Chapter 236: Wood Emperor Nails

The third-grade Void Bamboo is not only brimming with spiritual nature, but its entire body resembles translucent jade.

Golden spiritual runes cover its surface, endowing it with a Void attribute distinct from the five elements.

This characteristic allows it to conceal fluctuations of spiritual power and block divine sense, making it difficult for cultivators' divine sense to detect or perceive.

Even more rarely, this stalk of Void Bamboo has birthed spiritual intelligence; its future potential is extraordinary, possessing extremely strong plasticity.

Although currently merely a low-grade third-grade spiritual material, it can be refined into a magical treasure embryo and planted within one's native spiritual plant, the Yin-Yang Profound Vine.

As time passes, it will inevitably grow into a top-grade magical treasure.

Aside from its strong concealment, the Wood Emperor Nail magical treasure has another greatest advantage: its attack range is quite far, its speed extremely fast, and its penetrating power strong.

It specializes in being insidious and vicious; ordinary defensive magical treasures can hardly withstand it, leaving one unable to guard against it.

However, this set of magical treasures also has an obvious shortcoming.

If one drives only one or two nails, it is manageable.

But as the Wood Emperor Nails are a set of magical treasures, once the number activated increases, it consumes a cultivator's magic power immensely.

Furthermore, the requirement for the strength of a cultivator's divine sense is also extremely high.

Even with Qin Ming's currently robust magic power and divine sense comparable to the Jin Dan stage, he estimates he cannot activate too many at once.

As one of the top existence among offensive-type magical treasures recorded on the ancient scroll, while its power is formidable, naturally the requirements for the user are equally high.

"Once the Wood Emperor Nails emerge, all evils retreat, and crowds of cultivators tremble in fear."

With sharp eyes, Qin Ming began to decompose and refine the Void Bamboo according to the Treasure Refining Art.

Each Wood Emperor Nail is three inches long; speaking of which, it is relatively economical with spiritual materials, so this single stalk of third-grade Void Spiritual Bamboo in Qin Ming's hand is sufficient to refine the entire set of magical treasure embryos.

With his trait in hand, let alone eighty-one nail-type magical treasures, even eighty-one magical treasure flying swords could be planted and ripened again.

However, the third-grade Void Bamboo is merely the main material; other auxiliary refining materials must be added, and they must be at least third-grade to start.

For the other auxiliary materials, Qin Ming plans to exchange spiritual materials with or purchase them from True Person Canghai and Wei Wuya.

Since this involves top-grade third-grade spiritual material resources, only Jin Dan old ancestors are likely to have stock; they are almost never seen on the market.

After all, compared to other Immortal Realms, the Southern Desolate Immortal Realm is a poor, remote place; the Jin Dan stage is already the ceiling.

Resources are also relatively limited and entirely controlled by these high-stage cultivators.

"Especially the Xuanjin Divine Sand; as a low-grade third-grade auxiliary material for refining the Wood Emperor Nails, it can increase the magical treasure's penetrating ability, possessing extremely strong penetration against various defensive magical treasures, magic power shields, defensive spiritual light, and so on."

"This item is absolutely indispensable."

"I heard Lei Yuanzong has a vein of Xuanjin Crystal Ore producing a small amount of Xuanjin Divine Sand, monopolized by Lei Yuanzong; presumably, Wei Wuya should have some."

"Besides that, Void Nether Soil is also needed to neutralize the spiritual nature of various spiritual materials and increase the success rate of refining magical treasures."

"This Void Nether Soil is also a low-grade third-grade spiritual material; apart from Jin Dan Old Ancestors, it is not easy to obtain."

"And there is the third-grade Dark Nether Stone to increase the Void attribute."

"Purchasing all of these will likely be a considerable expense... however, to refine the magical treasure, everything is worth it."

Qin Ming's hand seals changed continuously; several days later, he had decomposed that stalk of third-grade Void Bamboo into eighty-one nail-shaped prototypes, then sealed them with Spirit-Sealing Talismans and packed them into Jade Paste Boxes for future use.

Having done this, he prepared to visit Yunze Xiancheng again to exchange spiritual materials with True Person Canghai.

"Sigh~ I wonder if Wei Wuya is there; worst case, I might have to make a trip to Lei Yuanzong."

Thus, Qin Ming summoned his Silver-Yin Yi Shuangfeng to prepare to leave the island.

This time, he did not plan to bring his other two beast pets, as he intended to go quickly and return quickly.

Within the spiritual field.

The Shi Tian Shu was waving its Shennong Hoe, clearing weeds from the spiritual field; seeing Qin Ming about to leave, it immediately shouldered the spiritual hoe and trotted over, putting on a smiling face to volunteer: "Master, where are you going?"

"Do you need my service?"

Qin Ming replied indifferently: "I am going out to purchase some materials and will return soon; just attend to your own tasks."

Subsequently, Qin Ming opened the Mist Illusion Realm, mounted the Silver-Yin Yi Shuangfeng, and flew out of Liaowang Yue Island.

The Shi Tian Shu gazed at the distant sky, a trace of loss appearing on its face; with a 'Clang!', it fiercely smashed the Shennong Hoe onto the ground.

It cursed angrily: "Pah! I really don't want to farm this broken land; what's the point? This Great Master wants to go out and stroll around too."

At this moment.

Within the spiritual field, a long black vine of the Yin-Yang Profound Vine fell like a divine whip.

"Slap!" It struck the Shi Tian Shu's buttocks fiercely.

"Ouch! It hurts so much!"

"I was wrong! I was wrong!"

"I love farming! I love farming!"

Struck by this blow, the Shi Tian Shu jumped up and down, clutching its buttocks, grimacing in pain, and immediately learned its lesson.

It swiftly picked up the Shennong Hoe and obediently went back to plowing the spiritual field.

One hour later.

Riding the Silver-Yin Yi Shuangfeng at extreme speed, Qin Ming arrived at Yunze Xiancheng.

This time, upon entering Yunze Xiancheng, he immediately sent a message to True Person Nalan Xi, then headed straight for the Canghai Peak Main Hall.

To Qin Ming's delight, when he entered the main hall, Wei Wuya of Lei Yuanzong happened to be there as well; it seemed he had come to discuss matters with True Person Nalan Xi, saving Qin Ming considerable trouble and sparing him another trip to Lei Yuanzong.

"Greetings to both seniors!"

"Qin Xiaoyou need not stand on ceremony."

"Hehe! Daoist Qin has arrived."

Wei Wuya remained as carefree as ever, treating Qin Ming as an equal, which was also a gesture of goodwill.

"Qin Xiaoyou, please sit; did you come specifically to find this seat regarding some matter?"

Qin Ming secretly sighed with emotion; the top-tier connections and resources accumulated over many years were finally about to be put to use.

Across the Wei State Immortal Realm, which Foundation Establishment rogue cultivator could make a Jin Dan old ancestor spare them more than a glance? Probably only Qin Ming.

"This junior has come today wishing to exchange some third-tier spiritual materials with the two seniors," Qin Ming said, getting straight to the point.

As his words fell,

a smile appeared on Wei Wuya's face as he asked with great interest, "Oh? Third-tier spiritual materials? Could it be that Fellow Daoist Qin is finally preparing to cultivate third-tier spiritual plants?"

"Or perhaps to refine third-tier spiritual pills?"

Upon hearing Qin Ming's words, True Person Nalan Xi's eyes also brightened, and she instantly perked up.

"Hehe, that's correct; this junior has recently been cultivating a certain third-tier spiritual plant and requires several special materials," Qin Ming said, concealing part of the truth.

Even though Qin Ming had an excellent relationship with them, he naturally would not tell these two Jin Dan old ancestors the truth at this moment: that he was preparing to refine a third-tier natal magical treasure.

Matters concerning one's trump cards must be hidden as deeply as possible.

Although Nalan Xi had anticipated this, she still exclaimed in surprise, "Oh! So it is truly so!"

"Fellow Daoist Qin Xiao You truly deserves praise for reaching the pinnacle of the path of spiritual plants; it seems the Wei State Immortal Realm will soon give birth to another third-tier spiritual plant grandmaster after a hundred years. Hahaha!"

"Truly something to celebrate!"

A smile likewise hung on Wei Wuya's face as he said, "If Fellow Daoist Qin were willing to join Lei Yuanzong, let alone third-tier spiritual materials, whatever you desire, would this seat not gift it to you?"

"Why not consider it again?"

He directly tried to recruit him.

Qin Ming gave a bitter smile and waved his hand.

"May I ask what spiritual materials Fellow Daoist Qin needs, and what items you can offer in exchange?" Wei Wuya, knowing Qin Ming's temperament, had already anticipated this and did not take it to heart.

Qin Ming immediately stated his needs: "This junior requires third-tier Xuanjin Shensha, Void Concealing Earth, and Shadow Stone..."

Hearing the list of third-tier spiritual materials recited by Qin Ming, both Wei Wuya and Nalan Xi could not help but show moved expressions.

With Shensha, earth, and stone mentioned, it indeed sounded related to farming.

Of course, these top-grade spiritual materials had wide-ranging uses, but neither Nalan Xi nor Wei Wuya harbored excessive suspicion.

A third-tier spiritual plant master, let alone in the Wei State, was already a rarity in the entire Southern Wild Immortal Realm; they could not guess what kind of spiritual plant Qin Ming intended to cultivate or for what purpose.

"So cultivating and planting third-tier spiritual plants actually requires so many third-tier spiritual objects..."

"This seat is learning of this for the first time."

"I wonder if Fellow Daoist Qin would be so kind as to reveal what spiritual plant you intend to cultivate in this attempt to breakthrough and become a third-tier spiritual plant master?"

"As for Xuanjin Shensha, this seat naturally possesses some, though not much."

For a moment, Wei Wuya's curiosity was piqued; if Qin Ming truly succeeded in breaking through to become a third-tier spiritual plant master, it would be a legendary event in the history of the Wei State.

After organizing his thoughts slightly, Qin Ming then said, "A third-tier lower-grade spiritual plant: the Three-Crimson Soul-Returning Grass."

"What?!"

"It is actually this rare spiritual herb; it seems Fellow Daoist Qin Xiao You has full confidence," Nalan Xi said, slightly surprised while subtly probing.

Qin Ming did not hide anything from the two old ancestors: "Hehe, the spiritual herb has already been successfully planted; however, the cultivation process still requires considerable effort and spiritual materials to nurture it."

Hearing that Qin Ming had already successfully planted the third-tier spiritual herb, both Nalan Xi and Wei Wuya froze simultaneously in astonishment.

Judging by Qin Ming's words, he already had one foot stepping through the threshold of a third-tier grandmaster.

While secretly shocked, the two old ancestors raised their evaluation of Qin Ming to an unprecedented height in their minds.

"In that case, what will Fellow Daoist Qin use to exchange for this seat's Xuanjing Shensha?" A playful smile appeared on Wei Wuya's stern face.

Qin Ming smiled slightly, took out three Five-Elements Primordial Qi Spiritual Peaches and five hundred jin of premium Spiritual Perch Rice from his storage bag, and then asked Wei Wuya, "I wonder if these spiritual objects are sufficient?"

The moment the two Jin Dan old ancestors in the main hall saw the Five-Elements Primordial Qi Spiritual Peaches appear, their eyes immediately glowed.

Especially True Person Nalan Xi; as a Jin Dan old ancestor who had been famous for a long time, her age was certainly not small, and her longing for lifespan far exceeded that of Wei Wuya.

Wei Wuya was a newly promoted Jin Dan cultivator and certainly still had several hundred years of lifespan left to live.

Nevertheless, no cultivator could resist the temptation of extended lifespan.

He could use them for those elders within the sect.

Although these spiritual peaches were merely second-tier top-grade spiritual fruits, in terms of utility and value, they were already comparable to third-tier spiritual objects.

"Unexpected! This seat heard that at the black market auction organized by Xue Zhili, one Five-Elements Primordial Qi Spiritual Peach was once sold."

"Presumably, that was also put up by Fellow Daoist Qin Xiao You?"

At this moment, the dignified expression on True Person Nalan Xi's face vanished, replaced by a beaming smile.

"Hehe, that one was indeed released by me," Qin Ming answered truthfully.

Wei Wuya immediately nodded in agreement, saying, "Deal."

"However, this seat has one additional condition..."

Seeing Wei Wuya agree to the exchange, Qin Ming's expression brightened with joy, but upon hearing there was an additional condition, his brows furrowed.

"That is to add one jar of Bai Yulin Wine, hehe!" Wei Wuya stated his condition.

Qin Ming breathed a sigh of relief after a false alarm; he had thought Wei Wuya was going to add some outrageous condition before handing over the Xuanjin Shensha.

Hearing it was only Bai Yulin Wine, he could not help but smile, directly took out two jars, and handed them to Wei Wuya, "Let alone one jar; I will gift Senior Wei an extra jar."

Wei Wuya, face beaming with joy, happily accepted Qin Ming's items, then took out a jade box, handed it to Qin Ming, and asked, "Fellow Daoist Qin, do you think this amount of Xuanjin Shensha is sufficient?"

Qin Ming took the jade box, opened it, and saw inside a kind of dark-golden spiritual sand, its surface blooming with five-colored light, emitting an astonishing spiritual rhyme unique to third-tier spiritual materials.

His face lit up with joy; he immediately put the jade box away, saying, "Many thanks, Senior Wei; this is more than enough."

"As for Void Concealing Earth and Shadow Stone, this seat happens to have them; I wonder if Fellow Daoist Qin Xiao You still has more Five-Elements Primordial Qi Spiritual Peaches for exchange?" True Person Nalan Xi asked.

Hearing this, Qin Ming smiled faintly and took out the remaining dozen or so Five-Elements Primordial Qi Spiritual Peaches, saying, "Senior Nalan, naturally there are more."

Next, Qin Ming exchanged with Nalan Xi for the remaining materials he needed.

Joy also showed between True Person Nalan Xi's eyebrows; she had not expected that Qin Ming's visit to Yunze Xiancheng would bring her such a pleasant surprise.

After the transaction concluded, Qin Ming was just about to bid farewell and leave, after all, he was eager to refine his treasure at this moment.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, you must still be careful recently; some days ago, demonic cultivators appeared again and went on a killing spree in the Fangcun Mountain market," Nalan Xi suddenly said.

"Traces of cultivators from the Modaoliu Sect have also appeared in other places; it seems they are stirring up trouble again."

Hearing this, Qin Ming was momentarily stunned, then spoke with a sigh of emotion: "Thank you, Senior, for the reminder. In fact, Fellow Daoist Xue invited Qin Mou to attend the black market transaction as well; I was merely fortunate enough to leave a step earlier, otherwise, I fear I would not be standing here speaking before the two of you right now."

After exchanging a few more words with the two Yunxi Laozu, having achieved the purpose of his visit, Qin Ming left Canghai Peak.

Inside the main hall.

Wei Wuya and Nalan Xi watched the figure of Qin Ming depart.

"Fellow Daoist Nalan, do you think Fellow Daoist Qin can truly advance to become a third-tier Spirit Plant Grandmaster?"

"I dare not say for certain, but in my opinion, the probability is high; after all, I previously entrusted him with planting and reviving third-tier Spirit-Transforming Demon Fruits, and he succeeded."

"This indicates that Qin Xiao You's spirit plant techniques are only a hair's breadth away from the third-tier Grandmaster realm."

"This seat previously learned that Qin Xiao You once obtained a complete inheritance of a third-tier Spirit Gu Zhishi from the Mo family."

"He also has connections with Su Yuqing of the Great Jin Immortal Dynasty."

"One must know that the Su family has considerable backing."

"For Qin Xiao You to reach this stage, he must possess great fortune."

"Alas~ speaking of which, it is truly a pity."

"Fellow Daoist Qin possesses such attainments in spirit planting and pill refining, yet his pseudo-spirit root talent holds him back too much; the Foundation Establishment stage is his limit. Otherwise, his potential would truly be limitless."

"Achieving the Jin Dan Great Dao like us might not be impossible for him."

"Indeed! It is truly a pity."

(End of Chapter)