“Devouring Sea Bottle… it is barely acceptable.”
Fang Qing stopped his divination and turned his attention toward the refinement methods for the Abstruse Dark Mirror and the Abyss Pupil Pearl.
“The primary material for the Abstruse Dark Mirror is a piece of ‘Radiant Crystal.’ This appears to be a fourth-rank spiritual material. something ordinary Core Formation cultivators could never hope to touch.”
“As for the Abyss Pupil Pearl, the requirements are even more troublesome. Its main ingredient is the eye of a fourth-rank flood dragon carrying a trace of true Candle Dragon bloodline!”
A fourth-rank flood dragon was equivalent to a Nascent Soul old monster!
Such an existence was far beyond Fang Qing’s ability to provoke at present, let alone one carrying a trace of Candle Dragon blood.
The Candle Dragon was a True Dragon, at minimum a fifth-rank Demon God, perhaps even higher.
A fourth-rank flood dragon possessing its bloodline would be considered nobility among fourth-rank demon beasts, with battle strength far surpassing its peers. Every scale on its body would be a priceless treasure, so there was no need to even think about hunting one.
‘Does such a flood dragon even exist in the Eastern Sea Cultivation World today?’
Fang Qing slapped his storage bag, and several jade boxes appeared before him.
The largest box contained the fourth-rank Nine Abyss Stone!
‘If this were the Qi Ingestion world, and the materials I needed just happened to conveniently land in my lap, I would run as far away as possible.’
He blew out a breath. True Core mana spread outward and opened the remaining jade boxes.
In an instant, brilliant treasure light burst forth.
Third-rank Heavy Black Crystal, Coral Gold, Emerald Origin Waterheart, Azure Origin Wood, Purple-Pattern Dragonwood.
These were all third-rank spiritual materials produced within the Zhoutian Star Palace secret realm. Previously, they had simply gathered dust within Fang Qing’s storage bag. Only after reaching Core Formation did they finally become useful.
‘Without the Zhoutian Star Palace secret realm, the Minor Huan Sea would truly just be some backwater countryside.’
‘But with a secret realm like this, even Nascent Soul factions would become greedy for it.’
‘And if they learned it was a remnant left behind by the Zhoutian Star Palace, even that One Palace and One Temple would not be able to sit still.’
Some of the materials Fang Qing had taken out could be used in refining the Devouring Sea Bottle. Others were intended for trade.
After all, once cultivators reached higher realms, they often no longer cared much for spirit stones. Transactions were conducted through exchanges of equivalent materials instead.
The Devouring Sea Bottle still required several supplementary materials that Fang Qing lacked and would need to acquire through trade.
Fortunately, they were only around third-rank. Gathering them should not be too difficult.
“As for refining a natal dharma artifact? With True Core flame and the refinement diagrams, one only needs to follow the steps carefully. As long as one possesses second-rank artifact refinement skills, crafting the initial artifact shell should not be difficult. The rest is simply nurturing it day and night within the dantian.”
The power of a natal dharma artifact was inherently tied to how long it had been nurtured.
Even Nascent Soul old monsters generally used only their own natal dharma artifacts.
The only difference was that after such vast stretches of time, their natal dharma artifacts had naturally advanced to the fourth rank.
…
Ice Heaven Market.
Fang Qing stepped through the entrance of the marketplace, his divine sense deliberately sweeping across the two towering ice puppets standing guard outside.
“Third-rank puppets. They are said to come from the Heavenly Mechanism Sect. Ice-aspect puppets are truly rather rare.”
At the moment, he had altered his appearance using the Mirage Pearl and his Body Refinement techniques, disguising himself as an utterly ordinary early Core Formation water-aspect cultivator.
Within the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, rogue cultivators who obtained great opportunities and successfully condensed a True Core were not uncommon.
There were even Nascent Soul old monsters who had once been rogue cultivators.
Thus Fang Qing’s appearance attracted no particular attention.
“This senior, is this your first visit to Ice Heaven Market?”
The moment Fang Qing entered the marketplace, a Qi Refining girl bounced cheerfully over to greet him. “I am one of the market greeters. Senior must surely be a great cultivator at Foundation Establishment or above. Please, this way.”
As she spoke, she handed over a token.
Fang Qing accepted it and casually refined it. He discovered it was actually a magical artifact, likely used for identity verification and location tracking.
He asked curiously, “Does every cultivator entering the market receive one?”
“How could that be possible?”
The young girl smiled brightly. “Only cultivators at Foundation Establishment and above receive them. As for Qi Refining cultivators, they only get a talisman permit, and they must spend spirit stones to buy one. Each permit allows them to stay in the market for one day. If they fail to renew it in time, the enforcement squads will punish them severely.”
“Of course, for seniors like you at Foundation Establishment, staying as long as you wish is no issue at all.”
Her lively eyes glanced toward Fang Qing. Sensing his aura as deep and unfathomable as the sea, she hurriedly added another sentence.
“If a Core Formation cultivator is willing to join our market, the market is prepared to gift them a third-rank cave dwelling, along with many other benefits.”
“Heh…”
Fang Qing smiled faintly. This Ice Heaven Market truly discriminated openly and without shame. They could not even be bothered with the tiny profits brought by Qi Refining cultivators, charging spirit stones merely for temporary lodging. Yet the treatment given to high-level cultivators immediately improved by several grades.
This young girl was rather interesting as well. Though she herself was only at the Qi Refining realm, she carried an air of superiority, likely because she had grown up living within the market. Looking at outside Qi Refining cultivators, she naturally regarded them somewhat like shabby beggars from the countryside.
“Lead the way. I wish to purchase several materials for refining treasures.”
Fang Qing smiled lightly. “They must all be third-rank or above.”
“Third-rank or above?”
The girl shuddered slightly, realizing she had truly encountered a Core Formation cultivator. Even her voice began to stammer. “N-No problem. Within Ice Heaven Market, only a few major merchant associations can sell third-rank spirit materials. Perhaps Senior would like to visit the Ice Heaven Merchant Association first? Aside from that, there is also a branch of the Merchant Alliance here. It should certainly satisfy Senior’s needs. This little woman is called Chi Xin. To be able to serve Senior is truly the fortune of three lifetimes.”
‘The people here really do know how to speak pleasantly.’
Fang Qing nodded with reserved dignity and allowed Chi Xin to lead the way ahead.
Ice Heaven Market was divided into nine layers of palace districts, each higher than the last. Massive city walls and array barriers separated them.
The innermost three palace layers belonged exclusively to the master of the market, that late Core Formation grand cultivator, along with his disciples and followers.
The middle three layers were occupied by the major merchant associations and rented cave dwellings.
Only the outermost three layers housed the majority of Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators.
As a high-level cultivator, Fang Qing naturally headed straight into the middle palace districts, arriving before a snow-white palace hall.
“Senior may enter to conduct your business. This humble one shall wait outside.”
Chi Xin spoke very tactfully.
“Mhm.”
Fang Qing entered the Ice Heaven Merchant Association. Immediately, a beautiful mature woman came forward to greet him. Her cultivation had actually reached roughly the mid Foundation Establishment stage.
“This humble one, Bing Ling, greets Senior.”
Bing Ling clearly sensed the full and rounded True Core aura emanating from Fang Qing. Her expression changed at once. “Please, Senior, come to the honored guest chamber for tea.”
Fang Qing nodded and followed her into a private room.
Once the doors closed, a soundproofing formation immediately activated, leaving the chamber perfectly quiet.
“May I ask what business has brought honored guest to our merchant association? This humble one is fairly familiar with the high-level cultivators of the surrounding seas, yet I do not recall ever seeing Senior before.”
Bing Ling asked curiously.
“I only recently succeeded in forming my Core. I came specifically to search for materials to refine my natal dharma artifact.”
Fang Qing waved his hand casually, unconcerned.
The aura of a newly advanced Core Formation cultivator was not something he bothered concealing. Moreover, the supplementary materials he required were all third-rank items, making it appear entirely reasonable that he was preparing to refine a natal dharma artifact.
‘If I can hook a big fish, perhaps I can save myself quite a bit of expense.’
‘After all, the Eastern Sea cultivation world is probably just like the Minor Huan Sea. The local customs are likely just as “simple and honest.”’
Within the Qi Refining world, Fang Qing found himself unusually relaxed.
“So that is the case. Then this humble one must first congratulate Fellow Daoist on successfully forming your Core.”
Bing Ling smiled faintly. “May I ask what sort of treasure materials Fellow Daoist requires?”
“Third-rank Cold Essence Stone, Ink Heaven Jade…”
Fang Qing handed over a jade slip.
Bing Ling swept it with her divine sense and immediately sucked in a cold breath.
‘What kind of natal dharma artifact is this person refining? It actually requires so many third-rank materials? He only just entered Core Formation, yet his wealth is already this astonishing. Could he have inherited the legacy of some senior cultivator?’
After thinking briefly, she replied, “Our merchant association does not currently possess any Cold Essence Stone, but we do still have one piece of Ink Heaven Jade. This humble one can make the decision to sell it to Fellow Daoist for fifteen thousand spirit stones. As for the remaining materials, they will be difficult to gather. However, I do happen to know of a private exchange gathering among Core Formation cultivators. Fellow Daoist may perhaps be interested.”
“Oh?”
Fang Qing’s expression stirred slightly as he smiled. “I am indeed somewhat interested. Though first, let me inspect the Ink Heaven Jade.”
“Of course.”
Bing Ling smiled and produced a small bell, quietly transmitting a few instructions.
Not long afterward, a maidservant dressed in white gauze entered the private room carrying a tray, her smile charming and graceful.
Bing Ling gently lifted the red silk cloth covering the tray, revealing a piece of ink-colored jade.
A faint luminous glow shimmered within it, yet it also seemed to contain unfathomable darkness.
“Not bad. It truly is Ink Heaven Jade.”
Fang Qing inspected it briefly before tossing a storage bag onto the table.
Bing Ling swept it with her divine sense and immediately smiled with delight as she stored it away. “Many thanks for your patronage, honored guest.”
“Mhm. While we are at it, give me the location of that private exchange gathering as well.”
Fang Qing picked up the Ink Heaven Jade, feeling rather emotional inside.
This was practically a Purple Mansion spiritual material, even if it was among the lowest quality examples. Yet here, it could simply be purchased with spirit stones.
The Eastern Sea cultivation world truly was rich in resources. If he could establish himself securely in such a treasure land, thriving would be inevitable.
A short while later.
Fang Qing exited the Ice Heaven Merchant Association and had Chi Xin continue leading the way toward the Merchant Alliance branch.
The Merchant Alliance branch took the form of an octagonal pavilion with eight entrances. Streams of cultivators flowed constantly through it, making the place extremely lively.
The moment he stepped inside, a servant dressed in dark robes hurried forward to greet him. “This humble one is Shang Yuanxin. Greetings, Senior. Is this Senior’s first time visiting the Merchant Alliance?”
“Correct. You are from Merchant Clan Island?”
Fang Qing glanced at Shang Yuanxin and discovered that this man had already reached Foundation Establishment perfection. Moreover, he clearly cultivated a top-tier cultivation method. Not only was his mana pure and refined, even his divine sense and physique were exceptionally strong. He could already be considered a small Core Formation seed.
‘For the Shang cultivation clan to rise as one of the nine great powers of the Eastern Sea cultivation world while remaining merely a cultivation clan, with Nascent Soul cultivators appearing generation after generation, they truly possess some remarkable methods.’
‘They definitely have a stable channel for obtaining Nascent Soul spiritual materials. And likely not just a small amount.’
His heart stirred slightly.
Those Nascent Soul spiritual materials were something he himself would eventually require.
“Indeed. Regardless of whether one belongs to the main or branch family, every Shang Clan disciple who wishes to form a Core must spend sixty years serving and receiving guests at various Merchant Alliance branches as a test.”
Shang Yuanxin smiled. Judging from his practiced manner, he had clearly explained this countless times before.
“In addition, this is our Merchant Alliance honored guest token. Merchant Alliance branches are spread throughout the Eastern Sea cultivation world. This token is valid at every branch. Please accept it, Senior.”
He respectfully handed over a token.
Fang Qing accepted it. Although the Ice Heaven Merchant Association also possessed honored guest cards, whether in terms of resources, influence, or branch locations, they were completely outclassed in comparison. Instantly, they seemed far inferior.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter