Chapter 148: Foundation Establishment Pill, Precious Artifact, Ye Ping'an, Young Master of the Ye Family

The flowering period had arrived!

Though at present, it was still just a tiny, delicate flower bud, it was the result of nearly a month of arduous effort. His state of mind inevitably surged with emotion.

"The flowering period of the Star Source Spiritual Fruit Tree also requires a cycle of a hundred tree rings. Still, at least a glimmer of hope is finally in sight. This is definitely a cause for celebration."

Zhou Changwang gazed continuously at the small flower bud and gave it a gentle sniff. Although no floral fragrance emanated from it, it filled him with a sense of satisfaction.

Without stopping, he continued to channel the beast spiritual liquid, casting spells to continuously increase the tree ring age of the Star Source Spiritual Fruit Tree.

One bottle, two bottles, three bottles...

Until Zhou Changwang poured in all of the remaining fifty bottles of beast spiritual liquid.

At this moment, six more flower buds had surprisingly sprouted on the Star Source Spiritual Fruit Tree, making a total of seven when combined with the previous one.

The seven flower buds grew separately across various parts of the spiritual tree. Even though they were still extremely tiny, they faintly emitted a special spiritual light, making them quite eye-catching.

Meanwhile, the tree ring age of the Star Source Spiritual Fruit Tree had correspondingly reached a hundred and fifteen years.

"Previously, a mere eight bottles of beast spiritual liquid caused the Star Source Spiritual Fruit Tree to grow from ninety-five years to the hundred-year ring milestone. Now, advancing from one hundred years to one hundred and fifteen years consumed a full forty-two bottles. As expected, the more the tree rings of the Star Source Spiritual Fruit Tree grow, the greater the consumption of beast spiritual liquid becomes. Right now, it already requires three bottles of beast spiritual liquid to increase its age by a single year. I estimate that when the Star Source Spiritual Fruit Tree grows to a hundred and fifty or two hundred years, it will take five, seven, or even ten bottles to increase its age by just one year."

Zhou Changwang sighed with emotion. Although he had anticipated this long ago, he still clicked his tongue inwardly.

Moreover, he noticed that after growing seven flower buds, the Star Source Spiritual Fruit Tree ceased producing any more. In other words, this spiritual fruit tree could yield at most seven Star Source Spiritual Fruits.

While this was within his expectations—after all, Star Source Spiritual Fruits were precious and naturally could not grow in abundance—having only seven still left him somewhat disappointed.

...

"I didn't expect this black market location to be situated so close to the Xiaofeng Mountain spiritual land—only about five or six miles away."

Zhou Changwang took out a green leaf token from his storage bag and sensed the black market's location, a look of surprise involuntarily crossing his face.

The black market convened once a month, and its location changed every time. One could only find the way with the guidance of a green leaf token, other special tokens, or talismans.

This time, he once again sensed the black market's coordinates within the green leaf token. It was located not far from the Xiaofeng Mountain spiritual land, precisely in a ravine situated on the northern side of Xiaofeng Mountain.

The area just above and not far from there was actually the other side of the Xiaofeng Mountain spiritual land, which served as Li Pengfei's residential dwelling.

Speaking of which, ever since their previous conflict, he had not run into the fellow again. Even after he diverted the spiritual spring, the other party had never come looking for trouble.

It was unclear whether the other party had tacitly accepted this reality or simply did not wish to pursue the matter further.

Night fell as expected.

Today, the weather was misty with a fine drizzle, plunging the surroundings into pitch darkness.

Employing the Art of Facemask and Bone-Shrinking, Zhou Changwang altered his physique and appearance. Dressed entirely in black and wearing a dark face mask, he quietly stepped out of his door.

In less than the time it takes to burn half a stick of incense, he appeared in an open clearing.

He then took out the green leaf token and tapped it lightly forward.

Hum!

An entrance instantly materialized before him.

He stepped inside, and the scenery before his eyes shifted abruptly.

A bustling little bazaar materialized right in front of him.

Zhou Changwang was not surprised in the least.

Perhaps because he arrived relatively early, there were not very many cultivators within the black market at this moment—only around several dozen to nearly a hundred, among whom a dozen or so were black market guards.

Seeing this, Zhou Changwang did not immediately apply for a vacant patch of ground to set up a stall. Instead, he walked directly toward the central mission hall.

At this moment, there were also only a dozen or so cultivators inside.

However, the mission light screen was already densely packed with numerous task listings.

At the very top of the missions, as always, sat the request to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill, occupying the highest spot. Closely following it were requests for Foundation Establishment spiritual items, Condensing Foundation Pills, Heart-Protecting Pills, and other elixirs similarly beneficial for Foundation Establishment.

Right behind those were hunting missions.

"Hunt the Poro Dragon Beast, a late Foundation Establishment fierce beast. Requires two Foundation Establishment fellow Daoists. Reward: thirty thousand low-grade spiritual stones or one low-grade precious artifact."

Suddenly, Zhou Changwang noticed that a mission had just been submitted, a look of surprise crossing his face.

He quickly cast his gaze toward the cultivator who had just walked away from the black market guard operating the mission light screen.

This was an elderly man dressed in a black robe with slightly graying hair. His aura was understated, suggesting he had also employed a cultivation-concealing technique or the like. Yet, with every movement, he exuded an unfathomable imposing manner that naturally inspired awe.

"Senior Shu, you've arrived so early. Is there something you need to instruct us on?"

Just at that moment, a female cultivator stepped forward respectfully and asked with a smile.

Zhou Changwang's pupils constricted slightly: Spider Silk Fairy Chen Xiaoer.

She ought to be one of the resident representatives of the Green Leaf Alliance stationed in the black market. To address this elderly man with such deference meant it was obvious that the old man was undoubtedly a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment realm.

He just didn't know whether he was an early, middle, or even late Foundation Establishment powerhouse.

"I accidentally discovered a heavenly treasure. Unfortunately, it is guarded by a high-level Foundation Establishment fierce beast, so I can only come here to see if any fellow Daoists are willing to join forces. By the way, is Daoist Chen hosting today's auction as usual? What kind of good things are available?"

The old man spoke casually and then asked with curious amusement.

"Today's black market features only a small-scale auction, so how could there be treasures that catch Senior Shu's eye? At most, there are materials like Gengjin Snow Iron and Myriad Flower Gold Water, and additionally, a single Foundation Establishment spiritual item. To a senior like you, these count for very little. However, in three months, the annual large-scale auction will take place. By then, many invited Foundation Establishment seniors will attend, and our Green Leaf Alliance has also brought out numerous fine items. It is said that there are even two or three top-grade precious artifacts. Moreover, elixirs such as Foundation Establishment Pills, Condensing Foundation Pills, and Blood Coagulation Pills will make an appearance. I imagine that by then, there will surely be items that Senior Chen desires."

Chen Xiaoer replied with a smiling face.

"Oh, three months from now..."

As the two walked away, their voices gradually faded.

"Three months from now, a large-scale auction? And there will be Foundation Establishment Pills and Condensing Foundation Pills?"

Hearing this, Zhou Changwang was left completely dazed.

He truly had not expected such fine treasures to appear in this black market.

"However, by that time, the competition will undoubtedly be fiercely intense, and the prices will certainly be exorbitant. Exceeding one hundred thousand low-grade spiritual stones is entirely normal."

Thinking of this, Zhou Changwang shook his head repeatedly.

Given his financial resources, at least for now, he definitely could not afford them.

"Still, there are three months left, so there's no need to rush."

With this thought in mind, Zhou Changwang walked up to one of the stewards.

"I need to post a purchase commission. I'd like to know the rules and procedures."

Pondering slightly, Zhou Changwang simply asked straight out.

"What item are you looking to acquire? Generally speaking, tasks posted through our mission light screen require a certain fee in spiritual stones. The higher the position, the more spiritual stones are required. If it's in the upper tier, it costs one hundred low-grade spiritual stones; the middle tier is fifty; and the lower tier is thirty low-grade spiritual stones."

The black market steward replied directly.

"Then I'll choose the upper tier for one hundred low-grade spiritual stones. In addition, I wish to purchase a batch of beast cores. How do you generally set the prices here?"

Zhou Changwang asked next.

"According to black market prices, a grade-one primary beast core costs eighty low-grade spiritual stones; a grade-one intermediate beast core costs three hundred low-grade spiritual stones; and a grade-one advanced beast core costs eight hundred low-grade spiritual stones. Once you reach grade two—meaning Foundation Establishment beast cores—an early grade-two core is generally priced at three thousand low-grade spiritual stones, though it usually takes three thousand five hundred or even three, eight hundred low-grade spiritual stones for someone to actually sell it. A mid grade-two core requires five thousand low-grade spiritual stones, and an advanced grade-two core costs ten thousand low-grade spiritual stones."

The steward stated plainly.

"What if I need you to procure them on my behalf? Is an additional fee in spiritual stones required?"

Zhou Changwang pursued the matter.

"Of course. Calculated based on the total value of the purchased spiritual stones, for every ten thousand low-grade spiritual stones, we will deduct one percent—that is, one hundred low-grade spiritual stones—as compensation. Of course, conversely, if you are a cultivator of the Green Leaf Alliance, this one hundred low-grade spiritual stones will be converted into mission points, which, once accumulated to a certain level, can also be used to redeem treasures from the Green Leaf Alliance. Moreover, Daoist, rest assured. As long as you collect the beast cores and the remaining spiritual stones from me before the black market concludes, we will never misappropriate your spiritual stones."

The steward spoke with a polished demeanor.

Hearing this, Zhou Changwang nodded decisively and said, "Very well. Let's post it. However, the prices for the beast cores can be raised appropriately: grade-one primary beast cores at one hundred low-grade spiritual stones each; grade-one intermediate beast cores at three hundred and fifty; grade-one advanced beast cores at nine hundred; as for grade-two primary beast cores at four thousand, and grade-two intermediate beast cores at six thousand... I have fourteen thousand low-grade spiritual stones here. Help me procure them first, and if it's not enough, I'll come back later to make up the difference."

Hearing this, the steward's eyes lit up, not expecting Zhou Changwang to be so magnanimous. He immediately began executing the transaction, signing a contract with Zhou Changwang and handing over a receipt voucher.

Armed with this voucher, he could claim his items later on.

Naturally, the name he left on the voucher was neither his "Longevity Daoist" nor his real name, but rather another alias recorded on the green leaf token: "Fenghua Venerable."

Watching the purchase information appear on the light screen, Zhou Changwang walked forward with satisfaction.

Inside the black market, as time passed, the atmosphere gradually grew lively.

Zhou Changwang promptly found another black market guard, applied for a stall, and began setting up shop.

First were the magic tools and treasures he had obtained after slaying the male and female malevolent twins previously.

He kept none of them and displayed every single one on his stall.

Next came the talismans he had drawn himself: spiritual talismans, sealing talismans, and summoning talismans.

"Eh? These are the Mountain-Shattering Heavy Hammer and the Dreamlike Red Damask—the magic tools of the male and female malevolent twins? I've long heard that the twins died at the hands of a mysterious cultivator some time ago. Could it be you, Daoist?"

Almost as soon as Zhou Changwang laid out his stall, an exclamation of surprise rang out.

Following that, a rather youthful cultivator squatted down in front of Zhou Changwang's stall.

Accompanied by two others, they also approached closely, eyeing Zhou Changwang with looks of astonishment.

"What are you looking for?"

Zhou Changwang remained noncommittal and did not answer.

He had long known that the news of his slaying the male and female malevolent twins would inevitably spread. After all, it had happened in broad daylight, not far outside the marketplace, with plenty of traveling cultivators passing by.

Bringing out the couple's signature magic tools would naturally arouse suspicion.

However, he didn't care. He was simply conducting a legitimate business; if anyone asked, he would simply deny it.

Even if they guessed the truth, so what? It wouldn't affect him in the least.

After all, he was currently "Fenghua Venerable," and his facial features were completely different from his true appearance.

"I wonder if those talismans the Daoist used back then are for sale? I'd like to buy some for self-protection. How about it?"

The young cultivator asked eagerly.

"Right, are those talismans still available? We want some too."

Hearing this, the two cultivators beside him also lit up and chimed in.

"Fifteen hundred low-grade spiritual stones per sheet."

Zhou Changwang frowned slightly, but still spoke up.

Originally, he had intended to impose certain restrictions and didn't want to sell too many all at once.

However, thinking of the potential auction of Foundation Establishment Pills three months later, he temporarily changed his mind.

In the short term, if he wanted to acquire a large quantity of spiritual stones, he really had no choice but to rely on talismans.

And it was obvious that the Sealing Thunder Talisman had made a name for itself because he used it to slay the male and female malevolent twins; it was definitely the fastest kind of talisman for earning spiritual stones.

Thus, he temporarily decided to lift the restrictions: as long as someone wanted to buy, he would sell.

"I'll take... two sheets."

The young cultivator spoke hurriedly.

He actually wanted to buy four, but considering the number of spiritual stones in his storage bag, he could only shake his head with a helpless smile.

"I'll take two sheets as well."

"Give me one..."

The two cultivators behind him also spoke up one after another.

"Would you consider getting some other talismans? These are summoning talismans, capable of summoning a Hairy Zombie and a Fiendish-Faced Ghost respectively. Their prices are also cheaper than the Sealing Thunder Talismans..."

Zhou Changwang introduced them next.

"Summoning talismans? What are their functions?"

The group's eyes lit up.

In the end, the three of them purchased a dozen or so more Hairy Zombie Talismans and Fiendish-Faced Ghost Talismans before leaving.

This instantly netted Zhou Changwang over eight thousand more low-grade spiritual stones.

However, this was only the beginning.

The Mountain-Shattering Heavy Hammer and the Dreamlike Red Damask acted like signboards, attracting the attention of many cultivators. Upon seeing them, numerous people stopped immediately to inquire and promptly made up their minds to purchase the Sealing Thunder Talismans.

However, because the Sealing Thunder Talismans were quite expensive at fifteen hundred low-grade spiritual stones per sheet, not everyone could afford them. Consequently, some settled for the next best thing and began purchasing Hairy Zombie Talismans and Fiendish-Faced Ghost Talismans instead.

Naturally, there were also cultivators who took a fancy to the dozen or so magic tools and magic robes he had laid out.

Zhou Changwang did not mind too much; he disposed of them at low prices. Even the Dreamlike Red Damask was bought away by a female cultivator for three thousand low-grade spiritual stones after an hour.

At that moment, however, the steward from the mission hall came over, reporting that the spiritual stones provided earlier were no longer sufficient to purchase the beast cores.

Unfazed and even pleasantly surprised, Zhou Changwang directly handed over another twenty thousand low-grade spiritual stones.

Another hour passed in this manner.

The treasures on Zhou Changwang's stall were once again sold out completely.

Among the buyers were several repeat customers from the previous black market who could not stop praising his talismans.

"It seems that I have indeed built up a certain reputation in this black market. Selling these talismans next time should be even easier."

A look of satisfaction appeared on Zhou Changwang's face.

Because in this single outing alone, he had sold nearly fifty thousand low-grade spiritual stones' worth of goods.

Aside from the magic tools and other treasures of the male and female malevolent twins, which amounted to nearly fifteen thousand low-grade spiritual stones, the rest came from his own talismans.

The bulk of it still came from the Sealing Thunder Talismans.

A total of fifteen sheets were completely sold out, translating to over twenty thousand low-grade spiritual stones, plus the Hairy Zombie and Fiendish-Faced Ghost talismans.

For the first time, Zhou Changwang felt that earning spiritual stones wasn't all that difficult.

Of course, all of this stemmed from the fact that he possessed the attribute panel.

The single point that once he mastered talisman-making, failure became extremely rare, put him ahead of countless talisman masters.

The quantity of spiritual stones earned through this was several times, or even ten times, that of other talisman masters of the same rank.

"Of course, all of this is also inseparable from my own hard work. Without practicing tirelessly every day and raising my talisman-making grade and spell prowess, I wouldn't have achieved these results."

Zhou Changwang muttered inwardly, not denying his own efforts.

Then, he began to pack up his stall.

It was simple enough: he directly swept the cloth mat into his storage bag and was just about to stand up when he saw a middle-aged cultivator standing before him.

"They're all sold out; I'm closing up shop."

Seeing this, Zhou Changwang simply dropped a sentence.

"I'm not here to buy things. No, wait, I am indeed here to buy things. But I also want to get acquainted with Daoist and seek a cooperative venture."

As the newcomer spoke, he smoothly cast a sound-isolation spell.

Instantly, the surrounding sounds were blocked out, and the contents of the conversation were restricted to the two of them alone.

"Cooperation?"

Zhou Changwang frowned.

He had long known that selling talismans on a large scale would eventually attract someone's attention; he just hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

"That's right, cooperation."

The newcomer nodded and said, "Let me introduce myself: I am Ye Ping'an of the Divine Wind Valley Ye Family. Admiring Daoist's extraordinary talisman-making skills, I wish to invite Daoist to join our Ye Family as a family retainer. I wonder if Daoist would be willing?"

The middle-aged cultivator spoke directly.

"Divine Wind Valley Ye Family? Ye Ping'an?"

Zhou Changwang was first startled. The Divine Wind Valley Ye Family was the preeminent immortal cultivation family in the marketplace.

The current marketplace master was none other than Ye Family head Ye Yanyuxiu, a person whose single word could determine numerous affairs within the marketplace.

To the present Zhou Changwang, the Ye Family was definitely a behemoth.

As for the person before him, the name Ye Ping'an was thunderous to Zhou Changwang's ears.

That was because Ye Ping'an was the son of marketplace master Ye Yanyuxiu, the young master of the Ye Family, whose reputation in the marketplace was quite prominent.

In particular, on the very first day Zhou Changwang entered the marketplace, he happened to witness this exact person slaying a fierce beast, its corpse being transported into the marketplace.

The aura exuded by that beast back then alone had been enough to terrify people.

He hadn't expected this person before him to be the legendary Ye Ping'an.

Immediately afterward, he noticed a cultivator dressed in gray Daoist robes standing not far behind Ye Ping'an, and his heart skipped a beat.

A Foundation Establishment true cultivator.

Thinking about it, it was only natural.

After all, the other party's identity was extraordinary, and in a place like the black market, naturally some protection and defense were required.

However, joining the Ye Family to become one of their family retainers was something he had never considered. Therefore, despite being surprised by the other party's identity, he said without the slightest hesitation, "Many thanks for Daoist Ye's good intentions, but I've grown accustomed to a free and unconstrained life and truly do not wish to be bound by those restrictions. So I can only offer my apologies."

"Daoist might want to consider it a bit more carefully. Not just anyone can join our Ye Family."

Ye Ping'an continued, and seeing that Zhou Changwang genuinely showed no interest, he didn't press the issue further. Instead, he said, "Since Daoist is unwilling, I naturally cannot force the matter. However, the talismans Daoist crafts are indeed quite exceptional. Therefore, I intend to cooperate with Daoist and order a specific quantity of talismans exclusively for my own use. The trading location can also be set right here in the black market. However, the price must be lowered appropriately—for instance, those grade-one advanced Sealing Thunder Talismans at one thousand low-grade spiritual stones per sheet, and you must supply me with at least ten sheets per month. Twenty grade-one intermediate Hairy Zombie Talismans—your original price is one hundred and twenty low-grade spiritual stones, but you must let me have them for eighty. Fifteen grade-one advanced Fiendish-Faced Ghost Talismans—what was the original price? Three hundred low-grade spiritual stones? But for me, you must give them to me at two hundred low-grade spiritual stones per sheet."

Ye Ping'an stated bluntly, "Of course, the benefit of doing this is that within the marketplace, you won't have to worry about anyone daring to make a move against you. Externally, I will also announce that you are my man."

"There is really no need for that. If Daoist wishes to buy more next time, simply come to my stall and purchase them."

Zhou Changwang's brows furrowed tightly, but he still maintained his patience as he spoke.

Though there was still a profit margin for him at these prices, he could sell them for more independently; why cooperate with this person?

His talismans had no trouble selling.

As for the other party's latter remark about declaring him "his man"?

Since Zhou Changwang had already rejected the invitation to join the Ye Family, why would he care about such a label?

Entering and exiting the black market alone and changing his appearance every day provided more than enough safety.

Adding that "label" would probably make things even more dangerous.

The other party surely had enemies within the marketplace.

"Oh?"

Ye Ping'an's expression sank as he directly released the aura of a ninth-layer Qi Condensation cultivator, pressing it oppressively toward Zhou Changwang.

Zhou Changwang felt a heavy weight on his body, but his expression remained unchanged.

Though he was only at the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, far inferior to the other party in cultivation level, the spiritual power within his body had been continuously scorched and refined by the Great Completion-level Five Elements Glazed Heart Lamp, rendering it exceptionally pure. Moreover, he was himself a body cultivator at the fifth layer of Body Refinement.

Even his spiritual sense strength, thanks to the Soul-Splitting Art and the Taiyi Records, coupled with the daily nourishment of grade-three hundred-year-old Red Leaf Ridge tea leaves, was already no weaker than that of a seventh or even eighth-layer Qi Condensation powerhouse.

The other party's aura suppression counted for very little to him.

"In Divine Wind Valley, truly no one has ever dared to refuse my goodwill. You're quite something. I'll remember you."

Ye Ping'an immediately withdrew his aura, cast a deep glance at Zhou Changwang, dismissed the sound-isolation spell, and turned to leave.

Zhou Changwang watched him go without a word.

To him, this matter was actually somewhat baffling.

It was just that the conditions proposed by the other party were far too harsh, directly infringing upon his interests, so he naturally could not agree.

Even if it meant offending him, there was simply no alternative.

Fortunately, this was the black market; given the other party's status, he wouldn't go so far as to make a great fuss here or do anything to him.

Recalling something, Zhou Changwang immediately cast a Cleansing Spell to purify himself.