Chapter 340: Transaction Successful

He Pingsheng looked around the room.

A few crude arrays.

He didn't care.

After all, the man across from him was a Nascent Soul elder—even if he set up a third-rank array, it would be useless.

Rather than waste effort, it was better not to bother.

After closing the door, He Pingsheng cultivated in calm for two days, then took out two Blood Jade Purple-Skinned Jujubes.

The two Purple-Skinned Jujubes were nearly identical.

Eating them would break through the Dao barrier and reach Foundation Establishment Level Twelve.

Without enhancement, He Pingsheng had grown somewhat unused to it.

But there was no choice.

Under the eyes of a Nascent Soul monster, He Pingsheng dared not enhance them.

Just eat them!

He swallowed one Blood Jade Purple-Skinned Jujube outright.

Three breaths later, a powerful force spontaneously arose within him, carrying vast spiritual energy that swiftly surged through his meridians, over and over again.

At a certain moment, this force slammed violently into an invisible, intangible flesh barrier.

The Foundation Establishment Level Eleven restraint within He Pingsheng shattered open with a roar.

Foundation Establishment Level Twelve.

One more step, and he could form a Golden Core.

Core Formation wasn't a concern—he had an S-rank Chaoyuan Elixir.

The problem now was, he felt anxious.

Because so many said he was a Great Destiny Bearer, He Pingsheng couldn't help but think along those lines himself.

Great Destiny Bearer?

How great?

Eight-nine heavenly tribulations, or nine-nine?

Nine-nine was probably impossible—it might kill him.

But even eight-nine wouldn't be easy to survive.

Before the Tribulation Crossing, he should prepare some defensive treasures and talismans.

When Qiao Huizhu survived the eight-nine tribulations, it was thanks to the two S-rank 【Ice Origin Talismans】 on He Pingsheng's person.

So after his breakthrough, He Pingsheng's first act was to inventory his defensive items.

First, treasures!

He had essentially only two: the Fire Origin Blood-Reflecting Armor and the Seven-Clasp Sharp Metal Armor.

Then spells and abilities: the main defensive spells were 【Fire Shield Spell】, 【Earth Armor Spell】, and 【Golden Shield】.

Then talismans—none!

The talismans he had were either offensive, like the 【Pulverizing Thunder Talisman】, or auxiliary, like the 【Meteor Talisman】.

He had not a single defensive talisman.

That was indeed lacking.

The upside was, He Pingsheng himself was a body-cultivator—his body could likely withstand the first few waves of attacks.

But what about after that?

He Pingsheng thought: if only he had a third-rank defensive talisman.

Of course, a fourth-rank would be better.

As he pondered, two people arrived outside his room.

He Pingsheng waved his hand, opening the room's array, and both entered with smiles.

One was the Ninth Imperial Prince; the other, Wei Chuan Princess.

"Excellent!" Seeing He Pingsheng, the Ninth Imperial Prince said: "Comrade He, you've finally reached Foundation Establishment Level Twelve—come, let's go face the Tribulation together!"

Wei Chuan snorted.

He Pingsheng said: "Wait a bit—I still have a transaction with Wei Chuan Princess."

"Indeed!" Wei Chuan said: "I haven't found that S-rank treasure yet, so… I dragged my ninth brother here to act as witness!"

"Would you agree?"

The Ninth Imperial Prince said: "Er… Comrade He, I'm sorry… Originally, I promised you the Black-White Lotus Root."

"But now, the Ancestor says the Black-White Lotus Root isn't ripe yet and can't be used—he's already destroyed it!"

"This… I truly apologize."

The Ninth Imperial Prince wore a look of sincere regret.

He Pingsheng shook his head: "Forget it."

He already had one mature segment of the Black-White Lotus Root—enough to refine ten batches of Bu Dao Elixirs.

As for the other segments, it didn't matter.

"How about this!" the Ninth Imperial Prince said: "Comrade He, I know we aren't that close—how about I leave my Ninth Imperial Prince seal with you?"

"I have a fiefdom—its revenues for ten years are yours."

"Help Wei Chuan sister—her mother is truly pitiful!"

The Ninth Imperial Prince's expression was earnest.

Wei Chuan looked at him expectantly.

He Pingsheng thought for a moment, then took out the 【Soul-Nourishing Banner】 and said: "I won't take your seal—but Wei Chuan Princess, if you want to borrow this Soul-Nourishing Banner, you must do me another favor."

Wei Chuan Princess said: "Speak."

He Pingsheng said: "I'm about to face the Tribulation, but I'm not well-prepared…"

"Could you help me borrow a fourth-rank defensive talisman?"

"When you return the Soul-Nourishing Banner, I'll return the fourth-rank talisman to you at the same time!"

That was the condition.

Given his poor tribulation readiness, he could only settle for this.

"Comrade He, that's excessive!" the Ninth Imperial Prince said: "What tribulation needs a fourth-rank defensive talisman?"

"Even a third-rank isn't necessary!"

The Ninth Imperial Prince shot him a glare.

But Wei Chuan said: "Fine—Grand Elder Futo must have fourth-rank defensive talismans… Wait, I'll go borrow two for you!"

Wei Chuan hurried out swiftly.

Half a stick of incense later, she returned to He Pingsheng's room.

"Well?" the Ninth Imperial Prince asked eagerly.

Wei Chuan's face lit up: "Comrade He, look!"

She held out two talismans.

One was red!

One was black.

He Pingsheng reached out and took them—the red one was called 【Heavenly Fire Condensed Armor】; the black one, 【Primordial Water Shield】.

Both were fourth-rank.

And both were mid-grade.

This was perfect!

A flicker of excitement flashed in He Pingsheng's eyes.

Fourth-rank talismans.

Both defensive.

If only I could enhance them in the Treasure Basin—turn them into four S-rank ones, and even if nine-nine heavenly tribulations fell, I wouldn't fear them.

But fate was contrary.

Under the eyes of a Nascent Soul monster, it was better to stay cautious—better not bring out the Treasure Basin now.

"Comrade He…" Wei Chuan said: "I must warn you—though these fourth-rank talismans have astonishing defense, you're still only at Foundation Establishment—hardly enough to activate them."

"If you can't even activate them, how will they defend you?"

"Exactly!" the Ninth Imperial Prince slapped his thigh: "That's a big problem."

He Pingsheng smiled faintly, handing the 【Soul-Nourishing Banner】 to Wei Chuan Princess: "Thank you both for the warning—but don't worry, I have my own way to activate them."

He still had the effect of the Twin Spirit Pills—his spiritual sense spanned twenty thousand zhang, comparable to a Nascent Soul beginner.

Activating fourth-rank talismans was simple.

Besides, he'd watched Qiao Huizhu's tribulation—eight waves total, with about ten breaths between each pair.

More than enough time to activate the talismans.

"Let's go!" the Ninth Imperial Prince said: "Hurry and face the Tribulation!"

"Many have gathered here just to witness your Tribulation…"

"Heh… They all want to see how your Great Destiny manifests!"

"Don't disappoint us!"

He Pingsheng asked, "Huh? Then… who goes first?"

The Ninth Imperial Prince said, "No, the Ancestor said you're an important figure, so we've placed you last. I go first, the Thirteenth Imperial Prince second, and you third!"