Chương 121: Exchanging Resources! The Gray Orb!

The Gray Orb!

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On the Cloud Viewing Platform, the atmosphere became slightly solemn due to the arrival of the three people from Lingmu Peak.

Although the Foundation Establishment cultivators had returned to their places, their gazes still lingered on the three more spacious and exquisite rosewood tables placed side by side, and the three figures sitting behind them, their eyes filled with a mixture of awe, curiosity, and a hint of restraint.

Zhou Ding seemed oblivious to the stares around him, calmly picking up the spirit tea that had just been served on the jade table in front of him and taking a sip.

The tea soup is clear, slightly bitter at first, then turns sweet and mellow. A pure and peaceful spiritual energy spreads down the throat, refreshing the mind and body. It is indeed a wonderful spiritual tea.

Xin Ruyin sipped her tea with elegance and composure. Zhou Jin, on the other hand, showed no interest in the tea and simply closed his eyes to rest. However, the icy aura emanating from him, almost tangible, made the cultivators at the nearby tables feel breathless and dared not speak loudly.

A moment later, there was movement again at the entrance to the Cloud Viewing Platform.

Two figures entered side by side, breaking the slightly stagnant atmosphere.

On the left is a middle-aged Taoist priest dressed in a bright yellow Taoist robe, with a handsome face, three long wisps of beard flowing down his chin, and a somewhat otherworldly and Taoist demeanor. He is none other than Yuan Jun Zhenren, one of the three deputy island masters of Kui Xing Island, who is in the early stage of Core Formation.

On the right is a woman dressed in plain white robes, with a beautiful face and a gentle temperament with a hint of aloofness. She is also the deputy island master, a True Person Kanqin in the early stage of Core Formation.

These two, along with True Man Mulong and Zhou Ding from Lingmu Peak, are all the Core Formation stage cultivators openly present on Kuixing Island.

Master Yuan Jun and Master Kan Qin were clearly slightly surprised by the arrival of the three from Lingmu Peak, but they quickly composed themselves and walked towards the main table with smiles on their faces.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, Madam Zhou, Vice Island Master Zhou, the presence of the three of you truly brings honor to this Spirit Tea Gathering!" True Person Yuan Jun bowed first, his voice clear and his smile sincere. His gaze lingered on Zhou Ding and Xin Ruyin for a moment, especially when he sensed Xin Ruyin's already stable Core Formation aura, a hint of barely perceptible amazement flashed in his eyes.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Yuan Jun and Fellow Daoist Kan Qin."

Zhou Ding put down his teacup, stood up, and returned the greeting with a respectful but not servile attitude.

Xin Ruyin also stood up and bowed slightly: "Greetings, Master Yuan Jun and Master Kanqin."

Zhou Jin merely opened his eyes and glanced at the two of them, giving a slight nod as a greeting, his attitude remaining indifferent.

"Madam Xin, there's no need for such formalities. We can address each other as equals now."

Master Kanqin's voice was gentle and beautiful, carrying a hint of heartfelt admiration: "Some time ago, I heard that Madam had achieved the Great Perfection of the Golden Core, with extraordinary phenomena, and I have long admired it ever since. Today, seeing you in person, Madam's temperament is otherworldly, and her Daoist charm is innate. She truly lives up to her reputation and is worthy of admiration. Congratulations, Madam."

Her words were gentle, like a spring breeze.

"Master Kanqin, you flatter me. I am new to this field and will need to learn from you two more in the future," Xin Ruyin replied humbly and appropriately.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, the atmosphere became quite harmonious.

Yuan Jun and Kan Qin clearly harbored the intention of befriending and testing Zhou Ding, the "unfathomable" elder of the Sixth Hall, and the infamous Deputy Island Master Zhou, and their words were quite polite.

Zhou Ding was happy to maintain a superficial harmony with these two local Core Formation cultivators, since they were both on Kui Xing Island and would inevitably run into each other.

After another cup of tea's time, a flash of light appeared at the entrance of the Cloud-Viewing Platform, and the figure of Master Mulong finally appeared.

He still maintained his island lord demeanor, wearing a dark blue Taoist robe, with a solemn expression. His gaze swept across the entire room, and when he saw Zhou Ding and others chatting happily with Yuan Jun and Kan Qin, a complex emotion flashed in the depths of his eyes, but a smile instantly bloomed on his face.

"Fellow Daoists, you've been waiting for a long time!"

Master Mulong's voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the entire venue and instantly attracting everyone's attention.

He strode towards the central seat, bowing to Zhou Ding and the others as he went: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, Madam Zhou, Vice Island Master Zhou, Fellow Daoist Yuan, Fellow Daoist Kanqin, I am deeply grateful for your presence!"

Everyone naturally exchanged pleasantries once again.

After Master Mulong took his seat in the central position, he cleared his throat and announced loudly, "Gentlemen, today's Spirit Tea Gathering aims to make friends through tea and exchange ideas. Without further ado, I hereby declare the Spirit Tea Gathering officially open!"

"First, let's appreciate the tea!"

With a wave of his hand, Master Mulong immediately summoned several Foundation Establishment stage maids who carried jade pots and moved between the tables, refilling the teacups with steaming hot tea, now even more spiritually potent than before.

The aroma of the tea grew increasingly rich, bringing a sense of comfort and tranquility.

"This is my treasured 'Mist Peak Cloud Tip', produced at the summit of the spiritual veins of Mist Star Island. It only comes in one season every three hundred years and has the effect of purifying the mind and nourishing the meridians. Fellow Daoists, please!" Master Mulong raised his cup in a gesture of respect.

Everyone raised their glasses and savored the taste.

Zhou Ding took a sip and nodded in praise, "Abundant in spiritual energy, with a lingering aftertaste, this is indeed a fine tea. Island Master Mulong is very kind."

Yuan Jun and Kan Qin echoed their praise. For a moment, the aroma of tea filled the Guanyun Terrace, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed and harmonious.

His gaze swept across the entire room, lingering for a moment on the faces of the Foundation Establishment cultivators, before he slowly said, "I'll start by offering a few small items to exchange with you all."

As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve, and three items appeared on the jade table in front of him, their spiritual light flashing.

On the left is a crimson talisman with a hazy aura and intricate runes; in the middle is a blue flying sword with a gleaming, spiritual aura; and on the right is a fist-sized piece of ore emitting an earthy yellow aura.

"This is a 'Fire Dragon Talisman' treasure, with considerable power; a 'Frost Water Sword' top-tier magic weapon, with unparalleled sharpness; and a piece of 'Earth Treasure Gold,' an excellent material for refining earth-attribute magic weapons."

The three items that Master Mulong took out were undoubtedly irresistible temptations for Foundation Establishment cultivators!

Especially the "Fire Dragon Talisman" treasure, although it can only be used a few times, its power is enough to give Foundation Establishment cultivators a trump card when facing opponents of the same level.

The "Cold Water Sword" and the "Earth Refined Gold" are also exquisite pieces.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Foundation Establishment cultivators below the stage began to stir. Many of them revealed a look of longing in their eyes, began to whisper among their companions, or rummaged through their storage bags to see if there was anything that could tempt True Immortal Mulong.

Soon, someone couldn't hold back any longer and stood up to send a telepathic message to Master Mulong, proposing a deal.

Master Mulong sat firmly in the main seat, talking with several Foundation Establishment cultivators who were interested, sometimes nodding and sometimes shaking his head, clearly weighing his options carefully.

Ultimately, the "Fire Dragon Talisman" was traded to a fake Core Formation cultivator for a bottle of "Condensing Essence Pill" that could slightly increase the success rate of Core Formation, along with several rare spiritual herbs; the "Frosty Water Sword" was acquired by a late Foundation Establishment cultivator in exchange for several rare "Ice Soul Crystals"; and the "Earth Essence Gold" was traded to another Foundation Establishment cultivator skilled in weapon crafting.

The transaction of Master Mulong's treasures was completed quickly, and the scene was quite lively.

However, from beginning to end, Zhou Ding, Xin Ruyin, Zhou Jin, Yuan Jun, and Kan Qin, these Core Formation cultivators, simply watched quietly without making any comment.

For them, items like talismans, top-tier magic weapons, and refined earth metal no longer hold much appeal.

Master Mulong seemed to have anticipated this. After the transaction with the Foundation Establishment cultivators came to an end, he turned his gaze to the main area where Zhou Ding and the other five Core Formation cultivators were located. His smile remained unchanged as he announced in a clear voice, "The transaction with you young friends is temporarily concluded. Next, it will be our 'small gathering.'

I wonder if you fellow Daoists would be willing to bring out some of your most treasured possessions for mutual appreciation and exchange? Perhaps, one of you may find something in someone else's possession."

He paused for a moment, then suggested, "How about this? To avoid confusion, let each of us take out three items we wish to trade, place them on the table, and then explain our needs one by one. What do you say?"

The suggestion was quite reasonable, and everyone agreed. Master Mulong, as the initiator, waved his hand again.

This time, the three items that appeared on the jade table in front of him were completely different from those before, with their spiritual light and aura being much stronger than before!

On the left is a strange flying knife, entirely emerald green, shaped like a willow leaf, as thin as a cicada's wing, and exuding a chilling aura. The blade has natural cloud patterns and radiates spiritual energy, clearly a high-quality magic weapon!

In the center is a crystal no bigger than the palm of your hand, yet it is fiery red all over, with magma flowing inside, radiating an astonishingly high temperature and pure fire elemental power—the "Earth Core Fire Jade"!

This is an excellent material for refining top-tier fire-attribute magic weapons and even ancient treasures, and it is quite rare.

On the right, Master Mulong placed down an ordinary stone bead, only the size of a pigeon egg, with a dull, almost lifeless dark gray color, and a pitted surface, as if it had been weathered and eroded over countless years.

This bead looks unremarkable, and you can't even feel any spiritual energy fluctuations. It's like the most ordinary pebble on the side of the mortal world river. Mixed among the green flying knife and the red fire jade, it looks out of place and extremely abrupt.

Master Mulong pointed to the emerald green flying knife: "This treasure is called the 'Azure Willow Knife.' It is made primarily from the core of a thousand-year-old Azure Spirit Wood, refined with the essence of Geng Metal. It is incomparably sharp and also carries the 'Yi Wood Poisonous Aura,' which is extremely difficult to cure, like a bone-deep carbuncle.

In exchange, you can obtain pills that can improve your mid-stage Core Formation cultivation power, or rare wood and metal-attribute materials of similar value for refining weapons."

He then pointed to the Earth Core Fire Jade: "This item needs no further explanation. Exchange it for top-tier refining materials of the same level in terms of water and earth attributes, or fragments of ancient cultivation techniques and secret arts."

Finally, his finger landed on the unremarkable gray stone bead, his tone carrying a hint of uncertainty and inquiry: "As for this item... I obtained it by chance deep within the ruins of an ancient cultivation site many years ago. It was as it was when I found it; it is impervious to magical power, fire, and lightning strikes, its texture is peculiar. I have studied it for many years, yet I still do not know its origin or purpose. I am offering it today as a bonus, or perhaps to someone with a destined connection.

The exchange... is up to you, as long as it is of comparable value, or any texts or information that can unravel some of my cultivation doubts."

After Master Mulong finished his introduction, Master Yuanjun and Master Kanqin exchanged a glance and each took out three items from their storage bags and placed them on the jade table in front of them.

After Master Mulong finished his introduction, Master Yuanjun and Master Kanqin exchanged a glance and each took out three items from their storage bags and placed them on the jade table in front of them.

Master Yuan Jun took out a bottle of pills labeled "Golden Marrow Pill", a piece of "Wind Whisper Copper", and a jade slip that recorded some kind of unorthodox escape technique.

Master Kanqin then took out a set of "Ice Soul Needles" magic treasures, a thousand-year-old "Snow Jade Ginseng", and an old, tattered animal hide that seemed to record some kind of sonic attack technique.

It was Zhou Ding's turn.

After a moment's thought, Zhou Ding waved his hand, and three items appeared before him: a set of "Inverted Five Elements Array" equipment, consisting of several array flags and an array plate, with flowing spiritual light, but it was only the simplest version; a stack of about ten intermediate-level talismans, full of spiritual energy and with different runes; and three jade bottles, each containing "Snow Lotus Pill" and "Golden Yuan Pill," which are pills that can help Core Formation cultivators' magical power.

Xin Ruyin also brought out three sets of array tools with different functions. They were all improved and refined by her based on the "Tianyuan Array Manual". They were quite powerful, especially good at trapping enemies and defense. They were obviously intended to be used to exchange for array materials or special array knowledge.

As for Zhou Jin, when everyone's gaze fell upon him, he simply uttered coldly, "Not interested."

He closed his eyes again, clearly not intending to participate in this "barter" game.

The crowd seemed unsurprised by this, as the temperament of this Deputy Island Master Zhou was already well-known on the island.

Seeing this, Master Mulong didn't press the matter and smiled, "It's alright, Vice Island Master Zhou is straightforward. Well then, let's begin. I wonder if any fellow Daoist is interested in these three items of mine, or the items belonging to Fellow Daoist Yuan Jun or Fellow Daoist Kanqin?"

Just as Master Mulong was speaking, and everyone's eyes lingered on the three treasures he had taken out, secretly evaluating and weighing them, Zhou Ding's right hand hung casually at his side, his wide sleeves naturally falling down to cover his palm.

Inside his sleeve, a tiny golden doll, barely an inch long, curled up in a ball, its aura perfectly concealed, lay quietly in his warm palm.

None of the cultivators present, including True Man Mulong, noticed that a level-five demonic beast, enough to terrify them, was hidden in that sleeve.

With a slight thought, Zhou Ding shared Xiao Jin's "vision" through the soul connection and silently activated the "Heavenly Hearing Technique"!

In an instant, that strange, colorful vision that could reveal the essence and spiritual light of treasures unfolded before his "eyes" once again.

His gaze swept across all the items on the jade table in front of Master Mulong, Master Yuanjun, and Master Kanqin in an instant.

The items that Yuan Jun and Kan Qin took out mostly emitted a bright or soft "cyan" light, representing the same value as ordinary magic treasures and thousand-year-old spiritual medicines. Among them, the "Wind Whisper Copper" and the animal hide that recorded the sound attack technique shone slightly brighter, but it did not exceed the cyan range.

However, when his "gaze" swept over the jade table of the Wooden Dragon Immortal— The "Jade Willow Knife" emitted a bright, cyan light, which was quite ordinary. The "Earth Core Fire Jade," on the other hand, emitted a deep cyan light, almost bordering on blue, and was clearly more valuable.

When his "gaze" finally landed on that inconspicuous dark gray stone bead, which the Wood Dragon Immortal called "an unusable extra."

"Buzz!"

Zhou Ding's mind jolted!

The fingers hidden in the sleeve trembled slightly, almost uncontrollably!

The dull, lifeless stone bead suddenly burst forth with a pure, profound, and dazzling blue light in the vision of the "Heavenly Hearing Technique"!

Its radiance was far more intense and pure than the "Earth Core Fire Jade" next to it, and even stronger than the "Soul-Nourishing Lotus" and "Purple Spirit Leaf" that he had obtained before!

It was a blue, radiant treasure comparable to a elixir of immortality or a fragment of a top-tier ancient artifact!

"This..." Zhou Ding's heart was instantly filled with turmoil, but he showed no sign on his face, maintaining a calm expression as he watched. He even picked up his teacup and took another sip to cover up his momentary lapse in concentration.

Blue jewel-like light!

It truly is a blue, radiant treasure!

It turns out that the blue treasure light that the Heavenly Hearing Technique sensed back then, located in the direction of Heavenly Pillar Peak and second only to the purple ancient box, was this very thing!

It had actually been in the hands of Master Mulong all along!

Moreover, it seems that Master Mulong really failed to figure out the mystery of this pearl, treating it only as an unidentifiable "strange object" that was neither useful nor worth discarding. He even took it out in this situation as an almost "add-on" in the hope of exchanging it for something of value or information!

Surprise, unexpectedness, realization, and a hint of mockery for Mu Long Zhenren's blindness to talent intertwined in Zhou Ding's heart.

But he immediately calmed down and his mind raced.

"We must capture this pearl!"

Zhou Ding made up his mind instantly.

The blue, radiant object is not to be missed. But how to acquire it requires careful planning.

You must not appear too eager, lest you arouse suspicion from Master Mulong or others, who might then demand a higher price or even renege on the deal.

While listening discreetly to the initial conversation between Master Mulong, Yuan Jun, and Kan Qin regarding the exchange terms for the "Azure Willow Blade" and the "Earth Core Fire Jade," he quickly pondered what he possessed that could both impress Master Mulong and secure the undervalued gray stone bead without seeming too abrupt or arousing suspicion.