https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-723-The-Challenge-of-Heaven-Splitter-Domain-Collision/12942718/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-725-Devouring-Darkfire-A-Debt-of-Gratitude/12942720/
Chapter 724: A Billion-Dollar Gamble, An Invitation from the Inferno Stream
Chapter 724: A Billion-Dollar Gamble, An Invitation from the Inferno Stream
"Fellow Daoist Luo, are you alright?"
The rain curtain that had blocked them fell once more.
The lingering scorching heat on the Red Jade Plaza seemed to still speak of the intense, yet invisible, confrontation that had just taken place.
Langya True Person looked at Luo Chen with concern, his eyes revealing a shock that he couldn't conceal.
He never would have imagined that this loose cultivator he had met by chance on the road would possess such formidable abilities.
In a pure clash of Primordial Infant Domains, he had absolutely dominated the Heavenrending Stream Lord, who was at the third layer of the Primordial Infant Stage.
The so-called Primordial Infant Domain was nothing more than controlling the external spiritual energy of heaven and earth that corresponded to one's attributes through the resonance between the Primordial Infant and the heavens and earth.
The stronger the Primordial Infant, the stronger the controlled spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
Therefore, the level of cultivation had become the sole criterion for measuring the strength of a domain.
For countless years, this standard had been revered as the ultimate benchmark.
But just now, Luo Chen's performance had directly shattered this standard. With the cultivation at the first layer of the Primordial Infant Stage, he had overwhelmed the Heavenrending Stream Lord in the domain contest, even forcing his opponent to take out a True Artifact.
If this were to be said aloud, no one would believe it!
Yet, it had truly happened right before his eyes.
Thinking of this, Langya True Person's heart also felt a bit ashamed.
He had previously thought that his cultivation was slightly higher than Luo Chen's, and even if his Divine Sense was not as strong, he was confident that he could surpass Luo Chen.
But now it seemed that, whether it was Divine Sense or Essence Energy, he was far weaker.
If Luo Chen had a handy magical treasure, he might truly be formidable in a real contest...
"How could I have such thoughts!"
"The better he performs, the more stable my position in the Sea of Tranquility Alliance will be. No one will dare to underestimate me. After all, I introduced him as a friend."
Not to mention the emotions welling up in Langya True Person's heart.
Luo Chen brushed off the non-existent dust from his clothes, smiled, and said, "I'm fine." Then, he took a step towards the Return Origin Palace.
Along the way, there was no Divine Sense probing.
But as soon as he took his first step into the palace, several gazes turned towards him simultaneously.
With a faint smile, Luo Chen gave a slight bow, his demeanor calm and composed, "Loose Cultivator Luo Chen, greetings to all fellow Daoists."
The crowd fell silent, momentarily speechless.
A middle-aged man with a somewhat familiar appearance was about to speak when the elder sitting beside him spoke first.
"Wilderness Loose Cultivator, please take a seat!"
Shang Si Hai was taken aback and frowned at the Inferno Stream Lord.
Not only him, but even the Heavenrending Stream Lord, who had entered the palace earlier, looked up at the Inferno Stream Lord in astonishment.
No one had expected that after Luo Chen demonstrated his strength, the first one to accept Luo Chen would be the Inferno Stream, not Shang Si Hai.
Luo Chen was a bit surprised but didn't show it. He casually found a chair and sat down.
Langya True Person sat down beside him.
As he sat down, he sent a message through his Divine Sense, introducing the people in the hall.
"The two above, the one on the left is the Inferno Stream Lord, and the one on the right is Shang Si Hai."
Luo Chen's gaze shifted, and he saw the Inferno Stream Lord leaning back in his chair, his face sallow, and his aura completely sealed, making it impossible to discern its depth.
Shang Si Hai appeared younger, but his appearance gave Luo Chen a sense of familiarity.
Soon, Luo Chen figured out the source of this familiarity.
During the auction at the Feihong Pavilion, Shang Junshu, the young master of the Four Seas Commerce Alliance, had competed with him for the Soul Nurturing Wood.
According to rumors, Shang Junshu's father was the famous Four Seas Master Shang Si Hai.
Given that they were father and son, it was no wonder there was a sense of familiarity.
"Below the Inferno Stream, the first one on the left is a woman named Du Fei Yan, a master of the Mara Stream known as the Smoke and Mist Master."
"The second one needs no introduction; it's the Heavenrending Stream Lord. His true name is unknown, and it is said that only the Blood Nightmare Demon King knows his real name."
"The third one is the Deathstar Stream Master..."
Comparing the introductions from their journey with the current introductions, Luo Chen matched each person with the rumors and seated them accordingly.
The specific images of these prominent figures from the Northern Sea gradually took shape in his mind.
Overall, the Primordial Infant Cultivators from the Mara Stream had a tendency towards the demonic path, as most of them were previously affiliated with the Primordial Demon Sect. This was evident in their Dao names, cultivation methods, and the deeds they were known for.
As for the Sea of Tranquility Alliance, it was a different story.
There was Shang Si Hai, who had become a cultivator after being a merchant, and was skilled in dealing with various situations.
There was also Madam Mi, with her double peach blossom eyes, giving off a vibe similar to the female cultivators of the He Huan Sect.
And then there was Old Ghost Nan Qi, with his mysterious background and unpredictable temperament.
In the spacious hall, there were no attendants, only about ten Nascent Soul True Men.
But due to the clash of their auras, the hall felt stuffy, oppressive, and overcrowded.
Above, the Inferno Stream Lord and Shang Si Hai exchanged glances, and the latter nodded slightly, gently tapping the table.
Everyone's attention turned to him, and he smiled as he spoke:
"After a hundred years of chaos and warfare, we have finally achieved a ceasefire. For cultivators like us, seeking the Dao and pursuing the truth is a joyous occasion."
"However, with the Demon Coalition's invasion from the outside and constant internal friction, this is not a time of peace."
"Therefore, we have gathered here today to meet privately, resolve misunderstandings, exchange insights, and share resources."
At this point, he paused, his expression turning slightly serious.
"The Northern Sea is not too small, nor is it too large. You all don't want to have enemies everywhere you go and have to be cautious in everything you do, do you?"
Although the people in the hall didn't truly believe this, they nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Shang Si Hai smiled slightly.
With a consensus reached, things became much easier.
"For the first time, I'll take the initiative and lead by example!"
"I have a friend named Ying Yuan Jun, also known as Ying Long Zi. He once had a territory in the sea where he spread his cultivation teachings, but it was destroyed by a demonic beast invasion. Now, he's temporarily residing in a branch of the Four Seas Commerce Alliance, seeking to rebuild his sect. To do so, he needs a large amount of Spirit Stones."
"So, he has entrusted me with a batch of fourth-rank Spirit Herbs to trade."
As he spoke, he flipped his wrist, revealing a gray cloth bag the size of a palm.
Earlier, when the crowd heard about the fourth-rank Spirit Herbs, they were already paying close attention. Now, seeing the gray cloth bag, there were no more doubts.
"This is a treasure of the Four Seas Commerce Alliance, known as the Infinite Bag. It contains a spatial dimension, making it ideal for transporting large quantities of goods. Even living items like demonic beast elixirs can be stored for a short time. It's a well-known spatial magical treasure in the Northern Sea."
At this moment, Langya Zhenren's voice reached Luo Chen's ears.
He couldn't help but take a second glance at the gray cloth bag, his eyes showing a hint of interest.
He wondered which was better, this bag or his Penglai Octagonal Pavilion.
However, considering the bag's versatile functions, it excelled in comprehensiveness but fell short in specialization. When it came to storing elixirs, it was probably far inferior to the Penglai Octagonal Pavilion!
The next moment, Luo Chen's attention shifted.
"The fourth-rank Celestial Spirit Grass contains Celestial Essence Qi, known as the energy closest to the Heaven and Earth's energy. It has excellent adaptability, and most high-level alchemy pills can be made with it. It is said that even Divine Transformation experts use this herb for pill refining."
"There are one thousand two hundred stalks, accumulated by Ying Yuan Jun over many years, and they haven't been harvested yet, ensuring their full medicinal potency!"
"Ten thousand low-grade Spirit Stones per stalk. Those interested can place their bids."
There was no mention of an auction; instead, a fixed price of ten thousand low-grade Spirit Stones per stalk was set.
This was an absolute premium price. A fourth-rank Spirit Herb was valued at the same level as a medium-grade magical treasure, and anything higher would be excessive.
For a moment, everyone in the hall was stirred.
Soon, there was a response.
"I'll take ten stalks!"
"I want fifty stalks. I've been researching an incomplete pill formula, and I've yet to find a suitable main ingredient. Perhaps the Celestial Spirit Grass could be a good substitute."
"Never mind, I'm not skilled in pill refining, so I'll pass on this one."
"I'll take a hundred stalks!"
This statement caught everyone's attention, and they turned to look at the woman in the seven-colored skirt."
It was Du Fei Yan, the master of the Mara Stream, and one of the few experts in pill refining within the stream.
Her standing in the Mara Stream was largely due to her exceptional pill refining skills.
Shang Si Hai was pleased with this scene. The reason he chose to trade the Celestial Spirit Grass first was to avoid a dull atmosphere.
Among high-level cultivators, transactions were often conducted through bartering.
By using Spirit Stones as payment, most people could afford it.
However, compared to the quantity of one thousand two hundred stalks, this transaction of one or two hundred stalks seemed rather insignificant.
His friend was in dire need of Spirit Stones, and he didn't have time to slowly sell these herbs through the Commerce Alliance.
"It seems I overestimated their financial capabilities."
Shang Si Hai felt a bit regretful, thinking that he might have to seek out the high-level pill refiners in the Northern Sea to promote this batch of Celestial Spirit Grass.
Just as most people remained silent, a voice that Shang Si Hai never expected spoke up.
"Since no one else is interested, I'll take the remaining Celestial Spirit Grass!"
Shang Si Hai was taken aback and stared at the incredibly young man in white.
"Wilderness Loose Cultivator, are you serious?"
Luo Chen smiled slightly, "With so many fellow cultivators as witnesses, how could it be false?"
At this moment, everyone held their breath, looking at Luo Chen with a mix of astonishment and uncertainty.
There were over a thousand stalks of Celestial Spirit Grass left! At ten thousand Spirit Stones per stalk, that amounted to over a hundred million Spirit Stones!
Everyone present had accumulated wealth over the years and considered themselves to have a decent fortune. However, asking anyone to produce such a large sum of Spirit Stones at once would be a significant financial strain.
Even someone like Old Ghost Nan Qi, a Nascent Soul Cultivator who had recently acquired his territory and hadn't had time to develop it, might not be able to come up with such a sum.
Shang Si Hai took a deep breath and bowed to Luo Chen, "In that case, I'll thank you on behalf of my friend for your generous gesture."
Then, he led Luo Chen to a side hall and took out all one thousand stalks of Celestial Spirit Grass.
Looking at the white Spirit Herbs still planted in shallow soil, resembling rice seedlings, Shang Si Hai explained, "The reason these Celestial Spirit Grasses are priced so high is that their roots are intact. If you have a suitable cultivation method, you might even be able to nurture a batch of seedlings."
Luo Chen nodded, and with his knowledge of spirit plant cultivation, he naturally understood this.
Without hesitation, Luo Chen took out one hundred million Spirit Stones from his storage ring and placed them in a storage bag, which he handed to Shang Si Hai.
"Do you have a suitable magical treasure to store these herbs? I have a few spatial magical treasures, which, although not as good as the Infinite Bag, can be used temporarily."
Luo Chen smiled, "There's no need to worry about that, fellow cultivator."
Shang Si Hai raised an eyebrow but said nothing more and left the side hall.
After he left, Luo Chen stared at the Celestial Spirit Grass, his face breaking into a brilliant smile.
He never expected that while seeking Soul Essence, he would acquire Celestial Spirit Grass.
This herb was one of the main ingredients for a fourth-rank alchemy pill used by Nascent Soul Cultivators in the thirty-six pill formulas of the Heaven Refining Cauldron.
When used in pill refining, it could create a fourth-rank alchemy pill called the Celestial Essence Pill, which was beneficial for cultivation.
Originally, Luo Chen didn't have this idea.
With his current physique and spiritual roots, even without consuming alchemy pills, he was fully confident in cultivating to the late Nascent Soul Stage within two to three hundred years.
The only shortcoming was in his cultivation technique.
It could be said that Luo Chen's current talent was absolutely genius! However, if he had cultivation pills as a supplement, it would be even better.
"It's truly effortless!"
Luo Chen took out the array plate and set up a concealment array. Then, using the Penglai Octagonal Pavilion, he collected all the medicinal ingredients.
After leaving the side hall, Shang Si Hai walked slowly.
When the array appeared, he was surprised.
Then, he saw Luo Chen appear in his line of sight.
At this moment, some of Shang Si Hai's suspicions were completely confirmed.
"Fellow Daoist, let's go back together!"
...
Inside the palace, the transactions between cultivators continued.
However, eyes kept falling on Langya True Person from time to time.
Some even secretly transmitted their divine sense, inquiring about Luo Chen's details from Langya True Person.
But Langya True Person wore a wry smile, feigning ignorance.
A cultivator who had just entered the Nascent Soul Stage, unafraid of the formidable reputation of the Heaven Splitter Stream Lord, now taking out over a hundred million spirit stones at once.
You say he's a loose cultivator?
Who would believe that?
No one would believe it!
Especially when Shang Si Hai returned and saw that the other party even had a spatial magical treasure for storing medicinal ingredients, he became even more convinced that the other party wasn't a loose cultivator but a powerful force's strong cultivator traveling incognito.
As a result, during the subsequent transaction process, everyone paid extra attention to Luo Chen's actions.
However, this time, they were somewhat disappointed.
No matter how rare and unique the treasures they presented, Luo Chen remained unmoved, showing no interest at all.
High-grade medicinal and mineral materials, the corpses and skeletons of powerful demonic beasts, and even incomplete true artifacts—he had no desire to bid for any of them.
It was common knowledge that true artifacts were the standard equipment for Nascent Soul True Men, but not every Nascent Soul True Man possessed one.
During tribulation crossing, one could use the power of tribulation lightning to upgrade a high-grade magical treasure to a true artifact.
But that required time and formidable strength!
Not everyone had the strength to simultaneously cross tribulations and promote their magical treasures.
Many Nascent Soul True Men's true artifacts were nurtured over long years of cultivation, slowly empowered by their Nascent Souls connecting with the world.
If Wild Loose Cultivator wasn't interested in true artifacts, it was likely he already had a suitable one.
This further confirmed the speculation that Luo Chen's background was extraordinary.
Luo Chen sat there calmly, observing the scene.
He genuinely lacked interest in these transaction resources.
After his trip to the Demon-Subduing Land, he had obtained an abundance of high-grade resources, be they medicinal or mineral.
What he lacked were weapons.
But not these incomplete ones, not those incompatible with his attributes.
He was waiting for one thing.
Soul Essence! Langya True Person hadn't lied; someone had indeed brought Soul Essence for trade.
But the quantity was incredibly scarce, far from meeting his needs.
Old Ghost Nan Qi, however, had been acquiring them, which piqued Luo Chen's interest.
Could he also have a use for Soul Essence? Just as the first round of transactions was about to end, the Inferno Stream Lord, who had been silent for a long time, finally straightened his back.
"I have a large quantity of Soul Essence for sale."
A crystal vase appeared in his hand.
At this moment, Old Ghost Nan Qi stood up.
"Fellow Daoist, let's trade!"
The Inferno Stream Lord glanced at him, "Do you know what I want?"
Old Ghost Nan Qi chuckled, "It's nothing more than resources to heal your injuries. I have a third-rank Fire-loving Bug that can devour Sourceless Fire. If combined with the Nine Nether Pure Wind from the Heaven Splitter Stream Lord, it will surely cure your ailment. What do you think?"
The Inferno Stream Lord's gaze fell on the Heaven Splitter Stream Lord.
The latter snorted but didn't deny it.
"It seems you've indeed made inquiries. However..."
But as soon as he said 'however', Old Ghost Nan Qi's expression changed.
He had gone through so much trouble to contact the Heaven Splitter Stream Lord to obtain the Inferno Stream Lord's Soul Essence accumulated over hundreds of years. Could something unexpected be happening now?
The Inferno Stream Lord's gaze fell on Luo Chen, "Wild Loose Cultivator, may I have a private chat with you?"
Luo Chen's face showed surprise.
He had just been thinking about how to compete with Old Ghost Nan Qi for the Soul Essence, but he didn't expect the Inferno Stream Lord to take the initiative to approach him.
Since it was so!
"Of course!"
The Inferno Stream Lord slowly stood up, holding the crystal vase, and walked step by step towards the exit.
Wherever he passed, scorched footprints were left on the ground.
Luo Chen's gaze fell on those footprints, deep in thought.
Inside the hall, Old Ghost Nan Qi's face was gloomy. His well-planned scheme had been interrupted.
The Heaven Splitter Stream Lord watched this scene, initially perplexed, but as he pondered, a guess emerged in his mind.
This guess, so close to the truth, left him even more astonished.
"The Necroflame Elder's audacity is so great that he'd rather trust an outsider of unknown origin than me?"
"Moreover, how can he be so certain that Wild Loose Cultivator has such ability?"
(End of Chapter)
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