Chapter 15: Failed Negotiation.

Lingtian awaited Alchemist Di's response regarding the coveted Runic Fundamentals book. The atmosphere in the room held a blend of anticipation and quiet tension, as Lingtian patiently awaited Alchemist Di's reply.

With a thoughtful expression, Alchemist Di glanced at Lingtian, considering the request. "Ah, the Runic Fundamentals book," he mused, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "It's a fascinating piece of knowledge, but it's not something commonly sold. However, since you're a fellow cultivator and a formation master, I don't mind selling it to you."

"I would appreciate this favor, Brother Di. Can I see it?" Lingtian asked with some excitement on his face.

"Why not?" Alchemist Di didn't think much of it and asked the steward to bring it from his library. The steward did as was asked and came back with an exquisite book with a cover of strange material, with a symbol in the middle of the cover shining with a small white light.

"I should inform Brother Gu that this book has some runes enscribed in the pages, so it's impossible for anyone other than a runic master to make a copy of it. What I will sell you is the same book I bought from the auction years ago, not a copy," Alchemist Di said as he watched Lingtian examining the book with his eyes.

Lingtian's heart skipped a beat with excitement. "Thank you, Brother Di. How much would it cost for this Runic Fundamentals book?" Lingtian asked, trying to maintain a composed demeanor.

Alchemist Di chuckled, "I won't charge you an exorbitant price. Let's say... two thousand low-grade essence crystals. What do you think?"

Hearing the price, a frown appeared on Lingtian's face. He didn't have that much, and he also thought that the price was quite high. He understood the rarity of such a book making it more valuable but not this much. Furthermore, he knew that the other party got it for just a thousand, and Alchemist Di was doubling the price.

"This... I don't think it's worth that much. If Alchemist Di parts with it for 1500 essence crystals, it would be ideal. If not, then forget it," Lingtian's face grew colder, and he said with an annoyed voice as he stood up. He changed the way he addressed him from brother to alchemist to show his dissatisfaction.

He was hell-bent on getting the book, but that doesn't mean he will accept a loss. He did this for two reasons. First, to show that he was interested in it but not to the point of paying any price, a simple tactic to get a better deal.

The second was that he wasn't in a hurry. With his cultivation speed, it would take him two years at most to break through to the middle stage Foundation Establishment realm, opening his fourth major meridian. By that time he would try again, but by then, he would not pay anything for it but take it from Alchemist Di's dead body.

"Don't be anxious, Brother Gu. I will lower the price to 1800 essence crystals, but this is the lowest I will go. What do you think?" The smile on Alchemist Di became quite forced as he said. Years ago, he got this book for a thousand essence crystals, but after buying it, he realized that it was quite advanced and encompassing. Over the years, he didn't come across any other book like it, so his evaluation of its value rose, and in his opinion, two thousand was a fair price.

"It seems that I'm not fated with it, so forget it. I will not be imposing on Alchemist Di any further. Farewell." Lingtian didn't linger any more and left when he saw that the price would not be any lower.

"Heh, even though I wanted to befriend you, that doesn't mean I will accommodate your disrespect." The smile on Alchemist Di's face disappeared. Lingtian's behavior made it seem like he wanted to scam him or something, and he took it as a disrespect. His impression of him hit the bottom. He thought for a moment before sneering out loud and ordered his steward that if Gu Lingtian comes again, he should just say he was busy and dismiss him.

Leaving the alchemy shop, Lingtian's cold expression faded, and a smirk formed on his face. From this trip, he confirmed three things. First, Alchemist Di still had the Runic Fundamentals book. Second, he keeps it in the shop. Third and last, the strongest person in the shop was Alchemist Di himself, who opened just three meridians.

This gave him all the information he needed to make a move if he wanted. He was a formation master and knew for certain that there is no killing formation or something like that he should worry about. All there is was a simple defensive formation he can break in a second if he willed to.

'I need a concealment technique for this to work,' he thought to himself and walked in the direction of the Insight Pavilion. Until now, Lingtian was relying solely on his superior soul to mask his presence, but he became aware that this is not enough if he wanted to hide from truly powerful people like the Core Formation realm experts or an experienced spirit master.

After looking around in the pavilion for a bit, he settled for a technique called Shadow Concealment Technique. It was a Foundation Establishment technique for spirit masters and used spirit power, like any technique for spirit masters, to blend into the environment like a shadow and become practically invisible, at least for someone with inferior spirit power or a powerful master who is not actively trying to find you.

It cost him 120 essence crystals, quite pricey, but he could afford it with his current wealth. Adding the fact that he needed such a technique anyway made him buy it without dwelling on it too much.

And he knew that logically, techniques that anyone can buy just because he has the essence crystals weren't that powerful, but he will do with what he can get.