Chapter 813 - 368: Pill Transformation Water Obtained, Seeing the Celestial Soul Fruit

Li Chang’an nodded. "Alright. I will have to trouble you fellow Daoists to lead the way."

He seemed entirely unguarded as he stepped into the Vermilion Bird Sect’s array. Before long, he was guided into the sect’s main hall, taking his seat alongside Vermilion Bird True Monarch and the others.

"Daoist Lin, this is Daoist Cang Hong..." Vermilion Bird True Monarch introduced them, her tone steady as she went on to present the other three.

Despite Li Chang’an being at the Fake Soul stage, the three were exceedingly amicable. Even Cang Hong True Monarch showed no exception—after all, a Fake Soul and a True Monarch still belonged to the same Major Realm.

After some light conversation to get acquainted, they moved on to discuss the current state of the Cultivation Immortality Realm, the impact of the Battle of Righteous and Evil, and so on. It wasn’t until half an hour had passed that Li Chang’an finally broached the main topic.

"To be perfectly honest, I am here today for a trade."

The four from the Vermilion Bird Sect had anticipated as much. Vermilion Bird True Monarch inquired, "May I ask what kind of trade, Daoist Lin?"

"I heard that Daoist Han Feng is in need of a Cold Crow Stone, and I happen to have stumbled upon one."

With a flash of spiritual light in Li Chang’an’s hand, the Cold Crow Stone he had obtained from the Vermilion Bird’s Nest appeared. Upon seeing it, Han Feng True Monarch’s eyes immediately lit up.

"Daoist Lin, I do indeed need this item. How do you propose we trade?"

"I need a portion of Pill Transformation Water." Li Chang’an didn’t beat around the bush, stating his demand clearly.

Hearing this, Han Feng True Monarch’s lips parted slightly as if to reply, but he quickly closed them. The other three were sending him sound transmissions.

In the past, this trade could have proceeded without a hitch. However, these were special times. Every Nascent Soul Treasure was extraordinarily precious. They could potentially forge a new Nascent Soul Cultivator, giving the sect a better chance at crossing the tribulation.

After a moment, he finally asked, "Daoist Lin, you have already succeeded in crossing the tribulation and become a Nascent Soul Cultivator. Why do you still need Pill Transformation Water?"

"For my descendant, of course." Li Chang’an had his excuse prepared well in advance.

Han Feng True Monarch probed, "Could it be that Daoist Lin hails from some hidden noble family?" He was asking not just for himself, but for the other three as well. They all wanted to know Li Chang’an’s exact origins and how he had quietly become a Nascent Soul True Monarch out of nowhere.

Li Chang’an smiled. "You misunderstand, Daoist Han Feng. I truly am a loose cultivator. I spend my years scouring various secret realms for treasures, which is why I remain unknown. Not long ago, I stumbled upon a fortuitous encounter for Nascent Soul Formation and luckily succeeded."

He then recounted his various experiences over the years. Every story was flawless and impeccable. Even with the extensive knowledge of Vermilion Bird and the others, they couldn’t spot a single flaw. Ultimately, the other three found no reason to stop the transaction.

After all, that portion of Pill Transformation Water didn’t belong to the sect; it was Han Feng True Monarch’s personal treasure. Under their witness, Li Chang’an and Han Feng True Monarch smoothly signed a spirit contract.

"Daoist Han Feng, please keep this Cold Crow Stone safe."

"Haha, Daoist Lin, here is the Pill Transformation Water you requested!" Han Feng True Monarch beamed, in excellent spirits as he handed an emerald jade bottle to Li Chang’an.

Li Chang’an mirrored his smile. He accepted the emerald jade bottle and carefully sensed its contents. Inside was indeed Pill Transformation Water, exactly enough for one session of alchemy.

Li Chang’an thought in relief, "With this Pill Transformation Water, I won’t have to worry about the Shattered Pill step. My path to Nascent Soul Formation has taken a huge leap forward!" He stowed away the water.

The trade was complete. He didn’t leave immediately, but instead continued conversing with Vermilion Bird True Monarch and the others.

"I formed my Nascent Soul only recently and still have many doubts regarding the Nascent Soul Realm. I hope you all could enlighten me." As he spoke, he took out four portions of Fire Cloud Crystals and presented them to the four True Monarchs.

Visiting someone’s domain naturally called for gifts, let alone the fact that he needed these four to explain the profound mysteries of the Nascent Soul Realm to him. After a brief polite refusal, all four accepted the Fire Cloud Crystals.

Following that, they took turns sharing their cultivation insights on the Nascent Soul Realm.

Han Feng True Monarch was extremely direct. "Daoist Lin, like me, your Nascent Soul quality is that of a Fake Soul. Our path of cultivation has reached its end. There’s no need to waste energy on cultivating further; you should focus on acquiring external means to enhance your combat strength."

Cyan Moon True Monarch agreed. "Indeed. Though the quality of a Fake Soul can’t compare to a True Soul, as long as you have enough tricks up your sleeve, you can still rival a True Soul..."

Li Chang’an smiled and nodded repeatedly. However, his attention remained largely on Vermilion Bird and Cang Hong—the two True Soul Cultivators. Their cultivation insights were of far greater use to him.

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed. The four had pretty much covered all their insights.

Li Chang’an proposed another trade. "Fellow Daoists, I wish to seek more Nascent Soul Treasures, such as the Celestial Soul Fruit and Cyan Condensing Jade. I wonder if the Vermilion Bird Sect would be willing to exchange them?"

"I’m truly sorry, Daoist Lin. With the Demonic Cultivators running rampant right now, these treasures must remain within the sect," Vermilion Bird True Monarch said with an apologetic look, tactfully declining the trade. She then suggested, "Why don’t you become an Honored Guest Elder of our Vermilion Bird Sect, Daoist Lin? Have your descendant join us. As long as he performs exceptionally well, the sect will naturally prepare the Nascent Soul Treasures for him, saving you the trouble of gathering them yourself."

After these few days of conversation, they could basically deduce that Li Chang’an was not a Demonic Cultivator. If they could rope him in to become an Honored Guest Elder of the Vermilion Bird Sect, it would naturally be for the best.

Of course, it was impossible for Li Chang’an to agree. He didn’t have any descendants at all; it was purely an excuse.

After politely declining, Li Chang’an proposed his final trade. He hoped to acquire one or more rare life-extending treasures, ideally adding up to over a hundred years of lifespan.

The Vermilion Bird Sect didn’t refuse this transaction. However, the life-extending treasures they produced were all types that the Two-headed Jade Spirit Turtle had already consumed.