19: Chapter 19: A Sinister Plot

"It is indeed a talisman treasure, but its power has been depleted too much, so it is not suitable for me. If it were a truly pristine talisman treasure, I would certainly not mind exchanging it for this thousand-year spirit medicine. But unfortunately, the depletion is simply too great. For me, it no longer has much use. So I hope Fellow Daoist does not mind."

Zhao Changsheng shook his head and explained, his tone not changing at all.

After listening to Zhao Changsheng's explanation, the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage Cultivator's anger subsided a bit. In the end, he could only dejectedly take his talisman treasure and leave, returning to his seat.

As for the remaining two Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators, they likewise returned the way they came.

Of course, the expressions behind their masks were equally unsightly.

They had almost brought out their trump card top-grade magic tools, yet they still failed to satisfy Zhao Changsheng, which truly caused resentment to rise in their hearts... Zhao Changsheng had no intention of paying attention to the trio's moods and instead continued to look around at the other Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators below.

"I wonder if any other Fellow Daoist is willing to come up and trade for these two stalks of thousand-year spirit medicine?"

Following Zhao Changsheng's words this time, the remaining Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators mostly looked at each other, but not a single person came onto the stage.

This inevitably made Zhao Changsheng's expression look somewhat disappointed and grim.

He hadn't expected that even after bringing out thousand-year spirit medicine, he would still be unable to exchange for what he needed; it was truly quite disappointing.

But no matter how disappointed he was, there was nothing he could do.

He could only put away the remaining two stalks of thousand-year spirit medicine and choose to leave this Underground Trade Fair.

However, just as he was preparing to leave, he was stopped by a Middle-aged Woman of ordinary appearance wearing palace attire.

"Fellow Daoist, could you please wait a moment?"

The Middle-aged Woman stood smiling in front of him, her tone quite friendly.

"Speak, what is the matter?"

Regarding the Middle-aged Woman blocking his path, Zhao Changsheng's mood was naturally not great, and his voice became somewhat cold.

"My husband wishes to trade with Fellow Daoist. May I ask if Fellow Daoist is interested?"

The Middle-aged Woman did not mind Zhao Changsheng's attitude and instead stated her purpose.

"Lead the way!"

Zhao Changsheng had already anticipated the Middle-aged Woman's words. He nodded and agreed.

"Very well, Fellow Daoist, please follow this humble one."

After saying this, the Middle-aged Woman's smile grew even more radiant. She turned and swayed her still-slender waist, revealing a bit of charm.

But for Zhao Changsheng, it held no attraction whatsoever.

In this way, the two arrived at a room one after the other.

Inside the room was a Middle-aged Confucian Scholar with a rather handsome appearance and a Late Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Upon seeing Zhao Changsheng's arrival, he immediately stood up to welcome him.

"I'm sorry to trouble Fellow Daoist to come here personally. Please, have a seat."

Facing such a warm Middle-aged Confucian Scholar, Zhao Changsheng nodded and still spoke neutrally, "I wonder what Magical Artifact or treasure Fellow Daoist wishes to use to exchange for the thousand-year spirit medicine in my hands?"

"Fellow Daoist has misunderstood; you have truly misunderstood. I do not intend to exchange for the thousand-year spirit medicine, but rather, I want the hundred poisons bead on your person."

At Zhao Changsheng's inquiry, the Middle-aged Confucian Scholar and the Middle-aged Woman exchanged a glance, then shook their heads with a wry smile and explained.

Hearing this, Zhao Changsheng's face behind the mask showed a hint of embarrassment, and his gaze even became a bit unnatural. His tone then softened slightly, "I am truly sorry, but this item also has a significant use for me and cannot be used for exchange. I hope you two Fellow Daoists can forgive me."

The Middle-aged Confucian Scholar had already anticipated Zhao Changsheng's refusal and immediately glanced at the Middle-aged Woman.

After receiving a look from the Middle-aged Confucian Scholar, the Middle-aged Woman then took an item from her ample bosom—a jade bottle, green in color.

Several quite nice patterns were engraved on it, making one unable to resist taking a few extra looks.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Zhao Changsheng asked with curiosity.

"Inside this bottle is a spirit condensing pill. I presume Fellow Daoist must have heard of it."

Just as Zhao Changsheng's inquiry left his mouth, the Middle-aged Confucian Scholar began to explain patiently.

Upon hearing the words 'spirit condensing pill', Zhao Changsheng was stunned. He then looked at the Middle-aged Confucian Scholar and the Middle-aged Woman with an incredulous gaze, as if he had heard something unbelievable.

For any Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, this spirit condensing pill was a miraculous Spirit Pill that was hard to refuse.

Because it had only one function: to help Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators break through a Bottleneck.

Although any Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator could only consume one, it was still an irresistible temptation because just one could break through the current Bottleneck and reach the next Realm.

In other words, if Zhao Changsheng reached the peak of the Early Stage Foundation Establishment now and consumed this spirit condensing pill, it wouldn't be long before he naturally broke through to the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage.

If consumed at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, he could logically reach the Late Stage Foundation Establishment.

It could be said that a Medicinal Pill of this Rank was an irresistible Spirit Pill for any Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator.

"Such a precious Medicinal Pill probably isn't something that can be exchanged for just a hundred poisons bead, right? I presume you two also want the thousand-year spirit medicine on me, correct?"

After recovering from his shock, Zhao Changsheng looked at the Middle-aged Confucian Scholar and the Middle-aged Woman and said.

"That's right. I wonder if Fellow Daoist is willing to trade?"

The Middle-aged Confucian Scholar said, the smile on his face undiminished.

Hearing this, there was no smile on Zhao Changsheng's face, nor was there any joy in his heart. Instead, he felt a faint sense of unease. "I'm sorry, I refuse. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Out of the unease in his heart, Zhao Changsheng chose to refuse.

He felt that this deal was not so simple; he felt that the Middle-aged Confucian Scholar and the Middle-aged Woman would not bring out such a miracle pill for exchange so easily.

Therefore, he chose to refuse directly and, without any lingering, stood up and left.

Regarding Zhao Changsheng's departure, neither the Middle-aged Confucian Scholar nor the Middle-aged Woman stood up to see him off; the smiles on their faces also faded quite a bit.

After Zhao Changsheng left the room, the Middle-aged Woman finally spoke, "I truly didn't expect this person would be willing to refuse such a Medicinal Pill. It seems he indeed has quite a few treasures and good things on him. So, should we still make a move?"

"No need. Since he gave up on this trade, the chance of successfully making a move against him has greatly decreased. Moreover, he still has the hundred poisons bead on him, so we naturally cannot act. We don't have the ability to deal with that thing."

The Middle-aged Confucian Scholar shook his head and refused directly.

"The purpose of our exchange was to trade away the hundred poisons bead on Zhao Changsheng's person."