55: Gold Scale Trading

It was a beast hide, roughly three feet square, deep purple in color, covered with layers of thick scales like solidified profound ice, with complex silver lightning patterns naturally inscribed on its surface!

The beast hide felt cool and heavy to the touch, and was exceptionally tough, with some uncleaned sinew still attached to the edges, and even wisps of pure yet violent lightning Spiritual Qi leaping and flowing between the lightning patterns!

"This is... Benlei Beast hide?!"

Zhao Yu's pupils constricted slightly, and his voice carried a hint of imperceptible emotion, "Judging by the size of this hide, the thickness of its scales, and the condensation of its lightning patterns... it's at least from a Benlei Beast King in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage! It's remarkably well-preserved, and its vitality hasn't been lost! What a hide! What a hide!"

His fingers gently traced the profound natural lightning patterns on the hide's surface, feeling the power of lightning contained within, and his eyes gleamed.

This was an excellent main material for refining lightning evasion Talismans, and extremely valuable!

He put down this piece and quickly checked the other several hide bags.

Inside were also Benlei Beast hides of varying sizes but all of High Grade quality, some from the Foundation Establishment, and some from the Qi Refining Peak, in considerable quantity!

Additionally, there were some excellent quality single horns and sharp claws, among other Materials, containing pure lightning power.

Next, his gaze fell upon the two cold Jade boxes.

Opening one of them, a pure, rich, exotic fragrance, carrying the sweet scent of plants and the warm aura of fire, instantly filled the entire compartment!

Inside the box was jade emperor honey, viscous like amber and flowing with golden light!

Its quality far surpassed the ordinary!

In the other Jade box, more than a dozen yellow thunder apricots, the size of longans, completely scorched yellow, and covered with dense, profound lightning patterns, lay quietly!

Each one exuded violent lightning power and pure wood vitality!

Even with Zhao Yu's extensive experience, he couldn't help but take a deep breath at this moment, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

Nothing that this seemingly ordinary Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivator had taken out was a common item!

Especially the Foundation Establishment Benlei Beast hide and the quality of this jade emperor honey and yellow thunder apricot; they were definitely not something an ordinary Loose Cultivator or small force could easily produce.

This person either had a profound background or was a lone strong Cultivator with an astonishing Opportunity!

"Fellow Daoist, this batch of goods..." Zhao Yu put down the Jade box, his professional smile becoming much more sincere, even carrying a hint of imperceptible respect, "...is extraordinary in value! Especially this Benlei Beast King hide from the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, as well as this jade emperor honey and yellow thunder apricot, all are rare and precious items!

My Golden Scale Merchant Guild is willing to acquire them at the fairest price, or sell them on consignment, charging only a ten percent commission."

He quickly calculated in his mind and quoted a Spirit Stone amount that would make even ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators' hearts race, then added, "If Fellow Daoist is willing to entrust everything to my Golden Scale Merchant Guild for handling, I can make the decision to additionally present Fellow Daoist with a Profound Grade VIP Jade card from my Merchant Guild.

In the future, all transactions at any Merchant Guild affiliated with my Jinlin will enjoy a ten percent discount, and you will receive priority access to auction information."

He quickly calculated in his mind and quoted a Spirit Stone amount that would make even ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators' hearts race: "If Fellow Daoist chooses to sell directly, the Merchant Guild is willing to acquire this batch of goods for a total of sixty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones!

This price is absolutely fair and honest."

He paused, then added, "If Fellow Daoist is willing to entrust everything to my Golden Scale Merchant Guild for handling, I can make the decision to additionally present Fellow Daoist with a Profound Grade VIP Jade card from my Merchant Guild.

In the future, all transactions at any Merchant Guild affiliated with my Jinlin will enjoy a ten percent discount, and you will receive priority access to auction information."

Lin Feng had no objection to this price.

Sixty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, far exceeding his accumulated wealth in the West Flow Sea Region, would be enough to cover his expenses in the Eastern Sea Region for a period, and even add a bit more confidence for bidding on a Foundation Establishment Pill.

The Jinlin's reputation and Zhao Yu's discerning eye were trustworthy.

"Acceptable." Lin Feng nodded in agreement, then added, "I still need to purchase some items, so I might as well take this Opportunity to do it all at once."

"Fellow Daoist, please speak.

Jinlin Pavilion has everything."

Zhao Yu's smile grew wider; completing this large transaction would significantly boost his performance.

Lin Feng had already planned it out and began, "Firstly, I need to purchase a set of second-tier Formation Flags and a Formation Plate, requiring stable defense and a certain degree of concealment, with High Grade quality.

Secondly, some essential Jade Slips on the Dao of Formations and Talismans, especially those from characteristic schools of the Eastern Sea Region or with unique insights, regardless of rank, but seeking inspiration.

Thirdly, if your esteemed pavilion has a second-tier Talisman brush of good quality, please bring it for me to examine as well."

"What Fellow Daoist needs, leave it to me!" Zhao Yu immediately agreed, with high efficiency.

He called a capable attendant and whispered a few instructions.

Before long, the attendant returned, holding a tray on which were neatly arranged:

A set of seven palm-sized, dark green Formation Flags, made of deep-sea cold iron as the base, with intricate star patterns inscribed on their surfaces, accompanied by an octagonal Formation Plate of the same material.

The flag surfaces moved without wind, and faint starlight flowed, exuding a stable and profound aura—it was a simplified version of the "Minor Cosmic Star Dou Formation" produced by the Star Luo Sect.

Although its power was far from that of a mountain-protecting grand Formation, it was more than sufficient for Immortal Cave defense.

Three Jade Slips of various colors, with Spiritual Qi contained within:

One deep blue like water, recording the "Eastern Sea Formation Diagram Compendium," which summarized the characteristics of common water, wind, and mist Formations in the Eastern Sea Region.

One shimmering silver-white, named "Preliminary Exploration of Star Luo Formation," though only an introduction, it contained the essence of the Star Luo Sect's Formation philosophy.

One fiery red, was the "Talisman Dao True Explanation: Foundation Establishment Chapter," which detailed the methods for refining seven practical Talismans that could only be drawn or whose power was comparable to the Foundation Establishment Stage, including the "Earth-Shaking Talisman" that Lin Feng specifically wanted, which used earth-elemental Spiritual Qi to trigger seismic tremors with immense power, as well as the "Sharp Metal Armor-Piercing Talisman," "Flowing Fire Sky-Burning Talisman," "Profound Ice Body-Protecting Talisman," and others.

Finally, a Talisman brush, entirely carved from warm green jade, with a brush tip made from the toughest hair on the neck of a second-tier Yao Beast, the "Emerald-Eyed Wind Wolf."

Natural cloud patterns flowed on the brush handle, full of Spiritual Qi, feeling slightly heavy in hand, and the brush tip remained condensed, making it an excellent tool for Talisman crafting—the Green Jade Wolf Hair Brush.

"Fellow Daoist Lin, please see, this 'Dust Star Dou Formation' set is from the Star Luo Sect, a second-tier High Grade, combining offense and defense, especially good at concealment and protection, perfectly suiting your needs.

These three Jade Slips are all carefully selected by the Merchant Guild, especially this 'Talisman Dao True Explanation: Foundation Establishment Chapter,' which includes seven Talismans like the Earth-Shaking Talisman, all with considerable power and popular in the Eastern Sea Region.

This Green Jade Wolf Hair Brush, made from High Grade Materials, conducts Spiritual Qi smoothly, making the drawing of second-tier Talismans twice as effective."

Zhao Yu introduced them one by one.

Lin Feng carefully examined them, especially scanning the "Talisman Dao True Explanation: Foundation Establishment Chapter" Jade Slip with his spiritual sense, confirming that it indeed contained the complete refining methods and Talisman diagrams for the seven Foundation Establishment Stage Talismans, including the Earth-Shaking Talisman, and he was satisfied.

The Legacy of the Eastern Sea Region was indeed more profound and extensive than that of the West Flow Sea Region; these Jade Slips would be of great benefit to his comprehension of the Dao of Formations and Talismans.

"Very good.

Let's settle these, along with the previous goods, all at once." Lin Feng made the decision.

Zhao Yu quickly calculated: "The goods are valued at sixty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

The Dust Star Dou Formation is valued at eight thousand Spirit Stones, the three Jade Slips are valued at three thousand five hundred Spirit Stones, of which the 'Talisman Dao True Explanation: Foundation Establishment Chapter' accounts for two thousand, and the Green Jade Wolf Hair Brush is valued at two thousand two hundred Spirit Stones.

In total, Fellow Daoist needs to deduct thirteen thousand seven hundred Spirit Stones.

The remaining balance is forty-six thousand three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

Lin Feng nodded in approval.

Soon, a heavy Storage Pouch filled with forty-six thousand three hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, a dark golden scale-shaped Jade card representing the Golden Scale Merchant Guild's Profound Grade VIP status, and the Formation Flags, Jade Slips, and Talisman brush he purchased, were all handed to him.

With the transaction complete, the atmosphere became even more harmonious.

Lin Feng then turned the conversation to a more important goal of his trip: "I have felt the sincerity of your esteemed Merchant Guild, Lin.

However, I have another matter to inquire about."

"Fellow Daoist, please speak." Zhao Yu leaned forward slightly.