Nine Evolutions of the True Spirit
chapter-412

Tian-Jiang got straight to the point, and said “The Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire, it's with you, isn’t it?”

Knowing that there was no room for denial, Lu Ping straightforwardly said, “Yes. I acquired the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire in the place of inheritance within the Pavillion of Alchemy.”

Hearing Lu Ping’s defensive tone, Tian-Jiang said. “Why are you so nervous? I’m very interested in that fire, but do you think I’ll let you suffer a loss?”

Lu Ping said reluctantly, “This is something I obtained in the place of inheritance. Why didn’t you ask for it earlier if you’re interested in it?”

Tian-Jiang glanced at Tian-Hu helplessly. Tian-Hu then said, “The opening of every place of inheritance requires the mutual consent of at least three Great Ancestors. You were granted access to the place of inheritance under the permission of Tian-Xiang, Junior Nephew Jiang, and Junior Niece Liu. At that time, I was in a crucial moment in my cultivation. I had no time, so I handed everything over to Xuan-Yan, giving you the luxury of acquiring the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire before I could.”

Lu Ping immediately realized that this was the work of Xuan-Yan and the others. They wanted to make him yield by giving him trouble. Yet, instead of troubling him, Lu Ping effortlessly got his hands on the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire using the Mystical Heavy Water.

Tian-Jiang continued, “The Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire’s nature is more than just explosive and vigorous. Whilst it's not as efficient as other fires in the same bracket, it's one of the best by far for smithing. I would like to use an Earth-class mid-grade wonder fire to trade with you. This fire is much better for alchemists compared to the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire.”

Lu Ping already knew this, but the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire was still far better than ordinary spirit fires. However, it would be rude if he turned down the sect's elders immediately. “What kind of spirit fire?” Lu Ping asked.

Tian-Jiang reached his hand out to reveal a violet spirit fire, and said, “Behold, the Violet Eastern Fire.”

It was said that the Violet Eastern Fire only revealed itself during the very first moments of a sunrise. It was the product of heaven and earth; such a spirit fire was invaluable to any alchemist.

Despite being moved by the offer, Lu Ping mustered the strength to refuse, “The Violet Eastern Fire is good, but it is an Earth-class mid-grade wonder fire. On the other hand, the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire is stronger than just an Earth-class mid-grade wonder fire after being supplied with spirit stones. Furthermore, the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire is strong enough to help Core Forging Realm cultivators achieve a sixth grade Golden Core, allowing them to become potential Great Ancestors. If you think about it, I would be making a loss. A huge loss.”

Tian-Jiang retorted, “The Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire is better than the Violet Eastern Fire? Nonsense! The power boost to the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire is just temporary, and you need a crazy amount of spirit stones to do that, let alone achieving a sixth-grade Golden Core!”

Lu Ping said nothing. Instead, he retrieved a low-grade spirit stone and clenched his fist around it, crushing the stone instantly.

As experienced and powerful cultivators, Tian-Jiang and Tian-Hu instantly noticed something unique about the spirit stone that Lu Ping had crushed. Tian-Jiang said, “This secret technique is capable of drawing out the max potential of spirit stones. It’s suitable for both alchemy and crafting!”

“What is it called?”

“[Spirit Explosion Technique]!”

“[Spirit Explosion Technique]?” Tian-Hu muttered. “Hmmm… It’s indeed easier to boost the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire’s power with such a technique, and it can save you a lot of spirit stones. This technique is a great help to alchemists.”

Excitement flickered in Tian-Hu’s eyes as he spoke. After all, no one could guarantee a hundred percent success rate, be it in alchemy or smithing. The leakage of spirit energy was often the cause of a failed attempt. As a result, cultivators had to add a large number of spirit stones to compensate for the estimated energy loss, resulting in a huge expenditure of spirit stones. However, using the [Spirit Explosion Technique] would increase a cultivator's efficiency.

“All right. What do you want in return?” Tian-Jiang said.

With a chance delivered right to him, Lu Ping decisively named a colossal price. “Since I’m capable of pushing the spirit fire to such a level, I would like to trade for a wonder fire of the same tier, junior grand uncle.”

Tian-Jiang’s expression changed immediately, “Don’t even think about it! An Earth-class mid-grade wonder item can never be compared to another Earth-class mid-grade wonder item. Besides, the Violet Eastern Fire is much better and suits you more. I’ll add another peculiar item into the trade, but you have to hand over the [Spirit Explosion Technique]. Deal? It’s your call.”

Lu Ping said, “Whilst the Violet Eastern Flame may be much more valuable than the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire to us alchemists, when it comes to crafting, the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire’s value is far greater! Furthermore, with enough spirit stones, the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire will experience a tremendous boost. Although your offer includes an additional peculiar item, the value of the [Spirit Explosion Technique] is immeasurable. I’m willing to contribute more, but you’d have to increase your offer.”

Lu Ping felt uneasy while the elders exchanged a look. Tian-Hu replied, “What a cheeky rascal. Deal. The Violet Eastern Fire and two extra peculiar items in exchange for the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire.”

Lu Ping realized that he had been taken advantage of when the two elders agreed to his demands so easily, but there was nothing he could do. He didn’t swallow his words and exchanged spirit fires with Tian-Jiang.

Lu Ping was filled with happiness. In fact, he was more than willing to trade the Spirit Fueled Mystical Heavenly Fire for the Violet Eastern Fire. He had just put up an act to maximize his benefits.

“What kind of heaven-and-earth peculiar items do you prefer?”

Lu Ping hurriedly evaluated his strength and started thinking of the types of peculiar items he could use. His aegis energy’s defensive power was on par with a spirit emerging mystic treasure after integrating six water elemental peculiar items into it. However, his [Tri-Pristine True Vision] only had four peculiar items in total. With the addition of the Seven Elemental Lightning Gourd, he didn’t lack peculiar items. The only problem with the Seven Elemental Lightning Gourd was that it only had three Mystical Inscriptions; there was still a long way to go before it became a spirit-emerging mystic treasure. As such, it could only store three peculiar items of the same element in it right now.

Having collected three water elemental peculiar items and three metal elemental peculiar items, he could now cast the Kui Water Yin Lightning and Geng Gold Yin Lightning. If he wanted to fuse more peculiar items, he would have to push the Seven Elemental Lightning Gourd to the next level. However, given that the Mystical Inscriptions of the Seven Elemental Lightning Gourd were incredibly rare and complicated, he had no idea where he could obtain them. Besides that, he also possessed two types of earth and ice peculiar items, along with one peculiar item each of wood, fire, and wind elements.

After giving it some thought, Lu Ping asked, “Do you have any suggestions for me, junior grand uncles?”

Tian-Jiang waved his hand and pointed his finger at Lu Ping, extracting seven peculiar items from his possession and spreading them out evenly.

“Oh? peculiar items of every element? The Great Ancestors’ collections are impressive!” Lu Ping sighed with mixed emotions.

Out of the peculiar items in front of him, the water element was the first to be ignored by Lu Ping as it could not be used to enhance the [Tri-Pristine True Vision]. The metal, wood, fire, and wind peculiar items were also ignored because even if he used them all, he couldn’t speed up the process of transforming the Seven Elemental Lightning Gourd into a mini divine ability. Hence, his attention was placed on the earth and ice elemental peculiar items.

However, the ice elemental peculiar item was none other than the Mystical Ice Ominous Mist that Lu Ping had unveiled in Ice Frost Island and had already fused into the Seven Elemental Lightning Gourd.

Lu Ping mustered his courage, and asked, “Do you have a different peculiar ice? I already have the Mystical Ice Ominous Mist in my possession.”

“No!” Tian-Jiang glared at Lu Ping. “You’re really not ashamed of yourself! Take it or leave it!”

Tian-Hu added with a smile on his face, “You’re really gutsy to be asking so much from us. Bah. I have a peculiar ice right here. Take a look.”

Tian-Hu took out a bottle of liquid, and said, “This is Cold Moon Drip. While it may look just like plain water, it's something of the ice element. Do you like it?”

After carefully examining it, Lu Ping nodded, and replied gratefully, “Yes. I’m happy with it. Thank you, junior grand uncle!”

The gains of this trip had made Lu Ping very pleased. Lu Ping sensed that the two elders might have something else they wanted to talk to him about, so he didn’t request to leave just yet.

Just as he had expected, Tian-Hu said, “There’s a third matter we’d like to talk to you about.”

By this point, Lu Ping had understood that when the seniors of the sect asked for a favor from the juniors, they never treated them like laborers. Instead, they would reward the juniors handsomely for lending them a helping hand as long as the task was completed well.

“There will be an alchemist convocation coming up soon. It is open to all alchemists in the North Ocean’s sects. Aside from sharing knowledge, there will be a trading session where you can trade for many precious ingredients, including the local specialties of the different sects. I want you to tag along. Once you return to your residence, think of what you need and make a list. In the meantime, prepare some goodies in return. The ones showing up are all reputed alchemists in the North Ocean. If you show up empty handed, you will make a fool out of yourself and bring shame to the sect,” Tian-Hu said.

Lu Ping’s attention was hooked immediately. He nodded hurriedly and started looking forward to the event.