Proving Immortality Starting with Hextech Runes

Chapter 200 Wanbao Palace

A glimmer of light finally appeared in Chen Xu's eyes, and he leaned forward slightly: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, please tell me more about this Seven-Leaf Golden Lotus. Does the Meteorite Merchant Guild have any information or connections?"

Zhou Caisheng stroked his beard and pondered, "Fellow Daoist Xu, please don't be impatient. This Seven-Petaled Golden Lotus must grow in a place where extreme yin and yang meet; it is extremely rare and hard to come by."

"However, according to the Chamber of Commerce, the once-in-a-century Wanbao Palace Auction will be held on Tianji Island in half a month."

"One of the highlight of this auction is a golden lotus with six and a half petals, nearly seven in total!"

"Six and a half leaves?" Chen Xu frowned slightly.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, please don't underestimate these six and a half leaves!" Zhou Caisheng quickly explained.

"Although it hasn't reached the pinnacle of the Seven Leaves stage, the life force it contains is already immense enough to repair the cracks in the Golden Core and stabilize the dissipated essence!"

"And precisely because it is not yet perfect, the cost of bidding for it is actually cheaper."

"If the Seven-Petaled Golden Lotus truly appears in the world, it will likely attract not just Core Formation cultivators, but Nascent Soul elders!"

Chen Xu was silent for a moment, then asked, "And..."

"I have been in Meteor City for quite some time, so why have I never heard of Wanbao Palace and Tianji Island?"

Zhou Caisheng gave a meaningful smile, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice:

"Fellow Daoist Xu may not know this, but the Wanbao Palace is an extremely secretive top-tier trading force, whose strength is no less than that of the Xuanshui Palace."

"However, they act with extreme discretion and secrecy, and only face high-level cultivators above the Core Formation stage, so not many people know about them."

"Wanbao Palace holds a grand event on Tianji Island only once every hundred years."

"Moreover, Tianji Island is not a fixed area, but a secret realm temporarily constructed by Wanbao Palace using rare treasures to move space, and its location is always uncertain."

"Those who are not invited, even if they have extraordinary abilities, will find it difficult to locate him."

He paused, his smile deepening. "Such top-secret intelligence, and the 'Ten Thousand Treasures Token' for entering Tianji Island, naturally... are not free."

Zhou Caisheng didn't say anything explicitly, but simply picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and kept his eyes fixed on Chen Xu's face, observing his reaction.

The meaning couldn't be clearer: want information and an admission ticket? You have to pay, and at an exorbitant price.

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu quickly asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, I urgently need this item to save someone; time is of the essence."

"We've cooperated many times, no need for beating around the bush. How much are the intelligence and the Wanbao Token worth? Or, what do you need me to exchange for?"

Zhou Caisheng put down his teacup, his smile fading slightly, replaced by a serious and earnest expression: "Fellow Daoist Xu is straightforward! I, Old Zhou, just like dealing with sensible people."

"If you want detailed information and the Myriad Treasures Token, Fellow Daoist Xu, you need to offer something that can tempt me in exchange."

"Fellow Daoist, you may take out any treasures you deem suitable. I will assess their value, and if they are of sufficient worth, the deal can be made on the spot."

"Okay." Chen Xu didn't waste any words and took out several items directly from his storage bag.

In the dimly lit private room, the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Zhou Caisheng's shrewd eyes instantly sharpened, sweeping over the three items Chen Xu had spread out on the table like a hawk's.

His usual smile vanished completely, replaced by the focus and composure characteristic of a businessman assessing goods.

The first item was a fist-sized, ice-blue crystal that exuded a faint chill.

The crystal's surface was as smooth as a mirror, and inside it seemed to contain flowing, extremely cold icy marrow, with wisps of cold air escaping out, causing a thin layer of white frost to condense on the tabletop.

This is a top-grade third-tier material called "Mysterious Ice Soul," which contains extremely pure ice-attribute energy. It is an excellent material for cultivating ice-type techniques or forging top-tier ice-attribute magic weapons, and is extremely rare.

Zhou Caisheng stretched out his finger, felt the biting cold from a distance, and nodded slightly: "Mysterious Ice Soul... of superior quality, truly rare."

He changed the subject, a hint of barely perceptible regret in his voice:

"Unfortunately... while this item is excellent, it is not a unique and rare treasure for our Meteorite Merchant Guild. We still have several similar pieces in stock."

Chen Xu's eyes remained unchanged, as if he had already anticipated the other party's reaction.

The second item was a dark gold silk scroll.

This dark gold silk book is about a foot long. It is neither silk nor hemp, and the edges are slightly worn, indicating that it is quite old.

The silk surface is covered with intricate runes drawn with cinnabar, each stroke conveying a sense of antiquity and vicissitude.

In the center is a crimson crystal the size of a fingernail, with flames seemingly flowing within it, emitting bursts of scorching heat, which contrasts sharply with the cold aura of the Xuanbing Soul.

Zhou Caisheng's gaze sharpened, his body involuntarily leaning forward, his eyes gleaming.

He stretched out his withered finger and lightly touched the crimson crystal from a distance. A wave of heat rushed towards him, causing beads of sweat to appear on his temples.

"This is... the Blazing Sun Talisman?" His voice held a hint of surprise.

Chen Xu nodded: "That's right! This is an ancient talisman treasure, with a fire essence stone as its core, sealing three 'Heaven-Burning Flame Talismans'."

"Each talisman, once activated, can unleash a torrent of flames with the power of a peak Core Formation cultivator, capable of burning mountains and boiling seas, its power is astonishing."

Zhou Caisheng's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Fellow Daoist Xu, did you perhaps obtain this from some ancient cultivation cave?"

Chen Xu remained calm, simply stating, "It was merely a coincidence. Since Fellow Daoist Zhou recognizes this item, may I inquire about its value?"

Zhou Caisheng stroked his beard and pondered, a look of admiration appearing on his face: "The Blazing Sun Talisman Book is indeed a rare item. The method of refining this talisman book has long been lost, and now only a few volumes remain in the cultivation world."

He paused, a fleeting glint of greed in his eyes, then shook his head and sighed, "However, though this item is powerful, it is ultimately a one-time consumable treasure."

"Once the talismans are used up, they become useless scrolls. Although my Meteorite Merchant Guild does not have complete talisman books, we have several talisman treasures with similar power in our treasury, which are sufficient to replace them."

"As for exchanging information about Wanbao Palace and Wanbao Token... we're still lacking something."

Finally, Zhou Caisheng's gaze fell on the third treasure.

It was an ancient bronze mirror, its body covered with twisted swirling patterns, its surface deep and dark, as if containing another world.

The edges of the frame are engraved with fine, ancient runes, emanating a chilling spatial fluctuation.

It was the ancient treasure that Chen Xu had obtained from Xuanhei Daoist, the Nine Netherworld Dividing Light Mirror.

"Hiss..." Zhou Caisheng's composure froze instantly.

He suddenly stood up from his chair, leaned forward, and stared intently at the small mirror, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

Even his breathing became heavy and rapid.

"This...this could be...an ancient treasure?!" Zhou Caisheng's voice trembled with disbelief as he exclaimed.

"And it's a top-tier ancient treasure of the spatial category! The Nine Netherworld Radiant Mirror?!"

As a steward of the Meteorite Merchant Guild, he has handled countless treasures and possesses an extremely sharp eye for them.

Although the actual object has never been seen, the merchant guild's secret archives contain detailed records of this renowned ancient treasure.

Its value far surpasses that of ordinary fourth-tier magic weapons or even common ancient treasures.

This is a treasure that could tempt even a Nascent Soul Ancestor, and could even trigger a bloodbath.

Chen Xu took in Zhou Caisheng's reaction and felt somewhat reassured.

Although this item is precious, its refining method is too demanding, which is why Chen Xu took it out.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou has excellent eyesight. This is indeed the item. May I ask if this item can be exchanged for information about the Myriad Treasures Palace and a Myriad Treasures Token?"

"Enough! That's more than enough!" Zhou Caisheng blurted out, his voice trembling with excitement.

He took several deep breaths to barely suppress the turmoil in his heart, but the burning passion in his eyes remained undiminished.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, do you possess the method for refining this Nine Netherworld Dividing Light Mirror?"

"If you are willing to trade the refining method as well, my Meteorite Merchant Guild will certainly not let you suffer a loss!"

"The method of refining... does indeed exist..." Chen Xu's voice was deep and clear.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Caisheng's breath hitched, and a smile almost burst forth on his face. He quickly said, "Fellow Daoist Xu is indeed blessed! I wonder about this refining method..."

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, please don't be impatient," Chen Xu raised his hand, interrupting Zhou Caisheng's impatient words:

"The refining method of this Nine Netherworld Dividing Light Mirror is extraordinary. If you want it, you must first show your sincerity."

Zhou Caisheng quickly put on a smile: "Fellow Daoist Xu, what are you saying! We've been cooperating for many years, so my sincerity is naturally beyond question!"

"As long as you reveal the refining method, the Meteorite Merchant Guild will ensure you do not suffer any loss."

Chen Xu nodded slightly and said, "To refine this treasure, three indispensable conditions must be met."

"Firstly, one must possess at least the spiritual strength of the late-stage Core Formation stage to resist the backlash of the Nine Netherworld Qi in the mirror during the refining process; otherwise, the soul will be dragged into the spatial turbulence and perish forever."

"Secondly, it requires Void Stone Marrow as a catalyst to stabilize the Nine Netherworld Realm within the mirror. Without this catalyst, forcibly refining it will inevitably result in spatial backlash, shattering both body and soul."

Zhou Caisheng's smile froze, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Void Stone Marrow! This is almost a legendary item, and its value is not much lower than that of the Nine Netherworld Dividing Light Mirror itself.

"Thirdly," Chen Xu continued.

"One must use one's own Golden Core essence to ignite the Nine Nether Soul Fire and temper this mirror for forty-nine days before one can imprint a mark deep within its spirit and completely control its power."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Caisheng felt as if his head had been hit by a heavy hammer, and it was buzzing.

His smile froze completely, and he stared at Chen Xu in disbelief, his lips trembling: "Using the essence of a Golden Core to ignite the Soul Flame?! Forging it for forty-nine days?!"

What is the origin of the Golden Core? It is the foundation of a Core Formation cultivator's entire cultivation.

For ordinary cultivators, damage to their Golden Core is a grave calamity that would sever their path to cultivation.

To ignite the soul fire with the very essence of the Golden Core is an unprecedented form of torture.

The primordial fire burns not only spiritual power, but also the soul.

That kind of pain is enough to drive even the most resolute cultivators mad and break them.

Forty-nine days? Let alone forty-nine days, it would be a miracle if one could survive ten days without his soul dissipating and his golden core collapsing.

"Fellow Daoist Xu..." Zhou Caisheng's voice was dry and hoarse.

"Are you trying to toy with me? Such conditions... such conditions, how could they possibly be achieved by human power?"

Chen Xu nodded, looking at Zhou Caisheng's solemn face, and continued, "This method is extremely dangerous; the slightest carelessness will result in death and annihilation."

"Even if one succeeds, their very essence is damaged, their foundation shaken, and their cultivation level inevitably drops, becoming extremely difficult to recover from. This is the price of controlling such heaven-defying ancient treasures."

Zhou Caisheng's mind raced as he weighed the pros and cons.

For the Meteorite Merchant Guild, obtaining this method was tantamount to mastering a shocking secret.

Although the conditions are so harsh that they are almost impossible to complete, what about those cultivators whose lifespan is about to end, who have no hope of breaking through, or who have been driven to a dead end?

A top-tier ancient artifact capable of controlling space is enough to drive them crazy.

The Chamber of Commerce can use this as a top-level bargaining chip to exchange for huge profits.

For him, facilitating this transaction and bringing the ancient treasure and refining method back to the Chamber of Commerce would be an immense achievement.

After a moment's thought, Zhou Caisheng said, "Deal!"

"The Nine Netherworld Dividing Light Mirror can be exchanged for detailed information about the Tianji Island Auction of the Myriad Treasures Palace, as well as a Myriad Treasures Token."

"As for the refining method... Fellow Daoist, you may choose any two top-tier third-order treasures from the treasure vault, how about that?"

Fearing that Chen Xu might change his mind, he immediately added, "Of course, you must swear by your inner demons that the refining method you have taught is genuine and without any concealment or falsehood."

"Yes!" Chen Xu did not hesitate at all and immediately swore an oath with his inner demons.

Zhou Caisheng then accepted the Nine Netherworld Dividing Light Mirror.

He then quickly took out a pure white token with the words "Wanbao" engraved on the front, as well as a jade slip containing information, from his storage ring, and solemnly pushed them in front of Chen Xu.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, this is the Myriad Treasures Token! Hold this token and activate it at midnight half a month later. The power of spatial guidance will descend and teleport you to the Tianji Island Secret Realm."

"The jade slip contains a partial list of known items for the Wanbao Palace auction and the basic rules of Tianji Island; it is absolutely authentic and reliable!"

Chen Xu took the token and the jade slip, and instantly scanned the jade slip with his divine sense.

After a moment, he nodded and put away the token and jade slip.

"As for those two third-tier treasures, please follow me, fellow Daoist!"

Zhou Caisheng personally led the way, bringing Chen Xu to the Meteorite Merchant Guild's treasury.

Countless floating transparent crystal platforms moved slowly, their surfaces shimmering with precious light, each treasure enveloped in a soft glow.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, please!" Zhou Caisheng gestured for him to enter, reminding him.

"As agreed, fellow Daoist may choose any two top-tier Tier 3 treasures from this treasure vault. However..."

"If the treasure you're eyeing is worth more than the third rank, or if you have something else you're interested in, we can discuss it further. I, Old Zhou, will do my best to help you."

Chen Xu nodded slightly, his divine sense quickly scanning the suspended platform.

One after another, treasures of various shapes and sizes flashed past:

A flying sword radiating spiritual light, a heavy and ancient shield, a jade box exuding the fragrance of medicine, an array plate inscribed with intricate runes...

Each one was a top-quality item among the third-tier cultivators, enough to make any Core Formation cultivator drool.

Just as his divine sense swept over a platform in a relatively secluded corner deep within the treasure vault, a thought stirred within him.

There floated an irregular black ore, roughly the size of a human head.

The surface of the ore is uneven and covered with a thick layer of dark stone skin, without any glimmer of light, making it look inconspicuous.

If it hadn't been placed so solemnly on the crystal platform deep within this treasure trove, Chen Xu would have almost completely overlooked it...

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