novelraw Chapter 193
Chapter 193
Some of the items had been purchased by others at Zhuo Shouqing’s request.
The appointed host stood on the central platform, and for each incense lit, he gave a detailed introduction. For a while, it felt as if everyone present were true connoisseurs of fragrance.
Such hospitality truly made the guests feel at home. Even if they did not acquire their desired treasures this time, the attentive service alone would ensure they would gladly return again in the future.
“Fellow daoists, this is ‘Turning Clouds Overturning Rain Incense,’ it has… heh heh…”
“This stick is ‘Nourishing Spirit Calming Heart Incense’…”
“This one is…”
Just like that, the fragrance perceving continued deep into the night. After obtaining so many minor opportunities, everyone was satisfied. It was at this moment that Zhuo Shouqing spoke.
“Ending tonight’s Fragrance Gathering here would feel somewhat abrupt. Since so many fellow daoists are present, why not take the chance to hold a small Treasure Exchange?”
“Reasonable.”
“Indeed, many comrades have gathered today. Fellow Daoist Zhuo’s suggestion is excellent.”“Agreed, agreed.”
The helpers arranged by Wang Yu quickly voiced their support. Although everyone knew this segment was coming, the formalities still had to be observed.
Seeing that many were echoing him, Zhuo Shouqing laughed.
“Since it was my proposal, I shall begin. I have a treasure in my possession.
“It is called Snow Bone Ginseng. Among second-rank spiritual herbs it is a rare find. To exchange it for spirit stones would be too great a loss. What I seek to exchange it for is…”
“I wish to trade for a thunder-attribute spiritual herb. If there is any price difference, spirit stones can be added to make up the balance. Is any daoist willing to exchange?”
Snow Bone Ginseng?
Wang Yu felt a slight stir in his heart. This item could be used to refine an ice-attribute version of the Demon Spirit Pill, which would be perfect for cultivating Snowjade.
But after some thought, he restrained himself. Better to first see what offers appeared.
At this moment, Daoist Rainflower stroked his beard and said.
“I have here a Thunder Spirit Fruit. What does Fellow Daoist Zhuo think?”
Zhuo Shouqing pondered for a moment. “There is a slight difference between the two. If Fellow Daoist Rainflower adds five thousand spirit stones, we may exchange. How about it?”
“Agreed!”
Daoist Rainflower was a second-rank high-grade spiritual planter, well-versed in the Dao of cultivation and planting. His own cultivation had reached the seventh level of Foundation Establishment. He managed a herb garden in Cloudmist City and held many rare goods.
Exchanging for Snow Bone Ginseng, he most likely intended to use secret methods to force germination, adding yet another rare herb to his garden. Just this harvest alone made the trade more than worthwhile.
This exchange counted as a successful opening move.
Other than Wang Yu’s arranged helpers, the rest of the audience also grew genuinely interested.
An elder with a ruddy face from Purple Dragon Mountain glanced at Zhuo Shouqing, Rainflower, Tiger-Dragon, and the others. After some thought, he stepped onto the central platform. He was the highest cultivation among those present.
At the very peak of Foundation Establishment, being the second to step forward caused no objections.
“This old man has an egg of a Purple Blood Loach with middle-grade bloodline. Properly nurtured, within thirty years it can advance to second rank and possesses mastery of Earth Escape.
“Even if one does not follow the Beast-Taming Path, having such a spirit beast as aid in battle means both offense and escape are assured. It can greatly increase one’s strength.”
In terms of naming, beasts tamed by cultivators are called spirit beasts, while those in the wild are termed demon beasts.
Purple Dragon Mountain specialized in raising such creatures, so it was no surprise the elder could produce such an egg.
A functional spirit beast always held value, especially one skilled in Earth Escape. Items that preserved one’s life were forever in demand.
The audience’s enthusiasm surpassed even earlier.
“This old man wishes to exchange for earth-attribute techniques, secret arts, pill formulas, or inheritance of magical tools… all are acceptable.
“If there is information regarding Core Formation spiritual items, even better. Treasures that aid in Core Formation will also be considered.”
The elder’s demands were far greater in value than a single Purple Blood Loach, almost like opening the lion’s mouth wide. But such was the nature of treasure exchanges. If dissatisfied, one could always raise the offer.
It was still far better than having no news at all.
For a moment the crowd grew silent. The value of Core Formation spiritual items was simply too high. This being the very first exchange, trust was still lacking. Even if someone truly possessed such news, they would not bring it out.
At this time, Zhuo Shouqing intended to lend Wang Yu a helping hand.
“Fellow daoist, I have such news. But your chance of obtaining it is very slim. Do you truly wish to exchange?”
The red-faced elder paused, then spoke with deep intent.
“If you can ensure the news is genuine, not to mention a Purple Blood Loach with middle-grade bloodline, even a Purple Blood Dragon Loach with high-grade bloodline I would bring out as payment.”
It seemed he had already steeled himself to risk everything.
Zhuo Shouqing nodded.
“I swear upon the honor of the Zhuo Clan of Ghostfang. The news is absolutely true. If you wish to exchange, follow me to the trading chamber.”
“Very well.”
The Fragrance Gathering and the Treasure Exchange were both hosted in the Myriad Fragrance Hall on the second floor, outside the City Lord’s formation. The trading segment, however, was held on the third floor in the secret trading chambers.
Because of the concealment formation that disrupts one’s sense of direction set there, all trading chambers lay within the protective formation. This ensured both safety and complete secrecy.
The earlier exchange of Snow Bone Ginseng and Thunder Spirit Fruit had also been conducted in a trading chamber, with no issues at all.
As the two men ascended to the third floor, the atmosphere grew even more fervent.
The illustrious name of the Ghostfang Zhuo Clan was known to every Crimson Kite Domain native. None expected Wang Yu to invite the young master of Ghostfang.
“Let us continue. This time, allow me to take the lead.”
The treasure Wang Yu presented was a third-rank Breaking Restriction Talisman, a highly versatile charm. He had obtained several of these from Wei Shanze. Only a third-rank high-grade talisman master could draw such a talisman.
Its circulation in the market was extremely scarce, making it a kind of high-end hard currency. Especially for cultivators who lacked proper channels, it was even more precious.
Among those present, the Nine-Curve Talisman Master of Sanmao City was the most excited.
“City Lord Wang, this item is of great benefit to my cultivation in talisman arts. What do you wish in exchange?”
Wang Yu thought for a moment and said, “Third-rank spirit materials. Yin or ice attribute is best. Or any rare item that can pique my interest may also be exchanged.”
His requirement was vague. The Nine-Curve Talisman Master pondered for some time before replying.
“I have one hundred catties of third-rank Meteorite Cold Iron. Will this suffice for the talisman?”
“Add ten thousand spirit stones.”
“Agreed.”
“Please, come upstairs.”
The Breaking Restriction Talisman was valuable not only for its rank and effect, but also for its scarcity and semi-forbidden status. To the Nine-Curve Talisman Master, whether for research or personal use, it was a bargain.
As for Meteorite Cold Iron, though one hundred catties sounded plentiful, in reality it was only enough for a few fist-sized chunks. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, this was already a rare treasure.
Wang Yu had already plundered households, extorted others, and bought resources through many means. His stockpile of third-rank spiritual items was not small, surpassing even the wealth of many Core Formation cultivators.
Even so, it was still not enough.
This material was suitable for refining pill cauldron artifacts, and preparing it in advance would never be a loss.
The treasure exchange continued.
Tiger-Dragon Wanderer traded with the Guan Clan for a strange stone known as the Dragon-Tiger Stone Embryo, said to aid the cultivation of his technique.
The Blood Saber Cultivator, whose cultivation level was comparatively low, also brought out a treasure. It was obtained from the northern reaches of Cloud Ridge Prefecture in the Demonic Beast Bone Forest: the Bone Barrier Poison Flower.
Though it was highly toxic, it had miraculous effects for body refinement. It was claimed by Daoist Rainflower. Wang Yu did his best to ensure those three could gain some harvest.
If needed in the future, he could wait until Daoist Rainflower cultivated it and then purchase again. He was not lacking one or two spiritual plants.
The Cloud Dream Pavilion presented a dual cultivation pill, said to be a new recipe created this very year by a Nascent Soul ancestor of the Joyous Union Sect.
Not only could it increase the sensory perception of the flesh during intimate matters several dozen times, but it could also invigorate an exhausted body with renewed vitality.
It granted unending pleasure.
This pill, named Bliss Pill, was unsurprisingly purchased at a high price by Zhuo Shouqing.
He too had never experienced such an aphrodisiac novelty. With this, the treasure exchange came to a perfect close.
“Fellow Daoists, the Fragrance Gathering will not end here. Though this was the first, it shall not be the last. The next meeting will be set for five years hence.
“Those wishing to invite new members must guarantee them personally. Any disputes or trouble caused by arguments or conduct shall be the responsibility of the guarantor.”
This rule was long established in Crimson Kite territory. Wang Yu merely restated it for formality.
“Until we meet again.”
“No need to see us off, City Lord Wang.”
The night passed peacefully.
The first Treasure Exchange concluded successfully. Wang Yu immediately ordered his people to spread the news. Within five years, he would invite several more new participants.
By then, they would certainly not refuse so directly as the first time. Step by step, after three or four gatherings, a complete circle would form.
He needed to arrange manpower in advance to prevent ambushes and robberies along the way.
…
…
Three months after the Treasure Exchange, Zhuo Shouqing formally took his leave. He had been away for too long and indeed needed to return.
Although it seemed he had spent his days in indulgence and nightly revelry, in truth he had planted many hidden agents in Jade Spirit City. Under the cover of the City Lord’s mansion, he even began secretly training a group of deathsworn warriors.
This matter was unrelated to Wang Yu. Zhuo’s opportunities to act were rare, so once he had a chance, he would use it to cultivate his own strength.
Cloud Dream Pavilion and Zhuo Shouqing also appeared to have forged a deeper agreement. The details Wang Yu did not pry into. He merely provided the necessary assistance.
In human dealings, knowing where to stop was essential.
For Wang Yu, cultivation remained the priority. Next came handling the “crossing-river dragon outsiders” at two resource points outside the city. If this matter succeeded, his prestige as City Lord would rise even further.
In the past, people of Cloud Ridge Prefecture regarded him merely as a madman with background. After this, they would also recognize his true strength, elevating him another tier.
There were advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage lay in the Treasure Exchange and reputation.
The disadvantage was that it made ambushing enemies harder. He required more life-saving trump cards, and urgently so.
Therefore, in the following days, he reduced the time spent on body refinement, completely abandoned sleep, and immersed himself in the corpse-refining chamber.
He temporarily set aside the Yin Nether Demon Flood Dragon Technique, devoting double effort into the Yin Fiend Corpse Refining Technique to hasten its progress. He poured vast amounts of energy into it.
At last.
In the 20th year of his tenure as City Lord, in the first month of the new year.
After half a year of painstaking work, the corpse he refined was finally saturated to the extreme with Lunar Yin Fiend Qi. A special kind of Fiend Corpse was about to be born.