Bai Zichen finally understood why this Snake Scale Bracelet was named the Eight-Sided Soaring Snake Mirror.

"Let’s see the next one."

Bai Zichen remained noncommittal, offering no opinion.

Zhi Lang brought over the second wooden box. Inside lay a light piece of inner armor. It felt like silk but was much more resilient.

"The Hundred-Refined Celestial Silk Robe, a High-Grade Defensive Magical Artifact, is Immune to Water and Fire. When worn, it can absorb a portion of the damage meant for its master."

Zhi Lang rubbed two fingers together, and a raging fire rolled back and forth over the Hundred-Refined Celestial Silk Robe, emitting an astonishingly high temperature.

But the inner armor remained completely unchanged in the flames.

’Interesting!’

Bai Zichen’s expression flickered. This defensive magical artifact was different from the common ones on the market.

It served as a cultivator’s last line of defense, minimizing damage from attacks that were impossible to evade.

’I wonder just how much damage it can absorb?’

"Against attacks at the Qi Refining level, the Hundred-Refined Celestial Silk Robe can absorb at least forty percent of the impact. But against higher-level attacks, it has little effect. A casual magic spell from a Foundation Establishment Elder might exceed the robe’s threshold and tear it apart directly."

"This Hundred-Refined Celestial Silk Robe has no extra Magical Power drain when worn, making it perfect as a cultivator’s secondary defensive magical artifact. If you’re interested, fellow Daoist, I can certainly give you a discount."

Zhi Lang gave the Hundred-Refined Celestial Silk Robe a shake and asked with some urgency.

This branch of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion mainly sold low-tier goods. He personally couldn’t even sell two High-Grade Magical Artifacts in a month.

"Let me see the last item before I decide."

Bai Zichen had already formed an opinion on the pros and cons of the two magical artifacts.

"Very well. But this final, showpiece magical artifact is quite expensive. You should be prepared, fellow Daoist."

Zhi Lang took a deep breath and slowly pushed open the third wooden box.

If Bai Zichen hadn’t given him the impression of having an extraordinary bearing, unlike someone from a minor sect, he wouldn’t have even brought out the showpiece.

A Peak-Grade Magical Artifact was not something an ordinary Qi Refining Cultivator could afford.

Some Great Foundation Establishment Cultivators who had only recently broken through might still be using Peak-Grade Magical Artifacts.

"The Red Cover Treasure Pearl Umbrella, a Peak-Grade Magical Artifact!"

A small umbrella, about a foot long, lay quietly inside. Its canopy was as red as the blazing sun, and its ribs were forged from thousand-year Cold Iron.

Several rows of bright pearls were strung across the canopy, dazzling the eye.

"You should be aware, fellow Daoist, that the main materials of every Peak-Grade Magical Artifact meet the standards for refining a Spiritual Artifact. These types of magical artifacts are only formed when something goes wrong during the refining process, or when they are intentionally demoted to achieve a special effect."

"This Red Cover Treasure Pearl Umbrella was created by an Artifact Refining Master in imitation of the famous magical treasure, the Primordial Pearl Umbrella. It is strung with twelve Fire-Extinguishing Beads, twelve Water-Repelling Beads, twelve emeralds, twelve Radiant Bright Pearls, twelve Wind-Stabilizing Beads..."

Zhi Lang ran his hands over the strings of pearls, causing them to jingle. A look of intense longing filled his eyes. He daydreamed about this Peak-Grade Magical Artifact every single day.

But on a merchant’s income, a Peak-Grade Magical Artifact was like a flower in a mirror or the moon’s reflection in water—something he could see but never touch.

"The Artifact Refining Master originally crafted it for his direct grandson, spending a massive amount of Spiritual Artifact-level materials and pouring his heart and soul into it, giving this Peak-Grade Magical Artifact a low activation cost."

"Its power is infinitely close to that of a Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact, but its Magical Power consumption is even lower than a typical Peak-Grade Magical Artifact."

"If not for the fact that his grandson died unexpectedly just after the artifact was completed, the Artifact Refining Master, heartbroken at the sight of it, would never have put it up for consignment in the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion."

Zhi Lang formed a seal with his fingers and pointed. The Red Cover Treasure Pearl Umbrella flew up and hovered above his head, spinning smoothly. The strings of bright pearls swayed, creating a crisp, cascading chime.

A red light descended, enveloping Zhi Lang’s entire body. At the same time, each string of Treasure Beads condensed a wisp of brilliance that swirled around the red light.

"Once the Red Cover Treasure Pearl Umbrella is activated, it provides complete, 360-degree protection with no blind spots. Furthermore, each of the sixty Treasure Beads is engraved with a miniature Spirit Gathering Array, allowing them to automatically store Spiritual Qi over time."

"Even if your Magical Power is completely depleted, the Treasure Beads alone can power the artifact for at least the time it takes an incense stick to burn."

"As for its defensive power, feel free to test it, fellow Daoist. I dare say that no attack below the Late-Stage of Qi Refining could break this basic barrier, even after several hours of trying."

Zhi Lang’s expression was one of captivated pride, as if the Red Cover Treasure Pearl Umbrella were his own magical artifact.

Bai Zichen suppressed the urge to activate his Ink Bamboo Sword and strike the red barrier.

Instead, he raised his hand and sent a string of Fire Thunder Beads blasting toward the Red Cover Treasure Pearl Umbrella.

Under his deliberate control, dozens of Fire Thunder Beads bombarded the same single point like a cannonade.

But the red barrier didn’t even tremble. It was like a clay ox entering the sea—the attack vanished without a single ripple.

Bai Zichen now had a clear understanding. At only thirty percent of its power, the Red Cover Treasure Pearl Umbrella’s defense already far surpassed that of the Golden Light Sun Bracelet.

And this was nowhere near the umbrella’s limit.

"Give me a price for all three magical artifacts."

Bai Zichen said, his expression calm.

"You’ve appraised all three magical artifacts, fellow Daoist. Each is a masterpiece, so the prices, of course, won’t be cheap..."

Zhi Lang put away the three wooden boxes, his spirits lifting. He was ready for a great battle of haggling.

"The Eight-Sided Soaring Snake Mirror, three hundred Spirit Stones."

"The Hundred-Refined Celestial Silk Robe, two hundred and eighty Spirit Stones."

"The Red Cover Treasure Pearl Umbrella, eight hundred Spirit Stones!"

Bai Zichen’s expression turned a bit strange. Even though he had already estimated the three artifacts would be expensive, these prices still exceeded his expectations.

"Aren’t your Pavilion’s prices a bit too high? A High-Grade Magical Artifact in the Market usually goes for around two hundred Spirit Stones."

"And the price for the Peak-Grade one is even more ridiculous! Not even a Tier One Flying Sword sells for that much!"

Bai Zichen had originally thought he was reasonably wealthy and could afford to splurge for once. He never expected to have that illusion shattered so quickly, reminding him that he was still just a poor cultivator.

"The fine items in the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion can’t be compared to the Standard Magical Artifacts from outside. I trust that you chose our establishment because you believe in our quality, fellow Daoist."

Zhi Lang said with a smile. Seeing that Bai Zichen was only slightly surprised by the price and hadn’t immediately turned to leave, he knew the deal was still on the table.

"The materials used for the Red Cover Treasure Pearl Umbrella are more than enough to refine a Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact, so this price is very reasonable. Besides, while some Wood Element Flying Swords in the Market might be a bit cheaper, a normal Tier One Flying Sword costs six to seven hundred Spirit Stones anyway. The difference isn’t that great."

The corner of Bai Zichen’s mouth twitched. His own Ink Bamboo Sword had just been incidentally disparaged.

"Give me a real price. If it’s reasonable, I’ll take one of them today."

"The Soaring Snake Mirror for two-eighty, the Celestial Silk Robe for two-fifty, and the Treasure Pearl Umbrella for seven-fifty... This is the absolute bottom price. If it weren’t for the sake of making a friend of you, fellow Daoist, I would never quote such a price."

Zhi Lang gritted his teeth and quoted another price, looking very reluctant.

"The Celestial Silk Robe and the Treasure Pearl Umbrella, I’ll take both... for eight hundred Spirit Stones. That’s my final offer!"

Bai Zichen didn’t even blink as he slashed the price again.

"Fellow Daoist, you must be joking! At that price, my Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion would be taking a loss! It’s absolutely impossible to sell..."

Zhi Lang shot up as if someone had stepped on his tail, waving his hands frantically.