Chapter 1593: Immortal Fat Bee Dragon

Wuxia Xianxia

With the Soul-Suppressing Incense in hand, Qin Sang felt very confident.

“My desired item remains unchanged: a treasure capable of enhancing spiritual sense. There’s no need for me to elaborate on its value; I trust you all have your own judgments in mind…”

As he spoke, he glanced at the Nine Refinements Spirit Returning Pill, conveying his unspoken meaning.

He would have accepted using puppet crystals for the Nine Refinements Spirit Returning Pill, but now that he had produced the Soul-Suppressing Incense, a single pill would certainly not satisfy him.

Upon hearing Qin Sang’s condition, the area around the pond fell into a brief silence.

Everyone had different expressions; some stared intently at the Soul-Suppressing Incense, while others scrutinized Qin Sang.

No one, regardless of their path—Daoist, Buddhist, demonic, ghostly, human, or demonic beast—or their cultivation method, could resist the allure of such a treasure. The more, the better.

Yet, heart demons are formless, intangible, and inscrutable, making treasures that suppress them rare in the cultivation world and their value immeasurable.

Indeed, who wouldn't cherish such a treasure?

To everyone's surprise, the legendary Soul-Suppressing Incense had appeared at the treasure exchange.

“We’ve only heard of the Soul-Suppressing Incense in legends and have never seen it with our own eyes. How can we verify if this stick is genuine?” someone asked cautiously.

Qin Sang closed the jade box, blocking everyone’s view. “Any fellow Daoist who presents a treasure of comparable value may light this incense. The fundamental reason Soul-Suppressing Incense suppresses heart demons is its ability to stabilize the mind. Even without immediate worries of heart demons, one can still experience its unique effects.”

“Fellow Daoist, can you only accept this type of treasure? I have an item…”

Before Qin Sang could finish, a black-robed figure abruptly stood up and flashed to the edge of the pond, his voice filled with urgency.

Before the man could state his offer, the robed elder forcefully interrupted him. “I haven’t said no yet, do you all need to be so hasty? Fellow Daoist Jiang!”

Ever since Qin Sang produced the Soul-Suppressing Incense, Jiang You had been fixated on the jade box, unable to tear his eyes away.

Upon hearing the robed elder’s stern words, Jiang You awoke as if from a dream, a wry smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

With the Soul-Suppressing Incense before him, it was false to say he wasn't tempted, but he had to suppress the greed in his heart.

The Six Continents Hall was the organizer of the treasure exchange.

As a deputy hall master, any outrageous act on his part would be a devastating blow to the Six Continents Hall's reputation, making it impossible for them to establish themselves in the cultivation world. It would be sacrificing something big for something small.

While the Soul-Suppressing Incense was valuable, it wasn't worth such a desperate act.

Flashing to block the black-robed man, Jiang You said in a deep voice, “Fellow Daoist, please return to your seat and calm down!”

Locked on by a hidden aura, the black-robed man felt a chill in his heart. After a moment of silence, he quietly returned to his seat, looking somewhat dejected.

However, the attendees were all formidable figures, unruly and not easily suppressed by a few words from Jiang You. Discordant voices immediately arose. “While the host has priority, it should still go to the highest bidder who can impress this fellow Daoist. Any treasure that meets the requirements can be offered! I won’t waste words; I offer three Elysium Ginseng Fruits for this Soul-Suppressing Incense. Can the host outbid me?”

Qin Sang looked in the direction of the voice.

The speaker was clad in blue armor, completely concealing their body and blocking all sight.

He had a companion seated to his left, also fully armored in a similar style, but in a greyish-white color.

At the beginning of the treasure exchange, the grey-armored person had questioned Jiang You and rudely demanded the host's appearance, which had drawn Qin Sang's attention.

In the current era, cultivators who primarily focus on arcane arts rarely wore full armor constantly, even if they possessed such spiritual artifacts.

Perhaps it was a deliberate choice to conceal their identity at the treasure exchange.

“Hiss…”

Before Qin Sang could respond, a stir went through the audience; many were stunned by the blue-armored man's offer.

The Elysium Ginseng Fruit was a precious spiritual fruit that could be directly refined to strengthen spiritual sense, and its rarity was comparable to that of the Soul-Suppressing Incense.

This person offered three at once, showing their determination to acquire the Soul-Suppressing Incense!

Qin Sang had heard of the Elysium Ginseng Fruit and was overjoyed. “Fellow Daoist, could you please produce the spiritual fruit for me to inspect?”

The blue-armored man calmly replied, “To be frank, fellow Daoist, I do not carry the Elysium Ginseng Fruits on me… In my residence, I have a spiritual root of the Elysium Ginseng Fruit, which has borne several fruits that will mature within ten years. You only need to accompany me on a trip to the East Sea, and you will see its authenticity for yourself. If you have any reservations, I can first offer a few treasures as collateral to you…”

The blue-armored man couldn't produce the Elysium Ginseng Fruits.

Everyone had been about to mock him, but his subsequent words were even more startling.

A single Elysium Ginseng Fruit tree could support an entire sect!

“Which immortal mountain island master from the East Sea is it?”

“Is it the Heart Vast Sect or the Nine Heavens Isle? It doesn't seem like them!”

“Judging by the form of the armor, it feels like it came from the Seven Water Mirror Isles.”

For a time, everyone speculated wildly about the blue-armored man's identity.

Three Elysium Ginseng Fruits were a great temptation.

Unfortunately, an oral promise held no proof.

If he followed this person to the East Sea to retrieve the treasure, who could guarantee there wouldn't be a trap awaiting him?

It was more practical to hold the treasure in hand.

Qin Sang was not in a hurry to respond; instead, he looked at the robed elder.

While the blue-armored man spoke, the robed elder had been deep in thought, his head bowed.

He seemed to have made a decision and first asked the Daoist nun beside him, “Fellow Daoist, would you be willing to exchange this bottle of Ten-Thousand-Year Azure Cloud Dew for other treasures? I have a few more items on me; feel free to choose.”

Unexpectedly, the Daoist nun was very firm. “I only want the Nine Refinements Spirit Returning Pill!”

Under everyone's astonished gaze, the robed elder picked up the spiritual pill and handed it to the Daoist nun. “The Ten-Thousand-Year Azure Cloud Dew is an item I must obtain, fellow Daoist. Please take it!”

He no longer wanted the Soul-Suppressing Incense?

The Daoist nun was surprised by how smoothly things went, momentarily stunned, then greatly pleased. She carefully opened the pill bottle, took a light sniff with her delicate nose, and showed an intoxicated expression. “The pill is correct. Thank you, fellow Daoist!”

The robed elder smiled and nodded, watching the Daoist nun depart, then turned to Qin Sang and asked, “It seems you won't change your mind either?”

“That’s right!”

Qin Sang nodded, noticing something unusual in the elder's expression, and grew curious about what treasure he might produce.

The robed elder sighed softly, reluctantly saying, “This item was originally prepared for myself, obtained purely by chance. Had you not presented a marvel like the Soul-Suppressing Incense, I would never have used it for trade…”

As he spoke, he took a soft silk pouch from his mustard seed bag.

The silk pouch was only thumb-sized and very delicate, yet its surface appeared very rough, woven from greyish-black threads with disordered, irregular stitching, not at all resembling something valuable.

The top of the silk pouch was cinched closed.

The treasure wasn't the silk pouch itself, but its contents.

The robed elder placed it in his palm and carefully touched the silk pouch.

Even before its contents were revealed, a strange fragrance emanated from the silk pouch.

In an instant, the intense aroma rushed directly into Qin Sang’s nostrils, an ineffable sensation that made him involuntarily show a look of intoxication.

Not only Qin Sang, but others also smelled it.

The strange fragrance filled the area around the pond; no other scent could be detected besides this aroma.

All eyes simultaneously turned towards the opening of the silk pouch, where they saw that the robed elder had not opened it, but had made the opening transparent, vaguely revealing a small, yellowish-golden object inside.

It was about the size of a pinky fingernail and resembled gold.

“This is…”

A strange light flashed in Qin Sang’s eyes.

“Have you heard of a spiritual insect called the Immortal Fat Bee Dragon?” the robed elder asked Qin Sang, holding his palm flat.

The Immortal Fat Bee Dragon: a rare insect of the world!

On the Spirit Control Sect’s list of rare insects, it ranked even higher than the Heavenly Eye Butterfly.

Coincidentally, it was said that the Immortal Fat Bee Dragon’s divine abilities were related to illusions, making it a natural rival to the Heavenly Eye Butterfly. Its appearance wasn't truly 'dragon-like' but rather bee-shaped; the 'dragon' in its name was derived from the 'Mirage Dragon.'

There were also legends that the Immortal Fat Bee Dragon possessed true dragon bloodline and could transform into a true dragon in the future.

Comparatively, the first legend seemed more credible.

Qin Sang had diligently studied the art of insect control for many years; how could he not know?

“Is it truly Near-Dragon Saliva?” Qin Sang asked, surprised.

Near-Dragon Saliva, as its name suggested, was similar to the legendary ambergris, possessing an incomparable, strange fragrance that, once smelled, was unforgettable for a lifetime.

Seeing it today, it truly lived up to its reputation.

Near-Dragon Saliva was actually a peculiar substance secreted by the Immortal Fat Bee Dragon.

“Your knowledge is indeed extraordinary!”

The robed elder nodded slightly, pleased that Qin Sang recognized it, fearing he might not know its value. “The Immortal Fat Bee Dragon only condenses the essence within its body into Near-Dragon Saliva and secretes it when preparing to breed offspring. The Immortal Fat Bee Dragon has only one chance to reproduce in its entire life, which shows how precious this item is. Its offspring can rapidly transform by consuming it, while cultivators who refine Near-Dragon Saliva can strengthen their Nascent Soul and enhance their spiritual sense. More importantly…”

Pausing slightly, the elder solemnly declared, “This piece of Near-Dragon Saliva comes from an Immortal Fat Bee Dragon that has undergone five transformations!”

A Five-Transformation spiritual insect!

Its realm was equivalent to a God Transformation cultivator!

Another stir went through the crowd, many exclaiming that the trip was well worth it.

Soul-Suppressing Incense, Elysium Ginseng Fruit tree, Near-Dragon Saliva…

Such paramount treasures were rare even at a treasure exchange of this caliber!

With these items revealed, no one else dared to make an inferior offer.

No one noticed.

At the edge of the seating area, beneath the shadow of an ancient cypress, a young Daoist sat cross-legged on a meditation mat. He hadn't completed a single transaction from beginning to end. After the robed elder stepped forward, he had been silently observing, showing no outward reaction.

Until Qin Sang produced the Soul-Suppressing Incense, the young Daoist had been eager to make an offer several times, but ultimately gave up the idea of bidding in resignation.

Qin Sang examined the Near-Dragon Saliva in the silk pouch, sensing the lingering aura of a high-tier spiritual insect, and was secretly astonished.

If it had been Near-Dragon Saliva secreted by a Four-Transformation Immortal Fat Bee Dragon, he would have weighed his options, but now there was no need to hesitate, even though this piece of Near-Dragon Saliva was very small.

Near-Dragon Saliva secreted by a Five-Transformation spiritual insect contained higher-level Dao principles and brought immeasurable benefits that couldn't be measured by size alone.

However, Qin Sang was not blinded by the treasure. He looked up and asked the elder, “How can one refine Near-Dragon Saliva? Why have you kept it until now, fellow Daoist?”

It was 'food' prepared by the Immortal Fat Bee Dragon for its offspring.

For him, a different species, refining it probably wouldn't be simple, and he certainly wouldn't be able to absorb it completely.

The robed elder knew that Nascent Soul cultivators were as cunning as ghosts and almost impossible to deceive, so he revealed all the shortcomings of the Near-Dragon Saliva: “First, Near-Dragon Saliva rapidly decays when exposed to external air. This pouch is woven from a piece of the Immortal Fat Bee Dragon's nest, and the saliva must be kept sealed inside it. Once unsealed, it's best to refine it all in one go. Second, Near-Dragon Saliva contains a peculiar energy. Immortal Fat Bee Dragon offspring can directly consume it, but this energy is harmful and useless to cultivators like us. The loss of power is secondary; when impacted by this energy, one must carefully break it down and expel it from the body. As for how long this process takes, I cannot say for sure; it could be hundreds of years, even several centuries. This is why I hesitated before… However, if you are a spirit cultivator, it should be much faster.”

In the robed elder's eyes, nothing else had caught Qin Sang's attention; his specific request for this type of treasure highly suggested he was a spirit cultivator.

In fact, others also had this suspicion.

Spirit cultivators were even rarer than body cultivators.

While there were sects in Zhongzhou that produced spirit cultivators, top-tier experts among them were rare.

Qin Sang silently listed his advantages.

The secret art, 'Golden Lotus of Tinder'.

The Nine Nether Demonic Flames.

The Soul Nurturing Wood.

Even true spirit cultivators wouldn't possess so many ultimate treasures.

More importantly, there was the jade Buddha.

He wondered what kind of impact the Near-Dragon Saliva would bring, and whether the jade Buddha could withstand it.

The elder clearly wouldn't explain in detail.

Perhaps he didn't know either.

His thoughts raced.

Qin Sang made up his mind, opened his mouth, and was about to speak when he suddenly heard the blue-armored man's grim voice. “My Elysium Ginseng Fruit is no less valuable than the Near-Dragon Saliva, and it can be refined directly without hindrance, with immediate effects! I can add one more fruit; I urge fellow Daoist to reconsider!”

Qin Sang cupped his hands and said apologetically, “I am short-sighted and only recognize what is before my eyes.”

The blue-armored man snorted angrily.

Unexpectedly, seeing that he couldn't persuade Qin Sang, he changed his target and snapped at the robed elder, “Old Daoist, what about you? Three Elysium Ginseng Fruits for your piece of Near-Dragon Saliva… I can also produce some of the treasures you desire! You dare to host this treasure exchange; surely you're not as cowardly as this young man, are you?”

Some others were also tempted by the Near-Dragon Saliva and tentatively made offers.

However, the hidden dangers the elder had just mentioned scared off most people.

After the elder came forward, he made no effort to conceal his cultivation, revealing himself as a late-stage Nascent Soul grand cultivator. Even he dared not easily refine the Near-Dragon Saliva, showing that its hidden dangers were by no means exaggerated.

If it took too long, even with a great increase in spiritual sense, the cost of stagnant cultivation would be too high.

Heavenly tribulation hung like a suspended sword.

Most cultivators dared not be distracted.

Comparatively, most people desired the Soul-Suppressing Incense more.

Unfortunately, Qin Sang and the robed elder had taken a fancy to each other's treasures, leaving no opportunity for others to intervene.

Under the indifferent gaze of the blue-armored man, Qin Sang pushed the jade box over.

The robed elder carefully undid the jade box's restrictions, lit the Soul-Suppressing Incense, verified its authenticity, and, unable to suppress his smile, quickly handed the Near-Dragon Saliva to Qin Sang.

Everyone was delighted!

Qin Sang also carefully inspected it, placed it into his Qianjun Ring, and without lingering, stepped down from the pond. His figure subtly paused for an imperceptible moment.

The treasure exchange continued.

'Thud!'

The elder placed a mustard seed bag onto the water platform with a rather heavy sound.

“A large quantity of Floating Light Silver in exchange for treasures other than the Ten-Thousand-Year Azure Cloud Dew. Floating Light Silver can be bought with spirit stones outside, but you should all know that Floating Light Silver from the same vein can be refined into Profound Jade True Silver, and the greater the quantity, the higher its value. All my Floating Light Silver comes from a single vein; it's more than enough to refine extremely pure Profound Jade True Silver for crafting pseudo-spiritual treasures. Its value cannot be measured in spirit stones. Of course, if any of you can produce top-grade spirit stones, that would be a different matter…”