299: Meteor Iron, Spirit Devouring Ant Opportunity

“Please present treasures of sufficient value to exchange for the meteoritic iron, which can help the Spirit Devouring Ant break through!”

This brief System notification couldn't help but excite Lin Shiming.

He knew that his Spirit Devouring Ant, after devouring both Wind Fire Star Sand and many spiritual milk stones, was still at the Peak of Rank 2, which truly worried him.

Seeing meteoritic iron appear at this trade fair naturally surprised him greatly.

If he could help the Spirit Devouring Ant break through, then this trip to Qingyun Market would already be his greatest gain.

A Rank 2 Peak Spirit Devouring Ant already had a huge advantage when facing some spiritual Formations. If it became a Rank 3 Spirit Devouring Ant, ordinary forbidden Formations would be devoured in the blink of an eye.

Even in the future, there would be a certain Breakthrough rate for Rank 4 Formations.

However, looking around, he didn't know whose hands the meteoritic iron was in, or if its size was sufficient.

And what treasure should he use to exchange for it?

The biggest variable in bartering is that even if some Cultivators have what you want, they might not be willing to exchange it, nor will they truly tell you all the treasures they possess.

Your treasure might not suit their taste, or perhaps they need it themselves, in which case you still wouldn't get it.

One must know that meteoritic iron, as a material, is absolutely High Grade Magical Artifact at the very least when used for Artifact Refining, and if refined by some Rank 4 Artifact Refiners, it could very likely become a Magic Treasure.

Such a material made Lin Shiming hesitate.

It was too difficult to discern the meteoritic iron from the faces of these Cultivators; after all, the prominent Family heads were not inexperienced youths.

And the System's prompt was too vague.

While Lin Shiming was hesitating, Zhang Haoling's three Magical Artifacts were all exchanged. The High Grade Magical Artifact was exchanged by a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator from the Chen Family, and the remaining two High Grade Magical Artifacts were exchanged by two Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The Chen Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator also brought out three treasures.

A thousand-year Purple Cloud Wood Core, a hundred-year fire crystal, and a Netherfire Hawk Spirit Beast egg.

What he exchanged for were Spirit Pills that could advance one's cultivation.

Seeing this, Lin Shiming also became a little interested, especially in the Purple Cloud Wood Core. His Heavenly Wood Spirit Planting Secret Method required Wood Cores, though he already had two vice spirit platforms.

He didn't need a new Wood Core, but it would be good to have it as a precaution or to place it in the Family's treasury.

He exchanged it for a bottle of Mianyang Pill.

After exchanging for the Purple Cloud Wood Core, Lin Shiming also understood that ordinary items would likely not entice the Cultivator with the meteoritic iron to bring it out.

The System's prompt also explained this.

Taking a deep breath, he unhesitatingly stood up as the third person.

Lin Shiming also took out three jade boxes.

The three jade boxes were opened one by one.

The first jade box contained a jade bottle, and inside the jade bottle, a drop of white spiritual milk was clearly visible.

The stopper of the jade bottle was slightly opened, revealing a rich Spiritual Qi appearing above the jade bottle, and the Cultivators couldn't help but inhale.

“hundred-year spiritual milk!” Many Early Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators immediately had their breathing quicken.

A drop of hundred-year spiritual milk could restore a Foundation Establishment Cultivator's full true essence once, and at critical moments, it could absolutely save a life.

One must know that in Cultivator battles, true essence often becomes insufficient, leading to a crucial misstep.

With hundred-year spiritual milk, one would have double the true essence, which sometimes meant two more trump cards.

The outcome could then be completely different.

The reason Lin Shiming repeatedly emerged victorious in the Small World Secret Realm was greatly related to his three spirit platforms and sufficient hundred-year spiritual milk; sometimes, he even used thousand-year spiritual milk.

And the price of hundred-year spiritual milk was also extremely high.

Even Zhang Haoling of the Zhang Family was interested.

The second jade box opened to reveal a Pill Furnace. This Pill Furnace had an ancient aroma, was full of Spiritual Qi, and shone brightly with Spirit Light. When slightly activated, it produced a scorching spiritual flame.

The Alchemists present watched with gleaming eyes, filled with envy.

It was indeed a Rank 3 High Grade Pill Furnace, which Lin Shiming had obtained from the Purple Mansion Cave, second only to Lin Shitao's Rank 3 Top Grade Pill Furnace.

Such a Pill Furnace held immense significance for a Foundation Establishment Family, and at times, could even elevate a Family's Alchemy level.

Such a treasure was no less valuable than hundred-year spiritual milk!

In fact, in the long run, the Pill Furnace was even better.

Lin Shiming didn't stop, opening the third jade box.

Inside the jade box was a small black tower. The black tower looked unremarkable, like an ordinary Magical Artifact, but everyone understood that Lin Shiming, without further ado, bringing out this treasure and placing it last, meant it was absolutely the most precious item!

As Lin Shiming activated it with his true essence, countless Spirit Lights appeared.

This black cloud tower was Xiao Chen's treasure, a High Grade Magical Artifact that integrated attack, suppression, defense, and Spell storage. It was a fine product even among High Grade Magical Artifacts.

The Materials used on this Magical Artifact were not ordinary iron, clearly indicating extraordinary quality.

And for Lin Shiming to actually bring out this Magical Artifact astonished all the Foundation Establishment Cultivators present.

Even the Zhang Family now had a great liking for this black cloud tower.

Especially Zhang Haogang, this kind of black cloud tower, combined with his Body Cultivator strength, could be utilized to its fullest potential.

Seeing this, Lin Shiming felt a little helpless. He originally didn't plan to bring out the black cloud tower, although it was the most inconspicuous Magical Artifact among his High Grade Magical Artifacts, and to him, it was like a chicken rib (something of little value but hard to discard)!

After all, he had the Crushing God Plate, demonic underworld needle, corpse-binding belt, Zilai Sword, Lai Yun Sword, and star wood shield.

But it would still cause a stir. One must know that he was only at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

Yet he brought out a High Grade Magical Artifact. One must know that even the Zhang Family didn't have many High Grade Magical Artifacts, after all, the Zhang Family was large and had more Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

And Magical Artifacts of this material were not so easy to find.

And now, these calculating and greedy gazes were fully revealed.

It was exactly as he had imagined!

However, Lin Shiming still took a deep breath, then spoke:

“These three treasures are only exchanged for Spirit Pills, Spirit Medicine, or effective Secret Methods of equivalent Rank that can help break through the Late Foundation Establishment Stage Bottleneck!”

As Lin Shiming's statement came out, the other Cultivators immediately understood why Lin Shiming had brought them out.

Perhaps these were Lin Xianzhi's Treasures (relics/treasures).

And having forcibly entered seclusion without breaking through, he now had no choice but to come out and try every means to break through to the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

While the other Cultivators were having these thoughts, Lin Shiming's eyes grew darker.

Although the Medicinal Pills for breaking through the Late Foundation Establishment Stage Bottleneck were similar in value to Lin Shiming's treasures, in this world, cultivation was paramount, and one's own cultivation was the true Dao.

Otherwise, Foundation Establishment Pill and Purple Mansion Jade Liquid wouldn't sell for exorbitant prices.

And Medicinal Pills that could break through the Late Foundation Establishment Stage Bottleneck, the crowd was unwilling to produce; of course, it was also possible they didn't have any!

After a round, no one spoke, but quite a few Cultivators privately transmitted messages to Lin Shiming, asking for other treasures.

However, it was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no one responding.

And Lin Shiming's face grew increasingly unsightly, finally letting out a sigh:

“Then exchange for Lifespan-extending Medicinal Pills!”

Upon the mention of Lifespan-extending Medicinal Pills, the other Cultivators shook their heads again.

However, a piece of information entered their minds, especially the Zhang Family, who then looked at Lin Shiming's graying hair.

Being a Named Disciple of the Qingxuan Sect was not that easy.

The meaning conveyed by this was quite obvious.

“soul suppressing stone, or meteoritic iron can also be exchanged!”

After saying that, Lin Shiming sat down on the stool, looking disappointed.

This scene, in the eyes of others, merely suggested that the Lin Family might be nearing its end.

Lin Shiming's potential was exhausted, only sustained by his Sword Cultivator strength. Once Lin Shiming's Lifespan ran out, other Families could surpass the Lin Family. And in their view, the younger generation of the Lin Family was nothing to fear; the two Cultivators he brought were only at Qi Refining Stage 7.

After completing his actions, Lin Shiming felt relieved when he saw there were no mishaps.

If he still couldn't exchange for the meteoritic iron, he could only sigh.

However, the next moment, Lin Haoling stepped forward.

“What a coincidence, Fellow Daoist Lin, I happen to have meteoritic iron!” Lin Haoling flipped his hand open.

A tray appeared in his hand, and a golden brocade cloth was pulled back, revealing a piece of meteoritic iron as large as a stone plate.

This scene also made everyone's hearts burn with excitement.

The material of meteoritic iron was equally precious.

For Cultivators, it was quite rare.

Especially its size, sufficient to support the creation of a Magic Treasure.

“I'll exchange this meteoritic iron for your black cloud tower and hundred-year spiritual milk!” Zhang Haoling said.

“No, although your meteoritic iron is large, my black cloud tower is not an ordinary High Grade Magical Artifact. Even though Lin cannot use it, it's impossible for me to suffer such a loss!” Lin Shiming directly shook his head.

What Lin Shiming didn't expect was that Lin Haoling actually reached into his hand again, and it was a small piece of soul suppressing stone.

This soul suppressing stone wasn't enough to refine half a Soul Suppressing Tower, but for Lin Shiming, it was still a considerable gain.

“Add ten High-Grade Spirit Stones!” Lin Shiming spoke again.

And Lin Haoling didn't refuse, as if returning the favor for Lin Shiming's earlier gesture of goodwill towards him.

Spirit Stones, soul suppressing stone, and meteoritic iron were all exchanged.

Lin Shiming was also extremely surprised.

However, on his face, he still wore an expression of having suffered a great loss.

Lin Shiyi, beside him, didn't speak. He felt that Lin Shiming next to him was a little different.

Every time he made such an expression, it seemed he had bought something good.

It was like this when he bought the Golden Winged Mantis eggs, and also when he bought the Beast Nurturing Pill Pill Formula.

Lin Shiming stepped down from the stage, and the others successively went up to exchange treasures.

Although there were many treasures in Yunzhou, the overall quality was still much lower than what Xiao Chen had organized before. There were only a few remaining treasures that could catch his Dharma Eye.

Some were joyful, some were sorrowful.

The trade fair was full of uncertainties; no one could guarantee truly obtaining their desired treasures.

Even Lin Shiming was very nervous before Zhang Haoling stood out.

The bartering nature of the trade fair could only be said to have some element of luck, and he had the System's prompt.

Otherwise, if he had followed his original plan, he probably would have only been able to exchange for a small piece of soul suppressing stone, and that would have been about it.

As for the remaining Pill Furnace, Lin Shiming did not exchange it.

He didn't lack other treasures, and the Lin Family also lacked this kind of Pill Furnace.

Pill Furnaces are different from ordinary Magical Artifacts; the difficulty of refining them is far greater than that of ordinary Magical Artifacts. Otherwise, the Lin Family used to have Rank 3 Artifact Refiners, but they didn't have good Pill Furnaces.

After the trade fair, half a day had already passed.

Lin Haoling frequently made moves, exchanging many things and also obtaining many heavenly Spirit Medicine and spiritual Materials.

This made everyone's expressions slightly better.

Lin Shiyi also obtained a type of Spirit Medicine that could temper the spiritual body.

He couldn't help but smile foolishly, with a hint of eagerness.

It was only when everyone walked out of the hall that they all frowned again.

Although it was called exploration, it was exploration without the support of the Qingxuan Sect, and the dangers involved were immense.

They just didn't understand why the Chen Family and Lin Family agreed so quickly; after all, these two Families had backing in the Qingxuan Sect.

In their confusion, Lin Shiming led Lin Shiyi back to the Lin Family's Lin Family Pill Pavilion.

Lin Yuzheng and others were also waiting. Seeing Lin Shiming and Lin Shiyi return safely, they also felt relieved and went about their business.

This time, the Family had brought many Rank 2 Spirit Pills, and even Rank 3 Spirit Pills. Placed in the Pill Pavilion, they would surely sell very well.

It was just that the Family now had fewer Rank 3 Alchemists; otherwise, the Lin Family wouldn't have to wait several months or even half a year to sell Rank 3 Spirit Pills.

Lin Shiming naturally didn't know what Lin Yuzheng was thinking and went straight back to his room.

After setting up the soundproofing and spiritual isolation Formations one by one, he entered the Grotto-heaven World.

Under a small hill here, an ant nest had already been developed, where eighty-one Spirit Devouring Ants rested, each with fangs, truly gnawing on the few remaining spiritual milk stones and Gintetsu Crystal.

Gintetsu Crystal was produced from the Family's Shiling Cave, and Lin Shiming had also taken quite a bit from the Family's treasury.

These Spirit Devouring Ants seemed to sense Lin Shiming's presence, flapping their star-spotted insect wings and flying around Lin Shiming, some perching on his shoulder, others directly flying onto his palm.

The next moment, as Lin Shiming took out the meteoritic iron, the Spirit Devouring Ants, as if encountering a delicacy, began to gnaw on it with the same movements as they had with the spiritual milk stones earlier.

However, the speed of gnawing was not fast, and with the gnawing, streaks of starlight appeared on the bodies of the Spirit Devouring Ants, while in the distance, the Star Spirit Shell floated above the spiritual pond.

Now that no flood dragon came out to bother it, it finally dared to open its shell, revealing its tentacles inside.

At this moment, it also looked towards the meteoritic iron and the Spirit Devouring Ant.

Starlight also appeared on its shell.

Lin Shiming hadn't expected the meteoritic iron to also have a good effect on the Star Spirit Shell.

However, as the eighty-one Spirit Devouring Ants began to gnaw, the meteoritic iron visibly shrank.

After more than half an hour, the meteoritic iron had completely disappeared, and after a wave of joyful emotional fluctuation came from his Divine Sense, all the Spirit Devouring Ants drilled into the ground.

They vanished in the blink of an eye.

And when Lin Shiming's Divine Sense probed down, he discovered that the Spirit Devouring Ants underground had actually started to devour each other again.

Lin Shiming did not stop them; the reproduction and evolution of these spiritual ants seemed to require the nutrients of their own kind.

Or perhaps the Bloodline Power within them was insufficient.

In the end, only nine remained; the number of Spirit Devouring Ants had directly decreased by nine times.

And the nine spiritual ants also began to cocoon, and when they awakened next time, they might be Rank 3 Spirit Devouring Ants.

This made Lin Shiming look forward to it.

With the Spirit Devouring Ants properly dealt with, Lin Shiming noticed that the Wood Demon of the Mingxin Tea Tree was now looking at the Little Divine Tree.

Just like before, when it looked at the Golden Thunder Bamboo.

This made Lin Shiming overjoyed; could it be that this Wood Demon was about to evolve again?