Chapter 736: Wind Cave Stone
Chapter 736: Wind Cave Stone
At the Star-Plucking Pavilion, Lu Chen held a pitch-black token, adorned with sinister ghosts, as he strode out of the headquarters of the Star Cave.
The token was none other than the Feng Yuan Order, which granted him passage and unimpeded access to most unclaimed lands within the Feng Yuan Star Cave for a period of time.
He made his way to a small grocery store tucked away in the corner of a street.
There weren't many customers in the store at the moment. Wen Qian, sensing Lu Chen's presence, hurried out from the back room.
"Greetings, Elder Lu!"
Lu Chen waved his hand dismissively and asked, "How's business lately?"
"It's been steady. Sword Talismans and Sword-Nurturing Gourds are especially popular, and we've sold quite a few other treasures as well," Wen Qian replied without hesitation.
"That's good," Lu Chen nodded slightly, his gaze landing on a half-opened spirit herb manual on a wooden table nearby.
"Have you been diligently studying spirit herb knowledge lately?"
"Yes, Elder. After your instructions, I acquired numerous spirit herb manuals from the Chamber of Commerce and my clan. Aside from managing the store and my daily cultivation, I dedicate the rest of my time to studying these manuals," Wen Qian replied hastily.
"Your theoretical knowledge is now on par with that of many ordinary Spirit Herbologists," Lu Chen commented with approval, his spiritual sense sweeping over Wen Qian, immediately sensing that his spiritual power was becoming more harmonious and that he was on the cusp of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm.
"Your cultivation is about to break through?" Lu Chen asked gently.
"Yes, Elder. I've had some insights, and I plan to attempt a breakthrough soon," Wen Qian replied, his expression slightly tense.
"Breaking through to the next realm is of utmost importance. You should focus on that for now and temporarily set aside the store's business," Lu Chen advised.
"Also, you've been managing the grocery store for me for many years. Take these three Foundation Establishment Pills as a token of my appreciation and to aid you in your breakthrough," Lu Chen said in a low voice. With a flick of his sleeve, three pills, shimmering with spiritual light, appeared before Wen Qian.
Compared to when Hong Qinghai broke through to the Foundation Establishment realm, Lu Chen didn't intend to provide protective assistance this time, so he gave two extra Foundation Establishment Pills to slightly increase the probability of a successful breakthrough.
Coming from the Wen family of the Sea Chamber of Commerce, even if Wen Qian wasn't from the main branch, he could still rely on the clan's formation and the protection of his elders, alleviating Lu Chen's concerns.
"Thank you, Elder!"
"If I successfully break through to the Foundation Establishment realm, I will continue to stay and manage the store for you, Elder Lu!" Wen Qian bowed deeply as he accepted the pills.
Although he was a descendant of the Wen family, he was only from a collateral line. Neither his talent nor his status held much weight among the numerous outstanding youths of the clan. Thus, he was better off firmly attaching himself to this Elder Lu, a Core Formation cultivator.
Just the fact that Lu Chen held such a prominent position in the Sea Chamber of Commerce was enough to ensure a bright and worry-free future for Wen Qian.
"It's good that you're willing to follow me. I won't let you suffer if you continue to stand by my side," Lu Chen nodded in satisfaction and smiled. With his current wealth and treasures, just a small portion of it would be enough to benefit Wen Qian and Hong Qinghai greatly.
"The treasures I've brought this time are similar to the previous ones, with the addition of a Grade 5 treasure," Lu Chen said as he handed over the Black Flood Dragon Scale, a Grade 5 material with exceptional defensive capabilities, perfect for forging high-quality armor and shields. Along with it, he also gave several treasure orbs and spiritual herbs to Wen Qian.
Wen Qian's heart stirred as he received the plethora of treasures.
"Another Grade 5 treasure, the third one after the Nine-Headed Dragon Chart and the Mysterious Armor!"
"Just what kind of background does this Elder Lu come from?"
...
After entrusting the Black Flood Dragon Scale to Wen Qian, Lu Chen left the management of the store to him and headed straight for the Chamber of Commerce's branch office.
"Lady Wen, I have come to seek your help in inquiring about two treasures," Lu Chen said, cutting straight to the chase with a deep voice.
"Please speak, Senior. I will tell you everything I know," the female cultivator replied softly.
"Due to the requirements of my cultivation technique, I wish to acquire two types of treasures from the Chamber," Lu Chen explained.
"One is a wind-attribute treasure that can generate strange and spiritual winds. Heavenly treasures are preferred, but magical artifacts and cultivation techniques are also acceptable."
"The other type is various treasures related to the Yin-Yang Principle."
"Ideally, both treasures should be of a grade no lower than five," Lu Chen added slowly.
"For treasures related to the Yin-Yang Principle, of a grade no lower than five, according to my knowledge, our branch does not possess such items. I estimate that only the headquarters' treasury might have them," Wen replied thoughtfully.
"As for five-grade wind-attribute treasures... I recall that two years ago, our branch acquired a five-grade wonderstone named Wind Cave Stone. Due to the rarity of cultivators who cultivate wind-based divine abilities, coupled with the stone's massive size, it was priced slightly higher and has remained with us until now," she continued, a hint of contemplation on her face.
"Wind Cave Stone? Could you bring it here for me to take a look?" Lu Chen asked, his interest piqued.
"Please wait a moment, Senior. I'll be right back," Wen said and turned to leave. She soon returned to the room.
A flash of spiritual light later, a massive wonderstone, half a zhang tall, appeared in the center of the room.
The giant stone had a bizarre shape, riddled with hundreds of large and small orifices. From within these holes came the sound of howling winds, as if strange winds were gathering strength within, ready to burst forth at any moment.
"Senior Lu, this is the Wind Cave Stone. Its structure is extremely unique, and it releases a spiritual wind at regular intervals," Wen explained.
"It can be used to temper one's physical body, especially beneficial for cultivators who cultivate wind-attribute divine abilities."
Lu Chen examined the wonderstone before him, a satisfied expression on his face.
In his opinion, this Wind Cave Stone would be perfect for nurturing the first layer of the Eightfold Palace, the Xun Feng Palace.
"Lady Wen, may I ask how many spirit stones this Wind Cave Stone is worth?" Lu Chen inquired, turning to the female cultivator behind him.
"If Senior desires it, you can take it away for thirty-five thousand low-grade spirit stones," Wen said after a moment's thought.
"Very well," Lu Chen nodded in agreement. He knew that this price was probably much lower than the usual selling price, and his status as a guest advisor to the Chamber of Commerce likely played a part in this favorable offer.
"Here are three hundred and fifty medium-grade spirit stones. Please have a look, Lady Wen," he said.
Wen swept her spiritual sense over the small pile of spirit stones, nodding in satisfaction as she stored them away.
"The Wind Cave Stone now belongs to you, Senior Lu," she said with a gentle smile.
Lu Chen waved his hand, and the massive wonderstone vanished from sight.
"Thank you, Lady Wen, for helping me acquire such a treasure," he expressed his gratitude.
"It's my duty to assist you, Senior Lu," Wen replied respectfully.
"As for the treasure related to the Yin-Yang Principle, I will also inquire about it with the other branches and headquarters, but I cannot guarantee that we will find it," she added.
"Your willingness to help is more than enough, Fellow Daoist Wen," Lu Chen said with a smile.
Obtaining this five-grade Wind Cave Stone from the Chamber of Commerce's branch was an unexpected delight. At the very least, he wouldn't have to worry about nurturing the Xun Feng Palace, and the first layer of the Eightfold Palace would blossom smoothly.
As for finding a corresponding treasure to nurture the Heaven Reversal Fruit, he could only leave it to fate.
(End of Chapter)
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