Chapter 41: Cutting Mountains, or is it tofu?
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The weapon An Shan threw, was quite long.
“This…”
“A glaive?”
Measuring almost three metres, it was not a spear, but a war glaive. With one sharp edge, and heavy appearance. As though it was a ceremonial weapon, it seemed quite new and unused. Had it not for its domineering Qi, the crowd would not expect it to be a Spirit Weapon…
This kind of weapon was not widely used by cultivators.
Since it was long and heavy, even cultivators didn’t like using it. In an everyday confrontation, where one often had to move fast and flee whenever possible, big and chunky weapons were not preferable. However, should there be a war, this kind of weapon was the prime choice. It had length and power. In addition, using Qi, one could increase its range multiple times. A Qi-slash attack would also be stronger than most weapons. In any encounter, an opponent would not dare come close unless they were confident they would not die from its attack.
It was an amazing weapon. However, to put forth this weapon against Royal Heaven and Green Dragon… Everyone was puzzled. Could it be the VIP from that room had no greater weapon? Thinking about it, it was understandable. Both weapons were legendary in Wang Nan, how could they be so easy to compare?
“Ah, I forgot,”
With An Shan snapping his fingers, the weapon hummed in response. As if a heavy burden from it was being lifted, the weapon almost jumped in joy. Its aura spread to the surrounding. A tingling sensation engulfed every single cultivator there. Even experts in those VIP rooms upstairs, jumped from their seats!
“A Masterpiece!”
“E-even I could tell… This one, is better than the Royal Heaven!”
“This feeling… half millennium, at least half millennium!”
“What half a millennium? It’s at least 700 years old,”
“Who’s that senior in the VIP room!”
Hearing the crowd, An Shan frowned.
Did they call this a Masterpiece? Meh, it can be considered ok. Well, thinking about their different perspective, he let it be. People with different experiences regarded things differently. He knew that fact very well. In actuality, the umbrella and this glaive were originally Qi Weapons from Absolute Aegis. In fact, it was still Qi Weapons just two weeks ago. An Shan did not have much time, so he took both of them to sleep, infusing his spirit in the process. It was not quite the usual infusing process, yet it worked. While ordinary cultivators might frown from hearing so, not so for experts in the craft. There were indeed stories and records about eccentric crafters who eat, sleep, and even bathe with their weapons in order for them to absorb their spirit.
“T-the spirit infused within…”
“A War God! Someone who achieved such mastery,”
“Was it the crafter himself? No, impossible,”
“Right, must be from a famous General, hundreds of years ago…”
“Whose spirit infused within?!”
Witnessing this weapon, they thought about who infused his spirit within.
Once a cultivator reached the much-desired stage, Heavenly-Stars, a unique ability was available for them. This ability was called Spirit Infusion, a process by which one could influence corporeal objects with their spirit, allowing them to possess basic sentience. Normally, experts would try to infuse their spirit into Qi weapons of the highest quality, since its inherent quality was important. Quality affected just how effective the end product would be. This Spirit Infusion ability was general knowledge, but not many could utilize it to the extent that experts could call excellent.
Many old cultivators at the Peak of Heavenly Stage had to spend many years to finally turn a Qi weapon into a Spirit Weapon. They spent countless sweat, tears, and blood, experimenting with various ways to cause the weapons to absorb their spirit better. Every Qi weapon had its unique way to absorb spirit faster, thus it was said that there was no definite or ultimate method to produce the very best Spirit Weapon.
It was this daunting task that caused the value of Spirit Weapons to fly up to the heavens!
In this era, while there were many more Heavenly-Stars experts compared to back then, the quality they delivered… could not be said to be the same. Even the quality of Qi Weapons had plummeted. An Shan only found two acceptable Qi Weapons which fit his criteria. And these two were out of ten thousand available in Absolute Aegis’ Qi Armory!
Everyone knew Absolute Aegis had declined from being a Supreme Sect. However, it was still considered a Super-Sect, ruling a nation with over 150 million people. Yet for this Ancestor to only find two Qi Weapons of high quality… An Shan could only shake his head. He made a note to An Hong to contact the crafter of these two Qi Weapons and invited him over. Such a person should be groomed, and not be left to rot into obscurity.
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“Hm, so even a sub-par product like this... Well, all good,”
An Shan felt a bit of relief, though in a weird way. He had a bit of concern, for his preparation might not be enough. Never in his wildest dream, his two weeks work would be considered a 700-year-old Masterpiece!
Thinking about it, while it was weird, it made sense.
The overall quality of Spirit Weapons had declined, so much so that these people never saw those which An Shan even considered as good. With the number of cultivators twenty times more than 2000 years ago, the demand for Spirit Weapons made the price even higher. These elders here were from large sects, but even they did not have much opportunity to expand their knowledge in the craft.
There was never a special offer or discount regarding Spirit Weapons, for their value might even soar in time. As was the case with the sword called Blood Emperor, a Spirit Weapon could generate and further enhance its unique attribute through the wielder’s activity. So as a general rule, many believe that the older the Spirit Weapons were… The better its unique attribute would be!
‘What half millennia! Ancestor slept with these weapons for only half a month,’
Hearing the crowd’s exclamation and the experts’ judgments, Mu-er almost fell to the floor. He had always admired his ancestor, yet hearing them saying about this Spirit Weapon, he felt even deeper admiration. If this one weapon was considered so awesome, what about his Soul Armament? Since he had used it for only six weeks, the real power and ability of his Soul Armament still eluded him. Regarding this, An Shan told them, Blood Warriors, to experiment and get to know their weapons themselves rather than asking him. Thus, Mu-er still could not truly tell the value of his new weapon.
‘If I could have it acknowledge me as its Master, how powerful would that make me?’
Soul Armament was on a whole different level than even top-tier Spirit Weapon. Moreover, it was a Soul Armament made by his own Supreme Ancestor. Thinking about it, he was filled with excitement.
Back to the War Glaive – observing it, the crowd shivered. The existence of such a weapon, their hearts trembled! Looking up to An Shan’s VIP room, one elder from the crowd could not hold back. Clasping his hand in a salute, he asked in utmost respect;
“Senior, this lowly one is Lu Xin, an elder of Yong Tau Sect. May I ask... This weapon, may I ask for its glorious name?”
Hearing his question, everyone stopped their murmur. For such an amazing weapon, surely it had its name spread in at least some part of the continent? Waiting eagerly, they could hear a hum…
“Eh, this one… I name it, alright, Meat Slicer,”
An Shan waved his hand and did not bother thinking anymore. Seeing and hearing him, everyone turned dumb.
He… name it?
Meat Slicer?
…
They were expecting a glorious name, fit for such a grandiose display of might. Yet contrary to expectation, it was… Meat Slicer? Are you serious!
“No, Senior… Surely you jest? Such a great weapon, please bestow upon us its glorious name!”
“That’s right, Senior. Even if we’re not from a super sect or clan-like you do, surely hearing its name… Please honor us with it!”
“Please!”
The other elders joined in the salute, thinking that perhaps they did not show enough interest. Due to this, the senior above did not bother giving them its real name. Perhaps he was thinking, better for them not to know its history and special attributes. Besides, having fewer people know, might be better for the two sellers. Their potential rivals or enemies would not be able to prepare to counter it beforehand. Seeing them saluting him en masse, An Shan’s eyes twitched. He already gave them its name, what, did they think he was making fun of them?
What’s wrong with the name!
“…I said Meat Slicer already. What, you want me to name it Pig Slicer? No way, it’s a little better than a pig slicer so I name it Meat Slicer. Don’t question my naming sense!”
“…”
“…”
The two sellers were also dumbfounded. They had great expectations, but for the senior to throw out a glaive, was unexpected. Their original objective coming here was to secure Spirit Weapons suitable for disciples. A glaive was powerful and more deadly than a sword. However, using it was a lot harder. So a glaive this big was not within their scope… Even their sect’s top disciples could not use one well.
“Sister Na, what do you think?”
“We already have three… All this senior…”
“Still, no matter how good it is, we should remain true to our objective. Having an extra one wouldn’t hurt,”
“I know… I won’t let my greed rule me again, don’t worry.”
“Yes, it’s one powerful weapon, I’m tempted too… but we shouldn’t be greedy, else we’ll disappoint the Matriarch,”
“Un!”
They knew very well. This powerful weapon could not possibly be used by a disciple. Taking that into consideration, they decided to respectfully reject it. Seeing the other offers, the Royal Heaven and Green Dragon seemed more suitable…
As if able to read their mind, An Shan took out a token, throwing it over to their room. Seeing this, Shao Na immediately caught it outside the veil, bringing it in. She infused her Qi in, bringing out images for her sister and herself to see.
“…”
“…H-heavens,”
An image of a young man, holding the glaive while flying amid a thick cloud. It was Mu-er, but with a mask, they could not see his face. They could still sense the fine vibration around him… his cultivation, an expert of Heavenly-Stars Stage like them. Simply swinging it around, he cut through pillar-like mountains in the cloud, severing them in half. As he did, the top of these mountains fell down the bottomless cloud…
Seeing the recording this time, both sisters almost fainted.
That was mountains!
Four, five mountains!
Such sharpness!
Even if it was merely thin towering mountains, not a normal mountain, to cut through them like tofus… No, was that really mountains, and not tofu, shaped like mountains?? Both went blank for a moment… Their mind went on vacation.
When they snapped out of it, they thought, surely this recording was not about Soul Armament? Could this be a joke by this Ancestor?! From the Qi and design of the weapon, they confirmed it to be one and the same!
It did not take another breath before they saluted An Shan, uttering the same line;
““Agree, we agree! We thanked senior for your generosity!””
…
…
Hearing their hurried voice, the crowd turned eh?
The ladies acted as if they were worried that this senior would change his mind in a blink. In addition, while it was not their first time thanking him for generosity, this time, it was stressed out. And only after seeing An Shan waving his hand in response, they breathed out a sigh of relief. Since they were this close to rejecting it before, they were worried they might have offended him.
Seeing their behavior, the crowd blinked. They could see their hesitation just then. They knew, that while the glaive was amazing, not everyone could use it. Perhaps it did not fit their criteria? They were close to rejecting it…
Yet after seeing their act, and for weapons such as Royal Heaven and Green Dragon to be ignored… At the time, everyone thought the same; what devils charmed these two, to change their minds so fast!
Did the token have some charming incantation, effective to grab women’s hearts?
Those charms…
We would like to buy some too!
=== Chapter 41 Ends ===