In the days that followed.

The Celestial Fortune Commerce Association and the Bai Family Stronghold conducted trade.

Shifting from herbal medicines to more Demon Beast materials.

The volume was immense.

After all, there were a hundred thousand wilderness people here.

Shen Xuan glanced at the trading prices.

These Demon Beast materials, once transported out of the Wilderness, were equally profitable, with prices doubling.

That's quite normal.

Compared to Tier Two Spirit Pill materials.

The profit margin was relatively low.

These days, Shangguan Yan'Er took the initiative to invite Shen Xuan for a drink and a chat alone.

She used her own Daughter Red Spirit Wine.

It was said that it was buried by her family elders when she was born.

Originally planned to be taken out when she got married.

But she took it out in advance.

Shangguan Yan'Er even changed back into women's clothing.

Chic and charming, quite pleasing to the eye.

The two drank and chatted leisurely, enjoying their conversation.

If Shangguan Yan'Er was interested.

Shen Xuan wouldn't mind developing a fleeting romance.

He admired Shangguan Yan'Er's type of looks and figure.

The cool allure mixed with sharpness, exuding charisma, very attractive.

If they engaged in deep conversation, it would have a unique charm.

Unfortunately, soon, Shangguan Yan'Er, under a slight influence of alcohol, revealed her true intentions.

She proposed to recruit Shen Xuan as a retainer for the Shangguan family.

If it was for a fleeting romance, Shen Xuan would consider it.

He would even engage in personal close combat first before making a decision.

Being a retainer for a trade family was not within his consideration at all.

Even though Shangguan Yan'Er hinted she hadn't engaged, that she had a good impression of Shen Xuan.

In the future, there could be a chance for them to slowly develop and have deep exchanges.

The Shangguan family's businesses could be at his disposal.

To such an insubstantial promise, Shen Xuan politely declined with thanks.

Shangguan Yan'Er's charming eyes revealed a sense of grievance when looking at Shen Xuan.

"Yan'Er is the only Foundation Establishment Cultivator left in the Shangguan family."

"There are unspeakable difficulties."

"Why does Fellow Daoist Shen refuse from a thousand miles away?"

Seeing Shen Xuan refuse so decisively, Shangguan Yan'Er began to doubt her own appearance and allure.

She had never encountered someone like Shen Xuan before.

Shen Xuan couldn't be bothered with her.

She was just a woman!

Actually thinking of baiting him!

Was he some bashful novice hungry for women?

He wasn't just out of the fresh woods, inexperienced and rash.

Regarding the affairs of men and women, Shen Xuan had long grown indifferent.

"I indeed admire Immortal Shangguan."

"But I also have my unavoidable difficulties."

"I cannot be a family retainer."

"Perhaps we will meet again if fate allows!"

After confirming that Shangguan Yan'Er was fishing for potential suitors.

Shen Xuan, without hesitation, stormed out.

Even hesitating for a moment would insult his intelligence.

At this point.

Even if Shangguan Yan'Er agreed to develop a relationship.

He would still be cautious in considering it.

...

Shen Xuan temporarily resided in the Bai Family Stronghold for another purpose.

His playful banter with Shangguan Yan'Er was merely leisure and entertainment.

His main focus was on Bai Tiancheng.

Exchanging cultivation insights, probing into the geography of the Thunder Swamp, and collecting intelligence on the Thunder Beast.

In fact, it was for the Bai Family Stronghold's body refining technique [True Spirit Transformation].

Before coming, Shen Xuan conducted a detailed investigation into the Bai Family Stronghold.

The Bai Family Stronghold had stood deep in the Wilderness for thousands of years, with a hundred thousand wilderness people, endlessly thriving.

Many body refining experts emerged from the stronghold, with deep heritage.

It relied on this unique body refining technique [True Spirit Transformation].

Currently, with slow progress in major techniques like [Divine Hidden Sea Technique], [True Ice Heart Technique], and others.

It made sense to add a body refining technique promptly.

Shen Xuan's talent skills leaned heavily towards physical body cultivation.

Under the refinement of the [Devouring All Things] skill, merely needing a large amount of Tier Two Demon Beast Meat, his physical body could be continuously strengthened.

The newly learned [Wishful Size] skill, if cultivated to a very high level, could potentially evolve into a divine power.

There was a slight possibility of sanctifying the flesh body, comprehending [Heaven and Earth], and proving one's path with strength.

But that was a distant matter.

The Cyan Cloud Sect's library had many body refining techniques.

Shen Xuan reviewed them all.

The grades of these body refining techniques were rather mediocre.

The effects were not even as good as his own physical body talent skills.

But in Bai Family Stronghold, there were rumors hundreds of years ago of a Dharma Body Refiner existing.

That was a Tier Three body refiner comparable to a True Master.

With just the flesh body, it could resist a Tier Three Demon King.

Shen Xuan searched through the cultivation scriptures of Cyan Cloud Sect.

Only knowing that [True Spirit Transformation] could utilize True Spirit Essence Blood's power to spawn a True Spirit Dharma Aspect, mimicking a True Spirit for attack and defense.

True Spirits were existences comparable to True Immortals.

In Profound Origin Continent, they had long disappeared without a trace.

When a technique bears the name of a True Spirit!

The immense power it holds can well be imagined.

Shen Xuan speculated that on Profound Origin Continent, the highest combat power of cultivators stopped at Divinity Transformation Realm.

The Bai Family Stronghold's [True Spirit Transformation], similarly, could not live up to its name.

Very likely cultivating with the power of Demon Beast Essence Blood.

Some Demon Beasts were descendants of True Spirits with extremely diluted True Spirit Essence Blood.

Even so.

[True Spirit Transformation] remained the best body refining technique in Song Country.

Without doubt.

Shen Xuan considered, [True Spirit Transformation] and his Mysterious Jade Talisman, which plunders the bloodline talents of Demon Beasts for personal use, have a certain compatibility in effect.

Therefore, before Shen Xuan came, he refined and exchanged over two thousand Thunder Spirit Pearls to use as trading chips.

The Cyan Cloud Sect limited external use and trading.

But it excluded Shen Xuan himself.

This was considered a special privilege from the Cyan Cloud Sect to Shen Xuan as the original creator.

The Thunder Spirit Pearl, which could be activated with brute force as a one-time Tier Two attack magical treasure, was very suitable for the Bai Family Stronghold's wilderness people to use.

The bait was cast.

The remaining days were just about quietly waiting for the fish to bite.

Sure enough.

During the days of his brief stay in the Bai Family Stronghold.

The wilderness people were brimming with joy, holding several large bonfire parties in succession.

Evidently, they had captured valuable large Demon Beasts, reaping hefty rewards.

That day, Bai Tiancheng came to him, straightforwardly.

Elder Bai, the great elder of the Bai Family Stronghold, wanted to meet him.

...

On the forbidden grounds of the Bai Family Stronghold's back mountain.

In front of a thatched hut.

Shen Xuan stopped walking with Bai Tiancheng.

"Brother Shen, the Elder is inside, and he will only see you alone."

Bai Tianma said seriously.

It was clear that he was even more nervous than Shen Xuan.

In response, Shen Xuan smiled slightly.

The Bai Family Stronghold gathers a hundred thousand barbarians.

The place of the stronghold is supported by a Tier Three Spirit Vein.

The strength of the stronghold is quite formidable.

But in front of the Cyan Cloud Sect, it is negligible.

Shen Xuan was not worried that Elder Bai would do him harm.

He slowly examined the surrounding environment.

While scanning with Divine Sense, he employed his techniques to their fullest potential.

Aside from the thatched hut, there was no one else nearby.

Only then did he bow towards the main door of the hut and transmit his voice respectfully.

"Cyan Cloud Sect's True Inheritance Disciple Shen Xuan, pays respects to the Elder of Bai Family Stronghold!"

In the presence of such a high-ranking person, there was no need to hide his identity.

Since he came for a transaction, revealing his cards early could also avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Come in!"

An old voice came through.

Shen Xuan straightened his chest, took one step to the front of the hut, and reached out to slowly push open the small door.

"Elder!"

In his view was a skinny, short old man lying on a bed.

With a head of white hair, a gaunt face, and faint breathing.

Clearly, Elder Bai's lifespan was nearly exhausted and he could pass away at any moment.

"Let Fellow Little Shen forgive this sight. Please sit."

Elder Bai patted the edge of the bed.

Shen Xuan sat right down, lowered his head, with a respectful expression, looking towards Elder Bai.

Even though Elder Bai was at the end of his life, Shen Xuan dared not show any disrespect.

"Tiancheng told me that Fellow Little Shen is a Thunder Cultivator?"

"I know a little about Thunder Techniques."

"How many Thunder Spirit Pearls do you have on you?"

"Eighteen hundred pearls."

Upon hearing this, Elder Bai's eyes flashed with brilliance.

"Eighteen hundred pearls, hehe, very good."

"Tell me, what do you want in exchange?"

Shen Xuan stared at Elder Bai and uttered three words.

"True Spirit Transformation."

Elder Bai nodded.

"The Bai Family Stronghold indeed only has this True Spirit Transformation worthy enough for Fellow Little Shen's notice."

With Elder Bai's insight and cultivation, he naturally could sense that Shen Xuan's spiritual power was pure and his strength was extraordinary.

"It seems Fellow Little Shen came prepared."

"You knew Bai Family Stronghold needs a large amount of Thunder Spirit Pearls."

"However, eighteen hundred Thunder Spirit Pearls are not enough!"

Suddenly, Elder Bai's eyes became extraordinarily bright and sharp.

Shen Xuan was slightly speechless.

He came to Bai Family Stronghold to exchange for True Spirit Transformation and had done considerable homework beforehand.

The area around Bai Family Stronghold experiences a small beast tide every fifty years.

Even though no Tier Three Demon King appears in the small beast tide,

the large numbers of Tier Two Demon Beast hordes are enough to give Bai Family Stronghold a hard time.

The next small beast tide is two years away.

Shen Xuan, providing so many Thunder Spirit Pearls, would significantly aid Bai Family Stronghold in resisting the small beast tide.

Eighteen hundred Thunder Spirit Pearls.

They're worth nine hundred thousand spirit stones.

Even with upper-grade magical treasures, several fine items could be bought with them.

Yet, Elder Bai said it's not enough!

"I only have eighteen hundred Thunder Spirit Pearls."

Shen Xuan said calmly.

He felt that if Elder Bai was sincere about the exchange, he shouldn't raise the price further.

The two's gazes locked.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Shen Xuan felt as if his body was being bound by something, pressed down until he almost couldn't breathe.

He smiled slightly.

He activated the Talent Skill of Infinite Strength within his bloodline.

His body slightly shook.

An invisible shackle silently shattered inch by inch.

For such a high-stakes transaction, Shen Xuan naturally needed to demonstrate some ability.

Otherwise, Elder Bai wouldn't be assured to pass on the inheritance of True Spirit Transformation to him.

"No need to raise the price. This old man wants to ask Little Friend Shen to do something."

"Please say, Elder."

Shen Xuan didn't rush to express his stance.

Instead, he wanted to hear what Elder Bai would request.

"I've heard from Tiancheng that you want to hunt Thunder Beasts in the Thunder Swamp?"

"Indeed."

Elder Bai inquired curiously: "Does Little Friend Shen have a secret technique to resist the thunder attacks of the Thunder Beasts?"

Shen Xuan hesitated slightly.

His Absolute Thunder Dao Body had reached Great Success.

Theoretically, it should be able to withstand Thunder Beast attacks.

But he had a safer measure.

It was a carefully prepared Thunder-Resistant Treasure Robe.

Made using the principle of a Faraday cage, it could definitely defend against Thunder Beast attacks.

"Not to hide from Elder, Shen does have a secret technique sufficient to handle Thunder Beasts."

Upon hearing this, Elder Bai smiled.

"Very good. I wonder, just how many Thunder Beast attacks can Little Friend Shen withstand at once?"

"As far as I know, Thunder Beasts are social demon beasts, Tier Two top grade, and they like to attack a single target at once with great might."

Shen Xuan discerned Elder Bai's intent.

Could it be for the beast tide that's happening two years later?

Will Thunder Beasts also join the demon beast army attacking Bai Family Stronghold?

"I've never tried. But defending against three to five Thunder Beasts at once shouldn't be a big issue."

Shen Xuan answered somewhat conservatively.

"Withstanding attacks from three to five Thunder Beasts at the same time?"

Elder Bai glanced at Guang Xuan, his eyes flashing with sharpness.

"It seems that Fellow Little Shen's realm cultivation is at Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer."

"Elder didn't see wrong."

Elder Bai shook his head and sighed softly: "Little Friend Shen, I am old, I don't dare gamble, can't afford to lose."

"Are you aware of the small beast tide that occurs every fifty years near Bai Family Stronghold?"

"I've heard about it."

"Even though Thunder Spirit Pearls are effective, they can't handle Thunder Beasts."

"This time's small beast tide will have many Thunder Beasts joining."

Shen Xuan was stunned, a foreboding sense of unease sweeping over his heart.

"Small beast tide? Isn't it supposed to begin in two years?"

Elder Bai stared directly at Shen Xuan.

Suddenly, he laughed, akin to a child who had found some money.

"The small beast tide has been moved up!"

"It will erupt in a month's time!"

"Little Friend Shen will have to stay in Bai Family Stronghold for a while!"

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