Chapter 3159: Blood Dragon Stone, Yuan-Eater Beast

The Xuanhao Mountain Range is located in the southwest of the Xuanguang Continent, stretching for millions of miles and abundant in spiritual energy. To the northeast of the mountain range lay a colossal valley enveloped in clouds and mist. Passing through the mist, one could discern a vast estate with winding streams, charming bridges, and striking garden rocks. Several figures moved about within its grounds.

Ye Xuanji and a serene-faced elder, clad in golden robes, sat in an octagonal stone pavilion, leisurely sipping tea and chatting. The golden-robed elder was tall and slender, his eyes remarkably bright and piercing. This was Deity Lord Xuanji, a cultivator at the late Integration stage, highly skilled in the art of divination.

“Fairy Ye,” Deity Lord Xuanji began, “these are the items you requested.” He produced a green storage ring and handed it to Ye Xuanji.

Ye Xuanji accepted the ring, her divine sense sweeping over its contents. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed as she remarked, “Why is there so little?”

“Fairy Ye,” Deity Lord Xuanji explained, “the materials you seek from the Underworld are inherently scarce in the Xuanyang Realm. It’s already quite fortunate that we managed to gather some Heaven-Underworld Stones. I’ve already sent my disciples out to keep an eye out for anything else from the Underworld.” Ye Xuanji had saved him in his youth, and he owed her a significant debt of gratitude.

“Alright,” Ye Xuanji conceded. “I’ll be staying on the Xuanguang Continent for a while. If you manage to collect more of what I need, send someone to the Xuanguang Market. My people will contact yours, and this is the token for recognition.” Ye Xuanji instructed, producing a green token and handing it to Deity Lord Xuanji.

Deity Lord Xuanji accepted the green token, then, with a slight hesitation, inquired, “Fairy Ye, are you planning to set up a grand Ghost Path formation?”

“That’s not for you to worry about,” Ye Xuanji replied. “Consider it a favor I owe you, and I will certainly repay it in the future. That’s all for now.” After speaking, Ye Xuanji transformed into a golden streak of light, pierced through the air, and departed the area.

***

Three years later, on Qiyun Peak in the Qianyuan Continent. The streets were bustling with pedestrians, like a surging tide, and the clamor of carriages and horses filled the air, making it exceedingly lively.

Beneath the peak lay an underground cavern spanning over ten acres. Its stone walls were covered with profound runes, emanating powerful restrictive fluctuations. At its center was a circular stone platform, over a hundred zhang in diameter, where a shrewd-faced man in red robes stood. He held a small bell that flickered with yellow light, emanating astonishing earth spiritual energy fluctuations. The red-robed man had four ears and a physique considerably larger than that of humans; he was clearly from the Four-Eared Race. Several thousand cultivators, mostly at the Soul Transformation stage, were gathered there.

Wang Yingjie sat in a prominent position, his gaze intently fixed on the red-robed man. Having learned that opportunities abounded at the Hundred Races Convention, Wang Yingjie diligently attended various gatherings and auctions, hoping to acquire rare treasures. In his leisure, he would also frequent the open-air market stalls, always on the lookout for a good bargain. The Hundred Races Convention was fast approaching, and he had yet to acquire any truly rare items.

This particular auction was hosted by the Four-Eared Race and required at least Soul Transformation stage cultivation to participate, with no restrictions on race. The Four-Eared Race was known for its acute hearing, reputedly capable of discerning the content of other cultivators' private voice transmissions.

“Two hundred twenty-one pieces!” the red-robed man announced. “Sold! This treasure now belongs to our fellow cultivator.” The red-robed man’s voice, though not loud, resonated clearly throughout the entire venue.

A gaunt, black-robed elder then approached the circular platform and transmitted a message to the red-robed man. “This fellow cultivator lacks sufficient supreme-grade spirit stones,” the red-robed man announced, “and intends to sell some materials. We merely provide the venue and bear no further responsibility.” Having said this, the red-robed man stepped aside.

Numerous races, merchant associations, and alliances frequently hosted auctions, offering a wide array of valuable items. High-level cultivators often found their supreme-grade spirit stones insufficient, necessitating the sale of some of their own possessions. This was a deliberate strategy by major powers to facilitate the collection of rare materials. While common goods could be purchased with high-grade spirit stones, items like mid-grade Spirit Treasures, Tier-7 secret talismans, Tier-7 formations, and advanced Dharma Idol materials were exclusively exchanged using supreme-grade spirit stones. On the Qianyuan Continent, supreme-grade spirit stones served as hard currency, possessing significantly greater purchasing power than on the Xuangling Continent.

The black-robed elder then displayed dozens of materials, including Tier-6 demon cores, Dharma Idol materials, various ores, spiritual herbs, and beast bones and hides. Wang Yingjie’s gaze landed on a blood-red ore. Upon inquiry, he learned it was Dragon Blood Stone, formed over tens of thousands of years from the essence blood of a Tier-7 flood dragon seeping into the ore. It was an excellent material for refining blood-path treasures. He successfully bid twenty supreme-grade spirit stones for the Dragon Blood Stone.

The black-robed elder auctioned off a portion of his items, gathered enough spirit stones to cover his purchase, and then departed with the yellow bell.

“This auction has concluded,” the red-robed man announced courteously. “Thank you, fellow cultivators, for your attendance.”

The cultivators began to depart. Just as Wang Yingjie exited the venue, Qiyun Peak subtly trembled. Pedestrians on the street exchanged glances, their expressions varying from curiosity to alarm. In the distance, over a dozen dark figures appeared, drawing closer until they were clearly identifiable as massive, muscular giants.

“It’s the Giant Race!” someone exclaimed. “They’ve also come to attend the Hundred Races Convention!” The Giant Race wielded significant power on the Qianyuan Continent. Fortunately, their reproductive capabilities were weak, keeping their numbers low; otherwise, they would have long since dominated the continent. Wang Yingjie paused momentarily but didn't pay them much heed, quickening his pace.

***

Returning to his residence, Wang Yingjie entered a private chamber, retrieved the Dragon Blood Stone, and examined it meticulously. He conjured a hazy green flying dagger and struck the Dragon Blood Stone. A muffled thud echoed, leaving only a shallow cut on its surface. Wang Yingjie frowned. He then summoned a palm-sized five-colored jade seal, infused it with a magic incantation, and watched as it rapidly expanded before smashing down onto the Dragon Blood Stone. With a thunderous roar, the runes on the stone walls flashed incessantly, and the chamber began to shake violently.

After a moment, Wang Yingjie made a hand seal, and the five-colored jade seal reverted to its original size. The Dragon Blood Stone shattered, and a blood-red jade rolled out. The blood-red jade stone was perfectly smooth, adorned with profound patterns that closely resembled a miniature flood dragon. Wang Yingjie picked up the blood-red jade, meticulously examined it, and gasped.

“Blood Dragon Stone,” he murmured in astonishment. “It’s actually this kind of material!” Wang Yingjie was overcome with a mix of surprise and delight.

Blood Dragon Stone is a rare Dharma Idol material, ideal for high-level cultivators who practice blood-path cultivation methods to condense their Dharma Idols. A Dharma Idol condensed with Blood Dragon Stone boasts durability comparable to a flood dragon and exceptionally strong recovery capabilities, making it a truly advanced Dharma Idol material. Wang Yingjie had stumbled upon a true treasure. While he couldn't use it himself, it would certainly be valuable for exchange.

With a slight flick of his wrist, a streak of crimson light shot out from his spirit beast bracelet, revealing Wang Long. Wang Long, a transformed Dragon-Devouring Ant, had alerted Wang Yingjie to the anomaly; otherwise, he wouldn't have discovered it.

“You’ve rendered a great service this time,” Wang Yingjie praised. “Well done. This bottle of Blood Ginseng Pills is your reward.” Wang Yingjie offered his praise, then produced a green porcelain bottle and handed it to Wang Long.

“It was my duty,” Wang Long replied. Wang Long expressed his thanks and accepted the green porcelain bottle.

Wang Yingjie nodded and walked out. Just as he exited the pavilion, Bai Yuqi, Liu Hongxue, and Wang Zongyun approached, their faces beaming with smiles, clearly having made significant gains. They had split up to attend various gatherings and auctions, making their best efforts to gather resources.

“Grand Ancestor Yuqi,” Wang Yingjie asked with a smile, “what good things did you manage to acquire?”

“We acquired the hide of a Tier-7 Soul-Devouring Beast,” Bai Yuqi excitedly reported. “Once we bring it back to Azure Lotus Island, the Grand Ancestor can use it to refine Thunder Transformation Talismans!” The Thunder Transformation Talisman is a Tier-7 talisman, even more advanced than the Heavenly Thunder Transformation Talisman. It also has the effect of weakening the power of lightning tribulations, similar to the Lizard Race’s Sky Lizard Pendant. The Wang family had obtained the refining method for the Thunder Transformation Talisman but had been unable to find its primary material: the hide of a Tier-7 Soul-Devouring Beast, which was now exceedingly rare. Liu Hongxue and Bai Yuqi had attended a gathering of Void Refinement cultivators and successfully traded with foreign cultivators for a piece of Tier-7 Soul-Devouring Beast hide. If Wang Ruyan could successfully refine the Thunder Transformation Talisman, they could apply to use it to withstand major heavenly tribulations. Naturally, this would require applying with accumulated good deeds, not for free.