Chapter 246: Obtaining the Spirit Ability
Chapter 246: Obtaining the Spirit Ability
Upon hearing Qi Xinghuo's intention, Han Qiu's smile widened as he said, "I'll send a message to the Venerable immediately. However, he is not currently at Skyfall Cliff, so our guest may have to wait a moment."
"Please go ahead." Qi Xinghuo nodded.
Han Qiu took out a silver-white disc, about fifteen centimeters in diameter, seemingly made of metal, and it looked minuscule in his hand.
He tapped and manipulated it with his finger.
Qi Xinghuo watched with curiosity.
Through electromagnetic sensing, he perceived that the disc's internal structure was intricate, yet the energy fluctuations were well-contained. It was evidently a product of aether technology, capable of long-distance communication within the Star Realm.
"This is the Starry Internet Communicator," Han Qiu explained, noticing Qi Xinghuo's interest. "It's a communication device from the Star Alliance. By utilizing the stargates scattered throughout the Star Realm and the Milky Way as relays, it constructs a communication network spanning both realms. Although there are often delays, it enables ultra-long-distance communication."
He held up the silver-white disc for Qi Xinghuo to see and said, "It's commonly known as the 'Star Communicator'."
Qi Xinghuo was amazed.
This was the first time he had heard of such a device capable of inter-realm communication.
To a certain extent, if the Star Communicator covered the entire Milky Way, it would allow instantaneous communication between parties separated by tens of thousands of light-years.
"It must be very expensive, right?" Qi Xinghuo asked.
"I don't know," Han Qiu shook his head. "This Star Communicator was given to me by the Venerable, and I don't quite understand those terms related to the communication network. I only know how to operate it."
Qi Xinghuo was taken aback.
He suddenly remembered that the Snow Ape Giants were natives of the Star Realm and had little understanding of physical technology, let alone aether technology.
Han Qiu sent the message, and after about ten seconds, the Star Communicator vibrated slightly.
He glanced at it and said, "The Venerable says he'll be back soon."
While waiting for the Ethereal Being to return, Qi Xinghuo suddenly thought of something and asked, "Chief Han Qiu, have you been in the Bloody Highlands for many years? Do you know where the Gale Beasts roam?"
"Are you looking for a Gale Beast's heart?" Han Qiu asked with a smile.
Qi Xinghuo nodded, "Yes."
"Then you've asked the right person," Han Qiu chuckled. "The movements of the Gale Beasts are unpredictable, and no one can pinpoint their exact locations. However, we Snow Ape Giants are neighbors with the Gale Beasts, and we understand their habits well. I have a general idea of the areas where Gale Beasts are likely to appear."
"That's wonderful!" Qi Xinghuo was overjoyed.
However, Han Qiu paused and fell silent.
Qi Xinghuo immediately understood and said, "I'm willing to purchase the information about the Gale Beasts' locations. Please name your price, Chief Han Qiu."
"One aether crystal," Han Qiu said, extending his broad palm.
Qi Xinghuo immediately took out one of the two remaining aether crystals and placed it in his hand. Han Qiu pocketed the crystal and said with satisfaction, "Our guest is a straightforward person." He then handed over a simple map to Qi Xinghuo.
Qi Xinghuo took the map and saw that it covered most of the Bloody Highlands, with dozens of areas in the eastern region marked as places where Gale Beasts had appeared before.
Han Qiu explained, "The areas marked on this map only indicate a higher probability of encountering Gale Beasts, but it's not a guarantee that you'll definitely find them."
"I understand," Qi Xinghuo nodded.
Although the map was expensive, it would save him a lot of time compared to blindly searching the entire area.
Moreover, buying this map would also help him build a better relationship with Han Qiu.
As the Ethereal Being's agent and the nominal ruler of Skyfall Cliff, with three thousand Snow Ape Giants under his command, Han Qiu must have access to abundant resources and information networks, having a thorough understanding of the eastern region of the Bloody Highlands. Building a good relationship with him would undoubtedly be beneficial.
Of course, he couldn't be too blatant about it, as that would make him seem overly calculative.
The two chatted for over an hour.
"The Venerable has returned," Han Qiu suddenly stood up and exited the hall.
Soon after, a voice resonated in Qi Xinghuo's mind, "Han Qiu said you want to make a deal with me?"
"Yes, Venerable Ethereal Being," Qi Xinghuo stood up to show his respect, even though he didn't know where the Ethereal Being was, and replied politely.
"Are you buying or selling?" the Ethereal Being asked.
Qi Xinghuo took out a bag and said, "I want to trade these 35 Red Emperor Blood Crystals for a Magnetic Spirit Star Core and a Spirit Ability variant." As he spoke, he poured the Red Emperor Blood Crystals out of the bag and placed them on the table in front of him.
"Oh?"
A hint of surprise slipped into the Ethereal Being's tone, "You truly are the chosen one destined to become an Infinite Realm Master in the future. You've managed to gather so many Red Emperor Blood Crystals."
Qi Xinghuo sensed an extremely subtle fluctuation sweep over him.
"In just half a Star Realm month, your strength has improved this much," the Ethereal Being sighed.
"It's just luck," Qi Xinghuo humbly replied.
"Haha..." The Ethereal Being laughed, "You don't have to be so cautious. As I told you before, I bear you no ill will, and I won't reveal your secrets to others. Between us, there will only be the fairest of trades and a bit of camaraderie."
"Thank you, Senior, for your recognition," Qi Xinghuo expressed his gratitude.
The Ethereal Being didn't say anything further, "35 Red Emperor Blood Crystals are enough for the trade. I'll do it."
Suddenly, ripples appeared in the space in front of him, and a void opened at the center, sucking in all the Red Emperor Blood Crystals from the table.
"I certainly trust your word, Senior," Qi Xinghuo nodded, picking up the Spirit Ability variant.
This was the second time he had seen one.
The pearl-like Spirit Ability variant had a soft texture and emitted a faint glow.
Information about the variant appeared before his eyes.
[Variant: Spirit Ability]
[Grade: Beyond Limit]
[Fusion Success Rate: 99%]
[Upgradeable: Yes]
"It's the real deal," Qi Xinghuo praised inwardly. So far, only the rotating magnetic field and electrostatic field had achieved a 99% fusion success rate.
Ren Jie had gone through great lengths to bring himself and the other two into the Dagonian city to kill the Toad Spirit and obtain the Spirit Ability.
And now, he had obtained one as well!
"You still have some Red Emperor Blood Crystals left, don't you?"
The Ethereal Being suddenly asked. Without waiting for Qi Xinghuo's reply, he continued, "I can offer a higher price to buy the extra ones from you."
Qi Xinghuo hesitated.
After exchanging for the Magnetic Spirit Star Core and the Spirit Ability variant, he still had 14 Red Emperor Blood Crystals left.
These precious blood crystals were invaluable, something that money couldn't buy. He wanted to keep them for Man Ying, Ren Jie, and his family and friends, giving them a chance to fuse with a variant and enhance their bodies. The blood crystals could also be traded for other expansion items.
However, since the Ethereal Being had brought it up, he should give him some face and sell him a few more crystals.
"What price are you offering, Senior?" Qi Xinghuo asked.
"One blood crystal for 15 aether crystals. What do you think?" The Ethereal Being increased the purchase price by half.
What a swindler! Qi Xinghuo cursed inwardly. The Ethereal Being's offer indicated that the price of the Red Emperor Blood Crystals was far more than 15 aether crystals, and there was definitely room for a higher markup.
The Ethereal Being could sell the blood crystals elsewhere for dozens or even hundreds of aether crystals.
But there was no other option; he had a monopoly on the trade channel!
"I'm willing to sell you four more Red Emperor Blood Crystals, Senior," Qi Xinghuo said honestly. "The rest, I want to keep for my family and friends."
"Very well."
Qi Xinghuo took out four blood crystals and placed them on the table.
Once again, a void opened in front of him, sucking in the blood crystals, and 60 aether crystals fell out in return. They were neatly stacked, each one a standard hexagonal prism, semi-transparent, with faint energy flowing within, reflecting a soft rainbow light.
Such a pile of aether crystals looked quite spectacular.
In the Star Realm, they were worth 1.2 billion Aya!
Qi Xinghuo did not reveal his Dimensional Stomach and instead used a bag to store the aether crystals, thus concluding the trade.
"I'll have Han Qiu notify you as soon as the Magnetic Spirit Star Core arrives," the Ethereal Being said.
"Yes, Senior," Qi Xinghuo replied.
He waited for about ten seconds, but the Ethereal Being did not respond further, confirming that he had left.
Han Qiu entered the hall and said, "The Venerable is very satisfied with this trade. In a few days, when our esteemed guest returns, I will update the trading list for you."
It seemed that one had to spend money to see more of the good stuff.
Qi Xinghuo was quite looking forward to it.
Before leaving, he asked Han Qiu about purchasing some auxiliary medicines to speed up his cultivation. Han Qiu recommended a pharmacy on Skyfall Cliff, which was a business under the Snow Ape Tribe. Showing the Skyfall Token at the store would get him some discounted prices.
Following Han Qiu's directions, Qi Xinghuo went to the pharmacy and, after careful selection, bought ten bottles of "Refined Aether Solvent."
Each bottle of the medicine cost as much as an aether crystal!
But its effects were worth the price.
Drinking it would grant the user the equivalent of a level three Aether Sensitivity, increasing the efficiency of cultivating and absorbing aetheric energy, and the effect would last for about 45 starry days, equivalent to three months on Earth.
This was similar to the effects of the Grade A Blood Marrow Solution but at a more affordable price.
If not for the purchase limit, Qi Xinghuo would have liked to buy more.
He was able to buy ten bottles of Refined Aether Solvent in one go because he had the Skyfall Token; otherwise, others would be limited to a maximum of three bottles per starry year.
Upon returning to Xia Qingyu's home, the two of them were already awake.
Seeing Qi Xinghuo coming back, Xia Qingyu asked, "Where did you go so early in the morning?"
"Just went out to buy some things," Qi Xinghuo replied casually. Seeing that they were both dressed and ready, he asked, "Are you two going to use the Red Emperor Blood Crystals?"
"Yes!"
Xia Qingyu looked excited. "Thanks to you, I can fuse with another variant before attempting to break through to the Legendary Alien realm."
"Good luck," Qi Xinghuo said.
He followed the two of them into the cultivation room. Xia Qingyu went first and successfully absorbed the energy from the blood crystal, enhancing his body and increasing his strength. Then it was Misa's turn, and she smoothly absorbed a blood crystal as well.
The two of them were overjoyed and decided to go to a bar to celebrate, leaving immediately.
Qi Xinghuo shook his head and took out a bottle of Refined Aether Solvent, drinking it down. Soon, he felt the effects of the medicine, which were quite remarkable.
Then, he immersed himself in cultivation, and his stellar power grew rapidly!
(End of Chapter)
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