Chapter 272: Stone Ape Essence Blood and an Encounter

Xue Zhili's spirit stirred with excitement; he never expected Qin Ming to produce something so valuable at once.

"Qin Daoist, rest assured—these two items are more than sufficient as the grand finale of this auction."

"They will fetch a price that satisfies you, Qin Daoist."

Qin Ming nodded upon hearing this. "Then I'll go browse around first."

Afterwards, Qin Ming wandered alone through the black market.

Not long into his stroll, he spotted many valuable items across several stalls.

Yet there were also many illicit, tainted goods.

Half an incense stick later.

Qin Ming arrived before a stall and stopped. The vendor was an elderly man with golden hair; his attire suggested he was a cultivator from Liang State.

His cultivation base was not low, faintly radiating the spiritual power of the Foundation Establishment peak.

Qin Ming's gaze settled on one item atop the stall.

"How much for this second-rank superior Snake Saliva Herb?"

The golden-haired elder, who had been meditating with half-closed eyes, slowly opened them and looked toward Qin Ming.

"Five hundred mid-grade spirit stones. Non-negotiable."

"Or you may exchange it for spirit materials of equal value."

The elder's voice rang like a bell, full of vigor, exuding an aura of immense presence.

He glanced at Qin Ming, saw his Foundation Establishment early stage cultivation, assumed he couldn't afford a second-rank superior spirit herb, and treated Qin Ming as merely a curious cultivator asking prices.

After speaking, the golden-haired elder ignored Qin Ming and closed his eyes again.

Qin Ming: "..."

"Fine. I'll take this spirit herb."

Long silence.

Only then did the golden-haired elder suddenly open his eyes, studying Qin Ming with surprise, then giving a slight nod.

Qin Ming's expression remained blank as he withdrew five hundred mid-grade spirit stones from his storage bag and handed them over.

Then he took the Snake Saliva Herb in hand.

At that moment.

A stout elder in black robes hurried over, also at Foundation Establishment peak; he addressed the golden-haired elder: "Golden Salamander, I want that Snake Saliva Herb—I'm brewing a pill and need this second-rank superior medicinal herb."

"You're too late, Wood Crane Ghost. The herb's already been bought by this young friend," Golden Salamander replied coolly.

The elder named Wood Crane Ghost immediately panicked. "How could you sell it? I need the Snake Saliva Herb for my pills!"

He then turned to Qin Ming beside him, saw his Foundation Establishment early stage cultivation, and intended to order him to hand over the herb.

After all, Foundation Establishment early stage versus peak was three full sub-realm gaps—Qin Ming could even call him Elder.

Foundation Establishment peak cultivators were top-tier masters in any nation.

Wood Crane Ghost was about to speak, but when he clearly saw Qin Ming's face, he seemed to recall something.

He then exclaimed in surprise: "It's Qin Ming, Qin Daoist!"

"A pleasure to meet you!"

Wood Crane Ghost's demeanor instantly changed; he bowed respectfully.

This left Golden Salamander, watching the scene, utterly baffled—he knew Wood Crane Ghost's temper well.

He never gave up easily on anything he wanted.

Why was he speaking so politely to a junior? "Wood Ghost, do you know this young man?" Golden Salamander asked.

Wood Crane Ghost smiled. "This gentleman is Qin the Great Master of Wei State! Of course I know him."

"A master of second-rank superior spirit plants and pills, hailed in the Southern Wastes as the most likely cultivator to break into third-rank Master status next."

"I learned of him from Elder Xu of Xuanxi Valley. Elder Xu speaks highly of Qin Daoist!"

Upon hearing this, Golden Salamander was stunned—this plain-looking young cultivator had such a prestigious background and the favor of Elder Xu of Xuanxi Valley. He immediately rose from his chair and bowed to Qin Ming.

"Heh! So you're Qin the Great Master. My apologies for my earlier rudeness. Please forgive me."

Qin Ming paid no mind, merely returned a courteous greeting to both, then turned to leave.

"Qin Daoist, please wait."

Qin Ming halted, puzzled. "What do you two need?"

"Heh! Since we've met here, why not exchange what we have and share insights?"

"I'm currently brewing a pill that urgently requires Snake Saliva Herb. Qin Daoist, do you need anything? I'm willing to trade—or pay with spirit stones," Wood Crane Ghost said.

Qin Ming thought for a moment. "Do you have any second-rank peak beast core or essence blood?"

"This—" Qin Ming's question left Wood Crane Ghost speechless.

"To be honest, I don't have such a high-grade beast material. But the value of second-rank superior Snake Saliva Herb isn't that great either."

"Could you name another condition?"

Qin Ming was about to speak.

"Oh? Qin Daoist needs second-rank peak beast essence blood? Lucky for you—I happen to have some."

Golden Salamander suddenly spoke up.

He then withdrew a jade vial from his storage bag, opened it, and showed it to Qin Ming.

Immediately, a fierce, menacing aura surged forth.

"Indeed, second-rank peak beast essence blood—wind attribute," Qin Ming's expression brightened; he hadn't expected to find what he needed here.

"What condition would you require to exchange this vial of essence blood?"

Golden Salamander pondered briefly. "This vial contains the essence blood of a second-rank peak Stone Ape Great Beast. To slay it, two fellow cultivators perished. Sigh!"

He sighed as he spoke.

"I've heard Qin Daoist's pill-making art is peerless. I wish to trade for a pill that enhances Foundation Establishment peak cultivation—or something of equal value."

Qin Ming inwardly rejoiced—he hadn't expected it to be Stone Ape Great Beast essence blood. He immediately withdrew a delicate jade vial from his storage bag and offered it. "Would this pill suit your taste, Golden Salamander Daoist?"

Golden Salamander took the vial, opened it, and instantly, a fragrant, soothing aroma spread through the air.

He peered inside and his face lit up with delight. "Jade Xuan Pill!"

Even Wood Crane Ghost beside him showed clear envy, a flicker of greed passing unnoticed in his eyes.

The moment this pill appeared, nearby cultivators stopped to stare.

"Whoa! High-grade pill!"

"Isn't that the Jade Xuan Pill? I heard only Master Gongsun Yang of Xuanxi Valley can brew it."

"Then who is this man? How does he have a Jade Xuan Pill?"

"It's Qin the Great Master of Wei State. I heard his pill-making skill is extraordinary—never thought he could brew the Jade Xuan Pill!"

Golden Salamander quickly sealed the vial and nodded eagerly. "Qin Daoist, this pill is excellent! Deal!"

Qin Ming nodded, took the vial of Stone Ape essence blood, and both parties obtained what they needed—each delighted.

Nearby cultivators wore expressions of envy.

"Oh? That's the Jade Xuan Pill? Qin Daoist, do you have any extra pills?"

"I'd like to trade with Qin Daoist too."

A pale-faced middle-aged man at Foundation Establishment late stage stepped forward from the crowd, smiling at Qin Ming.

Qin Ming was about to reply, but as he looked at the man, his pupils sharply contracted.

(End of Chapter)