Chapter 290: Appearing Tianshan Silkworm Silk

Ouyang Jun also looked at the pills, his face showing excitement. With these pills, there was no fear of the Black-backed Blood-eyed Ape being disobedient. Furthermore, if any were left, he could bring them back to the Thousand Refinement Sect and easily capture several more living Black-backed Blood-eyed Apes using these pills!

"Brother, how about I trade three mid-grade magical artifacts for this bottle of pills?"

Jiang Fan shook his head slightly and said, "I wish to trade these for Silver-winged Thunder Bird feathers, one feather per pill."

The numerous disciples exchanged glances. They all indicated they had none.

Jiang Fan wasn't too surprised and added, "Then some advanced body-tempering materials would also suffice." The number of monstrous beasts within the Nine Sects' territory was increasing, and they were growing stronger. Improving one's physique would significantly increase the chances of survival. However, to further cultivate the 'Iron Blood True Scripture', the required materials had to be as precious as Phoenix Bloodstone. It was unlikely that any of these disciples possessed such items.

As expected, upon hearing "advanced body-tempering materials," they all looked disappointed.

Sun Chaozong, however, stroked his chin and said, "Advanced body-tempering materials are hard to find even one of in the Nine Sects. My master once had a Phoenix Bloodstone, but it was unfortunately stolen by a scoundrel. You won't be able to acquire such an item through trade. However, I can offer you some good things to enhance your physique!"

Saying this, he mysteriously took out a jade box containing wiggling black insects. "This is a secret cultivation method of our Giant Sect," he said. "I'll let you have it for a bargain, in exchange for the pills in your hand."

Jiang Fan's brows furrowed deeply at the sight. "Corpse Bloodworms?" he exclaimed. "No wonder everyone in your Giant Sect has abnormal physiques. So, in addition to regular body tempering, you use these vile worms!"

"Take them away!"

Corpse Bloodworms are insects that feed on the essence blood of corpses. They are often found in piles of dead bodies. Unexpectedly, the Giant Sect had found a unique way to utilize these worms. They would use Corpse Bloodworms to devour the essence blood of powerful martial artists' corpses, and then consume the Corpse Bloodworms themselves. A portion of this essence blood could then be converted into their own vital energy and blood. This provided a shortcut to quickly strengthen their bodies. However, the cost was significant: their physiques would become abnormally muscular.

Jiang Fan had once thought that the unsightly physiques of the Giant Sect members were due to their cultivation techniques. He had even worried that cultivating the 'Iron Blood True Scripture' would lead to a similar outcome for him. Now, it seemed it had nothing to do with cultivation techniques. The thought of eating worms from piles of dead bodies made Jiang Fan instantly nauseous.

The others present had also heard something about Corpse Bloodworms. They immediately recoiled, expressions of disgust on their faces.

Sun Chaozong's old face flushed. These Corpse Bloodworms, cultivated by the Giant Sect, were already different from ordinary ones. He had thought no one would recognize them. He hadn't expected Jiang Fan to identify them at a glance and expose them publicly. This made him quite embarrassed.

He couldn't help but glare fiercely at Jiang Fan. "If you don't want them, then don't. Why resort to hurtful words?" His fists clenched tightly, making crackling sounds. He was clearly preparing to fight.

"Stop," Ouyang Jun said in a deep voice. "Are you planning to fight here and disrespect me?" He was the host of this exchange meeting. If they fought on the spot, where would his dignity stand?

Sun Chaozong naturally didn't dare to antagonize Ouyang Jun. He could only suppress his anger, glaring at Jiang Fan, and said, "We'll settle our score later!"

Everyone sat back down. Ouyang Jun looked at the pills in Jiang Fan's hand with a reluctant expression and said, "Since no one can trade for these pills, let's move on to the next item."

After the "Sorrowful Frost" and the "Three-Step Drunk" pills, the subsequent items seemed uninteresting. That was until a female disciple from the Myriad Sword Sect took out a bundle of transparent silk threads. She cupped her hands and said, "Senior brothers, while on a mission, I accidentally fell into an ancient senior's secluded cave dwelling. Around his waist, I found a bundle of unknown silk threads. I've tested them; they are incredibly tough and extremely sharp, capable of cutting through metal and stone. Is anyone interested?"

Her gaze first landed on Jiang Fan, then sequentially on Ouyang Jun and Sun Chaozong.

Jiang Fan took a quick look. His pupils constricted. Wasn't this the Tianshan Silkworm Silk that had broken his black sword? It was a supreme treasure used by the Sect Master of the Joyous Union Sect as her life-bound magical artifact! Moreover, the quantity was more than double what the Joyous Union Sect Master possessed! He subtly glanced around and found that no one recognized the item. Even Ouyang Jun, who hailed from the Artifact Refining Sect, showed a speculative expression. "It seems to be some kind of silkworm silk. It could be forged into some unusual weapons. If you wish to sell, I'll exchange it for two mid-grade magical artifacts."

This reply clearly disappointed the female disciple from the Myriad Sword Sect. She had paid a significant price to infiltrate that secluded cave dwelling. She had thought she had stumbled upon a great fortune. Was this all it was? However, she herself hadn't figured out the silk's true purpose; aside from being tougher and sharper, it didn't seem particularly special. Thus, she didn't doubt Ouyang Jun's assessment.

Sun Chaozong said, showing little interest, "Those of us who cultivate body techniques mostly don't need external items. At most, we'd use this silk for binding things. If you truly want to sell it, I can give you a thousand spirit stones."

The Myriad Sword Sect female disciple's face fell. Since both prominent figures said so, it seemed this bundle of silk was truly worthless. She hesitated for a moment, then shook her head slightly. Turning to look at Jiang Fan, she showed a final glimmer of hope.

Jiang Fan, however, was straightforward. "I am somewhat interested in this item," he said. "What do you wish to exchange it for? If I have it, I can consider it."

The Myriad Sword Sect female disciple's eyes lit up upon hearing this. In fact, Jiang Fan was who she had hoped for the most. She pleaded, "Senior Brother, could I trade this bundle of silk for a few of those pills?"

That's all? Jiang Fan almost choked. He had mentally prepared for the other party to make an outrageous demand. Yet, all she wanted were a few "Three-Step Drunk" pills? If the Sect Master of the Joyous Union Sect knew, she would probably be furious to the point of spitting blood.

Jiang Fan hesitated. This bundle of silk was astonishingly valuable. Trading it for just a few "Three-Step Drunk" pills would be truly taking advantage of someone.

"Alright." Jiang Fan took out a jade bottle. He tossed it directly over. "Take this entire bottle."

Everyone present was surprised. The other person only asked for a few "Three-Step Drunk" pills, so why did he give her the whole bottle? The female disciple was also bewildered. "Senior Brother, all of it for me?"

Jiang Fan remained unfazed and took out two long fangs from a Red-scaled Fiendish Dragon. "These two, they're for you as well."

Ouyang Jun's expression changed at the sight. "Beast King's teeth?" he exclaimed. "These are the perfect materials for refining high-grade magical artifacts! And there are two of them! Brother, aren't you giving too much?"

Jiang Fan didn't hide anything. He said to the female disciple, "The silk in your hand is not of low value. I don't wish to deceive you while you're unaware. One bottle of 'Three-Step Drunk' and two fangs for refining high-grade magical artifacts. If you're willing to trade, then let's trade. If you wish to take it back to your sect and hand it over to your elders, I won't force you."

Everyone gasped. Only then did they realize that the silk, which no one had valued, was an item of extremely high worth! Its value even surpassed that of "Sorrowful Frost"!

The Myriad Sword Sect female disciple was stunned and only regained her senses after a long moment. What she had painstakingly brought back was not merely an ordinary item, but something exceptionally precious! She was instantly overjoyed. Without hesitation, she said, "Trade! I'll trade with Senior Brother!"

She swiftly handed the bundle of silk to Jiang Fan. This caught Jiang Fan off guard. "Aren't you going to consider it?" he asked. The Myriad Sword Sect female disciple quickly replied, "I've already considered it."

"Uh—" Jiang Fan rubbed his nose and, with a strange expression, handed the items over to her. Clutching her newly acquired items, the Myriad Sword Sect female disciple immediately stood up and departed, as if afraid Jiang Fan would change his mind.

"I even told her it was very valuable," Jiang Fan mumbled, a bit bewildered.

Ouyang Jun chuckled wryly. "What's so hard to understand about this? If she took this bundle of silk back to her sect, at most she'd receive some commendations and a reward worth no more than a thousand spirit stones. It's even possible she'd only get praise. And finding a new buyer who recognizes its value, is honest, and willing to offer astonishing items in exchange, like you, is far from guaranteed. So, why would she hesitate even a bit?"

This was the true predicament for many disciples. Because almost all sects implicitly considered whatever their disciples obtained as belonging to the sect. They usually only offered trivial rewards as a dismissal. Wiser disciples would find ways to cash in on what they obtained outside, through various channels. When encountering a top-tier wealthy individual like Jiang Fan, this female disciple was too overjoyed to even consider anything else. Why would she think about taking it back to her sect?

Jiang Fan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Indeed, none of the elite disciples from the various sects were foolish. Still, he had made a huge profit. This bundle of Tianshan Silkworm Silk was worth more than ten times the value of all the previous items combined!

Ouyang Jun said meaningfully, "Brother, you have an unexpectedly large number of good items. Let's see who's next. Junior Brother Sun, is it your turn?"

As one of the three highest-ranking individuals present, the item he produced garnered much attention. Sun Chaozong chuckled, "Just a small trinket; I hope everyone likes it." He took out a round, emerald-green bead the size of a baby's fist from his robes. Gusts of clear wind swirled around it.

Jiang Fan recognized it instantly, his expression suddenly changing! A Gale Orb! The Gale Orb he had given to Liu Qingxian!