Chapter 674: The Luster Corpse Skin
Chapter 674: The Luster Corpse Skin
"Friend Yu Lin."
Lu Chen cupped his fists and greeted with a smile.
"It's a rare honor to have you here, Friend Lu. I heard from others that it's nearly impossible to invite you out of your cave abode," Yu Lin San Ren chuckled.
"This time, I'll definitely stay in the Qingmu Star Cave for a few more days to discuss and exchange experiences in cultivating spirit herbs with fellow friends and yourself. I want to experience the uniqueness of Qingmu Star Cave." Lu Chen replied.
"Sure, then I'll have to trouble you, fellow friend."
Following Yu Lin San Ren, Lu Chen entered a spacious and quiet wooden house built from bamboo-like branches. The interior exuded a sense of comfort and ease.
"Allow me to introduce you to a few friends."
"This is Friend Xuanyuan, an expert in various thunder-attributed divine abilities and a powerful cultivator."
"And this is Friend Lu Xuan, a low-key person who rarely leaves his cave abode. He's one of the few who have advanced to the Golden Core stage in Tianxing Cave in recent years and has profound knowledge in the way of spirit herbs."
There were already four Golden Core cultivators in the wooden house, two of whom Lu Chen had met before. One was Wang Suihai, whom he had conversed pleasantly with in Heishui Star Cave and excelled in beast taming. The other was merely an acquaintance, and they hadn't interacted much.
Yu Lin San Ren introduced the other two Golden Core cultivators to Lu Chen and the others, then asked the servant girls to serve spirit fruits and tea. After a few instructions, he left again to welcome the remaining Golden Core cultivators who were arriving.
Lu Chen sat quietly in a corner, savoring the spirit fruits and tea while listening to the conversations of the other Golden Core cultivators. Occasionally, he interjected a comment to assert his presence.
"Fortunately, the spirit fruits that Yu Lin San Ren offered are quite unique. If suitable, I might bring some back to cultivate in my cave," Lu Chen thought to himself, developing a newfound interest in the spirit fruits he had just tasted.
"Friend Lu," suddenly, a elderly voice called out to him as he was indulging in the delights.
Lu Chen turned to see a thin and elderly man smiling at him.
"Oh, it's Friend Huang. How may I help you?" Lu Chen asked, rising to his feet.
From Yu Lin San Ren's introduction earlier, he knew that the elderly man was named Huang Yandong, a loose cultivator who had also reached the early Golden Core stage.
"I wouldn't dare to give you instructions, but I heard that you excel in the way of spirit herbs. Coincidentally, I planted a few spirit herbs to pass the time, and they turned out to be of decent grade. The cultivation process was quite challenging, and I'd like to seek your guidance after this gathering," Huang Yandong said, a smile stretching his mouth.
"Oh? May I ask what kind of spirit herbs you planted, Friend Huang? Perhaps I have some understanding of their cultivation methods," Lu Chen replied humbly.
"The spirit herbs I cultivated are a bit unorthodox, and the nurturing methods are relatively unique. They even require flesh and blood. I'm not sure if Friend Lu can accept this," Huang Yandong said.
"Spirit herbs that require flesh and blood for nourishment? That's a bit extreme," Lu Chen exclaimed with a well-practiced look of surprise.
"Just flesh and blood? I thought it would be something more exotic..." he muttered to himself, his expression faltering for a moment before continuing, "However, as long as the means of obtaining the flesh and blood are ethical, I suppose it's acceptable."
Having entered Tianxing Cave, he was already aware of the diverse backgrounds of the cultivators within. Unlike his previous sect, Tianjian Zong, this place was a mix of orthodox and unorthodox cultivators, and it was not uncommon to encounter evil cultivators. Thus, he didn't show too much surprise.
"Since Friend Lu has such an open mind, I'm relieved. We can discuss this further later," Huang Yandong said, his face showing satisfaction as he turned to leave.
"This Huang Yandong must have several unorthodox spirit herbs, and he himself possesses more than one unorthodox cultivation technique and ability." Lu Xuan mused to himself.
However, as long as it didn't threaten his life or interests, he didn't care what kind of techniques others cultivated. If they could provide him with high-grade spirit herbs, he would even treat them as honored guests.
Not long after, eight or nine more Core Formation cultivators entered the spacious wooden house.
"Welcome, fellow friends, to this humble gathering of mine."
Yu Lin San Ren climbed onto a wooden platform and smiled at the group.
Lu Xuan sat below, his spiritual sense sweeping over the newcomers briefly.
There weren't many cultivators who had come to the gathering; including himself, there were only sixteen in total. However, they were all Core Formation cultivators, and together, they formed a considerable force.
He noticed that there was one late-stage Core Formation cultivator and three mid-stage Core Formation cultivators, with the rest being early-stage.
From Yu Lin San Ren's introductions, it was clear that most of the cultivators who had come were rogue cultivators, with only three or four from Tianxing Cave or other sects and clans in the Liuyang Realm.
Once the gathering began, the group started exchanging news, insights, and discussions about various secret realms, cultivation techniques, spells, and abilities.
Lu Xuan had made it clear from the start that his cultivation was average and he wasn't skilled in spells, so he mostly remained silent, not joining in on the conversations.
He also didn't mention the techniques he cultivated himself. After all, whether it was the Xuan Tian Qing Wei Miao Fa, the You Ming Zhen Shui Jin Fa, the Yun Shen Tie, or the Po Wang Tong Shu, they were all extremely rare and precious. In fact, two of them were even sixth-grade techniques, surpassing the cultivation methods of the mid to late-stage Core Formation cultivators present.
If he were to start discussing them carelessly, he might reveal too much, so it was better to stay quiet.
Half a day later, the group reluctantly concluded their exchange of secrets and moved on to the next part of the gathering: the exchange of treasures.
Yu Lin San Ren outlined the simple rules: free exchange, no coercion, and no forced sales. Then, he declared the start of the trading session.
Lu Xuan's spirits lifted. Finally, the moment he had been waiting for had arrived.
Several Core Formation cultivators took out artifacts, pills, talismans, and materials of decent grades, mostly fifth-grade, with a few sixth-grade materials making an appearance as well.
The cultivators holding these treasures would introduce their items, stating their grade and effects, as well as the types of items they were looking for in exchange. Then, they would wait for others to approach them for potential trades.
The atmosphere was lively, with cultivators showing interest through direct inquiries or mental messages. Faces lit up with joy as trades were made, the scene bustling with activity.
Several of the treasures that appeared were quite impressive, though they couldn't compare to the items Lu Xuan possessed.
However, Lu Xuan bided his time, waiting for the right moment to maximize his gains and hopefully obtain spirit herbs, spirit beast embryos, young beasts, or related resources.
Soon enough, he noticed a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator take out a strange tree bark.
The bark was only palm-sized, but it was vividly colored and shaped like a freshly peeled piece of skin, wriggling slightly in the cultivator's hand as if it were still alive.
"I have a special spirit herb here," the cultivator said. "Although it looks like tree bark, it can actually be cultivated into a spirit herb. I obtained it by chance during my travels in the outer realm. It's called the Luster Corpse Skin, and it should be a sixth-grade item. I'm willing to exchange it for a fifth-grade or higher cultivation technique, ability, or artifact of similar value."
(End of Chapter)
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