Flawless Metropolitan Divine Emperor

Chapter 0032 – Nine Heavens Pendant

"Mr. Liu, welcome to Meilong City," Chu Tianxiong said, shaking hands with the oldest man in the room.

The man appeared to be in his fifties, exuding an extraordinary aura of steadiness. His eyes sparkled with intelligence, indicating he was a smart individual.

His name was Liu Quanming, an antique dealer whose family had been in the business for generations. He possessed many precious items, and numerous influential people sought to buy treasures from him.

Liu Quanming was also known for his shrewdness. As long as the price was right, he would sell without making things difficult for others. This had earned him a good reputation in his circle.

He had come to Meilong City at Chu Tianxiong's invitation, bringing with him something that greatly interested Chu Tianxiong. This urgency had prompted Chu Tianxiong to rush over to meet him.

"Mr. Chu, you're too kind. I've long wanted to visit Meilong City, and this opportunity is a great honor," Liu Quanming replied politely.

However, Jiang Feng's attention was drawn to another man in the room. This man wore a Taoist robe, had fair skin, and a thin, long beard. His demeanor carried an air of superiority.

Moreover, this man exuded an unusual aura, faint but strong enough to handle a dozen burly men without breaking a sweat. Jiang Feng surmised that this man was likely one of those mysterious martial cultivators.

Only such people would possess such an aura.

Next to the Taoist stood a young woman, about twenty years old, yet she carried a mature presence. Dressed in a cheongsam that accentuated her graceful figure, her hair was elegantly pinned up, giving her an air of an ancient beauty.

At her age, one would expect her to be flashy and restless, but she was composed and steady, exuding a maturity beyond her years. Clearly, she was no ordinary person.

"Once we finish our business, I'll have someone show you around Meilong City. All expenses are on me," Chu Tianxiong said generously.

"You're too kind. We'll gladly accept your hospitality," Liu Quanming laughed.

"You've come a long way; it's the least I can do," Chu Tianxiong replied.

"Let me introduce you," Liu Quanming said, gesturing towards the Taoist. "This is Taoist Zhang Shengfan from Dragon and Tiger Mountain. We met while I was traveling in Jiangxi, and we hit it off. I invited him to join me on this trip."

"Oh, a Taoist from Dragon and Tiger Mountain! It's an honor to meet you," Chu Tianxiong said excitedly.

The reputation of Dragon and Tiger Mountain was well-known. It was said that the Taoists there were highly skilled and possessed ancient Taoist arts, such as incense burning for blessings, drawing talismans, and setting up formations. Whether these tales were true or not, no one dared to offend them without proof.

"Mm," Zhang Shengfan nodded slightly, his attitude indifferent.

Chu Tianxiong didn't mind. After all, experts had their own airs.

Jiang Feng glanced at Zhang Shengfan and thought, "No wonder. People from Dragon and Tiger Mountain are descendants of Zhang Daoling, the Celestial Master. In the Immortal Realm, Zhang Daoling was just an Immortal Lord who had to bow before me. His descendants are quite disappointing, not even reaching the Foundation Establishment stage at this age."

Indeed, many people from Earth had ascended to the Immortal Realm over the past five thousand years. Some thrived, while others perished, becoming mere ashes.

Jiang Feng had ascended to the rank of Immortal King in just five hundred years, a rare achievement. Many spent millennia without reaching such heights.

Liu Quanming continued, "This is Miss Le Huadie, who also wants to see the item I brought."

Chu Tianxiong frowned slightly. This meant she was a competitor.

"Mr. Liu, what do you mean by this?" Chu Tianxiong asked, slightly displeased.

"Mr. Chu, don't be upset," Liu Quanming explained. "Everyone wants good things. I can't refuse anyone who wants to see it. Since we're doing business, I thought it would be better for everyone to see it at once. Whoever likes it can make an offer."

Liu Quanming's strategy was clever. More buyers meant higher prices through competition, benefiting him the most.

Business was business, and merchants often compromised their principles for profit.

Since the item belonged to Liu Quanming, Chu Tianxiong couldn't say much. He decided to see the item first.

"Alright, let's not waste time. Show us what you brought," Chu Tianxiong said, getting straight to the point.

"Of course, but..." Liu Quanming glanced at Jiang Feng and the others, cautious about the number of people present.

"Mr. Liu, don't worry. These are not outsiders," Chu Tianxiong began introducing them. "This is my granddaughter, Chu Qingqing, here to broaden her horizons. This is Ms. Xia from Meilong Middle School, and this is Jiang Feng, known for his exceptional guzheng skills."

Before entering the room, Chu Tianxiong's bodyguards had stayed outside, leaving only Jiang Feng, Chu Qingqing, and Xia Qinghe inside.

When Liu Quanming introduced Jiang Feng, Le Huadie, who had been sitting quietly, glanced at Jiang Feng before lowering her head again, lost in thought.

Jiang Feng noticed Le Huadie's brief gaze and thought she was peculiar, like a fish hiding in a shell, ready to close it at the slightest disturbance.

"Since there are no outsiders, let's proceed," Liu Quanming said, bringing out an item wrapped tightly in black cloth.

The rectangular object appeared heavy. Liu Quanming carefully placed it on a prepared table and slowly unveiled it, revealing a dark red long box with intricate carvings of flowers and trees, exuding an ancient charm.

The box itself was a valuable antique.

Jiang Feng couldn't help but take a closer look. To an antique enthusiast, this was a treasure.

Chu Tianxiong, excited, gently caressed the box, clearly impressed.

Le Huadie stood silently, her eyes fixed on the box, seemingly trying to see what was inside.

Everyone was eager to see what the box contained. Though they knew it was an ancient guqin, the anticipation remained high.

Liu Quanming, a seasoned dealer, deliberately took his time, observing everyone's reactions. When he felt the moment was right, he finally opened the box.

As the box opened, a resonant sound seemed to clear everyone's minds, touching their nerves.

Inside lay an ancient guqin, as beautiful as a sleeping beauty.

Chu Qingqing's eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "Wow, what a beautiful guqin!"

Xia Qinghe nodded, "Indeed, it's stunning. I've never seen such a guqin before. It must have belonged to ancient nobility."

"I wish I could touch it. It must feel wonderful," Chu Qingqing fantasized.

It's natural for girls to desire and fantasize about things they love.

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"Looks like I made the right decision coming here today," Chu Tianxiong thought. He often dealt with antiques and could instantly recognize the guqin's value. He was determined to acquire it.

More importantly, he sensed a faint spiritual energy from the guqin, something he needed.

Though not a martial cultivator, Chu Tianxiong had heightened senses, able to detect spiritual energy easily.

"You've all seen the guqin. Its quality speaks for itself. This guqin is called the Nine Heavens Pendant, a Tang Dynasty artifact. After many turns, I was fortunate to acquire it. Such a fine guqin shouldn't be wasted in my hands, so I'm offering it for sale," Liu Quanming explained.

The Nine Heavens Pendant!

The name was legendary, a dream for guqin enthusiasts.

Such a rare item surprised even Chu Tianxiong. He had expected an ancient guqin, but not one of such caliber, containing precious spiritual energy.

He was even more determined to obtain it.

Upon closer inspection, the guqin was of the Fuxi style, made of pine-yellow wood with mother-of-pearl inlays, white jade tuning pegs, and yanyan feet, all finely crafted.

The entire guqin was lacquered in red, with deer horn powder base, featuring small snake belly and occasional small ox hair cracks.

The bottom had more pronounced cracks, resembling dragon scales, giving it a rugged charm.

The guqin's craftsmanship was exquisite, a rare treasure.

Those familiar with guqins knew the various styles, each with unique merits and beauty.

The Nine Heavens Pendant was the pinnacle of all styles, possibly the only one of its kind, worthy of being a national treasure.

Jiang Feng, however, wasn't captivated by its appearance. He immediately sensed the spiritual energy emanating from it, thinking, "Spiritual energy! This guqin contains spiritual energy, more than the Spirit Stone I found before."

"I didn't expect to see such a marvelous item today."

"If I could obtain it, it would greatly aid my cultivation."

"But... it's unlikely I can afford it."

Liu Quanming was selling it for money, and such an item would cost millions, beyond Jiang Feng's reach.

So, Jiang Feng could only dream, without much hope.