Chapter 640: Trade

Frankly, the owner of the Infancy Transformation Pill was tempted.

He was already in his twilight years, and excessive indulgence in his youth had led to a severe lack of vitality. Even Phoenix Blood couldn't save him. This was why he had sought a path for his descendants, hoping to align with a major sect as a powerful backer.

Currently, a major sect was out of reach. If there was something that could enhance his potency and allow him to enjoy himself, that seemed acceptable.

If his descendants weren't promising, couldn't he just have a few more?

He felt his identity was well-hidden and should not be discovered.

"How much per drop?"

"Ten thousand spirit stones per drop."

"Words alone are not proof. How can I verify the authenticity of the blood?"

Meng Jingzhou chuckled lightly. He took out a small porcelain bottle and said, "What's difficult about that? There's a drop of blood in this bottle. Consume and refine it, and you'll know the effect."

The methods in the cultivation world were mysterious and unpredictable. Cultivators of the Cursing lineage could cast curses remotely using items like blood and hair, making them impossible to guard against. Meng Jingzhou had long anticipated this. The blood he brought out today had been pre-processed, with all identifying information about the owner completely erased.

The owner of the Infancy Transformation Pill took the small porcelain bottle, half-believing, half-doubting, and poured the blood from the bottle into his palm.

The single drop of blood resembled a sanguine jade, gleaming smoothly, indicating an extraordinary origin. The vital energy (yang qi) it emitted was not to be underestimated; it was clearly several times superior to Phoenix Blood!

"What a good item."

The Nascent Soul cultivators observing nearby stared intently at the drop of blood, secretly revealing expressions of longing.

If it was genuine, they would indeed need to buy a bottle.

After ensuring the blood had not been tampered with, the owner of the Infancy Transformation Pill consumed a drop and quietly refined it.

There was a reaction!

The old face of the Infancy Transformation Pill owner flushed. The effect of this drop of blood was far stronger than he had anticipated. His body instinctively reacted, and even circulating his cultivation technique couldn't suppress the desire!

Meng Jingzhou was also a bit surprised, not expecting his own blood to be so effective. As for being happy, it didn't seem like anything to be particularly pleased about.

"I'll buy it!"

"Fifty thousand per drop."

"You!"

"If you can, don't buy it." Meng Jingzhou remained calm and unperturbed. The initiative was in his hands; he could sell it for as many spirit stones as he wished.

"Fifty thousand it is then. Give me three drops!" the owner of the Infancy Transformation Pill said through gritted teeth. This item was something money couldn't buy. Fifty thousand was not a loss!

Meng Jingzhou cheerfully accepted the storage ring containing 150,000 spirit stones. This money came so quickly. It was enough to pay fifteen fines. If he didn't reveal his identity as a disciple of the Dao Inquiry Sect, he could even pay thirty fines!

Lu Yang watched, clicking his tongue in wonder. He had seen people borrow semen to conceive children, but this was the first time he had seen someone borrow blood for conception.

What was somewhat regrettable was that, perhaps because the Nascent Soul cultivators were cautious, seeing how readily the owner of the Infancy Transformation Pill made the transaction and also seeing the high price of the potency-enhancing blood, they held back, and no one else chose to make a transaction.

The two of them walked around the side hall. Seeing that there was indeed no more business, they had no choice but to give up.

"Let's go somewhere else. I know another black market," Meng Jingzhou transmitted his voice. He was thorough in his preparations, having inquired about several black markets. He had learned about them all from Senior Brother Dai Bufan. Dai Bufan did not easily reveal the information he possessed. For this, Meng Jingzhou had paid a heavy price: he had promised Dai Bufan that he would absolutely not cause any trouble for the next six months.

The two returned the way they came and left the black market.

Just as Lu Yang was about to take out the Sword Cleansing Pond and fly on his sword, an eerie voice came from behind them.

"Are the two fellow Daoists leaving already?"

"Who's there!" Lu Yang sharply turned his head. Four Nascent Soul cultivators, clad in black robes, emerged from the dense forest, their eyes cold and their expressions sinister.

"What do you want?!"

"What do we want?" The leader sneered. "Fellow Daoist, you brought out such a treasure in the side hall—potency-enhancing blood that surpasses even Phoenix Blood. It makes us quite envious."

"Some things are not convenient to say in the side hall where there are many people. Our appearance here, fellow Daoist, should make our intentions clear."

Meng Jingzhou slowly clenched his fists, a sense of vigilance rising within him. "We two are naturally dull-witted and do not understand the intentions of the four fellow Daoists."

The leader persisted, "Can't you really make it cheaper? Even Phoenix Blood is only twenty to thirty thousand per drop!"

Meng Jingzhou sneered coldly. His attitude was firm, and he remained unswayed. "No. To obtain this potency-enhancing blood, I have faced countless crises. Fifty thousand spirit stones per drop, not a single bit cheaper! If it were you, fellow Daoist, would you lower the price?"

"Is that so? That's truly regrettable," the leader drawled. "I was thinking if fellow Daoist were sensible, we could still become friends. But since fellow Daoist is so merciless..." He took the opportunity to exchange a glance with the three beside him. The three men reached into their sleeves, a cold glint flashed, and they abruptly threw something at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang had anticipated this. With a sweep of his hand, he caught three storage rings.

The leader shook his head regretfully. "No discount then, fine. Here are a total of five hundred thousand spirit stones. Fellow Daoist, please count them."

Lu Yang swept his divine sense over them, accepted the three storage rings, and gave Meng Jingzhou a meaningful look. "It is indeed five hundred thousand spirit stones. Hand over the goods."

Meng Jingzhou took out ten bottles of blood from his identity jade token and threw them to the other party.

The leader's eyes twitched. Even in the darkness, he noticed Meng Jingzhou's small movement, especially when he saw Meng Jingzhou's identity jade token. "Fellow Daoist, are you a disciple of the Dao Inquiry Sect?"

"So what if I am?" Meng Jingzhou inwardly thought, 'This isn't good.' He had actually revealed his identity as a disciple of the Dao Inquiry Sect.

The leader stared intently at Meng Jingzhou and slowly said, "If you are disciples of the Dao Inquiry Sect, then I cannot let you two leave so easily. I am also a person of standing. If word gets out, I might not be able to continue my dealings in this world." A smile appeared on his lips. His back to the moonlight, his expression was unclear; only his gleaming, cold teeth were visible.

"What do you want to do?" Lu Yang sensed that the four men's attitudes had changed significantly after learning their identities.

"I invite the two of you to my residence for a visit, to fulfill my duties as a host!" Knowing their identities, if he didn't entertain them, how would his associates in the cultivation world view him?

Lu Yang watched the four warily and gently shook his head. "I don't think that will be necessary." The other party's attitude was strange. They definitely had ulterior motives!

The leader pressed on, "Fellow Daoist, it's just a visit to my residence. Why be so wary?"

Lu Yang sneered repeatedly, having long seen through the other party's disguise, and warned them: "Fellow Daoist, the Great Xia has ruled for a hundred thousand years, and the righteous path is powerful. The methods of evil cultivators are not advisable. Don't you know how many like you have been arrested by the Great Xia, stumbled into prison, and regretted it for life! As disciples of the Dao Inquiry Sect, part of the righteous path, we will absolutely not collude with evil cultivators. If you want to use back channels to have your descendants join the Dao Inquiry Sect, that is wishful thinking!"

The leader's eyes turned cold. He stealthily reached into his sleeve, touched a storage ring, and with a flick of his finger, several lost cultivation manuals fanned open. "Is there truly no opportunity? To be frank, I have a considerable family fortune, with countless secret treasures and ancient texts. Perhaps there's something that catches your eye, fellow Daoist?"

"No opportunity!"

Seeing Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou's resolute attitudes, the leader sighed deeply, looking up at the sky. "Alright, alright, let's go."