1514 The Pinnacle of Swords

Before people arrived at his store, Tian Qiyuan created a large sign that read, "Those who have my desired materials may enter the store immediately. Those who do not have priority must wait outside until their number is called."

"There are jade slips with numbers on it beside this sign. Take the number in the front and wait for your turn. I will have at most 10 customers at a time, excluding those with priority and with my desired materials."

"Every customer will only be allowed one commission request in their lifetime."

"Fighting is not allowed near the store, or you will be put on the blacklist. Those on the blacklist will not be able to receive my service."

"Those with a jade slip may sell their slot, but others are prohibited from threatening those with a jade slip to sell. If you pressure or force someone to sell their jade slip, you will be put on the blacklist."

When the first customer arrived, he grabbed the jade slip that read 'one' and waited for his turn. Seconds later, another individual showed up.

In less than one minute, all ten jade slips had been acquired with the people who came after feeling dejected. However, they didn't immediately leave and tried to purchase the jade slip from those who had one.

Unsurprisingly, none of the 10 individuals with a slot were willing to sell it, so the others quickly gave up and waited for the next day's slots.

Tian Qiyuan waited half a day for someone with his desired materials to show up. When nobody did, he called in the first customer.

"What kind of weapon do you want?" Tian Qiyuan asked.

"I would like a spear."

"Do you have a specific design in mind? What about its grade and quality?"

"I do. It's right here. How much would it cost for one at the peak-quality Ancient-grade?"

After taking a look at the design, Tian Qiyuan gave the man an estimate of the price.

"I understand. I have the money and materials right here. When will you begin the commission?"

"I will start right now. You can expect the spear to be ready in an hour."

"That fast?!" The man almost couldn't believe his ears.

Most blacksmiths would require months of work to craft an Ancient-grade weapon, after all.

"Yes, it'll be done in an hour." Tian Qiyuan reaffirmed.

The man nodded and left the store, which consisted of one small reception room and the rest being a smithy.

An hour later, Tian Qiyuan called the man back into the store and showed him the finished product.

"A-amazing…" The man was at a loss for words.

"C-can I touch it?" he then asked.

"That depends. Do you accept this result? If you do, you'll need to pay the full amount before you can have it."

"I accept!" The man retrieved the rest of the payment and handed it to Tian Qiyuan.

"It's all yours." Tian Qiyuan gestured at the beautiful red spear.

The man grabbed the spear with trembling hands and muttered, "This is exactly what I envisioned! No… it's even better than I imagined!"

Tian Qiyuan then said, "It doesn't have a name yet, and that will be your responsibility."

After completing his first commission, Tian Qiyuan walked outside and showed everyone the jade slip with the number 'one' in his grasp and said, "If you want this, you can go get it."

He proceeded to flick the jade slip, shooting it into the distance.

Those who reacted the fastest were the first to chase after it, with the others following behind, quickly emptying the place beside the other nine already with a jade slip.

"Number two, you may follow me inside." Tian Qiyuan said a moment later.

Over the next several months, Tian Qiyuan focused on his commissions, amassing a tremendous amount of wealth.

He also accepted several priority commissions from those who offered him the material that he was looking for.

Once a year had passed since his meeting with Zi Xuan, Tian Qiyuan closed the store down temporarily.

"If you already have a jade slip, you can keep it with you until I reopen the store."

Tian Qiyuan disappeared after saying these words. Content © .

He made his way to the same location as last time and waited for Zi Xuan to invite him to her world.

Zi Xuan showed up shortly after his arrival, but she looked a little grumpy for some reason.

"Is something wrong?" he asked her.

"I thought I would be your first, but you ended up creating other treasures before mine even started!" she said, displeased that she wasn't the first to have a custom weapon by him.

"While I didn't complete your sword first, you are still my first customer, and your sword was my first custom design, so it's still technically my first custom creation," he said.

Zi Xuan fell silent when she couldn't argue with his logic, eventually bringing him into her world.

"Here are all of the materials you requested." Zi Xuan pointed at the materials neatly placed outside her living quarters.

"Where are you going to make the weapon?"

"For Mystic-grade treasures, I have to do it inside my world," he said.

"Oh? Do you think I can come watch?" she asked out of curiosity, but she was prepared to be refused.

Tian Qiyuan did not immediately respond and pondered for a moment.

Seeing this as an opportunity, Zi Xuan quickly continued, "I actually have another material that was on your list. I'll give it to you for free if you let me watch."

"Alright, I'll let you watch." Tian Qiyuan nodded.

"Why are you collecting so many precious materials anyway?"

"Since you are my first customer, I'll tell you." Tian Qiyuan smiled behind his mask and said, "I am planning on creating a masterpiece—a sword that surpasses even Celestial-grade treasures! The pinnacle of all swords!"

"T-the pinnacle of all swords…?" Zi Xuan swallowed nervously as she stared at him with a dazed expression on her face.