Born with immortal seed

Chapter 425 Third-Party Transactions

"Fellow Daoists, the Lotus Blossom Secret Realm has nothing to do with us. Let's talk about serious matters... If young friend Yu wants to participate, his sect can put in a good word with the Heavenly Principle Sect."

Gu Changsan coughed lightly, diverting everyone's attention from the Lotus Life Secret Realm and the Qingfeng Sect.

"Our sect's secret realm is no less impressive, so why bother seeking something far away when we can find something nearby?"

Yu Zhengze spoke coldly with an arrogant expression.

The opportunities hidden within the Lotus Blossom Secret Realm are among the best in the entire Northern Region.

No one can ignore a spiritual object that can help one break through to the next realm and achieve the perfect Core Formation. Even if he is the Holy Son of the Wusheng Sect, it doesn't mean that the sect's support has no limit.

Especially those spiritual items and pills for breaking through to the peak of Core Formation are rare even for Nascent Soul sects.

Even within the Wusheng Sect, there is no monolithic entity; it is divided into several factions, with cultivators on each mountain scrutinizing every detail.

If you fail even once, you will face a barrage of criticism, making it extremely difficult to apply for the same level of elixir again.

Yu Zhengze is not the only Holy Son in the Wusheng Sect. Even if his master is a Nascent Soul True Monarch, he dares not say for sure how long he can cultivate to the peak of Core Formation.

Each bottleneck in the Core Formation stage must be treated with utmost care, even for those with exceptional spiritual roots.

It is not uncommon for people to become trapped in a fog of confusion and remain in a rut for decades.

Rather than looking down on the Lotus Blossom Secret Realm, it's more about limited strength; it's difficult for someone at the early stage of Core Formation to make any progress.

There is even a possibility that something unexpected might happen, and they might perish in the Lotus Blossom Secret Realm.

Naturally, the Wusheng Sect's own secret realm was safer and more in line with his plans.

"Apart from young friend Yu, none of us are first-time participants. The old rule applies: money and goods are exchanged. Whether you find a bargain or make a mistake depends on your own skill, and no one will pursue the matter after the event."

Gu Changsanren looked at Su Wuming and said considerately.

"Fellow Daoist Su is new here and may not have brought any suitable treasures with him... If you are interested, you can make a bid; if not, just enjoy the show."

He took out a jade bottle, gently placed it on the table, and said:
"As you all know, I am skilled at brewing wine. This bottle of Tianyuan Qionghua Dew was brewed according to an ancient method, taking sixty years to complete and reaching the fourth grade. Only those in the late stage of Core Formation can barely withstand the domineering spiritual power in the wine. One sip is equivalent to ten years of cultivation. Even a cultivator in the early stage of Nascent Soul can benefit from a year of arduous cultivation after drinking it."

"There are three sips left in this bottle. I wish to exchange them for a Tribulation-Crossing Pill."

After Gu Changsan finished speaking, he looked at the people at the table with anticipation.

“Master Gu, there is no doubt that Tianyuan Qionghua Dew is a top-grade spiritual wine, but to be honest, it is a bit far from being able to exchange three sips for the Crossing Calamity Pill.”

Yu Zhengze thought about it carefully for a while before speaking.

"If I remember correctly, the Heavenly Origin Jade Dew loses its effect of enhancing cultivation after three sips... If it could have the same effect as the ancient method, where drinking a whole pot could save a Nascent Soul cultivator from ten years of arduous cultivation, I could still find quite a few True Monarchs willing to exchange it for the Tribulation-Crossing Pill."

"I know that the Heavenly Origin Jade Dew is still short of the Calamity-Crossing Pill, and I am willing to make up the difference with spirit stones or other treasures. Could young friend Yu help me make the connection?"

Gu Changsanren's eyes were burning with determination; his main target was Yu Zhengze.

He had known the people present for decades and had a general understanding of their wealth.

Only the Holy Son of the Wusheng Sect is qualified to handle pills of the level of the Crossing Calamity Pill.

Yu Zhengze himself was a connoisseur of wine, and on someone's recommendation, he took the initiative to visit Gu Changsanren, a master winemaker.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this trade fair was largely organized in response to Yu Zhengze.

“It’s difficult. I reckon none of my sect’s senior uncles would be interested in the Heavenly Origin Jade Dew… If True Master Gu can wait, I can write a letter to ask my master.”

Yu Zhengze looked troubled and shook his head slightly.

"Alright, do any of the other fellow Daoists have any Tribulation-Crossing Pills?"

Gu Changsan sighed and asked the others a question, but he had no hope.

"I am somewhat interested in the Heavenly Origin Jade Dew and would like to take it back as a congratulatory gift to my elders... I wonder if you would accept spirit stones? I can pay with high-grade spirit stones."

Bai Zichen suppressed his excitement and waited for a while before speaking up when no one responded.

The Heavenly Origin Jade Dew perfectly met his requirements, but unfortunately he didn't have any Tribulation-Crossing Pills on him at the moment.

When they killed the Core Formation Elder of the Holy Lotus Sect, there were two Tribulation-Crossing Pills among the spoils of war. Later, when the Danxia Sect became a vassal sect and sought protection, they offered two more pills.

However, he has never taken any breakthrough pills since he started cultivating, and this Tribulation-Crossing Pill has always been kept in the secret hall.

It is said that Wei Dao exchanged one when he was breaking through to the mid-stage of Core Formation, and his successful breakthrough was also related to the Tribulation-Crossing Pill.

"Forget about spirit stones, I don't need them. At my age, I don't have the energy to refine the Heavenly Origin Jade Dew again. I just want to exchange it for a Tribulation-Crossing Pill and try again... Whether I succeed or not, it will be a way to give myself some peace of mind."

Gu Changsanren didn't even listen to the price offered by the spirit stones before rejecting them outright.

Seeing that no one possessed the Crossing-the-Calamity Pill, he disappointedly put away the jade bottle.

If one signs a contract of servitude with the Immortal City and becomes a guest retainer, one will be granted a Tribulation-Crossing Pill.

He was hesitant because he didn't want to be tied down to one place and have to complete tasks assigned by the Immortal City every now and then.

'At this rate, becoming a guest elder in the Immortal City is still my only path, but time isn't on my side...'

"I have a Tribulation-Crossing Pill, but I don't want to exchange it for the Heavenly Origin Jade Dew. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Gu would be willing to listen to my suggestion?"

The drunkenness on Master Qi's face subsided, and he sat up straight, no longer displaying the unrestrained and dissolute demeanor he had before.

"Three Core Formation spiritual items and three high-grade magic treasures—if you can meet my requirements, I can immediately exchange them for the Tribulation-Crossing Pill… This pill was bestowed upon me by True Monarch Nine Lotus years ago, and I have always been reluctant to consume it. Today, for the sake of future generations, I cannot afford to hesitate."

"I have no shortage of high-grade magic treasures, but it's difficult to gather enough spiritual materials for Core Formation in a short time... I wonder if you could grant me some more time so I can exchange with others to gather them all."

Gu Changsan was in high spirits. He never expected that the situation would take such a turn for the better, and that the Du'e Pill would appear in an unexpected old friend.

“One year, I can only wait one year at most… If you can guarantee that you can find three Core Formation spiritual items within a year, this deal can be made. Otherwise, I’m sorry I can’t wait, as my younger relatives are all past the best age for Core Formation and we can’t delay any longer.”

Master Qi spoke earnestly and solemnly.

"I can't guarantee anything within a year..."

Gu Changsanren's expression was complicated, but he ultimately answered truthfully and did not make any empty promises.

In the past, three Core Formation spiritual items would not have been a problem for Gu Changsanren, who had a wide circle of friends, whether through the Immortal City or by seeking Pure Spirit Jade Marrow in the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain.

However, as the production of Core Formation spiritual items in the Myriad Beasts Sect's secret realm has decreased, and in recent years the sect has encountered changes and closed its doors to the outside world, the price of Core Formation spiritual items has risen accordingly.

The availability of Qingling Jadeite on the market is dwindling, and each time it appears, it breaks the previous auction price.

If you can't do it, you can't do it. Even though he longed for the Du'e Pill to this extent, Gu Changsanren disdained to lie or deceive.

Gu Changsan knew Qi Zhenren's situation very well. After leaving the Holy Lotus Sect, he wandered around and didn't even have a fixed place to live.

Among the disciples and descendants, three stand out as the most outstanding, having already reached the cultivation level of Foundation Establishment Perfection or late Foundation Establishment stage.

His desire for the sake of his descendants was entirely for the benefit of his descendants.

Over the years, he numbed himself with alcohol, indulging in unrestrained behavior and never disciplined his disciples or descendants.

Those three most outstanding individuals have truly achieved what they have today through their own talent and hard work.

Hearing the news today that even the Holy Lotus Sect is in dire straits, I suddenly realized that it was pointless to indulge in the emotion of having a mountain gate but being unable to return.

Instead, he should care more about the people around him. The Core Formation Spiritual Objects and Magic Treasures are the only ways he can make amends.

Having wasted a century, he had long lost interest in higher realms and the elusive Nascent Soul.

"Fellow Daoist Qi, I have three drops of Pure Spirit Jade Marrow, as well as these three magic treasures... Take a look and see if they can meet your requirements."

At this moment, Bai Zichen really had to thank Senior Brother Ge Cang for the agreement he made with Fang Tiansheng, which ensured that Qingfeng Sect had no shortage of Core Formation spiritual objects.

As the sect's patriarch, he possessed four drops of Pure Spirit Jade Marrow, intending to bestow them as a congratulatory gift upon whichever disciple reached the Foundation Establishment Perfection stage.

Unexpectedly, it played a significant role at this crucial moment.

As for high-grade magic treasures, he had even more in his storage bag.

Even if most of the spoils from those Core Formation cultivators were transferred to the secret hall, it wouldn't be difficult to gather three high-grade magic treasures.

Master Qi examined the three jade bottles, two bronze maces, and a white jade cauldron with a hint of surprise.

"The item is correct. This is a Tribulation-Crossing Pill. It has never been opened since it came into my possession. Fellow Daoist, you may take a look."

Clearly, no one expected that Gu Changsanren wouldn't produce the requested item, but the newly arrived Core Formation cultivator was able to complete the transaction.

The others looked at Bai Zichen with a mixture of curiosity and speculation, making various guesses in their minds.

No one would believe that someone who could produce three portions of Pure Spirit Jade Marrow in one go was just an ordinary rogue cultivator.

The Qingling Jade Marrow has an optimal period for consumption; once the critical point is exceeded, its effects decrease day by day.

Furthermore, given that Su Wuming mentioned the Heavenly Origin Jade Dew was prepared for the elders in his family, the image of a powerful and influential clan has already been sketched out.

Bai Zichen lifted the wax, pulled out the jade plug, and saw the familiar Du'e Pill.

"Master Gu, how about I exchange this Annihilation Pill for your Heavenly Origin Jade Dew?"

"Good, good, good!"

Gu Changsan never expected that the long-cherished Du'e Pill would come into his hands in such a way.

"Fellow Daoist, how would you like to make up for the difference? Spirit stones, treasures, spirit wine—I will do my best to provide them, as long as it is within my power."

"Spirit stones will suffice."

With the Heavenly Origin Jade Dew in hand, Bai Zichen didn't care whether he wanted the price difference or not.

After placing the jade bottle into his storage bag, he was finally able to approach the upcoming transactions with a relaxed mindset.

This transaction, involving three people, essentially allowed Gu Changsan and Zhu Zhenren to achieve their goals, and now they can simply watch with glee.

Yu Zhengze took out a twin black lotus, saying that it could be used to cultivate several kinds of demonic flames with great power.

The cultivator surnamed Li took out an ancient book with yellowed pages. The title page had hundreds of tiny holes, each the size of a grain of rice, chewed up by insects and ants. He said that it contained a treasure map.

The female cultivator in palace attire, with her elegant and simple features, unfolded two third-order array diagrams to exchange for pills that could enhance her cultivation.

(End of this chapter)