Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-309

The female Enlightened Master appeared somewhat impatient, and said, "I won’t repeat myself another time, I’m exchanging this peculiar water for twenty pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs."

The Enlightened Master beside here said, "Beauty Sun, you must be joking. Twenty pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs is almost enough for a cauldron of Avatar Realm medicinal pellets. Even Great Ancestors lack 3,000-year spirit herbs; most of them can only add a bunch of 1,000-year spirit herbs with a 3,000-year spirit herb to concoct half-step Avatar Realm pellets."

Beauty Sun’s face remained unchanged as she asked, "Oh, in that case, how many spirit herbs can Enlightened Master Gao offer?"

Enlightened Master Gao was pleased to hear that there was room for negotiation, so he said, "I have four pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs…"

After seeing Beauty Sun’s expression immediately change, he quickly added, "… and dozens of thousand-year spirit herbs to supplement."

Lu Ping couldn’t help but grimace at the words being spoken. 3,000-year spirit herbs were worth far more, each herb was worth more than a dozen 1,000-year spirit herbs. Hence, Enlightened Master Gao’s offer was at most equivalent to five pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs, which was far lower than what Beauty Sun was asking for.

Sure enough, another Enlightened Master laughed, and said, "Enlightened Master Gao, I see that you’re the one joking here. It’s hard to say if anyone is even willing to exchange a piece of 3,000-year spirit herb for any amount of 1,000-year spirit herbs. Beauty Sun, I’m not very capable, but I can offer you eight pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs along with a hundred pieces of 1,000-year spirit herbs."

Enlightened Master Gao’s expression turned red with embarrassment, but he kept quiet as he had tried to press the price down too hard.

Enlightened Master Jin said, " It seems like Beauty Sun’s Crystalline Purified Water is gaining popularity, even I’m tempted. I can offer ten pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs as well as 150 pieces of 1,000-year spirit herbs."

The Enlightened Masters in the room changed their expressions. They didn’t know if this was Enlightened Master Jin’s personal offer, or if he was representing Sky Cleaving Sword Sect.

Before the Enlightened Master could give a counter offer, another voice interrupted, and said, "I can offer twelve pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs."

The Enlightened Master was surprised, he turned his head and saw that the voice belonged to a young man in the First Layer Core Forging Realm. Just as he was about to criticize the young man, he quickly remembered the Ninth Layer Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master that had accompanied him.

Although that Enlightened Master didn’t say anything, Enlightened Master Gao saw this as an opportunity to vent his dissatisfaction and save his face having just recently been humiliated. He said, "Who is this brat? What position do you have here? Didn’t your elders teach you some manners?"

Liang Xuan-Feng, who was resting at his side, opened his eyes and looked at Enlightened Master Gao. At the same time, Enlightened Master Ting-Jian also opened his eyes, looking at Liang Xuan-Feng, and then Lu Ping.

"Are you talking about me?"

Liang Xuan-Feng spoke softly, but his voice could be heard clearly by all the Enlightened Masters. His expression was calm and peaceful, but his eyes were as cold as ice.

Enlightened Master Gao felt a breeze sweeping across his face. His instincts alerted him of imminent danger and his heart thumped in fear, but before he could take action, a sharp wave of divine revelation cut down the breeze.

Liang Xuan-Feng glanced over at Enlightened Master Hang-Ting who had interfered, but he didn’t react.

Enlightened Master Gao’s expression changed. He looked at Liang Xuan-Feng, before turning towards the three Enlightened Masters from the Sky Cleaving Sword Sect, and said, "Enlightened Master Jin, since when does the trade fair allow Early Core Forging Realm punks? How come I didn’t know about a change in the rules?"

Beauty Sun cursed in her heart. The Sky Cleaving Sword Sect Enlightened Masters didn’t stop Lu Ping when he called out his offer because even the Sky Cleaving Sword Sect didn’t want to offend a Ninth Layer Core Forging Realm.

Enlightened Master Gao was now trying to get rid of Lu Ping, and if successful, Beauty Sun wouldn’t be able accept Lu Ping’s offer, causing her to become annoyed.

In fact, she wasn’t the only one quietly cursing Enlightened Master Gao. Enlightened Master Jin who had been put in an awkward situation was not happy either, but as he had to maintain the sect’s reputation, he said, "it is true that the trade fair only invited those in the Mid Core Forging Realm and above, but…"

Enlightened Master Jin paused, as if trying to find a reasonable excuse that Enlightened Master Gao would accept, without offending the mysterious Enlightened Master Liang as well.

"But Little Brother Lu is not an ordinary Early Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master."

This time, it was Enlightened Master Ting-Jian who spoke. He didn’t want to be here in the first place, and was only present because a Ninth Layer Core Forging Realm Enlightened Master was attending the trade fair. So, Enlightened Master Jin had requested him so that they could ensure the trade fair took place smoothly.

Enlightened Master Jin heaved a sigh of relief after Enlightened Master Ting-Jian stepped in, while Enlightened Master Sun asked, "Oh? Enlightened Master Huang knows him? May I ask what’s so special about this young man?"

Enlightened Master Huang Ting-Jian turned serious, and asked, "Are you Alchemist Lu Jiu, the alchemist who won fourth place in the Northern League’s Alchemy Conference?"

After asking his question, all the Enlightened Masters were shocked. They naturally knew about the Alchemy Conference, after all, those that attended were young alchemists with great potential to become Master Alchemists or even Grandmaster Alchemists.

Enlightened Master Huang Ting-Jian was no weaker than Enlightened Master Liang Xuan-Feng, so Lu Ping didn’t dare to be rude, and quickly replied politely, "Yes, that is this junior."

Enlightened Master Huang Ting-Jian nodded, "Little Brother Lu must already be a Master Alchemist. After all, even Junior Nephew Wei who ranked lower than you has become a Master Alchemist."

The Nephew Wei he mentioned was the Sky Cleaving Sword Sect alchemy genius.

Lu Ping replied, "Brother Wei is no weaker than me, we are similar. And yes, this junior was also fortunate enough to successfully concoct a Golden Essence Pellet."

Beside him, Zhu Xuan-Meng and Chu Ting both curled their mouths. A Golden Essence Pellet was nothing compared to the Health Prosper Pellet that he had concocted.

However, the other Enlightened Masters in the room were stunned. To them, Lu Ping was no longer an Early Core Forging Realm junior, but an honorable Master Alchemist, what’s more, a young Master Alchemist with the potential of becoming a Grandmaster Alchemist!

Beauty Sun immediately said, "Since Little Brother Lu is already a Master Alchemist, naturally he is eligible to take part in this trade fair!"

The other Enlightened Masters also concurred, "Of course, of course. If Master Alchemists aren’t eligible, who else is?"

Only Enlightened Master Gao’s face was red in embarrassment and anger once again. However, there was nothing he could do. He wanted to get up and leave, but he was afraid that doing so would offend the Sky Cleaving Sword Sect.

Enlightened Master Jin took out a jade box, and said, "Although Master Alchemist Lu has given a nice offer, I really need this Crystalline Purified Water. Here are twelve pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs and 150 pieces of 1,000-year spirit herbs."

"I’ll offer fourteen pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs!" The Enlightened Master who had humiliated Enlightened Master Gao earlier countered with another offer.

Lu Ping weighed up the deal. Although he had many 3,000-year spirit herbs, he wouldn’t spend them mindlessly. Especially when this bowl of Crystalline Purified Water was only enough for one person to use.

"Fifteen, I offer fifteen pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs." Lu Ping pretended to be reluctant as he bidded once again.

Chu Ting and Zhu Xuan-Meng couldn’t help but internally praise Lu Ping for his acting, knowing that Liang Xuan-Feng had given Lu Ping more than thirty pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs.

Enlightened Master Jin laughed, and said, "In that case, I will give up. It’s not worth offering any more spirit herbs."

The other Enlightened Master also said, "Same here. I don’t have that many pieces of 3,000-year spirit herbs like Master Alchemist Lu."

Lu Ping knew they only gave up so easily because they were giving him face as a Master Alchemist. Otherwise, the price would typically go up even more. Hence, Lu Ping said, "Thank you seniors for giving me face, this junior will shamelessly accept the goodwill."

Then, he turned around, and asked, "Beauty Sun, I wonder if you will accept this offer?"

Beauty Sun smiled back, and said, "It’s not quite what I wanted, but it’s enough. Here, this is your Crystalline Purified Water."

Lu Ping thanked her, before passing her a jade box. Lu Ping carefully kept the bowl of Crystalline Purified Water into his interspatial ring and heaved a huge sigh of relief.

The trade fair continued. Zhu Xuan-Meng exchanged a top-grade musical mystic instrument for a heritage jade scroll about a sound spell.

Time passed quickly. After more than twenty Enlightened Masters had exchanged their items, it was finally Liang Xuan-Feng’s turn.

All eyes landed on him as one of the only two Ninth Layer Core Forging Realm Enlightened Masters present. Everyone, including Lu Ping, was curious as to what item Liang Xuan-Feng would bring out. Even the other Ninth Layer Core Forging Realm, Enlightened Master Huang Ting-Jian, appeared interested.

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Editor: Immortal BloodRogue