"If it were a rune gun that needed bullets, how could it possibly take us goblins several years to develop it? You're underestimating goblin engineering and alchemy. When it comes to these fields, we goblins are the undisputed experts."
The goblin merchant spoke with unmistakable pride.
Creating firearms wasn't particularly difficult. In the past, goblins had already crafted goblin muskets, which used gunpowder for destructive force. However, gunpowder had now become nearly obsolete. On the Eternal Continent, its destructive power no longer met expectations.
"Do you have any rune guns? What's the price?"Yi Tianxing asked directly.
"Of course I do. Others might not, but I, Alama, definitely have them."The goblin named Alama spoke confidently.
As he spoke, he reached into his spatial pouch and retrieved a firearm that gleamed with a metallic sheen. It was a rune gun, entirely copper-red in color, engraved with crimson ancient patterns — exquisite craftsmanship tinged with wildness.
It was a handgun, but it radiated a fierce and sharp aura. The barrel, with its dark muzzle, seemed like the pupil of death itself.
"This rune gun is called the Flamegun. It consists of several components: the barrel, magazine, bullets, upper shell, trigger, spring, kinetic steel frame, grip, ejection port, and more. Each part is meticulously crafted and inscribed with runes. Every component fits perfectly."
Alama continued proudly,"The most critical part is the magazine. It not only stores regular rune bullets but can also be charged. With true essence, mana, or battle qi, one can condense corresponding energy bullets. As long as your cultivation and energy are strong enough, your rune gun will have unlimited ammo."
The crafting of rune guns was extremely intricate. Even a minor flaw could lead to failure. In essence, a rune gun could be considered a magical artifact, a modular one at that — assembled from many components.
Yi Tianxing took the rune gun in hand and with a flick of his fingers, a series of crisp clicks rang out as the gun swiftly disassembled into its individual parts — barrel, magazine, bullets — all separated in the blink of an eye.
Each component was etched with runic patterns. The materials used were clearly refined — not just simple red copper but a fusion of multiple ores, forged through alchemy. The lack of any visible flaws confirmed the craftsmanship. Alchemy was originally the art of transforming base materials into precious ones — like turning stone into gold — by altering their structure, a process almost miraculous.
Later, alchemy evolved to include potions, even life-alchemy, granting new properties or even life itself to materials.
Every part of this gun emitted a unique aura and was highly effective at conducting natural energy. The rune circuits within each part resembled formations or seals, and the absence of even a single piece would render the whole weapon incomplete.
Click!
With practiced ease, Yi Tianxing reassembled the firearm just as quickly as he had disassembled it. His fingers danced, and in the blink of an eye, the rune gun was whole once more.
With a thought, true essence flowed from his Sea of Consciousness into the gun. Under his focused will, he felt the essence being compressed through the rune circuits into the magazine, condensing into a true essence bullet — a gleaming projectile forged entirely from compressed energy.
It appeared solid and identical to a regular rune bullet. In fact, depending on the nature of the essence used, the bullet could gain unique attributes and enhanced destructive force.
"Interesting. I can infuse various powers into the rune gun — even the power of my Fate Apertures. If I channel the might of my Gold God Aperture, the bullets will gain armor-piercing properties."
The gun's rune array allowed true essence or mana to be compressed into energy bullets, and by fusing the essence of Fate Apertures, those bullets could be imbued with unique properties — a major boost in power.
This ability alone elevated the rune gun's value to a whole new level.
"How much is this rune gun?" Yi Tianxing asked.This was a quality item.
In Great Yi, while everyone cultivated and was technically a cultivator, not all were equally gifted in spells or martial arts. At the early stages, most had limited techniques and few means of self-defense. A rune gun would be an ideal way to compensate for this gap.
Equipping one could allow ordinary people to venture into the wild, significantly raising the overall combat capability of the human race.
"Hehe, I, Alama, have always been honest in business. Here in Darkblood Town, we use crystal coins made from black iron crystal, known locally as Darkblood Coins. If you're paying in Darkblood Coins, this rune gun costs at least 100,000."
Alama's eyes sparkled with shrewdness as he named the price without hesitation.
To goblins, nothing is truly not for sale.For the right price, not only would they sell rune guns, they'd sell their ancestors. Don't talk morals to goblins — just talk money.
"One hundred thousand? That's robbery."Yi Tianxing chuckled.
Darkblood Coins were essentially crystal coins. Crystal stones contained pure world energy and were essential for cultivation. Their value was stable, never depreciating. With the various races now stabilized, currency had naturally begun to circulate — and crystal stones were the most straightforward choice.
While crystal mines weren't rare, they were hard to locate, and yields were low. As consumables that directly boosted cultivation, they were an essential reserve for every race. Their intrinsic value was high. A single crystal coin might hold less energy than a chunk of crystal stone, but a crystal stone could only produce a few coins — five or six at most, sometimes even fewer.
So 100,000 coins was a sky-high price — astronomical for most.
After all, this rune gun was merely a magical artifact, not even a spiritual treasure. That price tag was outrageous. While Yi Tianxing wasn't stingy, he didn't like being treated like a fat sheep waiting for slaughter.
"No, no, no. This is a rune gun — a powerful weapon years in the making here in Darkblood Town. It can't be cheap if you want to reflect its true value. But since you're a valued guest, I'll make you a special offer — only 99,999."
Alama's face twisted into a pained grimace as he named the new price, like he was cutting flesh from his bones.
Yi Tianxing was amused. Goblin stinginess truly lived up to its reputation — a single coin could make them weep.
"10,000 crystal coins," Yi Tianxing said calmly.
"What?!"Alama nearly jumped out of his skin, leaping higher than Yi Tianxing himself. His face contorted as if Yi had murdered his parents."Impossible! Not even if you kill me! 90,000, final offer!"
The bargaining continued.Eventually, Alama lowered his price to 60,000 crystal coins, refusing to go any further. That was clearly his bottom line.
"Alright. Sixty thousand. Will you accept this?"Yi Tianxing didn't press further. His haggling wasn't about money, just principle.
With a wave of his hand, a golden Eternal Coin appeared.
"Eternal Coin?!"Alama let out a shriek, his eyes widening."You actually have Eternal Coins? That means… you're connected to the Great Yi Dynasty, aren't you? Or are you one of their people?"
It was clear from his reaction that he recognized the coin — and its origin.
"Well? Do you accept it?"Yi Tianxing smiled, not answering directly.
"Of course! Eternal Coins are worth way more than crystal coins. They're universal currency. Any race that gets them guards them jealously and never trades them lightly."Alama nodded rapidly."The exchange rate between Eternal Coins and crystal coins is 1 to 10. That's the standard in Darkblood Town and between races. If you're paying in Eternal Coins, I'll give you a small discount."
"Fine," Yi Tianxing agreed.
"Sixty thousand crystal coins equals 6,000 Eternal Coins. I'll round it down — 5,900 Eternal Coins, final price."Alama grinned after calculating.
"Deal."
Yi Tianxing nodded. With a wave of his hand, a pile of golden Eternal Coins — 6,000 of them — appeared before him.
"Money!!"Alama's eyes lit up like torches. With inhuman speed, he swept up the coins, leaving afterimages in the air.
Thus, the rune gun officially became Yi Tianxing's possession.
"Eternal Coins… the human race… Could he be from the Great Yi Dynasty?!"
Murmurs spread among the human bystanders, their hearts stirred by what they had just witnessed.