The Old stallholder took a deep breath, as if to inhale all the medicinal fragrance into his body, the wrinkles on his face smoothed out, and his eyes gleamed with undisguised excitement.
He asked with a trembling voice, "What...what kind of Medicinal Pill is this? It has such a strong medicinal power!"
Li Mu smiled slightly, resealed the Medicinal Pill bottle, and transmitted his Divine Thought: "This Medicinal Pill is called 'Lifespan Extending Pill', it is a Seven-Rank Dao Pill, and after taking it, one can extend their Lifespan by nearly a thousand years, without any side effects.
Fellow Daoist is already old, and this Medicinal Pill, for you, might be more important than Spirit Stones."
Upon hearing this, the Old stallholder's breathing quickened.
Extending Lifespan by a thousand years was undoubtedly a huge temptation for an old Cultivator like him.
He had Cultivated for many years, but his cultivation had stagnated, and his Lifespan was nearing its end.
If he could extend his Lifespan by a thousand years, he might still have a chance to Breakthrough his Bottleneck and advance further.
"Fellow Daoist, are you...are you truly willing to exchange this Medicinal Pill with me?" The Old stallholder's voice trembled slightly, clearly his heart was already swayed.
Li Mu nodded, and said lightly: "Naturally.
This Medicinal Pill is quite precious, but for me, it is not something I urgently need.
On the contrary, this piece of Yellow Vein Crystal Ore is of some use to me.
If Fellow Daoist is willing, we can trade goods, however, the value of my Dao Pill far exceeds the value of this spirit material, so Fellow Daoist needs to add some more High Grade spirit materials, or make up the difference with Spirit Stones, to be fair."
Upon hearing this, the Old stallholder's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.
As Li Mu said, the value of this Lifespan Extending Dao Pill was immeasurable; even the Yellow Vein Crystal Ore in his hand could not compare to it.
However, this opportunity to extend his Lifespan was too precious for him to easily give up.
The Old stallholder pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the stall, as if weighing the value of each item.
Finally, his gaze fell on a jade pendant emitting a faint Spiritual Qi.
The jade pendant was carved with intricate runes, subtly exuding an ancient aura.
"Fellow Daoist, please look," the Old stallholder carefully picked up the jade pendant and said softly, "This is a sixth-order Spiritual Artifact crafted by a renowned master, named 'Spiritual Essence Jade Pendant'.
It can nourish the Spiritual Root and increase cultivation speed.
Although its effect is not as direct as the Lifespan Extending Pill, it is also a rare treasure for Cultivators.
I am willing to exchange this jade pendant, plus five hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, for your Lifespan Extending Pill, how about it?"
"Fellow Daoist, do not jest.
My Thousand Lifespan Dao Pill is worth over three million High-Grade Spirit Stones, which cannot be measured by a mere five hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones and a sixth-order Spiritual Artifact.
Furthermore, I do not want finished Spiritual Artifacts.
If you want this Thousand Lifespan Dao Pill, please show your sincerity." Li Mu gently shook his head, gazing at the Old stallholder, his tone carrying an unquestionable firmness.
Upon hearing this, the Old stallholder's face stiffened slightly, clearly not expecting Li Mu to reject his proposal so directly.
He fell silent, a hint of struggle flashing in his eyes, as if weighing something.
"Fellow Daoist, if there are no High-Grade spiritual items of corresponding value for the trade, how about we call off this exchange of goods?
I'll buy this stone for one hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones!" Li Mu looked at the Old stallholder, who was in a difficult dilemma, and suggested with a smile.
Upon hearing this, a hint of unwillingness flashed in the Old stallholder's eyes, but more was helplessness.
With his current assets, it was indeed difficult to gather High-Grade spiritual items equivalent to Li Mu's Lifespan Extending Pill.
However, he was unwilling to give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to extend his Lifespan.
"Fellow Daoist, I still have one item!
Please take another look." The Old stallholder politely refused and solemnly took out a jade box from his storage ring.
The jade box was simple and unadorned, its surface covered with intricate patterns, subtly exuding an ancient aura.
The Old stallholder carefully opened the jade box, and immediately, a rich Spiritual Qi surged forth.
Inside the box lay a fist-sized crystal, entirely deep purple, with what appeared to be stars flowing within, emitting a mysterious glow.
"This is... Purple Heaven Star Crystal?" A hint of surprise flashed in Li Mu's eyes, clearly recognizing the origin of the crystal.
The Old stallholder nodded, and said with a solemn expression: "That's right, this is indeed the Purple Heaven Star Crystal, a rare item nurtured within extraterrestrial meteorites, containing Star Power.
This item can not only be used to refine High Grade Magic Treasures, but also assist Cultivators in comprehending the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth and Breaking through Bottlenecks.
If Fellow Daoist is willing, I am willing to exchange this Purple Heaven Star Crystal, along with the Yellow Vein Crystal Ore, for your Lifespan Extending Pill."
Li Mu pondered for a moment, his gaze lingering on the Purple Heaven Star Crystal for a long time, as if weighing its value.
The Purple Heaven Star Crystal belonged to eighth order spirit material, indeed precious, especially suitable for arranging Star Power formations, it was a good High Grade spiritual item.
However, the value of the Lifespan Extending Pill was also not to be underestimated, especially for an old Cultivator whose Lifespan was nearing its end, it was almost an irreplaceable treasure.
"Fellow Daoist, although the Purple Heaven Star Crystal is good, for me, it is not something I urgently need." Li Mu slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of regret: "However, since Fellow Daoist is so sincere, I am not willing to disappoint you.
How about this, the Purple Heaven Star Crystal, the Yellow Vein Crystal Ore, plus one million High-Grade Spirit Stones, and I will trade this Lifespan Extending Pill with you, how about it?"
"One million High-Grade Spirit Stones! Fellow Daoist! Aren't you making things difficult for me!" Upon hearing Li Mu's demand, the Old stallholder's face instantly turned pale, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
The Old stallholder shook his head with a bitter smile, his voice filled with a mix of helplessness and pleading as he haggled: "Fellow Daoist, one million High-Grade Spirit Stones... this is truly beyond my means.
Although I have some savings, I have spent most of them over the years trying to Breakthrough my Bottleneck.
Currently, I only have a mere three hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, and with this Purple Heaven Star Crystal and Yellow Vein Crystal Ore, it's all I have."
Li Mu's expression remained calm upon hearing this, seemingly unsurprised by the Old stallholder's haggling.
He said in a deep voice: "Fellow Daoist, you must know the value of the Lifespan Extending Pill.
If I didn't have no need for this pill, I wouldn't easily offer it to you for trade.
Although the Purple Heaven Star Crystal is good, for me, it is indeed not something I urgently need.
If you cannot gather one million High-Grade Spirit Stones, I'm afraid this transaction will be difficult to complete."
Upon hearing this, a hint of anxiety flashed in the Old stallholder's eyes.
He gritted his teeth, seemingly having made some decision, and whispered: "Fellow Daoist, can you extend the deadline a bit more?
Besides the Purple Heaven Star Crystal and Yellow Vein Crystal Ore, you can choose any of the spirit materials on the stall."
Upon hearing this, Li Mu's gaze swept across the Old stallholder's stall.
Although the spirit materials on the stall were diverse, most were of low grade and not very useful to him.
His gaze finally landed on a fist-sized greenish Ore.
The surface of the Ore was covered with fine patterns, faintly emitting a faint wood-attribute Spiritual Qi.
"This Green Veined Wood Spirit Stone is quite interesting." Li Mu reached out and picked up the Ore, examining it carefully, then said lightly: "Fellow Daoist, if you are willing to add this Kui Veined Wood Heart, I will trade with you.
However, in terms of Spirit Stones, you still need to make up five hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, how about it?"
The Old stallholder's face changed slightly, but then, thinking of the value of the Lifespan Extending Pill, he finally gritted his teeth and nodded: "Good! It shall be as Fellow Daoist says!
Kui Veined Wood Heart, Purple Heaven Star Crystal, Yellow Vein Crystal Ore, plus five hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, in exchange for your Lifespan Extending Pill!"
Li Mu smiled slightly and nodded: "Fellow Daoist is straightforward, then it is settled."
With that, Li Mu handed the Lifespan Extending Pill to the Old stallholder.
The Old stallholder took the Medicinal Pill, his hands trembling slightly, his eyes filled with excitement.
He took a deep breath, solemnly put away the Medicinal Pill, and then took out five hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones from his storage ring, along with the Kui Veined Wood Heart, Purple Heaven Star Crystal, and Yellow Vein Crystal Ore, and handed them all to Li Mu.
Li Mu took the items, inspected them carefully, and after confirming they were correct, he put them into his tianxuan ring.
He looked at the Old stallholder and bid farewell: "Fellow Daoist, the transaction is complete, I hope this Lifespan Extending Pill can help you Breakthrough your Bottleneck and advance further."
The Old stallholder nodded, a look of gratitude appearing on his face, and bowed deeply to Li Mu: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for making this possible!
This kindness and virtue, this old man will engrave it in his heart!"
"We each got what we needed, Fellow Daoist, there's no need for such formality." Li Mu waved his hand and walked straight to other stalls.
There were not many stalls in this black market, but the stallholders were quite extraordinary in strength, and the quality and quantity of the High Grade spirit materials they treasured were quite considerable.
Li Mu slowly walked among the various stalls, his gaze like a torch, scanning every item displayed on the stalls.
Under his Heavenly Talent - Identify Myriad Spirits, the attributes of each spiritual item were fully presented before his eyes.
Before long, Li Mu discovered a piece of seven-rank time-space attribute spirit material—the "space boundary stone"—at another stall.
Time-space attribute spirit materials were extremely rare, especially a seven-rank space boundary stone, which was an unachievable treasure.
This item could not only be used to refine space-type Magic Treasures and set up Time-Space Law Formations, but also assist in Cultivating time-space Divine Abilities, which was exactly what he urgently needed.
This item could also assist the growth of the Time-Space Spirit Lotus.
Li Mu walked forward, examining the space boundary stone and carefully feeling it.
The surface of the stone was smooth as jade, and inside, countless tiny spatial cracks seemed to flow, subtly exuding a profound power of time and space.
"Fellow Daoist, how do we trade for this space boundary stone?" Li Mu asked, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation.
The stallholder was a middle-aged Cultivator dressed in a black robe, with a stern face and deep aura.
He looked up at Li Mu and said indifferently: "This item is a seven-rank spirit material, and its value is considerable.
If Fellow Daoist wants it, it's two million High-Grade Spirit Stones."
"I don't have that many High-Grade Spirit Stones at the moment.
Can we exchange goods?" Li Mu smiled slightly and asked.
Upon hearing this, the stallholder's gaze lingered on Li Mu for a moment, seemingly evaluating his strength and sincerity, then he agreed: "Exchanging goods is also acceptable, but it must be items of equal value.
If Fellow Daoist has Medicinal Pills, Magic Treasures, or rare spirit materials of seven-rank or above, you may take them out for a look."
...
Please... please... collect 6... books...!
As time passed, Li Mu's storage ring had acquired several precious High Grade spirit materials, and he was quite satisfied.
This trip to the black market had yielded far more than he had expected.
Just as Li Mu was about to leave, his Divine Thought swept across, and his expression immediately changed drastically.
He immediately performed the Five Elements Escape Technique, and his figure vanished from where he stood.
The next moment, many Cultivators in the entire black market were greatly alarmed and looked up.
They saw black clouds pressing down from the sky, with monstrous Devilish Qi, shrouding the entire black market in a gloomy haze.
A group of Great Ascension Demon Cultivators, leading their subordinates, launched a surprise attack.
Their figures were like ghosts, moving as fast as lightning, instantly breaking through the black market's defensive barrier, causing a wave of panic and chaos.
The Cultivators in the black market panicked and fled in all directions, but several Great Ascension Demon Cultivators, who were leading, were powerful and ruthless.
Many Cultivators were captured by the Demon Cultivators just a few steps into their escape, or were swallowed by demonic flames and turned to ashes.
The order of the black market instantly collapsed, and its former prosperity and secrecy vanished in that moment.
"Wan Gu Yu, get out here! Don't hide!" A cold and murderous voice echoed above the black market, as if coming from the Nine Nether Hell, sending shivers down one's spine.
The owner of the voice was the leading Great Ascension Demon Cultivator, clad in a black demonic robe, his face hidden in shadow, revealing only a pair of blood-red eyes that emitted a terrifyingly fierce light.
After a long while, receiving no response, the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's face grew even more grim.
He laughed in extreme anger, his voice thundering like lightning as it exploded above the black market: "Fine, Wan Gu Yu, since you are so unappreciative, then this Venerable will personally destroy your turtle shell, and then capture you alive, flaying you to vent my hatred!"
With that, the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator waved his large hand, and Devilish Qi surged, spreading like a tide towards every corner of the black market.
Wherever it passed, buildings collapsed, flames raged, and the screams of Cultivators rose and fell, the entire black market seemed to have fallen into a scene of doomsday.
The Demon Cultivators of Demon Abyss successively unleashed their respective Demonic Techniques; some transformed into demonic shadows, weaving through the crowd, harvesting the lives of Cultivators; others released powerful demonic flames, turning areas into scorched earth.
The black market's defensive barrier, under their attack, was like paper, unable to withstand a single blow.
"Wan Gu Yu, if you don't come out now, every inch of this black market will become your burial ground!" The leading Great Ascension Demon Cultivator's voice was filled with boundless rage and murderous intent.
However, even in such a desperate situation, Wan Gu Yu still did not appear.
The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator was furious and no longer held back, intending to personally level the black market.
Just as the Great Ascension Demon Cultivator was about to unleash his full power, a low buzzing sound suddenly came from deep within the black market, as if some ancient power was awakening.
Immediately after, a brilliant golden light shot up from beneath the black market, piercing through the clouds and instantly dispelling the Devilish Qi that shrouded the black market.
"You coward, you finally decided to come out? Hahahahaha!" The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator stared intently at the source of the golden light, laughing heartily.
As the golden light gradually receded, a figure slowly emerged.
It was a middle-aged man in a white robe, with a stern face and eyes like lightning.
His body exuded a powerful Mahayana pressure, and he was none other than the owner of the black market—Wan Gu Yu, the former master of Wanbao Pavilion, and even Wanbao City.
"I, Wan Gu Yu, do not wish to be an enemy of your Demon Abyss, but you are aggressive and relentless.
Today, I will let you witness my methods!" Wan Gu Yu's voice was cold and majestic, carrying an unquestionable determination.
Before his words finished, a simple Dao sword had appeared in his hand.
"Hahahaha, well said, well said, as long as you hand over the 'Ten Thousand Treasures Cauldron', I can spare your life!" The Great Ascension Demon Cultivator laughed wildly, his eyes filled with greed and murderous intent.
(End of this chapter)
