https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-676-The-Dead-Embryo-of-the-Green-Mountain-Qilin/12544913/
Chapter 675: 'A Family Heirloom'
Chapter 675: 'A Family Heirloom'
"A sixth-grade Spirit Herb?!'
Lu Chen's heart stirred, and his gaze was completely drawn to the palm-sized, vibrant tree bark.
As a Spirit Herbalist, he was all too aware of the value of a sixth-grade spirit herb.
Among treasures of the same rank in the cultivation world, cultivation techniques and divine abilities were generally the most valuable. This was followed by array formations and magical artifacts, then pills and talismans, and lastly, various cultivation resources.
However, there were also special cases that defied generalization.
For example, the Foundation Establishment Dan was far more valuable than other third-grade pills, and the fifth-grade Red Dust Stele that Lu Chen obtained from the light group, which helped temper one's will, was also more prized than many fifth-grade treasures.
Nevertheless, even if spirit herbs were considered the least valuable among treasures of the same rank, a sixth-grade one was still exceptionally rare in the cultivation world.
Now that he had come across such a unique piece of tree bark, he certainly wasn't going to let this opportunity slip by.
As he pondered, an early Core Formation cultivator stood up and took out a deep yellow jade slip from his storage bag.
The jade slip had a sense of heft to it and seemed extraordinary.
"Fellow cultivator, I have here a fifth-grade earth-attribute cultivation technique called the 'Venerate Earth True Manual.' It's of decent quality and could serve as a small sect's treasure. I'm willing to trade it for that piece of tree bark in your hand. What do you say?"
"A fifth-grade earth-attribute cultivation technique? It's not of much use to me and can only be a backup option for now. Please give me a moment to consider."
The mid Core Formation cultivator shook his head and politely declined.
Two more people then inquired about the spirit herb, including the widely known cultivator, Yulin Sanren, who was skilled in cultivating spirit plants. However, neither of their offered artifacts and techniques satisfied the mid Core Formation cultivator.
"Fellow cultivator, may I take a closer look at the spirit herb? After all, it's a sixth-grade treasure, and we shouldn't be careless with it."
Lu Chen made a request to the cultivator.
"Of course, you may examine it, as long as you don't leave this cave abode."
The mid Core Formation cultivator readily agreed.
Lu Chen stepped forward and took the vibrant tree bark from him.
As the bark made contact with his palm, he felt a slight itch on his skin, sensing that it was gently rubbing against his hand as if trying to merge with his body.
"How peculiar. Even as just a spirit herb, it exhibits such an eerie trait," Lu Chen marveled. Unconcerned by the surprised gazes around him, he stirred his spiritual power, and a small pile of pale yellow spirit soil appeared under his feet. He planted the tree bark into the soil and immediately focused his mind on it before pulling it out again.
Just before he removed it, a thought flashed through his mind.
Yanshi Pi, a sixth-grade spirit plant. It is created by the extremely sinister and poisonous methods of a foreign evil sect, tanning the skins of countless maidens into a single unique piece of tree bark, thus forming a spirit plant with growth characteristics.
The spirit plant possesses a certain degree of sinister possession. During its growth, it needs to feed on the skins of demons, beasts, and cultivators. It can also enchant and possess the minds of cultivators, with a certain probability of seizing and occupying their physical bodies. One must remain vigilant at all times.
Once it matures, it can be used to refine special magical artifacts or cultivate certain sinister divine abilities.
"The way it is obtained truly goes against the natural order. If it fell into the hands of an evil cultivator, one shudders to think how many cultivators' skins would be absorbed by this Yanshi Pi," Lu Chen thought to himself.
"If it stays in my possession, at the very least, I can prevent a bloodbath."
While Lu Chen did have the habit of cultivating peculiar spirit plants using blood, flesh, souls, and bones, the means by which he obtained them were always proper, and he never caused unnecessary slaughter.
"This tree bark of yours still has a charming allure to it. I'll take it back to enhance the appearance of those spirit plants in the Underworld Spirit Field."
Just as Lu Chen was about to inquire further with the Core Formation cultivator, a frail, elderly voice interrupted.
The skinny old man who had spoken to Lu Chen before took out a grayish bronze mirror and presented it to the Core Formation cultivator.
"Indeed, a fine magical artifact," the cultivator acknowledged after inspecting and testing the mirror with his spiritual power, his face reflecting a hint of hesitation.
Although the value of the bronze mirror was slightly lower than that of the spirit herb, it wasn't far off.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, I possess a low-level divine ability known as the 'Blood Palm of Soul Capture'. Once mastered, it allows one to corrupt the enemy's flesh and blood, targeting their very soul, making it a formidable and unexpected attack."
Lu Chen retrieved the blood-red ancient book from his storage bag.
"A low-level divine ability?" The Core Formation cultivator's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
With a quick scan of his spiritual sense, he could feel the boundless bloody aura emanating from the blood-red palm print within the book, confirming the truth of Lu Chen's words.
"Why would Fellow Daoist Lu be willing to part with such a precious low-level divine ability?" the cultivator asked curiously, his confusion mirrored by the surrounding Core Formation cultivators.
To them, it was unimaginable to trade a divine ability for a spirit herb, even a sixth-grade one.
"To be honest, the 'Blood Palm of Soul Capture' is a family heirloom of my clan, but it is extremely difficult to comprehend and cultivate. Its cultivation method is also somewhat sinister, not suited for someone like me who prefers to cultivate spirit plants peacefully," Lu Chen explained with a bitter smile.
"Moreover, Fellow Daoist Zhang, that piece of Yanshi Pi in your possession holds immense allure for a spirit plant cultivator like me. Thus, I am willing to part with this low-level divine ability, passed down in my clan for generations, in exchange for it," he added.
"Very well, then. I shall trade this sixth-grade spirit herb for your divine ability," the Core Formation cultivator agreed without much hesitation. The other offers, while valuable, were either not suited to him or clearly less valuable than the low-level divine ability, making his choice an obvious one.
"Does Fellow Daoist Zhang know the cultivation method for this Yanshi Pi? If I only have the spirit herb without the corresponding cultivation method, I might be at a disadvantage," Lu Chen pointed out.
"Attempting to cultivate a sixth-grade spirit plant without the proper method could potentially lead to its death, which would be a significant loss," he added.
"No, I don't have the cultivation method. However, I suspect it has something to do with the skin. The specifics will require your research and experimentation, Fellow Daoist Lu," the cultivator replied.
"How about this, Fellow Daoist Lu. I'll add another 30,000 low-grade spirit stones to our trade. What do you say?" he proposed, his interest in the 'Blood Palm of Soul Capture' evident.
"Then, thank you, Fellow Daoist Zhang. May you soon master this divine ability!" Lu Chen agreed readily.
The opportunity to acquire a rare sixth-grade spirit herb, with the potential for even greater rewards upon its maturation, along with 30,000 low-grade spirit stones, was simply too good to pass up.
Both parties inspected the items one last time before finalizing the trade.
(End of Chapter)
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