Chapter 59: Nascent Soul Transaction

On Black Reef Island, the Nine Reef City stood.

The master of this city was Mo Tiancheng, a renowned Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator who commanded respect across hundreds of thousands of miles. This man enjoyed considerable prestige within the Demonic Path Alliance and was hailed as the most likely successor to Grand Elder Gu in breaking through to Late Nascent Soul.

Several hundred years ago, during a skirmish between the Righteous and Demonic Paths, this old ghost Mo single-handedly held back three Mid-Nascent Soul cultivators from the Righteous Path Alliance, turning the tide of battle. His strength far surpassed those of the same stage, and his reputation echoed throughout the Abyssal Sea.

The trading conference today was hosted by none other than him.

Logically speaking, a figure like him would naturally look down on Jiuyou, whose lifespan was nearly exhausted. If Jiuyou had remained at Early Nascent Soul, he might not have received an invitation this time. But what no one expected was that Jiuyou would break through, becoming a commanding Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator.

In an instant, his standing within the Demonic Path Alliance skyrocketed, naturally drawing the attention of others.

"This should be Nine Reef City."

Jiuyou arrived above the city and looked down.

Below lay a massive island, upon which stood a colossal city spanning hundreds of miles. The city was built entirely from black stone, solemn and dignified, exuding an aura of gloom.

With a cold gaze, Jiuyou made no attempt to hide his presence as he slowly flew toward the city.

At the gates of Nine Reef City.

Several dozen Foundation-Establishing cultivators stood with solemn expressions, their formation orderly.

A few Golden Core cultivators stood with their hands behind their backs, occasionally gazing into the distance.

These were the Golden Core elders of the city. Today was the grand day when the city lord hosted the Nascent Soul trading conference. To show respect for the attending Nascent Soul cultivators, they, as Golden Core cultivators, were naturally assigned to guard the gate while maintaining an imposing presence.

Just then, they suddenly felt an unusual chill in the air.

Wave after wave of cold air burrowed into their meridians and bone marrow, even slowing their spiritual power.

"What's going on? It's so cold..."

One Golden Core cultivator unconsciously hugged his arms, instantly alert. He circulated his spiritual power, muttering to himself.

"Such a powerful aura! Look over there!"

Another Golden Core elder beside him, slightly higher in cultivation, narrowed his eyes and looked up into the sky. The others followed his gaze.

The moment they looked up, they felt an intangible pressure. Even though it wasn't deliberately released, it still left them gasping for breath.

A terrifying pitch-black streak of light shot rapidly toward them. Wherever it passed, frost spread and the very air seemed to freeze.

"That's... a Nascent Soul senior!"

The few Golden Core cultivators instantly reacted. Steeling their minds, they transformed into streaks of light and flew forward to greet the visitor.

As they approached the streak of light, they saw it was a mass of cyan mist. They hastily clasped their hands and bowed, their postures extremely reverent.

"May we ask which senior has graced us with their presence? To attend the Nascent Soul trading conference on Black Reef Island is an honor for our Nine Reef City."

One particularly ugly man with a somber expression and the highest cultivation among them—clearly the leader—spoke first.

From within the mist came a sinister, icy laugh.

The mist slowly receded, revealing Jiuyou's face within. Then, a white jade token slowly floated out of the mist.

After the ugly man recognized Jiuyou's face, a flicker of doubt passed through his eyes, as if he were thinking. But the moment his divine sense swept over the jade token, his posture instantly became even more humble. Trembling, he spoke.

"So it's Senior Jiuyou of Soul Wraith Island! This junior failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me, forgive me! Senior, please enter."

After a brief inspection, he hastily returned the jade token and immediately waved for passage. Clearly, he was well aware of Jiuyou's reputation across the Tianyuan Sea—someone not to be offended by mere Golden Core cultivators.

The others, upon hearing the name "Jiuyou," also felt a jolt of shock. After all, Jiuyou's fearsome name had spread across most of the Tianyuan Sea in recent years.

Whether it was breaking through to Mid-Nascent Soul when his lifespan was nearly gone, becoming a formidable Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, or the rumored top-grade fire-attribute ancient relic in his possession—all of it was enough to strike fear into these Golden Core cultivators.

Just as Jiuyou was about to step into the city, a flicker of ghostly light flashed in his eyes, and he looked back behind him.

The others, seeing Jiuyou stop for some unknown reason, lowered their postures even further, terrified of displeasing him.

At that moment, a flash of blood-red light appeared across the sky and earth.

Following that came a bold, unbridled laugh.

"Hahaha—Brother Jiuyou, long time no see! Blood here congratulates you on breaking through your bottleneck. I heard from the Righteous Path Alliance that you've acquired a top-grade fire-attribute ancient relic. What a pity that with the great tribulation upon humanity and the surging beast tide, I'd otherwise truly like to spar with you."

The voice arrived before the man.

Jiuyou raised an eyebrow, naturally recognizing the newcomer. His divine sense stealthily probed into that blood-red light.

Inside, Blood Sea True Person wore a sinister grin on his face, flying at great speed toward Nine Reef City. In just moments, he had arrived.

"Heh, you flatter me, Brother. I'm just lucky."

Jiuyou chuckled, looking at Blood Sea True Person.

"But I've heard that you managed to snatch a thousand-year longevity fruit in the Heavenly Abyss Mountain, extending your life by another century. That's truly enviable."

"Not at all, not at all. It's you who's more impressive..."

Blood Sea True Person waved his hand. His gaze lingered on Jiuyou for a moment, a flicker of complexity passing through his eyes. The arrogance he once held toward Early Nascent Soul cultivators was completely gone.

After a few pleasantries, the two transformed into streaks of light and entered the city together, heading toward the location of the trading conference indicated on the jade tokens.

Deep within Nine Reef City, a magnificent Grand Hall stood atop a mountain peak.

The hall was built entirely from black stone, carved with beams and painted with rafters, exuding an ancient and dignified air. Before the gate stood two giant stone beasts several zhang tall, their eyes wide and glaring, lifelike in their ferocity. Flanking the gate, several Golden Core cultivators stood with hands at their sides, their expressions solemn. Upon seeing the two streaks of light flying in, they hastily bowed.

Jiuyou and Blood Sea True Person landed before the hall, retracting their streaks of light.

"Two seniors, please enter. The trading conference has been arranged inside. You may take your seats freely."

A Golden Core cultivator stepped forward to guide them, his attitude extremely reverent.

Jiuyou gave a slight nod and entered the hall alongside Blood Sea True Person.

The interior was exceedingly spacious, enough to hold several hundred people. Fist-sized night pearls embedded in the surrounding walls illuminated the entire hall as brightly as day. Several dozen stone chairs were arranged in a staggered pattern, and about a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators had already taken their seats, either meditating with closed eyes or conversing in low voices.

The moment Jiuyou and Blood Sea True Person stepped into the hall, several gazes swept over them.

Some were curious, some scrutinizing, some wary, and some measured in silent observation.

His expression remained unchanged, his gaze steady as he swept across the hall, noting each pair of eyes and sneering inwardly.

Some of these people were old faces, others he had never met. But after today, they would all remember.

Jiuyou of Soul Wraith Island was no longer a dying old man with his lifespan nearly gone, but a genuine Mid-Nascent Soul cultivator.

Jiuyou found a seat near the back and sat down unhurriedly.

Blood Sea True Person sat down beside him and spoke in a low voice.

"Brother Jiuyou, everyone here today is a prominent figure in the Demonic Path Alliance. Since we've worked together before, let's not undercut each other when good items come up."

A faint smile curled at the corner of Jiuyou's mouth.

"Naturally."

He said no more, closing his eyes to wait in silence.

Within the Grand Hall, the crowd grew.

The atmosphere slowly became lively.

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