Chapter 313: Earth Master

As soon as Chen Mobai heard "Profound Yin Baleful Qi," he recalled the "Collection of Sword Baleful Qi" he had obtained from True Lord Zuo Gong, the head of the Sword Control Department at the Dancing Weapons Academy.

Within the Immortal Sect, because terrestrial baleful qi was on the verge of extinction, divine abilities and spell arts like sword baleful qi had essentially become mere displays. For this very reason, the "Collection of Sword Baleful Qi," compiled by Zuo Gong in collaboration with several experts from the Sword Dao Association, was purely a show of skill, with no practical possibility of being realized. Chen Mobai had been busy improving his cultivation of the Pure Yang Scroll for the past two years and had almost forgotten about this matter.

Terrestrial baleful qi was scarce in the Immortal Sect, but the situation was different in the Heavenly River Realm.

Hearing Chen Mobai's interest, Yue Zutao, who also had nothing pressing, took him to explore the newly opened market on Rolling Thunder Mountain. Although the cultivators of the Thunder Kingdom had lost over a hundred individuals in the two major wars, those who survived had all profited handsomely. Many sensible rogue cultivators were even considering withdrawing from the war, as the spirit stones they would gain from selling all their magical artifacts, elixirs, and materials would be enough for them to cultivate for several, or even ten, years.

The war between the two sects had too many uncertainties. When they were poor and had nothing, rogue cultivators were willing to risk everything. But now that each had accumulated considerable wealth, they began to value their lives, intending to convert all their war-gained resources into spirit stones and flee down the mountain. Precisely because of this, since last night, many desirable items that appealed to Foundation Establishment cultivators had appeared at the stalls set up by Qi Refining cultivators on Rolling Thunder Mountain.

Yue Zutao had learned about it relatively late but still managed to acquire a good item like Profound Yin Baleful Qi. By the time Chen Mobai browsed, most spiritual items of Rank 2 and above had already been cleared out. After all, no matter how much a Qi Refining cultivator earned, it could not surpass a Foundation Establishment cultivator's earnings. While strolling through the market, Chen Mobai and Yue Zutao also encountered two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Divine Wood Sect who had rushed there upon hearing the news. After exchanging glances and greetings, the four split up to search for bargains. None of them revealed their identities, as Qi Refining cultivators would surely inflate prices if they knew their items were coveted by Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Chen Mobai also noticed many Qi Refining cultivators, both vendors and shoppers, wearing masks, bamboo hats, and other items to conceal their faces. Some even used disguise techniques to deliberately transform into different individuals. However, this was also a way of life for rogue cultivators, the core principle being "never flaunt your wealth." If wealth must be revealed, change your name and appearance. Once wealth is revealed, immediately flee far away. Following Yue Zutao's reminder, Chen Mobai had also come wearing a fish-scale mask, which reminded him of the scene in Crimson City Grotto-Heaven after he had swept through the Four Great Dao Academies and Ten Great Schools in the Small Crimson Heaven. All were burdened by their great reputation.

The two blended into the crowd, observing the stalls on both sides, which were filled with various magical artifacts, elixirs, and unfamiliar spiritual items. Qi Refining cultivators stopped one by one, picked up items of interest, compared prices, haggled a little, and then completed transactions directly. "Currently, virtually every Qi Refining cultivator possesses decent items and considerable wealth, and they are eager to leave this battlefield. So, if they see something they need, they generally won't waste time and will buy it directly," Yue Zutao transmitted to Chen Mobai beside him.

As they walked, they saw magical artifacts and spirit talismans being sold off at low prices. Elixirs, however, were the most sought-after items; those from Revival Valley were completely bought out, and many people were also crowding around those bearing the marks of the Eastern Desolation's Seven Great Sects. However, elixirs required a certain level of experience to purchase good ones, so rogue cultivators were still cautiously discerning.

"The prices of magical artifacts and spirit talismans have dropped significantly," Chen Mobai remarked. Chen Mobai inquired about the prices. Previously, due to the war between the two sects, the prices of these two items had steadily risen, typically requiring a premium of 20-30% above normal to purchase. Now, however, the situation was completely reversed. Perhaps because many had died, and everyone had an excess of magical artifacts, they sought to sell them off in exchange for spirit stones, elixirs, and other resources. With a flurry of sales, prices naturally fell. Chen Mobai took a look and found that most were Rank 1 magical artifacts, with an occasional high-quality piece, but they were entirely useless to him and Yue Zutao.

"That's where I found the Profound Yin Baleful Qi," Yue Zutao suddenly stopped. He pointed to a nearby stall and transmitted to Chen Mobai. Chen Mobai nodded, understanding his meaning, and walked over alone.

The vendor was a seemingly honest-looking middle-aged man. Yellow gourds, jade bottles, copper pots, and other containers holding various baleful qi were laid out on a blanket. Beside them were a few books, six or seven mineral rocks, and two ordinary low-grade Rank 1 magical artifacts, barely filling the entire stall. Surprisingly, each item had a label in front of it: Profound Yin Baleful Qi, Fire Yang Baleful Qi, Pure Wind Baleful Qi, Peach Blossom Baleful Qi, Gray Basalt, Ice Blue Jade, Fire Copper Ore, Green Mist Stone... However, the spot marked "Profound Yin Baleful Qi" was empty, clearly having been bought by Yue Zutao.

Terrestrial baleful qi was actually a high-level spiritual energy, but because it contained essences and dao韵 from heaven and earth, ordinary cultivators simply could not refine it into their bodies. Only those cultivating special cultivation methods, or those needing it for artifact refining, could refine, extract, or even utilize it. Yue Zutao had bought the Profound Yin Baleful Qi because it could be used to condense a type of Yin Thunder. As for the other types of baleful qi, he naturally wouldn't buy them since he had no use for them. After all, terrestrial baleful qi had limited uses, and Yue Zutao's cultivation was stagnant, so he wouldn't need these in the short term.

"This person must be a Geomancer," Chen Mobai judged as he looked at the items on the stall. Among the hundred immortal cultivation arts, Geomancers were the fewest in number. Besides the difficulty of mastering this craft, it was also because all mineral veins and terrestrial baleful qi in the Immortal Sect had been thoroughly explored, leaving no future prospects. However, the Heavenly River Realm was vast and rich in resources, so Geomancers still played a significant role here. Ji Zhenshi, the Old Ancestor of Mount Tremor Peak, was the only Rank 4 Geomancer in the Eastern Desolation. Perhaps because he started with a Void Stone mine, after forming his Golden Core, he specifically went to a major merchant guild to further his studies in this skill, hoping to find more precious mineral veins. The Divine Wood Sect's Three Halls and Twelve Divisions also specifically established a Spiritual Vein Department for Geomancers. Besides searching for spirit stone mines, they also scoured the entire Eastern Desolation for various rare mineral veins. Therefore, upon discovering the Void Stone mine, Zhou Shengqing immediately dispatched Ma Gang, the head of the Spiritual Vein Department, to the location.

"What are these items? How are they sold?" Chen Mobai asked.

"These are terrestrial baleful qi and some mineral crystals," the vendor replied honestly. "I killed a Geomancer on the battlefield and picked up his storage bag. Inside, there's also this set of Geomancer inheritance books. If you need them, I can sell them to you cheaply, fellow daoist." The vendor was speaking frankly, which left Chen Mobai slightly speechless. But he quickly realized that items being looted was normal; no Geomancer would intentionally come to a battlefield to conduct business. It was a pity that the Geomancer killed by the vendor was likely a key disciple cultivated by Mount Tremor Peak. Being able to refine Profound Yin Baleful Qi and Fire Yang Baleful Qi meant he was already a Rank 2 Geomancer by the standards here, yet he had died on this battlefield between the two sects, his accumulated knowledge and possessions all benefiting others.

"Fellow daoist, the Fire Yang Baleful Qi is one hundred spirit stones, and the Pure Wind Baleful Qi and Peach Blossom Baleful Qi are twenty spirit stones each. If you buy the Fire Yang Baleful Qi, I'll give you a mineral rock for free; you can choose it yourself." The vendor seemed eager to sell these items, gesturing towards the different colored mineral rocks on the stall as he spoke. For Geomancers, these items were highly valuable for research, but for rogue cultivators, they were merely ordinary artifact refining materials. In other markets, they would likely only be worth a few spirit stones.

"Hmm, let me take a look first." Chen Mobai lowered his head, picked up the items, and casually examined them with his Void Sight spiritual eyes. What he saw surprised him slightly. How could some of these minerals contain such abundant spiritual light? Using the mineral identification skills he had learned during three years at the Dancing Weapons Academy, he quickly discerned that four of the mineral rocks on the stall were unusual.

"How much for the Geomancer inheritance?" After putting down the mineral rocks, Chen Mobai picked up the yellow gourd containing Fire Yang Baleful Qi, but then suddenly feigned a move and asked about the three books on the stall.

"Well, fellow daoist, as you know, in the Eastern Desolation, inheritances of cultivation techniques and the hundred immortal cultivation arts are extremely precious. And this is a complete inheritance set for Rank 1 to Rank 2 Geomancers..."

"Just name your price, I'm in a hurry to leave," Chen Mobai interrupted impatiently. The vendor immediately held up one finger.

"One hundred spirit stones?" Chen Mobai asked, surprised. But the vendor chuckled and shook his head.

"One thousand! Are you trying to rob me? Geomancers are only cultivated by Mount Tremor Peak. I'm merely curious and want to expand my skills. If you're not sincere, then forget it. I'll take these three types of baleful qi, and you can give me this mineral rock for free. That's it."

The vendor was somewhat surprised to hear Chen Mobai wanted to buy so much. Fearing he would miss out on this major customer, he immediately stood up, indicating that the price could still be negotiated. "These items bundled together for 140 spirit stones. I don't want anything else." Chen Mobai, however, kept shaking his head, indicating he couldn't afford the Geomancer inheritance.

"Nine hundred spirit stones. If you buy it, fellow daoist, I'll give you all these baleful qi and minerals for free, as a subsidy for your research into the Geomancer inheritance."

"Eight hundred. Can't go any lower."

"Three hundred. That's all I have on me."

After some bargaining, Chen Mobai finally purchased everything on the stall except the two magical artifacts for 650 spirit stones. After receiving the spirit stones, the vendor, seemingly afraid Chen Mobai would change his mind, immediately packed up his stall and left the market.

"Junior Brother Chen, are you actually interested in Geomancer inheritances?" Yue Zutao, who had witnessed everything from a distance, asked with slight surprise.

"I just wanted to understand Mount Tremor Peak a bit. Besides, when I condense the Azure Flame Sword Baleful Qi in the future, I'll need to understand knowledge related to terrestrial baleful qi in advance, so I just bought it on a whim."

The two continued to browse, and Yue Zutao found and bought a pair of ox horns. They were Rank 2 materials, and if refined by a skilled artifact master, they might be forged into a Rank 2 magical artifact. Chen Mobai activated his Void Sight spiritual eyes and, although he also spotted some good items, they were entirely useless to him. However, his acquisitions today were already satisfying enough.

After parting ways with Yue Zutao, Chen Mobai returned to his room and began carefully examining the items he had bought today. First, he opened the yellow gourd. Inside was the already identified Fire Yang Baleful Qi; wisps of dark red airflow swirled within the gourd, faintly emitting a scorching heat. The Pure Yang Sword Art of Pure Yang Academy included a method for condensing Fire Yang Baleful Qi. The "Primal Yang Sword Baleful Qi" formed from it was also immensely powerful, being one of the Immortal Sect's top-tier sword baleful qi. However, within the Immortal Sect, even Nangong Xuanyu, the headmaster of Pure Yang Academy, had only condensed nine strands of Primal Yang Sword Baleful Qi. Chen Mobai weighed the gourd of Fire Yang Baleful Qi in his hand, feeling that it should be enough to condense one strand of Primal Yang Sword Baleful Qi. He would download the method for condensing Primal Yang Sword Baleful Qi upon his return. If it was straightforward, he would spend some time condensing one. The art of sword baleful qi was a truly Rank 3 technique. For this reason, if one could master sword baleful qi at the Foundation Establishment stage, no one could contend with them unless a Golden Core cultivator intervened.

Compared to Fire Yang Baleful Qi, Pure Wind Baleful Qi and Peach Blossom Baleful Qi were merely Rank 1 terrestrial baleful qi, making their value significantly lower. However, his Scarlet Cloud Smog Silk could be refined with Pure Wind Baleful Qi to advance. As for Peach Blossom Baleful Qi, could it be refined into Zhuo Ming's Five Transformations Umbrella to increase its power? He wondered when Ming Yihua would return. Among Chen Mobai's friends, only this good brother was an artifact refiner, and a very skilled one, capable of undertaking such a task.

After examining all three types of baleful qi, Chen Mobai took a deep breath. He then took out the seven mineral rocks of different colors. He activated his Void Sight spiritual eyes and examined them carefully. Three of them were normal, which he picked out and set aside. However, the other four—Gray Basalt, Ice Blue Jade, Fire Copper Ore, and Green Mist Stone—shed their superficial disguises within the vision of his Void Sight. Chen Mobai saw abundant spiritual light deep within. They were actually four baleful qi crystals! When terrestrial baleful qi was concentrated and refined to its extreme, it would form crystals—a feat only Rank 3 Geomancers could accomplish.

"Which Rank 3 Geomancer from Mount Tremor Peak did that vendor kill?" Chen Mobai mused inwardly. He muttered to himself, Rank 3 Geomancers were typically well-known Foundation Establishment cultivators, and a Qi Refining cultivator should not have been able to kill one. But now was not the time to ponder this. Chen Mobai extended his finger and pressed it against the surface of the four baleful qi crystals. Once the surface seal of these items was broken, the condensed and stable baleful qi would surge out, requiring immediate and complete refinement. He had no immediate use for them, so he naturally wouldn't break the seals. However, he could still sense what kind of baleful qi they were, having studied them extensively for credits at the academy: Thousand Rock Baleful Qi, Profound Ice Baleful Qi, Red Copper Baleful Qi, Emerald Mist Baleful Qi.

After identifying them, Chen Mobai's expression subtly changed. Profound Yin Baleful Qi and Fire Yang Baleful Qi were perfectly Yin and Yang in attribute. And these four types of baleful qi crystals were nearly enough to complete the five elements. While it was normal for Geomancers to collect terrestrial baleful qi and minerals, having exactly seven types of Rank 2 terrestrial baleful qi, completing the Yin, Yang, and Five Elements, was quite unusual.

"Just who did this vendor kill?" Holding onto this question, Chen Mobai opened the three Geomancer inheritance books.