Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

An hour later.

The second phase of the internal trading session officially commenced.

Guided by an attendant, Zhang Jing found a place around the edge of the lobby. He contemplated, and then wrote down some resources he currently possessed on silk fabric.

There were a few demon cores that can remove residual thoughts from devils, a variety of middle-grade charms, and batches of lower-grade talismans.

Simultaneously.

On another piece of fabric, he expressed his interest in exchanging for resources—demon cores!

Especially high-grade demon cores.

Zhang Jing temporarily did not mark Spirit God Liquid on it.

He had more than a glimpse of the importance of this material during the first phase.

He was well aware of its worth.

Spirit God Liquid was the key currency he had in the second stage of the trading session to exchange for the valuable resources held by his fellow disciples.

Based on the introduction by the senior sister earlier.

Many of the items brought out by people in this session weren't for Tao Merits, but to exchange with others for the resources they desired.

Perhaps right now, the only item of value he could part with was the Spirit God Liquid.

After instructing the attendant to guard his items carefully.

Zhang Jing stood up and began to slowly stroll around the lobby, examining everything meticulously.

In hopes of finding one or two artifacts that would be suitable for him.

In his line of sight.

Most people were like Zhang Jing, moving around in all directions, while only a handful of about a dozen people remained seated quietly with their eyes closed, as if waiting for others to proactively seek them out.

As time passed.

Indeed, these chosen few had more and more people gathering before them.

Zhang Jing also squeezed his way in.

Before a Senior Sister, there was a section of a spirit root resembling a dragon, emanating a potent earth element flavor from its severed end.

Zhang Jing's gaze narrowed.

Merely from the aura it radiated, he was sure it was a very high-grade earth spirit medicine.

In terms of value.

It was probably only comparable to the spirit medicines he found in the heart of the mysterious garden previously.

Zhang Jing glanced at her demands.

A wood element spirit medicine of the same grade, or equivalent high-grade spirit pills.

He shook his head and slowly backed away.

It is a pity it wasn't a water-attribute spirit medicine. Otherwise, he might have considered bringing out some Spirit God Liquid to negotiate an exchange with her.

In the following period.

Zhang Jing continued to observe the others.

All the resources displayed by his fellow disciples were extremely valuable, and their exchange requirements were all incredibly high.

Finally, he paused.

Across from him was a short-statured Senior Sister.

Zhang Jing's gaze was transfixed on a palm-sized black bell on her table.

A high-grade magic artifact, Netherwater Serpent Soul Bell.

According to the introduction, this artifact is immensely powerful.

The body of the bell houses the souls of three late-stage Qi Refinement Netherwater Black Snakes. When urged with full force, the snakes fly out of the bell, their mouths spewing nether water poison, corroding the body, and freezing the spiritual sense.

He was somewhat tempted.

Judging purely by its aura, this Netherwater Serpent Soul Bell was even more potent than the Yellow Dragon Whip that was sold at high prices earlier.

Moreover, this Netherwater Serpent Soul Bell was a water-attribute artifact.

Exactly what he needed.

Although he was hesitant to use five high-grade magical tools to fill the Five Treasures Spirit River.

Zhang Jing felt that using a high-grade magical tool that matched his element as the main artifact for the Five Treasures Spirit River would definitely be better than five middle-grade magical tools.

A determined look started to appear in his eyes.

After a round of negotiation.

Zhang Jing eventually traded two drams of Spirit God Liquid for the Netherwater Serpent Soul Bell from the Senior Sister.

A surge of excitement welled up in his heart.

Just by acquiring the Netherwater Serpent Soul Bell, his trip today had not been in vain.

...

He walked back to his seat, his steps light.

Zhang Jing asked the attendant in a quiet voice, "Did anyone come to inquire while I was gone?"

"Immortal, not yet," the attendant replied, looking somewhat anxious.

"That's fine."

He showed a slight smile, but his heart raced a little.

"Looks like these middle-grade charms don't draw much attention in a trading session of this caliber, not to mention the lower-grade ones... Are there really no takers for the demon cores that can remove residue from devils?"

His gaze fell involuntarily on the crowded group of people.

"The pill masters are probably too taken with the high-grade spirit medicine and treasures," Zhang Jing comforted himself.

As he was lost in thought.

Tap tap——

The sound of deliberately softened footsteps suddenly resonated.

Zhang Jing involuntarily lifted his head.

A sharp-looking man aged around forty, with a beard around his lips, came to view.

His cultivation was at the late stage of Qi Refinement.

"Senior Brother, what are you interested in?" Zhang Jing greeted enthusiastically.

At these words.

The mustachioed Brother in front of him had a glint of cunning in his eyes, and he whispered to Zhang Jing, "My surname is Gou, with the given name 'Sheng'. I'm a level seven Qi Refinement practitioner. How should I address you, brother?"

"Zhang Jing pays his respects to Brother Gou."

Zhang Jing maintained a calm expression, and asked once more:

"What would Brother Gou like?"

Seeing that this brother had yet to get to the point, Zhang Jing understood what was going on.

The other party's motives were likely impure.

"Oh, so it's Junior Brother Zhang, my apologies." Brother Gou had a bright smile on his face, his mustache bouncing, making him look quite comical.

"Brother, I have a query, would you be able to clarify it for me?"

"Please, go ahead."

Here it comes! Zhang Jing became alert.

"Brother, I've been pondering for some time. You're selling Demon Cores, but you're also buying them. Are you by any chance, dealing in some dharma door that swiftly eradicates the residual thoughts from these devils?"

Before Zhang Jing could answer, he heard him continue:

"Brother, as the saying goes, the more the merrier. Since you have such a dharma door, why not consider partnering with me? I can handle the buying and selling of Demon Cores, and you just need to cleanse the residual thoughts of the devils."

"I'm at the seventh level of Qi Refinement, my cultivation is higher than yours, and the workload is also the heaviest."

"Let's split the Tao Merits — I'll take seventy percent, and you'll take thirty percent, how does that sound?"

"With just a little work on your part, every month you can easily earn two to three hundred Tao Merits. It's hard to find such a good deal!"

Gou had a look on his face as if he was sincerely considering Zhang Jing's welfare.

"If you find it troublesome, you can just pass the technique to me. I'll split fifteen percent of the Tao Merits I would earn directly with you!"

"After all, you're only at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, it's somewhat wasteful for you to have this technique."

"Thanks for the suggestion, Brother. Let me consider it."

Zhang Jing responded politely, refusing his offer.

"Well, you can take your time. I'll wait for you here until you've reached your decision."

It seemed Gou was refusing to leave before Zhang Jing agreed, wilfully taking a seat in front of him.

Zhang Jing's brow furrowed, his eyes filled with icy coldness.

However, at that moment.

"Junior Brother Zhang, you're here too."

A mature voice suddenly interrupted.

The voice then scolded Gou in front of Zhang Jing:

"If you're not buying anything, don't block the way. Have some decency!"

Gou showed a flash of annoyance on his face.

However, when he saw who was speaking, his pupils contracted slightly. He silently rose and left the scene, not daring to utter another word.

Clearly, he couldn't afford to offend the one speaking.

"I appreciate your help, Brother Yan."

Zhang Jing addressed the newcomer gratefully.

"Junior brother, don't worry about that guy. He's just a clown." Brother Yan laughed.

"By the way, Brother Yan, do we still have mid-grade magic artifacts to exchange in our team?"

Seeing Yan standing beside him, Zhang Jing took the opportunity to ask.

"Yes, if you need to exchange, I'd suggest waiting for Brother Li to come back. He has some mid-grade magic artifacts of exceptionally high quality."

Brother Yan replied without hesitation.

Zhang Jing nodded.

With that, he felt at ease.

Meanwhile.

"Ha-ha, Brother Yan, I guessed that you would be here with Junior Brother Zhang."

A hearty laughter rang gently in their ears.

Zhang Jing and Brother Yan turned towards the source of the voice.

"Senior Sister Liu, Senior Brother He, and Junior Sister Shen."

Brother Yan greeted them with a smile.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Liu, Senior Brother He, and Shen... Immortal." Zhang Jing followed suit.

The trio came directly to Zhang Jing.

"Brother Zhang, it's been a while." Shen Qingqing peered out from the back, the corner of her eyes lifting a captivating smile.

Simultaneously, at the front, Liu Nanshu nodded with a smile, whispering:

"Brother Yan."

After speaking, she turned her head to look at Zhang Jing, surprise flickering in her eyes.

The next moment.

She half-jokingly said: "Junior Brother Zhang has reached the mid-stage of Qi Refinement so quickly? If I had known this, I would have competed with Junior Brother Yangchu for you no matter what."

"You flatter me, Senior Sister."

Zhang Jing responded humbly.

"Brother, do you have any Demon Cores for sale here that aren't attached to residual devil thoughts?"

Senior Brother He looked down and a trace of strangeness flashed in his eyes as he exclaimed:

"It's a pity that there aren't many Pill Masters here, otherwise they would all be flocking to you."

So it was due to the lack of Pill Masters?

Zhang Jing understood all at once.

He finally realized why there weren't many people asking about the Pure Demon Cores he was selling.

After a few exchanges.

Liu Nanshu looked at Zhang Jing, her tone anxious:

"Junior Brother Zhang, do you... still have any Spirit God fluid left? Sister is willing to pay a high price."