"I also spent twenty years refining part of the Divine Skills, and only then did I achieve my current Realm," Jiang Shu said. When he spoke, his face expressed regret, but an uncontrollable curve touched his lips. He resembled a common man who had suddenly co into great wealth, feigning nonchalance with extre clumsiness.
"It’s all because Master Xuan Shui divided the inheritance into two sets. Otherwise, I wouldn’t need any Earth-grade Treasure. His Tri-foot Xuan Shui Star Refining Tripod, I find, is very good—it can perform Alchemy, Artifact Refining, and Body Refinent. Such a pity."
"To obtain any part of it is a trendous opportunity indeed!" Master Duo Bao exclaid with emotion, his tone full of blessings, as if he hadn’t a single thought about the Tri-foot Xuan Shui Star Refining Tripod.
The two chatted endlessly, quickly arriving at a large courtyard. Ordinary from the outside, but once inside the restriction, it was magnificent—even an imperial palace on earth could hardly compare.
Many slender, well-proportioned Maids danced gracefully. So, who were favored, even sat beside Primordial Pill Realm True n, accompanying them with wine.
These Primordial Pill Realm True n apparently knew each other well. The topics of their conversation were all the various opportunities they had encountered in the past.
"You see, this is the trade et I was talking about earlier," Master Duo Bao whispered. "We are all Loose Cultivators. Each of us yearns to reach higher Realms. It may seem like we are discussing opportunities, but in fact, we are discussing thods for handling the opportunities we encounter. Later, Master Hun Yuan, you can also share your experiences. Having received Master Xuan Shui’s inheritance, even just a part, is probably enough to make these fellows extrely envious."
As they entered, the gazes of so Primordial Pill Realm True n turned towards Jiang Shu. Upon learning he was Master Hun Yuan, who had recently slain an Inner Core Realm Demon Beast, they continued to drink and chat, occasionally revealing what they desired or lacked, engaging in resource exchanges.
"We Loose Cultivators cannot compare with the disciples of large sects, so we must support each other even more. For us, the more cultivation opportunities, the better, and resources should be matched as well as possible. Master Hun Yuan, once you are familiar with this place, you can also exchange resources with one or two friends you make here. But there’s no need for that now, as we are just an unford, loose group. No one can guarantee what kind of people might join." These few sentences were transmitted to Jiang Shu through spiritual power by Master Duo Bao, who appeared as if he were deeply considering Jiang Shu’s welfare.
Jiang Shu nodded continuously, found a seat, and casually selected a couple of dancing Maids from the group. While sipping wine, he had them sit by his side, his hands occasionally roaming, all while listening with a tilted ear to the conversations of the other True n.
Ti passed. Soon, so True n who had achieved their goals began to leave their seats and bid farewell. The Great Hall, which initially had over a dozen people gathered, saw its numbers dwindle. When only seven or eight remained, Jiang Shu also found an excuse to leave.
The night grew deeper. Gradually, only Master Duo Bao, Master Ning Guang, and Master Wan Jian—all three at the Primordial Pill Realm—remained in the Great Hall.
"What do you think of today’s newcor, Master Hun Yuan?" Master Duo Bao was the first to speak, his expression icy, a stark contrast to his previously benign deanor.
In this world, there are no generous acts without ulterior motives.
If Jiang Shu were stronger, future etings would be a matter of mutual give and take. But for now, from an overt standpoint, Jiang Shu’s strength was still too weak. Being weak was one thing, but to make matters worse, he possessed the inheritance of Master Xuan Shui. From the implications in his words, it was highly likely he also knew the location of the other part of the inheritance.
That was an Earth-grade Treasure!
Among Treasures, treasure tripods are extrely valuable, as they serve various functions, including Body Refinent, Alchemy, and Artifact Refining. Take Master Wan Jian, for example. He could command ten thousand Flying Swords, but the value of his ten leading Earth-grade Flying Swords couldn’t compare to the Tri-foot Xuan Shui Star Refining Tripod. If he, Master Duo Bao, were to obtain this inheritance, his Artifact Refining ability would undoubtedly rise to a new level.
"He has so cunning, but not much," Master Ning Guang sneered. As the ones setting the trap, they naturally paid close attention. He could clearly perceive that Master Hun Yuan, since entering the trade et, had deliberately surrounded himself with won, creating a lecherous facade. In reality, his attention was focused on the discussions among the True n at the gathering.
"Indeed, he’s sowhat cautious," Master Duo Bao said. "If I hadn’t ntioned the need to verify his background to confirm he wasn’t a disciple of a major sect, he probably wouldn’t have revealed he’d received Master Xuan Shui’s inheritance. However, in my view, what he said was half true, half false. The inheritance might be real, but whether he obtained a part of it or all of it is hard to say. After all, if he truly was just at the Early-stage Primordial Pill Realm, with his thods, to slay an Inner Core Realm Demon Beast would still be quite difficult."
Master Ning Guang and Master Wan Jian listened to the analysis, nodding continuously in agreent. The three of them had collaborated for a hundred years and were extrely cautious in their actions. All the illicit gains they acquired would be re-refined and laundered by Master Duo Bao. This not only enabled the spoils to be sold at higher prices but also thoroughly cented Master Duo Bao’s reputation in Fuhai City. It was truly killing multiple birds with one stone.
"Regardless of whether he has the Tri-foot Xuan Shui Star Refining Tripod or not, we must be extra cautious. He possesses at least one of Master Xuan Shui’s Divine Power Pills," Master Wan Jian’s voice was sowhat hoarse. In their small group, he was only responsible for combat; the overall strategies were primarily decided by Master Duo Bao and Master Ning Guang.
"Let’s probe him further, make him lower his guard, and then coax more information out of him," Master Ning Guang nodded, deciding to be cautious.
「In the ti that followed,」 Master Duo Bao acted as if he had forgotten about Jiang Shu, barely communicating with him, only sending over the invitations when the trade et was about to begin.
The trade ets were held monthly. In the third month, Jiang Shu finally made an appearance and, in one go, acquired an Earth-grade Treasure dicine from Master Ning Guang.
"I never expected, Master Ning Guang, that you possessed such a treasure!" Jiang Shu exclaid. This treasure dicine, if refined into a pill, its effect would be comparable to several months of arduous cultivation for an ordinary Primordial Pill Realm True Man. And what he paid was rely a few Cultivation thods for Divine Skills from Master Xuan Shui’s inheritance.
"How about that? I said you would definitely benefit from participating in the trade et, didn’t I?" Master Duo Bao laughed heartily. "The purpose of organizing this trade et is precisely for this. Fuhai City is near the Endless Sea. Sotis, beast tides will approach. If we Loose Cultivators don’t unite, share opportunities, and exchange our gains, when a crisis arrives, we will undoubtedly be the first to perish."
Jiang Shu nodded affirmatively. But, as always, when only seven or eight people remained, he would take his leave.
The trade et continued. anwhile, Master Duo Bao, Master Ning Guang, and Master Wan Jian had already begun their spiritual communication.
"This ti, we can almost be sure, right?" one of them initiated.
"Hmm, it’s indeed a few of Master Xuan Shui’s Divine Skills," Master Ning Guang transmitted. "It appears this Master Hun Yuan truly has heaven-defying fortune to have obtained Master Xuan Shui’s inheritance. And the way he reacted to the Earth-grade Treasure dicine, it doesn’t seem like an act. Master Xuan Shui’s inheritance can probably only support his cultivation to the Primordial Pill Realm. For him to advance further, given his background, would be exceedingly difficult. Master Hun Yuan is definitely in dire need of resources. We can definitely use resources to lure him out of Fuhai City." Master Ning Guang’s eyes narrowed.
After waiting for so long, this fish was finally about to bite the hook.
"Yes, soone like him, carrying such an opportunity, also finds it hard to integrate into a major power and can only beco a Loose Cultivator," Master Duo Bao conveyed his mocking thoughts through spiritual communication while greeting various True n. "After all, the Tri-foot Xuan Shui Star Refining Tripod is quite renowned even among Earth-grade Treasures. A major power would definitely compel him to offer it up for use by Primordial Pill Realm True n skilled in Alchemy and Artifact Refining. Unfortunately, he doesn’t realize that Treasures have always belonged to the strong. He might avoid joining the major powers, but can he also escape from us here?"
So what if he obtained an opportunity? So many people obtain opportunities, only to end up handing them over. Insufficient strength, inadequate temperant. Eventually, everything is just making wedding gowns for others!
"Now Master Hun Yuan may not trust us enough yet," Master Ning Guang continued their private discussion. "But wait till I throw out another Earth-grade Treasure dicine next ti; maybe things will be different. To improve his strength, he must rely on us. Reliance breeds trust. Common mortals are most easily blinded by wealth. We cultivators are no different."
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