Chapter 672: A Billion Spent, Netherfire

"Daoist Luo, are you alright?"

The rain curtain, which had been blocked, fell once more.

The lingering heat on the Red Jade Plaza seemed to still be speaking of the smokeless confrontation that had just occurred.

True Person Langya looked at Luo Chen with a hint of concern, his eyes unable to hide his shock.

He had never expected that this loose cultivator he had met by chance on the road would possess such capability.

In a pure collision of Nascent Soul domains, he had used absolute superiority to suppress the Split Heaven Flow Master, who was at the third level of the Nascent Soul stage.

A so-called Nascent Soul domain is nothing more than manipulating the corresponding external heaven and earth spiritual energy through the resonance between one's Nascent Soul and the world.

The stronger the Nascent Soul, the stronger the heaven and earth spiritual energy it can manipulate.

Therefore, the level of one's cultivation realm had become the sole standard for measuring the strength of a domain.

For countless years, this standard had been held as the golden rule.

Yet just now, Luo Chen's performance had directly shattered this standard; at the first level of the Nascent Soul stage, he had surpassed the Split Heaven Flow Master in a domain contest, even forcing the other party to bring out a True Treasure.

If such a thing were told, I fear no one would believe it!

Yet, it had truly and vividly happened right before his eyes.

Thinking of this, True Person Langya felt a bit ashamed in his heart.

Previously, he had felt that since his cultivation realm was slightly higher than the other party's, even if his spiritual sense was inferior to Luo Chen's, he still had the confidence to be stronger.

But now, it seemed that whether in spiritual sense or magic power, he was far weaker.

If the other party had a handy magic treasure, I fear that if they truly fought...

"How could I have such thoughts!"

"The better he performs, the more stable my status in the Canghai Alliance will be; no one will be able to look down on me. After all, he was introduced by me in the name of a friend."

Not to mention the turmoil in True Person Langya's heart.

Luo Chen brushed the non-existent dust off his clothes, said with a smile that he was fine, and then stepped toward the Guiyuan Palace.

Along the way, there was no spiritual sense probing.

But the moment he stepped into the palace, several gazes looked over in unison.

With a slight smile, Luo Chen performed a Daoist salute, his demeanor calm and composed, "Loose cultivator Luo Chen, greetings to all fellow Daoists."

The crowd was silent, speechless for a moment.

A middle-aged man with a somewhat familiar appearance sat at the head, just about to speak, but was preempted by the old man sitting beside him.

"Desolate Loose Cultivator, please take your seat!"

Shang Sihai was stunned, frowning as he looked at the Netherfire Flow Master.

Not only him, but even the Split Heaven Flow Master, who had entered the palace earlier, looked up at Netherfire in astonishment.

No one had expected that after Luo Chen displayed his strength, the first to accept him would be Netherfire, not Shang Sihai.

Luo Chen was somewhat surprised, but he didn't show it, and he sat down on a chair in a relaxed and generous manner.

True Person Langya sat down beside him.

While sitting down, he used spiritual sense transmission to introduce everyone in the hall to him.

"The two above, on the left is Netherfire Flow Master, on the right is Shang Sihai."

Luo Chen looked over; Netherfire Flow Master was lying half-reclined in his chair, looking sickly, his complexion sallow, his aura locked tightly, making it impossible to tell his depth.

Shang Sihai appeared relatively young, but his appearance gave Luo Chen a sense of familiarity.

Soon, Luo Chen found where this sense of familiarity came from.

Back at the Feileng City auction, the young master of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance, Shang Junshu, had once competed with him for Soul-Nurturing Wood.

Rumor had it that Shang Junshu's father was the famous True Person Four Seas, Shang Sihai.

Being father and son, it was no wonder there was a sense of familiarity.

"Below Netherfire, the first on the left, that woman is named Du Feiyan, known as Smoke Mist Master in the Xueyan Moluo Flow."

"The second one goes without saying, Split Heaven Flow Master; his real name cannot be verified. It is said that only Blood Nightmare Xueyan Moluo knows his real name."

"The third one is Mourning Star Flow Master..."

Comparing with the introductions on the way here, and matching them with the roll call at this moment, Luo Chen matched these people one by one with the deeds in the rumors.

The specific images of these great figures of the North Sea were gradually outlined in his heart.

Overall, the Nascent Soul cultivators on the Xueyan Moluo Flow side, because most of them were formerly vassals of the Yuan Mo Sect, whether in Daoist names, cultivation techniques, or deeds, were relatively inclined toward the demonic path.

And on the Canghai Alliance side, it was quite strange.

Either Shang Sihai, who started as a merchant, was good at being slick and sophisticated.

Or Lady Mi, who had a pair of peach-blossom eyes and the temperament of a female cultivator from the Hehuan Sect.

There were also people like the old ghost Nan Qi, whose origins were mysterious and whose style of conduct was capricious.

In the spacious hall, there were no attendants, only a dozen or so Nascent Soul True Persons.

But because these dozen or so people had their auras colliding, the hall felt dull, oppressive, and crowded.

Above, Netherfire Flow Master and Shang Sihai exchanged a glance, the latter nodded and tapped the table lightly.

Everyone's gaze converged, and he said with a smile:

"A hundred years of chaotic war, now a cessation of hostilities, is a joyous event for those of us seeking truth and the Dao."

"But with the invasion of the Demon Alliance from the outside and constant friction within, this is ultimately not a peaceful time."

"Therefore, this gathering today was held, for us to meet privately, build relationships, resolve misunderstandings, exchange ideas on the Dao, and swap resources."

Having said this, he paused, his expression slightly serious.

"This North Sea is not small, but it's not big either. You wouldn't want to go out in the future and find enemies everywhere, having to be cautious in everything you do, right?"

Even if the people in the hall didn't agree in their hearts, they cooperated and nodded.

Seeing this scene, Shang Sihai smiled slightly.

With a consensus, things would be easy to handle.

"For this first round, let me throw out a brick to attract jade!"

"I have a good friend named Ying Yuanjun, Daoist name Ying Longzi. He originally had a sea area under his command to spread the Dao, but due to the invasion of demonic beasts, his sect was destroyed. He is currently temporarily residing in a branch of my Four Seas Merchant Alliance. In order to rebuild the sect, he needs a large amount of spirit stones."

"Therefore, he took out a batch of fourth-tier spirit herbs and entrusted me with the trade."

Having said this, he flipped his wrist, revealing a gray cloth bag the size of a palm.

Previously, when everyone heard "fourth-tier spirit herbs," they had already paid attention; now, seeing this gray cloth bag, they had no more doubts.

"That is a great treasure of the Four Seas Merchant Alliance, known as the Sumeru Bag. It contains space and is best at transporting large quantities of goods. Even living things like demonic beasts and spirit herbs can be stored for a short time. It is truly a famous space magic treasure in the North Sea."

By Luo Chen's ear came the voice of True Person Langya.

He couldn't help but take another look at the gray cloth bag, a hint of interest appearing in his eyes.

I wonder, compared to his Penglai Octagonal Pavilion, which one is better?

But thinking about it, with such complex functions, it wins in comprehensiveness but loses in specialization; in terms of storing spirit herbs, I fear it is far inferior to the Penglai Octagonal Pavilion!

The next moment, Luo Chen's attention was diverted.

"Fourth-tier Hong Spirit Grass, containing the Qi of Hong Yuan, known as the energy closest to the heaven and earth origin Qi, with extremely strong adaptability. Most high-tier elixirs in the world can use this as an ingredient. Rumor has it that even Soul Transformation great powers use this herb to refine elixirs."

"There are a total of 1,200 stalks, which are Ying Yuanjun's savings of many years, and they have not yet been harvested, so the medicinal power is sufficient!"

"100,000 low-grade spirit stones per stalk; fellow Daoists who are interested can start bidding."

He didn't say anything about auctioning, with the highest bidder winning.

Instead, he directly set the price at 100,000 low-grade spirit stones per stalk.

This was already an absolute premium; a fourth-tier spirit herb's value was set on par with a middle-grade magic treasure, and any higher would be excessive.

For a time, everyone in the hall was eager to move.

Soon, there was a response.

"Give me ten stalks!"

"I want fifty stalks; I've been researching an incomplete elixir recipe recently and haven't been able to find a suitable substitute for the main ingredient. Hong Spirit Grass might be a good substitute."

"Forget it, I don't understand the elixir Dao, so I won't participate in this."

"I want one hundred stalks!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked sideways at the woman in the seven-colored cloud skirt.

It was Smoke Mist Master Du Feiyan, also one of the few Flow Masters in the Xueyan Moluo Flow who was proficient in elixir refining.

Her ability to stand firm in the Xueyan Moluo Flow had a lot to do with her outstanding elixir refining skills.

Shang Sihai looked at this scene with satisfaction; the reason the first item taken out for trade was Hong Spirit Grass was mainly because he didn't want the atmosphere to cool down.

Transactions between high-tier cultivators were mostly barter.

Since he used spirit stones for settlement, most people could afford it.

However, compared to the quantity of 1,200 stalks, the trading volume of one or two hundred stalks was really not enough to look at.

His friend was in dire need of spirit stones, and he didn't have time to put this batch of medicinal materials in the Merchant Alliance to sell slowly.

"I overestimated their net worth a bit."

Shang Sihai felt a bit of a pity, thinking in his heart that this batch of Hong Spirit Grass would probably have to be promoted to those high-tier elixir refiners in the North Sea.

Just after most people had no movement, a voice that Shang Sihai didn't expect rang out.

"Since everyone has no ideas, then give the remaining Hong Spirit Grass to this loose cultivator!"

Shang Sihai was stunned, staring at the extremely young man in white.

"Desolate Loose Cultivator, are these words true?"

Luo Chen smiled slightly, "With so many fellow Daoists witnessing, how could it be fake?"

At this moment, everyone held their breath, looking at Luo Chen in shock and suspicion.

The remaining Hong Spirit Grass numbered a full thousand!

100,000 per stalk, that was over 100 million spirit stones!

Everyone present, with many years of savings, all claimed to have a small net worth, but to let anyone take out so many spirit stones in one breath was absolutely a bone-breaking injury.

Even Nascent Soul cultivators like the old ghost Nan Qi, who hadn't been managing their territory for long, might not be able to take out so many spirit stones at all.

Shang Sihai took a deep breath and bowed to Luo Chen, "Since that is the case, then I will thank you on behalf of my friend for your generous act."

Afterward, he took Luo Chen to a side hall and took out all 1,000 Hong Spirit Grass stalks.

Looking at the white spirit herbs on the ground that were still planted in shallow soil and looked like rice seedlings, Shang Sihai explained: "The reason this batch of Hong Spirit Grass is priced high is that the roots are not broken. If you have a suitable cultivation method, you can even urge a batch of seedlings to grow."

Luo Chen nodded; with his knowledge in spirit plant cultivation, he naturally could see the clue.

Without another word, Luo Chen immediately took out 100 million spirit stones from his storage ring, put them in a storage bag, and gave them to Shang Sihai.

"Desolate Loose Cultivator, do you have a suitable magic treasure to store this batch of medicinal materials? I have a few space-type magic treasures here; although the quality is not as good as the Sumeru Bag, they can be used temporarily."

Luo Chen smiled slightly, "That won't trouble you, fellow Daoist."

Shang Sihai raised an eyebrow, didn't say much, and left the side hall.

After he left, Luo Chen stared at this batch of Hong Spirit Grass, revealing a brilliant smile.

Never expected that he came for Soul Essence, but harvested Hong Spirit Grass.

This kind of spirit herb was exactly one of the alternatives for the main ingredient of the fourth-tier elixir used by Nascent Soul cultivators in the 36 elixir recipes of the Refining Heaven Demon Lord!

Using it as an ingredient, one could refine a fourth-tier elixir called Hong Yuan Pill, which helps with cultivation.

Originally, Luo Chen didn't have this idea.

With his current physique and spirit roots, even without taking elixirs, he was fully confident in cultivating to the late Nascent Soul stage within two or three hundred years.

It was just that there was a lack in cultivation techniques.

It could be said that Luo Chen's current aptitude was absolutely considered a genius!

However, if there were cultivation-type elixirs as a supplement, that would naturally be even better!

"It truly was effortless to obtain!"

Luo Chen took out the array disk, set up a concealment array, and then used the Penglai Octagonal Pavilion to collect all these medicinal materials.

Shang Sihai, who had left the side hall, walked slowly.

When the array appeared, he was surprised.

Then he saw Luo Chen appear in his line of sight.

At this moment, some suspicions in Shang Sihai's heart were completely confirmed.

"Fellow Daoist, let's go back together!"

Inside the palace, the transactions between cultivators were still ongoing.

However, gazes fell on True Person Langya from time to time.

Even, there was spiritual sense transmission quietly asking True Person Langya about Luo Chen's background.

But True Person Langya had a bitter smile on his face, unable to answer any questions.

Yes, a person who had just entered the Nascent Soul stage was not afraid of the famous Split Heaven Flow Master, and now he had taken out over 100 million spirit stones in one breath.

You say he is a loose cultivator?

Who would believe it?

No one would believe it!

Especially Shang Sihai, who had returned, found that the other party even had space-type magic treasures to store medicinal materials, making him even more convinced that the other party was not a loose cultivator, but a strong person from some powerful force walking outside under a pseudonym.

Because of this, in the subsequent trading session, everyone paid special attention to Luo Chen's movements.

However, this time, it made them a bit disappointed.

No matter what rare and unique treasures they took out later, Luo Chen remained motionless, not interested at all.

High-tier medicinal materials, mineral materials, corpses and bones of powerful demonic beasts, and even incomplete True Treasures, he had no desire to make a move at all.

You must know, although True Treasures were standard magic treasures for Nascent Soul True Persons, not every Nascent Soul True Person had one.

During the tribulation, one could use the power of the thunder tribulation to promote a high-grade magic treasure to a True Treasure.

But that required time and required strong strength!

Not everyone could have that kind of strength to promote the grade of a magic treasure while undergoing the tribulation.

Many Nascent Soul True Persons' True Treasures were nurtured bit by bit during the long years of cultivation afterward, using the power of the Nascent Soul to connect with heaven and earth.

The Desolate Loose Cultivator was not interested in True Treasures, I fear he already had a suitable True Treasure himself.

Thus, it further confirmed the speculation that Luo Chen's background was very large.

Luo Chen looked at his nose, his nose at his mouth, and his mouth at his heart, sitting there calmly.

He really couldn't raise any interest in these trading resources.

In his trip to the Land of Fallen Demons, he had harvested too many high-tier resources, whether medicinal materials or ores.

In terms of weapons, he was lacking.

But he was not lacking these incomplete things, not these things that didn't match his attributes.

He was only waiting for one thing now.

That was Soul Essence!

True Person Langya hadn't lied to him; indeed, someone had brought out Soul Essence for trade.

But the quantity was extremely scarce, and it couldn't satisfy his needs at all.

It was the old ghost Nan Qi who had been acquiring it, which made Luo Chen pay extra attention.

Could it be that he also had a method to use Soul Essence?

Just as the first round was about to end, Netherfire Flow Master, who hadn't spoken for a long time, finally straightened his waist slowly.

"This old man has a large amount of Soul Essence for sale."

A glazed bottle appeared in his hand.

At this moment, the old ghost Nan Qi stood up directly.

"Fellow Daoist, trade it to me!"

Netherfire Flow Master glanced at him, "Do you know what I want?"

The old ghost Nan Qi smiled, "Nothing more than resources that can resolve the injuries on your body. I have a third-tier Fire-Addicted Gu here that can swallow source-less fire. If paired with the Nine Nether Flawless Wind of fellow Daoist Split Heaven, it will definitely cure your illness. So, what do you think?"

Netherfire Flow Master's gaze fell on the Split Heaven Flow Master.

The other party snorted, but didn't deny it.

"It seems you really did inquire about it. However..."

As soon as the word "however" was spoken, the old ghost Nan Qi's expression changed instantly.

He had spent so much effort to contact the Split Heaven Flow Master just to exchange for the large amount of Soul Essence that Netherfire Flow Master had accumulated over hundreds of years; now, was something going to go wrong?

Netherfire Flow Master's gaze fell on Luo Chen, "Desolate Loose Cultivator, is it convenient to talk to this old man privately?"

A look of surprise appeared on Luo Chen's face.

He was just thinking about how to bleed heavily to compete with the old ghost Nan Qi for Soul Essence; never expected that Netherfire Flow Master would take the initiative to find him.

Since that is the case!

"Naturally convenient!"

Netherfire Flow Master stood up slowly, holding the glazed bottle, and walked out step by step.

Wherever he passed, scorched footprints were left on the ground.

Luo Chen's gaze fell on those footprints, thoughtful.

And in the hall, the old ghost Nan Qi looked gloomy, never expecting that the thing he had planned would be interrupted by someone else.

Split Heaven Flow Master watched this scene, originally confused, but while thinking, a speculation emerged in his heart.

Because of this speculation that was close to the truth, he was even more surprised.

"The old monster Netherfire is so bold, willing to trust an outsider with unknown background rather than me?"

"Besides, how could he be so sure that the Desolate Loose Cultivator has such capability?" ===== CHAPTER 673 =====