Time flew by, and three months passed.
Xiao Jin and Xiao Wa digested the medicinal power of the Net Blood Spirit Zhi, and after being fed the Mystic Celestial Beast Transformation Pill, they successfully advanced.
“You two take good care of the house; I’ll be back in a few days!” Li Mu looked at the now larger Xiao Jin and Xiao Wa and instructed.
“Okay, Master!”
Xiao Jin and Xiao Wa responded in unison with their still unpracticed voices.
Li Mu smiled slightly, soared into the air, and in a blink of an eye, flew out of Yin Yang Valley, then took the Celestial Shuttle Spirit Ship to Barren Ancient City.
In these past few months, Li Mu had refined a batch of Spiritual Artifacts. Besides the five-tier spiritual sword he refined for himself, there were also some four-tier and five-tier Spiritual Artifacts he planned to sell. Lin Baoqing of Wanbao Pavilion in Barren Ancient City was a suitable trading target.
Lin Baoqing probably guessed his identity as ‘Master Li’ and ‘Li Jianxian’, but out of consideration for his Face, he didn’t say it directly.
Li Mu planned to sell a batch of Spiritual Artifacts to acquire cultivation Materials for planting five-tier Spiritual Plants, such as five-tier Bodhi Wood, Heavenly Star Rhinoceros Soil, Spirit Jade Marrow Fluid, and Grand Nether True Dew, among other High Grade Spiritual Materials for cultivation and seedling protection.
To avoid any unexpected situations, Li Mu appeared with his true Face and stored his seven-tier Painting World Treasure Mansion, six-tier Celestial Void Cauldron, six-tier Five Elements Spirit Mountain, and other High Grade heavy treasures into his storage grid. This way, the Ji Family’s ‘vicious woman’s’ treasure-seeking Spirit Pearl would definitely not be able to find him again.
Barren Ancient City - Floating Air Port, Wanbao Pavilion, Inner Hall Reception Room.
Upon receiving notice from his subordinate that ‘Master Li’ was visiting with a Guest Elder token, Lin Baoqing hurried over.
Entering the reception room and seeing Li Mu sipping spiritual tea, Wanbao Pavilion - Manager Lin - Lin Baoqing immediately broke into a brilliant smile, as if he had seen the God of Wealth, his gaze fervent and his Face filled with joy.
“Master Li, I’ve long admired your name. I never expected you to grace us with your presence. I am the Manager of this Wanbao Pavilion, Lin Baoqing!” Lin Baoqing looked at Li Mu and introduced himself warmly.
“Manager Lin, you are too kind!” Li Mu put down his teacup and returned a smile.
“Master Li, may I know what you need? I will immediately arrange for someone to assist you!” Lin Baoqing looked at Li Mu, getting straight to the point with a warm greeting.
“Hmm! I’ve recently refined a batch of Spiritual Artifacts that I plan to sell; there’s quite a number. Additionally, I need to purchase a batch of High Grade Materials, Manager Lin, so I’ll have to trouble you!” Li Mu smiled slightly and explained.
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Mu directly took out a storage bracelet from his bosom and handed it to Lin Baoqing. The Spiritual Artifacts refined for sale were all inside the storage bracelet.
Lin Baoqing’s eyes lit up, and he quickly took it. His Divine Sense entered the storage bracelet, and his Face immediately showed a look of pleasant surprise.
Goodness! The storage bracelet contained thirty-seven Spiritual Artifacts, every single one of them of excellent quality: twenty-one four-tier High Grade Spiritual Artifacts, and sixteen five-tier Medium Grade and High Grade Spiritual Artifacts. So many exquisite Spiritual Artifacts, enough to organize a small Auction!
“Master Li, rest assured, our store will buy all of these Spiritual Artifacts, and at a high price. May I ask what Materials you need? I will do my utmost to collect them for you.” Lin Baoqing’s voice changed with joy as he looked at Li Mu with enthusiasm, speaking excitedly.
“This is the Material list. If I could personally select them from the warehouse, I might purchase a few more.” Li Mu smiled slightly, handing Lin Baoqing a white Jade Slip and indicating.
Upon hearing this, Lin Baoqing quickly took the Jade Slip and said happily, “Of course, no problem, Master Li. The Treasure Mansion’s warehouse is always open for you. Just take whatever you fancy.”
“Master Li, please, I’ll take you to the Treasure Mansion’s warehouse now!” Lin Baoqing gestured invitingly without hesitation, adding.
Li Mu laughed heartily, naturally not being polite with him. He followed Lin Baoqing out of the inner hall reception room and headed to the Treasure Mansion’s warehouse.
Wanbao Pavilion’s warehouse was a core important area, not only protected by strict Restriction Formations but also guarded in real-time by one Soul Transformation cultivator and four Nascent Soul cultivators.
Lin Baoqing, holding the Treasure Mansion token, led Li Mu through the heavily guarded passage to the warehouse entrance. He performed complex unsealing incantations and successfully opened the treasure vault door.
“Master Li, please come in. This is Wanbao Pavilion’s treasure vault for High Grade Artifact Refining Materials and various Spiritual Materials. Feel free to take whatever you need!” Lin Baoqing gestured invitingly to Li Mu and said generously.
At this moment, Li Mu had already narrowed his eyes. After the treasure vault door opened, he found his eyes were not enough.
Wanbao Pavilion’s Material warehouse covered several hundred mu, and looking around, there were hundreds of thousands of large shelves, displaying tens of thousands of Materials.
Various High Grade Artifact Refining Materials and auxiliary Spiritual Materials came into view one by one. Several giant iron and wooden shelves displayed hundreds of thousands of High Grade Spiritual Materials: a large mass of floating five-tier Ethereal Mist Spiritual Soil, a pile of Grand Yin Fiend Gold that distorted the surrounding Spiritual Qi… As far as the eye could see, various four-tier and five-tier Artifact Refining Materials and their information appeared before him.
What is this?
Li Mu’s gaze was quickly drawn to a large green stone placed in the center. Under his Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits, all of its attribute information was displayed.
【meteorite crystal nucleus】
【Grade: Seven-Tier Spiritual Ore】
【Characteristics: Spirit-repelling, thought-isolating, indestructible, self-contained heavy domain, inwardly restrained, eternally stable heavy principle.】
【meteorite crystal nucleus, a seven-tier Spiritual Ore, the core meteorite crystal nucleus produced after an aging fallen star exploded. Weight: 370,000 jin. Self-contained heavy principle, compatible with myriad spirits, inwardly restrained spirituality, unmanifested material.】
This colossal stone, occupying the space of two or three shelves, existed like a ballast stone. It was ancient, grayish-green, and unremarkable, yet it was actually a seven-tier Spiritual Ore.
Li Mu’s eyes widened, his Face filled with disbelief. This was the second seven-tier Spiritual Item he had seen after the star beast remnant pearl. Unlike the star beast remnant pearl, which could glimpse the space-time Dao principles of the future, this fallen star crystal nucleus carried the Dao principles of gravity and possessed characteristics such as being indestructible, spirit-repelling, and thought-isolating… It was an excellent Material for Artifact Refining.
This kind of Material couldn’t be bought with any amount of Spirit Stones! The characteristics of this Material were particularly suitable for refining a defensive Spirit Treasure. No, with these Material characteristics, refining it into a spiritual sword would also be excellent.
Li Mu’s eyes glowed, and he had already conceived many Artifact Refining plans for it in his mind.
“Master Li, you’ve taken a liking to this giant stone? Can you recognize what Material it is?” Lin Baoqing looked at Li Mu and asked with concern.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu’s heart stirred. He looked at Lin Baoqing and asked in surprise, “Hmm? The Spirit Identifier and Grandmaster Refiners in your pavilion couldn’t recognize this Material?”
“Yes, no one in the pavilion recognizes this Material, not even several Grandmaster Refiners. However, this Material is indeed extraordinary; it’s heavy and hard, repels spirits, isolates Divine Sense, and neither spiritual fire nor earth fire can refine it. This giant stone has been in the warehouse for hundreds of years, but unfortunately, many Grandmaster Refiners have failed to refine it.” Lin Baoqing nodded and explained in detail.
“Hmm! I’ve taken a liking to this Material. Can you let me have it?” Li Mu couldn’t help but smile. This seven-tier fallen star crystal nucleus could only be refined with Heavenly Fire.
“This… This Material is unusual, and it’s hard to estimate its value! However, if Master Li fancies it, Lin is willing to give it to you.” Lin Baoqing hesitated for a moment, then, remembering something, decided generously.
“Give it to me! Manager Lin, this Material is indeed extraordinary, and I happen to have a way to refine it. If you give it to me, your loss won’t be small!” Li Mu was stunned for a moment and said with a surprised laugh.
Upon hearing this, Lin Baoqing hesitated slightly, then waved his hand magnanimously, saying, “This Material, besides Master Li, no one has been able to make use of it for hundreds of years. This is fate then. It’s a pleasure to help others succeed; Lin can bear a small financial loss.”
“Haha, then thank you, Manager Lin. Li is indebted. However, I can’t accept something for nothing, so let’s make a trade! Let’s offset this Material with five five-tier Spiritual Artifacts!” Li Mu happily thanked Lin Baoqing and decided.
Lin Baoqing was stunned. He never expected that this Artifact Refining Material, whose origin he couldn’t understand, would be worth five five-tier Spiritual Artifacts. It was simply outrageous.
A six-tier Bodhi Material certainly wasn’t worth this much. Could it be a seven-tier Artifact Refining Material?
Li Mu didn’t disclose the information about this Material, and Lin Baoqing couldn’t directly inquire.
For a moment, Lin Baoqing couldn’t help but feel reluctant, not wanting to send away a rare treasure so cluelessly.
“How about it, Manager Lin?” Li Mu seemed to sense something, looking at Lin Baoqing with a half-smile, and asked with a laugh.
“Of course, of course, no problem. If Master Li is unwilling to accept it, then I can only thank Master Li!” Lin Baoqing immediately realized and quickly agreed.
He had already decided to use this Material to curry favor with Li Mu. If he went back on his word now, he might offend the other party instead.
Just this one transaction today could bring Wanbao Pavilion two or three months of profit. If he could appease Master Li and have him supply goods long-term, then he would be a God of Wealth! It’s just an Artifact Refining Material; what’s there to hesitate about!
Li Mu couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, somewhat regretting giving it such a high valuation. However, his offer was still far less than one-tenth of the value of this seven-tier Material.
High Grade Materials like this, which contain Dao principles, are priceless and rarely seen on the market. If it weren’t for the fact that the people of Wanbao Pavilion couldn’t confirm its attributes and couldn’t refine it, such a good thing certainly wouldn’t have fallen to him.
“Master Li, this Material is no small matter. It repels Divine Sense attachment, and ordinary storage Spiritual Artifacts cannot take it away. Do you need me to have someone help!” Lin Baoqing looked at Li Mu and indicated.
“No need, I can handle it!” Li Mu smiled and politely refused. As soon as he finished speaking, his thought landed on the fallen star crystal nucleus.
With a “whoosh,” the fallen star crystal nucleus disappeared from its original spot, taken into Li Mu’s storage grid. The panel’s built-in storage grid didn’t care about its repulsion of Spiritual Qi or Divine Soul, nor did it need to consider its weight.
“Master Li! What skill! Now the warehouse has a lot more space to store Materials.” Lin Baoqing was stunned for a moment, looking at the empty floor, and praised Li Mu with a smile.
“Manager Lin, let’s continue looking at the Materials! Oh, by the way, do you have stock of the Materials I need in the pavilion’s warehouse?” Li Mu looked at Lin Baoqing and asked with concern.
Upon hearing this, Lin Baoqing quickly checked the white Jade Slip in his hand with his Divine Sense and replied, “Except for Bodhi Wood and Grand Nether True Dew, it seems all other Materials are in stock.”
“Master Li, please follow me.” Lin Baoqing gestured and walked ahead to lead the way.
Li Mu nodded and quickly followed.
Soon, under Lin Baoqing’s guidance, Li Mu acquired a large amount of five-tier auxiliary Spiritual Materials for Spiritual Plant growth. At the same time, he did not forget to purchase another batch of Artifact Refining Materials and Yao Beast essences for refining the next batch of Spiritual Artifacts.
…
Coming out of Wanbao Pavilion, night quietly descended.
Barren Ancient City - Floating Skyport, countless spiritual lamps made of crystal luminous stones stood, illuminating the entire Floating Skyport, making it incredibly beautiful.
After leaving Wanbao Pavilion, Li Mu walked straight towards Tianji Pavilion opposite, continuing to purchase auxiliary Spiritual Materials while taking the opportunity to learn about the current hot news in Barren Ancient City and buy some intelligence.
A couplet hung on the main entrance of Tianji Pavilion.
Upper couplet: Life and death are in the heavens, poverty, wealth, nobility, and lowliness are all numbered; a thousand years of calculation is not as good as one drunken moment.
Lower couplet: Fortune and misfortune are up to man, good and bad depend on each other, always uncertain; a long wave of ten thousand Li is hard to fathom in this life.
Li Mu glanced at it, smiled, and walked into Tianji Pavilion.
The first floor of Tianji Building was still in the style of a teahouse. The Tea Master sat in a prominent central position, eloquently narrating current hot news. Around him, Golden Core cultivators sat in twos and threes at tea tables, sipping tea and chatting, or listening to the Tea Master speak about the news.
“Half a month ago, Venerable Tianyi led his people out of the Barren Abyss Battlefield. According to them, they discovered an ancient sect ruin in a certain Spiritual Mountain, suspected to be the long-lost Demon God Sect. The core area is covered with ancient Restriction Formations, making entry difficult. Venerable Tianyi has issued a recruitment order, offering a reward of one million medium spirit stones, sincerely inviting Formation Great Masters to break the Formation and explore the ruins together. If there are any gains, there will be additional benefits.”
“Seven days ago, on the edge of the Barren Abyss Battlefield, near the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, in the vicinity of Cloud Heaven Peak, a world-shaking battle occurred. It is suspected that Soul Transformation cultivator - Venerable Xu Yu and a six-tier Yao King broke out in this battle over a High Grade Spiritual Plant that had just appeared. For more detailed intelligence, please inquire with a Celestial Mystery Scholar!”
“Five days ago, Ancient Moon Sect Saintess - Fairy Feng Luan widely issued a bounty order, wishing to refine a six-tier spirit treasure and seeking a Six-Tier Grandmaster Refiner. Providing a clue will earn a reward of five hundred thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones…”
“….”
Li Mu walked into the hall and immediately heard the Tea Master eloquently narrating the news. However, it was all partial and vague information. But if anyone was interested in this information, they could go to the secret chamber to inquire with a Celestial Mystery Scholar for relevant intelligence.
Hearing that one could receive a reward of five hundred thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones for a clue to a Six-Tier Grandmaster Refiner, what kind of benefits would one gain if they helped the Ancient Moon Saintess refine this six-tier spirit treasure!
Six-Tier Grandmaster Refiners were too rare!
Even with a panel that allowed him to gain free proficiency points by cultivating Spiritual Plants, Li Mu’s Refining Skill was still stuck at level five, only able to refine five-tier Spiritual Artifacts.
Li Mu hadn’t dared to touch the six-tier Artifact Refining Materials he acquired from the last Auction and hadn’t dared to easily attempt refining six-tier Spiritual Artifacts.
“Senior, would you like to drink spiritual tea in the main hall! Or go to the Celestial Mystery Chamber!” Seeing Li Mu, a young woman in a pink dress, aged around sixteen, with a beautiful Face, gracefully walked up to Li Mu, bowed, and asked with a charming smile.
“Find me a table; I’ll have a cup of tea first!” Li Mu indicated.
“Okay, Senior, this way please!” The pink-dressed woman nodded happily and gestured invitingly.
Li Mu nodded, followed her, and took a seat at an empty table.