Chapter 418: Guangdong Ren's Reminder

Subsequently, Core Formation cultivators stepped forward one by one, presenting materials for exchange. These cultivators hailed from all corners of the world, and the vast array of materials they offered greatly broadened Wang Changsheng's horizons.

Some successfully traded for items they desired, while others were unsuccessful.

Wang Huashan presented a third-tier beast hide and a third-tier earth-attribute material, hoping to exchange them for third-tier water-attribute crafting materials. Regrettably, he was unsuccessful. It wasn't that other Core Formation cultivators lacked the materials Wang Huashan sought; rather, they simply didn't find the materials he offered to be of sufficient value.

Huang Fugui stepped forward, grinning and revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. He produced a dark, crystalline stone, a pale golden sphere, and a red beast hide measuring one chi square. "I have one piece of top-grade third-tier crafting material, Dark Cloud Crystal, which can increase a flying sword's resilience when refined into it. Also, there's a damaged low-grade third-tier puppet beast and a third-tier Fire Toad's hide. I'm looking to exchange these for an offensive, earth-attribute nascent magic treasure."

He tossed the golden sphere forward, and as a magic incantation struck it, a mechanical whirring sound filled the air. The sphere then burst with dazzling golden light, transforming into a golden crow three zhang in size. The golden crow had only one leg, its right wing was largely broken, and its body was heavily scarred, indicating severe damage.

Wang Changsheng glanced at the golden crow, a disappointed expression on his face. This third-tier puppet beast was severely damaged; even if it could be repaired, the materials alone would cost a huge sum of spirit stones. He was currently so poor he wished he could split a single spirit stone in half to spend.

A nascent magic treasure would cost at least 200,000 spirit stones, so Huang Fugui was certainly bold to make such a request. There were few Core Formation cultivators interested in puppet beasts to begin with, and even fewer willing to offer a nascent magic treasure in exchange. Daoist Ziyang eventually produced a yellow flying dagger and exchanged it with Huang Fugui. Naturally, Huang Fugui had to add some spirit stones as compensation, given that the third-tier puppet beast was severely damaged and its repair was uncertain.

Wang Changsheng stepped forward, took out a Golden Flame Fruit, and announced, "I'm offering a 700-year-old Golden Flame Fruit in exchange for third-tier Celestial Water."

"A Golden Flame Fruit!"

A flicker of surprise passed through Daoist Ziyang's eyes. He hadn't expected Wang Changsheng, a first-level Core Formation cultivator, to possess a Golden Flame Fruit over 700 years old. Celestial Water is a type of natural spiritual treasure that forms only after a long accumulation of time. To some extent, it is far more valuable than spirit herbs; while spirit herbs can appear in places with abundant spiritual energy, Celestial Water doesn't form merely from spiritual abundance.

Daoist Ziyang and several other Core Formation cultivators stepped forward, each sending private messages to Wang Changsheng. They did not possess third-tier Celestial Water, but they were willing to exchange other items, such as third-tier crafting materials, third-tier demon cores, and third-tier alchemy ingredients. Wang Changsheng felt somewhat disappointed and did not agree to any of the proposed exchanges.

"Fellow Daoist Wang," Daoist Ziyang messaged, his tone sincere, "I know someone who should possess third-tier Celestial Water. Please do not sell this Golden Flame Fruit to anyone else; I will do my best to acquire third-tier Celestial Water to exchange with you."

Wang Changsheng agreed, knowing that even acquiring just a few tens of catties of third-tier Celestial Water would leave him fully content.

"Do not leave Guangyuan City alone," Guangdon Ren messaged, his tone tinged with concern. "After the Guangyuan Grand Meeting concludes, return to the Wei State with me. Also, invite Fellow Daoist Wang along. You are only a first-level Core Formation cultivator, and it's not uncommon for people in the cultivation world to harbor thoughts of killing and seizing treasures."

Wang Changsheng hadn't intended to leave Guangyuan City alone anyway, but with Guangdon Ren actively inviting him to travel together, his favorable impression of Guangdon Ren increased significantly.

Since no one could produce third-tier Celestial Water and Wang Changsheng had no other items for exchange, he put away his Golden Flame Fruit and returned to his original spot.

A quarter of an hour later, the exchange concluded. The cultivators did not leave immediately but instead began to exchange insights on cultivation and immortal arts. They only touched upon these topics briefly, without going into detail, yet Wang Changsheng still benefited greatly. Especially when Daoist Ziyang and two third-tier artifact refiners discussed their crafting experiences, particularly regarding the refining of magic treasures, their few words provided Wang Changsheng with profound insights.

The exchange lasted for five hours before finally dispersing. Core Formation cultivators who still had lingering desires found places to engage in long, intimate conversations with their fellow cultivators.

Daoist Ziyang asked for Wang Changsheng's address, and Wang Changsheng truthfully provided it.

After leaving Guangyuan Residence, Wang Changsheng, Guangdon Ren, and Wang Huashan walked together towards a tea house.

Guangdon Ren showed a hesitant expression. After a moment of deliberation, he sent a private message to Wang Changsheng: "Fellow Daoist Wang, would you be willing to sell that Golden Flame Fruit to me for 40,000 spirit stones?" A 700-year-old spirit fruit was perfectly suited for brewing third-tier spirit wine.

Wang Changsheng pondered for a moment, then replied, "My apologies, Fellow Daoist Guang. I brought the Golden Flame Fruit specifically to exchange for third-tier Celestial Water. How about this: if no one can produce third-tier Celestial Water, I will sell the Golden Flame Fruit to you."

Wang Changsheng still had five Golden Flame Fruits on him, and selling one to Guangdon Ren wouldn't be an issue, especially since the family's spirit vein upgrade still relied on Guangdon Ren's assistance. However, caution against others was always necessary, so he didn't agree immediately; otherwise, Guangdon Ren might guess that he possessed multiple Golden Flame Fruits.

Guangdon Ren nodded and said, "I have some private matters to attend to, so I won't be accompanying you."

A short while later, Wang Changsheng and Wang Huashan were seated in a private room at a tea house.

"Grandfather, please have some tea," Wang Changsheng said. He smiled faintly, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of tea for Wang Huashan.

Wang Huashan didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and chuckled, "The younger generation surpasses the older; Ruyan married the right person."

"Grandfather, you flatter me," Wang Changsheng humbly replied. "If my wife hadn't helped manage the family affairs, I wouldn't have had so much time to cultivate. Truly, I owe it to you, Grandfather, for raising such a virtuous helper for me." Wang Changsheng spoke humbly, and his words were sincere. When Wang Ruyan married into the Wang family, she was already at the third level of Foundation Establishment. She bore his children, and when he was away, she looked after the family, delaying her own cultivation. He had already formed his Core, while Wang Ruyan was still only at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment. Without Wang Ruyan, Wang Changsheng wouldn't be where he was today.

Wang Huashan nodded and said, "You are only at the first level of Core Formation, and bringing out a 700-year-old Golden Flame Fruit was a bit reckless. After the Guangyuan Grand Meeting concludes, travel with me. An extra person adds an extra layer of security."

Wang Changsheng gave a wry smile and replied, "I only had the Golden Flame Fruit to offer. Fellow Daoist Guang also suggested we return to the Wei State together after the Guangyuan Grand Meeting."

"If I recall correctly," Wang Huashan mused, "you already needed a large amount of Celestial Water during your Foundation Establishment stage. Now that you've formed your Core, you still need Celestial Water. Does your cultivation technique require it?" Wang Changsheng's need for Celestial Water during his Foundation Establishment stage could be understood as being for artifact refining. However, for him to require third-tier Celestial Water immediately after forming his Core, if it were for artifact refining, it would be quite unusual, as crafting a single magic treasure would cost hundreds of thousands of spirit stones just for materials. Therefore, Wang Changsheng's need for third-tier Celestial Water was likely due to a special cultivation technique.

Wang Changsheng showed a hesitant expression. After a moment's thought, he nodded in acknowledgment, deciding that this matter wasn't truly a secret. Wang Huashan had formed his Core relatively early, and perhaps he had connections to obtain third-tier Celestial Water.

"No wonder your cultivation speed is so fast," Wang Huashan remarked. "Unfortunately, I was in seclusion when you held your Core Formation celebration and couldn't attend to congratulate you. I recall Qingyang hasn't reached Foundation Establishment yet, right? Give him this Foundation Establishment Pill! I hope he can successfully enter the Foundation Establishment stage."

Wang Changsheng thanked him and accepted the Foundation Establishment Pill.