Chapter 239 - 172: Two Magical Treasures, Repairs Complete

Chapter 239: Chapter 172: Two Magical Treasures, Repairs Complete

"There is one other drawback," Wang Tianyu said after a moment’s thought, deciding to be upfront. "Sun Essence isn’t as gentle as Moonlight Essence. Absorbing it is extremely painful and difficult—I already mentioned that. You’ll also become somewhat irritable and quick to anger during the absorption period."

"Will that effect last for a long time?" Zhao Zuo asked.

"You’ll return to normal a few days after you stop absorbing it. It can also be neutralized by absorbing Moonlight Essence, but in comparison, you’ll waste some of the energy."

"Fine. I’ll buy it for three thousand Spirit Stones," Zhao Zuo said.

"Deal. I also have a Middle Grade Spiritual Object: a Spirit Wood Bead," Wang Tianyu said.

"Aren’t Spirit Wood Beads Lower Grade Spiritual Objects?"

"This particular Spirit Wood Bead is slightly mutated. It’s more effective than a normal one, reaching the level of a Middle Grade Spiritual Object. Plus, it can restore your... vigor." At the end, Wang Tianyu gave a slight raise of his eyebrow and a knowing look.

"Now that makes this Spirit Wood Bead interesting. Two thousand Spirit Stones, and not a stone more." Spirit Wood Beads mainly dealt with vitality and recovery. They could restore spent stamina, ward off poison, and even offered a bit of healing, though they were inferior to Source Water Beads when it came to mending injuries.

"Alright." Wang Tianyu nodded. The offer was very fair.

The transaction was quite pleasant. For nine thousand Spirit Stones, Zhao Zuo successfully obtained two useful Supporting Magical Artifacts and one Middle Grade Spiritual Object. He had long intended to collect a full set of the Five Elements Spirit Beads, but other matters had gradually delayed his plans.

Zhao Zuo returned to the light screen to cancel his posted trade request, then handed in his trading Token and left the small trade meet. In the distance, Inner Sect Disciples gathered in twos and threes, conducting private deals in hushed tones. Even though no one was officially providing security, no conflicts had erupted.

After all, this was the Moyun Sect; some rules still applied.

On the way back, Zhao Zuo suddenly recalled that he hadn’t heard from Liu Heng in half a month. The last time they’d communicated was before Liu Heng left to venture into the Yunlan Mountain Range. There had been no word from him since.

Zhao Zuo took out his Communication Jade and thought for a moment. He decided against contacting Liu Heng and instead left a message for Shen Yunjiao.

"It’s been half a month. I wonder if your breakthrough was successful?"

He waited for a while but received no reply. ’My last message was three days ago,’ he thought. ’Logically, with the sheer power of the Taotie Secret Technique and plenty of resources, her chances of a successful breakthrough should be very high. I have no idea what could have gone wrong to make it take half a month.’

Back at his Cave Mansion, Zhao Zuo first took out a Fire Element Seed to feed his Fire Spirit Snake. Since it had been fed a constant diet of Fire Series Spiritual Objects from birth, the snake had recently hibernated and undergone a transformation. It was now ten meters long, with the thickest part of its body measuring about fifteen centimeters in diameter.

Zhao Zuo spent some time bonding with Xiaohei as usual, then returned to his own room and closed the stone door.

He gently tightened his right hand around the cool crystal.

[Level: Lower Grade Magical Treasure · Moonlight Bead] (Damaged)

[EXP: 0/200]

[Status: Cannot be upgraded]

’I really didn’t expect such a sudden surprise!’ During the trade, Zhao Zuo had deliberately not activated his Golden Finger, waiting until he was back in the safety of his Cave Mansion to check his purchases. He never imagined the Moonlight Bead wasn’t an Upper Grade Magical Artifact at all, but a Magical Treasure!

’That’s right. This makes sense.’

’The passage of millennia in some ancient ruin must have degraded this Magical Treasure to the point where it only displays the power of an Upper Grade Magical Artifact. That’s perfectly normal and reasonable. Probably no one in the world could determine its true grade, except for a Golden Finger that can trace an item’s origin.’

But he quickly dismissed that arrogant thought. ’The Cultivation Realm is vast and boundless. It’s only natural that there are other miraculous items capable of tracing things back to their source.’

Full of anticipation, he touched the Red Flame Bead. It looked similar to the Moonlight Bead—another smoothly polished crystal—but it was made of a very different material and gave off a gentle warmth.

[Level: Lower Grade Magical Treasure · Red Flame Bead] (Damaged)

[EXP: 0/200]

[Status: Cannot be upgraded]

’Just as I thought! Both of them are actually Magical Treasures. I really need to attend these trade meets more often.’

He’d reaped such a reward from just a single visit. ’If I go a couple more times, I’ll be flying high!’ Zhao Zuo grew incredibly excited and chuckled foolishly for several minutes. He then absorbed the Spirit Wood Bead into his Dantian to nurture it before composing himself and beginning his meditation.

Daily meditation and cultivation were essential. Zhao Zuo always understood one thing clearly: no matter how many Magical Treasures he possessed, they were ultimately external aids. Only his own personal strength could ensure he would never be at the mercy of others.

He soon entered a state of deep meditation, losing all awareness of himself and the world around him. Bolstered by his many Magical Treasures, Zhao Zuo’s cultivation speed was incredibly fast, far surpassing that of an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple.

Moreover, he would often get sudden flashes of insight while cultivating. He would then act on this inspiration, modifying the circulation routes of the Mana within his body to better suit his constitution. This was an incredibly dangerous process; if his Mana went astray and damaged his Meridians, it would take several days of recovery at a minimum. And yet, he had never once made a mistake.

Zhao Zuo’s comprehension was far greater than an ordinary person’s, making him a bona fide genius. That was why he could so boldly modify the circulation pathways of his Cultivation Technique. This was a benefit granted by the combination of his Soul-Forging Technique and Creation Points.