Chapter 426

Seeing Yunhe's expression, Hongyun Old Ancestor understood his surprise and said with a smile:

"Daoist Yun, you don't know, our Nanjiang borders that vast demon beast forest, so we naturally cannot avoid dealing with those Fourth Level demon beasts."

"The demon beast forest is rich in resources, but even if those demon beasts, even Fourth Level ones that can take human form, are not like us humans who can make full use of those treasures, so taking them out to trade is the best choice."

"The elixirs, magic treasures, and spirit talismans of us human cultivators are precisely what those Fourth Level demon beasts need; if we can exchange for some things we Yuan Ying cultivators need, that is naturally excellent."

In Hongyun Old Ancestor's words, he barely concealed his contempt for demon beasts, for those Fourth Level demon beasts.

Actually, this is also the view of most human cultivators toward demon beasts.

Yunhe was merely a little surprised by this, not unable to accept it.

He, who possesses a Demon Beast Body, knows best what resources demon beasts might have.

So he smiled and said: "I thought the cultivators of Nanjiang got along so harmoniously with those demon beasts."

"Daoist Yun, you're joking."

Under Hongyun Old Ancestor's invitation, the four entered his "Hongyun Hall".

This is.

"Fourth Level demon beast meat?" Suo Weng said, somewhat startled.

Holding a Yuan Ying cultivator exchange meeting aboard this treasure ship, the safety is still quite good; even if Fourth Level demon tribe participates, they cannot stir up much trouble.

"I've long heard that Daoist Yun's Dao is profound, that you reversed and slew the mid-stage Yuan Ying cultivator Ji Huan Old Ancestor; I didn't expect you also have the feat of slaying a Fourth Level demon beast—Hongyun admires, admires."

His Hongyun Hall, while not bad, is still far inferior to this treasure ship—not even close.

Wuchen and the three others exchanged glances.

The four Yuan Ying old monsters chatted about heaven and earth, also exchanging their own views or insights on cultivation, which also gave Yunhe a decent gain.

And the venue of the exchange meeting is this enormous Tian'ao treasure ship.

Over these days of interaction, he already learned who is hosting this Yuan Ying cultivator exchange meeting and where it is being held.

Speaking, Hongyun Old Ancestor showed an eager look, unable to wait, and said:

One can imagine how terrifying the accumulation of nearly a thousand years by a mid-stage Yuan Ying cultivator is; with Tian'ao Old Man presiding, even a late-stage Yuan Ying cultivator would find it hard to forcibly break this treasure ship's defenses—it can truly be called a "moving fortress" in the Eastern Border cultivation world.

The four of them turned into four rainbows and flew into the treasure ship.

Thus Yunhe also took out a large chunk of fresh meat with a fragrant aroma.

"Come, come, since we've today met the renowned Daoist Yun, we naturally won't be stingy; my treasured 'Thousand Miles Hundred Fragrance' is also a fine spirit wine, and I hope Daoist Yun won't decline."

"Oh? Then Yun shall have a good taste." Yunhe said with a smile.

It is rumored that Tian'ao Old Man has lived over twelve hundred years, a famous longevity person, and his cultivation base is also quite impressive; he is a mid-stage Yuan Ying loose cultivator.

Half a month later.

Hongyun Old Ancestor and Yunhe became familiar with each other.

Boom—

"Green Male Bullfrog?"

Yunhe, who was sitting in Hongyun Hall with one hand holding an ancient scroll and the other raising a tea cup, suddenly paused, his body flickered, turning into a rainbow that shot straight into the clouds.

"It's Tian'ao Old Man's Tian'ao treasure ship." After Yunhe came out, Wuchen and the three others closely followed, gazing at that enormous treasure ship; Hongyun Old Monster, not without envy, clicked his tongue and said:

Although Hongyun Hall's flight speed is not fast, after half a month it had already left the Jinguang Region, arriving at the border between the human cultivator territory of Nanjiang and the demon beast forest; Wuchen and the others call this place the "Gray Region", a "gray" zone.

"I, old man, have truly never eaten Fourth Level demon beast meat before; this time I really have to thank Daoist Yun's blessing."

Yunhe gave a slight smile and said: "Yun happened to have slain a Green Male Bullfrog; its meat quality is not bad."

"Tian'ao Old Man and the Tian'ao treasure ship?"

"Good."

Yunhe nodded.

Besides Suo Weng being a bit quiet, Wuchen and Hongyun Old Ancestor are both types who enjoy lively conversation; plus Yunhe does not object, so the four actually got along quite well.

Seeing this meat, Hongyun Old Ancestor and the three others all froze.

"Hahaha! Taste! You should taste! Suo Weng, don't hide that 'Transforming Dragon Sea Bream' you caught earlier!"

It is said that this treasure ship was forged by Tian'ao Old Man exhausting his thousand-year accumulation, jointly by a grand formation master and a grand artifact master; not only is its carrying capacity extremely terrifying, its defensive strength is its forte, and aside from consuming a large amount of spirit stones, it can nearly match the defensive power of the mountain-guarding formations of some major sects.

Although they are all Yuan Ying cultivators, they are only early-stage Yuan Ying cultivators; facing Fourth Level early-stage demon beasts with strong bodies, at best they can hold their own, and they have truly never slain a Fourth Level demon beast.

Accompanied by a tremendous commotion, amidst the dazzling colors filling the sky, a huge tower ship approached from afar, accompanied by a mighty presence that blotted out the sun.

Although his strength is greater, each Yuan Ying old monster's cultivation experience is accumulated over hundreds of years; though the paths of cultivation differ, the ultimate goal is the same, so the gains naturally will not be small.

The initiator is precisely this Tian'ao Old Man.

"I knew you'd been thinking about it; today meeting Daoist Yun, how could I be stingy?" Suo Weng gave him an annoyed sideways glance.

Spirit wine, spirit fish, and even Wuchen monk produced a special 'Buddha Heart Fruit' spirit fruit.

Yunhe's eyes flickered slightly, revealing an interested expression.

"Since the treasure ship has arrived, let's go." Wuchen monk performed a Buddhist salute.

Because Wuchen monk and Hongyun Old Ancestor and a few others were present, flying into the treasure ship encountered no obstruction; after winding around, they arrived at a spacious hall at the ship's center.

Inside this hall the light is dim, with pearls embedded all around that emit a faint glow, giving the place a rather mysterious feeling.

After Yunhe and the four entered this place, their auras became mysterious, and the spiritual sense communication among them gradually lessened; they sat down in a corner.

Yunhe noticed that in this hall many cultivators had already taken seats, but it seemed not yet time for the exchange to begin, so those present either meditated, drank tea or alcohol, and tacitly made little noise.

As they settled, more cultivators trickled in; most, like them, chose to conceal their identities, but some bolder ones entered without hiding their aura, striding in openly.

Among these people, the majority are demon tribe cultivators!

After waiting about three or four days, Yunhe, sitting cross-legged and cultivating silently, suddenly felt a stir in his spiritual sense, and his expression changed slightly.

Ao—

A long howl surged into the hall, accompanied by a sudden gust of wind, and an extremely vigorous wood-attribute demon power fluctuation.

Green light flickered.

A shape-shifted demon beast, looking like a human cultivator in his twenties and clad in a blue-green scaled robe, strode in arrogantly, his gaze sweeping around, not hiding the contempt in his fierce eyes.

"Yun Dao friend, be careful; this is Qing Qing of the Green Wood Flood Dragon clan, possessing peak mid-Fourth Level strength, and his true form is that of the mighty flood dragon clan among demon beasts, his strength is quite formidable; it is said he once devoured alive an early Yuan Ying cultivator of our human race, his ferocious reputation is renowned."

Red Cloud Elder introduced it with considerable apprehension.

Although it devoured an early Yuan Ying cultivator with the body of a mid-Fourth Level demon beast, most mid-Fourth Level Yuan Ying cultivators would struggle to kill an early Yuan Ying cultivator; this demon not only can slay but also devour them whole, showing how strong its strength is.

Even the Tian Ao Elder hosting this exchange, without the aid of his treasure ship, would likely find it hard to gain any advantage from him; no wonder he is so arrogant.

"So that's it, the Green Wood Flood Dragon clan?"

Yunhe stared deeply at him, a hint of wariness rising in his eyes, but more so a hint of being moved.

Although his wood-element spiritual body had already coalesced, if he could obtain this demon's purest essence blood, perhaps his wood-element spiritual body could advance another level.

More importantly, in his spirit beast bag, the Cold Chant Flood Dragon's Cold Frost cultivation had already reached the peak of late Third Level; without an opportunity, who knows how long it would take to attempt a breakthrough to Fourth Level; this arrogant fellow looks like perhaps a good 'opportunity' for the Cold Chant Flood Dragon.

Of course, Yunhe currently has no confidence in defeating the mid-Fourth Level peak Wood Flood Dragon.

The mid-Fourth Level Wood Flood Dragon Qing Qing was like a stone thrown into the calm lake of the hall; afterwards, many demon cultivators and human cultivators arrived one after another.

After a few more days, the treasure ship's hall had gathered forty-some people!

Although most of them were human cultivators, with a few shape-shifted great demons, the number of participants was indeed quite large, and even more were still on their way.

"I fear that those who have come this time are not merely cultivators from the Southern Border, are they?"

But this is also normal.

After all, the items needed by Yuan Ying cultivators are extremely rare; a rare exchange naturally draws out many hidden old monsters, just as the dustless monk once ran far to participate at the shore of the Eastern Sea.

Not long after.

Suddenly, a long cry of the old ao sounded.

Then they saw a completely gray-white old ao slowly crawling out, and on its head stood an old man with white hair and beard, possessing an immortal wind and dao bone demeanor.

"Hehe, this old one is Tian Ao; thank you so many fellow Daoists for gracing this exchange with your presence."

This old man is the host of this exchange, a mid-Fourth Level Yuan Ying cultivator, Tian Ao Elder!

"Tian Ao Elder, long time no see, you are looking even more spirited and vigorous!"

A human Yuan Ying cultivator sighed aloud.

"Tian Ao, when will the exchange begin?"

"Tian Ao Elder"

Many cultivators spoke up, showing that this Tian Ao Elder still has good rapport.

"Spirit pet? No, it's an artifact spirit!" Yunhe, squinting his eyes, looked at the old ao and Tian Ao Elder, and suddenly came to a realization.

The old ao beneath Tian Ao Elder resembles a demon beast but is not; it is clearly an artifact spirit, and likely the artifact spirit of this treasure ship!

"To actually refine such a large treasure ship into an artifact that combines formations, this Tian Ao Elder is indeed not bad."

Yunhe silently sighed, "Moreover, looking at that old ao's appearance, it seems it may not even be an innate artifact spirit?"

"Hmph!! Tian Ao, every time I see you I can't help but want to kill you! You actually refined the divine soul of my demon clan's Fourth Level great demon into an artifact spirit, and each time you drive it out so recklessly, you really have a grand display!"

Suddenly, a discordant voice laced with killing intent sounded, causing everyone present to involuntarily frown.

The speaker was naturally Qing Qing of the Green Wood Flood Dragon clan.

But his words did not change Tian Ao Elder's expression in the slightest; he remained smiling and said:

"Old rules: in this exchange, no matter what grudges those present hold, they may not settle them inside my treasure ship; after the exchange ends, I will not obstruct, but if anyone makes a move during the exchange, I and my several friends will certainly not let them off!"

As he spoke, his seemingly murky eyes involuntarily shot out bright light, the aura of a mid-Fourth Level Yuan Ying cultivator fully revealed.

After finishing, he turned his gaze toward Qing Qing, regained his previous calm, and continued: "If Dao Friend Qing Qing feels I have anything dissatisfying, after the exchange ends, I will then..."

These words caused many Yuan Ying cultivators present to secretly applaud.

Although the number of Fourth Level demon beasts present is far fewer than that of human Yuan Ying cultivators, they are extremely arrogant; although human Yuan Ying old monsters mostly excel at endurance, it is clear these shape-shifted great demons' arrogance has long bred dissatisfaction; Tian Ao Elder's action undoubtedly brings satisfaction to many hearts.

"Hmph!"

Facing Tian Ao Elder's words, Qing Qing let out an angry snort, yet also rationally refrained from acting.

It is not stupid either.

Although it relies on its cultivation not being weak and its strength being formidable, here there are so many human Yuan Ying cultivators, plus the mid-Fourth Level Tian Ao Elder and this Tian Ao treasure ship; if it really fought and was besieged, it could not withstand.

Tian Ao Elder did not linger long on Qing Qing, cupped his hands around and said:

"The rules of the exchange, I will not elaborate further; in short, the exchange has not ended, all grudges may not be settled inside the treasure ship; since I am responsible for gathering you fellow Daoists, I naturally must bear responsibility for your safety; as for all transactions in the exchange, you fellow Daoists may judge for yourselves, regardless of whether the goods have problems or you suffer a loss in the exchange, I bear no responsibility."

"Since you fellow Daoists have waited many days, I will not beat around the bush any longer."

As he spoke, Tian Ao Elder flicked his sleeve, and three wooden boxes appeared before him.

As the host of the exchange, first displaying items for trade is also considered an unwritten rule.

Ka-ka-ka——

The lids of the three wooden boxes opened, revealing the treasures within.

"A mid-Fourth Level grade artifact 'Kan Yun Fan', a piece of 'Millennium Blood Soul', and a fragment of a pill formula suspected to be for a late-Fourth Level elixir."

Amidst the splendid radiance, the three treasures shone brightly, causing many to sit up straight, Yunhe among them.

A pill formula for a late-Fourth Level elixir?

Just this item alone is enough to move his heart.

However, it's a pity it's only a fragment, and for now it's unclear what elixir it is.

Soon someone voiced Yunhe's doubt.

"Tian Ao Elder, such a mere fragment can stand alongside the other two artifacts; you must tell us what elixir this formula is for."

"Hehe, it's not that I'm hiding anything; you fellow Daoists will understand at a glance."

As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve again, and part of the content of the pill formula fragment appeared before everyone's eyes.

The ancient cultivator script used in this pill formula poses no difficulty for the cultivators present.

But after seeing roughly the content of this pill formula, even the Nascent Soul old monsters present, who are of steady temperament, couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air, and the Fourth Level Transformation-stage great demon led by Qingqing even more so erupted with demonic aura.

Boom!!!

"Tian'ao! You dare to bring out such a pill formula!"

The main ingredient of this pill formula is actually the inner core of a Fourth Level demon beast!

(End of chapter)