Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1254: Chapter 486: I’m Just Here to Do Business

The gray-robed cultivator took a deep breath and carefully opened the drawstring of a gray cloth bag he retrieved from his robe.

"Elder Sun, please take a look." He laid out three items on the stone table, "These are my cherished possessions over the years, offered as compensation."

The first item was a few pieces of blue-purple intertwined crystals, as thin as cicada wings, emitting a faint glow in the dim underground cave, with a vague sound of wind and thunder. It was Wind Thunder Mica.

The second item was a segment of dark red vine, as thick as a child’s arm, with a scale-like texture on the surface, oozing pale golden liquid from the cut. It was known as Earth Dragon Blood Vine.

The third item was a piece of dark green wood with silver patterns, emitting a faint sound of thunder when struck. It was confirmed to be Thundering Iron Wood.

All three treasures were of Nascent Soul Level.

"Wind Thunder Mica can be refined into Wind and Thunder Wings, Earth Dragon Blood Vine can make an Earth Dragon Whip, and Thundering Iron Wood is a top-grade main material for Thunder Attribute Magical Artifacts." The gray-robed cultivator introduced each item with a tone of reluctance, "These three together should show my sincerity, Elder Sun."

Sun Lingtong used Divine Sense Transmission through Life Hanging Thread to communicate with Ning Zhuo: "Hehe, Little Zhuo, help me check these treasures."

Every time Sun Lingtong came to the black market, Ning Zhuo would protect him. If anything unexpected happened, the latter could use the Spirit Communication Mirror to help Sun Lingtong escape.

At this moment, Ning Zhuo was observing everything around Sun Lingtong through Life Hanging Thread.

The two had always cooperated in this way, carefully and cautiously.

Sun Lingtong knew that Ning Zhuo’s refining realm had improved greatly, surpassing him. Just as Ning Zhuo sought his help, he now sought Ning Zhuo’s assistance.

Ning Zhuo carefully observed, having a grasp of the situation, and told Sun Lingtong: "Boss, first pick up a piece of Wind Thunder Mica and transmit your five senses, especially touch, to me."

"Remember, Wind Thunder Mica is now in a constrained, stored state, handle it gently, just grasp the edge lightly with your thumb and forefinger."

Sun Lingtong nodded silently: "Alright."

On the surface, he glanced indifferently, then reached out to pinch a piece of Mica.

Just by seeing this action, the gray-robed cultivator felt a chill in his heart, realizing he was dealing with someone knowledgeable.

Sun Lingtong closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment, then suddenly sneered: "This Wind Thunder Mica’s edges have interrupted wind patterns and weak thunder sound; it has been damaged by Astral Wind at its origin during collection, making it substandard."

He then picked up the Earth Dragon Blood Vine, sniffed it at his nose, and pinched the surface with his fingers, allowing the sap to seep out: "Pale golden sap? The true Earth Dragon Blood Vine should have dark golden sap, sweet amidst the earthy smell. Why do I detect a hint of Pangolin essence blood? Was it used to stimulate its growth?"

The gray-robed cultivator felt his heart sink again.

Sun Lingtong finally tapped the Thundering Iron Wood: "At most, I see five times. The thunderous power in the wood is thin, only five thunder sounds, the genuine top-grade thunders nine times!"

Sun Lingtong placed the three items back on the table, staring at the gray-robed cultivator: "Trying to fool me with these inferior goods? Do you think this old man has wasted his years in vain?"

The gray-robed cultivator’s heart sank to the bottom, not expecting Sun Lingtong’s sharp eye to precisely judge each material’s quality.

In fact, it was Ning Zhuo who observed these through Sun Lingtong’s senses.

Sun Lingtong used to oversee the black market of Fire Persimmon Immortal City, but Nascent Soul Level treasures were not abundantly encountered. Mainly because Fire Persimmon Immortal City is a new city, and Fire Persimmon Mountain was not yet developed, the market hadn’t truly scaled up.

Fire Persimmon Immortal City was always embroiled in a fierce contest between the Meng Family and Zhu Family, with its development not being the focus.

This situation was actually advantageous for Sun Ning’s duo.

If the black market had really scaled up, it wouldn’t have been possible for a Foundation Establishment Junior Cultivator to manage. Even with Sun Lingtong having connections to the City Lord’s Mansion, it was the same.

Inside the cave, the gray-robed cultivator remained unfazed. Understanding he couldn’t complete the transaction, he had meticulously prepared over many days.

Throwing out three treasures was merely a probing tactic he designed.

"Elder Sun, please calm your anger; this, this is just a teaser." The gray-robed cultivator hurriedly smiled apologetically and took out a jade box from his robe.

Opening the jade box, inside were three elixir pills the size of pigeon eggs, entirely purple, with cloud patterns swirling on the surface. Sun Lingtong inhaled a subtly fragrant aroma that refreshed his spirit.

"Purple Mansion Nourishing Essence Pill, three!" the gray-robed cultivator lowered his voice, "Specifically for Foundation Establishment Cultivators to consolidate the Purple Mansion, can enhance Divine Sense by ten percent. Consuming three pills continuously, even if there are elixir properties, is enough to increase the Divine Sense strength of a cultivator who has never consumed them by twenty-five percent!"

Sun Lingtong’s heart was stirred, thinking: "Little Zhuo has never taken such elixirs."

Even though he had a master from a Super Sect, he had always been a Loose Cultivator outside and never consumed such elixirs.

But in such situations, Sun Lingtong often thought of Ning Zhuo first.

Ning Zhuo had grown up under his watch, with extraordinary feelings between them.

"Little Zhuo, what do you think?" Sun Lingtong secretly inquired to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo carefully observed, unable to conclude anything.

His foundation in alchemy was solid, but his realm was only craftsman level.

Among the Four Great Skills of Cultivation, he reached Master Level only in Artifact Refining; the other three were at the craftsman level.

Facing mid-tier pills like Purple Mansion Nourishing Essence Pill, Ning Zhuo’s inability to discern the quality was normal.

Ning Zhuo: "Boss, I can’t tell anything. Ah, I need to learn more. Give me some time, and with some Xingyun Trial, I should be able to elevate my alchemy skills."