Chapter 237 - 171: Small Trade Fair

Chapter 237: Chapter 171: Small Trade Fair

Clear Water Lake hadn’t always existed within the Moyun Sect. Legend has it that decades ago, the beloved of an Elder wished to live by a lake. That Elder, who was skilled in water-based magic, toiled for an entire day, and the Inner Sect’s grounds gained Clear Water Lake, which has a diameter of about four kilometers.

Unfortunately, the Elder ultimately failed to win his beloved’s heart. Even the three-story bamboo house he had specially built beside the lake gradually fell into disrepair, becoming deserted. However, because of a restriction the Elder had placed, no one could get near it.

Clear Water Lake was so named because its water was limpid, allowing one to clearly see the swimming fish and the smooth, oval stones stacked in neat rows on the lakebed.

This small-scale trade meet appeared to be a convenient way for Inner Sect Disciples to exchange resources, but the true organizers behind the scenes were actually the Inner Sect Elders. That was why no one had to worry about the security of their transactions.

Many people had already gathered around Clear Water Lake, seated in a circle around a large, glowing screen. After presenting his Identity Token and paying an entrance fee of fifty Spirit Stones, Zhao Zuo finally got a look at the trade screen.

The screen functioned similarly to the one in the task hall, but this one was more time-sensitive. Paired with a trade token, it formed an exceptionally convenient and fast Magical Artifact system that was highly responsive.

Zhao Zuo collected his trade token, found a spot in front of the screen, and began to read carefully.

"Number One: Seeking Foundation Establishment Pill. Willing to pay eighty thousand Spirit Stones. Other terms negotiable in person."

Zhao Zuo’s gaze shifted down the list. He noticed the first several requests were all for the Foundation Establishment Pill. This type of Pill Medicine was rather unique; it was expensive to produce and extremely difficult to acquire.

For experts who had already surpassed the Foundation Establishment realm, it was more profitable to hunt high-level First-Tier Demon Beasts deep within the Yunlan Mountain Range for Spirit Stones than it was to spend time and effort gathering materials to refine Foundation Establishment Pills.

"Number Eighteen: Seeking Second-Tier Artifact Refining materials. Willing to pay with Spirit Stones or provide Magical Artifact repair and Artifact Refining services. I have mastered Middle-Grade Magical Artifact refining techniques and can accept custom orders."

Zhao Zuo thought for a moment, then infused mana into the trade token in his hand and mentally composed a message.

"Seeking Soul Cleansing Water or any Pill Medicine that strengthens the soul. Willing to pay with Spirit Stones or Artifact Refining materials."

He lifted his head to look at the screen. A new line of text had appeared at the bottom—the exact request he had just published. As it slowly scrolled by, Zhao Zuo found a spot in a corner of the crowd.

"Fellow Daoist, what are you looking to buy?" The man next to him was quite forward, tilting his head slightly to ask Zhao Zuo. He looked to be about thirty years old. Zhao Zuo took a subtle sniff and caught a strong medicinal aroma from the man—a fresh scent tinged with bitterness. ’He’s most likely an Alchemist,’ Zhao Zuo thought.

Zhao Zuo’s interest was piqued. ’Alchemists and Talisman Masters both keep materials like Soul Cleansing Water on hand to capture fleeting moments of inspiration and insight,’ he considered. ’So it’s entirely possible this man has what I need.’

"I’m looking to buy some Soul Cleansing Water," Zhao Zuo said quietly.

"I happen to have some Soul Cleansing Water left. I wonder what price you’re prepared to pay, Fellow Daoist?" Meng Xin asked Zhao Zuo, his voice low but his enunciation perfectly clear.

"What’s your price? Or are there any materials you need? We could barter."

Zhao Zuo turned to face Meng Xin.

"Let’s find a spot to the side and talk privately?"

The area around Clear Water Lake was spacious and planted with a type of peach tree that was blue from leaf to branch. It was a Spirit Tree, but it followed a long cycle: it bloomed only once every five years, the blossoms lasted for five years, and then it took another five years for the fruit to ripen.

Currently, these Silver Wood Spirit Peaches were in their five-year fruiting stage. Thumb-sized fruit had already appeared on the branches, though they were still green. A faint, sweet fragrance already perfumed the air around them.

"Soul Cleansing Water is a standard Spiritual Material for Alchemists, and I have use for it myself. So, if you need it, Fellow Daoist, I’m afraid you’ll have to pay a premium," Meng Xin said candidly, making no attempt to beat around the bush about wanting a high price.

"How many Spirit Stones?" Zhao Zuo asked, already calculating a maximum price in his head.

"Ten thousand Spirit Stones for nine drops."

Zhao Zuo had looked into the price of Soul Cleansing Water before. It was typically about nine hundred Spirit Stones per drop. A single effective dose required three drops, which meant ten thousand Spirit Stones would be enough for three uses.

It was pricey, but still within an acceptable range.

Just as Zhao Zuo was about to agree, the trade token in his hand began to vibrate.

"Number Twelve has accepted your trade request."

"Fellow Daoist Meng, I’m going to check someone else’s offer first before I decide whether to buy from you."

"Of course, of course." Meng Xin’s expression didn’t change as he turned and returned to his original spot.

Zhao Zuo took out his trade token and infused it with mana. He sensed the location the other party had provided; it was also near Clear Water Lake, but they had specified that he must come alone.

At night, a chill radiated from Clear Water Lake, spreading in cold gusts across the shore. Zhao Zuo subconsciously tightened his Taoist Robe. Then, with a casual gesture, he altered his features, transforming his face into that of a complete stranger.

The designated location was on the shore of Clear Water Lake. When Zhao Zuo arrived, he saw only a young woman in a blue Taoist Robe, sitting on a smooth stone at the water’s edge. Her pale feet dangled in the icy water, swinging slowly back and forth as if she didn’t feel the cold at all.

"Number Eighteen?" Zhao Zuo asked, intentionally keeping his voice low.

"You’re here. Care to sit?"

The young woman turned, gave Zhao Zuo a single glance, and then faced the lake again. Her feet continued to sway in the water, stirring up ripples and giving her an air full of youth and vitality.