Chapter 278: The Whereabouts of the Heavenly and Earthly Spirit Water

“Changsheng, look what this is?”

Wang Mingjiang took out five white spirit stones and handed them to Wang Changsheng.As Wang Changsheng touched the spirit stones, he felt a cold sensation in his palm.“These are Ice Spirit Stones? Uncle Twenty-One, where did you get them?”Wang Changsheng was initially surprised, then his face filled with joy after he realized what they were.Puppet beasts require spirit stones to operate. Like spiritual roots, spirit stones are categorized into Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Ice, Wind, and Lightning. Spirit stones of the five elemental attributes are the most common, while Ice, Wind, and Lightning-attributed spirit stones are relatively rare.All five Ice Spirit Stones were mid-grade.With these Ice Spirit Stones, the puppet beasts Wang Changsheng crafted could unleash ice-type spell attacks.

“During this war, the four sects of Chu offered many good things as rewards. Most of the points I accumulated were exchanged for talismans and magic artifacts. The remaining points were just enough to exchange for five mid-grade Ice Spirit Stones; it was a bit short.”“It's already excellent to get five mid-grade spirit stones, Uncle Twenty-One. Thank you.”Wang Changsheng expressed his gratitude and accepted the five mid-grade Ice Spirit Stones.

“Uncle Forty-Two has good aptitude. My elder brother and I plan to let him stay in the family for a few years to cultivate a sense of belonging before sending him to the Hundred Spirits Sect. What do you think, Uncle Twenty-One?”Wang Mingjiang didn't object. He nodded and said, “Chang Feng mentioned this to me. Let's do it that way! Sects have more resources, so there's a higher chance of cultivating Core Formation cultivators there.”

After a casual chat, Wang Changsheng excused himself and returned to his residence. He took out his artifact refining materials to craft a puppet beast.Wang Changsheng planned to refine a second-tier puppet beast that could unleash ice-type spells. However, just one day later, a sound transmission talisman flew into his secret chamber.After he crushed the talisman, Wang Ruyan's voice immediately sounded: “Husband, Cousin Ningxiang has arrived. She says she has an urgent matter and needs to speak with you in person.”Over the years, the Wang and Zhao families had maintained contact, but Zhao Ningxiang had only visited twice—for Wang Changsheng's wedding and Wang Changting's marriage. She hadn't come since.Wang Changsheng opened his secret chamber to find Wang Ruyan standing at the doorway.“Wife, did Cousin Ningxiang say what the matter is? Where is she now?”“She didn't say; she insisted on speaking with you personally. Uncle Twenty-One is currently hosting her in the main hall.”

Upon entering the main hall, Wang Changsheng saw Zhao Ningxiang.Zhao Ningxiang, now at the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment, was chatting with Wang Mingjiang.“Alright, Changsheng is here. Ningxiang, you two can talk.”Wang Mingjiang wisely rose to excuse himself and walked out.“Uncle, please wait. Since Cousin Changsheng is here, I can tell you now. It's actually not a big deal. I want to buy a second-tier mid-grade puppet beast and some second-tier attack talismans from Cousin Changsheng.”Zhao Ningxiang stated truthfully that due to the war, the price of second-tier attack talismans on the market was constantly rising, and supply couldn't meet demand. No one could predict when the next major battle would erupt. Second-tier talismans were simple to use and highly sought after, while second-tier puppet beasts were even more precious and required advance booking.

“A second-tier mid-grade puppet beast? Cousin Ningxiang, these are quite difficult and time-consuming to craft; it takes four to five months to make just one. We don't have many on hand, I'm afraid. As for second-tier attack talismans, I can sell you two.”Wang Changsheng said with a difficult expression. He didn't have many second-tier mid-grade puppet beasts himself; the entire family combined had fewer than ten. They weren't even enough for their own use, so they certainly wouldn't sell them externally.The main reason second-tier mid-grade puppet beasts were difficult to refine was that obtaining mid-grade second-tier demonic beast souls was not easy.Zhao Ningxiang wasn't surprised by this answer. She forced a smile and said meaningfully, “Cousin Changsheng, I heard you've sent people to search for Heavenly Spirit Water. I know its whereabouts. How about this: I'll give you some Heavenly Spirit Water, and you sell me a second-tier mid-grade puppet beast?”

“You have Heavenly Spirit Water? How much Heavenly Spirit Water do you plan to exchange?”Wang Changsheng and Wang Mingjiang exchanged glances, their expressions growing serious.Zhao Ningxiang shook her head and replied, “I don't have Heavenly Spirit Water right now. You sell me the second-tier mid-grade puppet beast, and once I obtain the Heavenly Spirit Water, I'll give it to you. I promise you won't suffer any loss.”

“Cousin Ningxiang, there are no outsiders here. Please explain the situation clearly! Otherwise, it's hard for us to trust you.”Wang Ruyan said sternly.Zhao Ningxiang nodded and recounted the entire incident in detail.

After the war, the Demonic Dao only returned a portion of the territory, still occupying a significant part of Chu.With Demonic cultivators watching eagerly, the three sects of Medicine King Valley had no choice but to set aside their prejudices and cooperate with the five sects of Wei. They planned to open the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm to gather spirit herbs for refining Foundation Establishment Pills, thereby replenishing their lost manpower.The Yellow Saint Palace received fifteen slots and selected participants through a grand competition. A Zhao family disciple fortunately qualified. Zhao Ningxiang wanted to purchase a second-tier mid-grade puppet beast and second-tier talismans from Wang Changsheng to give to this family member, so that they could gather a specific spirit herb for her.

“Cousin Ningxiang, can't the five sects of Wei open the secret realm themselves? Do they have to cooperate with the three sects of Medicine King Valley?”Wang Changsheng asked, puzzled.“To my knowledge, the entrance to the secret realm requires four sects to open it using special magic artifacts. The five sects of Wei destroyed the Green Sun Sect and obtained one such artifact, but they shouldn't be able to open the entrance alone, otherwise they wouldn't cooperate with the three sects of Medicine King Valley. Cousin Changsheng, when I entered the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm years ago, I discovered a cave with Heavenly Spirit Water. Due to my insufficient strength, I couldn't obtain it. As long as you sell me a second-tier mid-grade puppet beast, I will certainly give you a share once it's obtained.”

Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment, then said, “Cousin Ningxiang, aren't things obtained from the secret realm supposed to be handed over? Do you still remember the location of the Heavenly Spirit Water?”“The Yellow Saint Palace's requirement is that participants are allowed to keep one-tenth of the spirit herbs. I'm not sure about other sects, but generally, immortal cultivation sects only care about spirit herbs; they usually don't inquire about other items. After I exited the secret realm, I drew a rough sketch. Combined with a map I acquired previously, I dare not claim too much, but I possess a map covering a significant portion of the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm. I have the map with me.”

“Cousin Ningxiang, I can sell you the second-tier mid-grade puppet beast and the second-tier talismans, but you must give me a map with the exact location of the Heavenly Spirit Water.”Zhao Ningxiang, knowing that Wang family members had joined the Hundred Spirits Sect, didn't hesitate. She agreed, took out her map, drew a new one by hand, and informed Wang Changsheng of some important notes about the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm.Wang Changsheng sold Zhao Ningxiang a second-tier mid-grade puppet beast and two second-tier Hundred Swords Talismans at market price.After receiving the puppet beast and talismans, Zhao Ningxiang bid farewell and left.

“Changsheng, do you intend to send Minglong into the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm to search for Heavenly Spirit Water? The decision about who enters the secret realm rests with Senior Guang; you can't make that call, can you?”Wang Changsheng smiled faintly and said earnestly, “Uncle Twenty-One, I want to send Qingshan into the Heavenly Moon Secret Realm to search for Heavenly Spirit Water for us. What do you think?”