Chapter 688 - 543: True Monarch of Eating Mist

The use of Washing Spirit Sand is extensive; it not only purifies the impurities within cinnabar but also serves as a neutralizing material in refining Earth Element Treasures, requiring large amounts.

Only Spirit Devouring Insects growing in environments with very pure Spiritual Qi can condense high-quality Washing Spirit Sand.

In the Central Continent, such regions are few, and most high-quality Washing Spirit Sand comes from the East Sea Cultivation Realm.

In recent years, frequent wars between the East Sea Cultivation Realm and Sea Beasts have greatly affected the supply of high-quality Washing Spirit Sand in the Cultivation Realm.

Old Chen finds it hard to believe that the other party has high-quality Jade Cocoons, as the purity of Spiritual Qi in the Western Continent is slightly inferior compared to other continents.

Whoever controls the supply of high-quality Washing Spirit Sand can make a fortune.

Previously, the Western Continent was the territory of Demon Beasts, unless an environment like the Purifying Spirit Acupoint that constantly purifies Spiritual Qi is discovered, the Spiritual Qi here won’t be very pure.

Ji An pointed at the Washing Spirit Sand on the tray and asked:

"What is the price for this quality of spirit sand?"

"These are Tier Two Top-Grade Washing Spirit Sand, one Top-grade Spirit Stone for five pounds.

If a fellow cultivator can provide Tier Three Lower Grade Washing Spirit Sand, five Top-grade Spirit Stones per pound.

Of course, the quality of the goods is crucial."

Ji An took out a cloth bag from the Grotto Void Stone and poured out a dozen or so pure white Jade Cocoons.

Before he could speak, Old Chen’s squinting eyes widened like copper bells, his tone enthusiastic and sincere:

"Fellow cultivator, how many of these quality Jade Cocoons do you have?"

"You have to tell me the price first, right?"

"Haha, I was too eager; such high-quality items are rare.

The jade is warm, clear, and free of impurities, which is the best quality.

Though at Tier Two Top-Grade Level, I am willing to offer one pound for one Top-grade Spirit Stone, I’ll take as many as you have."

Old Chen showed a demeanor of not caring about money, as this quality of Washing Spirit Sand can replace the normal quality of Tier Three spirit sand, just by increasing the quantity used.

If he can purchase a few hundred pounds, the profit, haha!

At this moment, Ji An was trying hard to control his facial expression; the unground Jade Cocoons stored in the Gourd World are estimated to weigh seven to eight hundred pounds.

If he didn’t suppress his overflowing joy, the corners of his mouth might have stretched to his ears.

He lightly coughed, "I can accept the price; I have over a hundred pounds, but since I still need fifty pounds myself, I can only sell about seventy pounds."

He still didn’t know the true value of Washing Spirit Sand, so he wasn’t choosing to sell them all.

Once he reaches the Central Continent later, he can slowly learn about the uses of this Spiritual Object.

Thinking of this, he decided to appropriately increase the scale of the Spirit Devouring Insect colony.

"If your Jade Cocoons are all of such quality, you won’t need that much Washing Spirit Sand, ten pounds would suffice."

Fearing Ji An wouldn’t believe him, Old Chen meticulously explained the role Washing Spirit Sand plays in cinnabar, and then said:

"In light of sharing this piece of information, could you sell me a hundred pounds of Jade Cocoons?"

"Deal!"

Ji An courteously agreed without pressing for more.

"Great, in this case, you have all the companion minerals you need, and I’ll save you one Top-grade Spirit Stone, just eighty-five pieces are enough."

Ji An displayed a polite smile, "I didn’t bring the Jade Cocoons with me; it will take a few days to deliver them."

The Jade Cocoons are stored in the Little World; he needs to find a safe place to retrieve them.

Old Chen was momentarily taken aback but then generously said:

"I can wait for you to deliver them; it doesn’t affect you taking these minerals today.

Additionally, the Merchant Flying Ship will remain here for five months; if you can store another batch of Jade Cocoons, feel free to bring them for trading."

With the settlement of money and goods, the two chatted for a while longer. Ji An asked:

"Do you sell cinnabar formulas, fellow cultivator?"

Currently, he only has the cinnabar formulas for the Purifying Talisman and Spirit Stabilizing Talisman and urgently needs more Tier Three formulas.

Old Chen showed a wry smile, "I would also like to deal in selling formulas or the like, but I don’t have the capability for that."

Ji An didn’t ask any further; after agreeing on the time to trade the Jade Cocoons, he took his leave.

He continued along the street, arriving at the spirit medicine sales area to purchase the related Spirit Medicines needed for making Talisman Paper.

When he returns to the sect, he can begin refining Tier Three Talisman Paper.

Two days later, Ji An returned to the Merchant Flying Ship and completed the transaction with Old Chen, smiling as he accepted one hundred Top-grade Spirit Stones, a task much easier than tediously practicing alchemy or talisman painting!

Whether planting or breeding, both require a large initial investment; however, once the initial hardship is over, the journey becomes smoother.

...

At Yingri Peak, the light twisted in the Teleportation Array, and when everything calmed down, Ji An returned to the sect.

He rode the clouds to Ningcui Cliff, then used the Teleportation Array to arrive at Sunrise Peak.

Arriving at Wuji Hall, he found Daoist Master Zhengyang and Master Yuxiao both present.

After some pleasantries, Ji An shared his idea about "patents," saying:

"If implemented, it will motivate everyone to pass on the experiences they acquire, allowing more people to benefit."

By being able to maintain the interests of respective disciples for a period of time, more people will be encouraged to share their experiences.

"It’s a great idea, but the problem is complicated; how to allocate the benefits is a difficult issue, but it’s worth the effort to promote, and I will consider it carefully."

Ji An once again explained his idea of researching the properties and pharmacology of spirit medicines, and then said:

"It is very difficult to obtain high-tier pill formulas through normal means, so we need to have deep foundations to create pill formulas ourselves.

Accumulating knowledge in this area is invaluable for the Dan Ding Institute. It’s unrealistic to rely on disciples to voluntarily research these, so I believe awards should be established to reward all cultivators who make contributions.

Additionally, the Dan Ding Institute needs to establish a separate department to recruit disciples dedicated to research.

As we continue our research, our foundation will become deeper and deeper, making it more likely for us to create new pill formulas in the future."

Master Yuxiao said, "Junior Brother, this suggestion is good. If we do this, there will be a greater chance for the two ancient pill formulas I purchased to see the light of day again in the future."

The three of them discussed the feasibility of the proposal in detail and established simple regulations.

Daoist Master Zhengyang laughed and said, "Junior Brother Ji has always been offering suggestions for the development of the sect and should be rewarded."

The reform of the Agricultural Hall was conducted by him, which brought great prosperity to the sect, and all the halls benefited from the new methods.

Ji An said jokingly:

"Senior Brother, what kind of reward will you prepare for me?"

"How about the position of Sect Leader?"

Ji An was stunned and shook his head lightly:

"Senior Brother is teasing me."

The position of Sect Leader is not something that would come to him, and besides, he doesn’t have the subjective desire to become the Sect Leader.

Daoist Master Zhengyang teased a few words, then his expression became serious, and he said solemnly:

"My body is getting worse than before, and recently I often feel a lack of energy.

After thinking deeply, I have decided to step down from the position of Sect Leader, and let Junior Brother Yuxiao take over, with the handoff set for half a month later."

Ji An nodded earnestly, "I will certainly support Senior Brother Yuxiao with all my strength."

He paused, and with some difficulty said:

"Senior Brother, I would like to leave the sect and travel to the Central Continent when the merchant flying ship arrives next time."

He wanted to see a broader world, which was a plan he had long decided upon.

Daoist Master Zhengyang sighed and said kindly:

"I am not surprised by your decision, and it’s good; going to the most prosperous place of the Cultivation Realm can bring you more opportunities.

Just remember that this place will always have its doors open for you.

When you leave, the sect will prepare abundant resources for you, hoping that you will continue to grow better."

He spoke at length, and at some point the sun had already fallen into the distant mountains, with thousands of mountain ranges bathed in crimson spirit light.

Daoist Master Zhengyang took out a round carved dragon jade pendant and said:

"This is a token left by an old friend of mine. If you encounter insurmountable difficulties in the Central Continent, you can seek her help.

She is a Nascent Soul Cultivator of the Void Sect — True Monarch of Eating Mist. While I can’t guarantee much, she will help you at least once."

Ji An’s mouth opened slightly, and his eyes revealed the blazing fire of curiosity, it seems the Sect Leader Senior Brother is a cultivator with stories!

But seeing the grey hair at the temples and the deepening wrinkles on his face, a sense of sadness surged in his heart.

Beauties grow old and heroes fail, it touches the softest part of the heart.

He took the jade pendant, "Thank you, ancestor."

Daoist Master Zhengyang nodded with satisfaction and said:

"The Central Continent is not as beautiful as you imagine, the competition is extremely fierce, and people will do anything, so you must be cautious and vigilant.

Let me tell you about demon cultivators, completely different from what you’ve known before about them..."

He detailed the information obtained from Master Yuxiao and continued:

"The seal of the Demon Cave is starting to loosen, and more and more demon caves will gradually appear.

If the True Demon Tribulation breaks out, every corner of the Cultivation Realm will be affected, but the most severe areas will be the Central Continent."

Ji An suddenly felt a headache, wondering whether going to the Central Continent equates to jumping into a fire pit?

"Senior Brother, is there an exact time for the demon calamity to erupt?"

"How could there be an exact time for such a thing, perhaps Nascent Soul cultivators know more.

But don’t worry, it’s just initial signs now, it’s still far from the outbreak of the demon tribulation, the Central Continent can enjoy at least another four or five hundred years of peace."

Ji An let out a long breath, if he had another four or five hundred years to enjoy, he might have already become a Nascent Soul cultivator.

At that time, even if the True Demon Tribulation erupted, he could deal with it more calmly.

Daoist Master Zhengyang calculated with his fingers and said:

"The Wanhua Mountain Range is the site of the Five Elements Sect. After being attacked by demon cultivators, the cultivators sealed this place with a magic array.

Every four or five hundred years, the Dharma Prohibition loosens, and cultivators can enter to explore.

I estimated the time, and it’s at least another one hundred and twenty years before the next opening.

If your cultivation can advance to the mid-stage Golden Core level, you can try to explore the ruins.

If you can obtain the complete Five Elements Reincarnation Scripture, the Nascent Soul Technique will be within reach."

Ji An nodded seriously:

"I will remember the Five Elements Sect ruins in the Wanhua Mountain Range.

If the ruins are opened, I will surely make a journey there."

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