Chapter 676: The Dead Embryo of the Green Mountain Qilin
Chapter 676: The Dead Embryo of the Green Mountain Qilin
"Congratulations, Lu, on obtaining the high-grade spirit herb you desired."
As the two completed their exchange, Lu Xuan was still immersed in his joy when a gentle voice entered his ears. It was Yu Lin Sanren.
He turned his head and nodded at Yu Lin Sanren.
"I just paid a slightly higher price. But as a Spirit Herbologist, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to acquire such a rare spirit herb."
Lu Xuan transmitted his reply to Yu Lin Sanren.
"I didn't expect you to be so secretive, Lu. I'm impressed that you were willing to trade a low-grade divine ability for a spirit herb," the skinny old man transmitted back, addressing Lu Xuan.
"My apologies to Fellow Huang. I really yearned for this Spirit Herb, and I was even willing to offer my family's treasure," Lu Xuan said, a hint of pain flashing across his face.
"It's fine, Fellow Lu. You obtained it with your own abilities, so there's no need to apologize," the skinny old man replied nonchalantly. "But I must say, I now understand your determination when it comes to spirit herbs. The rumors are true—you truly live for them."
The other Golden Core Realm cultivators present shook their heads inwardly, feeling that Lu Xuan had made a poor decision by exchanging a low-grade divine ability for a spirit herb whose cultivation method was still unknown. They also began to associate Lu Xuan with the stereotype of a spendthrift heir.
The meeting continued, with various cultivators presenting treasures and making requests. However, finding an exchange that satisfied both parties proved challenging.
Seeing that the timing was right, Lu Xuan stepped into the center of the wooden house, immediately capturing the attention of everyone present. They were all curious to see what treasure Lu Xuan, who had just traded away a low-grade divine ability, would offer.
Five lumps of deep yellow soil appeared, seemingly possessing a special connection as they slowly wriggled towards each other. Before long, they formed a small, earthen puppet.
"This treasure is called the Kuntu Lingkui. It is refined from a large amount of kuntu soil and possesses a dense and pure earth-attribute spiritual power. It has extremely strong defensive capabilities and will automatically transform into a giant puppet to protect its owner when they are under attack," Lu Xuan introduced in a deep voice.
"If any Fellow Cultivators are interested, you can exchange it for a Yuan Magnet Spirit Stone. A slightly smaller piece would also be acceptable."
"Alternatively, you can offer a 5th-grade or higher spirit herb, a spirit beast, or corresponding spirit herb treasures," Lu Xuan continued.
Ever since he had obtained the sixth-grade Yuan Magnet Spirit Wood spirit herb, he had gone for too long without a suitable spirit stone or spirit mineral. Even if he had to take a small loss, he would accept a piece of Yuan Magnet Spirit Stone or spirit mineral in exchange.
Although this Kuntu Spirit Puppet had good defensive capabilities, with his current physical strength, he could easily withstand any attacks that the puppet could block. Additionally, he already had the Multi-armed Corpse Servant, which had slightly overlapping functions with the puppet, making it a little redundant. Thus, he had decided to exchange it for something more useful.
"A 5th-grade protective puppet that can change its form according to the owner's thoughts—that's impressive," someone commented.
"It's just a pity that Yuan Magnet Spirit Stones are extremely rare. When they appear, it's usually in the form of a spirit mountain or spirit mineral, making it difficult to obtain even a small piece," another cultivator added.
After seeing the Kuntu Spirit Puppet, some cultivators were intrigued, but none could meet Lu Xuan's requirements.
As for spirit herbs, due to the difficulty of long-term storage, Golden Core Realm cultivators would usually either sell them off quickly or cultivate them personally. Thus, it was unlikely for anyone to have a high-grade spirit herb on hand at that moment.
A few persistent cultivators tried to offer magical artifacts and talismans in exchange for the Kuntu Spirit Puppet, but after examining them, Lu Xuan was not satisfied and had to decline their offers politely.
After waiting for a while, Lu Xuan was about to step down, a hint of disappointment creeping into his heart, when a familiar voice rang out in his ear.
"Fellow Lu, I have a beast embryo here. I've had it for many years, and despite trying all sorts of methods, I've been unable to birth it. Most likely, it has become a dead embryo.
"Fellow Daoist Wang, what is the origin of that spirit beast embryo? May I ask about it?" Lu Xuan inquired.
"The embryo is of a sixth-grade magical beast, the Green Mountain Qilin. It is said to possess a trace of bloodline from an ancient mythical beast, the Qilin, although it has become extremely diluted," Wang Suihuai explained.
"I can't sense any signs of life within it at all now. I suspect that the life within has perished, but it can still be used to refine pills or feed spiritual beasts. It's still quite valuable," Wang Suihuai added.
"If Fellow Daoist Lu is interested, you can come find me after the treasure exchange meeting ends," he transmitted.
Lu Xuan nodded almost imperceptibly.
"A sixth-grade spirit beast embryo? If it's truly dead, it can barely be exchanged for this Kuntu Spirit Puppet. But if it's alive, then it's a huge gain!" Lu Xuan thought to himself.
Generally, spirit beasts were valued higher than spirit herbs of the same rank. With Lu Xuan's previous experience in raising spirit beasts, the light groups he harvested were also somewhat more abundant.
Moreover, with his unique ability, as long as it wasn't a dead embryo, he would be able to know its detailed information and have a chance to restore it to normal, thus being able to raise it and harvest the light groups.
Half a shichen later, the treasure exchange meeting concluded, and Lu Xuan arrived at Wang Suihuai's residence as promised.
"Fellow Daoist Wang," Lu Xuan greeted.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, you're here. This is the embryo of the Green Mountain Qilin. Please take a look," Wang Suihuai said as he took out an embryo the size of a washbasin from his storage bag.
The embryo resembled a round jade ball, encapsulating the faintly green young beast within, which seemed to be in a deep slumber, devoid of any vitality.
Upon closer inspection, the young beast had a bizarre form, bearing some resemblance to the legendary Qilin, exuding an air of dignity and mystery even before its birth.
"Indeed, I can't sense any signs of life," Lu Xuan said after inspecting it with his spiritual sense.
"How long has the embryo been in this state?" he asked.
"It should be no less than twenty years. I've only had it for a few years, but according to the previous owner, it has been like this for a long time, showing no signs of revival," Wang Suihuai replied.
"A sixth-grade spirit beast, and a rare bloodline variety at that. It's a pity that it wasn't born in time," Lu Xuan remarked with a hint of regret.
Wang Suihuai, being a beast taming cultivator himself, naturally felt this even more keenly. Looking at the lifeless young Green Mountain Qilin within the embryo, his eyes were filled with disappointment.
"However, it's still a sixth-grade spirit beast embryo. It can be used to refine certain high-grade pills or feed special spirit beasts. Its value is definitely higher than that of a typical fifth-grade treasure," Wang Suihuai said.
"Fellow Daoist Wang, I need to inspect it further before making a decision," Lu Xuan said.
"Please go ahead, Fellow Daoist Lu," Wang Suihuai replied, showing no sign of impatience despite Lu Xuan's hesitation. As a beast taming cultivator himself, he hadn't been able to discern any issues with the embryo over the years, so he naturally didn't believe that Lu Xuan, a spirit herb cultivator, would be able to discover anything new.
Lu Xuan approached the emerald green embryo and infused a thread of fine spiritual power into it, focusing his mind on it. However, there was no response.
He thought for a moment, sensing the qualities of the jade-like ball, and the faint green light group in his dantian began to rotate faster, sending a strand of Azure Wood Source Qi as thin as a hair into the embryo.
"Hmm?"
His expression remained calm, but his heart stirred as a sudden thought flashed through his mind when he focused his mind after infusing the Azure Wood Origin Energy!
(End of Chapter)
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