Shen Xuan and the man began discussing through spiritual communication.

To Shen Xuan's surprise, the other party's asking price wasn't high.

Thirty Thunder Spirit Pearls.

Equivalent to fifteen thousand Spirit Stones.

This price was indeed cheap.

Shen Xuan considerately added two more pearls.

"Junior Brother, if you obtain High-Tier Water Demon Essence Blood in the future, feel free to come to Cold Jade Peak to find me."

"Then many thanks to Senior Brother Shen."

The man, seeing Shen Xuan's generosity, smiled happily after the transaction.

Although the sect's Thunder Spirit Pearls are priced at five hundred Spirit Stones each.

However, there is a purchase limit.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment disciples have a quota of five each.

Those participating in the Tao-Demon conflict outside have a quota of ten each.

After using them, they must report to the sect before they can purchase more.

The intention is to control usage.

Disciples of the Cyan Cloud Sect raise the price, and a small amount can circulate privately.

Overall, demand still exceeds supply.

Shen Xuan is a disciple of the small Gu Peak.

His supply is abundant, so he doesn't need to consider the sales restriction.

He only needs to report to the sect for registration.

Of course, the usage must be legitimate.

The last time he gifted Lv Zhengying, it was to help a fellow sect member.

This time, trading Ice Mountain Snow Ape Essence Blood is for researching Ice Talismans.

Regarding Shen Xuan's trading of Thunder Spirit Pearls, the sect will give special allowance.

After all, the True Masters all understand that the method for refining Thunder Spirit Pearls was created by Shen Xuan himself.

The sect reaps the greatest benefit.

There's no reason to restrict Shen Xuan's refining and use.

To Shen Xuan's surprise, another sect member reached out to him, providing information on a Heaven-Reaching Water Rhinoceros.

This is a Water Demon with the bloodline of the divine beast, the Heaven-reaching Rhinoceros, at least Tier Two Top Grade.

Located in a remote ice lake thousands of miles deep within the Wilderness.

Being from the same sect, Shen Xuan isn't afraid of being deceived.

The two communicated privately through spiritual transmission.

The man took out a Geography Jade Scroll, marking the location.

Although demon beast information is valuable, it isn't very expensive.

After all, the authenticity cannot be determined.

The man didn't arbitrarily set a high price, asking only for two Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Talismans.

Promising the information was accurate and wouldn't be sold to a second party.

Shen Xuan didn't haggle, promptly finalizing the trade.

Being from the same sect, there's still a degree of trust.

Compared to the Heaven-Reaching Water Rhinoceros worth tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, two Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Talismans are insignificant.

...

Soon, Shen Xuan walked away from the central area of the gathering place.

This small meeting of True Masters' direct disciples yielded good results.

A portion of Ice Mountain Snow Ape Essence Blood and information on a Heaven-Reaching Water Rhinoceros.

When it was Qin Yuehan's turn.

She brought out Shadow-devouring Demon Insects, numbering up to a thousand, with ten or more reaching Tier One Top Grade.

These Shadow-devouring Demon Insects were given to her by Shen Xuan after he cultivated them initially.

Over time, they grew to over a thousand.

However, Qin Yuehan, being a Wood Cultivator, didn't have very strong Divine Soul Power.

Aside from her cultivation, it was quite taxing to control so many Shadow-devouring Demon Insects.

Just in time to use this small meeting of True Masters' direct disciples to sell some, reducing the burden.

Shadow-devouring Demon Insects are the nemesis of many Demon Cultivators.

Qin Yuehan's words immediately drew the attention of many True Masters' direct disciples.

A few of them approached, whispering with Qin Yuehan.

Qin Yuehan, not adept at bargaining, couldn't decide, her clear eyes looked toward Shen Xuan.

Biting her lip, finally, Qin Yuehan said, "Senior Brother Shen, please help Yuehan!"

Shen Xuan smiled wryly.

Had to step forward.

Exchanging words with a few interested fellow disciples, dividing the thousand plus Shadow-devouring Demon Insects into multiple parts, completing each transaction.

In total, selling for more than thirty thousand Spirit Stones, a decent supplement.

Regarding this result.

Qin Yuehan was quite satisfied.

She kept three hundred Shadow-devouring Demon Insects, all high-grade Tier One elites.

These fellow disciples, each acquiring several hundred Shadow-devouring Demon Insects, also as a means of protection against Demon Cultivators.

They won't, like Shen Xuan, cultivate five or six thousand at once.

Liu Bingyu, on the other hand, was selling Ice Talismans.

Her specialty was the Ice Soul Cold Needle Talisman she was selling.

A Tier Two Lower Grade Ice Talisman, once activated, could release hundreds of Ice Soul Cold Needles, causing freezing damage to opponents.

As an auxiliary Spirit Talisman, its effectiveness was great.

And the price was not high, each costing only two hundred Spirit Stones.

Less than half the price of Shen Xuan's Breaking Evil Divine Thunder Talisman.

What Shen Xuan hadn't anticipated was.

Liu Bingyu's Ice Soul Cold Needle Talismans were quite popular.

Three hundred Ice Talismans were quickly bought out.

This made Shen Xuan view Liu Bingyu with newfound respect.

"Senior Brother Shen, my Ice Talismans are sold out!"

Liu Bingyu was all smiles.

"Junior Sister Liu's Ice Talismans are very popular with fellow disciples, your reputation precedes you!"

Shen Xuan couldn't help but compliment.

Suddenly, he felt a chill.

Looking around.

In the distance, Qin Yuehan, her eyes as cold as ice, glared at him sharply.

Uh-oh!

Qin Yuehan, who was gentle and charming just now, had turned cloudy, about to storm.

Shen Xuan quickly made an excuse to leave early.

Behind him, Liu Bingyu gave an apologetic smile to Qin Yuehan and followed after Shen Xuan.

...

Cold Jade Peak.

Cave Mansion, Practice Room.

Shen Xuan recalled today's encounters.

The small meeting for the True Master's direct disciples was just a minor episode.

"It seems, to obtain Tier Two Top Grade Water Demon Essence Blood, I can only rely on my old trade, going out to hunt demons myself."

Shen Xuan thought to himself.

A True Master cannot easily make a move.

This unwritten rule also applies in the territories of the Demon Race.

Thus, the Human Race and the Demon Race can maintain a certain state of peace.

At the same time, it greatly reduces the earnings of the True Masters.

Without hunting demon beasts, relying solely on the Sect's Spirit Veins makes it difficult to ensure cultivation resources for the True Masters.

The higher the Realm Cultivation, the more Spiritual Qi is consumed, requiring more resources.

Therefore, even True Masters have to hold positions within the Sect, teaching direct disciples and taking on some production tasks to contribute to the Sect's development.

"Even landlords have no surplus grain!"

In his previous life, Shen Xuan had seen through the essence of how the world operated.

In a word, money.

In two words, resources.

In essence, it is the economy that determines the superstructure.

Plundering and controlling resources, colonial expansion, are the main pathways to the rise of many great nations.

The Cultivation World is no different.

It's just that sects replace nations, Spirit Veins serve as the main resource, and the territories of Cultivation Clans act as colonies.

Their development pathways are not much different.

The social structure is still a pyramid of class solidification.

Shen Xuan is merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Before possessing sufficient strength, he will not challenge the operating order of the Cultivation World.

Advancing cautiously, he finally reached this step, becoming a Core Formation Seed of the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Currently, Shen Xuan's most important goal is to condense the Inner Core with the Cyan Cloud Sect's focused support.

Returning his thoughts to the present.

Shen Xuan looked at the Four-Eared Long-Tongued Macaque Essence Blood on the jade table before him, feeling a trace of anticipation.

In the future, he would not actively acquire Tier Two Low Grade Water Demon Essence Blood.

The returns are too low.

The Four-Eared Long-Tongued Macaque is a descendant of the ancient water spirit's bloodline.

With a thought, the Mysterious Jade Talisman's golden light flashed.

In front of him appeared a piece of ancient golden script.

[Stealable Talent: Ears Listening in All Directions, Soul-Scaring Shout, Demon Blood Boiling]

The three stealable bloodline talents that appeared were all quite good.

[Soul-Scaring Shout] is similar to [Vigorous Shock], a sound wave spiritual attack, so it was ruled out first.

[Demon Blood Boiling] is likely a bloodline skill that can enhance combat power in a short time.

Shen Xuan had checked records.

The ancient water spirit's anger led to a short-term explosive increase in attack, defense, and agility.

This type of bloodline skill is similar to some secret techniques of the Demon Sect.

It can enhance combat power in a very short time, but it also potentially damages the foundation, leaving sequelae.

Shen Xuan judged that, since he is not truly a demon beast.

Using [Demon Blood Boiling] might very likely damage his Dao Foundation.

Finally, Shen Xuan chose the Four-Eared Long-Tongued Macaque's unique bloodline skill, [Ears Listening in All Directions].

It could be perfectly combined with [Sharp-eyed] and [Insight] for use.

Together with [Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil], it enhanced all six senses of the Human Race to a new level.

[Dao Rhyme: 136]

The Dao Rhyme Points were also not many, 120 points each time, slightly better than Color-changing Water Lizard Essence Blood.

"Once I refine the Ice Mountain Snow Ape Essence Blood, I'll have been in seclusion at Cold Jade Peak for about a year."

Master Hanyue urged him to cultivate diligently.

Being new, he had no choice but to bear it and follow Master Hanyue's wishes.

However, his current achievements were all due to the Mysterious Jade Talisman.

Diligent training alone would progress too slowly, contrary to his position as an Ice Technique genius.

He must meet the Thunder Beast and Heaven-Reaching Water Rhinoceros, these two Tier Two Top Grade Water Demons.

Shen Xuan pondered repeatedly and formulated a plan.

For the next six months, he would focus on four tasks, preparing for the demon hunting expedition.

The first task was to practice [Divine Hidden Sea Technique] two hours daily, two sessions each day, morning and evening.

Turning the Practice Room's Spiritual Qi concentration to the maximum, employing [Water Spirit Absorption], to enhance his Realm Cultivation as much as possible.

The second task was to refine all the Spirit Water in the River and Sea Map.

This would significantly boost his combat power and survival ability.

The third task was to master the [Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Talisman].

Then, using the Purple Essence Divine Wood Spirit Branch as the talisman embryo, he would create the [Nine Heavens Divine Thunder Treasure Talisman] and nurture it.

If the effect was good.

The other two [Breaking Evil Divine Thunder Treasure Talismans] nurtured for fifteen years would come into play.

The third task involved enhancing the synergy between skills, striving to seamlessly integrate spellcasting into his actions.

Rapid, accurate, and powerful deployment of various Techniques.

The fourth task was to warm the Ice Soul Sword, cultivate the [True Ice Heart Technique], diligently practice [Wishful Size], and consume ten pounds of Deep Water Hooked Snake Meat daily to enhance the two hand-to-hand combat skills [Sharp Teeth and Fangs] and [Devouring All Things].

These were tangible improvements to Shen Xuan's combat strength.

Half a year later.

Once ready, he would report to Master Hanyue about his intention to hunt demons outside, with some assurance in his heart.

"So tired!"

Shen Xuan couldn't help but sigh internally.

In the blink of an eye, he was already one hundred and eleven years old.

Step by step, through turbulent waves, several times life hung by a thread.

Shen Xuan understood a harsh reality long ago.

Without a family background, he could only rely on himself.

Every time his Realm Cultivation improved, he had to prove his value and that he was worth supporting significantly to the Sect's leadership.

The Cultivation Resources are limited.

If you want more, others get less.

If you wish to stand out, you will inevitably offend some people.

For him, there was no such luxury as focusing purely on cultivation without distractions.

Even a True Master has to contribute to the Sect.

Whether it's Cultivators, families, or the Sect.

In disputes, the biggest truth is the strength of both sides.

If you win, you are right.

If you lose, everything is wrong, resulting in the end of your path and death.

The Cultivation World has always been thus - victor, king; loser, thief.

The alchemy disputes between the Cyan Cloud Sect and the Medicine God Valley are no exception.

Both sects were millennial allies, part of the Seven Great Sects of Song Country.

Now, their relations have deteriorated sharply, tensions high, a sect war on the brink.

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