Li Qi ignored the voice, figuring it wasn't directed at him.
He wasn't adept at using magical artifacts nor did he like relying on external objects. Therefore, these items were useless to him and he could easily exchange them without regret.
Using magical artifacts correctly was a discipline in itself. Without systematic learning and practice, directly using them might lead to counterproductive results.
Magical artifacts also consumed a significant amount of cultivation, similar to how a mortal wielding a giant sword would be exhausted after a few swings if they didn't know how to handle it properly.
Others could simply wait for you to tire yourself out before defeating you with bare hands.
To master such a weapon required extensive practice and adjustment.
Clearly, Li Qi had neither the time nor the need for this.
As a Wu Xi (Shamans and Diviners), he lacked proficiency and necessity for magical artifacts. He had his own suitable tactics...
Frankly, whether or not a Wu Xi practitioner had magical artifacts when facing an enemy up close made little difference.
Therefore, this set of clothing and accessories was something Zhu Fengdan casually gave him for appearances' sake, akin to wearing a suit during a marriage proposal—practically useless otherwise.
Since the proposal had already succeeded, the practical value of these items was gone; selling them to buy jewelry for his wife seemed reasonable.
"I don't have that much cash on hand. Can this place help me exchange it? It should be possible, right?" Li Qi asked.
"Uh... it can be done, but we need to appraise its value. Please wait a moment," the saleswoman hesitated but nodded in agreement.
At that moment, a well-dressed young man rushed over quickly.
"Wait! Sir, would you sell this set of magical artifacts to me?" he shouted as he ran towards Li Qi.
This man looked quite ordinary but was dressed extravagantly.
And flamboyantly.
Despite being male, he wore light pink attire, embroidered splendidly.
If he were handsome, wearing pink would make him charmingly dashing, though somewhat frivolous yet graceful.
However, while not ugly, he wasn't particularly attractive, making the pink outfit seem somewhat sleazy.
Yet, despite his sleaziness, there was a sharpness in his eyes suggesting he shouldn't be underestimated.
He hurried over, "Phew, luckily I caught you. If you're selling this, why not sell it to me?"
"You are...?" Li Qi frowned, finding this person untrustworthy.
"My name is Liu Cen Zhi, just passing by. Seeing you wanting to sell these fine items piqued my interest. Couldn't resist!"
The saleswoman looked uncertain, having never encountered someone interrupting a transaction before.
But... once they finished their deal, she could still get her money, so it worked out.
Li Qi turned to the man, "Without any premium, what difference does it make whether I sell to you or this shopkeeper?"
Liu Cen Zhi, dressed in pink, smiled and bowed, "Sir, you jest. Though traditionally there wouldn't be much premium, they aren't experts and can't fully appreciate your artifacts' true value, potentially undervaluing them. Selling to someone who truly understands their worth would prevent loss."
"Oh? How do you understand their worth?" Li Qi became curious.
Understanding? Understanding what?
He himself didn't know what was special about these items.
But he couldn't admit that, so he feigned contemplation, "Tell me, I'm curious about what you see."
Liu Cen Zhi bowed slightly and approached, "May I touch?"
"Naturally." Li Qi stepped back.
With Tang Kingdom's strict laws, if he tried to run away with the item, he'd face severe consequences. So there was no need to worry about theft; just let him demonstrate.
Liu Cen Zhi suddenly shifted from his playful demeanor to seriousness.
Even his aura changed, becoming solemn, making the pink outfit less frivolous.
He first picked up Li Qi's robe.
The robe was embroidered with hidden dragons and palace gates.
"These two embroidery patterns weren't made by ordinary artisans but infused with qi, almost without any loss!"
"Look at this hidden dragon—it's not a real dragon but transformed from venomous insects. Notice the round scales and snake-like tail, indicating it's a seventh-grade viper dragon. Its qi is potent enough to kill anyone below eighth grade."
"The palace gate paired with the dragon has a historical reference."
"I've heard that in Zhenze's Dongting Mountain, there's a cave filled with green mud where a dragon guards the entrance. Similarly, the viper dragon here protects against poison and water qi."
"This artifact shows clever craftsmanship and understanding of materials, but what makes it truly valuable is the unique crafting technique."
"It's not from Tang Kingdom but likely from Nanzheng, crafted by Wu Dao. The base threads of this robe were woven by insect silk rather than looms, forming a seamless whole."
"The qi infusion isn't ordinary imprinting but involves cultivating a spirit monster within. There's a story about a man named Liu Xuan in Yuecheng who found a mysterious creature in his home. A witch advised him to destroy it before it grew eyes. It turned out to be a pillow from his grandfather's era. This robe similarly cultivates a spirit monster, forming a flawless magical artifact."
"If I could study this robe, it would greatly enhance my crafting skills. It's a rare Wu Dao artifact!"
Liu Cen Zhi spoke passionately, growing more excited until he nearly jumped.
Excitedly, he looked at Li Qi, holding the robe, "Brother, you don't realize how rare this is! Wu Dao rarely crafts artifacts, preferring natural tools. Even those used are mostly personal. Finding one like this is incredibly rare!"
"If you sell these to me, I can fully utilize their potential. Don't exchange them casually; sell them to me!"
Grabbing Li Qi's collar, he seemed almost uncontrollable, switching from addressing him formally to calling him brother.
Li Qi felt embarrassed...
Was it really that rare? While Wu Dao indeed didn't prioritize magical artifacts, they seldom crafted them.
They mostly used naturally existing items, like his innate divine weapon, an eighth-grade golden qi tool, which was effortless to wield.
Regional differences indeed.
When he saw Tang Kingdom's numerous magical artifacts, he was amazed, but to Tang people, it was normal, just as he found his practices normal.
Experiencing another worldview gap, Li Qi shook his head, brushing off the man's hand, "I understand all that... Since it means so much to you, I'll sell it to you. As for price, no change needed—I still want that piece of jade."
Knowing the actual value, exchanging the set for a sixth-grade treasure was already profitable. He originally planned to add the remaining tens of thousands of qi beads.
Now saving the qi beads?
"No, this is too important for just one jade. As a craftsman, trust me to refine this jade into a magical artifact for you!"
"Can you refine sixth-grade artifacts?" Li Qi stared wide-eyed at the flamboyant man.
Seriously?!
How strong was he? Why did True Dao Resonance only show him as eighth grade?
"Just like me..."
"Cough, not yet, but studying this will inspire breakthroughs. With future refining techniques, success is guaranteed!" he boasted confidently.
Li Qi laughed, "No need, just the jade is fine." He maintained his composure.
"But you don't trust me? Do you know who I am? Today, I'm helping because I like you. Normally, people queue for my services!"
Li Qi bowed, "Not distrust, but this item is very important to me. Even without refining it into a magical artifact, I wish to carve it personally for her."
Liu Cen Zhi calmed down, sizing up Li Qi, "If that's the case, I apologize. You're generous and trustworthy. Here's my card. If you need anything in the future, find me, next time free of charge!"
He handed over a card.
Li Qi accepted it.
"Imperial Academy, Craftsman College, Liu Cen Zhi?" Li Qi read aloud.
Classmate?
Reading this, the atmosphere changed.
The saleswoman stared in shock.
An Imperial Academy student?
Many customers looked over, surprised, similar to how the old gentleman reacted upon seeing Li Qi.
Seeing this, Liu Cen Zhi coughed, patting Li Qi's shoulder, "Well then, take care, brother! Payment transferred, confirm on your end, and buy yourself!"
Collecting Li Qi's artifacts, he swiftly left, disappearing into the crowd.
Li Qi disliked attention, glancing around, pocketing the card, transferring funds, grabbing the basketball-sized raw stone, and running!
Even a world passed through his hands unnoticed, sold immediately.
Worlds...
If power-hungry, more worlds meant more resources. But Li Qi had no interest in ruling others or exploiting worlds for resources.
Wu Dao aligned with nature, self-sustaining, needing nothing from outside.
Like Li Qi, he needed no artifacts or external qi, just perfecting his inner world, producing many things, and building his 'Dao'.
Tang Kingdom sought Great Wu practitioners because their inner worlds could create tangible things, consuming cultivation and essence, but recovering over time, turning them into endless 'farms'.
Thus, ruling worlds held no appeal for Li Qi.
This jade was more substantial. Carving it into a hairpin for Rabbit would surely please her.
Before reaching ninth grade, he gifted her a copper wire hairpin in Yixian.
Later, in Clear Mist City, a plain white jade hairpin.
Now, eighth grade, a green jade hairpin.
Following this pattern...
Hoping one day she'd have nine hairpins.
Carrying breakfast, storing the raw stone, Li Qi rushed back to the small courtyard.
Approaching the door, he gently pushed it open.
She hadn't woken yet, morning sunlight illuminating Shen Shuibei.
She seemed to glow.
Eyebrows like crescent moons, lips redder than cherries.
Her hair flowing, fragrant.
Graceful and delicate, swaying lightly in the breeze.
Not overly beautiful, but serene.
Having experienced her serenity, Li Qi found this scene romantically enchanting.
He slapped himself, entering nonchalantly, announcing loudly, "I'm back!"
Shen Shuibei woke, exhaled deeply, getting out of bed.
Without words, she greeted him happily.