56: Accept the task, three-year agreement

“Foundation Establishment Pill.” Lin Feng uttered three words, his gaze calmly fixed on the other party. “Does your Merchant Guild have it in stock? Or can you allocate it in the short term?”

“Foundation Establishment Pill…” Upon hearing this, Deacon Zhao Yu’s narrow eyes flashed with a knowing look, then he revealed a slightly apologetic bitter smile. “Fellow Daoist Lin, to be honest, this pill… is one of the most in-demand strategic resources in any sea region. Although my Golden Scale Merchant Guild is large, it also has its rules. The annual quota for each branch, especially for core resources like the Foundation Establishment Pill, is fixed and has already been pre-ordered and divided by various forces and Families.”

He paused, observing Lin Feng’s expression. Seeing that he remained composed, he continued, “If Fellow Daoist urgently needs it, applying for allocation through the normal process… with the value of your batch of goods, it’s enough to exchange for two Foundation Establishment Pills. But… it will take time.”

“How long?”

“At the fastest, a year and a half; at the slowest… it might take two to three years,” Deacon Zhao Yu admitted. “The Merchant Guild’s headquarters coordinates the allocation, cross-sea transportation, plus the coordination of various relationships… This time is not something I can control.”

Two to three years… Lin Feng frowned slightly. This amount of time was too long for him, who urgently needed a Foundation Establishment Pill to break through his Realm.

The Spiritual Vein upgrade of Xuanlei Island and his subsequent Cultivation plans could not wait.

“Is there no other way?” Lin Feng’s voice remained steady, showing no emotion.

Deacon Zhao Yu looked at Lin Feng, his fingers lightly tapping twice on the smooth rosewood table. A gleam flashed in his eyes, and he lowered his voice, “Through regular channels, yes. However… Fellow Daoist has come at just the right time!”

He flipped his wrist, and a gilded invitation card, with tiny golden scales inlaid along its edges, emitting a faint sandalwood fragrance and Spiritual Pressure, appeared in his palm. He gently pushed it in front of Lin Feng.

“Five days from now, right here in Tianfeng City, the ‘Four Seas Treasures Auction’ hosted by my Golden Scale Merchant Guild will officially begin! This is our Merchant Guild’s grand event held once every five years in the Eastern Sea Region!” Deacon Zhao Yu’s tone carried a hint of temptation. “Although the final items have not been fully announced, based on what I know with my authority… there will definitely be a ‘Foundation Establishment Pill’! And, not just one!”

He leaned forward slightly, his voice even lower, yet every word was clear: “At the auction, the highest bidder wins! As long as Fellow Daoist has enough Spirit Stones, why wait another two or three years? This is the fastest and most direct way!”

Lin Feng’s gaze fell on the gilded invitation card. The golden scale emblem shimmered with the luster of wealth and opportunity under the soft light. Auction… Foundation Establishment Pill… highest bidder wins! These five words were like heavy hammers, striking his heart. He slowly reached out, his fingertips touching the cool surface of the invitation card.

“The auction… Lin will definitely be there.”

Lin Feng put away the invitation card and placed it into his Storage Pouch. The transaction was complete, and the atmosphere relaxed.

He did not immediately get up. After pondering for a moment, he casually asked:

“Deacon Zhao, your Merchant Guild has profound foundations, and its Secret Law Legacy must be extraordinary. I once heard in the market that your Merchant Guild possesses a ‘Qiankun Spirit Eye Technique,’ which is incredibly profound. I wonder… is this technique truly available for external transmission as rumored?”

Upon hearing this, Deacon Zhao Yu’s eyes flashed with a sharp gleam, and he carefully re-examined Lin Feng. Someone who knew about the Qiankun Spirit Eye Technique and was inquiring about how to obtain it was certainly no ordinary Cultivator.

The smile on his face remained, but his tone became a bit more serious: “Fellow Daoist Lin has good insight! The Qiankun Spirit Eye Technique is indeed one of our Merchant Guild’s closely guarded secrets, and its effects are extraordinary. As for external transmission…” He paused slightly, “It is not false. The Merchant Guild does indeed have rules that allow a slim chance for fated individuals who are not core members to acquire it.”

“Oh? I’d like to hear the details.” Lin Feng’s gaze was calm.

“There are two main ways to acquire it.”

Deacon Zhao Yu extended two fingers. “Firstly, by exchanging Heaven And Earth Treasure or Spirit Pills of equivalent value. The Merchant Guild has a corresponding exchange list that specifies the required items. However,”

He changed his tone, with a hint of subtle scrutiny, “The items listed on the roster are all rare, invaluable treasures that ordinary Cultivators might not find even one or two of in their entire lives. Secondly, by completing specific tasks for the Merchant Guild.”

“Tasks?” Lin Feng caught the key point.

“Precisely.” Deacon Zhao Yu nodded. “The Merchant Guild often issues tasks that require specific personnel to complete. The difficulty varies, and corresponding contribution points are awarded based on the task’s difficulty and completion. Accumulating enough contribution points allows one to exchange for various Secret Laws and resources, including the Qiankun Spirit Eye Technique. This is a relatively more… ‘feasible’ way to acquire the Secret Technique.”

Lin Feng understood. The treasures on that exchange list were probably even harder to obtain than directly buying a Foundation Establishment Pill.

He asked directly, “I wonder if there are any tasks suitable for Lin right now? Lin is quite interested in that Qiankun Spirit Eye Technique.”

Deacon Zhao Yu seemed to have anticipated this. He took out a small Jade Slip from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and gently pushed it towards Lin Feng. “There is indeed a task right now that might be suitable for Fellow Daoist. Please take a look, Fellow Daoist.”

Lin Feng picked up the Jade Slip and immersed his spiritual sense into it.

The task content was clearly presented: The Golden Scale Merchant Guild needed to acquire a top-grade metal-attribute spiritual material called “Gold Essence,” which could only be produced in large quantities in the “Gold Marrow Island Secret Realm.”

The Secret Realm would open two years later, and due to spatial Law restrictions, only Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Realm and below were allowed to enter. The Golden Scale Merchant Guild had several entry slots for the Secret Realm, and there were still some available.

If Lin Feng was willing to accept this task, the Merchant Guild could provide one slot. Task requirement: Two years later, enter the Gold Marrow Island Secret Realm and bring back at least ten catties of High Grade “Gold Essence” or equivalent core metal-attribute spiritual materials.

Upon completion of the task, the first to third layers of the Qiankun Spirit Eye Technique Cultivation Technique could be exchanged for.

The information also included a brief description of the Gold Marrow Island Secret Realm: A fragmented space where metal-attribute Spiritual Qi was extremely dense, rich in various rare metal ore deposits, especially “Gold Essence.”

However, the environment within the Secret Realm was perilous, filled with Geng Metal Evil Qi, natural killing formations, and even powerful metal-attribute Yao Beasts, making it fraught with danger. Each time it opened, a considerable number of Cultivators perished within.

Lin Feng withdrew his spiritual sense, his gaze profound.

Two years, Foundation Establishment and below, dangerous Secret Realm… The conditions were harsh, and the risks were immense.

But the opportunities were equally tempting—not only could he acquire the first three layers of the Qiankun Spirit Eye Technique, but the Gold Marrow Island Secret Realm itself was a huge treasure trove! He needed to collect top-grade spiritual materials for the Overturning Sea Sword Embryo, and this Secret Realm was simply a godsend.

Thoughts raced through his mind, weighing the pros and cons.

The Foundation Establishment Pill was an urgent need, while the Qiankun Spirit Eye Technique and the Secret Realm resources were long-term investments; the two did not conflict.

With his strength and preparation, as long as he could successfully acquire the Foundation Establishment Pill at the auction and successfully reach Foundation Establishment, his chances of entering the Gold Marrow Island Secret Realm two years later would be much greater.

“I accept this task.” Lin Feng put down the Jade Slip, his voice calm but with an undeniable firmness.

Deacon Zhao Yu’s eyes flashed with a hint of admiration: “Fellow Daoist Lin is indeed straightforward! I will register Fellow Daoist shortly and provide the Secret Realm token and a more detailed intelligence Jade Slip. I wish Fellow Daoist a fruitful journey to the Secret Realm two years from now!”