Chapter Eight: Selling Martial Arts Techniques

Better safe than sorry; Qin Lang did not want to reveal his identity over a mere martial technique.

Lanyue Tower was located in the heart of Qingfeng Town. As the largest commercial firm in the area, it dealt in weapons, martial techniques, cultivation methods, and more. Rumor had it that the establishment belonged to the Xue family, the second most powerful clan in the Zongheng Empire, and thus possessed an incredibly formidable background.

Standing before the tower’s entrance, which was a full ten meters wide, Qin Lang watched the endless stream of martial artists coming and going and couldn't help but inwardly marvel at how bustling the business was.

Stepping into the main hall, Qin Lang was greeted by a space nearly a thousand square meters in size, decorated with such splendor that it perfectly displayed the immense financial power of the tower.

"Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"

A female attendant in a professional uniform approached with a practiced smile. Because so many martial artists visited Lanyue Tower and wished to keep their identities secret, she was well accustomed to seeing patrons like Qin Lang, who was draped from head to toe in a black robe.

"I have a martial technique to sell," Qin Lang replied in a deep, disguised middle-aged voice.

"The appraisal room is in Room 3. It is currently unoccupied, so you may go right in. Our staff is inside."

The attendant guided him to the door of Room 3 before turning to leave.

"What is the grade of the technique you wish to sell?" a man’s cold voice asked as Qin Lang stepped inside.

"High-level Yellow Rank," Qin Lang answered flatly.

"What! High-level Yellow Rank!" The man, who had spoken so coldly moments ago, let out a sharp cry and stood up abruptly.

There were only four high-level Yellow Rank techniques in all of Qingfeng Town, and yet this man in the black robe had come to sell one right off the bat! What a massive deal!

The man could no longer remain composed. His tone became much more respectful as he bowed and said, "Distinguished guest, my expertise is insufficient to appraise a technique of such a high grade. Please, wait a moment; I shall go and fetch the person in charge of Lanyue Tower to assist you."

"Very well," Qin Lang nodded. The man hurriedly left the room.

A short while later, the door opened, and the man returned, bowing as he followed a young woman in white into the room.

The young woman had a flawless figure, a delicate, elegant nose, large eyes, and arched, willow-like brows. Her beauty was on par with Ye Keqing’s, making her exceptionally stunning. Unlike Ye Keqing, however, she exuded an approachable air that felt like a spring breeze, instantly making one feel favorably toward her.

"My name is Xue Qianyao, and I am the person in charge of Lanyue Tower." The young woman offered a sweet smile, revealing two dimples at the corners of her mouth.

"This is the technique I wish to sell." Qin Lang reached into his robes and placed the *Great Vajra Palm* manual on the table in front of them.

"Very well, I shall appraise it for you now!" Xue Qianyao picked up the manual, her slender, jade-like fingers flipping it open. Her gaze fell upon the content, and she became completely absorbed in her meticulous appraisal.

As her beautiful eyes scanned the pages, a storm of shock surged within her heart. She had seen countless high-level Yellow Rank techniques in her life, but none were as perfect as the one she held in her hands.

After a full hour, Xue Qianyao finally finished. She looked up, her gaze meeting Qin Lang’s as he remained shrouded in his black robe. "This is indeed a high-level Yellow Rank technique. What price do you intend to sell it for?"

"Let’s go with the market price," Qin Lang said. Although he knew a high-level Yellow Rank technique was valuable, he didn't know the exact figure, so he tossed the question back to her.

"This technique of yours is different from the ones we usually handle. You must understand that currently, only the four great families in all of Qingfeng Town possess such high-level techniques. The appearance of your manual will cause a massive sensation throughout the town; many factions, including those four families, will undoubtedly go mad for it."

"We will pay you a deposit of 200,000 silver pieces upfront. Your technique will be put up for auction in three days' time. You may come back then to collect the remainder of the proceeds. We only charge a ten percent commission. How does that sound?"

After a moment of contemplation, Xue Qianyao made her proposal. Typically, Lanyue Tower charged a twenty percent commission; by asking for only ten, she was clearly trying to curry favor with Qin Lang.

*Hiss... A single high-level Yellow Rank technique is worth that much!* Qin Lang drew a sharp breath. The deposit alone was 200,000 silver—that was equivalent to the entire annual profit of one of the four great families! It seemed he wouldn't have to worry about the cost of Soul Condensing Pills before the start of the Tianfeng Mountain youth trials.

"Fine. It’s a deal," Qin Lang said, suppressing his inner excitement as he nodded.

"Here are 200,000 silver banknotes. Please count them." Xue Qianyao produced a storage bag from her waist, and with a flick of her wrist, the banknotes appeared in her slender, white hand.

"I shall take my leave," Qin Lang said after checking the money.

"Allow me to see you out!" Xue Qianyao stood up and walked gracefully beside him, escorting him all the way to the main entrance of Lanyue Tower.

The man from earlier was left stunned, his jaw practically hitting the floor. Xue Qianyao had incredibly high standards; this was the first time in the two years she had been at Lanyue Tower that she had personally escorted a guest out!

"Miss, would you like me to follow him and investigate his background?"

Once Xue Qianyao returned to her office, a gray shadow slowly emerged from the previously empty room behind her.

"No need. To be able to produce a high-level Yellow Rank technique, he is certainly no ordinary person. He went to the trouble of concealing his face because he did not want to reveal his identity. Do not ruin our family’s reputation or offend a guest," Xue Qianyao said with a light reprimand.

"Your subordinate was rash," the shadow replied, bowing its head in admission.

A glint of curiosity flashed in Xue Qianyao's eyes. She, too, was wondering: who exactly was this mysterious man in the black robe?

After leaving Lanyue Tower, Qin Lang found a secluded spot. Once he was certain he was alone, he removed the black robe, changed back into his original clothes, and headed straight for the Soul-Testing Tower of Qingfeng Town.

His black Eye-Wheel Martial Soul was far too mysterious and powerful; he was dying to know what star-level it was, so he decided to test it before purchasing his Soul Condensing Pills.

The Soul-Testing Tower was a place specifically designed to help martial artists test the star-level of their martial souls. In the Zongheng Empire, these towers were entirely under the control of the Imperial Family.

Soon, Qin Lang stopped before a seven-story, white tower. This was the Qingfeng Town branch. Two armored guards armed with long spears stood at attention on either side of the entrance, their eyes fixed straight ahead.

Ten years ago, it was right here that Qin Lang had tested as having a six-star Fire Dragon Martial Soul, earning him the title of the greatest genius Qingfeng Town had seen in centuries.

At this moment, the entrance was bustling with people as many martial artists arrived to test their souls. Qin Lang followed the flow of the crowd and stepped into the main hall.

"Hey, isn't that Qin Lang, the town's famous good-for-nothing?"

"What is he doing here? Is he here to test his soul?"

"Maybe he wants to test it again to confirm he's truly trash! Hahaha!"

Qin Lang was a "celebrity" in Qingfeng Town now. The moment he entered the hall, waves of mocking and jeering laughter erupted from the crowd around him.