Chapter 766: Exchanging Spirit Items, Each Taking What They Need

After cultivating for many years, Song Qingming has encountered many experts helping him outside, but whether it is Fire Phoenix or Feng He, such Nascent Soul cultivators, they will look at Song Qingming highly at first, all for their own personal interests.

Like Song Yuanli, who encountered a mysterious powerhouse helping him when he was in danger outside, and even helped him successfully form the core, this great opportunity, Song Qingming really heard it for the first time.

If Song Yuanli can return safely after going to repay the kindness this time, then it is really his own good fortune, even if it is Song Qingming, he has to envy him a few points.

After Song Yuanli returned to the family, many clansmen who were familiar with him learned that he had returned and visited him one after another. Even Li Chengyue, who had a good relationship with him back then, sent a visiting card to "Mount Funiu."

However, what surprised everyone was that after Song Yuanli went to the top of the mountain to see the family Ancestor, he soon retreated after returning to the cave, making many clansmen who wanted to reminisce with him eat closed doors.

Regarding his sudden return, the family did not deliberately publicize this matter under the instruction of Song Qingming. When Li Chengyue learned the news of Song Yuanli's return, it was already more than half a month later.

The entire Song family, except for Song Qingming and Huang Siyuan, no one else knew that Song Yuanli had broken through to the Jin Dan stage, not even Song Yuanfang, the big housekeeper who managed all the trivial matters of the family, knew nothing about it.

Seeing that the date agreed with Feng He was getting closer and closer, Song Qingming, who had studied that manual for nearly half a year, finally walked out of the cave and set off to "Guyang Mountain," wanting to prepare some spirit items that might be useful before setting off.

Nowadays, Song Qingming is not short of high-tier magic treasures, elixirs, and formations, but he is short of high-tier spirit talismans. They are all low-quality spirit talismans, which are not of much use to him now.

Although Song Qingming is also a third-tier talisman maker, his talisman-making technique is currently only third-tier mid-grade, and he cannot make third-tier top-grade spirit talismans yet.

Therefore, he wanted to go to the sect's "Merit Hall" to see if he could have a chance to exchange for one or two third-tier top-grade spirit talismans.

In recent years, Song Qingming has earned a lot of merit points for the sect by contributing to the sect. Now he has more than 30,000 merit points recorded in the "Merit Hall," which is almost enough to exchange for two third-tier top-grade spirit talismans.

After arriving at "Guyang Mountain," Song Qingming went straight to the sect's "Merit Hall."

Learning that Song Qingming wanted to exchange for spirit talismans above the third tier, the Foundation Establishment disciple on duty hurriedly went upstairs to inform the Jin Dan elder Fang Baixuan, who was on duty here.

"Senior Brother Song is a rare guest today. I don't know what Senior Brother needs. Come with me upstairs to talk in detail."

Seeing Song Qingming, Fang Baixuan immediately smiled and bowed, then led Song Qingming directly to the second floor of the "Merit Hall."

"Junior Brother Fang, I came here this time to ask if there are any third-tier top-grade spirit talismans in the Merit Hall." After exchanging a few pleasantries with Fang Baixuan, Song Qingming slowly stated his purpose.

Hearing that Song Qingming came for third-tier top-grade spirit talismans, Fang Baixuan didn't ask for the reason, just pondered for a moment and immediately responded: "Senior Brother came really coincidentally this time."

"I remember that Li Mu happened to draw a third-tier top-grade spirit talisman last month and stored it in the treasury. Recently, no one has come to exchange for it, so this talisman should still be there."

"Senior Brother, wait a moment, I will go get the spirit talisman for you."

Fang Baixuan bowed and left directly. Not long after, he returned to Song Qingming with a wooden box.

"This talisman is called the Seven-Star Ice Sword Talisman, and its power is also good among third-tier top-grade spirit talismans. If Senior Brother likes it, you can take it directly for 14,000 merit points."

Seeing a blue spirit talisman taken out by Fang Baixuan from the wooden box, Song Qingming's eyes suddenly burst into a gleam, and he nodded with satisfaction immediately.

Nowadays, he has two powerful defensive magic treasures, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" and the "White Dragon Ruler," and what he lacks is mainly offensive means.

Seeing that the "Seven-Star Ice Sword Talisman" in front of him was exactly the high-tier offensive spirit talisman he needed, Song Qingming didn't hesitate too much and spent 14,000 merit points to exchange this spirit talisman into his hands.

"Junior Brother Fang, besides this third-tier top-grade spirit talisman, do you know which elder has extra spirit talismans that can be exchanged?"

After getting the "Seven-Star Ice Sword Talisman," Song Qingming was still not satisfied. Before leaving the Merit Hall, he asked Fang Baixuan again, wanting to inquire if anyone else had extra spirit talism

This trip to the Tianhai cultivation world is of vital importance to his future path. Song Qingming is not currently lacking in spirit stones, so being able to carry a few more high-tier spirit talismans on his person as a precaution will allow him to feel more at ease.

Facing Song Qingming's inquiry, Fang Baixuan thought for a moment before slowly replying: "As for third-tier top-quality spirit talismans, the only person I know who might have them is Li Mu."

"Also, I heard that Senior Sister Xu obtained one from the East Sea half a year ago, but this is just something I heard; I don't know if it's true or false. Senior Brother Song could also go and ask her; perhaps you might have some success."

"Oh! That's good, many thanks for the guidance, Junior Brother Fang."

After leaving the "Merit Pavilion," Song Qingming took out his flying boat and flew directly toward the southwest of "Mount Guyang," choosing to first go to the spirit mountain where the cave dwelling of the Law Enforcement Elder Li Wu was located.

Besides serving as the sect's Law Enforcement Elder, Li Wu is also the only third-tier top-quality talisman master in the "Xiaoyao Sect." Most of the high-tier spirit talismans in the hands of the sect's elders were crafted by his own hand.

When Song Qingming arrived at the spirit mountain where Li Wu was located, it was unfortunate that he heard the news that the other party had just gone out to execute a sect mission and was not on "Mount Guyang," and it was unknown exactly when he would return.

Seeing that he had come at an inconvenient time, Song Qingming could only sigh with regret, then turned around and came to the "Xiaoyao Hall" where Xu Ziyan was located.

Arriving at the entrance, Song Qingming immediately had someone go inside to announce his arrival.

Before long, a Foundation Establishment disciple wearing white Daoist robes came out from inside to welcome him.

"Junior Yao Muling pays respects to Senior Uncle Song!"

Hearing the person report his name, Song Qingming felt it sounded familiar, so he looked up and took a careful look, only to discover that this Foundation Establishment disciple who had come out to welcome him was none other than Yao Muling, whom he had helped in the past.

Yao Muling is a descendant of the old Sect Master Yao Ganshu. Back then, Song Qingming had accepted Yao Ganshu's entrustment and gifted him spirit medicine to support him before he broke through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment; it has been nearly thirty years since then.

Having not seen him for such a long time, Yao Muling's cultivation base has already improved from the third layer of Foundation Establishment to the sixth layer, just one step away from entering the late-stage of Foundation Establishment.

"Hmm! I remember you shouldn't be a disciple of the General Affairs Hall, why are you on duty here today?"

Hearing Song Qingming's inquiry, Yao Muling hurriedly nodded with a smile and said: "Senior Uncle Song remembers correctly, this junior originally had always been cultivating in the sect's Spirit Planting Hall."

"Last year, Master accepted me as a personal disciple, which is why I transferred to the General Affairs Hall to help out, and thus Senior Uncle had not yet been informed of this matter."

"Senior Sister Xu has always accepted few disciples; that you could catch her eye shows that you have indeed made progress over these years. If Senior Brother Yao knew, he would surely be happy for you."

Upon learning that Yao Muling had already joined under Xu Ziyan's tutelage and been accepted as her personal disciple, Song Qingming also felt somewhat happy for him in his heart and immediately spoke a word of praise.

Ever since the old Sect Master Yao Ganshu passed away, Yao Muling's status within the sect had visibly plummeted.

Not to mention comparing him to the personal disciples of those Jin Dan elders, even some ordinary Foundation Establishment disciples with larger backgrounds and connections had more influence when speaking in the sect.

Even so, over these years, Yao Muling had not given up on himself or neglected his own cultivation, but had gritted his teeth and persevered through it.

It was precisely this unyielding character of Yao Muling that finally allowed him to find an opportunity during the last sect northern expedition to make significant contributions on the battlefield, which led to him being singled out by Xu Ziyan to be accepted as a personal disciple, thereby raising his status within the sect once again.

Receiving Song Qingming's encouragement, Yao Muling also immediately responded respectfully: "That this junior can have today's achievements is all thanks to Senior Uncle's care for me back then."

"If it weren't for Senior Uncle Song gifting me spirit items to help me break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment back then, my cultivation speed would not have been this fast, let alone having the opportunity to join under Master's tutelage."

"My care for you was limited after all; that you can have today is mainly due to your own diligent cultivation, so you don't need to be overly humble with me."

"Your cultivation base is now about to break through to the late-stage of Foundation Establishment; surely you will have the opportunity to challenge the Jin Dan realm in the future. If you need me to speak on your behalf when the time comes, just say the word."

"Many thanks for Senior Uncle Song's care; this junior will naturally strive to cultivate and aim to break through to the late-stage of Foundation Establishment as soon as possible."

Seeing this, Song Qingming nodded with a gratified expression, then waved his hand to have Yao Muling lead the way, entering directly into the "Xiaoyao Hall" to see Xu Ziyan, who was sitting alone brewing tea.

"Where did Senior Brother Song steal some leisure from to find the time to come here to see me today!"

Seeing Song Qingming walk in from outside, Xu Ziyan hurriedly stood up, cupped her hands to greet him, and then had Yao Muling, who was to the side, withdraw first.

"Senior Sister Xu has been working hard. I came today to ask you if you have any third-tier top-quality spirit talismans on you, and if you could exchange one for me?"

"Third-tier top-quality spirit talismans! Why is Senior Brother suddenly in such a hurry to find such high-tier talismans? Could it be that you are preparing to go on a long journey?"

Upon meeting and hearing Song Qingming's intent, Xu Ziyan immediately guessed seven or eight parts of it and hurriedly asked a question.

Seeing that he could not hide it from Xu Ziyan, Song Qingming simply stated directly that he was about to go out.

However, in order not to leak matters related to Feng He, Song Qingming slightly altered the destination and the matters he needed to attend to, claiming that he wanted to go to the East Sea cultivation world to travel and search for a few needed spirit items.

As a Jin Dan cultivator with an accomplished cultivation base, it is not a strange thing for him to encounter bottlenecks in his cultivation and want to go out traveling for a period of time.

Therefore, after Xu Ziyan learned the reason for his departure, she only smiled and expressed some envy, without asking too many questions.

"Senior Brother Song, this talisman is one I managed to exchange for with great difficulty from the East Sea's Qinglong Sect. If you hadn't come to my door asking for it today, I wouldn't be willing to exchange it to others so easily. I bought this spirit talisman for 15,000 spirit stones at the time. If Senior Brother wants it, I don't want spirit stones; when your family's Gilded Fruit matures another day, would you exchange one for Junior Sister?"

Last time when the "Gilded Fruit Tree" was promoted, Song Qingming had once sought Xu Ziyan's help to exchange for spirit water to supplement the spirit tree's foundation, so Xu Ziyan naturally knew the situation of this fruit tree of the Song family.

Seeing Xu Ziyan suddenly mention the "Gilded Fruit" produced by his own family, it was clear she had long been eyeing this item, and a helpless expression appeared on Song Qingming's face.

Although third-tier spirit fruits like the "Gilded Fruit" are of no small help to the cultivation of several Jin Dan cultivators in the family, including Song Qingming.

However, over these years, Xu Ziyan, as the friend closest to Song Qingming in the sect, has always been quite caring toward him and the entire Song family.

During several sect wars and the distribution of spoils, the rewards given to the Song family by the General Affairs Hall managed by Xu Ziyan were clearly better than those of other cultivation families.

After hesitating slightly for a moment, Song Qingming immediately nodded in agreement and took out a third-tier mid-quality "Gilded Fruit" from his person and handed it to Xu Ziyan.

This spirit fruit was one that had matured not long ago when the "Gilded Fruit Tree" was successfully promoted.

A third-tier mid-quality spirit fruit, for a late-stage Jin Dan cultivator like Song Qingming, would not have a very obvious effect after consumption and refining. Song Qingming had originally intended to save it for Song Qingyu and Huang Siyuan to refine when they break through their cultivation in the future.

Since it was eyed by Xu Ziyan this time, Song Qingming thought about it and decided to give it to her directly; anyway, the fruit tree at home can mature another spirit fruit every few decades, so Song Qingyu and Huang Siyuan should not have to worry about lacking spirit fruits in the future.

Seeing the spirit fruit Song Qingming took out, Xu Ziyan's face was also suddenly surprised, and she hurriedly accepted it with a happy expression.

Xu Ziyan has been at the peak of the fourth layer of Jin Dan for many years and has recently been searching everywhere for suitable spirit items to assist her in breaking through.

With this third-tier mid-quality "Gilded Fruit" exchanged for her by Song Qingming this time, her confidence in breaking through her cultivation has increased by a few points; if nothing unexpected happens, it should be able to help her successfully break through to the fifth layer of Jin Dan.

"Senior Brother Song, the value of this spirit fruit is even higher than my spirit talisman. Junior Sister cannot take advantage of you for nothing. I have a spirit item here that I have always wanted to give to Senior Brother; it just so happens I can use it to compensate you today."

After happily putting away the spirit fruit in her hand, Xu Ziyan took out an ordinary magic treasure from her storage bag and smilingly placed it in front of Song Qingming.

"This is... what does Senior Sister Xu mean by this?"

Seeing the simple and unadorned hairpin Xu Ziyan took out, Song Qingming recognized at a glance that this item was something that had belonged to Gao Yuyao back then.

It was precisely by the guidance of the map inside this hairpin back then that Gao Yuyao, Song Qingming, and the others were able to venture deep into the Fuyun Mountain Range together and find that "Pool Cave Dwelling" with a spiritual energy spring eye.

After that treasure hunt, the cave dwelling had long been empty except for the "spiritual energy spring eye" that could not be moved, and Song Qingming had long since forgotten about the hairpin.

He did not expect that after more than a hundred years, Gao Yuyao had actually kept this now-useless thing on her person all along.

Seeing Xu Ziyan suddenly take this item out, Song Qingming immediately guessed in his heart that Xu Ziyan might already know the secret of that "Pool Cave Dwelling."

It was just that he did not know what her intention was in suddenly taking this jade hairpin out to give to him, and a look of doubt could not help but appear on his face.

Seeing Song Qingming looking at her with a somewhat nervous expression, Xu Ziyan nodded generously and said: "Senior Brother Song, please do not misunderstand; I ask that you first listen to my explanation of this matter."

"I happened to find this item a few days ago among the relics left behind by Junior Sister Gao; it contains a map of a cave dwelling."

"I looked at it carefully and discovered that this cave dwelling happens to be near Cangyuan Mountain, and it is somewhat not meant to be for me."

"Therefore, I wanted to give this opportunity to Senior Brother as a form of compensation from me. I wonder if Senior Brother Song is willing to accept it."

Hearing Xu Ziyan's explanation, Song Qingming pondered for a moment, then a smile slowly appeared on his face, and he reached out to take the hairpin from her hand.

"With Junior Sister being so kind, how could I not accept? If I find any good things in this cave dwelling in the future, I will certainly not forget Junior Sister."

Xu Ziyan's intention in gifting this item to Song Qingming was already very obvious; she must know about that cave dwelling.

It was just that Song Qingming had already taken the first step and secured Cangyuan Mountain, and she did not want to have any disputes with Song Qingming over this, so she simply gifted the "Pool Cave Dwelling" to Song Qingming as a favor.

Doing this was acceptable to both of them, and it would not affect the relationship between the two in the future.

Song Qingming was naturally happy to see this; as long as Xu Ziyan did not speak of it, no one in the sect would know the secret of the "Pool Cave Dwelling," which would have no impact on the Song family's occupation and development of this cave dwelling in the future.

As for Xu Ziyan's character, having dealt with her for so many years, Song Qingming still trusted her and did not worry that she would bring this matter up again in the future.

Song Qingming, who had taken the hairpin, saw this familiar object at close range, and the figure of Gao Yuyao could not help but surface in his mind again.

Feeling that time is ruthless in his heart, he could not help but sigh before putting it away.

After compensating Song Qingming with the hairpin, Xu Ziyan picked up the spirit tea on the table, took a sip, and continued speaking to Song Qingming: "Senior Brother Song, I just remembered there is another matter I need to remind you of."

Hearing Xu Ziyan speak, Song Qingming immediately returned to his senses, cupped his hands slightly toward her and said: "I do not know what matter it is, please speak directly, Junior Sister!"

"Half a year ago, I heard Senior Bai Yu say that the Lei Yuanhai cultivation world is about to hold a large-scale trading assembly that only happens once every hundred years, and many rare treasures will appear."

"The scale of this trading assembly is extremely vast, not something that a small place like our Fuyun Mountain Range can compare to. It is said that many sects in the surrounding area will send people to attend, and we are also going to participate."

"If Senior Brother Song is interested in this, you must pay attention to the time when you are out traveling and return; otherwise, if you miss this rare opportunity that only comes once in a hundred years, it will be too late to regret it then."

"A large-scale trading assembly held in Lei Yuanhai? This is the first time I've heard of it. Junior Sister, do you know the specific situation of this trading assembly? Tell me about it."

Although Song Qingming had been inquiring everywhere for years to find spirit items for Nascent Soul formation without obtaining any useful news, he immediately became interested upon hearing about a large-scale trading assembly, his gaze fixed tightly on Xu Ziyan.

The "Lei Yuanhai" cultivation world is separated from Donghuangxianzhou by hundreds of thousands of miles and is one of the large-scale cultivation worlds among the five continents and four seas of the Huayang realm; the number of cultivators within it is no less than that of Donghuangxianzhou.

Because it is far away and the journey is extremely dangerous, Song Qingming had only heard some things about the "Lei Yuanhai" cultivation world before and had never truly been there, so he did not know much about the situation there.

Seeing Song Qingming ask about the specific matters of the trading assembly, Xu Ziyan also smiled and shook her head, saying: "Senior Brother Song also knows that I have likewise never been to Lei Yuanhai, so how could I be clear about the specific situation of the trading assembly there?"

"I only heard Senior Bai Yu say that the scale of this trading assembly is extremely vast, and those who go to participate are basically cultivators above the Jin Dan stage. The spirit items that appear will naturally not be of low grade, and I estimate that spirit items for Nascent Soul formation might also be seen."

"Senior Brother's cultivation base has now reached the eighth layer of Jin Dan, and sooner or later you will be able to attempt to break through to the Nascent Soul realm. This Lei Yuanhai trading assembly is something you cannot miss."

"Haha! Junior Sister's words are too flattering. This matter of breaking through to Nascent Soul, for us, seems close but is actually unreachable. To tell you the truth, I do not yet have the confidence to reach that step."

"However, regardless of how the future path goes, this spirit item for Nascent Soul formation is something we must not easily miss! Even if I cannot obtain it, it would be good to go to the Lei Yuanhai cultivation world for a trip to broaden my horizons."

"Please tell me, Junior Sister, when is this auction roughly being held, so that I can return in advance to avoid missing this opportunity."

Xu Ziyan nodded slightly upon hearing this and smiled: "Senior Brother Song's words are very true. Even if our natural talent is not as good as Senior Bai Yu's, we must not easily miss this opportunity for Nascent Soul formation that has come before our eyes."

"Regarding this large-scale trading assembly in Lei Yuanhai, I heard Senior Bai Yu say that there are still several years left, and the sect will likely set off in about three years."

"It is just a pity that I have too many sect secular matters on my shoulders; I am afraid Senior Uncle Li would not agree if I wanted to go along to participate in the trading assembly."

"If Senior Brother Song has the opportunity to go, please help me purchase some spirit items that can improve cultivation when the time comes, so that I can also benefit a little."

"This is natural. If I encounter the spirit items you need, Junior Sister, I will certainly find a way to help you purchase them. Junior Sister has also worked hard managing the sect; it is what we should do to be able to help."

Seeing Xu Ziyan wanting him to help purchase spirit items, Song Qingming did not think much and agreed in one breath.

The other party revealing the news of the "Lei Yuanhai" large-scale trading assembly to him was already a great help to Song Qingming; Song Qingming naturally had no reason to refuse this request made by Xu Ziyan.

Both sides got what they needed, which could be considered a very harmonious conversation.

After the two finished discussing this matter, they chatted for a while longer, and Song Qingming then stood up to bid farewell and left the "Xiaoyao Hall."

Having successfully exchanged for two third-tier top-quality spirit talismans he urgently needed on this trip to "Mount Guyang," Song Qingming's mood was also much lighter on the way back.

After returning to the family, Song Qingming once again entered seclusion until a letter from "Qinghefang" arrived a month later, which finally allowed Song Qingming to end the preparations he had been making for more than half a year.

After receiving the letter sent by Feng He, Song Qingming immediately called Huang Siyuan and Song Yuanli to his cave dwelling.

After carefully instructing the two of them, he then felt at ease leaving "Mount Funiu" and quietly headed toward the direction where "Qinghefang" was located. (End of chapter)