Chapter 797: Sea Heart Anemone

As the Sword Fighting Convention approached, Scarlet Snail Island's market district became overcrowded, with sword cultivators visible everywhere.

The Myriad Sword Sect had set up dozens of arenas for sword cultivators to spar and practice combat. Foundation Establishment sword cultivators, being young and ambitious, enjoyed showing off, and their duels in the arenas drew large crowds.

Taking advantage of the Sword Fighting Convention, the Myriad Sword Sect also hosted a large-scale auction. Various merchants seized the opportunity to promote their goods, and Core Formation cultivators held exchange meets.

Purple Bamboo Pavilion, fifth floor.

Dozens of Core Formation cultivators gathered on the fifth floor to exchange cultivation resources.

Wang Qingshan, Dugu Huaide, and Dugu Huairong shared a table. During this period, Wang Qingshan had met many Core Formation sword cultivators, exchanging insights on swordsmanship with them and benefiting greatly.

After discussing their swordsmanship insights, it was time for the exchange meet, where cultivators traded items they didn't need for those they did.

"One piece of 600-year-old Golden Glaze Bamboo, one third-tier mid-grade demon core, and one third-tier mid-grade beaver hide for fire-attribute spirit bamboo or materials of equal value."

Most of the Core Formation cultivators present were sword cultivators, and the items they sought to exchange were primarily spirit bamboo and spirit wood used for refining flying swords.

Wang Qingshan already possessed a complete set of flying swords, so he wasn't interested in ordinary spirit bamboo.

Some exchanges were successful, while others were not.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Wang Qingshan stepped forward, taking out two pieces of crimson spirit bamboo and two cyan wooden boxes.

"Two pieces of 500-year-old Fiery Bamboo, along with two third-tier low-grade demon cores, for Spirit Nurturing Pills, musical scores, or treasures that enhance the physical body."

The spirit bamboo and demon cores were acquired by Wang Changsheng, and Wang Qingshan intended to exchange them for items on behalf of Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan.

Wang Qingshan wasn't interested in common refining materials, and he lacked items of equivalent value for precious ones. Spirit Nurturing Pills could assist spirit beasts in advancing, and his three-headed sly fox, still a second-tier high-grade beast, was something he hoped to cultivate into a third-tier spirit beast.

"Spirit Nurturing Pills? I happen to have a bottle, and also a musical score left by Heavenly Sound Immortal, for exchange."

A woman's voice, like a silver bell, rang out.

As soon as the voice faded, a fragrant breeze wafted into Wang Qingshan's nostrils.

A young woman in her twenties, dressed in a red skirt, appeared before him. Her skin was as white as snow, her face was oval-shaped with a cherry mouth, and a faint smile graced her features, giving her the aura of a refined young lady from a good family.

This was Hai Xinnian, from Ten Thousand Beast Island, one of the ten great sects in the Southern Sea, renowned for controlling insects and beasts in the cultivation world. Unlike most cultivators from Ten Thousand Beast Island, Hai Xinnian practiced sword arts, making her a true sword cultivator.

Hai Xinnian took out a cyan seashell and a cyan porcelain bottle, handing them to Wang Qingshan.

Heavenly Sound Immortal was a Nascent Soul cultivator active over a thousand years ago, specializing in musical cultivation techniques.

Wang Qingshan didn't understand music, but given Hai Xinnian's status, she wouldn't deceive him, so Wang Qingshan agreed to the exchange.

After Wang Qingshan returned to his seat, Dugu Huaide stepped forward and presented his exchange materials.

"One piece of Xuan-Light Crystal and two third-tier mid-grade demon cores for fire-attribute refining materials."

The Core Formation cultivators present came forward one after another to make exchanges, but successful trades were few.

Half an hour later, the exchange meet concluded, and the cultivators gradually departed.

Wang Qingshan left with the Dugu siblings. Just as they exited the Purple Bamboo Pavilion, Hai Xinnian's voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, please wait."

Wang Qingshan paused, slightly surprised. Hai Xinnian quickly caught up. Dugu Huaide and Dugu Huairong exchanged glances and smiled at each other.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, we have other matters to attend to, so we'll leave first. See you tomorrow at Sword Fighting Peak."

"Alright, see you tomorrow."

Hai Xinnian smiled sweetly at Wang Qingshan and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, I have something I'd like to consult you about. Do you have a moment?"

"I do."

Wang Qingshan didn't think much of it and agreed.

Fifteen minutes later, they were in a private room at a teahouse.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, if I may ask, where did you obtain this Fiery Bamboo?"

A hint of confusion appeared in Wang Qingshan's eyes. He had taken the Fiery Bamboo from his family's treasury, so it was naturally collected by his family. He didn't know the specific details.

"My clansmen acquired the Fiery Bamboo. Why? Is there a problem with its age?"

Hai Xinnian hesitated slightly, then took out a pale red insect shell. "This is the shell of a Twin-Hearted Insect, found inside the Fiery Bamboo you exchanged. May I ask if you possess any third-tier Twin-Hearted Insects?"

"Twin-Hearted Insect!"

Wang Qingshan was momentarily stunned. He had truly never heard of such a spiritual insect. Raising spiritual insects was difficult, and even once cultivated, they could easily be destroyed in a battle. Therefore, Wang Qingshan had little interest in them.

"Twin-Hearted Insects are unique creatures that prefer to inhabit fire-attribute spirit bamboo. Every few decades, they shed their skin. If you have a third-tier Twin-Hearted Insect, I would be willing to purchase it at a high price. Failing that, the essence blood of a third-tier Twin-Hearted Insect would also suffice."

Wang Qingshan gave a wry smile and shook his head. "Immortal Hai, I truly don't know about Twin-Hearted Insects. If I ever acquire the essence blood of a third-tier Twin-Hearted Insect, I will certainly contact you."

Disappointment crossed Hai Xinnian's face, but she nodded. "Alright, it's a deal. If you get the essence blood of a third-tier Twin-Hearted Insect, you can find me on Ten Thousand Beast Island."

Wang Qingshan agreed. He planned to ask Wang Qiuling about it once he returned to Sea Cucumber Island, as she should know.

"By the way, Immortal Hai, there's something I'd like to ask you about."

Wang Qingshan suddenly remembered something and spoke up.

Hai Xinnian smiled sweetly and said, "Fellow Daoist Wang, please feel free to ask."

"I have a spirit beast egg that has been stored for too long, causing its vitality to wane, and it can't hatch. Your esteemed sect excels at controlling insects and beasts; do you have any methods for hatching it?"

Nangong Miao had given a spirit beast egg to Wang Changsheng, who then informed his clansmen to look out for information on how to hatch it.

"Did you bring the spirit beast egg? Let me see it."

"I don't have it with me."

Hai Xinnian shook her head, looking a little troubled. "In that case, it's difficult to determine why it can't hatch. Generally, a spirit beast egg can hatch once it absorbs enough spiritual energy. If it's been stored for too long, it needs to be soaked in a special spiritual liquid. Our Ten Thousand Beast Island has a Cultivating Spirit Liquid that can solve this problem. If you manage to obtain the essence blood of a third-tier Twin-Hearted Insect, we can make an exchange."

"Can I purchase it with spirit stones?"

Hai Xinnian shook her head, explaining, "The Cultivating Spirit Liquid is not easy to refine, and its ingredients are rare, so it doesn't easily circulate outside."

The spiritual liquid was indeed rare, but it wasn't impossible to acquire. However, Hai Xinnian was clearly more interested in obtaining the essence blood of a third-tier Twin-Hearted Insect.

Wang Qingshan felt a bit disappointed but nodded in agreement. "Alright! If I ever get the essence blood of a third-tier Twin-Hearted Insect, I will certainly go to Ten Thousand Beast Island to exchange with you."

After some more casual conversation, Wang Qingshan took his leave.