Fifteen days passed in a flash. On East Cloud Island, in the main hall of Huanglong Temple, over a dozen high-level Cultivators arrived by invitation to attend Immortal Master Huanglong's private trade fair.
Inside the main hall, the space was wide and grand, filled with a magnificent Aura. Void Refining Cultivators from various places had arrived one after another. There were Sword Cultivators with an ethereal demeanor, graceful female Cultivators, uninhibited Cultivators holding wine gourds, and also refined Confucian Cultivators. Their numbers were neither too many nor too few, precisely eighteen Void Refining Cultivators.
As time passed, the atmosphere in the hall gradually warmed. All the Cultivators were anticipating an extraordinary trading event. After about half a cup of tea, Immortal Master Huanglong entered the hall with a young man.
This young man was Li Mu, and their entrance signaled the imminent start of this private trade fair.
Immortal Master Huanglong smiled and announced to everyone, "I apologize for the long wait, everyone. All the Fellow Daoists attending this trade fair have arrived. Thank you all for coming. This trade fair officially begins!"
"Wait, Fellow Daoist Huanglong, everyone here is a Void Refining Cultivator. Who is this Little Friend? What qualifications does he have to participate in this trade fair with us?" At this moment, a blue-clad Cultivator glanced at Li Mu and asked doubtfully.
Upon hearing this, the Void Refining Cultivators all looked at Li Mu. Some were curious, some wanted to watch the show, and others were indifferent, waiting for Immortal Master Huanglong to give them an explanation.
Immortal Master Huanglong calmly looked at everyone and smiled as he introduced, "Everyone, this is Dao Friend Li Mu from the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain. Although he is young, he is a Grandmaster Refiner who can refine six-tier spirit treasures. Therefore, I specifically invited him to participate in this trade fair. I hope all Fellow Daoists will be understanding."
Upon hearing this, the Void Refining Cultivators were immediately speechless. The blue-clad Cultivator who had questioned earlier also cast an apologetic look at Li Mu, acknowledging Immortal Master Huanglong's arrangement.
Artifact Refining Great Masters and Alchemy Grandmasters who can refine six-tier spirit treasures hold esteemed positions. Even if their cultivation is still shallow, they are qualified to sit at the same table as these Void Refining Cultivators.
As Immortal Master Huanglong's words fell, a wave of discussion immediately arose in the hall. The Void Refining Cultivators all looked at Li Mu with respect.
A Void Refining Cultivator, who looked like a Confucian Cultivator, cupped his hands towards Li Mu and greeted him, "So it is Great Master Li. I also have some research into the Dao of Artifact Refining. May I ask what Great Master Li's specialty is? Could you perhaps display one or two of your works to broaden our horizons?"
Upon hearing this, Li Mu was about to speak, but Immortal Master Huanglong spoke first, "I happen to have a six-tier Spirit Sword refined by Little Friend Li here. Please, all Fellow Daoists, take a look."
As his voice fell, Immortal Master Huanglong summoned the six-tier gold-element Spirit Sword. For a moment, golden light blazed in the hall, and a sharp Sword Intent permeated the air, making the entire hall seem to be enveloped in a golden Sword Qi. The Spirit Sword floated in the air, its body slender and entirely golden. The artifact patterns on its body glowed with spiritual light, emitting a faint golden halo.
The Void Refining Cultivators were all attracted by this Spirit Sword, their eyes fixed on the gold-element Spirit Sword in the air, their faces showing expressions of amazement. Two Sword Cultivators even couldn't help but stand up, wanting to get closer to feel the Sword Intent of this Spirit Sword more clearly.
"This... is this the Spirit Sword refined by Great Master Li? It truly is extraordinary!" A Azure-Clad Sword Cultivator exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with fervent light, as if he could not wait to possess this Spirit Sword.
Seeing this, Immortal Master Huanglong smiled and nodded, saying, "This Spirit Sword was indeed personally refined by Little Friend Li. Its quality has reached the Peak of Low Grade six-tier, just one step away from advancing to Medium Grade. I am taking this opportunity today to broaden everyone's horizons, and I also hope it can add some topics to the upcoming trade fair."
"When the trade fair ends, if any of you wish to refine Spirit Treasures, you can visit Little Friend Li then," Immortal Master Huanglong said, then looked at Li Mu and introduced him with a smile.
The Void Refining Cultivators all nodded in agreement. With this Spirit Sword as proof, they had no doubt about Li Mu's Artifact Refining skills and began to strike up conversations with Li Mu, hoping to forge some connections.
Upon hearing Immortal Master Huanglong's introduction, Li Mu humbly cupped his hands in gratitude and responded with a smile, "Thank you, Senior Huang, for the introduction. If any Seniors have needs, this junior will certainly do his best."
As soon as Li Mu spoke, the atmosphere in the hall grew even more enthusiastic.
At this moment, the blue-clad Cultivator who had previously questioned Li Mu's cultivation showed a look of shame. He walked up to Li Mu, cupped his hands, and said ingratiatingly, "Great Master Li, I am Yin Wujiu. My previous behavior was rude, please do not take offense, Great Master Li."
Li Mu quickly cupped his hands in response, "No matter, Senior, you need not worry."
"Since no one has any objections, let us begin this trade fair!" Immortal Master Huanglong surveyed the hall with a smile.
Seeing that no one objected, Immortal Master Huanglong waved his hand and took out a long Jade table from his storage ring. Twenty Jade cushions floated on the table.
"This Jade table has no special functions, but it is convenient for everyone to display and trade treasures. Please take your seats," Immortal Master Huanglong introduced, then sat down on a cushion himself.
Seeing this, everyone took their seats. Li Mu also found a spot and sat down, and with a thought, he glanced at the Jade table.
The attribute description presented by his Heavenly Talent - Identify Myriad Spirits confirmed that this table was merely a simple two-tier Spiritual Artifact, capable of displaying items, but with no special purpose.
"For this treasure exchange and appraisal, I, Huang, will go first. Each person will place three treasures on this Jade table, and then we will proceed with the exchange in order. If a trade is not concluded, it will be the next person's turn. Others are not allowed to make a move until the trade is confirmed to be finished," Immortal Master Huanglong explained the trading rules.
After speaking, Immortal Master Huanglong took out three treasures and placed them on the table, introducing, "This is a piece of six-tier Extreme Yang Spiritual Jade. I wish to exchange it for Spirit Medicine of the same tier for Alchemy. These two bottles of Medicinal Pills are six-tier Returning Void Pill and six-tier Condensing Soul Pill, with three pills in each bottle. The Returning Void Pill can help Break through the Spirit Refining Bottleneck, and the Condensing Soul Pill has the effect of stabilizing the Law Domain. I hope to exchange these two bottles of Medicinal Pills for a seven-tier Pill Formula, or Spirit Objects of the same tier."
Upon hearing this, the Elder in White Robes sitting to Immortal Master Huanglong's left shook his head and said, "Senior Wang, I do not have treasures that match Fellow Daoist Huang's. Please let the next Fellow Daoist display theirs."
The red-clad female Cultivator to the left of the Elder in White Robes took out a Jade box. After opening it, inside was a Spiritual Plant emitting a faint golden light. She spoke, "I have a six-tier Golden Thread Spirit Lotus here, to exchange for a bottle of Returning Void Pill. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Huang would be interested?"
Immortal Master Huanglong pondered for a moment, then shook his head and looked at the next Cultivator.
The next Cultivator was the Azure-Clad Sword Cultivator sitting next to the red-clad female Cultivator. He frowned and took out a Jade Slip from his storage ring, gently placing it on the table. His gaze fell on Immortal Master Huanglong, and he spoke, "Fellow Daoist Huang, this Jade Slip records the Pill Formula for the six-tier 'Heaven Returning Pill.' This pill can help Cultivators increase their success rate during a Breakthrough. I wish to exchange it for a bottle of Condensing Soul Pill. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Huang is willing to exchange?"
A hint of disappointment flashed across Immortal Master Huanglong's face, and he said apologetically, "Fellow Daoist Chen, I already have the Pill Formula for this 'Heaven Returning Pill.' If you don't have other Pill Formulas, I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you."
Upon hearing this, Fellow Daoist Chen, the Azure-Clad Sword Cultivator, couldn't help but frown deeply. He took out another Jade Slip from his storage ring and slowly said, "Fellow Daoist Huang, if this 'Heaven Returning Pill' Pill Formula is not to your liking, then this Jade Slip might catch your Dharma Eye. It records the Pill Formula for the seven-tier 'Purple Cloud Pill,' but it is an incomplete formula. If you don't mind, I'll exchange it with you for a bottle of Condensing Soul Pill."
Immortal Master Huanglong's spirit lifted slightly, and he said affirmatively, "I do know a little about this Pill Formula. However, the missing parts of an incomplete formula are undoubtedly a huge challenge for an Alchemist. I wonder where Fellow Daoist Chen obtained it, and if you know how to complete this Pill Formula?"
The Azure-Clad Sword Cultivator shook his head and frankly said, "I accidentally obtained this Jade Slip while exploring an ancient battlefield. Since I am not an Alchemist, please don't trouble me with completing the Pill Formula. However, this pill is of great help to Void Refining Cultivators in advancing, and it is extremely precious. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Huang is willing to exchange this Pill Formula for a bottle of Condensing Soul Pill?"
Immortal Master Huanglong pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "I will exchange with you. Although this bottle of Condensing Soul Pill is precious, compared to the incomplete formula for the seven-tier 'Purple Cloud Pill' in your hand, it is not a loss."
After speaking, Immortal Master Huanglong handed the Condensing Soul Pill on the table to the other party and simultaneously received the Jade Slip containing the incomplete formula for the seven-tier "Purple Cloud Pill." The two completed their trade, both showing satisfied smiles on their faces.
Immortal Master Huanglong looked at the next Cultivator and asked, "Next, Fellow Daoist Yan, do you have any Spirit Objects to exchange?"
The yellow-robed Elder shook his head. Immortal Master Huanglong then looked at the next person. After going through a round, he did not get satisfactory gains, and it was soon Li Mu's turn.
"Senior Huang, I have a Pill Formula for a seven-tier Returning Void Pill here. Its value is considerable. Exchanging it just for Extreme Yang Spiritual Jade would be a bit insufficient. Could Senior add some more Spirit Objects?" Li Mu took out a Jade Slip from his nine storage spiritual pearl and indicated with a smiling expression.
The Pill Formula for the Returning Void Pill was obtained from Qingyang Zi. This pill can help improve the refinement of Soul Transformation Clones and assist in condensing the Law Domain by several percent. It is even of great use to Void Refining Cultivators. Generally, Void Refining Cultivators usually first advance to Void Refining, then refine Soul Transformation Clones and condense them into a Void Refining Domain. They do not have as many resources and strength to condense Clones and achieve a Void Refining Domain while still in the Nascent Soul Realm.
Void Refining Cultivators with a Law Domain and those without a Law Domain display completely different strengths; they are not on the same level of existence.
The importance of the Returning Void Pill is self-evident.
"What! You actually have the Pill Formula for the Returning Void Pill!"
Upon hearing Li Mu's introduction, Immortal Master Huanglong's spirit was greatly lifted. He looked at Li Mu in disbelief, overjoyed.
"What kind of Divine Pill is the Returning Void Pill? Why is Fellow Daoist Huang so excited?"
"Returning Void Pill, I seem to have heard of this Divine Pill somewhere."
"Returning Void, Returning Void, returning spirit to Void. That's right, this is a Returning Void Pill that can help Void Refining Cultivators accommodate Clones and refine the Law Domain!"
"What, there's even such a Divine Pill!"
...
The Void Refining Cultivators all whispered to each other, discussing animatedly. Their eyes were tightly fixed on the Jade Slip in Li Mu's hand, gleaming with fervent light. In this world, Divine Pills and miraculous medicines were already rare, let alone a Returning Void Pill that could help Void Refining Cultivators fuse Clones and refine the Law Domain. Such a Medicinal Pill was undoubtedly a priceless treasure.
"Dao Friend Li, where did you obtain this Pill Formula? If it is a genuine formula, I, Huang, am willing to add more Spirit Objects to exchange for it," Immortal Master Huanglong looked at Li Mu and asked with concern.
Feeling the fervent gazes of the surrounding crowd, Li Mu smiled slightly and introduced, "Senior Huang, this Pill Formula was obtained as compensation when I refined an artifact for a Senior. After appraisal by a Great Master Alchemist, its authenticity can be confirmed. As for the specific origin, I cannot elaborate, but Senior is an Alchemy Grandmaster, so you should be able to appraise its authenticity yourself."
As his voice fell, Li Mu pushed with his spiritual power, directly sending the Jade Slip to Immortal Master Huanglong's front.
Immortal Master Huanglong looked at Li Mu with surprise, quite pleased with his generous gesture. He also did not stand on ceremony, accepting the Jade Slip, immersing his Divine Sense, closing his eyes, and carefully reading it.
Immortal Master Huanglong closed his eyes and began to meticulously appraise the Pill Formula in the Jade Slip. The surrounding Void Refining Cultivators all held their breath, nervously awaiting the result.
A moment later, Immortal Master Huanglong slowly opened his eyes, which gleamed with excitement.
"Little Friend Li, this is indeed a genuine Pill Formula!" Immortal Master Huanglong said excitedly to Li Mu, then sighed with a wry smile, "However, several main Spirit Medicine needed to refine this Divine Pill are quite difficult to find!"
"Fellow Daoist Huang, what main Spirit Medicine are needed to refine this Returning Void Pill? There are so many of us here, tell me, we can work together to refine it!"
"That's right! That's right! If this pill can help condense the Law Domain, I, Yan, will spare no expense to find the medicine for Fellow Daoist Huang."
"I, Xiao, am also willing to find medicine for Fellow Daoist Huang, just to obtain one Returning Void Pill."
...
Seeing the crowd so agitated, Immortal Master Huanglong couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He deeply understood the difficulty of refining this Returning Void Pill, but with their support now, refining this pill together was not impossible.
"Thank you all, Fellow Daoists, for your assistance!" Immortal Master Huanglong cupped his hands in thanks to everyone, then took a deep breath and slowly said, "To refine the Returning Void Pill, there are four main ingredients. The first is 'nine void spiritual mushroom,' this Spiritual Plant grows in nine void spiritual soil, it is a seven-tier Spirit Medicine, extremely rare, and seldom seen."
"nine void spiritual soil?" Upon hearing this, the Cultivators all showed solemn expressions. nine void spiritual soil generally exists in Void Realm fissures, in areas of unstable space, which are not only extremely dangerous but also very difficult to enter.
Immortal Master Huanglong nodded and continued, "The second main ingredient is 'condensing soul essence fruit.' This Spirit Fruit grows on a seven-tier spiritual wood—Primordial Spirit Wood. It takes ten thousand years to mature and a thousand years to bear fruit, but compared to the nine void spiritual mushroom, it is slightly easier to find."
"condensing soul essence fruit, I once saw it in ancient texts, it is indeed a rare Spirit Fruit," an Elder in White Robes frowned and murmured softly.
Immortal Master Huanglong looked at everyone intently and continued, "The last two main ingredients are Spirit Transformation Essence and purple gold spirit flower. These two seven-tier Spiritual Plants are quite common, and it should be possible to gather them with some time. If you wish to jointly refine this pill, you will need to act separately and each search for the required main ingredients."
The Cultivators all nodded, many of them interested.
Seeing this scene, Li Mu smiled slightly, quite satisfied. He had quite a few condensing soul essence fruits on hand. He brought out this Pill Formula with the intention of 'throwing a brick to attract jade,' otherwise, relying solely on his own strength, he wouldn't know when he could gather all the Spirit Medicine needed to refine the Returning Void Pill.
At this moment, Immortal Master Huanglong looked at Li Mu with a profound gaze, as if lost in thought. (End of Chapter)
