Chapter 799: Deal Sealed

At this moment, Wan Jinrong felt the world suddenly quiet down, and he could hear the sound of his own blood flowing.

The once ‘ominous’ premonition appeared in his mind; he foresaw that his cultivation could never surpass the opponent, now such a trend had already emerged.

‘Fellow Daoist, you should be preparing in advance for the future, right?’

Ji An nodded generously, smiled, and said:

“I was fortunate enough to break through.”

“Congratulations.”

Wan Jinrong’s heart was mixed with various feelings. Though they had been walking side by side, he gradually only saw the other party’s back.

He rubbed his hands to conceal his inner unease, “Couldn’t bring a gift, please don’t mind.”

Ji An sensed the slight unnaturalness in the other’s tone and immediately took out a large square box from the Grotto Void Stone:

“This is the spoils of the battle, Tier Three Top-Grade bone material, Fellow Daoist see if you can use it.”

Upon hearing it was actually Tier Three Top-Grade material, Wan Jinrong immediately shifted his focus. Materials of this level usually only circulate in the hands of late-stage Golden Core cultivators, rarely seen during normal times.

He stood up, and upon seeing the quantity of materials inside, he looked deeply at Ji An.

‘So many materials allocated, considerable effort was put in!’

He extended his Divine Sense, inspected some of the bone fragments’ texture, and said with eyes shining:

“The material’s strength is excellent, and it’s very pure, almost without impurities. How much are you willing to sell, Fellow Daoist?”

This kind of high-tier artifact refining material is something any artifact refiner wishes to stockpile as much as possible if able.

Ji An looked into the other’s eyes and said earnestly:

“If Fellow Daoist has enough pills to trade, there’s no harm in giving all to you.”

He also had a white bone horn in hand, which was even more valuable, and would also trade it away if offered a suitable price.

“Fellow Daoist, you’re straightforward. Please hold on, I want to check everything thoroughly.”

He didn’t have the capability to buy many materials but could have the clan purchase and later exchange from the clan’s warehouse.

“Of course,” Ji An gestured to invite with leisure and calmly drank tea.

The high value of an item means nothing inherently if it can’t be used, essentially making it no different from discard.

Wan Jinrong poured the materials onto the table, checked a bone fragment, and placed it back in the box, inspected all thoroughly.

He sat back in the chair and said solemnly:

“I will report Fellow Daoist’s request to the clan, please give me some time, temporarily refrain from selling these materials to others, would that be alright?”

“How much time do you need?”

If the time was too long, he was unwilling to wait.

“A month should be sufficient.”

“Then no problem.”

Wan Jinrong mulled for a moment and spoke again:

“Would Fellow Daoist be willing to accept pills refined from Golden Core-level Demon Beast Inner Core as raw material?”

“As long as it’s suitable for mid-stage Golden Core cultivation, I’m willing to accept them.”

Ji An wasn’t picky at all, his current goal was singular, to elevate his cultivation at the fastest pace.

With each small realm advancement, one becomes significantly stronger overall.

Wan Jinrong smiled, “Then good, now let’s discuss the transaction price.”

The price of top-grade materials, Ji An wasn’t very clear on, but with the True Demon Tribulation’s full outbreak, the price of such materials would only drop more and more.

Purple Cloud Ganoderma Pill was only a Tier Three Middle-Grade pill, yet amidst enduring war, its price would instead rise.

He didn’t dwell much on the price, felt reasonable enough to verbally agree, and compared to advancement in cultivation, losing a bit on material trade didn’t matter.

After the two had discussed, Wan Jinrong stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

“Fellow Daoist, I must take my leave first, I need to relay the news back to Purple Sun Mountain early.”

Ji An understood the other’s urgency, for if encountering suitable Spirit Seed, he would have similar reactions.

“Fellow Daoist, wait a moment, I still have something to inquire, don’t know when Yin Thunder Beads will be available for sale? Can I obtain a few in advance?”

Wan Jinrong said solemnly:

“We’ve sent samples to major forces, if Fellow Daoist desires, I’m willing to vouch for some to be sent. However, it’s only doable for Tier Three Lower Grade and Tier Three Middle Grade Yin Thunder Beads, not many in quantity.”

Yin Thunder Beads need to be sold eventually, otherwise, why refine so many?

“Thank you, I won’t take for free, can deduct a part from the material cost?”

Wan Jinrong chuckled and waved his hand, “It’s given as a gift, so Fellow Daoist needn’t offer anything, but paying upon purchasing later is a transaction.”

“Thanks a lot for that.”

…

Half a month passed.

A robust cultivator with short beard strode into the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, directly headed to the backyard and found Wan Jinrong, saying:

“Little Ba, who’s selling top-grade bone material?”

His voice was steady and full of resonance, giving off a very reliable impression.

Wan Jinrong cupped his hands, “Third Uncle, the clan sent you here?”

He was very surprised, Third Uncle was a Ninth-Layer Golden Core cultivator, also an artifact refining master, with future prospects to become a Daoist Monarch, logically wouldn’t travel far to Cloud Sea Immortal City for some Tier Three Top-Grade materials.

Wan Chenggang blew his beard and glared, saying:

“Why are you acting so foolishly, child? Isn’t this common sense? I’m standing right here in front of you!”

Upon receiving the news of the top-grade materials, he couldn’t sit still. They could be used as supplementary materials for refining spiritual treasures.

Additionally, the Wan Clan has a secret technique that can enhance the tier of white bone defensive treasures using bone materials. He happened to have a top-grade white bone treasure, so he came personally.

Wan Jinrong covered his face; his uncle was straightforward and sometimes said things that left people speechless.

“Third Uncle, please sit down and have a cup of tea to soothe your throat. I’ll tell you the details, and we can discuss how to proceed with the trade.”

“Now, that’s more like it.”

The two of them discussed the transaction details in depth. Neither of them was stingy, and they quickly reached an agreement.

Wan Jinrong let out a breath, “Uncle, since we’re not sure if the other party is in the Grotto Mansion, I sent a Communication Golden Sword to let him know we’ll conduct the transaction tomorrow at 7:00 AM, how about that?”

Wan Chenggang made a sweeping motion with his hand and said,

“I hate waiting; let’s go directly! If he’s not there, then send the Communication Golden Sword.”

…

Wan Jinrong and his uncle landed, and Wan Chenggang was touching the edge texture of the words “Black Stone Mountain,” saying:

“The person who carved these words has reached a very high realm of understanding in Metal Technique Intent. It seems that the cultivator you know is not as simple as he appears.”

Wan Jinrong scratched his head, “How did you come to this conclusion, Uncle?”

He widened his eyes and glanced a few times, unable to see any mystery in the handwriting.

Besides, Ji An doesn’t seem simple on the surface either — mid-stage Golden Core, a Tier Three Alchemist, and a Tier Three Talisman Maker. His hard strength even surpasses mine.

If the other party were simple, wouldn’t that make me even simpler?

Wan Chenggang curled his lips, “You’re not at that realm; even if I explained, you wouldn’t understand. Go knock on the door.”

‘How would you know I wouldn’t understand if you don’t explain?’

Wan Jinrong thought of retorting but instead opened his mouth and called out:

“Fellow Daoist Ji, Wan Jinrong is here to visit!”

In the courtyard filled with spirit wood, a plump Mouse Demon with fluffy golden fur was staring at him, indicating that the owner was likely in the Grotto Mansion.

Upon hearing the call, the golden-haired creature turned and dashed into the Grotto Mansion, and shortly after, Ji An came out briskly.

Looking through the gaps in the woods, he recognized the people standing outside, formed a hand seal to open the Dharma Prohibition, and went up to greet them.

Wan Jinrong introduced everyone, and after a few pleasantries, Ji An invited them into the Grotto Mansion.

Knowing his uncle’s impatience, Wan Jinrong got straight to the point:

“Daoist Friend, we’d like to check the goods again, and then we’ll purchase them at the agreed price.”

Ji An took out a box, “Please, go ahead.”

Wan Chenggang poured out the materials, beaming with joy as he looked at the pristine bone materials.

Just by examining the texture and color of the materials, he knew the quality was top-notch.

He extended his Divine Sense and conducted a rapid yet thorough check, then said with satisfaction:

“Let’s weigh them; we’ll take it all.”

“Straightforward,”

Ji An complimented, and they both weighed the materials, with the margin of error acceptable to both parties. The transaction was concluded.

Wan Jinrong cleared his throat and said, “We are very sincere about this transaction, and will completely pay with Purple Cloud Jade Ganoderma Pills. According to our agreed price, we should give you thirty-nine pills. Do you have any objections to that number?”

In the family treasury, clan members are required to prioritize using pills refined from Monster Beast Inner Cores, which resulted in only the Purple Cloud Jade Ganoderma Pills being available.

Ji An’s eyes sparkled, “No objections.”

With this batch of pills, he could maintain rapid progress in his cultivation for the next few years.

By purchasing some from the Certification Association and some from the auction house, he could essentially maintain his cultivation.

If necessary, he could even try using Dao Rhyme to accelerate the ripening of the Purple Cloud Fruit. As long as no bottlenecks are encountered, he could rapidly improve.

Wan Jinrong took out the pills and counted to ensure the correct amount before handing them over.

Ji An counted them again and assessed the quality of the spirit medicine, “Transaction complete, a pleasure doing business with you.”

Wan Chenggang nodded slightly, got up, and said:

“I’ll be heading out first; you two can chat.”

Wan Jinrong said, “My uncle has a quick temper, I’ll see him off, then we can have a proper conversation.”

“Sorry for the inadequate hospitality, please bear with us,” Ji An accompanied them out of the Grotto Mansion, as it’s impolite for a host not to see his guests off.

After Wan Chenggang left, the two returned to the Grotto Mansion, and Wan Jinrong took out a brocade box:

“Inside are Yin Thunder Beads, two of Tier Three Lower Grade and two Middle Grade.”

He also took out a Demon-Breaking Golden Shuttle, “This is a gift for you, wishing you an early breakthrough to Late-stage Golden Core.”

“Thank you,” Ji An had a moment of shadow pass in his eyes.

Senior Brother Zhengyang has been stuck at Sixth-Layer Golden Core for years. According to him, breaking through to Late-stage Golden Core requires a special secret technique, but such a technique isn’t available in the sect’s cultivation techniques.

Now he’s putting all his hopes on his journey to the Wanhua Mountain Range; if he can’t achieve what he wishes, he would consider seeking out Zhenyue Daoist Master.

But getting ahold of a technique directly leading to the Nascent Soul Great Dao is highly improbable.

Ji An sighed silently. It’s too early to dwell on these matters now; you’ll find a way when the time comes.

He naturally dispelled that shadow, since he is currently at Fourth-Layer Golden Core, pondering about cultivation techniques post-Sixth-Layer isn’t too late.

Besides, Senior Brother Zhengyang isn’t practicing the most orthodox technique that strictly demands a Five Elements Balance, so his difficulty in breaking through is understandable. For him, maybe breaking through to Late-stage Golden Core won’t be that difficult after all.