110: Asking price: 20,000 spirit stones

"I'll take it!" Lu Yang said resolutely, the three words ringing out clearly. He didn't hesitate in the slightest, his gaze as firm as bedrock.

After arduous travel and near despair, the situation had taken a turn for the better, and the item was right before him! Forget a high price; he was determined to obtain it no matter the cost!

Hearing this, the burly Senior Brother's smile deepened beneath his curly beard, carrying a hint of undisguised shrewdness and calculation.

His name was Dong Sheng. He spent years undertaking dangerous Sect missions, relying on hunting Yao Beasts and collecting Materials to exchange for Cultivation resources. The thick Evil Qi and scent of blood clinging to him were his best credentials.

At this moment, he sized up the Inner Sect Junior Brother before him, who, though possessing an extraordinary demeanor, clearly showed signs of urgency. In his heart, Dong Sheng had already pegged him as a "fat sheep" ready for slaughter.

"Straightforward!" Dong Sheng's voice boomed like a bell. His large, cattail-fan-like hand slapped down hard, causing the dark gold flood dragon blood inside the Locking Spirit Cold Jade Bottle to ripple slightly. "Since Junior Brother recognizes good stuff, I won't play games with you! This bottle of Peak Third-Rank Azure Flood Dragon Heart Essence Blood wasn't easy to get; three of my brothers were injured!

The fixed price is—twenty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones! Pay up, and the item is yours!"

"Twenty thousand?!" Even though Lu Yang was mentally prepared to be ripped off, hearing that number still made the corner of his eye twitch violently!

This price was practically bleeding him dry!

One must know that even the "lesser creation elixir," the Low-Grade Third-Rank Medicinal Pill he had meticulously refined for Ning Hong last time, could only fetch a high price of around four thousand Spirit Stones on the market.

This meant that to trade for this bottle of flood dragon blood, he would have to hand over five whole lesser creation elixirs! This was equivalent to most of the assets he had accumulated from Alchemy over the past few months!

But right now, the harsh reality was—Lu Yang was completely broke!

Forget ten lesser creation elixirs, all the Medicinal Pills, Materials, and scattered Spirit Stones in his Storage Pouch combined probably wouldn't even total five thousand Spirit Stones!

But he genuinely needed this bottle of flood dragon blood urgently, and this price... truly exceeded his current ability to pay.

Lu Yang's expression instantly became extremely grim, his brows knitted into a tight knot.

He opened his mouth, wanting to haggle, but seeing Dong Sheng's confident "take it or leave it" demeanor and the fierce aura of battle that clung to him, he knew that ordinary bargaining would likely be useless against this veteran of the Jianghu.

The other party was banking on his urgent need, intending to treat him like a fool and fleece him severely!

For a moment, Lu Yang froze in place, his gaze fixed on the flood dragon blood swaying in the bottle held by Dong Sheng, his heart engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

Give up? The Cultivation of the Flood Dragon Transformation and Essence Art would be indefinitely delayed, his Physique problem would remain unsolved, and subsequent troubles would only increase.

Accept? Where would he gather twenty thousand Spirit Stones? Should he go ask Chi Rong or Mu Wanqing? He immediately suppressed that thought; it was too embarrassing!

Just as Lu Yang was caught in this dilemma, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead, almost suffocated by the price—

"Heh heh." Dong Sheng's laugh, carrying a hint of mockery and understanding, sounded out.

Having spent years navigating the lower ranks, his ability to read people had long been perfected. Lu Yang's momentary shock, heartache, and the embarrassment of being penniless could not escape his eyes.

Dong Sheng deliberately tossed the Jade Bottle up and down again, making a crisp sound, and slowly said:

"What is it, Junior Brother? Looking at your expression... are you... a little short on funds?" He deliberately drew out the words, his eyes flashing with the calculating brilliance of "just as expected." To Lu Yang, that smile was full of undisguised smugness and scheming.

Lu Yang took a deep breath, suppressing the frustration in his heart. He knew showing weakness now would only make him easier to manipulate, but he couldn't pretend to have the Spirit Stones either. He could only admit part of the truth while trying to build rapport: "Senior Brother possesses Wisdom Eye. To be honest, this price... truly far exceeds Junior Brother's estimate.

May I ask Senior Brother's esteemed name? I am Junior Brother Lu Yang. I urgently seek this flood dragon blood because I accidentally obtained a Body Tempering Secret Art that requires this item as a catalyst to assist my Cultivation." He deliberately concealed the name Flood Dragon Transformation and Essence Art, only calling it a secret art.

"Oh? Junior Brother Lu Yang? Body Tempering Secret Art?" Dong Sheng raised his thick eyebrows, displaying an expression of sudden realization. "My name is Dong Sheng! A pleasure to meet you."

After stating his name, his attitude seemed to soften slightly, but the shrewdness in his eyes hadn't diminished at all. "So, Junior Brother, you are a Body Cultivator?"

Lu Yang shook his head and sighed, half-truthfully:

"Senior Brother Dong, you misunderstand. Junior Brother is not specialized in Body Cultivation.

It's just that although my Cultivation has reached Foundation Establishment recently, I always feel that my Physical Body... is somewhat strong on the outside but weak within, unable to absorb nourishment.

So I thought of finding a method that wouldn't consume too much time to slightly temper my muscles, bones, Qi, and blood. That's why I looked for this... hmm, perhaps a niche Body Refining method."

Hearing this, Dong Sheng nodded in profound agreement, a look of understanding for a fellow practitioner appearing on his face.

He lived a life constantly facing danger, and deeply understood the hardship of Body Refining.

Orthodox Body Refining requires investing vast amounts of time, enduring inhumane torture, and consuming exorbitant resources to temper the Physical Body—something absolutely unbearable for someone like Lu Yang, who started halfway.

And a Cultivation Technique that requires a dominating item like flood dragon blood as a catalyst, isn't that the perfect example of a Niche Remedy? It probably comes with considerable hidden dangers and side effects.

"I understand, I understand! For those of us who aren't naturally gifted Body Cultivator Material, if we want to benefit a little from Body Refining, we have to find some alternative methods."

Dong Sheng adopted a confidential air, then immediately changed the subject, returning to the main topic with a teasing smile:

"Well, Junior Brother Lu, this flood dragon blood... do you want it or not?" He shook the Jade Bottle, and the dark gold blood surged restlessly inside.

"Senior Brother Dong, this item is truly essential for Junior Brother!"

Lu Yang immediately stated his position, then changed the subject to begin the difficult negotiation. "It's just that... twenty thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, this price is truly too high! A Third-Rank Flying Sword Spiritual Artifact only costs around this much! This is truly... somewhat unreasonable."

He paused, trying hard to make his tone sound sincere and constructive:

"Senior Brother, could you perhaps lower the price appropriately, considering Junior Brother's earnest desire to purchase and the fact that we are fellow disciples?

Let's establish a good relationship today. If Senior Brother ever has any Alchemy needs in the future, just come find Junior Brother. As long as it is within my capability, Lu Yang will certainly not refuse, treating it as repayment for Senior Brother's kindness today!"

"Alchemy needs?" Dong Sheng seized the keyword, his bell-like eyes suddenly shining brightly, the shrewd gleam nearly overflowing. "Junior Brother Lu... you are an Alchemist?" His tone carried a hint of imperceptible eagerness and scrutiny.

"That is correct." Lu Yang admitted frankly. This was the only leverage he had at the moment.

"Oh?" Dong Sheng's interest was clearly piqued, and the smile on his face became slightly warmer. "Then may I ask, Junior Brother Lu, what rank of Alchemist are you?" His gaze was fixed on Lu Yang, trying to judge the truth and significance of the statement.

Lu Yang replied calmly: "I am unworthy, having only barely reached the Third-Rank."

"Third-Rank Alchemist?!" The calculating smile on Dong Sheng's face instantly froze, and then an even stronger light erupted in his eyes! He scrutinized Lu Yang again, seeming to re-evaluate the worth of this "sucker."

A Third-Rank Alchemist! Even within the Inner Sect, this was definitely considered a rare talent! This was far more valuable than a one-time transaction of twenty thousand Spirit Stones!

Dong Sheng stroked his stubbled chin, falling into brief contemplation.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the cold Locking Spirit Cold Jade Bottle, clearly weighing the pros and cons rapidly.

The need for Medicinal Pills, especially those for healing injuries and restoring Spiritual Power, was too great a temptation for someone like him who constantly fought outside, often got injured, or needed explosive Medicinal Pills for assistance!

Moreover, befriending a promising Third-Rank Alchemist was definitely worthwhile in the long run!

Lu Yang held his breath, watching Dong Sheng's contemplative expression, and the tight string in his heart loosened slightly.

He knew that the turning point might be right now!

Whether he could acquire this precious flood dragon blood depended entirely on how Senior Brother Dong weighed the value of Spirit Stones against the favor of an Alchemist.