xuān yī jiù bù wèi suǒ dòng 。“ gé xià qǐng huí ， lín mǒu zài zhòng biàn ， zhè xiàng jiāo yì zài xià bù gǎn xìng qù 。”
轩依旧不为所动。“阁下请回，林某再重遍，这项交易在下不感兴趣。”
Lin Xuan remained unmoved. "Please return, Master. I will consider it again. This transaction is not of interest to me."
“ nǐ ……” hóng fěn lǎo mó liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī nù yì ， jìn bǎi nián lái ， gǎn rú cǐ dǐng zhuàng tā de xiū shì yǐ jīng zhǎo bú dào le ， liǎng nǚ zé yòu jīng yòu xǐ ， kàn xiàng lín xuān de mù guāng chōng mǎn le gǎn jī 。
“你……”红粉老魔脸上闪过一丝怒意，近百年来，敢如此顶撞他的修士已经找不到了，两女则又惊又喜，看向林轩的目光充满了感激。
"Y-You..." The Red Powder Old Demon's face flashed with anger. For nearly a century, no cultivator had dared to defy him like this. The two women looked at Lin Xuan with gratitude and shock.
“ kàn lái dào yǒu zhǔ yì yǐ dìng ， dàn nǐ bú yào máng zhe jù jué ， xiān kàn kàn zhè shì shén me dōng xī ？” hóng fěn lǎo mó yǔ lín xuān duì shì piàn kè ， què chū rén yì liào de méi yǒu dòng shǒu ， ér shì zài chǔ wù dài shàng yī pāi ， qǔ chū le yí gè jǐn hé lái 。
“看来道友主意已定，但你不要忙着拒绝，先看看这是什么东西？”红粉老魔与林轩对视片刻，却出人意料的没有动手，而是在储物袋上一拍，取出了一个锦盒来。
"It seems you have made up your mind," the Red Powder Old Demon said. "But don't rush to refuse. Let me show you what this is?" After exchanging glances with Lin Xuan, he surprisingly didn't attack but instead tapped his storage bag, taking out a silk box.
nà hé zi zhǎng kuān jiē wèi bàn chǐ ， chéng zhèng fāng xíng ， měi lún měi huàn ， yī kàn jiù bú shì fán pǐn 。
那盒子长宽皆为半尺，呈正方形，美轮美奂，一看就不是凡品。
The box was square and half a foot in length and width, exquisitely crafted and clearly not an ordinary item.
lín xuān yī lèng ， xī le qì ， hún shēn líng qì bù mǎn quán shēn ， suī rán duì fāng méi yǒu fān liǎn ， dàn jiè bèi kě bù néng sōng xiè 。
林轩一愣，吸了气，浑身灵气布满全身，虽然对方没有翻脸，但戒备可不能松懈。
Lin Xuan was taken aback. He took a deep breath, filling his body with qi. Although the other party hadn't turned hostile, he couldn't afford to lower his guard.
hóng fěn lǎo mó kàn zài yǎn lǐ ， què shì háo bù zài yì ， zhēn ér zhòng zhī de dǎ kāi le yǎn qián de hé zi 。
红粉老魔看在眼里，却似毫不在意，珍而重之的打开了眼前的盒子。
The Red Powder Old Demon seemed unconcerned as he carefully opened the box. Inside was a crystal stone about the size of a fist, translucent and radiating astonishing amounts of essence energy.
nà shì yī quán tou xiǎo de jīng shí ， líng lóng tī tòu ， sàn zhe jīng rén de líng lì 。
那是一拳头小的晶石，玲珑剔透，散着惊人的灵力。
"High-grade crystal stone?" Lin Xuan's expression changed, showing surprise despite his composure.
“ gāo jiē jīng shí ？”
“高阶晶石？”
It was well known that crystals were categorized into low-grade, middle-grade, high-grade, and supreme grade based on their essence energy content and purity. According to what Lin Xuan knew, ordinary transactions involved only low-grade crystals, with occasional appearances of middle-grade ones. High-grade crystals... they didn't naturally exist in this world.
lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū chī jīng zhī _， jí biàn yǐ tā de chéng fǔ ， yě bù yóu de sǒng rán dòng róng le 。
林轩脸上露出吃惊之_，即便以他的城府，也不由得耸然动容了。
In ancient times, due to unstable space, some high-grade crystals had occasionally been brought down by spirit realm cultivators who broke through the void. In other words, high-grade crystals were originally from the spirit realm. The essence energy within was not just abundant; it was of astonishing purity.
zhòng suǒ zhī 。 jīng shí gēn jù lǐ miàn líng lì dì liàng yǔ chún dù fēn wéi dī jiē 。 zhōng jiē 。 gāo jiē 。 yǐ jí jí pǐn sì gè děng jí 。
众所知。晶石根据里面灵力地量与纯度分为低阶。中阶。高阶。以及极品四个等级。
With such a crystal, whether for crafting, combat, or breaking through cultivation barriers, its effects would be unimaginable.
dàn jù xuān suǒ zhī 。 píng shí jiāo yì suǒ yòng dì dōu shì dī jiē jīng shí 。 ǒu ěr huì yǒu zhōng pǐn xiàn shì 。 zhì yú gāo jiē dì ……
但据轩所知。平时交易所用地都是低阶晶石。偶尔会有中品现世。至于高阶地……
In ancient times, these crystals had caused intense competition and bloody conflicts. There weren't many left after millennia, and they were highly prized, beyond description.
zhè yī jiè yuán běn shì méi yǒu dì 。 zhǐ guò zài shàng gǔ shí qī 。 yīn wèi kōng jiān bù wěn 。 ǒu ěr huì yǒu líng jiè xiū shì pò suì xū kōng lái dào xià jiè 。 dài lái le yī xiē 。
这一界原本是没有地。只过在上古时期。因为空间不稳。偶尔会有灵界修士破碎虚空来到下界。带来了一些。
Seeing this treasure, Lin Xuan couldn't help feeling parched, but he wasn't a novice. He quickly calmed his excitement, though the fire in his eyes remained intense: "What is your intention with such a precious item?"
huàn jù huà shuō 。 gāo jiē jīng shí běn shì líng jiè zhī wù 。 lǐ miàn suǒ yùn hán dì líng qì liàng zàn qiě bù shuō 。 chún dù gèng shì dào le jīng rén dì dì bù 。
换句话说。高阶晶石本是灵界之物。里面所蕴含地灵气量暂且不说。纯度更是到了惊人地地步。
"Tell me," the old demon said smugly as Lin Xuan seemed interested. "I am genuinely offering this high-grade crystal stone to you. Just hand over the two women, and it's yours."
yǒu le zhè me yī kē 。 bù guǎn shì zhì qì 。 dòu fǎ 。 hái shì xiū liàn shí yòng lái tū pò píng jǐng dōu kě yǐ qǐ dào nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng dì xiào guǒ 。
有了这么一颗。不管是制器。斗法。还是修炼时用来突破瓶颈都可以起到难以想象地效果。
Lin Xuan was silent, his expression fluctuating.
zài shàng gǔ shí qī 。 jiù céng jīng ràng rén men qū zhī ruò wù 。 xiān qǐ le cǎn liè dì xuè yǔ xīng fēng 。 shù liàng běn jiù méi yǒu duō shǎo 。 yǐ gǔ xiū shì men zhēng qiǎng yī kōng 。
在上古时期。就曾经让人们趋之若骛。掀起了惨烈地血雨腥风。数量本就没有多少。已古修士们争抢一空。
Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin also grew tense. They hadn't expected such outrageous terms.
rú jīn guò le shù bǎi wàn nián ， liú chuán xià lái dì kě wèi fèng máo lín jiǎo ， qí zhēn xī chéng dù ， nán yǐ yòng yǔ yán miáo shù 。
如今过了数百万年，流传下来地可谓凤毛麟角，其珍稀程度，难以用语言描述。
Actually, they misunderstood Lin Xuan. He had no intention of treating them as goods. Although Lin Xuan wasn't merciful, he had killed hundreds of cultivators. He never spared enemies because this was a cruel world where the weak were preyed upon by the strong.
lín xuān jiàn le cǐ bǎo ， yě bù yóu de kǒu gān shé zào ， dàn tā dào dǐ bú shì chū chū máo lú de xiǎo zi ， hěn kuài jiù jiāng jī dòng de xīn qíng píng fù le xià qù ， dàn yǎn zhōng yī jiù nán yǎn zhì rè de guāng máng ：“ dào yǒu ná chū cǐ bǎo ， shì hé yòng yì ？”
林轩见了此宝，也不由得口干舌燥，但他到底不是初出茅庐的小子，很快就将激动的心情平复了下去，但眼中依旧难掩炙热的光芒：“道友拿出此宝，是何用意？”
Yet, he didn't indiscriminately kill innocents. As he said, life deserved at least some respect.
“ nǐ shuō ne ？” lǎo mó jiàn lín xuān dòng xīn ， liǎn shàng shǎn guò yī sī dé yì ：“ běn rén nǎi shì chéng xīn chéng yì hé dào yǒu jiāo yì ， zhǐ yào nǐ jiāng liǎng nǚ ràng yǔ wǒ ， zhè kuài gāo jiē jīng shí jiù guī dào yǒu le 。”
“你说呢？”老魔见林轩动心，脸上闪过一丝得意：“本人乃是诚心诚意和道友交易，只要你将两女让与我，这块高阶晶石就归道友了。”
Humans and goods were different.
lín xuān mò rán ， liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng shǎn shuò bù dìng 。
林轩默然，脸上的表情闪烁不定。
Lin Xuan hesitated because something about this transaction seemed peculiar. It defied logic. Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin weren't breathtaking beauties; they were just ordinary women. One was a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, the other in the Flexible Spirit period—mere novices.
lù yíng ér yǔ liú xīn yě jǐn zhāng le qǐ lái ， tā men méi xiǎng dào duì fāng huì kāi chū rú cǐ lí pǔ de tiáo jiàn 。
陆盈儿与刘芯也紧张了起来，她们没想到对方会开出如此离谱的条件。
Their cultivation roots weren't exceptional either. Many low-rank disciples from major sects had similar abilities, leaving him puzzled about what the old demon saw in them!
qí shí tā liǎ wù huì le lín xuān 。
其实她俩误会了林轩。
A high-grade crystal stone could be sold for hundreds of such female cultivators at secret markets or used as concubines. Lin Xuan didn't think the notorious old demon was offering a bad deal; there must be something fishy.
wú lùn rú hé tā yě méi xiǎng guò jiāng liǎng nǚ dàng chéng huò wù 。
无论如何他也没想过将两女当成货物。
"How about it, Master? This is a high-grade crystal stone. I won't deceive you. You can't get this elsewhere once you miss your chance," the Red Powder Old Demon's voice was seductive. He even secretly used some kind of mind-altering technique.
jǐn guǎn lín xuān bìng bú shì xīn cí shǒu ruǎn zhī rén ， qià qià xiāng fǎn ， yǔn luò zài tā shǒu zhōng dì xiū shì qǐ mǎ yǒu shù bǎi zhī duō 。
尽管林轩并不是心慈手软之人，恰恰相反，陨落在他手中地修士起码有数百之多。
Unfortunately for him, Lin Xuan's cultivation level was slightly lower but his mental strength far surpassed that of the old demon. Moreover, he practiced both dao and magic, making such minor tricks futile.
duì dài dí rén lín xuān cóng bù shǒu xià liú qíng ， yīn wèi zhè běn jiù shì yí gè ruò ròu qiáng shí de cán kù shì jiè 。
对待敌人林轩从不手下留情，因为这本就是一个弱肉强食的残酷世界。
Lin Xuan stroked his chin with a smile: "Master, you have generous intentions. I've seen many rare treasures, but this high-grade crystal stone is new to me. Saying I'm not tempted would be self-deception."
kě lín xuān yě bù céng làn shā wú gū ， zhèng xiàng tā suǒ shuō dì ， duì dài shēng mìng yīng gāi yǒu qǐ mǎ de zūn zhòng 。
可林轩也不曾滥杀无辜，正像他所说地，对待生命应该有起码的尊重。
"You agree then," the old demon's face lit up in joy.
rén yǔ huò wù bì jìng bù tóng 。
人与货物毕竟不同。
"No..." Lin Xuan shook his head unexpectedly.
lín xuān zhī suǒ yǐ chén yín ， shì yīn wèi tā gǎn jué fēi cháng qí guài ， zhè jiàn shì qíng yǔ cháng lǐ yì diǎn yě bù xiāng fú ， lù yíng ér yǔ liú xīn suī rán yě shì měi nǚ ， dàn bìng fēi qīng guó qīng chéng de jué sè 。
林轩之所以沉吟，是因为他感觉非常奇怪，这件事情与常理一点也不相符，陆盈儿与刘芯虽然也是美女，但并非倾国倾城的绝色。
This answer left the old demon stunned and deeply frowning. "Are you mocking me? Don't you want this treasure?"
cóng xiū wèi lái shuō ， yí gè zhù jī qī ， yí gè líng dòng qī ， gēn běn jiù shì bù rù de xiǎo xiū shì ér yǐ 。
从修为来说，一个筑基期，一个灵动期，根本就是不入的小修士而已。
"I do, of course! Who said I don't?" Lin Xuan burst into laughter.
zī zhì yě bù chū ， yǔ tā men chà bu duō líng gēn de xiū shì ， gè dà mén pài dì dī jiē dì zǐ ， yī zhuā yī dà bǎ ， shí zài xiǎng bù tōng lǎo mó kàn zhòng le liǎng nǚ nǎ diǎn a ！
资质也不出，与她们差不多灵根的修士，各大门派地低阶弟子，一抓一大把，实在想不通老魔看中了两女哪点啊！
"But you refuse my conditions. Do you want to exchange with other treasures instead? Tell you the truth, I won't take anything else except those two women."
yī kuài gāo jiē jīng shí ， rú guǒ ná dào chū shòu dǐng lú huò jī qiè de mì shì ， shuō jù bú kè qì dì huà ， xiàng lù yíng ér huò liú xīn zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng de nǚ xiū ， mǎi yì bǎi gè yě méi yǒu wèn tí 。
一块高阶晶石，如果拿到出售鼎炉或姬妾的秘市，说句不客气地话，像陆盈儿或刘芯这种情况的女修，买一百个也没有问题。
"Not a problem. As long as you're dead, this treasure is mine," Lin Xuan sneered. He snapped his fingers and a blue sword of divine light appeared, slicing towards the old demon.
ér lín xuān kě bù rèn wéi zhè è míng zhāo zhāng de lǎo mó nǎo dài bèi lǘ tī le ， zhuān chéng pǎo lái yǔ zì jǐ zuò kuī běn shēng yì 。
而林轩可不认为这恶名昭彰的老魔脑袋被驴踢了，专程跑来与自己做亏本生意。
At the same time, he flicked his sleeve, releasing a red ancient shield that shimmered with runes, forming a dazzling light barrier to protect him and the two women.
zhè qí zhōng yí dìng yǒu shén me māo nì 。
这其中一定有什么猫腻。
Exchanging them was impossible; Lin Xuan wanted both. So, there was only one option: kill and take what he wanted.
“ zěn me yàng ， dào yǒu ， zhè kě shì gāo jiē jīng shí ， tóng sǒu wú qī ， guò le zhè ge cūn jiù méi yǒu zhè ge diàn ， jiāo huàn yǔ fǒu ， nǐ kě yào xiǎng qīng chǔ 。” hóng fěn lǎo mó de shēng yīn chōng mǎn le yòu huò ， zhè jiā huo ， shèn zhì qiāo qiāo de shǐ yòng qǐ mǒu zhǒng mí huàn lèi de gōng fǎ le 。
“怎么样，道友，这可是高阶晶石，童叟无欺，过了这个村就没有这个店，交换与否，你可要想清楚。”红粉老魔的声音充满了诱惑，这家伙，甚至悄悄的使用起某种迷幻类的功法了。
The old demon wasn't a virtuous person but a notorious villain who deserved his fate. Killing him would be doing justice.
kě xī méi yòng ， lín xuān xiū wèi yǔ tā xiāng bǐ ， què shí yào shāo xùn yī chóu ， bù guò shén shí zhī qiáng ， jué duì hái zài lǎo mó zhī shàng ， ér qiě zhèng mó jiān xiū ， zhè diǎn xiǎo fǎ shù ， bù guò shì bān mén nòng fǔ 。
可惜没用，林轩修为与他相比，确实要稍逊一筹，不过神识之强，绝对还在老魔之上，而且正魔兼修，这点小法术，不过是班门弄斧。
Firstly, even if he didn't act, the old demon wouldn't leave easily. His lust for the two women was evident; he intended to get them at any cost. It was better to strike first rather than wait for an attack.
lín xuān mō le mō xià bā ， zuǐ jiǎo biān lù chū yī sī xiào róng ：“ dào yǒu hǎo dà dì shǒu bǐ ， lín mǒu yě jiàn guò bù shǎo qí zhēn yì bǎo ， rán ér gāo jiē jīng shí ， què hái shì cì jiàn dào ， shuō bù dòng xīn ， miǎn zì qī qī rén 。”
林轩摸了摸下巴，嘴角边露出一丝笑容：“道友好大地手笔，林某也见过不少奇珍异宝，然而高阶晶石，却还是次见到，说不动心，免自欺欺人。”
Seeing the blue divine sword slash towards him, the Red Powder Old Demon was initially surprised but nearly fainted with anger. He had been famous for centuries, and every cultivator, except for some advanced immortals, would tremble in fear when facing him.
“ nà dào yǒu shì tóng yì jiāo huàn le 。” hóng fěn lǎo mó liǎn lù chū xǐ sè 。
“那道友是同意交换了。”红粉老魔脸露出喜色。
Those who dared to provoke him were long dead.
“ bù ……” chū rén yì liào de ， lín xuān yáo le yáo tóu 。
“不……”出人意料的，林轩摇了摇头。
This young man had a huge nerve!
zhè ge huí dá ， ràng lǎo mó yī dāi ， méi tóu shēn shēn dì zhòu le qǐ lái ， rán bú yuè de dào ：“ gé xià shì zài xiāo qiǎn gǔ mǒu le ， cǐ bǎo nǐ nán dào bù xiǎng yào ？”
这个回答，让老魔一呆，眉头深深地皱了起来，然不悦的道：“阁下是在消遣古某了，此宝你难道不想要？”
"Think twice before you act! You'll regret coming into this world!" The Red Powder Old Demon laughed wildly. He didn't use his法宝but flicked his sleeve, sending out a streak of light that transformed into a gigantic ghost hand, intercepting the blue sword.
Lin Xuan remained unmoved. "Please return, Master. I will consider it again. This transaction is not of interest to me."
"Y-You..." The Red Powder Old Demon's face flashed with anger. For nearly a century, no cultivator had dared to defy him like this. The two women looked at Lin Xuan with gratitude and shock.
"It seems you have made up your mind," the Red Powder Old Demon said. "But don't rush to refuse. Let me show you what this is?" After exchanging glances with Lin Xuan, he surprisingly didn't attack but instead tapped his storage bag, taking out a silk box.
The box was square and half a foot in length and width, exquisitely crafted and clearly not an ordinary item.
Lin Xuan was taken aback. He took a deep breath, filling his body with qi. Although the other party hadn't turned hostile, he couldn't afford to lower his guard.
The Red Powder Old Demon seemed unconcerned as he carefully opened the box. Inside was a crystal stone about the size of a fist, translucent and radiating astonishing amounts of essence energy.
"High-grade crystal stone?" Lin Xuan's expression changed, showing surprise despite his composure.
It was well known that crystals were categorized into low-grade, middle-grade, high-grade, and supreme grade based on their essence energy content and purity. According to what Lin Xuan knew, ordinary transactions involved only low-grade crystals, with occasional appearances of middle-grade ones. High-grade crystals... they didn't naturally exist in this world.
In ancient times, due to unstable space, some high-grade crystals had occasionally been brought down by spirit realm cultivators who broke through the void. In other words, high-grade crystals were originally from the spirit realm. The essence energy within was not just abundant; it was of astonishing purity.
With such a crystal, whether for crafting, combat, or breaking through cultivation barriers, its effects would be unimaginable.
In ancient times, these crystals had caused intense competition and bloody conflicts. There weren't many left after millennia, and they were highly prized, beyond description.
Seeing this treasure, Lin Xuan couldn't help feeling parched, but he wasn't a novice. He quickly calmed his excitement, though the fire in his eyes remained intense: "What is your intention with such a precious item?"
"Tell me," the old demon said smugly as Lin Xuan seemed interested. "I am genuinely offering this high-grade crystal stone to you. Just hand over the two women, and it's yours."
Lin Xuan was silent, his expression fluctuating.
Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin also grew tense. They hadn't expected such outrageous terms.
Actually, they misunderstood Lin Xuan. He had no intention of treating them as goods. Although Lin Xuan wasn't merciful, he had killed hundreds of cultivators. He never spared enemies because this was a cruel world where the weak were preyed upon by the strong.
Yet, he didn't indiscriminately kill innocents. As he said, life deserved at least some respect.
Humans and goods were different.
Lin Xuan hesitated because something about this transaction seemed peculiar. It defied logic. Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin weren't breathtaking beauties; they were just ordinary women. One was a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, the other in the Flexible Spirit period—mere novices.
Their cultivation roots weren't exceptional either. Many low-rank disciples from major sects had similar abilities, leaving him puzzled about what the old demon saw in them!
A high-grade crystal stone could be sold for hundreds of such female cultivators at secret markets or used as concubines. Lin Xuan didn't think the notorious old demon was offering a bad deal; there must be something fishy.
"How about it, Master? This is a high-grade crystal stone. I won't deceive you. You can't get this elsewhere once you miss your chance," the Red Powder Old Demon's voice was seductive. He even secretly used some kind of mind-altering technique.
Unfortunately for him, Lin Xuan's cultivation level was slightly lower but his mental strength far surpassed that of the old demon. Moreover, he practiced both dao and magic, making such minor tricks futile.
Lin Xuan stroked his chin with a smile: "Master, you have generous intentions. I've seen many rare treasures, but this high-grade crystal stone is new to me. Saying I'm not tempted would be self-deception."
"You agree then," the old demon's face lit up in joy.
"No..." Lin Xuan shook his head unexpectedly.
This answer left the old demon stunned and deeply frowning. "Are you mocking me? Don't you want this treasure?"
"I do, of course! Who said I don't?" Lin Xuan burst into laughter.
"But you refuse my conditions. Do you want to exchange with other treasures instead? Tell you the truth, I won't take anything else except those two women."
"Not a problem. As long as you're dead, this treasure is mine," Lin Xuan sneered. He snapped his fingers and a blue sword of divine light appeared, slicing towards the old demon.
At the same time, he flicked his sleeve, releasing a red ancient shield that shimmered with runes, forming a dazzling light barrier to protect him and the two women.
Exchanging them was impossible; Lin Xuan wanted both. So, there was only one option: kill and take what he wanted.
The old demon wasn't a virtuous person but a notorious villain who deserved his fate. Killing him would be doing justice.
Firstly, even if he didn't act, the old demon wouldn't leave easily. His lust for the two women was evident; he intended to get them at any cost. It was better to strike first rather than wait for an attack.
Seeing the blue divine sword slash towards him, the Red Powder Old Demon was initially surprised but nearly fainted with anger. He had been famous for centuries, and every cultivator, except for some advanced immortals, would tremble in fear when facing him.
Those who dared to provoke him were long dead.
This young man had a huge nerve!
"Think twice before you act! You'll regret coming into this world!" The Red Powder Old Demon laughed wildly. He didn't use his法宝but flicked his sleeve, sending out a streak of light that transformed into a gigantic ghost hand, intercepting the blue sword.