Wanbao Pavilion, Reception Hall.
At this moment, inside the hall, several Soul Transformation Cultivators were looking at the soul gathering bottle in Lin Baoqing’s hand with disbelief, exchanging glances.
“Manager Lin, are you sure this soul gathering bottle contains Old Ancestor Yin Jiong’s Divine Soul?”
“Old Ancestor Yin Jiong, Old Ancestor Xue Ming, they both perished!”
“This is impossible, absolutely impossible!”
…
The Soul Transformation Cultivators seemed to have heard some fantastical tale, questioning Lin Baoqing with faces full of disbelief.
Lin Baoqing glanced at everyone, gently placed the soul gathering bottle in the center of the table, and said with a faint smile, “The soul gathering bottle is right here. If any Senior wishes to take a look, feel free to verify it, and you will know the truth.”
Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent. They naturally understood that what Lin Baoqing said was not false, but Old Ancestor Yin Jiong was an old demon with Void Refining cultivation, skilled in soul arts, and his Yellow Springs Law Domain was incredibly strange and difficult to deal with. If they were to inspect his Divine Soul, they feared he might use a secret soul art to possess them instead!
“This…”
“Seniors, there’s no need to worry. Old Ancestor Yin Jiong’s Divine Soul has been sealed within the soul gathering bottle, and his strength has been ninety-nine percent lost.” Seeing their hesitation, Lin Baoqing spoke to reassure them.
“This is indeed true! However, to inspect his Divine Soul, it’s best to have a Magical Artifact that defends against Divine Sense attacks.”
“That’s right, Fellow Daoists, whoever has a Divine Sense defense Magical Artifact can step forward and inspect it.”
…
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded. Although they were all Soul Transformation Cultivators, none of them were confident they could resist Old Ancestor Yin Jiong’s soul art attacks. If they had a Magical Artifact that defended against Divine Sense attacks, they could confidently and boldly inspect it.
Lin Baoqing smiled slightly, looking at the Soul Transformation Cultivators: “Seniors, if no one verifies it, then this matter…”
“I will! I happen to have a Divine Sense protection artifact and am not afraid of Old Ancestor Yin Jiong’s Divine Soul.” Before Lin Baoqing finished speaking, he was interrupted by a white-robed Soul Transformation Cultivator.
Everyone’s gaze turned to the white-robed Soul Transformation Cultivator, who was precisely the Soul Transformation Cultivator who had just raised the question—Senior Zhuang.
“Senior Zhuang, please go ahead!” Lin Baoqing smiled slightly and made an inviting gesture.
Senior Zhuang nodded, then took out a heart-protecting mirror shimmering with silver light from his Storage Pouch. This mirror was neither gold nor silver, yet it exuded a unique charm. He raised his hand, and the heart-protecting mirror flew towards the soul gathering bottle.
Wrapped by the heart-protecting mirror, the soul gathering bottle quickly flew back into Senior Zhuang’s hand. Holding the heart-protecting mirror, his Divine Sense penetrated through it to probe into the soul gathering bottle.
Senior Zhuang’s Divine Sense wandered back and forth inside the soul gathering bottle. Suddenly, his expression changed, and he exclaimed, “This is…”
Before Senior Zhuang finished speaking, he suddenly felt a powerful aura about to escape from the soul gathering bottle. This aura was like a tentacle, instantly clinging to his Divine Sense, attempting to break through the barrier. Fortunately, at this moment, the Divine Soul heart mirror took effect, reflecting it back.
Senior Zhuang was startled and immediately activated his magic incantation, wanting to retract his Divine Sense. However, that aura clung to his Divine Sense like a maggot on bone, making him unable to extricate himself.
Seeing this, everyone was greatly alarmed and immediately took action, jointly suppressing the Soul Power of Old Ancestor Yin Jiong’s Divine Soul.
“Senior Zhuang!” Lin Baoqing cried out in alarm, but Senior Zhuang’s face was pale, and he slumped to the ground, looking as if he had just escaped a great danger.
Everyone never expected Senior Zhuang to suffer such a heavy injury, and it happened right under their noses. This made them feel a little terrified; Old Ancestor Yin Jiong truly lived up to his reputation as a Void Refining Demon Ancestor, capable of such power with only a wisp of his Divine Soul remaining.
Fortunately, under everyone's combined suppression, Old Ancestor Yin Jiong's Divine Soul was completely suppressed back into the soul gathering bottle, and his soul body was severely damaged, no longer able to struggle. Inside the reception hall, several Soul Transformation Cultivators all looked at the soul gathering bottle in Elder Liu's hand with horror, exchanging glances, all finding it somewhat unbelievable.
“Senior Zhuang, are you alright!” Lin Baoqing was the first to react, quickly stepping forward to help Senior Zhuang up.
Senior Zhuang’s face was pale, and he shook his head with a bitter smile: “It’s nothing, just some damage to my Divine Sense.”
“The Soul Power contains powerful Yellow Springs Law, it is Old Ancestor Yin Jiong’s Divine Soul, no mistake!” Another Soul Transformation Cultivator judged the identity of Old Ancestor Yin Jiong in the soul gathering bottle based on the Soul Power attribute.
“It really is Old Ancestor Yin Jiong’s Divine Soul!”
“Old Ancestor Yin Jiong has truly perished!”
Everyone fell silent upon hearing this. Although they had already guessed this outcome, they still found it hard to believe when the truth was laid bare before them: a Void Refining Demon Ancestor, no, and also Old Demon Xue Ming, the two great Demon Ancestors of the Nine Demon Sect, had both perished.
“Seniors, it has been confirmed that this soul gathering bottle contains Old Ancestor Yin Jiong’s Divine Soul. I suppose no one will doubt the origin of that batch of Spirit Treasures now, right?” Lin Baoqing looked at the Soul Transformation Cultivators present and asked with a smile.
“Indeed, that is correct! However, is this Senior truly unwilling to reveal his identity?” a Soul Transformation Cultivator asked with some regret.
“Yes, this Senior’s cultivation is profound. He has eliminated two old demons for the Southern Barrens, truly the foremost person in the Southern Barrens. We truly hope to see the Immortal Master’s demeanor!”
“This Senior has avenged the millions of living beings in the Southern Barrens for the several destroyed Sects. He can be called the guardian god of our Southern Barren land! It’s just a pity that we don’t know his name!”
“This Senior’s cultivation is unfathomable, it’s just a pity that we cannot see his true face.”
“We all want to know who this Senior truly is.”
Everyone looked at Lin Baoqing, inquiring eagerly, their faces filled with admiration, paying their respects to this powerful Senior who could eliminate Old Ancestor Xue Ming and the Refining Void Demon Ancestor.
“Seniors, please don’t make things difficult for me anymore! The Senior has already taken out the soul gathering bottle. He has always disliked showing his face and even more dislikes being disturbed. We must respect his wishes and not let him be disturbed in any way.” Lin Baoqing pleaded.
Having cooperated with Li Mu for so long, Lin Baoqing had already figured out his personality. If it weren't for the circumstances, he wouldn't dare to disturb Great Master Li.
“Seniors, let’s discuss the Spirit Treasure transaction and the five Artifact Refining customization slots, the main business!” Lin Baoqing put away the soul gathering bottle, changed the subject, and suggested to the Soul Transformation Cultivators.
“Since that is the case, Manager Lin, please set the transaction rules! If I can purchase the qingyun sword, I can give up the Artifact Refining slot!”
“Me too!”
“I want that Dragon Tooth Spirit Blade, if no one competes with me!”
“Manager Lin, please set a transaction procedure! If I can purchase one of these three Spirit Treasures—qingyun sword, Primordial Kun Circle, White Tiger Evil Halberd—I can give up the Artifact Refining slot!”
…
As soon as Lin Baoqing finished speaking, the Soul Transformation Cultivators immediately shifted their attention and began voicing their needs to him.
Lin Baoqing listened for a while, noted down their demands, and after a brief thought, decided: “I have noted down all of your demands, Seniors. How about this, I will also state some demands and set some procedures, and then we can proceed with the transaction.”
“This Spirit Treasure transaction will be conducted through bidding. Each Senior can make an offer for each Spirit Treasure based on their own needs.”
“The Senior who provided this batch of Spirit Treasures for trade enjoys collecting high-tier spirit Materials, six- and seven-tier spirit Materials, high-tier spirit seeds, spirit plants, and other items. Spirit Stones are secondary. Therefore, we will also include these items in the transaction. Furthermore, if there are Top-Grade Spirit Stones, they can also be included in the transaction!”
Upon hearing Lin Baoqing’s explanation, the Soul Transformation Cultivators continuously nodded in agreement, consenting to the transaction rules he had set.
Lin Baoqing continued: “To ensure the smooth progress of the transaction, we also need to establish some other rules. For example, we must maintain order during the transaction and prevent any snatch or malicious competition. Additionally, we need to specify some transaction details, such as how to pay for goods and how to deliver them…”
Upon hearing these rules and suggestions, the Soul Transformation Cultivators all expressed their agreement. They also knew that these rules were all to maintain the fairness and order of the transaction, which was very important for each of them.
Seeing that everyone had no objections, Lin Baoqing continued: “Alright, since all Seniors agree with my suggestions and rules, then let’s begin the transaction!”
As soon as Lin Baoqing finished speaking, the entire hall instantly became lively, and the Soul Transformation Cultivators all rubbed their fists, preparing to participate in this grand transaction.
…
Time flew by, and two days passed.
Lin Baoqing, filled with joy and laden with gains, once again stepped into Ten Thousand Flowers Manor to report to Li Mu.
“Great Master Li, this is the profit obtained from the Spirit Treasure transaction, and here are the detailed transaction results. Please take a look!” Lin Baoqing respectfully handed Li Mu a Storage Ring.
Inside the Storage Ring were over twenty six-tier spirit treasures, each of immense value. And this was only a portion of his transaction profits, already enough for several years of his diligent efforts. As for the remaining Spirit Treasures, he had arranged for them to be sent to the Auction, where he could earn another sum.
“Thank you, Manager Lin!” Li Mu took the Storage Ring, swept his Divine Sense across it, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
The results of this transaction far exceeded his expectations. With over twenty six-tier spirit treasures traded, he had once again become incredibly wealthy. These Spirit Treasures would surely fetch a good price at the Auction, enough to ensure he wouldn't have to worry about resources in his future cultivation. And the spoils of war harvested from the two Void Refining Demon Ancestors made him grin from ear to ear.
Among the many high-tier spirit items in the Storage Ring, there was also a seven-tier spirit material—the Chaos Kun Pearl, a demon pearl of a Chaos Kun Beast. This spirit material was extremely ancient, an ancient treasure that had existed since the dawn of Chaos. It was both an essential material for refining many top-tier Magic Treasures and possessed numerous wondrous uses. Obtaining this spirit material was truly an unexpected surprise.
“Oh, and this too, returning it to its rightful owner!” Lin Baoqing handed the soul gathering bottle back to Li Mu.
Li Mu was slightly taken aback and took the soul gathering bottle. He solemnly activated his Divine Sense, employing his Heavenly Talent—Identify Myriad Spirits.
Under the Identifying Myriad Spirits, Li Mu discovered something unusual about the soul gathering bottle: the blue soul gathering bottle was coated with an extremely thin and almost transparent layer of butterfly powder, which was precisely the Illusionary Colored Demonic Butterfly Powder.
【Illusionary Colored Demonic Butterfly Powder】
【Grade: Fourth-tier Spirit Item】
【Properties: Spirit Aura Concealment, Twin Butterfly Soul Tracking, Traceless Spirit Concealment, Thousands of Miles Following.】
【Status: Spirit Powder dispersed, Soul Aura attached.】
【Spirit powder emitted by a fourth-tier Illusionary Colored Mother Butterfly, specially refined for soul tracking, can be located by a male partner butterfly within a thousand li, and tracked for ten thousand li.】
Seeing the butterfly powder attached to the soul gathering bottle, Li Mu’s expression paused slightly. This tiny bit of dust, minute and difficult to detect, was so well hidden that it was almost invisible to the naked eye. If he didn't possess the Heavenly Talent of Identifying Myriad Spirits, he probably wouldn't have been able to detect such a hidden item.
Lin Baoqing, seeing Li Mu’s unusual expression, couldn’t help but feel a little worried and quickly asked, “Great Master Li, what’s wrong? Is there a problem?”
Li Mu turned his head and looked at Lin Baoqing, asking with a serious expression, “Manager Lin, besides you, who else has touched this soul gathering bottle?”
“Besides me, there was also Senior Zhuang.” Lin Baoqing replied, saying with some displeasure, “If he hadn’t brought up the origin of the Spirit Treasures this time, there wouldn’t have been so much trouble!”
“What’s wrong, is there a problem?” Seeing Li Mu’s tense expression, Lin Baoqing couldn't help but ask with concern.
Li Mu sighed, his expression grave, and said: “This soul gathering bottle has some things on its body that shouldn’t be there. This Senior Zhuang is probably not that simple!”
Upon hearing this, Lin Baoqing’s expression changed drastically, and he felt a little panicked. Why would Senior Zhuang do this? What exactly was going on?
“Great Master Li, do you mean that this Senior Zhuang is connected to the Nine Demon Sect?” Lin Baoqing asked Li Mu worriedly.
“It’s not impossible!” Li Mu saw Lin Baoqing’s worry and comforted him with a smile: “Manager Lin, don’t worry too much. Since we discovered this problem early, let’s see how to resolve this hidden danger.”
Lin Baoqing nodded, signaling Li Mu to continue. Although he was still somewhat worried, he knew that finding a solution was the most important thing now.
Li Mu pondered for a moment, then said, “First, we need to clarify the identity and background of this Senior Zhuang. If this Senior Zhuang is indeed connected to the Nine Demon Sect, then handing the soul gathering bottle over to the Xuantian Sword Sect or Taiyi Sect for handling is also an option.”
“This Senior Zhuang is the Old Ancestor of the Zhuang Family, a cultivation Family in the Southern Barrens, and has been established in the Southern Barrens Cloud Sea Peak for over a thousand years. During the Nine Demon Sect upheaval this time, their Family relocated to Barren Ancient City to seek refuge. The Zhuang Family members are skilled in talisman crafting and Alchemy, thus they enjoy a good reputation in the Southern Barrens Cloud Sea region.” Lin Baoqing explained to Li Mu.
“His background is fine.” Li Mu nodded and suggested, “Since that’s the case, let’s hand this matter over to the Xuantian Sword Sect and let them worry about it!”
“Then what should we do next?” Lin Baoqing asked.
Li Mu pondered for a moment and said, “Let’s pretend this never happened and proceed with the Spirit Treasure transaction as planned. As for this soul gathering bottle, after I leave, you can help me hand it over to Executive Fang and inform him of the details of this Spirit Treasure transaction. Remember not to reveal my identity! You don’t need to worry about what they do; just throw this trouble out there.”
“Understood! Great Master Li, don’t worry, I am very strict!” Lin Baoqing nodded repeatedly, assuring him.
Li Mu smiled contentedly, cast a spell to transfer Old Ancestor Yin Jiong’s Divine Soul from the soul gathering bottle to another bottle, and then tossed the soul gathering bottle to Lin Baoqing.
Watching Lin Baoqing leave, Li Mu fell into deep thought, this sudden turn of events made him vigilant.
