Chapter 108: Exchange Meeting

The stall displayed several materials: two golden insect eggs, two fist-sized pieces of yellow ore, a bundle of white threads, and two pieces of yellow spiritual wood, each about two feet long.

A small sign beside it read: "Seeking materials of equal value – spiritual pills, spiritual herbs, or crafting materials are all acceptable."

"What material is this?" Wang Changsheng crouched down, picking up the azure threads as he asked.

The stall owner was a burly man in his forties, wearing a blue robe and at the third level of Foundation Establishment cultivation.

"This is silk spun by a second-tier, mid-grade Azure-Eyed Ice Silkworm. It only spins this much every five years, but it's more than enough to craft two magic artifacts."

Wang Changsheng pointed to the two golden insect eggs and asked, "What kind of spiritual insect's eggs are these?"

"They are the eggs of Gold-Devouring Ants. These insects feed on metals; second-tier Gold-Devouring Ants are impervious to blades and spears, and immune to water and fire. Those two pieces are Earth Essence Stones, excellent materials for crafting earth-attribute magic artifacts."

Wang Changsheng took out a wooden box and handed it to the blue-robed man, saying, "This is two-hundred-year-old Houttuynia cordata. I'd like to trade it for the silkworm threads and two Earth Essence Stones."

The blue-robed man opened the wooden box, took a look, and shook his head. "Your Houttuynia cordata is worth at most four hundred spiritual stones. I can give you the silkworm threads and one Earth Essence Stone."

"The silkworm threads and one Earth Essence Stone are not worth four hundred spiritual stones," Wang Changsheng countered. "It would be a fair trade if you included the two insect eggs."

Hearing this, the blue-robed man showed hesitation.

Wang Yaozu's eyes darted; he pulled Wang Changsheng up and said, "Never mind, Changsheng, let's go back to the previous stall! A two-hundred-year-old Houttuynia cordata can be exchanged for three pieces of hundred-year-old Golden Cloud Spiritual Wood. The Iron Sandstone we saw earlier was also good."

"That's true," Wang Changsheng agreed, retrieving the wooden box and preparing to leave.

Hearing the conversation between Wang Yaozu and his grand-nephew, the blue-robed man quickly nodded and said, "Alright! Deal."

Wang Changsheng accepted the silkworm threads, Earth Essence Stone, and the two insect eggs, then continued walking with Wang Yaozu.

They hadn't walked far when Wang Yaozu's eyes lit up. He suddenly quickened his pace and approached a small stall.

The stall had a wide variety of goods, including crafting materials, alchemy ingredients, and talismans. The owner was a middle-aged man at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Wang Yaozu pointed to a ceramic jar and asked, "How much is the spiritual honey?"

Wang Changsheng then realized that Wang Changyue liked sweets, so Wang Yaozu was likely buying it for her.

As Wang Changsheng expected, Wang Yaozu bought two catties of spiritual honey brewed by Azure Flower Bees. He beamed, "Changyue loves sweets; this spiritual honey will definitely be to her taste."

After browsing for more than half an hour, Wang Changsheng hadn't exchanged or purchased anything.

There were many good items, but most were for barter, and he couldn't provide what the sellers needed. For items sold with spiritual stones, the asking prices were too high, and the stall owners refused to lower them, leading to failed transactions.

"Oh, Uncle Zhao," Wang Changsheng exclaimed as he spotted Zhao Yutang and quickened his steps.

Zhao Yutang and Zhao Ningxuan were standing in front of a stall, haggling with the owner.

"Uncle Zhao, Cousin Ningxuan, long time no see." Zhao Yutang saw Wang Changsheng and Wang Yaozu, smiling as he said, "Changsheng, Brother Yaozu, you've come too! Where's Brother Yaozong?"

"Great-uncle, Cousin Changsheng," Zhao Ningxuan greeted, his expression somewhat unnatural.

Wang Changsheng was his cousin, but Wang Changsheng was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, while he was only at the seventh level of Qi Refining. He couldn't help but feel a sense of disparity.

"My second brother had something to attend to and couldn't come. Changsheng is leading our team this time. We just went to your residence to look for you, but you weren't there."

Zhao Yutang frowned, saying, "I clearly told Ningfeng to stay at the residence, yet he ran off on his own."

He suddenly remembered something and said to Wang Changsheng, "Changsheng, Ningxiang has also come to this Jadefield Grand Meeting. She has already reached Foundation Establishment."

Wang Changsheng was surprised to hear this. A year ago, Zhao Ningxiang was still at the ninth level of Qi Refining, and now she had actually succeeded in Foundation Establishment. It seemed that Medicine King Valley had many spiritual items for Foundation Establishment; no wonder so many cultivators were desperate to join immortal cultivation sects.

"Ningxiang is here too? That's wonderful! Let's get together tonight for a casual meal." Zhao Yutang hesitated briefly, then shook his head. "Brother Yaozu, I'm afraid tonight isn't possible. Ningxiang and a few fellow disciples have organized a small exchange meeting, and it's scheduled for tonight. Oh, Changsheng, you should come along too! You might be able to find the materials you need."

"A small exchange meeting? That's excellent!" Wang Changsheng's eyes lit up, and he agreed with a smile.

He asked for the location of the exchange meeting, chatted with Zhao Yutang for a few more moments, and then excused himself and left.

From start to finish, Zhao Ningxuan spoke very little. As he watched Wang Changsheng's retreating figure, his expression was somewhat complex.

At You Shi (5-7 PM), Wang Changsheng and Zhao Yutang arrived in front of a three-story azure pavilion.

Guards were stationed at the entrance. Zhao Yutang reported Zhao Ningxiang's name, and the guards let them through. The main hall and second floor were empty, but on the third floor, over thirty Foundation Establishment cultivators were gathered, sitting in small groups.

"Oh, she's here too," Wang Changsheng noted, surprised to see Wang Ruyan. Besides her, there were also two other Foundation Establishment cultivators surnamed Wang.

The Wang Family of Blue Moon Lake was the foremost immortal cultivation family in Song State. Since members of the Wang family were attending this exchange meeting, it seemed the event held considerable value.

"Fifth Uncle Zhao, Cousin Changsheng, over here!" Zhao Ningxiang stood up and waved to Zhao Yutang and Wang Changsheng.

Wang Changsheng noticed that beside Zhao Ningxiang sat three Foundation Establishment cultivators from Medicine King Valley: two men and one woman.

The woman wore a blue palace dress and looked like a young married lady. One man was in his forties with an honest face, and the other was a refined-looking young man in a blue scholar's robe.

Wang Changsheng and Zhao Yutang approached Zhao Ningxiang. Zhao Ningxiang pointed to her three companions and enthusiastically introduced them: "Fifth Uncle Zhao, Cousin Changsheng, let me introduce you. This is Senior Sister Du Yue, Senior Brother Ye Ming, and Senior Brother Nangong Chen. Senior Brother Nangong is the one who organized this exchange meeting."

Not daring to presume, Zhao Yutang and Wang Changsheng greeted them, "Zhao Yutang (Wang Changsheng) has met Fellow Daoist Du, Fellow Daoist Ye, and Fellow Daoist Nangong."

Nangong Chen smiled faintly and said politely, "So you are Junior Sister Zhao's relatives. Fellow Daoist Wang, this is our second meeting."

Wang Changsheng nodded with a smile, saying, "I also didn't expect to meet Fellow Daoist Nangong again so soon. By the way, how has Fairy Liu been recently?"

At this exchange meeting, whether he could acquire needed items was secondary; making a few friends was the most important. Putting everything else aside, without Zhao Ningxiang's connection, they wouldn't even be able to participate in this exchange meeting. This clearly showed the importance of connections.

Nangong Chen shook his head, saying, "I haven't seen Junior Sister Liu in a long time. If Fellow Daoist Wang were to visit, Junior Sister Liu might be willing to see you."

Zhao Ningxiang's eyes darted, and she said with a smile, "Indeed! Cousin Changsheng, Senior Sister Liu privately mentioned to me that she'd be happy if she could consult you again about the art of puppetry. Senior Sister Liu is so absorbed in crafting puppet beasts that few people get to see her."

Du Yue immediately became interested and asked curiously, "Is Fellow Daoist Wang the puppeteer who taught Junior Sister Liu how to craft puppet beasts?"

Her voice was not loud, but those around them heard it clearly. Wang Ruyan couldn't help but glance at Wang Changsheng.

Hearing this, Wang Changsheng's eyes showed a hint of doubt.

Zhao Ningxiang explained via voice transmission, "Cousin Changsheng, Senior Sister Du and Senior Sister Liu have been friends for many years, which is why she knows about this. Others are still unaware."

Wang Changsheng shook his head and said modestly, "I only have a superficial understanding."

"Alright, almost everyone is here, aren't they? Let's start quickly! I still have to rush to another exchange meeting!" urged a somewhat impatient man in his thirties, wearing a yellow robe with a blue crescent moon emblem, indicating he was a disciple of Qingyang Sect.

"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Nangong," another cultivator echoed, "if no one else is coming, please start soon! We also have other exchange meetings to attend!" Some cultivators had wide social circles and could attend multiple exchange meetings.

"I suppose no more fellow daoists will be arriving. Let's begin then! I'll start." Nangong Chen stood up, walked to an empty table in the center, and took out an exquisite silver wine pot and two ceramic bottles from his storage pouch.

"This is Azure Plum Spiritual Wine, brewed from hundred-year-old azure plums and over a dozen spiritual herbs. It has the effect of enhancing magical power. The ceramic bottles contain two second-tier elixirs: Purity Spirit Powder and Replenishing Yuan Pills. Purity Spirit Powder is an antidote, and Replenishing Yuan Pills can quickly restore magical power, suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators. I'm looking to exchange these three items for fire-attribute spiritual wood or items of equivalent value."