Chapter 346 - 234: Unexpected Surprise, New Connections

Chapter 346: Chapter 234: Unexpected Surprise, New Connections

Ye Wuji was clearly a veteran at this, rattling off a long list of items.

A bitter smile touched Lin Changheng’s lips. "Fellow Daoist, the items you seek are far too precious. I’m merely in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment. How could I possibly obtain such treasures, and from where?"

Ye Wuji just smiled. "It would be best if you had them, of course. But if not, a trade in Spirit Stones is also acceptable."

"Twenty-five thousand Spirit Stones, and you can take the Molten Rock Crystal Stone."

Lin Changheng frowned at the price and shook his head. "I can accept a premium, but not one this steep..."

His displeasure was evident in his tone; this was clearly an attempt to take him for a fool.

For that price, he could not only buy a genuine Foundation Establishment Pill but also a decent Tier Two Middle Grade Spiritual Artifact.

"My reputation is well-known throughout the region, is it not? I’m even registered with an Upper Sect. Fellow Daoist, you haven’t even seen the item. How can you be so quick to judge?"

Ye Wuji retorted with a wide grin, reaching into his Storage Bag and pulling out a large, square wooden box, which he handed to Lin Changheng.

Lin Changheng opened it directly. Inside rested a crimson crystal, as large as a grown man’s head.

"It’s this big?"

Lin Changheng’s pupils constricted.

"What do you think?"

Ye Wuji noticed Lin Changheng’s reaction and immediately broke into a smile.

The price suddenly seemed much more reasonable, but Lin Changheng still haggled out of habit.

After some back-and-forth, seeing an impatient look start to form on Ye Wuji’s face, Lin Changheng immediately sealed the deal.

He bought it for twenty-four thousand Spirit Stones.

Lin Changheng estimated that by using this Crystal Stone to nurture and catalyze his Red Sky Profound Flame, he could advance its accumulation by at least ten percent, or perhaps even as much as twenty.

Once their transaction was complete, another person approached Ye Wuji with a smile, intending to trade. Lin Changheng took this as his cue to leave.

Over the next day, Lin Changheng failed to acquire any other items he desired; either the other party had already left, or the prices were ridiculously high.

He did, however, come across something the fat cultivator from before needed.

He acquired it, thinking he might be able to exchange it for something he needed himself.

At this point, many Cultivators, feeling they had seen enough, began to leave one after another. Lin Changheng even noticed that some who lingered for a moment before departing were deliberately following those who had left just ahead of them.

They most likely intended to kill them for their treasures.

All the while, Lin Changheng was keeping an eye on the Qiu Family Ancestor. He wasn’t looking directly, but he was tracking him out of the corner of his eye.

The man could leave at any moment.

With this in mind, Lin Changheng went straight to the fat cultivator, who had just finished some business, to ask about his progress.

If the man had also found what he needed, that would be for the best—they could make their exchange. If not, Lin Changheng could just follow the Qiu Family Ancestor himself and not worry about missing his chance.

"Hehe, Mr. Lin, I actually managed to find something you needed."

The fat cultivator’s face was wreathed in a self-satisfied smile. He rubbed his hands together and said in a low voice, "It took a hell of an effort, but I finally convinced that cultivator to part with the Tier Three Spirit Wood you wanted. The quality is absolutely top-notch, take a look..."

"Oh? Please, Fellow Daoist, take it out so I can have a look."

Lin Changheng raised an eyebrow. This was a pleasant surprise.

His Body Refining technique wasn’t at its end. He could still continue his Cultivation on the Sixth Layer, all the way to the peak of the Tier Two Late Stage.

He simply lacked the method for the subsequent breakthrough.

When that time came, he would either need to find a Cultivation Technique compatible with his Evergreen Body of the Ancient Wood, or deduce the continuation himself to bridge the gap in his path.

The worst-case scenario would be to switch to a different technique entirely.

It was an extremely troublesome and tedious process, something to be done only as a last resort.

And this Tier Three Spirit Wood could push forward his future Body Refining progress.

"Of course."

The fat cultivator extended a large, fleshy hand and flipped it over. A section of wood, about three feet long and as thick as a bowl, appeared in his palm.

The moment the wood appeared, the surrounding air seemed to grow a few degrees fresher. The wood was a deep, lustrous, dark purple, its surface impossibly smooth—not from artificial polishing, but by natural formation, bearing a natural grain that resembled ripples on water.

Upon closer inspection, specks of green could still be seen lingering within the grain.

Lin Changheng carefully took the item and channeled the True Intent of his Rongsheng Divine Abilities. He immediately detected a faint, residual trace of Vitality Power within the wood, like the glow of a firefly in the dead of night.

A heavy wave of Wood Spirit Qi, steeped in the passage of ages, washed over him. At the same time, the wood itself emitted a strange sandalwood fragrance that calmed the mind. Just taking a single whiff was enough to make his Heart and Spirit feel at peace.

"This is the Tier Three Lower Grade Spirit Wood, Golden Silk Purple Sandalwood!"

The fat cultivator lowered his voice, a hint of pride in his tone. "Just look at this quality, this Spiritual Charm! It’s not only a primary material for refining Wood Spiritual Artifacts and creating related Talismans, but if you keep it on your person for a long time, it can also nourish your Heart and Spirit, help you enter a state of Meditation, and even offers a degree of protection against the assault of Heart Demons. I practically talked my mouth dry to get that guy to part with it..."

Lin Changheng’s gaze was instantly captivated by the piece of Spirit Wood.

With his eye for quality, he could naturally tell how special it was. The Wood Spirit Qi it contained would be a tremendous boost to his Cultivation of the Evergreen Body of the Ancient Wood!

He was secretly delighted but let none of it show on his face. He simply examined the Spirit Wood carefully, paying special attention to the growth rings at its severed ends and the flow of its Spiritual Light, confirming that it wasn’t dead wood.

’I wonder if I can replant it?’

Its unique properties sparked an idea in Lin Changheng’s mind.

Generally speaking, when a middle section is cut from a Spirit Wood, its life force is certain to drain away quickly once it’s been severed. Not even spirit-sealing Talismans or other such Magic Techniques can prevent this.

But this piece of wood seemed different. It had been cut at least ten days ago, yet it still held a flicker of life, and it even looked quite stable—unlikely to dissipate anytime soon.

On top of that, it was impossible to replant something without Roots, and even if it had them, it would be futile if the Roots were dead.

But this item was peculiar. And with the help of his Rongsheng Divine Abilities’ True Intent, perhaps there was a chance of bringing it back to life.

Even if it wasn’t possible, Lin Changheng could still use it for his Body Refining as planned. It would be no loss either way.

...

Though a thousand thoughts spun through his mind, on the surface, Lin Changheng gave a calm nod, his tone even. "This is indeed what I was looking for. I’ve troubled you, Fellow Daoist."

"Coincidentally, I have also acquired an item that was on your list."

Upon hearing this, the fat cultivator broke into a smile, his small eyes narrowing into slits as he carefully inspected the item Lin Changheng handed him.

Although the item wasn’t quite on par with the Tier Three Lower Grade Golden Silk Purple Sandalwood, the difference in value wasn’t too great. After a bit of negotiation, they struck a deal, with Lin Changheng making up the difference in Spirit Stones.

Their cooperation had been pleasant, so they went ahead and exchanged names.

The fat cultivator’s name was Zhu Fugui. He belonged to a large Commerce Association in the Extreme Mountain Immortal City—the First Immortal City of the Song Territory—and had been sent here on a procurement mission.

’Fugui?’

Lin Changheng subconsciously thought of his Immortal Seedling friend, Xu Fugui. The names were somewhat similar, which naturally gave him a sliver of goodwill toward the man, though it didn’t affect his usual caution.

But he didn’t hide his own identity either, revealing that he was a Tier Two Middle Grade Alchemist who made a living through Alchemy in Floating Immortal City, as he had mentioned previously.

The two exchanged communication tokens, acknowledging they might have a chance to meet and cooperate again in the future.

The token from Zhu Fugui was one bearing the insignia of his Commerce Association.

He added that if Lin Changheng ever found himself in Extreme Mountain Immortal City, he should definitely look him up. He might not be able to help with much else, but he could certainly offer assistance when it came to purchasing things.

A thought struck Lin Changheng, and he asked, "Do you have access to large quantities of Muddy Evil, Profound Spirit, or higher-level Demon Beast Essence Blood?"

His official excuse was still that he needed it to research a Pill Formula.

Zhu Fugui just gave a mysterious smile, brandishing the item he had received from Lin Changheng. He indicated that in three years, he would likely be settled in the Immortal City, and by then, it might not be impossible for him to help.

"Oh?"

A glint flashed in Lin Changheng’s eyes. It seemed Zhu Fugui was on the cusp of some kind of promotion. Once he broke through, his level of authority would likely be different.

Only then would he be in a position to pull some strings.