While the Evergreen Azurewood Manual could extend a Purple Mansion cultivator's lifespan by sixty years, its gentle and balanced nature made its practitioners the weakest in their tier. Moreover, it significantly reduced their chances of advancing to the Golden Core stage.
Despite its drawbacks, the technique was valuable enough to serve as the foundation of a Purple Mansion family's legacy. Rarely would such treasures appear in a Foundation Establishment-level trade fair.
The Yang family hadn't wanted to trade the technique either, but thirty years ago, they produced a second Purple Mansion cultivator—a dual Metal-Water Spirit Root practitioner.
Lacking a third-tier Purple Mansion cultivation method, this cultivator was still practicing a second-tier technique, absorbing spiritual energy at half the speed of those with third-tier methods. Their cultivation progress had thus been agonizingly slow.
"Fellow Daoists, if you possess a third-tier Metal cultivation method, please come forward to exchange."
"Our Yang family guarantees, on six hundred years of reputation, that anyone who agrees to this exchange will earn our gratitude."
The Yang family's Foundation Establishment cultivator looked around expectantly.
Unfortunately, third-tier or higher cultivation methods were exceedingly rare, tightly controlled by elite clans and sects to prevent others from exploiting weaknesses in their techniques.
Even the Xu and Yang Purple Mansion clans lacked third-tier Metal techniques, let alone lower-ranking clans.
In the end, no one stepped forward to trade, leaving the Yang cultivator to shake his head in disappointment as he stepped down.
Next in line, as the top family in Yu County, the Chen family was honored with the third turn.
Elian stepped forward and addressed the crowd, "I am here to purchase a portion of Water Essence. Would any Daoist be willing to sell?"
The room fell silent for a moment before a handsome man spoke.
"What are you willing to offer in exchange?"
Elian's face lit up with hope.
"If Daoist is willing to accept spirit stones, I'm prepared to pay above market price."
The man shook his head regretfully.
"This Water Essence was something I acquired after traveling over three million miles to Yan State, braving countless dangers along the way."
"If it were just for some spirit stones, it wouldn't be worth it. However, if you have a second-tier high-grade artifact, I'd be willing to trade."
Elian shook his head and reluctantly gave up on the deal.
Although he had two second-tier high-grade artifacts, they were incredibly valuable. Even late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators often possessed only one or two such artifacts.
In Yu County, there were only three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, highlighting how rare such items were.
While Water Essence was valuable, it was still just a second-tier material. Trading a second-tier high-grade artifact for it was too unreasonable.
Elian stepped down from the platform. From below, Lin Baixi noticed and discreetly sent a message to the man.
As the trading continued, Elian purchased two artifacts for over two thousand spirit stones.
The first was the Jade Purification Bottle, intended for the third elder. Though only a second-tier low-grade artifact, it could release a stream of Heavenly River Ren Water, which was highly effective against Metal and Fire-attribute artifacts and divine abilities. If used wisely, it could be very advantageous.
The second was the Elderwood Smoke Veil, capable of emitting a protective mist to shield against flying swords and spells. It was a solid defensive artifact.
The third elder, already equipped with a mid-tier artifact from Zuo Younian, didn't need the Smoke Veil. However, Chen Qingwan, with her mid-tier sword, could use it to complement her offensive capabilities. Together, these artifacts made her formidable for an early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Though satisfied with the purchases, Elian couldn't hide his disappointment at not finding Water Essence.
Just then, the handsome man stepped forward again. His name was Zhang Yiran, a mid-stage Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator from Feng County.
Holding up the Water Essence, he addressed the crowd.
"This Water Essence was procured by me after traveling over 3 million miles. I wish to trade it for a second-tier high-grade artifact. Is anyone willing?"
However, the crowd shook their heads. While Water Essence was rare, it wasn't valuable enough to justify trading a second-tier high-grade artifact. If it were for a mid-tier artifact, many would have agreed, but the gap in value between the two tiers was more than double.
Seeing no offers, Zhang Yiran looked disappointed. Elian quickly sent him a voice transmission.
"Daoist, forgive my bluntness, but exchanging Water Essence for a second-tier high-grade artifact is nearly impossible."
"How about this: I offer you 2,800 spirit stones. With that, you can save up another 1,000 spirit stones and potentially buy a high-grade artifact."
Zhang Yiran frowned and countered, "If you're willing to offer 3,500 spirit stones, I'll trade it to you."
Elian chuckled coldly.
"Let's not joke, Daoist. For 3,500 spirit stones, I could buy two or three second-tier treasures."
"My offer of 2,800 spirit stones is already a premium of nearly 1,000 spirit stones. Isn't that enough?"
"Tell you what, as a gesture of goodwill for your arduous journey, I'll add another 200 spirit stones. If you're still unwilling, I'll have no choice but to seek this material in Yan State myself."
Zhang Yiran relented and handed over the Water Essence with a smile.
"Traveling to Yan State requires crossing 300,000 miles of demon-beast territory and more. It's incredibly perilous. Buying it at this price isn't a loss for you."
With the transaction complete, Elian finally smiled.
Since the Golden Silkworm Silk purchase exceeded expectations, the 8,000 spirit stones allocated for this trip were now entirely spent. Though the auction continued, Elian no longer participated.
That night, in a courtyard in Fengyang Market, three figures met in secret. Two were Lin Baixi and Lin Moqin of the Lin family, while the third was Zhang Yiran, the rogue cultivator who had sold the Water Essence.
Lin Baixi urgently asked, "Is it done?"
Zhang Yiran nodded, his expression indifferent.
"As per your instructions, I've done the job. But I've now offended the Chen family, so you better not go back on the agreed 1,000 spirit stones."
"You'll get your payment," Lin Baixi said, handing over a bag of spirit stones.
Zhang Yiran counted them before producing a rough stone and handing it over.
"This is the Parent-Child Tracking Stone. Take good care of it."
"I've hidden the child stone inside the Water Essence. With the parent stone in your possession, you'll be able to track the child stone's location as long as it's within 10,000 miles."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D