Chương 79: The Grudge of the Eleventh Place

Zhang Huaijin's expression remained perfectly still as he slowly took his seat. A few Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators were about to step forward and greet him but then the two Purple Mansion Realm cultivators appeared, Fang Xinjin and Zhou Yuezi. The chatter in the pavilion died instantly. The silence was so complete that one could hear a pin drop. Such was the imposing presence of Purple Mansion Realm. More than thirty Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators rose as one and saluted the two men.

The pair, their faces still slightly pale from a recent battle, sat down slowly. They had not yet recovered their full strength.

"Everyone," Fang Xinjin began without preamble, "the purpose of this gathering is simple, it is to share what we have and trade for what we need. Each of you may come forward, present your items, and state what you're seeking. You will have the time it takes to burn one incense stick (about 15 mins). If no one is interested, your item is passed over, and the next cultivator takes the stage." Zhou Yuezi, seated silently beside him, simply nodded. None of the cultivators present raised any objection.

"Well then," Fang Xinjin said, "I, Fang Xinjin, will humble myself and offer the first example." He rose and walked slowly to the raised platform. A flash of light gleamed in his palm as he produced a jade box.

"A Tier 2, upper grade pill, the Purple Heart Pill!" Fang Xinjin opened the box directly.

"I don't need to explain what this pill does. I am looking for three Tier 2, upper grade herbs or one Tier 3, low grade herb. If the values do not align, I will make up the difference with spirit stones." As he spoke, a glint of anticipation flickered deep within his eyes. On the path of cultivation, fortune and luck carried immense weight. And there was a real chance that some of these Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators possessed Tier 3 herbs.

Beside Zhang Huaijin, he could feel Gao Zhengxin's breathing grow heavy. Gao was currently at the fifth level of the Foundation Establishment Realm. After the recent battle, he had earned enough resources that once he went into seclusion he could break through to the sixth level. He was confident he could polish his cultivation to the peak of the sixth level within ten years.

The Purple Heart Pill could help a cultivator at the sixth level shatter the bottleneck to the late stage Foundation Establishment Realm, increasing the odds of success by a full sixty percent. With a sufficiently solid foundation, taking the pill would almost guarantee a smooth, unforced breakthrough. The Gao family had a total of five Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, the strongest of whom was at the seventh level.

If Gao Zhengxin could obtain the Purple Heart Pill, the family would gain another late stage cultivator. Unfortunately, he did not possess the kind of herbs Fang Xinjin required. The atmosphere in the pavilion was deathly still. Disappointment flickered across Fang Xinjin's face. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Then, a cultivator at the sixth level stood up.

"I don't have a Tier 3, low grade herb," he said.

"Would three Tier 2, upper grade herbs suffice?"

"Let me see them," Fang Xinjin said, beckoning. The man showed no hesitation. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he had no fear of Fang Xinjin attempting anything unscrupulous. He walked quickly to the platform and handed over a storage pouch. Fang Xinjin glanced inside.

"Deal." With that, he handed over the Purple Heart Pill, evidently satisfied with the quality of the three Tier 2, upper grade herbs. The sixth level cultivator accepted the pill, his face splitting into a wide grin. He had already decided, once the trading ended, he would take the pill right there within Blood Lion Mountain. That way, there would be no risk of being robbed on the road.

"If any of you have spiritual herbs," Fang Xinjin added before stepping down from the platform, "you may also seek me out for a trade after the gathering concludes." Next came Zhou Yuezi. He brought out a Tier 2, upper grade spirit artifact and sought to trade it for a Tier 3 ore. One of the late stage cultivators present happened to have such an ore, but he wanted two Tier 2, upper grade artifacts in exchange. Zhou Yuezi considered for a moment, then agreed.

The cultivator's Tier 3 ore was near the peak of low grade, its hardness rivaling that of a Tier 3, mid grade ore. Zhou Yuezi was a Tier 3 Artifact Forger, while Fang Xinjin was a Tier 3 Alchemist. In terms of long term potential, alchemy still held a slight edge over artifact forging. The trading session proceeded in an orderly fashion. Some Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators obtained the treasures they desired. Others walked away empty handed.

Then, a cultivator at the third level stepped onto the raised platform.

"I have a Tier 2, mid grade Diamond Stone," he announced.

"I wish to trade it for two Tier 2, low grade spirit artifacts. Is any fellow cultivator interested?" Zhang Huaijin's interest stirred. Though a mid grade Tier 2 ore, the Diamond Stone boasted hardness comparable to a Tier 2, upper grade. Zhou Yuezi glanced at it briefly, then resumed his feigned sleep. A mid grade ore was beneath his attention.

"Fellow cultivator," Zhang Huaijin said, rising, "please take a look at this spirit artifact of mine." He handed over a storage pouch without any protective restrictions. The cultivator examined it carefully. A smile appeared on his face.

"Fellow cultivator Zhang," he said, "I admit your spirit artifact is of fine quality. But you know the value of my Diamond Stone. I am asking for two Tier 2, low grade spirit artifacts, and you have offered only one. I cannot agree to this." Zhang Huaijin was about to speak, to explain further, but before he could, another cultivator to his right rose to his feet. This one was at the late stage, already at the seventh level.

"Can't even manage two low grade Tier 2 spirit artifacts," the man sneered.

"How typical of a small, unremarkable family. Fellow cultivator, I will offer you two low grade Tier 2 spirit artifacts in exchange." He was dressed in a grey robe, and a mocking smirk played across his face. The third level cultivator felt a chill of caution. He did not dare to presume. He took the man's storage pouch and inspected it.

"Excellent!" he said quickly.

"Senior Jiang, this Diamond Stone is yours." The trade was completed in an instant.

"Apologies for that, Fellow cultivator Zhang," the third level cultivator said, though his tone carried little genuine regret. In truth, he had been quite satisfied with Zhang Huaijin's spirit artifact, a defensive artifact was generally worth more than an offensive one. If no one had intervened, he might have agreed after a little more negotiation. But a late stage Foundation cultivator was offering two artifacts. Besides, he was no fool, the man's tone made it clear he was deliberately causing trouble.

Huaijin's expression remained perfectly calm. He did not acknowledge the taunt. He simply returned to his seat and sat down.

"That man's name is Jiang Wenshi," came a whispered voice in Zhang Huaijin's ear. Gao Zhengxin had taken a liking to Zhang Huaijin and was offering a friendly warning.

"He is one of the founding elders of the Jiang family in Jianqu County. The Jiang family is not weak, they also have five Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, including two at the late stage. They are a bit stronger than our Gao family." Zhang Huaijin listened, and understanding dawned. Now he knew why the man held a grudge against him. During the battle at Blood Lion Mountain, Zhang Huaijin's merit points ranking had been ninth. Jiang Wenshi's had been eleventh.

If Zhang Huaijin had not burst onto the scene, if he had not killed so many spirit beasts and earned so many merit points, Jiang Wenshi would have been ranked tenth. And the tenth place reward was a Foundation Establishment Pill. Although the Jiang family was an established family in Jianqu County, they had no stable, reliable way to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill. Every single such pill was precious to them. That was why Jiang Wenshi held a grudge against him.