Chapter 1057
Exchanging Spiritual Items, A Kind Reminder
It is located in a valley dozens of miles west of "Guyuefang".
A black streak of light flew swiftly from afar and landed on a flat area outside the valley. In a short while, it transformed into a young man wearing a bamboo hat and a black robe.
After glancing around, the man in the straw hat quickly walked into the valley.
Before he could get very far, several sword lights suddenly flew from afar, landing directly around the man in the straw hat and surrounding him.
The four people surrounding the man in the bamboo hat were all Foundation Establishment cultivators. The one in the lead, an old man in a yellow robe, had already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. He was also wearing a half-mask to deliberately conceal his face.
"Fellow Daoist, you're really fast! You've kept us brothers chasing you for so long!"
The old man in the yellow robe looked at the man in the bamboo hat before him, his words revealing a hint of greed.
Faced with these people who clearly had ill intentions, the black-robed man surrounded by them did not show the slightest panic. He simply took off his bamboo hat, revealing a rather handsome face.
"I don't think I know any of you fellow Daoists. May I ask what brings you here?"
"Haha, fellow Daoist, you've been caught up by us, yet you remain so calm. You truly have some insight."
"We've come to find you, fellow Daoist, only because of something you possess. If you're willing to hand it over voluntarily, that would be best; we don't wish to make things difficult for you."
"Oh! I wonder what you gentlemen desire? Why don't you tell me? If I have something you want, I'll give it to you without hesitation!"
"Hmph! Kid, we know exactly what you got from the Jade True Water in Wan Yun Tower, otherwise we wouldn't have come looking for you."
I advise you to be smart and hand over the stuff now! Otherwise, don't blame us for not giving you a chance!
"Brother Liu, I think we shouldn't waste any more words with him. Let's go together and take him down!"
This guy doesn't look very smart. We'll have to rely on this to get him to listen to us!
As soon as the old man in the yellow robe finished speaking, a burly man in black standing next to him couldn't contain himself any longer and took out a giant sword magic weapon.
Seeing that the other party was about to make a move, the man in black robes remained silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand and placed it on the "storage bag" at his waist.
"So you all came for the Jade True Water. The item is right here with me, but whether you can take it or not depends on your ability."
After the man in black robes finished speaking, a strange look suddenly flashed in his eyes as he looked at the other party with a provocative gaze.
"Hahaha, I was just thinking about whether to give you a quick death, but it seems there's no need for that today!"
Seeing that the black-robed man dared to say such things in front of so many of them, the yellow-robed elder and the others immediately showed murderous intent in their eyes and took out the magical artifacts they had prepared beforehand.
"Boy, suffer death!"
As the old man in the yellow robe cast a spell and released a sword light, the men in black also threw out their magical weapons, heading straight for the black-robed man who was still motionless in place.
At this moment, a smile appeared on the lips of the man in black robes, seemingly not taking the opponent's attack seriously at all.
".."
After a short while, the valley quickly calmed down.
The man in the black robe stood still, holding several "storage bags" in his hands, and was opening them one by one to check what was inside.
Not far away in the open space, the four old men in yellow robes were already lying motionless on the ground, showing no reaction whatsoever.
All of them had their eyes wide open, their faces showing a hint of terror, as if they had seen something that terrified them before they died.
"Kid, if you want their bodies, just go to the market and grab a few. Why bother with these petty tricks!"
"You are now a demonic cultivator, do I really need to remind you of that?"
Just as the man in the black robe was examining the "storage bag" in his hand, a voice suddenly rang in his ear, with a strange tone in it.
The man in black robes who heard the voice did not look up, but simply put away all the "storage bags" in his hands.
"When I met you, senior, I was already a demonic cultivator, so you don't need to remind me of that!"
However, I have survived all these years thanks to this cautious heart. Otherwise, if I had acted as recklessly as other demonic cultivators, I would probably have been targeted by the righteous cultivators long ago, just like them.
It's just a little more troublesome, but for my own safety, what does it matter!
After responding, the man in black robes waved his hand and released a cloud of black energy, which swept all the corpses on the ground into the "storage bag" at his waist. He then took out an inconspicuous blue flying boat from his body.
"Kid, I sensed someone was watching you in the market just now. To be on the safe side, you'd better not go to that place again!"
"What? Someone noticed me? How come I didn't sense anything? Could it be a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Mingyue Sect?"
The black-robed man, who had just been calm, showed a hint of surprise upon hearing the other party's words and asked a question.
"This person's divine sense can detect you, so he must be a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage or above, there's no doubt about that. However, I'm not sure if he's from the Mingyue Sect."
It's not safe here now, let's leave quickly!
"You're nearing the time to form your Nascent Soul, so we need to find you a suitable place for secluded cultivation as soon as possible. There's no need for you to waste time here."
"Senior, the formation of the Nascent Soul stage by a cultivator is quite a commotion, and there doesn't seem to be a suitable place nearby. Where do you think I should go to find a secluded cultivation spot next?"
Upon hearing the black-robed man's question, the voice remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "In the Eastern Phoenix Kingdom, there are many Nascent Soul experts. It would indeed be somewhat dangerous to form a Nascent Soul nearby."
But don't worry, I know a very safe place where you can successfully enter seclusion.
Seeing that the other party had already made a plan, the man in black robes did not say anything more. He nodded slightly, then jumped onto the flying boat and disappeared in a streak of light.
".."
Two months later, in a three-story pavilion located east of "Guyuefang".
As soon as Song Qingming pushed open the door and entered the room, he saw a woman in yellow standing in front of him. It was Long Ziyun, whom he hadn't seen for a long time. He quickly smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.
"Twenty years have passed since we last met. I never expected that Fellow Daoist Long's cultivation would advance even further. This is truly a cause for celebration!"
Without special opportunities, it usually takes forty or fifty years or more for a Nascent Soul cultivator to break through a single realm through normal cultivation.
Twenty years ago, when Long Ziyun represented the "Four Seas Business Alliance" to attend the trade fair at Chiyun Mountain, her cultivation level seemed to have just broken through to the Nascent Soul stage.
Upon seeing her again, Song Qingming was slightly surprised to find that she had broken through to the second level of the Nascent Soul realm, and quickly offered his congratulations.
Upon hearing this, Long Ziyun raised her hand in return.
"Hehe! I only had a stroke of luck in recent years, and I am far inferior to a talent like Fellow Daoist Song."
I've been preoccupied with worldly affairs within the alliance lately, which is why I'm a little late. I hope you won't take offense at my rudeness!
"Alas, Fellow Daoist Long has gone to great lengths to come and help me. I am deeply grateful. You are too kind to say that."
".."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two saw someone knock on the door and enter. It was Yue Longshan, whom Song Qingming had met before.
"Reporting to the elder, Senior Liu has arrived and is already in the reception room!"
"Okay! I understand, you can go ahead and get busy!"
After waving the other party away, Long Ziyun stood up and said, "Fellow Daoist Song, since Fellow Daoist Liu is here, let's go over first."
Fellow Daoist, rest assured, this Fellow Daoist Liu has dealt with our sect several times before, and is not a difficult person to talk to.
"As long as Fellow Daoist Song can offer what he desires in exchange for the Precious Flame Pill, I think it shouldn't be too difficult!"
"Alright, then I'll trouble Fellow Daoist Long!"
After nodding in agreement, Song Qingming followed Long Ziyun to a private room not far away, where they met a woman dressed in a yellow Taoist robe.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Long. Could this be the person you mentioned who wanted to exchange for pills?"
"I am Song Qingming, greetings to Fellow Daoist Liu!"
Song Qingming glanced at the other person and found that this woman in yellow robes was also a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
However, her cultivation level is slightly lower than Song Qingming's; she is currently only at the fourth level of the Nascent Soul realm!
"Fellow Daoist Song, I am Liu Zimei of the Mingyue Sect. Greetings!"
After returning Song Qingming's greeting, Liu Zimei immediately continued, "I heard from Fellow Daoist Long that Fellow Daoist Song wanted to exchange for the Precious Flame Pill in my possession. I wonder what spiritual item you can offer in exchange?"
After Liu Zimei finished speaking, her gaze immediately turned to Song Qingming with some anticipation, wanting to see what kind of spiritual item the other party could produce.
In response to Liu Zimei's question, Song Qingming nodded slightly, then reached out and took out a black wooden box from his "storage bag" at his waist.
"Before coming here, I heard that Fellow Daoist Liu was a high-level alchemist, so I spent some spiritual items to exchange for a high-level spiritual herb from a friend."
"I wonder if you would accept this item in exchange for the Precious Flame Pill?"
As soon as Song Qingming finished speaking, he opened the wooden box in his hand, and a very strong medicinal fragrance quickly filled the private room.
"This is a mid-grade, fourth-level Black Jade Flower!"
Upon seeing the shimmering gray spiritual herb inside the wooden box, Liu Zimei, a high-level alchemist, was immediately drawn to it and couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
Since he released the news several years ago that he had the "Precious Flame Pill", five or six Nascent Soul cultivators have taken the initiative to come to him, wanting to exchange spiritual items.
Unfortunately, the items these people brought out were all high-level spiritual objects such as magic weapons and talismans, none of which tempted Liu Zimei, and she has been putting it off until now.
Only when she saw Song Qingming take out the "Ink Jade Flower" did Liu Zimei feel a flicker of excitement. She quickly stepped forward and took out the medicinal herb to examine it carefully.
Seeing the other party's performance, Song Qingming's previously anxious heart calmed down considerably, and he patiently waited on the sidelines. The "Ink Jade Flower" in Song Qingming's hand was the spiritual item that Long Feng had given him, and it was also the highest quality spiritual herb that Song Qingming currently possessed.
When Song Qingming came to the cultivation world of "Donghuang Kingdom" this time, he brought it with him to help Huo Feng exchange for "Bao Yan Dan".
After carefully examining the "Ink Jade Flower," Liu Zimei withdrew her gaze with satisfaction and then asked Song Qingming:
"Fellow Daoist Song, the aura of this black jade flower is pure, and it does not seem to be a cultivated product nurtured by a cultivator using spiritual water. Do you know where your friend picked this flower?"
"Oh! Fellow Daoist Liu, you really have a good eye. You can even tell that. To be honest, this item was obtained by my friend from a secret realm in the Northern Frontier."
It's a pity that there's only this one spiritual herb in that place; there are no other spiritual items left. Otherwise, I would definitely have wanted to go and take a look.
Seeing that Liu Zimei could immediately tell that the "Ink Jade Flower" was not something cultivated by human cultivators, Song Qingming glanced at her with some surprise and quickly offered an explanation.
Anyway, this "Ink Jade Flower" was brought by Long Feng from the Northern Frontier. It should be something they found around the territory of the "Heavenly Phoenix Clan". Song Qingming generously told him about it.
As for the exact location, even Song Qingming himself didn't know, so he couldn't possibly tell the other party. He could only lie and say that he had gained another "friend".
In the world of cultivation, everyone has their own secrets. Even if the other party has some doubts, Song Qingming doesn't need to explain too much.
After hearing Song Qingming's reply, Liu Zimei's eyes flickered a few times, and as expected, she did not ask any further questions, and nodded repeatedly.
"The Black Jade Flower prefers to grow in frosty places, and there are quite a few places in the Northern Frontier that are suitable for its growth."
"This is the first time I've heard of someone finding this item in the Northern Frontier. I was just a little curious. Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist Song."
After apologizing to Song Qingming, Liu Zimei gently waved her right hand, and a ray of light suddenly appeared in her hand.
Immediately afterwards, an exquisite jade box with gold trim appeared in her hand, which she then handed to Song Qingming.
"Fellow Daoist Song, this is the Precious Flame Pill. Please examine it. If there are no problems, our transaction will be considered complete."
Seeing Liu Zimei take out the item she had been longing for, Song Qingming smiled slightly and immediately accepted it.
Upon opening the jade box, he found that the elixir inside was almost identical to the one Song Qingming had seen in the notes Huang Siyuan had given him, which was precisely the "Precious Flame Pill," his biggest objective for this trip.
After a careful inspection, seeing that there were no obvious quality problems with the elixir, Song Qingming put away the jade box and nodded with a smile.
"Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist Liu!"
"Hehe! This transaction between us is based on mutual benefit, Fellow Daoist Song, there's no need to be so polite."
After waving goodbye to Song Qingming, Liu Zimei put away the "Ink Jade Flower" in her hand and continued to speak to him: Fellow Daoist Song, my Mingyue Sect is skilled in alchemy and also needs a lot of high-grade alchemy herbs for alchemy.
If you find any high-grade spiritual herbs of level four or above in the future that you won't need for a while, feel free to come to Yuanzhou to find me. I will definitely be able to offer you a price that satisfies you.
Whether it's exchanging for high-grade elixirs, magical treasures, or other spiritual items, our sect will do its best to satisfy you, fellow Daoist.
"Oh! That's excellent. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Liu still offers services for refining pills, such as high-grade spiritual pills like the Nascent Soul Pill?" Upon hearing this, Song Qingming nodded slightly and then asked another question.
Since successfully forming their Nascent Soul, Song Qingming and his group have been struggling because their sect lacks high-level alchemists of level four or above. In recent years, after obtaining spiritual herbs, they have had to seek help from the Heavenly Pill Alliance in the East Sea, putting them in a very passive position.
Having stayed in Mingyuefang for two months, Song Qingming had learned some information about them, including that they were a sect skilled in alchemy.
Upon hearing Liu Zimei mention the acquisition of high-grade spiritual herbs, Song Qingming casually inquired about it, hoping to find an opportunity to come here in the future to seek their help in refining pills.
Upon hearing this, Liu Zimei smiled slightly and immediately replied:
"Fellow Daoist Song, you may not know this, but our sect's Grand Elder's alchemy skills have successfully broken through to the fourth-grade high-level realm a few years ago. As long as you have a fourth-grade spiritual pill with a formula, we can definitely help you refine it."
As for elixirs like cultivation pills, that goes without saying.
In the last few hundred years, the Grand Elder has been refining a batch of these items almost every few decades, and the success rate is at least 30%. I can guarantee that.
Of course, according to the rules of the cultivation world, if you ask the Grand Elder to help you refine pills, the sect will also take one pill as a reward. Fellow Daoist Song should be aware of this!
"Yes! I know this without Fellow Daoist Liu reminding me."
"I never expected your sect's Grand Elder to be a fourth-grade high-level alchemist. I have truly been disrespectful. If I ever need anything in the future, I will certainly pay you a visit."
Upon hearing Liu Zimei mention that the "Mingyue Sect" actually had a fourth-grade high-level alchemist, Song Qingming's face flashed with surprise again, and he quickly nodded in response.
The last time he obtained the "Immortal Spirit Mushroom," Song Qingming took the herb to the "Heavenly Pill Alliance" to ask for their help in refining pills.
As a result, when "Master Xuantong" personally took action, he only managed to refine two "Nurture Pills," wasting a lot of spiritual herbs, which really disappointed him.
If he had met Liu Zimei earlier and known that the Mingyue Sect could lend a hand, Song Qingming would never have chosen to easily hand over the spiritual medicine to the Tiandan Alliance.
Having received Liu Zimei's approval, Song Qingming felt much more at ease.
At least in the future, if I encounter matters related to alchemy, I will have another option to consider, instead of relying entirely on the "Heavenly Pill Alliance" for alchemy.
"Hehe! It's rare that your transaction went so smoothly. My trip was definitely worthwhile. I congratulate you two on achieving your goals."
Seeing that Song Qingming and Liu Zimei had reached an agreement, Long Ziyun quickly smiled and congratulated them with a cupped-hand salute before picking up the spiritual tea placed on the table.
The three of them took a sip together with smiles on their faces, each showing a hint of satisfaction.
After the deal regarding the "Precious Flame Pill" was finalized, Song Qingming chatted briefly with the two people beside him, then suddenly cupped his hands towards Liu Zimei and said:
"Fellow Daoist Liu, when I arrived at the market two months ago, I happened to encounter a puzzling matter and would like to ask you about it. Please forgive me."
"I wonder if there have been any traces of Nascent Soul demons appearing in the vicinity of Guyuefang recently?"
"Fellow Daoist is referring to a Nascent Soul Demon Lord. I haven't heard of him recently. Why would you ask such a question?"
Guyue Market is located at the foot of Mingyue Mountain. The market even has a level-three magic array specifically designed to counter demonic cultivators. Even a Nascent Soul demon shouldn't be able to easily infiltrate it.
Although there are also some highly skilled demonic cultivators in the cultivation world of "Donghuang Kingdom".
However, due to the strength of the righteous sects in the cultivation world of "Donghuang Kingdom", most of the major markets have set up high-level formations specifically to deal with demonic cultivators, so demonic cultivators generally do not dare to approach this place easily.
Upon suddenly hearing Song Qingming ask if there were any Nascent Soul demonic cultivators nearby, Liu Zimei and Long Ziyun, who were sitting to the side, both changed their expressions slightly and looked at Song Qingming with some surprise.
Seeing this, Song Qingming immediately explained, "Fellow Daoists, I did indeed sense a somewhat familiar aura of a demonic cultivator in the market earlier."
Although it was only for a moment, I still felt that the aura seemed to be that of a demon I had seen before.
Decades ago, demonic cultivators caused trouble in our Floating Cloud Mountains, and as a result, they unintentionally released a sealed demon from the upper realm named Crimson Origin Saint Demon.
This demon's cultivation level has reached the late Nascent Soul stage, and its supernatural abilities are extremely strange. Ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators are no match for it.
Although it was later severely damaged by the combined forces of our various sects, its primordial spirit successfully escaped into the Illusionary Sea Desert, and there has been no further news of it since.
The demonic aura I sensed in the market earlier was very similar to this demon, which is why I asked this question.
"A demon from the upper realm! Fellow Daoist Song, can you confirm that he really appeared in Guyuefang?" After hearing Song Qingming's explanation, Liu Zimei's expression became even more solemn, and she asked again to confirm.
Seeing this, Song Qingming shook his head and said, "To be honest, I only sensed a faint aura that was very similar to mine at the time."
Before I could confirm, the other party quickly became alert and disappeared, concealing their presence.
As for whether it was the Crimson Origin Saint Demon or some other demonic cultivator who practiced the techniques he taught, Song could not know for the time being.
Fellow Daoist Liu, this demon is not only strange and powerful, but he can also directly devour a cultivator's nascent soul. Back then, one of our fellow Daoists from the Floating Cloud Mountain Range unfortunately perished at his hands.
I was worried that this demon might be hiding nearby, which is why I kindly reminded Fellow Daoist Liu.
This bamboo slip contains a detailed record of this demon's characteristics and supernatural abilities. If your sect encounters this demon in the future, it might be of some help to you. I will now present it to Fellow Daoist Liu.”
"It's kind of Fellow Daoist Song to offer such a helpful reminder, so I will accept this item on behalf of my sect."
Seeing Song Qingming take out a bamboo scroll, Liu Zimei immediately bowed in thanks before accepting it, and then continued speaking:
"In recent years, a sudden turmoil of demonic cultivators broke out in the Qiyun cultivation world. Indeed, some high-level demonic cultivators infiltrated the Yuanzhou territory from the west."
However, we had not heard of any Nascent Soul demons appearing in the vicinity before, which may have led to our sect being somewhat negligent in our defenses in this regard.
Regardless of whether the person you encountered was the demon from the upper realm you mentioned, since this matter involves Nascent Soul demon cultivators, I will immediately report it to the sect leader for a detailed investigation.
"It is the duty of us righteous cultivators to eliminate demons and protect the righteous path; please rest assured, Fellow Daoist Song!"
Seeing that Liu Zimei was about to take her leave, Song Qingming and Long Ziyun quickly stood up, cupped their hands in greeting, and then escorted her out of the private room.
"Fellow Daoist Long, this transaction was made possible thanks to your help. I hope you won't find this small token of my appreciation too offensive."
After seeing Liu Zimei off, Song Qingming returned to the private room and quickly took out a "storage bag" from his person and handed it to Long Ziyun.
"For me, this is just a matter of helping out by making an introduction. Fellow Daoist Song, you are too kind."
Seeing that Song Qingming had taken out a "storage bag" that seemed to contain many spiritual items, Long Ziyun didn't stand on ceremony with him this time and took the items into her hands.
The two then chatted and drank tea in the private room for a while before Song Qingming got up to say goodbye and leave.
Having successfully obtained the "Precious Flame Pill" from Liu Zimei, Song Qingming had accomplished his goal for this trip. He did not choose to stay nearby and set off directly from "Guyuefang".
-
Several months later, in the Qiyun cultivation world, outside a valley in the northwest.
The black-robed man standing at a distance looked at the incredibly dense black demonic energy in the valley ahead, and a look of solemnity appeared in his eyes.
Just as the man in black robes was about to continue forward, a large cloud of black mist suddenly appeared not far behind him. Soon the black mist gathered in one place and transformed into a beautiful young woman wearing a red robe.
"Hehe! I didn't expect to have such distinguished guests here today!"
(PS: I finally made up for what I owed today. Thank you all for your understanding!) (End of Chapter)