Chapter 427 - 424: 3-Way Trade

Chapter 427: Chapter 424: 3-Way Trade

"Fellow Daoists, the Lotus Secret Realm has nothing to do with us. Let’s get back to business... If Little Friend Yu wishes to participate, you could have your sect reach out to the Celestial Principle Sect."

Guu Chang Wanderer coughed lightly, pulling everyone’s attention away from the Lotus Secret Realm and the Qingfeng Sect.

"My Sect’s Secret Realms are by no means inferior. There’s no need to look so far afield."

Yu Zhengze said coldly, his expression arrogant.

The opportunities hidden within the Lotus Secret Realm were considered top-tier in the entire Northern Domain.

No one could ignore a Spiritual Object that could help them break through to Core Formation Perfection. Even though he was the Saint Heir of the No-Life Sect, it didn’t mean his sect’s support was limitless.

This was especially true for Realm-Breaking Spiritual Objects and Elixirs for Core Formation Perfection, which were rare even for a Nascent Soul Major Sect.

The No-Life Sect was not a monolith. It was divided into several factions, and the Cultivators of each mountain peak watched each other’s every move as if under a magnifying glass.

If you failed just once, endless voices of doubt would rise against you, and it would become extremely difficult to apply for an Elixir of the same grade again.

Yu Zhengze wasn’t the only Saint Heir in the No-Life Sect. Even with a Nascent Soul True Monarch as a master, he couldn’t guarantee he would reach Core Formation Perfection within a specific timeframe.

Every bottleneck in the Core Formation Stage had to be treated with caution, even for someone with a Celestial Spiritual Root.

It was common for cultivators to fall into a mental block and remain stuck for decades.

It wasn’t so much that he looked down on the Lotus Secret Realm, but rather that his own strength was limited. It would be difficult for someone with his Early-Stage Core Formation Cultivation to gain anything.

He might even suffer an accident and perish within the Lotus Secret Realm.

Naturally, the No-Life Sect’s own Secret Realms were safer and better suited to his plans.

"Except for Little Friend Yu, this isn’t the first time for the rest of us. We’ll stick to the old rules: all transactions are final. Whether you find a treasure or get swindled, it’s all down to your own skill. No holding grudges after we’re done."

Guu Chang Wanderer looked at ’Su Wuming’ and said considerately.

"Fellow Daoist Su, since this is your first time, you might not have brought any suitable Treasures to trade... If you’re interested, feel free to make an offer. If not, just treat it as a bit of entertainment."

He took out a Mutton Fat Jade Bottle, placed it gently on the table, and said:

"You all know my brewing skills. This bottle of Celestial Essence Jade Dew was brewed according to a recipe using an Ancient Technique. The process took a full 60-Year Cycle, and the wine reached Tier Four. Only someone at Late-Stage Core Formation can barely withstand the tyrannical Spiritual Power within the wine. One sip is equivalent to ten years of Cultivation. Even for Early-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators, it’s worth a year of arduous training."

"There are three sips left in this bottle. I wish to trade them for one Tribulation Crossing Pill."

After he finished speaking, Guu Chang Wanderer looked at the others around the table, his eyes full of expectation.

"Master Guu, the Celestial Essence Jade Dew is without a doubt a top-tier Spirit Wine, but to be honest, wanting to trade just three sips for a Tribulation Crossing Pill is a bit of a stretch."

Yu Zhengze said after a moment of serious consideration.

"If I recall correctly, the Celestial Essence Jade Dew loses its cultivation-enhancing effects after three sips... If it had the same effect as recorded in the Ancient Technique—where drinking a whole pot could save a Nascent Soul Cultivator ten years of arduous training—I could find plenty of True Monarchs willing to trade a Tribulation Crossing Pill for it."

"I know my Celestial Essence Jade Dew falls a bit short of a Tribulation Crossing Pill. I’m willing to make up the difference with Spirit Stones or other Treasures. Could Little Friend Yu perhaps help make the connection?"

Guu Chang Wanderer’s gaze was intense; his main target was Yu Zhengze.

He had been dealing with the others present for decades and had a rough idea of their wealth.

An Elixir on the level of the Tribulation Crossing Pill was something only a Saint Heir of the No-Life Sect would be qualified to handle.

Yu Zhengze himself was a lover of fine wine and had sought out the master brewer, Guu Chang Wanderer, on someone’s recommendation.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say this trading session was held mostly for Yu Zhengze.

"Difficult. I reckon none of the senior masters in my Sect would be interested in the Celestial Essence Jade Dew... If Master Guu can wait, I could write a letter and ask my master."

Yu Zhengze looked troubled and shook his head slightly.

"Very well. Do any of you other Fellow Daoists have a Tribulation Crossing Pill?"

Guu Chang Wanderer let out a long sigh and asked the others, though he didn’t hold out much hope.

"I am somewhat interested in the Celestial Essence Jade Dew. I’d like to take it back as a congratulatory gift for a family elder... I wonder if you would accept Spirit Stones? I can pay with Top-Grade Spirit Stones."

Bai Zichen suppressed his excitement, waiting until a full round of silence had passed before he interjected.

The Celestial Essence Jade Dew was a perfect fit for his needs, but unfortunately, he didn’t have a Tribulation Crossing Pill on him at the moment.

When he had killed the Core Formation Elder from the Holy Lotus Sect, there had been two Tribulation Crossing Pills among the spoils. Later, when the Danxia Sect became their Vassal Sect and sought protection, they had offered another two.

However, in all his years of Cultivation, he had never taken a Realm-Breaking Elixir, so the Tribulation Crossing Pills had always been stored in the Secret Hall.

He’d heard that Wei Dao had redeemed one when he was attempting to break through to the Mid-Stage Core Formation, and his successful breakthrough was inextricably linked to the Tribulation Crossing Pill.

"Forget Spirit Stones. I don’t lack Spirit Stones. At my age, I don’t have the energy to brew another batch of Celestial Essence Jade Dew. I just want to trade for a Tribulation Crossing Pill and take one more gamble... Whether I succeed or fail, at least I’ll have an answer for myself."

Guu Chang Wanderer rejected the offer outright without even listening to the price in Spirit Stones.

Seeing that no one had a Tribulation Crossing Pill, he disappointedly put the Mutton Fat Jade Bottle away.

If he signed a binding contract with Tongxian City and became an Honored Guest Elder, he could be granted a Tribulation Crossing Pill.

But he didn’t want to be tied down to one place, forced to complete tasks issued by the Immortal City every so often, which was why he had always hesitated.

’At this rate, my only path is to become an Honored Guest Elder of the Immortal City. But time is not on my side...’

"This humble Daoist has a Tribulation Crossing Pill, but I don’t wish to trade it for the Celestial Essence Jade Dew. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Guu would be willing to hear my terms?"

The drunken look on Master Qi’s face faded. He sat up straight, no longer wearing his previous dissolute and unrestrained expression.

"Three portions of Core Formation Spiritual Objects and three Top-Grade Magical Treasures. As long as you can meet my requirements, the Tribulation Crossing Pill can be yours immediately... This Elixir was a gift from True Monarch Jiulian back in the day. I could never bear to use it, but for the sake of my descendants, I can’t be sentimental anymore."

"I don’t lack Top-Grade Magical Treasures, but it’s difficult to gather the Core Formation Spiritual Objects on short notice... I wonder if you could grant me some time? I can trade with others to gather them."

Guu Chang Wanderer’s expression became excited. He never expected such a turn of events, that a Tribulation Crossing Pill would appear from an old acquaintance he least expected.

"One year. I can wait one year at most... If you can guarantee you’ll find three portions of Core Formation Spiritual Objects within a year, we have a deal. Otherwise, forgive this humble Daoist, but I cannot wait. My descendants are about to pass the optimal age for Core Formation. I can’t delay any longer."

Master Qi spoke earnestly, his expression serious.

"Within a year... I can’t make any guarantees."

Guu Chang Wanderer’s expression was complicated, but in the end, he answered truthfully, refusing to make an empty promise.

In the past, three portions of Core Formation Spiritual Objects would not have been a problem for the well-connected Guu Chang Wanderer, whether he acquired them through the Immortal City or by seeking Clear Spirit Jade Marrow from Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain.

But with the declining production of Core Formation Spiritual Objects from the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect’s Secret Realm, and the sect having suffered a misfortune in recent years, sealing its mountain and cutting off contact with the outside world, the price of Core Formation Spiritual Objects had skyrocketed.

Clear Spirit Jade Marrow was becoming rarer on the market, and each time it appeared, it would break the previous auction record.

If he couldn’t do it, he couldn’t do it. Even though his craving for the Tribulation Crossing Pill had reached this point, Guu Chang Wanderer disdained to lie or deceive.

Guu Chang Wanderer was well aware of Master Qi’s situation. After leaving the Holy Lotus Sect, he had wandered everywhere without even a permanent residence.

Among his several disciples and many descendants, three were the most outstanding, having already reached Foundation Establishment Perfection or Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivation.

His desire for the Tribulation Crossing Pill was entirely for the sake of his descendants.

For all these years, he had numbed himself with wine, living wantonly and never once disciplining his disciples or descendants.

Those three most outstanding ones had truly reached their current heights through their own talent and hard work.

Hearing today that the Holy Lotus Sect was in peril, he had a sudden awakening, realizing there was no point in wallowing in the sorrow of having a Mountain Gate he could not return to.

It was better to care for the people around him. Providing Core Formation Spiritual Objects and Magical Treasures was the only way he could make amends.

After wasting a hundred years, he had long since lost any thought of reaching a higher Realm or the ethereal, distant Nascent Soul.

"Fellow Daoist Qi, I have three drops of Clear Spirit Jade Marrow, and also these three Magical Treasures... Take a look and see if they meet your requirements."

At this moment, Bai Zichen was truly grateful for the agreement his Senior Brother Ge Cang had made with Fang Tiancheng, which ensured that the Qingfeng Sect had no shortage of Core Formation Spiritual Objects.

As the Ancestor of the Sect, he had four drops of Clear Spirit Jade Marrow on him, originally intending to bestow one as a congratulatory gift to whichever of his disciples broke through to Foundation Establishment Perfection.

He never expected that, by a twist of fate, they would come in so handy at a time like this.

As for Top-Grade Magical Treasures, he had even more in his storage bag.

With so much loot from Core Formation Cultivators, even after transferring most of it to the Secret Hall, it wasn’t difficult to scrounge up three Top-Grade Magical Treasures.

Master Qi inspected the three Jade Bottles, the two Copper Long Maces, and the one White Jade Hundred Flowers Cauldron with a hint of surprise.

"The items are correct. This is the Tribulation Crossing Pill. It’s been sealed ever since it came into my possession. You can have a look, Fellow Daoist."

He clearly hadn’t expected Guu Chang Wanderer to fail to produce the required items, only for the newly arrived Core Formation True Man to step in and complete the trade.

The others looked at Bai Zichen with glittering eyes, their minds racing with all sorts of speculation.

No one would believe that a person who could produce three portions of Clear Spirit Jade Marrow in one go was an ordinary Loose Cultivator.

Clear Spirit Jade Marrow has an optimal period for consumption. After a certain point, its effectiveness diminishes day by day.

Combined with ’Su Wuming’s’ claim that the Celestial Essence Jade Dew was for a family elder, the image of a powerful Noble Family began to form in their minds.

Bai Zichen broke the wax seal, pulled out the jade stopper, and saw the familiar-looking Tribulation Crossing Pill.

"Master Guu, I’ll use this Tribulation Crossing Pill to trade for your Celestial Essence Jade Dew. What do you say?"

"Excellent, excellent, excellent!"

Guu Chang Wanderer never imagined that the Tribulation Crossing Pill he had been longing for would end up in his hands in such a manner.

"As for the difference in value, how would you like me to compensate you, Fellow Daoist? Spirit Stones, Treasures, Spirit Wine—so long as it’s within my power, I will do my best to provide it."

"Spirit Stones will be fine."

With the Celestial Essence Jade Dew in hand, Bai Zichen didn’t really care whether he received compensation for the difference or not.

He placed the Mutton Fat Jade Bottle into his storage bag, finally able to face the rest of the trades with a relaxed mind.

This three-way trade meant that both Guu Chang Wanderer and Master Qi had achieved their goals. Now they could just watch the rest with happy smiles.

Yu Zhengze took out a Twin Black Lotus, saying it could be used to cultivate several types of Demon Flames of immense power.

The cultivator with the surname Li produced an ancient text with yellowed pages. The title page was riddled with hundreds of rice-sized holes chewed by insects, but he claimed it contained a Treasure Map.

A female cultivator in a palace gown, with delicate and simple features, spread out two Tier Three Array Maps, wishing to exchange them for Elixirs that could enhance one’s Cultivation.