Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-308

Hearing Lu Ping’s words, Liang Xuan-Feng Liang grunted and said, "Kid, you know so little. At this stage of cultivation, we can easily get any number of spirit stones we want, they don’t matter anymore. It’s the other cultivation resources that are actually valuable to us. Let me ask you, would you sell what you have now for some spirit stones?"

Lu Ping smiled awkwardly and thought, Of course not! Those five heaven-and-earth wonder items can’t be bought for any amount of spirit stones!

Liang Xuan-Feng flipped his hand and ten high-grade spirit stones appeared on his palm. "That’s all, I don’t have any more."

Lu Ping smirked and took them. After all, he’d spent a lot to concoct the Health Prosper Pellet, so he deserved this payment.

After that, Lu Ping wanted to ask Liang Xuan-Feng for some cultivation advice when he heard a voice outside the room. "I am a disciple of the Sky Cleaving Sword Sect. May I intrude?"

Liang Xuan-Feng laughed and said to Lu Ping, "Seems like the breakthrough caused a commotion. The Sky Cleaving Sword Sect has shown its goodwill by waiting for me to consolidate the breakthrough before coming to check out the situation."

Lu Ping rolled his eyes. "The breakthrough didn’t trigger a heavenly phenomenon, but the spiritual energy around the island was swept clean, of course it will attract a lot of attention. Not to mention that your Late Core Forging Realm aura has spread out. Even if it was for just a split second, it’s enough to scare anyone from coming close."

By the time the two walked out, Chu Ting and Zhu Xuan-Meng had already dismissed the Sky Cleaving Sword Sect disciple. They passed Liang Xuan-Feng a red invitation card the disciple had left behind.

"They’re organizing a Core Forging Realm trade fair." Liang Xuan-Feng looked at the card and said, "What good timing. Cultivators must be stocked with their gains from the Chong Xuan Dojo, so this trade fair will be a platform for them to exchange goods."

Three days later, Lu Ping, Zhu Xuan-Meng, and Chu Ting followed Liang Xuan-Feng to an island teahouse operated by the Sky Cleaving Sword Sect.

The moment they walked inside, a Sky Cleaving Sword Sect cultivator approached them with a smile. "It’s our pleasure to have you here. May I ask for your names?"

The cultivator was a Mid Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master. Despite his smile and seemingly peaceful appearance, Lu Ping could feel a vigorous force brimming from his body.

Liang Xuan-Feng handed over the invitation card, then clasped his fists and answered, "My surname is Liang."

Then, he turned around and pointed at the other three, "These are my juniors. I took the liberty to bring them with me to broaden their horizons. Please forgive me for the intrusion."

The cultivator noticed that they were all Enlightened Masters, and Liang Xuan-Feng was even in the Ninth Layer Core Forging Realm. He quickly answered politely, "It’s not an issue. I am envious that the juniors have already reached Core Forging Realm at such a young age, how impressive. Please, come in. Tea will be served while we wait for the others to arrive."

Then, a waiter came forward and led the four of them into a quiet room.

There were already several other Enlightened Masters seated in the room. When they saw this new arrival, especially when they noticed Liang Xuan-Feng’s rank, they all nodded their heads to show their goodwill. Liang Xuan-Feng smiled and nodded back at them.

In the next hour, a few more Enlightened Masters arrived. It was then Lu Ping noticed that all of them were Mid Core Forging Realm Enlightened Masters, only he and Chu Ting were in the Early Core Forging Realm. No wonder Liang Xuan-Feng stopped at the entrance to clarify their situation.

At this time, there were nearly thirty Enlightened Masters in the room; almost half were in the Late Core Forging Realm, most of the rest were in the Fifth and Sixth Layer, and just a few were of the Fourth Layer like Zhu Xuan-Meng.

Hence, Lu Ping and Chu Ting who were just in the First Layer suddenly stood out amongst the crowd. If not for Liang Xuan-Feng who brought them in here, they probably couldn’t even enter the teahouse at all.

At this time, the Mid Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master who welcomed them at the entrance walked into the room, he clasped his fists and greeted the Enlightened Masters jovially, "Most of our guests are here already. On behalf of the Sky Cleaving Sword Sect, I’d like to express our gratitude for coming to this trade fair. I am Jin, the manager of this teahouse and host to the trade fair. The sect’s Senior Brother Ming-Jian and Senior Brother Ting-Jian will be joining us today as well."

With this announcement, two cultivators with large swords strapped to their backs walked forward from the other end of the room.

They were in this quiet room all this time?

The Enlightened Masters were all surprised to discover their presence, and quickly the mood turned serious. However, Liang Xuan-Feng was the only exception; he seemed to have noticed them from the beginning.

Lu Ping looked at these two Enlightened Masters with his divine revelation. Their auras were as sharp as blades, cutting his divine revelation the moment he probed them. Lu Ping felt the pain and quickly withdrew. The other Enlightened Masters noticed this and their faces turned gloomy.

Enlightened Master Jin smiled, as if he didn’t notice what had happened. "These two senior brothers have made great gains in the Chong Xuan Dojo. They’re looking forward to this trade fair and exchanging for the goods they’ll need."

The Enlightened Masters recollected their composure and returned their focus on the trade fair. Everyone knew that the Sky Cleaving Sword Sect had benefited the most from Chong Xuan Dojo. Hence, their Enlightened Masters would surely have many good items in their hands.

At this time, Liang Xuan-Feng’s voice appeared in Lu Ping’s head, as well as Zhu Xuan-Meng Chu Ting. "If not necessary, don’t reveal your gains."

Lu Ping didn’t have time to think about the meaning behind these words before Enlightened Master Ming-Jian laughed and said, "Since we are the ones who organized this trade fair, I think it’s only reasonable that we start things off first."

Enlightened Master Ming-Jian took out a black piece of metal the size of a person’s head. "This is a Grade 2 top-grade spirit material, the Dark Nether Iron. It is most suitable to forge any kind of gold-element mystic treasure. I am looking to exchange it for a wood-element spirit material of the same grade."

This piece of Dark Nether Iron was fairly small in size, but it weighed more than a thousand pounds, yet Enlightened Master Ming-Jian held it as if it was as light as a feather.

To be frank, this material wasn’t very enticing to the Enlightened Masters in the room. Its main purpose was to set the bar for the trade fair, so the attendees would take out items more valuable to exchange.

Lu Ping had a Grade 2 top-grade wood-element spirit material, but had no use for the Dark Nether Iron, not to mention that he was not proficient in smithing as well.

At this time, a long-bearded Enlightened Master sitting across from Lu Ping laughed and said, "Dao Brother Ming-Jian has set the bar so high, I think I’d better exchange my items as early as possible. Otherwise, I’ll be ashamed when the rest of you take out the premium goods."

Enlightened Master Ming-Jian glanced at the old man and said, "Dao Brother Mu, you must be joking. The Mu Clan is reputable in the East Ocean, how could you lack treasures? I wonder if you have what I’m looking for?"

Enlightened Master Mu reached out and a lump of wood appeared on his palm. Enlightened Master Ming-Jian’s eyes lit up like two sharp swords. "A 1,000-year Acacia Tree Heart. It is indeed what I needed, but alas, it’s too small. Its worth is not quite there yet."

Enlightened Master Mu waved his hand and said, "Dao Brother Ming-Jian, look carefully. This is not an ordinary Grade 2 spirit wood, it has reached the 1,500-year mark. It may be the best Acacia Tree Heart you’ll find these days and more than enough for your Dark Nether Iron."

"Oh? In that case…"

The wooden lump flew into Enlightened Master Ming-Jian’s hands; Enlightened Master Mu didn’t stop him. Enlightened Master Ming-Jian inspected the wooden lump, and nodded a few moments later. He said in satisfaction, "It’s certainly a 1,500-year Acacia Tree Heart. It will suffice. Dao Brother Mu, here is your Dark Nether Iron."

After that, the Enlightened Masters took turns to exchange their gains for goods they needed. Various kinds of spirit materials, mystic treasures, medicinal pellets, cultivation methods, jade scrolls, and valuables in all forms were shown. The trade fair really did open Lu Ping’s eyes a lot. He initially thought he was already wealthy enough, but now he learned that it was nothing compared to these seasoned and powerful Enlightened Masters.

Just when Lu Ping was appreciating the various items and the associated commentary evaluating the valuables, a female Fourth Layer Enlightened Master stood up and said, "This junior is not as capable as the seniors, I only have a bowl of peculiar water. I am looking to exchange it for ten pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs."

As soon as she took out the bowl, the Enlightened Masters exclaimed in astonishment. Even Liang Xuan-Feng and Ting-Jian—who had been sitting quietly with his eyes closed from the start—opened his eyes to look at the peculiar water.

"Crystalline Purified Water!"

"It really is that peculiar water!"

Lu Ping looked at the bowl of faintly blue peculiar water with a calm expression, but he was actually agitated in his heart.

"I wonder what the lady wants to exchange it for?”

One of the cultivators finally asked.

Crystalline Purified Water and Inebriant Purified Water were the two most famous heaven-and-earth peculiar waters. They were extremely helpful in recovering an Enlightened Masters’ true energy and injuries. But most importantly, they were the two necessary peculiar waters to cultivate many water-element divine abilities, including Lu Ping’s [Tri-Pristine True Vision]!

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Editor: MilkBiscuit