229: Chapter 229 Wealth Moves the Heart, A Thousand Illusions Deceive Heaven

Inside the private room, the blue smoke of agarwood curled upward.

Gu Shen held a celadon teacup, sipping the warm spiritual tea with a calm expression as he awaited the arrival of the person he was trading with.

Several dozen breaths later, a steady yet rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor outside. The sandalwood door was pushed open from the outside, and a vast, sea-like Spiritual Pressure, far exceeding the limits of the Foundation Establishment Stage, poured into the room like a rising tide.

A middle-aged Cultivator wearing dark gold brocade robes, with a slightly plump figure and a handlebar mustache, stepped into the private room.

He wore a kind smile, yet the terrifying pressure belonging to the Early Stage Golden Core realm rose with every step he took, pressing down on Gu Shen like an invisible mountain.

This was a common testing tactic used by the high-ranking members of large merchant associations. A Loose Cultivator who brought out a shocking treasure would, if they lacked the corresponding strength and foundation, be instantly overwhelmed by this pressure, becoming a lamb to the slaughter in the upcoming negotiations.

Compared to the last time he was tested, Gu Shen's cultivation and physique had greatly improved.

Gu Shen sat steadily in the grand armchair, his right hand holding the teacup as firm as Mount Tai.

The Cold Jade Bone within his body, which had undergone extreme tempering, emitted a faint, deep-sea cold jade glow from deep beneath his skin. The Spiritual Pressure of the Early Stage Golden Core crashed against Gu Shen like a gale blowing over a ten-thousand-year-old reef.

The tough physical structure of the Cold Jade Bone instantly channeled this high-dimensional pressure into the white jade floor beneath him. A series of dull cracking sounds came from within the hard floor tiles, yet the tea in Gu Shen's hand did not even ripple.

Seeing this, Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan's eyes gleamed, and he immediately laughed twice, retracting his released pressure completely.

"Hahaha, an honored guest has arrived, and Shang has failed to welcome you properly; truly disrespectful." Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan stepped forward quickly and sat down opposite Gu Shen, his demeanor instantly becoming extremely courteous. "I am Shang Buhuan, serving as the Grand Deacon of this Mirage Water Market's Wanxiang Pavilion. I heard from the reports below that Fellow Daoist possesses a Divine Pill?"

Gu Shen put down the teacup without unnecessary words, tapping his fingertips on the table.

The lid of the warm jade box on the table slid open, and a pure medicinal fragrance once again filled the entire private room.

Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan's gaze burned as he stared fixedly at the lustrous white Medicinal Pill with three blue cloud patterns inside the box.

As a Golden Core Cultivator, his Divine Sense perception far exceeded that of Chief Liu of the Foundation Establishment Stage. Under the probe of his Divine Sense, he clearly perceived that this pill was completely devoid of any pill poison—it was truly a miracle.

"It truly is a flawless High Grade healing pill!"

Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan stroked his handlebar mustache, his tone filled with unconcealable amazement. "The Wanxiang Merchant Alliance gathers rare treasures from all over the world, but a pill of this quality is rare to see even once every few decades. If this item were placed in a large auction, it would certainly drive those old monsters with hidden injuries to exhaust their fortunes. Is Fellow Daoist truly willing to trade with this item?"

Gu Shen's expression was calm as he looked directly at this Golden Core Grand Deacon.

"The items Gu requires have already been stated to Chief Liu previously. I need a set of top-tier concealment array diagrams, as well as a batch of High-Grade Spirit Stones."

Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan calmed his mind, crossing his hands in front of his abdomen, adopting the negotiation posture of a top-tier merchant.

"Fellow Daoist is a straightforward person, and Shang will not speak in riddles." Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan said seriously. "High-Grade Spirit Stones are extremely rare, and the Merchant Alliance has always strictly controlled them. As for high-level array diagrams, they are the closely guarded secrets of various powers. However, this Divine Pill of yours carries immense weight, enough to break many of the Merchant Alliance's rules."

He paused slightly, quickly calculating profits and losses in his mind.

"A set of top-tier array diagrams called the 'Thousand Illusion Heaven-Deceiving Array'. This array was restored from an ancient remnant array. Once set up, it can construct a perfect cycle within the array, completely isolating the fluctuations of spiritual power within. Even the Divine Sense of a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor would find it difficult to easily detect."

"Using this array diagram to trade, Shang will accept this pill of yours." Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan announced the final price.

Although a flawless High Grade pill is good, a set of top-tier array diagrams is also worth a sky-high price. Such an offer already demonstrated the sincerity of the Wanxiang Merchant Alliance.

A faint smile appeared on the corner of Gu Shen's mouth.

"Grand Deacon Shang is generous. However, Gu still requires High-Grade Spirit Stones; it is a matter of great importance. The array diagrams alone are likely not enough."

Gu Shen flicked his large sleeve, and a green light flashed across the table.

Exactly ten identical spirit-sealing jade boxes were arranged neatly on the sandalwood tea table.

Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan stood up abruptly, looking at these ten jade boxes with a look of shock. He extended his Divine Sense, and the box lids opened one after another. Five flawless cloud-patterned healing pills and five flawless cloud-patterned qi gathering pills lay quietly within, emitting an extremely alluring medicinal fragrance.

"Ten... ten pills?!"

Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan, a Golden Core Cultivator who had seen many storms, felt his voice tremble at this moment. A single Divine Pill was already a heaven-sent treasure, yet the other party could casually bring out ten. Such shocking Alchemy attainments and foundation completely overturned his perception.

Gu Shen sat on the chair, his tone steady, every word carrying immense weight.

"Five healing pills, five qi gathering pills. Gu wants to trade for your 'Thousand Illusion Heaven-Deceiving Array' diagram, plus five High-Grade Spirit Stones. Will the Wanxiang Pavilion do this deal or not?"

This was by no means bargaining; it was pure capital suppression.

Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan knew well that if these ten flawless pills were brought back to the Merchant Alliance headquarters, they could not only cultivate several experts for the alliance but also help them befriend a large number of reclusive old monsters. How could he let such a monumental achievement slip by?

"Do it! For this transaction, Shang will overstep the rules and make the decision personally!"

Fearing that Gu Shen might change his mind, Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan immediately slapped his Storage Pouch.

A black Jade Slip exuding an ancient and vicissitudinous aura, along with a red gold treasure box engraved with heavy Seal array patterns, landed steadily on the table in front of Gu Shen.

Gu Shen's Divine Sense swept over the black Jade Slip, confirming that it contained the complex and profound 'Thousand Illusion Heaven-Deceiving Array' diagram. Subsequently, his fingertips condensed a wisp of Geng Metal Sword Qi, prying open the Seal of the red gold treasure box.

"Hum—"

The moment the treasure box opened, a surge of pure and vast Spiritual Qi gushed out, shocking to the extreme.

Inside the box lay five Spirit Stones the size of an infant's fist. These five Spirit Stones were crystalline and brilliant throughout, without a single impurity, and inside them seemed to contain a miniature sea of spiritual power. These were the highest-grade Spirit Stones in the Cultivation World—High-Grade Spirit Stones.

Gu Shen confirmed everything was correct, rolled his large sleeve, and collected both the Jade Slip and the treasure box into his Storage Ring.

The ten jade boxes containing the flawless Divine Pills were swiftly collected by Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan as if they were treasures.

A shocking transaction where each side got what they needed came to a successful conclusion in this private room.

The smile on Grand Deacon Shang Buhuan's face became increasingly sincere and bright. He took out an ancient token from his bosom, which was jet-black with dark gold patterns inlaid on the edges, and handed it to Gu Shen with both hands.

"Fellow Daoist Gu has deep pockets and acts straightforwardly. Please do accept this [Wanxiang Black Gold Token]. The holder of this token is a top-tier honored guest of our Wanxiang Merchant Alliance. In the future, whenever Fellow Daoist trades at any Wanxiang Pavilion, you can be exempted from entry inspections and enjoy the highest standard of treatment."

Gu Shen took the Black Gold Token; it felt warm to the touch, the texture was neither metal nor wood, and it contained extremely secretive identity recognition array patterns. Such an item was an absolute symbol of status and wealth in the Cultivation World.

"Gu accepts your kindness."

Gu Shen hung it on his waist, stood up, and without any hesitation, walked straight out of the private room.

Since his core objective had been achieved, there was no need for him to linger in this Mirage Water Market.

Pushing open the sandalwood door, Gu Shen strode through the second-floor corridor. The clamor in the first-floor lobby remained, and those Loose Cultivators and Sect Disciples coming and going had no idea that a shocking, massive transaction had just been completed in the private room on the second floor.

Gu Shen stepped out of the Wanxiang Pavilion's entrance and stepped back onto the wide white jade paved streets of the water market.

Above the water, the afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the sails of the giant spiritual wood treasure ship, reflecting the entire floating city in a golden brilliance.

Gu Shen's feet stepped on the white jade slabs, and his figure quickly disappeared into the bustling crowd.