Chapter 3068: Black Marrow Mud (Not Available Today)

"Can I only exchange materials?" The young man in green frowned.

"Not necessarily. If you're willing to do something for our Wang family, you can also receive a Green Marrow Pill. For example, you could hunt a sixth-tier demon beast in a certain area, or apprehend an evil cultivator wanted by our Wang family," Wang Rumii explained enthusiastically.

The Wang family understood that some Void Refinement cultivators might not possess valuable items, so they could assign less critical tasks to them in exchange for compensation.

Many sixth-tier demon beasts inhabited the territories controlled by the Wang family. These powerful beasts often threatened human cultivators in the vicinity. The Wang family dispatched rogue Void Refinement cultivators to eliminate these beasts, which not only reduced their own losses but also eradicated the sixth-tier demon beasts. Additionally, the Wang family issued bounties for some high-tier cultivators.

These cultivators had either killed Wang family members or their allied in-laws. Since their in-laws lacked the power to bring these perpetrators to justice, they sought help from the Wang family, who then issued warrants for the culprits' apprehension.

The Enforcement Hall would dispatch personnel to apprehend the culprits, sometimes leveraging the strength of others to bring them to justice.

Wang Rumii was currently a deacon. To be promoted to deputy hall master, she either needed to advance to the Void Refinement stage or acquire rare materials or crucial intelligence.

The family had a strict cultivation system where most clan members advanced steadily, step by step, with their remuneration increasing alongside their status. Members with superior aptitude or specialized skills were prioritized for cultivation, naturally receiving better treatment than ordinary members, as their growth would contribute back to the family.

The young man in green took out a green jade box and handed it to Wang Rumii.

Wang Rumii opened the jade box and saw a piece of dark mud inside. She examined it carefully but couldn't identify the material.

She pulled out a pale golden Dharma plate, infused it with a spell, and said, "Sister Ruyi, please come to Green Lotus Pavilion. I need your help to identify a material."

As Wang Rumii was only at the Nascent Soul stage, her knowledge was limited, and she didn't dare to overstep.

"Understood, I'll be right there," a clear female voice responded from the golden Dharma plate.

Upon hearing the words "Sister Ruyi," a hint of surprise flashed across the young man in green's face.

A moment later, faint footsteps sounded, and Wang Ruyi ascended.

She had already advanced to the Void Refinement stage and was stationed temporarily at Green Lotus Valley for her duties.

Major family strongholds were always guarded by Void Refinement cultivators, which was a clear demonstration of their strength.

Wang Rumii handed the jade box to Wang Ruyi and said, "This senior wishes to exchange for a Green Marrow Pill."

Wang Ruyi carefully examined the black mud and said, "This is Black Marrow Mud, formed over tens of thousands of years from volcanic eruptions over 100,000 years ago, where magma cooled upon contact with seawater and was deeply buried at the bottom of the ocean. It can be refined into fire-repelling treasures. How about exchanging this lump of Black Marrow Mud for one bottle of Green Marrow Pill?"

Black Marrow Mud is a sixth-tier refining material that, when incorporated into treasures, can weaken the power of fire-attribute Daoist spells.

"Agreed," the young man in green accepted.

Wang Rumii breathed a sigh of relief. She sent someone to fetch a bottle of Green Marrow Pill and handed it to the young man in green.

The young man in green put away the Green Marrow Pill, turned, and left.

Wang Ruyi watched the retreating figure of the young man in green, a look of confusion on her face.

"What is it, Sister Ruyi? Is there a problem with the Black Marrow Mud?" Wang Rumii asked nervously via spiritual transmission, knowing that she would be fully responsible if they had accepted counterfeit materials.

"No, it's not that. I just felt he resembled someone," Wang Ruyi replied through spiritual transmission.

"Resembled whom?" Wang Rumii frowned. Could this person be an evil cultivator wanted by the Wang family?

"Someone who saved me. You carry on with your work," Wang Ruyi said before quickly descending the stairs.

When she stepped out of Green Lotus Pavilion and scanned the pedestrians on the street, she couldn't find the young man in green.

"Was it just my imagination?" Wang Ruyi murmured to herself, shaking her head as she walked towards another street.

In a secluded courtyard with green-tiled roofs, the young man in green sat in a stone pavilion. His facial features blurred for a moment, then reformed to reveal his true appearance: Long Qingfeng.

He had never expected to be pursued by human cultivators after entering the mainland. He fought desperately to break through the encirclement, eliminating three Void Refinement cultivators along the way, but sustained severe injuries himself.

Having been hunted for many years, his healing pills had long run out, forcing him to purchase more.

He hadn't anticipated encountering Wang Ruyi here. He chose not to reveal his identity, trusting no one except his mother, Bai Yaoyao. He wondered what significant bounty Long Xiao had offered for human cultivators to attack him.

If the reward was large enough, the Wang family might even move against him. Not everyone would repay a life-saver; the Nine Dragons Palace elders whom Bai Yaoyao had rescued still pursued them under Long Xiao's orders.

Green Lotus Valley was a market town established by the Wang family. The Wang family was currently at the peak of its power, so even if enemies came looking, they likely wouldn't dare to act within the market town.

"I'll have to undergo the Grand Heavenly Tribulation within five hundred years. I must recover as soon as possible before it arrives," Long Qingfeng muttered to himself.

He walked towards a nearby green pavilion, entered a secret chamber, sat cross-legged, took a Green Marrow Pill, and began cultivating to heal his injuries.

At the Blood Blade Sect, within a secluded manor, True Monarch Blood Blade sat in a stone pavilion, his gaze grim.

A tall, thin young man in green robes stood nearby, reporting to True Monarch Blood Blade.

Li Yihong, a mid-stage Void Refinement cultivator, was True Monarch Blood Blade's eighteenth disciple. His seventeen predecessors had either died at the hands of enemies, perished within forbidden formations, or succumbed to the Grand Heavenly Tribulation.

To True Monarch Blood Blade, disciples were consumables. If they died, he would simply take on new ones, provide some resources, and have them risk their lives for him.

As long as he could progress further on the path of immortality, the number of disciples who died was irrelevant.

After he advanced to the Integration stage, countless aspirants desired to become his disciples.

He established the Blood Blade Sect to facilitate the collection of cultivation resources, not to pass down a legacy.

"Nine Dragons Palace! What audacity, to come alone. Invite him in," True Monarch Blood Blade commanded.

"Yes, Master," Li Yihong replied, transforming into a streak of light and departing.

About half an hour later, Li Yihong returned, accompanied by a red-robed old man with a round face and small eyes.

The red-robed old man's facial features blurred for a moment, then reformed to reveal his true appearance: Wu Yan.

"I am Wu Yan. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Chen," Wu Yan said with a chuckle, cupping his hands.

"I heard you have something to discuss with me. Speak your mind directly," True Monarch Blood Blade said, his tone cold.

"We are searching for a Void Refinement cultivator named Long Qingfeng, and we'd like to ask for Fellow Daoist Chen's assistance. If you apprehend this person, just hand him over to us, or you can kill him, but do not touch anything he possesses. Upon completion, you will receive a seventh-tier Spirit Exchange Talisman, which can temporarily transform you into a seventh-tier demon beast, providing significant help against the Grand Heavenly Tribulation. Additionally, there will be a mid-grade Heaven-reaching Spirit Treasure and three hundred top-grade spirit stones," Wu Yan stated gravely, pulling out a portrait and handing it to True Monarch Blood Blade.

"The world is vast. Where am I supposed to find him?" True Monarch Blood Blade asked with a frown.

"This is the Dragon-Locating Plate, imbued with some of his essence blood. Holding this treasure will allow you to sense his location within a radius of ten million li," Wu Yan said, producing a gleaming golden Dharma plate with a miniature flood dragon on its surface.

"If I capture this person, how do I contact you?" True Monarch Blood Blade inquired, puzzled.

"Fellow Daoist can send someone to Sky Sea Market to spread news that a seventh-tier flood dragon has appeared. At that time, I will contact you myself, and we can complete the transaction then and there," Wu Yan explained.

"You've ventured deep into human territory. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" True Monarch Blood Blade said with a half-smile.

"Heh heh, I came on the orders of our Palace Lord. If Fellow Daoist were to kill me, my companions could notify the Palace Lord through a large-scale communication array. Then, you would face the pursuit of our Nine Dragons Palace. If you don't believe me, Fellow Daoist is welcome to try," Wu Yan said meaningfully.

"You can use a large-scale communication array to contact Nine Dragons Palace tens of trillions of li away?" True Monarch Blood Blade asked, his face full of doubt. That distance was far too great!

"That's not something Fellow Daoist needs to worry about. Please send someone to find this person as quickly as possible. Don't underestimate him; his divine abilities are considerable," Wu Yan reminded him.

"Very well. I will send someone to handle it," True Monarch Blood Blade agreed.

Wu Yan nodded, offered a few parting words, and took his leave.

"Master, he's asking for our help. Why didn't you demand more compensation?" Li Yihong asked, puzzled.

"The task isn't complete yet, so any conditions we set are hypothetical. Once we capture this person, we can demand whatever we wish. This matter will be handled by my nephew, Sun. Have him select capable personnel, take the Dragon-Locating Plate, and search for this person. Once they find his whereabouts, they are to avoid startling him if possible and report back immediately. I will personally act to ensure absolute success," True Monarch Blood Blade instructed.

"Yes, Master," Li Yihong responded, accepting the order and departing.

"Nine Dragons Palace! It seems my great fortune has arrived," True Monarch Blood Blade muttered to himself, a look of mockery on his face.