Chapter 68

It must be said that the items in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion were indeed numerous. After careful selection, Zhuge Xiang managed to pick out a few pieces of equipment he needed: a defensive magical belt, which allowed him to take off the storage belt given by his mother, as the storage ring he obtained from Zixiang had a larger capacity.

In addition to the belt, Zhuge Xiang also upgraded his one-star upper garment to a three-star one, a one-star ring to a three-star magical item, and two one-star wrist guards to two-star bracelets. He also had the three-star leg armor given by Lu Yuling. With this, Zhuge Xiang's equipment was finally complete. In just half a month since joining the Asura Sect, he had gathered a full set of magical equipment, significantly enhancing his overall strength by at least two to three levels. After reviewing the attributes of his equipment, Zhuge Xiang nodded in satisfaction, very pleased with the results.

- Demon Bear Armor (Three-star Magical Item): Requires Qi Cultivation Level 6, Defense 38-46, Unique Passive: Maximum HP +100, Durability 30/33, Weight 9.

- Strong Attack Ring (Three-star Magical Item): Requires Qi Cultivation Level 6, Attack 20-26, Unique Passive: Attack Speed +25%, Durability 24/26, Weight 1.

- Fierce Bear Ring (Two-star Magical Item): Attack 18-26, Passive: 10% chance to critically hit when striking a vital point, Durability 18/19, Weight 1.

- Golden Bracelet (Two-star Magical Item): Defense 18-26, Passive: Defense +5%, Durability 22/22, Weight 2.

- Light Spirit Bracelet (Two-star Magical Item): Defense 16-24, Passive: Attack Speed +10%, Durability 20/20, Weight 2.

- Poison Resistance Necklace (Three-star Magical Item): Requires Qi Cultivation Level 6, Attack 12-18, Unique Active: Suppresses poisoning effects for one day for two-star and below, effects halved for each level above two-star, Durability 30/38, Weight 2.

- Life Belt (Two-star Magical Item): Requires Qi Cultivation Level 4, Defense 14-18, Unique Passive: Maximum HP +60, Durability 18/18, Weight 3.

- Corrosive Leg Armor (Three-star Magical Item): Requires Qi Cultivation Level 6, Defense 30-40, Unique Passive: Reduces enemy defense by 10% within a 10-meter radius, Durability 30/30, Weight 6.

- Slashing Blade (Two-star Magical Item): Attack 32-40, Attack Speed +15, Passive: Cuts through the enemy's skin, causing bleeding, reducing the target's HP by 1% per second for 20 seconds, ineffective against those above the Body Tempering stage, stackable, Durability 38/40, Weight 13.

- Star Chasing Boots (One-star Magical Item): Defense 3-6, Passive: Increases movement speed by 30%, Durability 27/38, Weight 6.

- Frost Headband (One-star Magical Item): Defense 8-10, Unique Active: Reduces enemy movement speed by 20% within a 10-meter radius for 10 seconds, cooldown 600 seconds.

- Flowing Cloud Cape (One-star Magical Item): Defense 8-12, Passive: Grants a shield that absorbs 20 points of damage if not attacked or using skills for 30 seconds, Durability 28/35, Weight 3.

This was Zhuge Xiang's equipment. At a glance, it was absolutely luxurious for a new disciple, mostly consisting of two-star and three-star magical items. Such a set of equipment was rare even among disciples at the Body Tempering stage. This did not include the Hundred-Refined Bow and Blocking Blade kept in his storage. With a full set of magical equipment, despite his young age, Zhuge Xiang exuded a sense of grandeur when standing in the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

The Corrosive Leg Armor was given by Lu Yuling, with excellent effects. The Life Belt was also very powerful, costing Zhuge Xiang 800 spirit stones. The three-star leather armor cost him 1800, the ring 1000, and the two bracelets 1900. This set of equipment updates cost him over 5500 spirit stones, reducing his total by more than half.

The Star Chasing Boots, Frost Headband, and Flowing Cloud Cape were all one-star magical items, but their effects were very strong, not inferior to two-star items. Therefore, Zhuge Xiang did not intend to replace them. The main reason was that he could not find anything more satisfactory. After spending over 5000 spirit stones, Zhuge Xiang continued to select items. Although money was spent quickly, the ability to convert it into strength made it worth it.

The Hundred Treasures Pavilion was large, and in a secluded area, Zhuge Xiang saw a pile of randomly placed items. They were not equipment or medicines but mostly materials and strange items, like things left in a corner. Out of curiosity, Zhuge Xiang asked Jin Buhuan, "Senior Brother Jin, what are these things?"

"These require your discernment. When we acquire them, they are cheap, or they are add-ons. Some items we cannot determine their effects and functions, so they are piled here. However, the prices are relatively low," Jin Buhuan replied with a smile.

"Discernment?" Zhuge Xiang's eyes lit up slightly upon hearing this.

Although Zhuge Xiang was not an appraiser, the system's function automatically displayed information for three-star and below magical items. Although it could not identify artifacts, these items might contain a few valuable ones.

With a treasure-hunting mindset, Zhuge Xiang carefully examined the items in the corner, which were relatively cheap but whose effects and functions Jin Buhuan did not know. Most items had no value, but Zhuge Xiang did find a few good ones.

A wooden plaque with ancient and mysterious patterns, slightly heavy, about the size of a palm but weighing no less than twenty pounds. Zhuge Xiang could not identify what it was, and its name was a question mark, with unknown functions.

Even the name was unknown? A good item. Even the artifact-level storage ring he had could be identified by its quality and name. This wooden plaque, though not expected to be an artifact, was likely not simple.

A black stone, not particularly special but extremely hard. Zhuge Xiang could see it was a casting material called Iron Essence Heart, but its specific effects were unknown. He also kept it.

The most valuable was a yellow talisman paper. The yellow talisman paper, with red arrays drawn in cinnabar, gave a sense of profound mystery. When Zhuge Xiang picked it up, Jin Buhuan mentioned that it was likely a talisman, but no one could determine its effect. It could be a powerful offensive talisman, a supportive one, or even a terrifying one that could kill the user. The price was high, but the effect was uncertain.

- Sky Talisman (Special Consumable): Requires Qi Cultivation Level 1, grants flight ability, reduces movement speed by 50%, lasts 100 seconds.

This was the only item Zhuge Xiang found valuable and could see its information. The mysterious wooden plaque, Iron Essence Heart, and the Sky Talisman were purchased for 600, 700, and 2000 spirit stones, respectively. After buying these items, Zhuge Xiang had no further use for anything else, and his 10,000 spirit stones were reduced to just over 1000. Zhuge Xiang turned and left the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

"Truly, it feels like I'm back to where I started," Zhuge Xiang shook his head, looking at the 1000+ spirit stones left in his storage ring.

However, Zhuge Xiang believed in the philosophy that money spent would return. He was not heartbroken, especially since his new equipment significantly enhanced his strength. With this set of equipment and the Qi Force protection, Zhuge Xiang had the confidence to face second-tier low-grade demonic beasts, and first-tier demonic beasts were no longer a threat.

With his current strength, comparable to the Body Tempering stage, he could easily handle higher-level monsters. Zhuge Xiang was eager to go down the mountain again, believing that with his current strength, he could quickly advance to the Body Tempering stage.

The average defense provided by his two-star magical equipment was over 140, equivalent to a Steel Secret Medicine. With the Qi Force protection, his defense approached 300 points. Zhuge Xiang believed that this level of defense was comparable to when he caused chaos on Green Willow Peak.

With a full set of magical equipment, Zhuge Xiang exuded a stronger presence. Carrying the Slashing Blade diagonally on his shoulder, walking on the suspension bridge, the Flowing Cloud Cape fluttered slightly. Seeing Zhuge Xiang return, the disciples on Green Bamboo Peak stood in awe, especially when they saw his complete set of magical equipment, their eyes filled with shock, jealousy, and admiration.

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...*

In Niu Geng's courtyard, sharp whistling sounds filled the air. A wooden statue stood tall, and Niu Geng's hands moved swiftly, launching various types of hidden weapons: darts, bone-piercing needles, throwing knives...

These hidden weapons flew straight or in arcs, and Niu Geng's hands moved rapidly, launching them at high speed. Whether they flew straight or in arcs, their final target was the wooden statue in the courtyard. Zhuge Xiang recognized this as the hidden weapon technique, Heavenly Flower Scattering, which Niu Geng had copied from the Martial Arts Pavilion.

The wooden statue was covered in hidden weapons, and the courtyard was piled with hundreds of completely destroyed wooden statues. Zhuge Xiang nodded in approval. Although the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill had improved his physique, Niu Geng also understood the importance of effort. From Niu Geng's aura, Zhuge Xiang could tell he had broken through to the second level of Qi Cultivation.

"I got a storage ring, so this belt is no longer needed," after Niu Geng finished practicing, Zhuge Xiang handed him the storage belt he had taken off.

Niu Geng extended his purple-black hand to receive the storage belt and smiled sincerely, "Given our relationship, I won't thank you. Just be careful; Zhang Kuang from Green Willow Peak broke through to the Body Tempering stage a few days ago."