Sage of Humanity

"Three thousand Dao Bones?" Yan Yong's eyes widened, "This kid really dares to ask for it!"

If, before, a giant ant was worth three thousand Dao Bones, it was still considered valuable. Thinking back to the transaction between Lu Ye and the Yan family, not to mention the monthly supply of two hundred Dao Bones and other additional conditions, the Yan family had given Lu Ye a top-grade Dao artifact.

But circumstances have changed; since the ruins no longer hold any exploration value, a giant ant, no matter its compatibility, doesn't warrant such a price, and no family would be willing to pay such a cost.

A mere giant ant, even with high compatibility, can only create a pseudo Dao Fusion. Just look at Huang Zhihuan; his strength in controlling a giant ant is barely equivalent to that of a newly promoted Dao Fusion cultivator.

"But what's the situation with this kid? If he really has a giant ant, why is he trying to trade with the human race?" Yan Yong was somewhat puzzled.

Yan Hong thought for a moment, and said, "When I met Brother Lu earlier, I felt he didn't seem to be under control."

Yan Yong neither confirmed nor denied it. Although Yan Hong is smart, he is ultimately young and inexperienced. The techniques used by the Insect and Blood Races to control minds are undetectable, and nothing can be discerned just from the surface.

"Ask him how to trade. Besides, the battle alliance over there probably won't agree to such a price, especially since the trade involves him!"

Yan Hong, as instructed, sent a communication over and paused suddenly.

"What's wrong?" Yan Yong looked at him in confusion.

Yan Hong said, "Brother Lu gave me a location. The giant ant is there. He wants me to take it first and contact him afterward to deliver the Dao Bones through the ruins."

Yan Yong was stunned, "Where is the location?"

Yan Hong quickly took out his star map, compared Lu Ye's directions in the communication, and finally pinpointed it, "Not far from here!"

"Lead the way, let's check it out first." Yan Yong quickly said.

In the insect hive, Lu Ye tucked his authority waist tablet close to him, concentrating part of his psyche into his Divine Sea, "Jiu Ying, why haven't I seen a Dao artifact in Star Abyss?"

This was a question that had puzzled Lu Ye for a long time.

Logically, Dao artifacts are quite beneficial, especially for cultivators who are new to the Path, as even a slight increase in strength can be substantial.

But while roaming through Star Abyss, he never encountered Dao artifacts until he arrived in this colorful stellar space. Of course, this might have to do with the fact he hadn't been in Star Abyss for long.

After all, soon after leaving the Qing Palace, he found himself lost in the Banlan.

Jiu Ying chuckled, "The crafting of Dao artifacts is my unique secret technique, an accomplishment achieved after my severe injury and subsequent self-seclusion in Banlan; you certainly wouldn't see it elsewhere in Star Abyss."

It spoke with great pride.

Lu Ye understood.

If that's the case, then indeed, Dao artifacts wouldn't be seen in other places in Star Abyss. Once someone enters Banlan, it's impossible to leave, so naturally, the crafting method of Dao artifacts could not be spread elsewhere.

"Your achievements in the Path of Artifact Refining are exceptional, Senior; you have likely reached the pinnacle." Lu Ye flattered.

Jiu Ying laughed, "I dare not say pinnacle, but in this art, I have indeed met no match." While laughing, it realized something and looked at Lu Ye, "Do you also understand the Path of Artifact Refining, young friend?"

Lu Ye replied, "I've dabbled a bit."

His skills in the Path of Artifact Refining were very crude, even less accomplished than his knowledge of the Array Path.

Yet, he was very interested in the methods of crafting Dao artifacts. He had planned to seek guidance from someone on his home planet when he had the chance; now, he didn't need to. Jiu Ying was here, the perfect mentor.

"It's my poor eyesight, not noticing it sooner." Jiu Ying chuckled.

It evidently didn't want to continue on this topic, as it sensed Lu Ye's intent.

However, since Lu Ye had broached the subject, how could he let it end there? "Senior, I'm quite interested in the crafting methods of Dao artifacts. As I'm idle, could you teach me?"

Jiu Ying was silent, clearly reluctant. On second thought, now being under someone else's roof, unable to refuse Lu Ye's request, though bound by an oath, Lu Ye wouldn't do anything serious to it, but a little trouble was expected.

Moreover, back then, it intentionally left some methods for crafting Dao artifacts, or there wouldn't be so many Dao artifacts in Banlan now.

Even if it didn't teach him, he could learn from other sources.

"Certainly, certainly; if young friend is interested, I shall impart my knowledge."

"Then I must thank Senior immensely."

Within the Divine Sea, their psyches continuously communicated. Lu Ye, eager to learn, absorbed the knowledge. Not being proficient in artifact crafting, much of what Jiu Ying said often bewildered him. Nonetheless, he asked carefully until he understood completely.

Though only one Spiritual Sense from Jiu Ying remained, there's no doubt it was still a treasure trove.

Now, Lu Ye's task was to extract as much as he could from this treasure trove.

A few days later, there was activity from the waist tablet he had kept close, evidently a communication from Yan Hong.

The previous matter must have had a result.

Checking it out, indeed, Yan Hong had followed his instructions and found a deeply buried giant ant thousands of feet underground!

At this time, on a large floating land, Yan Hong was holding his waist tablet, communicating with Lu Ye, while Yan Yong was playing with the giant ant, which took great effort for the uncle-nephew duo to find, with a face full of confusion.

What was this situation?

Days ago, when Lu Ye asked Yan Hong to look for a giant ant here, he thought Lu Ye had hidden it here beforehand, given Lu Ye's sensitive status and the inconvenience of appearing casually within the battle alliance, leaving the giant ant here for Yan Hong to find seemed a viable solution.

But as it turned out, this giant ant wasn't hidden by Lu Ye at all; it had been buried here for god knows how many years. If not for Lu Ye's guidance, it might have never seen the light of day.

But how did Lu Ye know there were giant ants here?

Yan Yong couldn't figure it out, and it was a difficult question to ask.

"Brother Lu, we've got the giant ant. My Yan family wants the first one, but the price might have to be lower. Uncle Yong says the Yan family can only offer two thousand Dao Bones. As you know, giant ants aren't that important anymore." Yan Hong messaged Lu Ye with a bitter expression, passing on what Yan Yong instructed him to say.

"Agreed!" Lu Ye quickly replied.

He initially asked for three thousand to leave room for the human race to bargain. Besides, he could already sense from what Yan Hong said that two thousand Dao Bones were barely acceptable.

"How should we conduct the transaction?" Yan Hong asked again, "Does Brother Lu prefer installment transactions or a one-time deal?"

"One-time!"

Dealing with giant ants wasn't a one-time thing. With his own high efficiency in refining Dao Bones, he naturally didn't need to split the transaction into parts. This was also why he couldn't set a higher price.

A one-time deal for two thousand Dao Bones was not an easy task for the Yan family to muster.

"Brother Yan, when you're ready, just head to the ruins. Message me when you arrive, and I'll meet up with you there."

"No problem!"

Ending the transmission with Yan Hong, Lu Ye immersed his mind once more, consulting Jiu Ying on the method of refining Dao artifacts.

Thus, more than half a month passed swiftly.

During this time, Lu Ye lived a fulfilling life. Because he was busy with tasks, even though he was practically under house arrest, he didn't feel bored.

On this day, Lu Ye received another message from Yan Hong, informing him to meet at the ruins in two days; the Yan family's two thousand Dao Bones were ready.

Lu Ye immediately got up.

"Where to?" Dark Butterfly's voice instantly rang out.

Apparently still holding a grudge, Dark Butterfly had been ignoring Lu Ye these past few days.

"Just heading to the ruins!" Lu Ye said while walking, waving back at her.

Dark Butterfly laughed angrily: "After last time, you think I'd still let you enter the ruins? You better stop right there!"

Lu Ye kept walking: "Don't worry, I'll be back soon. As you said, after last time, I won't run amok again."

Under the Chains of Life, Dark Butterfly was surprised to find that Lu Ye wasn't lying and was momentarily unsure whether to stop him or not.

While she was in a daze, Lu Ye had already exited the insect hive.

"Take the stone bug with you!" Dark Butterfly's voice rang in his ears as a small stone bug was sent onto Lu Ye's shoulder.

Lu Ye briskly moved away.

He entered the ruins earlier than Yan Hong and didn't wait long before Yan Hong's figure emerged from another passage.

"Brother Lu!"

Lu Ye nodded and stood up to greet him.

He noticed Yan Hong wasn't alone; there was another familiar figure by his side.

Yan Xiaowu!

Lu Ye had dealt with him quite a few times before. Each time, Yan Xiaowu was tasked with delivering Dao Bones to Lu Ye, so they were somewhat acquainted.

"Senior Brother Lu!" Yan Xiaowu saluted.

Lu Ye smiled: "Xiaowu, it's been a while."

"I was very concerned when I heard about your incident earlier, Senior Brother. Thankfully, the heavens favor the virtuous."

After a few pleasantries, Yan Hong handed over a storage ring: "Brother Lu, here are the two thousand Dao Bones. Please check."

Lu Ye put away the storage ring without checking. He trusted Yan Hong enough, and this being just the first transaction, he believed the Yan family wouldn't break their word.

"What does the battle alliance say?" Lu Ye asked.

The Yan family took the first giant ant, making it two in total including the previous one from Yan Hong. Lu Ye doubted the Yan family would purchase more. Firstly, giant ants weren't scarce, and gathering enough Dao Bones was challenging for the Yan family. Secondly, even if they could afford more, monopolizing wasn't an option.

With so many families on the home planet, resources had to be shared; hoarding wasn't a good tactic.

Yan Hong said, "Uncle Yong contacted the Dao Fusion members of various families to discuss this. There is still considerable interest in giant ants. Before coming, I was given a psychological price: eighteen hundred Dao Bones per giant ant."

Lu Ye's face darkened.

Lu Ye agreed to sell the Yan family's giant ant for two thousand Dao Bones due to his relationship with Yan Hong, assuming that, even after bargaining, the battle alliance would not offer less than two thousand. Surprisingly, it was only eighteen hundred.

Since Yan Hong was willing to tell the truth, he surely wasn't lying about this.

Even though giant ants weren't as valuable as before, they still held considerable value. Which families on the home planet didn't have important descendants with great expectations?

Owning a giant ant not only allowed them to kill more enemies in battle but also greatly increased their chances of survival. For those families, this wasn't something that could be measured by the number of Dao Bones.

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