Chapter 1564: Jingang Liuli Jade

"Fellow Daoist Peng, you flatter me," Wang Changsheng praised. "Your strength is comparable to a Grade 4 high-rank Ice Ape." He continued, "In terms of sheer strength, the South Sea Ice Ape clan ranks among the top three in the Eastli Realm. The Barbarian clan also possesses great strength, but they have declined, with each generation weaker than the last. The Ice Ape clan suffered severe setbacks, but they are slowly regaining their vitality."

"Fellow Daoist Wang and Fellow Daoist Peng are both rare talents. There's no need for you two to be modest. Since the sparring is over, let's head back!" Zhou Ningshuang suggested with a smile. Peng Tianyu and Wang Changsheng were among the few Nascent Soul stage body cultivators. If they were allowed to fight without restraint, half of the Chongyang Mountain Range would be reduced to ruins.

Before long, they returned to the courtyard, where they enjoyed tea, discussed the Dao, and exchanged cultivation insights.

"It's rare to have so many fellow Daoists gathered together. Why don't we hold an exchange meeting?" Venerable Fire Dragon suggested. The cultivators present came from all corners of the land, with the lowest cultivation level being mid-Nascent Soul. Each of them possessed materials they no longer needed. This suggestion was met with everyone's approval. As the host, Zhou Ningshuang was the first to exchange.

She brought out over a dozen materials, including Grade 4 demon cores, Grade 4 artifact refining materials, Grade 4 ores, Grade 4 beast hides, and more. Each item was rare in the outside world, not even guaranteed to be found at large auctions. "I'll exchange them for materials of equal value, with alchemy materials taking priority."

Wang Changsheng's gaze fell upon a blue wooden box. Inside the box was a light blue spherical object, with faint blue electric arcs flickering across its surface. "Fairy Zhou, what kind of demon beast core is this?" Wang Changsheng asked curiously. When Zhou Ningshuang took out the demon core, the Kylin Turtle showed some excitement, as if sensing something good. The Kylin Turtle possessed the bloodline of a Water Kylin and enjoyed consuming water-attribute spiritual objects and demon cores of water-attribute demon beasts.

"This is the inner core of a Grade 4 low-rank Sea-Flipping Whale, comparable to a three-thousand-year-old lightning-attribute spirit herb." Peng Tianyu immediately became interested. He took out a green jade box and handed it to Zhou Ningshuang. Zhou Ningshuang opened the lid and glanced inside, a look of interest appearing on her face. After a slight hesitation, she looked towards Wang Changsheng, wondering if he could produce anything that would interest her.

Wang Changsheng took out a blue jade box and handed it to Zhou Ningshuang, transmitting a message, "Fairy Zhou, this is a special ore I obtained from the Buried Immortal Sea Region. It possesses a certain magnetic force." During his trip to the Buried Immortal Sea Region, Wang Changsheng acquired many special ores and refined a magic treasure capable of releasing magnetic force. Zhou Ningshuang took the blue jade box and opened the lid. She was somewhat tempted. After pondering for a moment, she handed the demon core to Wang Changsheng. The Buried Immortal Sea Region was extremely dangerous; the ores there were quite precious. Many Nascent Soul cultivators who went to the Buried Immortal Sea Region never returned. Peng Tianyu glanced at Wang Changsheng with some surprise but said nothing.

For the rest of the time, the cultivators took turns coming forward, displaying their treasures and stating the materials they wished to exchange. Most of the items they sought were pills or alchemy ingredients, presumably due to the influence of the Great Tribulation. Given their status, they had likely received some rumors. Before the Great Tribulation arrived, the higher one's cultivation and stronger one's power, the higher their survival rate. Wang Changsheng was aided by Grade 4 spiritual water, which for him was the best elixir. Wang Ruyan's cultivation method focused on temperament, so her need for pills was not great.

After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Wang Changsheng stepped forward and took out over a dozen materials. More than half of these were spirit herbs, all over a thousand years old. "I'll exchange these for Grade 4 poisonous items, or lightning-attribute or fire-attribute demon cores."

"I have a bottle of Ten Thousand Poisons Nectar. This nectar is a naturally formed spiritual item, almost as potent as the Ten Great Poisons. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would be in trouble if they got a bit on them. I'll exchange it for that two-thousand-year-old Fiery Blaze Grass." Venerable Fire Dragon took out a light green jade bottle and handed it to Wang Changsheng.

"Ten Thousand Poisons Nectar!" Wang Changsheng took the green jade bottle, pulled out the stopper, and a pungent, foul smell drifted out. He felt his head slightly heavy, but shook it, and quickly returned to normal. A flicker of surprise passed through Venerable Fire Dragon's eyes. When he had accidentally inhaled a bit, it took him half a day to recover. Wang Changsheng's rapid recovery alone showed that he surpassed other mid-Nascent Soul cultivators. "Deal," Wang Changsheng readily agreed. He wondered if the Wood Demon would be able to advance to Grade 4 after consuming this bottle of Ten Thousand Poisons Nectar. Wang Ruyan also acquired a Grade 4 Snow Silkworm inner core. Her Azure-Eyed Cold Silkworm was already Grade 3 high-rank, and she hoped it could advance to Grade 4. It was somewhat regrettable that they failed to exchange for any particularly rare artifact refining materials.

This was quite normal. Knowing that the Great Tribulation was approaching, especially rare materials would certainly not be easily circulated. Even though Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan had quite a reputation, for major powers, the "Azure Lotus Immortal Couple" were not yet significant enough, unless they advanced to the late Nascent Soul stage. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan's strength was not weak, but the true foundation of the Wang family was limited. They had obtained the heritage of the Zhenhai Sect, but unfortunately, many good items had already been taken.

An hour later, the exchange meeting concluded. The cultivators dispersed, each returning to their own residences. Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan walked together towards their accommodation. "Fellow Daoist Wang, Madam Wang, please stop." Venerable Fire Dragon caught up and called out to Wang Changsheng and his wife. "Fellow Daoist Sun, how may I help you?" Wang Changsheng asked politely, knowing Venerable Fire Dragon must have had something in mind, chasing after them. "I have a private matter I'd like to discuss with Fellow Daoist Wang. Would it be convenient for you?" Venerable Fire Dragon spoke in a calm tone, a hint of expectation in his eyes. Wang Changsheng nodded with a smile and agreed.

Before long, the three of them appeared inside a green pavilion with intricately carved beams and painted pillars. "Fellow Daoist Wang, I possess a piece of Golden Adamant Lapis Lazuli Jade, but it has been contaminated by demonic energy," Venerable Fire Dragon said, getting straight to the point. He took out a piece of black jade stone that shimmered with golden flecks on its surface.

"Golden Adamant Lapis Lazuli Jade?" A flicker of surprise appeared in Wang Changsheng's eyes. This was a top-grade metal ore; if even a small amount was incorporated into an offensive magic treasure, its power would greatly increase. He had previously obtained the refining method for the "Seven Star Demon-Slaying Blade," a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure. With his cultivation and artifact refining skill, he certainly couldn't refine a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure, but a Spirit Treasure still held hope. Over the years, he had been sending his clan members to collect rare artifact refining materials, but they hadn't gathered many. This piece of Golden Adamant Lapis Lazuli Jade was excellent. He possessed the Azure Lotus Creation Cauldron, but he wasn't sure if it could separate the demonic energy. This was his first time obtaining artifact refining material contaminated by demonic energy.

"Indeed, it is Golden Adamant Lapis Lazuli Jade. Fellow Daoist Sun, just tell me what you want for it," Wang Changsheng asked sincerely.

"A Vermilion Fruit." Venerable Fire Dragon had used his Nascent Flame to refine it for several years, but he couldn't separate even a trace of demonic energy, so he gave up. According to his estimation, even if he spent ten years, he would only be able to refine a small piece of Golden Adamant Lapis Lazuli Jade, which wouldn't be of much use. It was better to exchange it for something useful. Wang Changsheng readily agreed, hoping that the Azure Lotus Creation Cauldron could separate the demonic energy.

After seeing off Venerable Fire Dragon, Wang Changsheng took out the Azure Lotus Creation Cauldron and gently patted it with his palm. With a dull thud, the lid flew off.