253: News about the Ancient Vermilion Fruit

“Ten wisps of Immortal Spiritual Energy… that’s not a low price…”

“The Sea Stabilizing Pearl is quite rare, but it’s ultimately more suited for those proficient in water-elemental Dao Arts. It’s useful in the East Sea, but if one were to go to the Southern Wilds or Northern Plains, its value would be greatly diminished.”

Immortal Spiritual Energy is extremely precious; every Yang Spirit Cultivator holds onto it tightly and is unwilling to trade it easily.

Immortal East Sea looked around, and seeing no one rise to trade, a look of disappointment appeared on his face. Just as he was about to sit down disheartened, a Three Tribulation Yang Spirit Cultivator with a beast tattoo on his face slowly stood up.

“Ten wisps of Immortal Spiritual Energy, Fellow Daoist, could you offer a little less…?”

“No less than eight wisps.”

“Deal.”

The transaction was completed. The Three Tribulation Yang Spirit who had just made the trade patted the spirit pouch hanging from his waist. Accompanied by a roar resembling both a tiger and a lion, a golden-armored exotic beast roared forth.

Its pupils were purple-gold, and its form bore some resemblance to a true Qilin. As soon as it appeared, it swallowed the Sea Stabilizing Pearl traded by the Three Tribulation Yang Spirit.

Immediately, its aura vibrated, covered by a faint blue watery illusion.

“The Azure Water Golden-Eyed Beast… Fellow Daoist Pang is truly fortunate to have captured such a rare beast of heaven and earth in the Southern Wilds.”

“This beast, it is said, possesses a trace of the Water Qilin Bloodline. It can overturn rivers and seas and refine Profound Primordial Heavy Water in its abdomen.

It is truly extraordinary.”

“In that case, Fellow Daoist Pang trading for the Sea Stabilizing Pearl is not a loss… If it advances to the Yang Spirit Realm in the future, it will be a truly profitable investment.”

‘Azure Water Golden-Eyed Beast…’ Gu Changsheng secretly noted its appearance, adding another exotic beast to his sketchbook.

Immortal East Sea’s successful trade naturally gave the exchange a good start.

Soon, Cultivators rose one after another, seeking to trade.

There was the essence blood of a Starry Sky Behemoth Titan Fierce Ape, crystal skulls produced in dangerous lands, and the increasingly rare and hard-to-find precious ingredient, the Gluttonous Clam… Especially the Gluttonous Clam, which was one of the rare treasures of heaven and earth. Its shell, ground into powder, could be refined into a Face-Fixing Pearl, granting eternal youth.

Its meat was exceptionally delicious, comparable to Dragon liver and Phoenix marrow.

Therefore, when the Gluttonous Clam appeared, it caused quite a stir throughout the venue.

In the end, it was acquired by the wealthy East Queen Mother.

“Fellow Daoist, you are truly fortunate to have found such a rare treasure as the Gluttonous Clam…”

“Haha, that day, I was chased by a swarm of Starry Sky Giant Bees and accidentally fled into a secluded azure pond, where I unexpectedly discovered this clam at the bottom. It was truly a stroke of luck.”

The gray-robed Yang Spirit elder who successfully traded was beaming with joy.

As for the truth of his words, no one could know.

Yang Spirit Realm Cultivators have long lifespans and occupy a region, possessing ample time to cultivate resource points in their own grotto-heavens and Sects for trading.

Therefore, the quantity of spiritual materials they trade is often enormous, far exceeding the imagination of Profound Cave and True Dan Cultivators.

Unfortunately, among all the items traded so far, not a single one had moved Gu Changsheng’s heart.

‘Dao Artifacts, spiritual fruits containing Immortal Spiritual Energy, spiritual materials to aid Yang Spirit Breakthrough… not one has appeared.’ Gu Changsheng’s gaze gradually turned cold.

Yang Spirit Realm Cultivators are all shrewd individuals.

Strategic spiritual materials and treasures are often hidden away; they would never be used for trade unless it was a matter of life and death.

Suddenly, an unremarkable blue-robed Yang Spirit stood up. On his chiseled face, his expression was somewhat hesitant, then he firmed his resolve and clasped his fists to the surroundings, saying, “Everyone, what I have brought for trade is not an item, but a piece of news—the whereabouts of a primordial vermilion fruit.

However, the accuracy of this news, I, Hai, only have a fifty percent certainty… If anyone is willing to help me pass my fourth Three Calamities, I, Hai, will tell all.”

As soon as these words were spoken, many Yang Spirit Realm Cultivators immediately scoffed.

“A primordial vermilion fruit, such a treasure of heaven and earth has long been extinct on the Starry Sky Ancient Road.

The last time there was news of its appearance was eight thousand years ago, wasn’t it?”

“Hmph, since when can a piece of news be traded? What’s more, it’s not even accurate…”

“Hehe, this person’s nickname is Sea Angler, a Loose Cultivator.

His cultivation is only at the Three Tribulation Yang Spirit level, how could he know such a hidden piece of news?”

“I think he’s just fabricating things to pass his tribulation.

He’ll say beforehand that the possibility is low, and then casually make up a location, directly stating that the treasure is in purgatory or a Desperate Situation.

By then, if you don’t dare to go, it’s your problem.”

Many Yang Spirit Cultivators sneered and ridiculed, but many also secretly stirred with anticipation.

On the other hand, Sea Angler’s face flushed crimson from the provocation.

‘A primordial vermilion fruit, huh…’ Gu Changsheng stroked his chin, a hint of playfulness on his face.

He naturally knew the name of the primordial vermilion fruit.

Similar to top-grade flat peaches, it contained Immortal Spiritual Energy internally, and in addition, it had the effect of aiding Breakthrough.

It was one of the most ideal spiritual items for Breakthrough to the Yang Spirit Middle Stage.

“Young friend, are you willing to try?”

Sword Ancestor’s voice transmission came to his ear.

A fifty percent chance… the odds weren’t low.

Gu Changsheng secretly nodded.

Immediately, Sword Ancestor’s resonant voice echoed throughout the hall: “Sea Angler, this old Daoist agrees to your request.

However, this old Daoist will speak plainly first.

If you dare to deceive… hehe…”

A wisp of Qi spread out, and a fierce sword pressure overwhelmed Sea Angler, immediately causing his face to turn pale. He retreated three steps and quickly cupped his hands, saying, “Sword Ancestor, rest assured, this Junior would naturally not dare to deceive.

If there is any falsehood, I, Sea Angler, will have my cultivation severed and forever fall into a Heart Demon.”

Swearing by one’s Heart Demon was a method passed down from ancient times.

If violated, at crucial moments of cultivation, one might be plagued by Heart Demons and suffer Qi Deviation.

The higher one’s cultivation, the greater the repercussions of violating the oath.

In the Yang Spirit Realm, no one had ever been heard of violating a Heart Demon oath.

‘With Sword Ancestor’s help for the Four Tribulations and Three Calamities, plus my Tribulation Breaking Umbrella… passing the Three Calamities should be a sure thing.’

Gu Changsheng thought to himself.

On the surface, it was a trade between Sword Ancestor and Sea Angler, but the ultimate benefit would still fall to Gu Changsheng.

On the other side, Sea Angler and Sword Ancestor communicated through secret voice transmissions. The crowd did not know the details of their discussion, but from Sword Ancestor’s frequent nods, it seemed the chances of the primordial vermilion fruit existing were considerable.

Immediately, many Yang Spirits who had been hesitating and watching regretted not taking a gamble.

“Young friend, that vermilion fruit might actually exist…”

“Oh, how do you say that?”

“Sea Angler informed me that the primordial vermilion fruit is clinging to a dangerous area on Refining Void Mountain, guarded by a Six Tribulation Yang Spirit-level Sun-Crossing Golden Eagle.

This news was something he accidentally witnessed when he stumbled into Refining Void Mountain’s Domain.

The certainty should be quite high.”

‘Refining Void Mountain… another purgatorial dangerous land?’ Gu Changsheng’s expression became slightly solemn, then his brows relaxed.

Purgatory posed a significant threat to Six Tribulation Yang Spirits, but in the eyes of Seven Tribulation Yang Spirits, the threat was greatly reduced.

With Sword Ancestor leading the way, there shouldn’t be any mishaps.

Of course, the specific location would only be known after helping Sea Angler pass his tribulation.

Soon, Yang Spirits rose one after another, making trades.

Only three Seven Tribulation Yang Spirit Realm mighty figures remained.

“Hehe, this old Daoist only recently Broke Through to Seven Tribulations, and most of my accumulated resources are depleted, so I won’t make a fool of myself…”

Sword Ancestor laughed nonchalantly and withdrew from trading.

Yuan Mie Old Ancestor, who was beside him, sneered and slowly stood up, pulling out a treasure map made of neither silk nor cloth from his in arms.

The words ‘Cang Yuan’ were faintly visible on it.

“As you all can see, this item is indeed a fragment of the Cang Yuan Map.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue was astonished.

Cang Yuan was precisely the title of the Eight Tribulation Yang Spirit, Cang Yuan Old Ancestor.