Immortal of the Nine Realms

The disguise effect of the token was not only superficial; it could easily conceal even the aura of cultivation. Everyone couldn’t see through each other’s cultivation, which saved a lot of trouble.

There were thirteen Loose Immortals gathered together talking. One of them held a top-grade spirit stone and was having an intense conversation with another person, while the others watched on like spectators.

The one holding the top-grade spirit stone enthusiastically gushed, ”The top-grade spirit stone I have contains ancient spiritual power, fierce in nature, not weaker than the sword intent of a sword cultivator. I checked ancient records, and this ancient spiritual power is called Dou Xuan.

”Have you ever heard of the powerful ancient beast named Dou Xuan that once dominated a region of the Immortal Realm? This beast, once mature, could even devour a seventh-transformation immortal! I want to trade it for your top-grade spirit stone, and you still want an extra immortal crystal? What kind of logic is that?”

The speaker had the appearance of a teenager, his eyes flickering with anger as he argued. Of course, it went without saying that his appearance was faked. In fact, even his tone and demeanor might be another layer of disguise.

Opposite him stood a leisurely old man, holding a top-grade spirit stone of his own. He had a faint smile on his face as he countered, ”I don’t care about your so-called Dou Xuan. I don’t like to delve into that ancient spiritual energy.

”For people like me, other than wasting time, what benefit is there? If you want the top-grade spirit stone in my hand, you have to pay extra. Do you understand? Otherwise, why would I come to this Immortal Exchange? To pay the entrance fee for nothing and not earn a single coin?”

”They are both top-grade spirit stones! Why should I pay extra for an exchange?” the teenager fumed.

”Because you like to study that ancient spiritual energy, and because you haven’t studied the top-grade spirit stone in my hand.”

”...”

The seemingly young guy suddenly calmed down, silently took out an immortal crystal, exchanged it with the old man, and then quickly turned to leave.

Seeing the transaction completed, the old man immediately looked around cheerfully and said, ”Everyone standing here watching the show, surely you’re not just wasting your time, right? I imagine you all want to trade for top-grade spirit stones. The ancient spiritual energy contained in this top-grade spirit stone of mine is called Dou Xuan, as you all just heard. Is there anyone willing to trade? Just add an immortal crystal and it’s yours!”

Someone sighed. ”You’re too clever, making a no-cost profit like this.”

The old man smiled brightly. ”After all, I was the first to make a move. You’re all gentlemen and wouldn’t want to interfere halfway. To earn a little immortal crystal, I rely on your goodwill.”

Everyone secretly curled their lips. What does he mean by not interfering halfway? Any other place aside from the Immortal Exchange, and they would’ve already made a move. But making trouble at an Immortal Exchange hosted by the Grand Desolate Immortal was no less than kicking an iron plane. They behaved cautiously.

At that moment, Fang Chen took out one of the top-grade spirit stones the Grand Elder of the Nine Immortal Mountain had given him and butted into the conversation, ”I’ll trade with you for this top-grade spirit stone.”

The ancient spiritual energy inside this spirit stone was useless to him.

He also took out an immortal crystal.

The old man’s eyes brightened, and he readily agreed, completing the transaction with Fang Chen.

Fang Chen thought to himself. Dou Xuan is one of the spiritual powers needed for the Great Heavenly Sovereign Codex. Already a good start to the exchange.

Frost Water Immortal Flame, Ice Wind, Dou Xuan—that was already three kinds. Counting the Azure Lightning made four.

However, one of his split souls was currently only refining Frost Water Immortal Flame; the other three would have to wait until the other souls were perfected. After he entered the Fusion Realm, he would refine them then.

At that time, his cultivation should improve considerably.

After the old man traded for the top-grade spirit stone from Fang Chen, he began calling out to sell again. Fang Chen then took out another top-grade spirit stone and asked, ”Anyone willing to trade?”

Several people stepped forward to examine it. One smiled and shook his head. ”I just happen to have one like this.”

Someone suddenly pulled out a top-grade spirit stone and showed it to Fang Chen. ”Brother, how about trading with mine? I’ll only charge you one immortal crystal.”

He looked at Fang Chen expectantly.

Fang Chen knew these people saw his quick willingness to trade and thought he was an easy mark, but he didn’t care. If it was a top-grade spirit stone he wanted, paying one immortal crystal was no problem.

He glanced at the top-grade spirit stone in that person’s hand and gently shook his head. ”I won’t trade for yours.”

The other party was momentarily stunned but then sulkily nodded and went back to chatting with others.

Fang Chen realized that getting this Dou Xuan was probably just luck, since none of the other top-grade spirit stones offered were usable for the Great Heavenly Sovereign Codex.

Seeing nothing he wanted there, he started wandering through the shops, occasionally changing his appearance, body shape, and aura.

No further gains came on the first day. The spirit shop had places to stay with decent living conditions. However, it cost one mid-grade spirit stone per day, which was quite expensive.

In the following days, Fang Chen continued to roam the shops, searching for top-grade spirit stones useful to him.

As Qingfeng had said, new Loose Immortals came in daily. After seven or eight days, the market was much livelier than on his first day.

Fang Chen found a quiet spot and placed the two top-grade spirit stones he intended to trade in front of him. Rather than looking for people, he preferred to let people come to him.

”Hey, the ancient spiritual energy in this top-grade spirit stone... is it Azure Lightning? Brother, will you sell it?”

A pair of snow-white long legs caught his eye first. He looked up and saw a beautiful woman with fair skin and an ethereal aura approaching.

”These two top-grade spirit stones of mine are only for trade, not for sale,” Fang Chen replied casually.

”Not for sale? What a pity,” the woman replied. ”Although some Daoist cultivators nowadays can wield Azure Lightning techniques, top-grade spirit stones containing Azure Lightning are quite rare. The price would be a bit higher. It will be at least seven immortal crystals. Are you really not selling?”

Fang Chen shook his head. ”No.”

He wasn’t short of immortal crystals, and even if he had extras, he didn’t need to use them for now. With his current cultivation level, using high-grade spirit stones for practice was already very extravagant.

Not to mention that immortal crystals contained immortal energy, which for cultivators below the Loose Immortal level was mostly wasted. Only a small portion of the immortal energy could be absorbed.

The woman smiled, a smile that was genuinely beautiful. ”Brother, how about this: we exchange contact names. After the exchange ends, I’ll trade this top-grade spirit stone with you. I came fully prepared this time. I have several top-grade spirit stones I didn’t bring with me.”

Fang Chen looked skeptical. ”Just a few days ago, I traded with you for a top-grade spirit stone containing Dou Xuan energy. If you really wanted to make a profit at the exchange, how could you not bring all your top-grade spirit stones?”

The woman froze, then forced a weak smile. ”Brother, how did you recognize me?”

How did he see through me? I haven’t used any divine sense.

Fang Chen smiled but said nothing.

Even Loose Immortals had small habitual gestures they couldn’t hide.

The woman seemed to realize Fang Chen was now wary of her, so she awkwardly smiled and turned away, slipping into the crowd and changing her appearance and figure several times.

A faint chill flashed in Fang Chen’s eyes, but he calmly waited for others to inquire about the two top-grade spirit stones.

Unfortunately, he didn’t make any trades over the next few days but had an unexpected gain.

A Loose Immortal selling spirit medicines was shouting about a particular kind, the Golden Soul Flower, an essential item for sword cultivators to enter the fourth transformation.