Ascension of the immortal Asura

The two shook hands, sealing the terms of the deal. While John did not get anything in writing, this was a sort of test for the Mystic Trade Hall from him as well. He had given them an incredibly small portion of his palace realm tea leaves, which he could grow an infinite amount.

If Caz honored their verbal agreement and kept his word, the Mystic Trade Hall would prove themselves worthy of John doing his business there, and would get all his future trade dealings. However, if Caz decided to renege on the agreement and keep the proceeds for the Mystic Trade Hall, then John would see right through how they did business, and find a different trade guild to do business with.

If there was one constant in the martial world, it was that there was always another trade hall looking to do business, as money was everything.

"John, what is your full name?" Caz asked, causing John to frown slightly at the question. It wasn't a secret he needed to keep, but he wanted to know the reason for the question. Caz noticed John's look, and immediately clarified his intentions.

"For when I send you the split of the profits for these leaves, of course. I can't just have one of our trade messengers send a large sum of money to a "John" in the Heavenly Lightning Sect. There must be a hundred John's within your sect," Caz clarified.

"Ah, I suppose that makes sense," John replied. "John Fenix."

"Well then, John Fenix. I'm sure that within a few weeks, you'll be receiving a significant sum of money, and with that amount, I hope it encourages you to do future business with me," Caz replied with a friendly smile on his face.

John nodded his head and lifted his teacup to take a sip.

"Now then," Caz spoke up once again. "I was informed that you arrived here today to discuss battle arts?" which John nodded his head at.

"What type of battle arts are you looking for?" Caz asked.

"Three types in particular. Lightning battle arts, scythe battle arts, and battle axe battle arts, suitable for those in the Heaven Tribulation Realm" John replied, focusing on his strong points.

"Lightning Battle Arts?" Caz mused. "You're from the Heavenly Lightning Sect. Surely the most promising lightning Battle Arts would be located in your sect, would they not be?" Caz asked.

"You're right, but I cannot obtain them at the moment. And I cannot wait idly to obtain them either," John replied.

A small smile appeared on Caz's face as he heard this. "I take it then that these arts are to raise your combat prowess for the Jade Dragon Empire's realm opening?" Caz asked.

John raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, as he had not expected Caz to know about it. Caz noticed this look, and chuckled lightly before elaborating.

"We're a Trade Hall, young master Fenix. Information is just as tradeable and profitable as tangible goods, and we are quite good at obtaining information," he explained.

"Ah, that makes sense," John replied calmly.

"But if you're capable of being selected for the realm opening from a sect as powerful as the Heavenly Lightning Sect, you must indeed be quite talented…" Caz mused for a moment.

"Anyways, what grade would you like those Battle Arts to be?" Caz asked, getting back to the subject at hand.

"The highest grade you have," John replied. Only the most profound battle arts would be able to replace the battle arts he currently used.

Caz nodded his head at John's words, and stood up from his seat. "Then I shall return shortly with the items you asked for. Excuse me for a moment."

With that, Caz left the room, leaving John to wait within. John continued to calmly sip the delicious tea, and fifteen minutes later, Caz arrived back at the room. He closed the door behind him again before he sat down.

Each room was lined with a sound-proof formation, as the Mystic Trade Hall ensured that the privacy of every trader was protected. Such a thing was one of the small features that ensured repeat customers, and allowed the Mystic Trade Hall to grow to its current status.

"I have returned with that you asked for," Caz said as he sat down once again. He waved his hand, and many items suddenly appeared on the table before John. John quickly inspected the items, and raised an eyebrow.

"They're all jade pieces?" John asked.

He was not unfamiliar with learning cultivation and battle arts from jade pieces. His Celestial Lightning Script was trained through that exact process. However, there was not a single scroll or piece of paper detailing the art before him.

"Of course. Almost all cultivation and battle arts at the Heaven Tribulation Realm or above are taught through Jade pieces," Caz replied. "Battle arts at this level are incredibly complicated, and almost all of them contain too much information to be stored in a scroll or a book. Jade pieces can store hundreds of times more information than paper, and so most of the battle arts are stored as such."

"I see," John replied while staring at the Jade pieces. He had no idea there was such a thing, but the explanation did make sense. He suddenly thought of his Immortal Asura Body, which was taught from a book, and found it peculiar. It was such a powerful cultivation and battle art, and yet it was contained in only a few pages of information.

The piles of Jade pieces before him were separated into four groups, which Caz quickly explained.

"This pile is the Lightning Battle Arts, this pile the scythe arts, this pile the battle axe arts, and this pile is a mixture of miscellaneous battle arts I figured might intrigue you," Caz explained. "Please, peruse them at your leisure."

John reached out towards the first piece and picked it up. He sent his divine sense into it, and was immediately given the name of the battle art, as well as a brief explanation.

"Lightning Armor…makes a body of armor around the user, greatly increasing defensive capabilities."

'Interesting, but not what I'm looking for. My body is tough enough already,' John mused as he put the piece down and picked up the next one. He read through it, and raised an eyebrow at the name and description.

"Lightning Disintegration…emits a strong beam of lightning, either instantly, or channeled…"

'Sounds like Lightning Ruin, only much more profound. I'll set this to the side for now.'

John set the Jade piece off to the side as he continued to peruse through the battle arts. The next few were quite impressive, but not powerful enough to catch his eye and replace his current lightning based abilities.

John picked up another piece, and raised another eyebrow in interest at what he read.

"Thunderbody Flash…movement technique that requires a lightning user have an Innate Variant Body. Puts immense strain on the body, but results in explosive movement speed."

'This is exactly what I need to replace my Thunderflash Steps. I'll definitely be taking this one. It's almost as if it was created precisely for me.'

John set the Jade piece aside, and pursued the rest of the lightning battle arts. None of them were of interest, and he set them aside until he picked up the last one, which instantly caught his full attention.

"Dragontail Decimation."