Chapter 1444: Complex Deal

The Human World

Qin Sang glanced outwards and then retracted his gaze.

The Earth Escape Technique was one of the rarest among the Five Elements Escape Techniques. Its primary functions were to escape by borrowing the earth and to conceal one's presence. However, this person was requesting a flying escape technique, similar to the Lightning Escape or Wind Escape.

Qin Sang recalled the secret arts and cultivation methods he had previously collected; none of them were of this type.

He did know Sword Escape and Lightning Escape, but those were abilities he had comprehended through arduous cultivation of the sword dao, and divine powers bestowed by the Azure Luan's essence blood. They could not be taught to others; otherwise, that person would certainly be overjoyed.

He could either wait and see if anyone would trade an Earth Escape Technique later.

Or, he could find another way.

Qin Sang extended his divine sense into his Mustard Seed Pouch, scanning over the four spirit herbs, finally settling on a thumb-thick, entirely dark vine.

The vine's surface was rough, with bulging nodules that seemed to contain black sap flowing within, on the verge of erupting.

This item was called the Nether Spike.

As far as Qin Sang knew, there was a spirit pill called the Profound Harmony Pill, for which Nether Spike was one of the main ingredients. Cultivators practicing Earth Element techniques could take this pill to condense their true essence, making it denser and more robust, which would be greatly beneficial for their future cultivation and breakthroughs.

Unfortunately, the Profound Harmony Pill was also a spirit pill Qin Sang had only learned about from ancient texts; its recipe would likely be even harder to find than the Nether Spike itself.

Before departing, Qin Sang had exchanged for ancient formulas that might be useful to him, but the Profound Harmony Pill recipe was not among them, nor was he aware if the Taiyi Pill Sect possessed it.

Pill Cauldron Mountain likely did not have it.

Just as Qin Sang took out the Nether Spike, many people had already begun to speak, attempting to haggle with the owner of the "Seven Masters' Buddhist Seal."

Body cultivators were rare in the world, and body cultivation divine abilities at the Nascent Soul level were equally uncommon. Many would be happy to acquire one without much cost.

However, according to the rules of the exchange fair, each cultivation method or secret art could only be part of one transaction per fair. Therefore, the owner of the "Seven Masters' Buddhist Seal" remained unyielding.

Seeing that he had no intention of lowering his price, the interest of the crowd significantly waned. Only a few individuals persisted, trying to persuade him with words to ease his conditions.

"A complete Nether Spike!"

Holding a jade tablet, Qin Sang spoke softly, briefly explaining the effects of the Profound Harmony Pill, then added, "Fellow Daoist can also directly refine the Nether Spike. Your true essence will then integrate with Nether Yin Qi, providing unexpected effects when facing enemies."

Refining it this way would actually be somewhat wasteful.

"Does the Profound Harmony Pill truly have such divine effects?"

"Does Fellow Daoist know how to refine the Profound Harmony Pill?"

"If it's true, I can offer you something better..."

Before Qin Sang had even finished speaking, and before the owner of the "Seven Masters' Buddhist Seal" could react, other cultivators practicing Earth Element techniques couldn't sit still. They clamored with urgent questions.

Revered Master Chongtai lightly coughed, quieting the commotion: "Perhaps some fellow Daoists have forgotten these rules... Now is this fellow Daoist's time. Please bear with us; you may exchange freely at the end!"

Quiet was restored to the lake-heart island.

It was then that the owner of the "Seven Masters' Buddhist Seal" hesitantly spoke, "Do you have the Profound Harmony Pill recipe?"

"No."

Qin Sang sighed inwardly; this was the crux of the matter.

He paused, then added, "If Fellow Daoist doesn't mind, after the exchange fair, I can introduce you to a grandmaster of alchemy. Alternatively, if you give me some time, I can inquire with my friends, though I can't guarantee finding it."

Qin Sang was considering inquiring back in the Beichen Realm. Having already gained experience traversing the storm belt, he wouldn't be as disheveled as last time.

But this meant they would need to contact each other privately.

Qin Sang didn't mind; apart from Old Man Hunmo, few could threaten him anymore.

The key lay with the other party.

As expected, the owner of the "Seven Masters' Buddhist Seal" said, "I'd like to wait a bit longer."

Hearing Qin Sang's words, the enthusiasm of the others immediately plummeted. They thought, 'No wonder. Who would exchange such a precious spirit herb for a body cultivation divine ability?'

Seeing no strong contenders, Qin Sang did not rush to raise his offer, nor did he press the issue. He simply laid the Nether Spike out conspicuously.

Since this transaction wasn't immediately concluded, Revered Master Chongtai announced the next participant, and a new bamboo building was teleported over.

The exchange continued.

Next.

Bamboo buildings were moved over one after another.

To Qin Sang's surprise, even before the exchange fair was halfway through, he had already seen three spirit materials suitable for reforging the Gold Sinking Sword: a piece of Blue-spotted Gold, a clump of Fluffy Cloud Crystal, and two drops of Sky Crown Heavy Liquid. This was not even counting the materials that had already been traded.

Acquiring one or two of these, along with the Fallen Phoenix Jade...

With Qin Sang's proficiency in artifact refining, he could barely elevate the Gold Sinking Sword to the level of a top-grade magical artifact.

Different spirit materials would impart different characteristics to the Gold Sinking Sword.

However, Qin Sang merely wanted to quickly raise the Gold Sinking Sword's grade, and his other requirements were not strict; some spirit materials with similar properties could also be used.

The Gold Sinking Sword was merely a substitute for the Cloud Wandering Sword, primarily used for executing Sword Escape and the Seven Souls Killing Array. Only with sufficient grade could it unleash the full power of the sword array.

This was also why several spirit materials were suitable; otherwise, he would have had to painstakingly search for a while longer.

However, Qin Sang was not in a hurry to participate in the exchange. He watched the various rare treasures and exotic artifacts with great interest, feeling that today was truly an eye-opener and well worth the trip.

Among them, there were a few that also greatly tempted him.

Unfortunately, compared to other Nascent Soul cultivators, Qin Sang's cultivation time was too short, and his accumulation was insufficient. He also couldn't take out the valuable treasures obtained from his various fortuitous encounters for trade; he could only prioritize his most urgent needs.

Just as Qin Sang was carefully calculating, he suddenly heard the owner of the central bamboo building say, "I am looking for a cultivation method or secret art to enhance divine sense. I can exchange it for authentic Xuanmen techniques of the Metal and Wood elements. Other conditions can also be discussed."

Upon hearing this, Qin Sang's mind stirred slightly.

Wasn't the divine ability for cultivating divine sense precisely the "Golden Lotus of Fire Seed"?

There was no need for the complete secret art; just revealing the first layer would make many flock to it. In this current era, a partial secret art was the norm.

Qin Sang also didn't need to worry about the other party cultivating it successfully and then threatening him.

As for the "Golden Lotus of Fire Seed" being revealed, potentially leading Old Man Hunmo to associate it with the Nine Nether Demonic Flame he had contended for in the Buddhist temple, Qin Sang wasn't afraid.

The treasures this person had just traded indicated he was a Daoist Mystic Cultivator.

Once the Ten Thousand Devils Assembly concluded and he left Hunmo Island, there would be nothing to worry about even if Old Man Hunmo discovered something.

The problem was that this secret art had two major limitations.

First, one had to find a powerful spirit fire. Second, cultivation required the transparent lotus seed, unless the other party also possessed a treasure like the Jade Buddha that could mitigate dangers.

Qin Sang had condensed the fire seed several times consecutively and ultimately did not use the transparent lotus seed, keeping it stored in his Thousand Jun Ring.

But Qin Sang would not sell the transparent lotus seed to others.

He had only recently broken through to the second layer of the "Golden Lotus of Fire Seed" and his understanding of this divine ability was still superficial. What if the transparent lotus seed had other uses beyond aiding in condensing the fire seed? He would regret it deeply later.

Without the transparent lotus seed, the value of the "Golden Lotus of Fire Seed" would be greatly diminished.