https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-289-Golden-winged-Spirit-Butterfly/12549972/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-291-The-Tribulation-of-Transformation/12549979/
Chapter 290: Golden Cup Wood
Chapter 290: Golden Cup Wood
Chu Ning noticed the slightly mysterious expression on Chang Ling Shan's face, and his heart stirred. It seemed that the other party might know some inside information.
The subsequent transaction went smoothly, and Chu Ning managed to exchange a few items for what he needed.
Then, he waited for Chang Ling Shan to finish his transaction before they left Frost Moon Pavilion together.
Han Shihong also joined them as they exited.
Once outside, Chang Ling Shan invited them, "Fellow daoists, would you care to join me at my cave abode for a chat?"
Han Shihong seemed eager to go, and Chu Ning was curious to hear what Chang Ling Shan had to say, so he readily agreed.
As soon as they were seated at Chang Ling Shan's abode, he smiled at Han Shihong and said, "Brother Han, Brother Chu here is seeking treasures such as the Nine Ceremonial Gold, Stellar Core Sand, Golden Cup Wood, and Golden-Silver Bird Tail Feathers."
"Oh? What a coincidence!" Han Shihong's eyes lit up at the mention of these items.
"Brother Chang, why don't we invite Brother Han to join us?" Chu Ning suggested.
Chang Ling Shan immediately nodded in agreement. "That was my intention."
Chu Ning was perplexed by their conversation.
Chang Ling Shan didn't keep him in suspense for long. Turning to Chu Ning, he explained, "Brother Chu, we have a friend who wishes to invite a few fellow daoists to help him hunt a demon beast at sea. One of the rewards he is offering is the Golden Cup Wood. Would you be interested?"
"Golden Cup Wood as a reward?" Chu Ning's heart stirred at the mention of this treasure.
However, he didn't immediately agree. Instead, he asked cautiously, "May I ask who is extending the invitation, and what type of demon beast are we hunting?"
A broader smile spread across Chang Ling Shan's face upon hearing this. "You probably don't know the one who invited us, but I assure you, you will be interested in the demon beast we plan to hunt—a peak seventh-rank Golden-Silver Bird!"
"A peak seventh-rank Golden-Silver Bird?" Chu Ning was slightly taken aback by Chang Ling Shan's words.
Indeed, it was quite a coincidence. He had just been thinking about trying to acquire some Golden-Silver Bird tail feathers at Frost Moon Pavilion.
And now, it seemed that Chang Ling Shan and the others were planning to hunt the very same bird.
No wonder they had looked so intrigued when he mentioned the treasures he sought.
However, a peak seventh-rank demon beast was far beyond the capabilities of a Golden Core cultivator.
Demon beasts were typically stronger than cultivators of the same rank.
And the higher the rank, the greater the disparity.
Higher-ranked demon beasts were often celestial spiritual beasts with unique abilities.
They were simply unmatched by cultivators of the same rank.
Moreover, there was a significant difference between a seventh-rank demon beast and a peak seventh-rank demon beast.
Just as there was a difference between an ordinary Golden Core late-stage cultivator and someone like He Feng or Tie Shi, who were also at the late stage of Golden Core cultivation but far more powerful.
And compared to Yu Changge, He Feng and Tie Shi were still somewhat inferior.
Many peak seventh-rank demon beasts were only a step away from achieving shape-shifting, and their strength was often comparable to, if not greater than, that of an eighth-rank shape-shifting demon beast.
Hence, it was commonly believed in the cultivation world that a peak seventh-rank demon beast was akin to a Nascent Soul cultivator in terms of power.
Even with his current mid-stage Golden Core cultivation base, Chu Ning wasn't confident that he could escape if he encountered such a beast.
Much less attempt to kill it.
Furthermore, while Chang Ling Shan and Han Shihong were also at the mid-stage of Golden Core, their means might not necessarily match his own.
So, Chu Ning hesitated and asked, "When a demon beast reaches the peak of the seventh rank, it's only a step away from achieving shape-shifting. Wouldn't it be too risky for us to hunt it?"
Chang Ling Shan understood Chu Ning's concern and explained, "The daoist who invited us is a Golden Core late-stage cultivator nearing the peak of his power, so he will be leading the hunt. Moreover, he has devised a meticulous plan that involves using an array to kill the demon beast. He specifically requested the help of five fellow daoists to power the array, which is why he sought out Golden Core mid-stage cultivators like us."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ning finally understood.
The Golden Core late-stage cultivator probably wasn't arrogant enough to take on a peak seventh-rank demon beast directly, hence the use of an array.
As for inviting Golden Core mid-stage cultivators, it likely had something to do with preventing any greedy thoughts afterward.
Chang Ling Shan continued with a smile, "To be honest, Brother Chu, I had already planned to invite another daoist to join us. But when I heard that you were looking for Golden Cup Wood and Golden-Silver Bird tail feathers, and considering that you've recently advanced to the mid-stage of Golden Core, I thought it would be a good opportunity to invite you along."
After a brief pause, Chang Ling Shan added, "The Golden Cup Wood is one of the rewards, and you're free to choose it if you wish. As for the tail feathers, as far as I know, our friend is most interested in obtaining the demon beast's Golden Core. The tail feathers will be yours if you can convince him to part with them."
After some contemplation, Chu Ning decided that it was worth giving it a try.
After all, it was just a peak seventh-rank demon beast that hadn't yet achieved shape-shifting. While it might be dangerous, they would have the advantage of the array, and with so many people, the risk wouldn't be too great.
"I'll reply to him, probably in three days." Chang Ling Shan responded.
After setting a date, they left Chang Ling Shan's cave abode and returned to their respective dwellings.
Chu Ning then took out a jade slip from his storage bag, which contained the method for cultivating the Golden Winged Spirit Butterfly that he had obtained from the family of three in the Snow Peak Mountains.
By agreeing to Chang Ling Shan's invitation, even if they successfully killed the Golden-Silver Bird, he would still be missing two ingredients for refining the Golden Spirit Sword.
In addition to continuing his search for exchanges with other cultivators, he would also have to look for these ingredients himself.
A few days earlier, Chu Ning had glanced at the jade slip and discovered that if the Golden Winged Spirit Butterfly could advance to a level-two demon beast, it would not only have a keen sense for spirit medicines and spirit fruits but also for metallic materials.
With this knowledge, Chu Ning was determined to find a way to cultivate the butterfly to the second level.
This might prove useful in the future.
After reading through the jade slip, Chu Ning reached into his spirit beast bag and released the Golden Winged Spirit Butterfly.
"The cultivation of this butterfly is quite simple. It feeds on the nectar of metallic spiritual flowers.
Moreover, after consuming the nectar, the butterfly doesn't seem to have any negative impact on the spiritual plants."
Out of the metallic spiritual plants that Chu Ning had brought back from the Snow Peak Mountains, four of them were capable of blooming.
Thus, the Golden Winged Spirit Butterfly had an ample supply of nectar.
"However, this jade slip only contains the most basic cultivation method, such as what it should eat and how to improve its honey collection.
If there are some special methods to help it absorb spiritual energy, perhaps the butterfly's growth rate can be further increased."
Chu Ning pondered for a moment, then took out another jade slip from his storage bag—the one he had obtained from Qi Guangshou of the Jiuhua Sect.
He had briefly looked through this jade slip when he was incubating the Golden Lightning Eagle, but he hadn't studied it in detail.
However, he vaguely remembered that in addition to beast cultivation techniques, there were also some spirit insect cultivation methods recorded within.
After a careful examination, Chu Ning indeed found a spirit insect cultivation technique.
Although it wasn't very profound, it was suitable for most spirit insects, and Chu Ning believed it would be effective for the butterfly as well.
At that moment, the Golden Winged Spirit Butterfly had flown to a spiritual plant and was busy collecting nectar. Chu Ning observed its feeding process while also studying the cultivation technique recorded on the jade slip.
When the butterfly seemed to have finished collecting nectar and was about to fall into a deep sleep, Chu Ning extended his hand, and a white light glowed in his palm, forming a small ball of light.
He then brought his hand closer to the butterfly, enveloping it in the soft radiance.
The white glow in Chu Ning's palm gradually faded as the light was absorbed into the butterfly's body.
Once the glow completely disappeared, Chu Ning withdrew his hand, allowing the butterfly to regain its freedom.
The well-fed butterfly took flight once more, landing on another flower to resume its nectar collection.
"It worked!" Chu Ning exclaimed with a smile as he witnessed this scene.
Since the Golden Winged Spirit Butterfly could now consume more nectar, its growth rate would naturally increase.
Thus, over the next three days, in addition to cultivating his regular techniques and the Golden Armored Divine Shadow Fist, Chu Ning spent his free time cultivating the butterfly.
On the appointed day, Chu Ning met up with Chang Ling Shan, and they headed to the designated meeting spot outside the Iceland Immortal City.
Soon, three more people arrived.
One of them was Han Shihong, and the other two were a middle-aged couple.
Chang Ling Shan introduced them to Chu Ning: the man was called He Yongzhi, and the woman was Wu Rongfeng, both of whom were also mid-stage Golden Core cultivators.
Chang Ling Shan smiled and addressed the group, "Fellow daoists, this time we're heading to the outer sea. Brother Kong doesn't want too many people to know about our plans.
So, he has already set off for the Central Sea region to wait for us."
The Brother Kong that Chang Ling Shan mentioned was Kong Yifeng, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator nearing the peak of his power.
Chu Ning had heard about him from Chang Ling Shan before.
Hearing that Kong Yifeng had already gone ahead to the Central Sea region, Chu Ning wasn't surprised.
Having reached Kong Yifeng's level of cultivation and being a loose cultivator, it was likely that he had a few enemies in the Iceland Immortal City.
Such caution was understandable, as they wanted to avoid anyone deliberately causing trouble for them.
After all, if Kong Yifeng traveled with a group of five people, it would be obvious that they had a hidden agenda.
The Boundless Sea was vast, and the farther out one ventured, the more expansive it became.
Chu Ning had only been to the Central Sea region a handful of times before, and even then, he had only explored a fraction of it—barely scratching the surface.
This time, Chang Ling Shan led them to an area he had never visited before.
After flying for half a day, they finally landed on a small island. Chang Ling Shan seemed to have a secret signal with Kong Yifeng, as he immediately headed southeast after their arrival.
Chu Ning released his spiritual sense to get a sense of this Kong fellow's true appearance.
"Hmm, a formation?"
However, as Chu Ning's spiritual sense extended in that direction, he discovered that a formation had been set up on the island.
"It seems that this Brother Kong is indeed well-versed in the ways of formations."
Chu Ning mused to himself, deciding not to probe further. He joined the others and flew to the perimeter of the formation.
Once Chang Ling Shan landed, he activated a talisman and threw it into the formation, calling out, "Brother Kong, we've brought along the fellow cultivators who will assist you. Please show yourself."
As Chang Ling Shan finished speaking, the formation's restrictions flashed, and a plain-dressed, short elderly man appeared before them.
Chu Ning's gaze fell upon the man, and after a brief assessment of his aura, he formed an initial impression.
"He's still a notch below Yu Changge's level, but he's definitely stronger than Gong Yuyuan.
He's comparable to He Feng, Tie Shi, and Wu Lingwei from the Frost Moon Pavilion."
As Chu Ning pondered, Kong Yifeng clasped his hands and greeted the group.
"I am deeply grateful to all of you for your assistance. I believe Chang Daoist has already briefed you on the matter. To ease any concerns, let me show you the rewards for this endeavor upfront. Afterward, I will entrust these items to Chang Daoist, and he will distribute them to everyone once our task is complete."
Kong Yifeng demonstrated his sincerity by taking out several items from his storage bag, including refining materials, spirit pills, and elixirs.
Chu Ning's attention was immediately drawn to the piece of dark golden spirit wood in Kong Yifeng's hand.
"Golden Cup Wood!"
Chu Ning instantly recognized it as the wood he sought, and his eyes lit up.
Kong Yifeng then turned to Chang Ling Shan and asked, "Chang Daoist, have you decided how to distribute these treasures among you?"
"Yes, we have," Chang Ling Shan replied as he took the items from Kong Yifeng one by one.
He gave the elixirs to Han Shihong, a refining material and an elixir to He Yongzhi and Wu Rongfeng, respectively, and then passed the Golden Cup Wood to Chu Ning, keeping a jade bottle for himself.
The values of these items were roughly equivalent, and since Chu Ning had gotten what he wanted, he wasn't particularly interested in how the rest were distributed.
He held the Golden Cup Wood in his hand, carefully sensing its quality, and was pleased to find that it was indeed of high caliber.
He nodded in satisfaction.
The others did the same and, finding no issues, returned their items to Chang Ling Shan.
Chang Ling Shan beamed as he stored all the items in his bag. "I'll hold onto these for now and distribute them to you all after our mission."
Kong Yifeng then took out five flags and handed one to each of the five cultivators.
"The island where the Golden-Silver Bird dwells is about five thousand miles from here. Once we arrive, I will set up a formation. Listen for my signal and activate your flags to assist me in slaying the beast."
As he spoke, Kong Yifeng explained to the group how to activate the flags and coordinate with his formation.
Chu Ning listened intently, holding the flag, and was surprised to discover that it was a lightning-based formation. "All of us possess five-elemental spiritual power, so Brother Kong must have a special plate or item that can emit lightning strikes."
This was the first time Chu Ning had encountered such a formation, but as a Formation Spirit Body, he instinctively understood its workings.
However, he kept his thoughts to himself and listened intently as Kong Yifeng finished explaining.
The method of activating the flags was relatively straightforward. Kong Yifeng explained it twice to ensure everyone understood before they set off towards the outer sea.
(End of Chapter)
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