Chapter 345 - 234: An Unexpected Surprise and a New Connection

Chapter 345: Chapter 234: An Unexpected Surprise and a New Connection

BOOM!

The Secret Realm finally closed. Master Xuan Ji withdrew her Magical Power, and the gateway vanished in an instant. The violent whirlpool on the river’s surface abruptly disappeared, replaced by surging waves that rolled forward.

Even if some people were still alive inside the Secret Realm, those who hadn’t emerged by now had lost their chance forever.

The next time it opened would be another sixty years from now.

The Secret Realm was a treacherous place; no one could survive inside for sixty years.

There was only the path of death.

...

At that moment, Lin Changheng looked over at the Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator dressed as a woodcutter, just as he was about to make a move.

But a series of sharp whooshes cut through the air, drawing the attention of all the Cultivators present.

It turned out that Ling Feng Master and Master Xuan Ji had finished their discussion. Ling Feng Master released the jade-white Moon-Embracing Immortal Ship, which spun in mid-air as its form continuously expanded and swelled.

The Cultivators of the Extreme South Palace flew into the ship and took their positions. Ling Feng Master turned and said a few more words to Master Xuan Ji, then gave a slight, satisfied smile. Stepping into the air, he landed on the ship and instantly piloted it away, tearing through the sky.

Lin Changheng had also quietly counted the number of people on the ship.

They were short three people.

This meant that the Extreme South Palace had also lost three Cultivators on this trip.

However, their casualty rate was far lower than the overall average. It was clear that the Cultivators of the Extreme South Palace were exceptionally powerful. Besides, they had likely explored the core of the Secret Realm, where the danger and difficulty were on a completely different level.

"Everyone, in three days, the Purple Extreme Sect’s Secret Realm expedition team will also be departing. After that time, your safety outside cannot be guaranteed. I urge you all to plan accordingly and consider your next move."

Master Xuan Ji only spoke slowly after the people from the Extreme South Palace were far away.

"Thank you!"

"Our thanks to the Upper Sect and to you, Master!"

Hearing this, the assembled Cultivators felt a chill in their hearts. They voiced their thanks while immediately hastening their recovery and healing efforts.

Lin Changheng heard this and suddenly felt that the Purple Extreme Sect’s approach was quite decent. ’No wonder their reputation has been so good during my decades of Cultivation,’ he thought.

But he also had to hurry. From this point on, Cultivators could start leaving at any time.

"Fellow Daoist..."

Walking quickly toward the woodcutter Cultivator, Lin Changheng cupped his hands and was just about to speak.

The woodcutter Cultivator’s voice spoke directly in Lin Changheng’s mind via divine sense. "Fellow Daoist, are you looking to buy the items I acquired in the Secret Realm?"

"That’s right."

Lin Changheng was taken aback but immediately nodded and sent his reply, surprised by how forward the other man was.

"Heh heh!"

The woodcutter Cultivator took out a Jade Scroll and flicked it into Lin Changheng’s hand. "These are all the items I’m willing to sell. Take a look, Fellow Daoist, and see if anything catches your eye."

This reversal of roles was somewhat unexpected for Lin Changheng, but not overly surprising. He sent his Divine Sense into the scroll to inspect it.

In truth, this woodcutter Cultivator was quite famous. He was a Loose Cultivator named Ye Wuji.

He had distinguished himself with heroic feats on several of the Purple Extreme Sect’s large-scale expeditions, demonstrating formidable strength and earning many merits. The Purple Extreme Sect had intended to recruit him, but he had politely declined, preferring the carefree life of a Loose Cultivator.

The Purple Extreme Sect, far from being offended, had instead held him up as a paragon among Loose Cultivators, giving him special treatment in many respects.

For instance, his spot on this Secret Realm expedition had been granted directly by the Purple Extreme Sect. He didn’t have to secure it by affiliating with a family, as other Loose Cultivators did.

Furthermore, rumor had it that he possessed a Magical Treasure Embryo, which he nurtured day and night. Once he successfully achieved Core Formation, it would take its final form, granting him combat strength that could rival even an Early Stage Core Formation Cultivator.

After all, the strength of a Core Formation Cultivator who possessed a Magical Treasure was on a completely different level from one who had no Magical Treasure, or was still in the process of Refining one. The gap was significant.

"I’m interested in your [Molten Fire Crystal]. How are you selling it?"

Lin Changheng had scanned the list. It contained some rather fine materials, mostly of the Wood and Earth Attribute. While they might be valuable and in demand for others, they were of no use to Lin Changheng.

Some items had already been sold; they were wiped away, but faint traces of them were still visible.

Only the [Molten Fire Crystal] mentioned in the Jade Scroll, which was gathered from the bottom of volcanoes or from special fiery environments and contained a powerful, dense accumulation of Flame Essence, was what he wanted.

It could enhance the Cultivation of Fire Element Techniques and also help the Innate Demon Fire of a Tier Two Demon Beast or Demon Bird to evolve.

The first point was useful to him, as he cultivated a Fire Technique.

The second point, however, made his eyes light up.

Though he possessed no Fire Element Demon Beast or Demon Bird, he did have the [Red Sky Profound Flame], which had evolved through Spirit Stealing Metamorphosis from the [Red Sky Demon Fire], the innate demon fire of the [Red Sky Crane].

’It should also be suitable for this purpose.’

Currently, after long-term nourishment with the Red True Essence from his Jade Void Brilliance Scripture cultivation, combined with the fist-sized Red Crystal Stone he had previously obtained from a Cultivation Technique of the same lineage, his [Red Sky Profound Flame] had already accumulated about seventy percent of what it needed.

After all, for a Tier Two Flame to evolve into a Tier Three one, the resources required were immense.

With this item, he could push the progress forward again.

...

"This item is precious. It can be bartered for, or purchased with Spirit Stones. However, the price in Spirit Stones will be higher; bartering is the better deal."

Ye Wuji spoke, his preference clear.

He wanted to barter, but if you could afford the premium, Spirit Stones were not out of the question.

In reality, once a Cultivator reached the Core Formation Stage, bartering became much more common, because there were many times when Spirit Stones simply couldn’t buy the rare treasures one truly desired.

"What would you like to trade for, Fellow Daoist?"

Hearing this, Lin Changheng’s heart settled. He might not have the specific Spiritual Materials or treasures the other man wanted, but he had plenty of Spirit Stones. As long as the price wasn’t outrageous, he could afford the premium.

He didn’t want to let this item slip through his fingers. Once his [Red Sky Profound Flame] evolved to Tier Three, he would be able to face an attack from a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator with ease, and could even injure or kill them.

"The main ingredients for a Tier Two [Youthful Appearance Pill]; the main or supporting ingredients for the [Returning to Truth Pill] or [Dust-Reduction Pill] needed for Core Formation; or Spiritual Materials that can be smelted to enhance the strength of a Magical Treasure Embryo... If the values don’t match, I can make up the difference, Fellow Daoist. I won’t let you take a loss."