Chapter 366 ·Cautious Meng Xinghai

“The mid Third-rank water-attribute demon core is an excellent material whether for alchemy or artifact refinement.”

“I have a thousand-year spiritual herb here and wish to exchange it with Fellow Daoists for several cultivation-enhancing pills…”

Inside the great hall, the Trading Gathering was in full swing. It also greatly broadened the horizons of many cultivators who had only recently formed their Golden Core, causing them to reveal expressions full of envy.

Even among Core Formation cultivators, the hierarchy was extremely severe.

At the very bottom were False Core cultivators, or poor cultivators who, because of family reasons, did not dare easily take risks.

Each one of them needed to accumulate resources over many years just to obtain Core Formation spiritual items, and they cherished every bit of them dearly.

As for the more formidable ones, such as great clans, sects, or cultivators willing to risk their lives, Core Formation spiritual items were no longer their goal.

Instead, these people set their sights on spiritual items capable of increasing cultivation or magical artifacts that could raise battle strength.

Any one of these spiritual objects could easily be exchanged for several Core Formation spiritual items.

As for late Core Formation cultivators, the things they sought had already faintly surpassed this level.

What they pursued were Nascent Soul spiritual items—

Treasures even Nascent Soul cultivators would covet.

From this alone, one could clearly see the distinctions among cultivators of the same realm.

In one corner, the Wang sisters sighed softly, revealing disappointed expressions.

There had indeed been several Core Formation spiritual items just now, but unfortunately, their purses were lacking.

“Big Sister, it’s alright. This Trading Gathering already broadened our horizons. I heard that Bibo Island under the Seven Kingdoms Alliance also regularly has Core Formation spiritual items.”

“Yes. Although we failed to directly obtain a Core Formation spiritual item this time, we did secure two spiritual herbs needed for refining Crystal Condensation Pills. We’re only lacking the final herb now. We’ll go take a look at Bibo Island after some time.”

As the sisters secretly transmitted to one another, Meng Xinghai—who was secretly monitoring them—revealed a thoughtful expression after hearing this.

On Five Dragon Island, he did not dare act recklessly.

But if they truly went to Bibo Island, then sheep entering the tiger’s mouth—

How could he possibly let such an opportunity slip by?

Still, to be cautious, he needed to probe them further.

This was merely a small interlude.

At this Trading Gathering, many Core Formation spiritual items appeared, but because the situation had become increasingly chaotic—

Every faction was seeking resources.

As a result, Core Formation spiritual items had become significantly more expensive than before.

Due to competition from major factions, rogue cultivators and low-cultivation False Core cultivators could only helplessly watch opportunities slip away.

It was not merely the Wang sisters.

“Fellow Daoists, the next three magical artifacts are among the finest treasures within our Seven Kingdoms Alliance. Every single one is a high-grade Third-rank artifact. There is no need to elaborate on how precious they are.”

This time, in order to befriend Lin Chang’an—

Or rather, because the Seven Kingdoms Alliance shared prosperity and ruin together—

When Lin Chang’an calmly took out the magical artifacts he intended to trade, the cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance immediately began speaking first, directly blocking the mouths of certain people.

Forget whether they were allies or not—

These magical artifacts had all been exchanged with real resources.

Seeing the attitude displayed by the Seven Kingdoms Alliance cultivators, Lin Chang’an smiled and nodded lightly, not rejecting this goodwill.

“Everyone, what I require is a high-grade Third-rank wind-attribute demon core, or perhaps information regarding the lair of a late Third-rank wind-attribute demon beast.

“If none of those are available, then equivalent-value materials are acceptable as well. After all, refining formations requires many treasures.”

Lin Chang’an swept his gaze across the crowd.

Five magical artifacts floated before him.

Besides the three that belonged to the Meng Clan, the other two had been personally refined by him.

The items he sought in exchange this time were relatively broad in scope, causing many people to become interested.

However, for some lower-level Core Formation cultivators, this was truly eye-opening.

“Five magical artifacts. Three high-grade Third-rank artifacts and two mid-grade Third-rank artifacts!”

“My heavens. We newly formed Core cultivators are still running around trying to refine a single Natal Magical Artifact, while Formation Master Lin casually takes out five magical artifacts.”

“This is the advantage of strength.”

A group of lower-level Core Formation cultivators filled their eyes with envy and jealousy.

A mid-grade Third-rank Formation Master.

A mid Core Formation sword cultivator.

And a mid Third-rank Mutated Spirit Beast.

Any one of those identities alone would already make him a powerhouse among Core Formation cultivators.

Yet all three were combined in one person.

To ordinary Core Formation cultivators, Lin Chang’an’s current achievements and foundation were naturally unattainable.

But for well-established Core Formation cultivators, they merely felt somewhat envious.

No matter how powerful a Formation Master was, he was still ultimately a Core Formation cultivator like them.

So what if he had another Mutated Spirit Beast?

Core Formation was still Core Formation.

“Haha, Formation Master Lin is truly generous. I only possess mid Core Formation cultivation and my family resources are not abundant, so I won’t even think about those high-grade Third-rank magical artifacts. But I do have interest in the other two magical artifacts.”

A burly man laughed loudly as he raised his hand, producing seven or eight Third-rank spiritual materials from his storage pouch.

The total value was indeed not lacking.

And after one person spoke up, the others naturally refused to fall behind.

With the current chaotic situation, magical artifacts were the most direct means of increasing battle strength.

Naturally, everyone coveted them.

“I have seven Third-rank materials here.”

“Fellow Daoist Lin, I possess a sixteen-hundred-year spiritual fruit…”

As more people spoke up, the majority were all aiming for the other two magical artifacts.

After all, many Core Formation cultivators had flickering gazes.

Although they desired the high-grade Third-rank magical artifacts, the Meng Clan was still present.

Even a starving camel was larger than a horse.

Madam Meng was still a peak late Core Formation cultivator.

There was no need to form enmity with the Meng Clan.

Some people did not wish to provoke trouble.

But similarly, it was impossible for the Meng Clan to lack enemies.

There were many eager to kick them while they were down.

“Fellow Daoists of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance, I am willing to exchange this treasure for Fellow Daoist Meng’s turtle-shell defensive magical artifact.”

“Fellow Daoist Lin, I…”

Although only a dozen or so Core Formation cultivators spoke, the scene caused the eyes of the remaining Core Formation cultivators to redden.

Any one of those materials was beyond what they could produce.

“Fellow Daoist Lin.”

Watching this scene, Meng Xinghai sighed deeply while cupping his fists before everyone, revealing an ashamed appearance.

“My Meng Clan is willing to offer spiritual items worth thirty percent more than all present Fellow Daoists.”

At the same time, he secretly transmitted his apologies.

Lin Chang’an’s expression remained indifferent.

However, after hearing about the additional thirty percent value, he was tempted.

After all, no one had enmity with Spirit Stones.

As for the Blackblood Divine Needle magical artifact, the Meng Clan did not ask about it, and naturally Lin Chang’an would not mention it either.

“Madam Meng, I have long heard that Bibo Island possesses a Spirit Eye Spring. Even Core Formation cultivators can increase their cultivation speed slightly by cultivating there.”

When Lin Chang’an proposed his condition, Madam Meng’s expression became somewhat ugly.

The other party’s appetite was simply too great.

Lin Chang’an also knew how important the Spirit Eye Spring was to the Meng Clan, so he did not hope to take it away completely.

“Madam Meng, my demands are not excessive. I want all the spiritual spring water produced over the next fifty years, and additionally, I require one branch of the spiritual spring diverted to my洞府.”

“Fellow Daoist Lin’s demands are too high. This spiritual spring is extremely important to my Meng Clan. At most, twenty years. And this spiritual spring branch can only be used for thirty years at most…”

Thus, the two sides began secretly bargaining through voice transmission.

The Spirit Eye Spring represented concentrated spiritual energy and was extremely rare.

Some higher-grade spring eyes could even manifest in different forms, such as spiritual trees or spiritual herbs.

Even Core Formation cultivators dreamed of possessing such a sacred cultivation ground.

As for the spring water itself—

Lin Chang’an naturally intended to use it to nurture his Natal Spiritual Plant.

However, to the Meng Clan, this spiritual spring held even greater value.

After all, the reason the Meng Clan had risen within merely several hundred years was largely due to this spiritual spring.

Low-level cultivators who consumed the spiritual spring water could cleanse their bodies and heal hidden injuries.

If one drank a bottle before Foundation Establishment, it could even increase the success rate of Foundation Establishment.

It even had a slight effect on Core Formation.

“All the spiritual spring water produced over thirty-five years. And the spiritual spring branch must also remain for at least thirty-five years!”

In the end, both sides secretly reached an agreement.

Thirty-five years was by no means a short period.

Lin Chang’an’s attitude appeared as though he had the Meng Clan completely cornered, causing Madam Meng’s expression to stiffen somewhat.

Meanwhile, Meng Xinghai felt rather displeased.

“Mother, let him be smug for now.”

However, Meng Xinghai was not a simple character.

In merely a moment, he suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart and restored a calm expression.

Over the next several decades, the Meng Clan’s resources were already meant to be focused upon him.

Trading the spiritual spring was simply trading it.

“Since Madam Meng is so sincere, I am willing to exchange.”

Afterward, before everyone present, Lin Chang’an wore a smile as the Meng Clan brought forth numerous materials and exchanged them for the three magical artifacts.

The spiritual spring was merely an additional condition.

Although the Meng Clan was in the wrong.

The crowd also secretly delighted in their misfortune.

It seemed the Meng Clan had truly spat out considerable blood this time.

Otherwise, how could they have so easily reclaimed those three magical artifacts?

The Meng Clan’s eagerness to retrieve these three magical artifacts was also a signal of strength to the outside world.

Although the Meng Clan felt guilty regarding the Seven Kingdoms Alliance issue, they still had a Nascent Soul True Lord backing them.

Furthermore, Meng Xinghai was also a disciple of a Nascent Soul True Lord.

Another reason was that one of the Natal Magical Artifact swords—

In the hands of other cultivators, it could at most unleash seventy percent of its power.

But in the hands of Meng Xinghai, who shared bloodline connections, it could unleash over ninety percent of its strength.

This was another reason why the Meng Clan was willing to pay such a high price to recover it.

At this Trading Gathering, Lin Chang’an secretly sighed.

The wind-attribute demon core information he desired most still had not appeared.

However, the spiritual spring was still quite good.

Although it was merely a branch spring, it would significantly increase the concentration of spiritual energy.

At their cultivation level, advancement could only be slowly polished over time.

Unless it was some heaven-defying spiritual treasure—

Only then could his cultivation surge dramatically within a short period.

But such spiritual objects invariably required opportunity.

He spent his years steadily cultivating on Five Dragon Island, at most now adding Bibo Island as another point between his travels.

Opportunities were rather distant from him.

After all, opportunities were often accompanied by danger.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, this spiritual spring is truly good stuff.”

“Tsk tsk, the Meng Clan really suffered a major loss this time.”

When the Core Formation cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance learned of Lin Chang’an’s requested conditions through secret voice transmission, they all revealed smiles.

Naturally, Lin Chang’an knew what these people were thinking, though he did not refuse.

Still, he himself also had uses for the spiritual spring.

After all, everyone knew about his relationship with the Sixth Elder of Bihai Palace.

Therefore, at most during crucial moments, he could trade away a portion of the spiritual spring.

For example, if a sect possessed disciples with good talent preparing for Core Formation, they could exchange spiritual items of equal value for a bottle of spiritual spring water.

……

This Trading Gathering was extremely lively.

Lin Chang’an also exchanged for many rare materials, making his harvest quite abundant.

The Seven Kingdoms Alliance and the others likewise gained significantly.

“It seems the Four Seas Merchant Guild has hooked up with the Meng Clan. We’ll need to be more cautious in the future.”

After the Trading Gathering ended, the cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance did not disperse.

This was because Lin Chang’an had mentioned information regarding another Spirit Mine.

For a time, the cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance became eager and excited.

Over the past few years, they had already tasted the sweetness of mining.

Not to mention that this Spirit Mine possessed even greater value.

“Fellow Daoists, this Spirit Mine possesses tremendous value. The materials the other party requests in exchange are also extremely precious…”

Inside the great hall, Lin Chang’an revealed a solemn expression before the cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance as he listed the materials required for the trade.

This caused many people’s expressions to become serious.

“These things are all rare goods.”

“Indeed. Not a single one is ordinary.”

“Enough. Let’s combine all our connections and start searching. Even if it proves impossible, we must at least find the corresponding materials.”

Although it was somewhat troublesome, for the sake of developing their sects and clans, the cultivators of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance all nodded solemnly.

As long as they could mine—

These things would eventually be earned back.

Lin Chang’an inwardly rejoiced.

No wonder even Nascent Soul cultivators like True Lord Lu required subordinate factions to work for them.

It was simply too convenient.

Had he searched for these materials alone, who knew how long it would have taken?

Yet by mobilizing the Seven Kingdoms Alliance—

More than twenty Core Formation cultivators, over a thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators under them, and networks spread across four or five surrounding sea regions—

Searching for spiritual objects became far easier.

This undoubtedly saved him tremendous time, allowing him to devote more of it toward cultivation.

……

Five Dragon Island sea region.

After the Trading Gathering ended, many cultivators hurriedly departed.

Among them were the Wang sisters.

Although they had disguised their identities, they were still targeted after leaving the Five Dragon Island Marketplace.

“Two Fairies, I am from the Qi Family of the Four Seas Merchant Guild. I wish to invite the two Fairies…”

However, the Wang sisters merely snorted coldly.

After battling briefly upon an island, they deliberately pretended to be defeated and escaped in a miserable state.

Meanwhile, this False Core cultivator surnamed Qi inwardly felt alarmed.

“This Young Master Meng felt these two women were suspicious and specifically asked me to test them. These women are truly extraordinary. They actually possess a damaged magical artifact.”

To newly advanced Core Formation cultivators, magical artifacts were exceptionally precious.

Afterward, he secretly transmitted a message to Young Master Meng, recounting everything that had happened.

From beginning to end, he never realized he was merely a pawn used by Meng Xinghai for testing.

Meanwhile, Meng Xinghai, who was currently hurrying toward the Fog Sea of Tongtian, sighed inwardly in relief after seeing the transmission talisman.

“Looks like I truly was overly suspicious.”

They were merely ordinary False Core female cultivators.

Even if they possessed some opportunities, that was all.

“This time, they failed to exchange for the Core Formation spiritual items they needed. Based on what I overheard before, they should come to the Bibo Island Marketplace.

“I hope they won’t disappoint me.”

After this round of probing, Meng Xinghai finally lowered his guard.

If the women appeared at the Bibo Island Marketplace, he certainly would not let them go.

……

Meanwhile, the Wang sisters who escaped in apparent misery landed upon a desolate island.

Despite their bedraggled appearances, traces of speechless amusement appeared upon their faces.

“This one surnamed Meng is truly cautious. Even this failed to hook him. I refuse to believe you’ll still be able to hold back next time on Bibo Island!”

Lin Chang’an’s two avatars sneered coldly before concealing their auras and secretly returning to the Five Dragon Island Marketplace.

If they attempted to ambush the Meng Clan now, the other side would definitely remain on guard.

What he wanted was to make them lower their vigilance—

Then kill with a single strike.