Lu Heng walked and stopped, pausing at a shop that appeared to be of considerable size.
One side of the shop was filled with various weapons, predominantly cold weapons. After all, ability users preferred using such weapons, as they could imbue their abilities into these blades and better unleash the potential of their powers through weapon swings.
This was because, apart from ice ability users who could manifest solid weapons, other ability users, at their current levels, were unable to conjure tangible weapons for combat.
However, if an ice ability user's level was too low, the weapons they manifested would lack sufficient toughness and, consequently, their lethality would also be insufficient.
Furthermore, the abilities of ability users placed high demands on weapons. Ordinary iron weapons were completely incapable of bearing the natural state created by abilities.
For instance, the fire condensed by fire ability users was much hotter than naturally occurring fire. Some weapons, when imbued with fire abilities, not only failed to unleash the power of the flames but would also melt ordinary weapons.
The same applied to wind, water, and lightning abilities. The natural forces condensed by these abilities completely exceeded the load-bearing capacity of ordinary weapons. Only weapons that had undergone special forging or incorporated special materials could bear the abilities of ability users.
The weapons Lu Heng had used previously were all collector's items from wealthy individuals found in his spatial storage, which was why those weapons could fully support Lu Heng's abilities.
Lu Heng's seventh-tier ice ability could also manifest his desired weapon styles. As long as it was a weapon he had seen, he could condense a tangible cold weapon with his ice ability based on his imagination.
However, weapons manifested by ice abilities could not bear the power of other ability attributes. For example, if he wanted to load a fire ability onto an ice sword, he had tried it once. The fire and ice had conflicted, and after loading the flame, the ice blade began to melt slowly, unable to exert its power as a weapon.
Perhaps his level was not yet high enough, or it was simply an attribute counter, as people who could simultaneously possess two or more ability attributes were rare, and he hadn't understood these things well in his previous life.
Earlier, Lu Heng had noticed a rather inconspicuous long saber among the displayed weapons. The saber was crafted from an unknown material, but it was entirely black, and its blade faintly gleamed with a cold light.
At this moment, these weapons were all kept behind a counter, much like jewelry stores before the apocalypse, where customers could not directly touch the merchandise. If they fancied something, they would ask the sales staff to take it out for a closer look.
Lu Heng did not immediately ask the salesperson to retrieve the long saber. Instead, he pointed to another long sword that looked decent and asked, "Could you please get that long sword for me to examine?"
The salesperson glanced at him. Seeing Lu Heng's clean attire, which suggested he could afford it, they carefully placed the long sword Lu Heng pointed at onto the counter.
"Please be careful, the blade of this sword is quite sharp," the salesperson said meaningfully.
Lu Heng smiled and said nothing.
He had quite a few swords of this type in his spatial storage, as many wealthy merchants enjoyed collecting such weapons before the apocalypse.
Swords were inherently quite distinctive. Wealthy individuals would display them at home when guests visited, and others could recognize them at a glance.
Weighing the sword in his hand, Lu Heng drew the long sword from its sheath and examined the blade. It was sharpened and showed some signs of use.
Then, Lu Heng stepped back and swung the long sword in his hand, performing a beautiful sword flourish.
After all, in his previous life, Lu Heng, as a strength-type ability user, had dabbled in various cold weapons, so he could perform a set of graceful movements with many of them.
"How much for this long sword?"
"Since you seem to be an expert, I won't try to cheat you. Five hundred level-two crystals will do for this long sword."
"Oh? Ordinary level-two crystals?"
He had to clarify this. It would be troublesome if this person later demanded mutated crystals, even though he could afford them. He couldn't let himself be easily deceived.
"What are you saying? Of course, five hundred ordinary level-two crystals. Most items in our trading market are exchanged using ordinary level-two crystals as currency."
"Oh. Then I'll take a look at other weapons. Your selection of weapons is quite comprehensive."
"Naturally. Our shop is the most well-stocked with weapons in our base. We have almost anything you can think of."
"Heh." Although that statement was a bit boastful, Lu Heng had observed earlier that there were indeed quite a few types, and they also sold many firearms.
Lu Heng continued to look at several more cold weapons but never indicated he wanted to buy any. Just as the salesperson was about to lose patience, Lu Heng pointed to the black long saber he had first noticed and said, "Could you get that saber for me to look at as well?"
"You've looked at about ten weapons already. Whether you want to buy them or not, please don't delay my other business."
"Bring it here for me to see first. After all, these weapons are not cheap, and I need to find one that suits me," Lu Heng said with a slight frown.
The salesperson rolled their eyes and said nothing, but inwardly began to grumble, "This guy looks decent, and I thought I'd make a good profit today. He's been picking and choosing for so long but hasn't bought anything."
Lu Heng raised an eyebrow. Was he already being cursed at?
Lu Heng took the saber and weighed it in his hand. Then, gripping the hilt, he held the saber point upwards with his arm extended vertically. Glancing sideways, he saw the saber tip reached just above his ear. He then took two steps back, holding the saber, and swung it a few times.
"How much for this saber?"
"Four hundred ordinary level-two crystals for this saber."
"Heh, it seems I've found a treasure. Not many people here probably know its worth." Lu Heng mentally retrieved four hundred ordinary level-two crystals and placed them in a box.
He had forgotten to bring a bag to conceal items taken from his spatial storage when he first entered. It would be too conspicuous to produce four hundred level-two crystals out of thin air now. He looked at the salesperson and said, "You can come with me to the car to get the crystals. I didn't bring them with me."
The salesperson looked surprised. Was this person so careless? Not carrying crystals on them and leaving them in the car, wasn't he afraid of someone smashing the car?
Lu Heng raised an eyebrow and glanced at the salesperson. The salesperson's thoughts were indeed not unreasonable. He would have to find a suitable item to use as a cover for his movements in the future.