no room for your leniency.”

The swirling gray fog obscured Luo Hou's face and his emotions.

"Fellow Daoist, please don't be offended."

His voice was tinged with laughter, but the specifics remained unknown.

"As the saying goes, no fight, no friendship. If you really want to fight, I will accept it. This matter was started by me, and what happens to you is none of your business."

The two exchanged a few words, full of probing and subtle wit.

Chen Ping'an stood with his eyes lowered, his divine spirit swirling, his black robes fluttering even without wind.

The other party's methods of concealment were extremely clever. Although he was standing right in front of him, it was difficult for him to discern the other party's background in a short time.

“He is not an ordinary second-realm celestial being.” He made an accurate judgment after only a brief glance.

"Fellow Daoist, following me here in the middle of the night, surely not just for a casual chat?" Chen Ping'an's voice was hoarse and low, cold and devoid of any emotion.

"If you have ulterior motives, you might as well speak frankly. I have been cultivating for a long time and would like to loosen up my muscles and bones a bit."

"Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand." As the gray mist surged, Luo Hou's smiling voice rang out: "I have come here to make a deal with you."

"A deal?" Chen Ping'an's eyes were cold, and he didn't say anything more.

“I observe that after the auction, you attended the Xuanling Small Gathering. Given your abilities, such a small gathering is probably not very appealing. Your participation likely indicates that you have some needs. I happened to bring some surplus with me, and I anticipated that you might have some needs, so I came here specifically to establish a good connection.”

"To make a good connection?" Chen Ping'an lowered his eyes and looked coldly at the man in the gray mist.

When someone forms a good relationship with another family, you have to follow them closely and lie in wait, afraid of being discovered.
Chen Ping'an lowered his eyes and remained silent, while Luo Hou seemed in no hurry, patiently waiting for his reply.

In the desolate forest, the wind rustled, carrying a hint of chill.

Chen Pingan stared at him coldly for a long time before finally speaking in a hoarse voice.

"You want to make a deal with me?"

“Exactly,” Luo Hou said with a smile.

"If I kill you, what you possess will not all belong to me?"

Chen Ping'an spoke earnestly, his voice low and hoarse, his words completely devoid of pretense.

Why should I make a deal with you, fellow Daoist?

As he spoke, his spirit rippled, like a pool of water churning, cold and deathly still.

Luo Hou felt a chill in his heart and gave a dry laugh upon hearing this.

"Fellow Daoist Qi Jin, please don't joke with me. I am sincere, so please speak frankly."

Chen Ping'an lowered his eyes and stared coldly, a dark light flashing within them. Only after a long while did he gradually gather his aura.

"it is good."

Luo Hou, whose background is unknown, brought out a great many spiritual items and precious materials for trade, including quite a few fourth-order spiritual pills that can enhance cultivation.

Looking at the items displayed in the gray mist, Chen Ping'an's expression remained unchanged. He directly stated his needs: he wanted the flesh and blood of a top-grade Heavenly Rank demon beast, or a True Skill Scroll that carried the essence of inheritance.

Upon hearing this, Luo Hou chuckled dryly, perhaps inwardly cursing that the mention of Fellow Daoist Qi Jin was a joke at his expense.

The items traded are extremely rare, even to celestial beings and humans.

A top-tier Heavenly Grade bloodline demon beast, if fully grown, is guaranteed to reach the ranks of Hidden Radiance Realm cultivators. This creature is extremely rare; how could it possibly fall into his hands?

As for the True Skill Scroll, even cultivators at the third realm would search for it. Not to mention that he doesn't have it, even if he did, what would Fellow Daoist Qi Jin use to trade for it?

Chen Ping'an's expression was cold and aloof as he directly asked the other party, "If you don't possess such items, how did you come to act like someone of great wealth? Perhaps you have something I need regarding your possessions?"

Chen Ping'an spoke bluntly, but whether Luo Hou was wary or had other plans, he didn't retaliate. Instead, he endured Chen Ping'an's cold and harsh ridicule.

After exchanging a few words, the transaction was finally on track.

Luo Hou offered to help, mentioning that at the Xuanling Auction, Fellow Daoist Qi Jin had won a forging slot at the Hundred Refinements Pavilion. He inquired whether Fellow Daoist Qi Jin needed to forge any precious treasures. He had several pieces of fourth-tier precious ore on him, and if Fellow Daoist Qi Jin had a suitable price, he could trade them to him.

Chen Ping'an did not hide his own needs. After some negotiation and communication, he obtained a fairly substantial piece of fourth-order ore from Luo Hou.

Although the properties of this ore are not rare, it is quite compatible with the power of the deep sea, which can help Chen Ping'an's plans. Although he doesn't know how his plans will go, now that he has the opportunity, it is not wrong to make preparations early.

Besides the precious mine, Chen Ping'an also made his own needs clear, as he had to settle for second best.

"I observe that Fellow Daoist Luo Hou's aura is deeply concealed, hidden from view, seemingly close yet far away, hazy and indistinct, making it difficult to fathom. Fellow Daoist's abilities are astonishing, and his secret techniques are extraordinary. I wonder if you would be willing to trade this method of concealment with me?"

Chen Ping'an spoke directly, and Luo Hou's refusal was tantamount to a refusal.

"Fellow Daoist Qi Jin's appetite is a bit too big." Compared to his previous smiling words, his voice was colder this time.

"If I didn't have such an appetite, how could I have ended up in this state today?" Chen Ping'an's aura was cold, and his eyes were as calm as still water.

The two were deeply moved, seemingly facing off in mid-air.

After a brief standoff, Luo Hou suddenly smiled with relief: "Fellow Daoist is indeed quick-witted, which suits my taste perfectly. I do possess a secret concealment technique called the Formless Freedom Method, which can conceal one's aura and hide one's form. If one cultivates it to a high level, one can even simulate one's aura, making it difficult for even a Celestial Being of the same realm to detect it. Upon reaching perfection, it may even be possible to deceive a Celestial Being of a higher realm."

Although Luo Hou's words were moving, Chen Ping'an remained calm and unmoved. Although the Celestial Beings were clear-headed, since it was a transaction, there was bound to be some embellishment and exposition. As for its actual effectiveness, that would only be known after investigation.

As for things like sayings that suit one's taste or personality, just listen to them and let them go.

However, the concealment technique Luo Hou mentioned is exactly what Chen Ping'an needs. He currently possesses the Black Iron Mask, which provides a realistic simulation as a layer of protection to maintain his disguised identity. But even the most careful person can make mistakes; if he relies solely on the Black Iron Mask's abilities, there's no guarantee that he won't make a mistake one day and suffer a severe setback.

In such a situation, he naturally needed to make preparations in advance. Now that he had entered the Celestial Realm, the martial arts practitioners he came into contact with would inevitably become more and more advanced. He could still conceal his abilities now, but when he truly encountered a powerful cultivator at the Hidden Radiance Realm in the future, the realistic simulation of the Black Profound Iron Mask would be a real test.

While it may not be possible to completely conceal the truth, relying solely on this method is somewhat inadequate.

Now that Luo Hou has made this secret technique deal, Chen Ping'an naturally wants to verify it.

To show his sincerity, Luo Hou brought a summary of the secret technique for Chen Ping'an to examine. After examining it, Chen Ping'an found no obvious flaws.

However, based on this, he still remained cautious and demanded that the kernel be adjusted and reviewed again.

Chen Ping'an had expected Luo Hou to make some excuses, but to his surprise, Luo Hou agreed readily. He fulfilled Chen Ping'an's wish and reorganized the document.

“Fellow Daoist is indeed cautious, but it’s better to be cautious with such secret techniques,” Luo Hou said with a smile. As he spoke, the gray mist rippled slightly, faintly revealing the outline of his body.

Chen Ping'an checked a second time but found nothing.

However, he had already made a basic judgment about this matter when Luo Hou readily agreed. If the other party wanted to trick him, they would not have agreed so readily if they thought there might be a problem.

"How would you like to trade, fellow Daoist?" Without much hesitation, Chen Ping'an prepared to trade the item.

Regardless of whether this secret technique is as miraculous as Luo Hou described, he does need such a technique now.

"If you possess a treasured artifact to protect your path, we can certainly make a proper trade," Luo Hou said tentatively, making an exorbitant demand.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, if you are so insincere, then I will pretend I never mentioned it," Chen Ping'an said coldly, as if he were ready to leave at the slightest disagreement.

"Fellow Daoist Qi Jin, please don't be angry. Everything can be discussed." Luo Hou said with a smile, "If you have other things that can move me, that's fine with me. If the value is not enough, I will also take out other things to compensate you."

A series of transactions and negotiations inevitably involve various parties.

Chen Ping'an had his doubts and tried his best to lower the price. Luo Hou mentioned the advantages of the secret technique, but he didn't budge an inch.

Just as the two were locked in a heated discussion and the deal was at a standstill, Luo Hou's words subtly changed the situation.

"Fellow Daoist Qi Jin, such a price is far too low. Although the Formless Freedom Technique is called a secret art, it is derived from a true treasure scroll, and its value is extremely rare and extraordinary. If one can cultivate it to a high level, it is fully worthy of the name of a fragment of a treasure scroll. In addition, the secret art in my possession still has some residual artistic conception, which is also quite valuable. Fellow Daoist, such a price is far too much of an underestimation of this technique."

The atmosphere surrounding Luo Hou's words seemed to indicate dissatisfaction with Chen Ping'an's offer.

"Fragments of a precious scroll? Remnants of its artistic conception?"

Chen Ping'an's heart stirred, and his mind suddenly opened up.

"Fellow Daoist Luo, is this truly the truth?"

"Genuine, without a doubt!" Luo Hou said with certainty.

“In that case, I can offer a 10% premium to make this deal with you, fellow Daoist,” Chen Ping’an said, seemingly with sincerity.

"One-tenth isn't enough, it needs to be at least fifty percent!"

"Fellow Daoist, you are being far too ruthless! At most, one and a half percent!"

The two engaged in a game of strategy and communication for a long time.

Ultimately, Chen Ping'an acquired this secret technique of concealment by trading it for a 25% discount.

"In this transaction, Fellow Daoist Qi Jin has truly made a killing," Luo Hou said sullenly, seemingly unwilling to accept defeat. "After this transaction, I have lost at least tens of thousands of yuan in crystals!"

"Tens of thousands of yuan crystals?" Chen Ping'an sneered, "If Fellow Daoist Luo is not satisfied, there is no need to make the transaction."

"So be it." Luo Hou sighed, his tone seemingly relieved: "Consider the difference in this transaction as my apology."

Chen Ping'an snorted twice but said nothing more.

When they finally obtained the jade scroll containing the secret technique from Luo Hou, after examining it, they found that it did indeed contain some traces of the inherited meaning, though insignificant, it was definitely there.

After checking everything, Chen Ping'an finally felt relieved.

"It truly embodies a profound artistic conception." Chen Ping'an felt reassured and a sense of excitement rose within him.

For him, secret techniques and cultivation methods are different. Even if they are both cultivation methods, whether or not there is any lingering artistic conception is a completely different concept.

If even the slightest trace of artistic conception remains, it would be of entirely different value to him.

The difference lies not only in the time and energy saved, but also in the substantial significance of avoiding many detours.

With a grasp of the essence, he could easily master the methods of cultivation by using the cultivation panel.

With perfect and flawless practice, one can directly reach the state of perfection.

Such significance is enough to make countless practitioners dream of it.

As Luo Hou said, this deal was a huge profit.

The transaction was completed, with both money and goods exchanged, bringing the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

In this transaction, Chen Ping'an traded the White Bone Secret Technique, the Withered Tree Everlasting Technique, and nearly 50,000 Yuan Crystals as compensation for a substantial fourth-tier water-based treasure mine, as well as the Concealment Secret Technique derived from the True Skill Scroll.

To be precise, it is not merely a concealment technique, but a fragment of a precious scroll that carries a hint of artistic conception.

The fragments of the precious scroll were used to conceal and disguise, and to simulate the aura.

Once he comprehends the essence of the concept, he can easily apply it, combining it with the Black Iron Mask for concealment and simulation.

The efficiency is so high that it is hard for outsiders to imagine.

In this transaction, Chen Ping'an's available cash flow rapidly declined, falling to 70,000 yuan worth of crystals. Furthermore, all the resources and bargaining chips he had prepared for the transaction were basically exhausted.

However, Chen Ping'an was still extremely satisfied with what he had gained.

Especially after confirming the existence of the concept of inheritance.

With the transaction completed, Chen Ping'an felt relieved and intended to cultivate secret techniques and comprehend their essence.

Given his circumstances, as long as he can add it to his cheat system, even with just a little cultivation experience, it will be enough for him to master this secret technique in the shortest amount of time.

Even if one hasn't yet entered the basics of cultivation, as long as one is on the right track, one can use it simply. Once one has entered the basics, one has essentially mastered it, and normal use will be without any obstacles.

Just as Chen Ping'an was about to leave, Luo Hou's voice rang out from within the gray mist.

"Fellow Taoist, please wait."

Chen Ping'an stopped and looked back, his expression calm and his eyes cold.

The scene froze for a moment.

Hula~
The wind howled, carrying a hint of chill.

(End of this chapter)