Chapter 101: The Fat Sheep
The crimson flower, like a flickering flame, lay quietly within a jade box. A faint, delicate fragrance lingered softly in the room. At a glance, it was clear this flower was no ordinary specimen.
Among those present, only a few could recognize this flower. Yet, upon seeing it, Yin Tianfang’s heart stirred with renewed vigor.
“This flower is called the Scarlet Flame Glaze. Its uniqueness lies in its ability to nurture the soul. Legend says that when the Scarlet Flame Glaze matures, it can transform into the Medicine King, whose medicinal power can nurture the primordial spirit,” explained a man, his voice hoarse and low, deliberately restrained.
“I only need supreme-grade spirit stones,” Yin Tianfang said coolly.
All eyes turned toward the Scarlet Flame Glaze, but no one spoke. Although this herb, once it reached the Medicine King stage, possessed tremendous power, it could only affect the primordial spirit. Everyone here was at the Foundation Establishment stage; their priority was to elevate their cultivation level.
Thus, despite its rarity, the Scarlet Flame Glaze failed to ignite desire.
Seeing the lack of response, the man who had produced the flower sighed softly.
“How many supreme-grade spirit stones do you require?” Yin Tianfang asked casually.
Though he yearned deeply for the Scarlet Flame Glaze, his tone was indifferent. This herb was rare and its effect rather singular, so few would sacrifice much for it under normal circumstances.
However, Yin Tianfang cultivated the Three Division Technique, and this herb was indispensable. Such a rare opportunity might never come again.
Upon hearing someone speak, the man hesitated slightly, then looked up at Yin Tianfang and said, “Ten supreme-grade spirit stones.”
Yin Tianfang fell silent. Ten supreme-grade spirit stones equaled one thousand medium-grade spirit stones, or if converted to lower-grade spirit stones, a staggering number of one hundred thousand.
Spirit stones were the hard currency among cultivators, usually only lower or medium grades circulated widely. Rarely did anyone trade in supreme-grade spirit stones. Even with his strong desire for the Scarlet Flame Glaze, Yin Tianfang could not help but remain silent.
His funds were limited; he had some supreme-grade stones, but not ten.
“Five,” he finally said after a short pause. “This herb may be rare, but its effect is single-focused. It only nurtures the soul and cannot heal soul injuries.”
Moreover, this Scarlet Flame Glaze was not old, so ten supreme-grade spirit stones seemed a bit steep.
Upon hearing this, the other party pondered briefly, then nodded, “Deal!”
The jade box floated over to Yin Tianfang. He tossed a storage pouch to the man and secured the Scarlet Flame Glaze. After confirming the stones, the man bowed to the assembly and said, “I have what I need. I take my leave.”
With that, he left the room hastily.
Five supreme-grade spirit stones might seem few, but it was an enormous fortune. The man left early, wary of ambush.
After his departure, eight remained inside, including Yin Tianxing.
“I have a specimen called Soul Fragment Grass. It is highly toxic; when ground into powder and mixed with food or drink, it is colorless and tasteless. Once ingested, its poison invades the soul, shattering it and causing death. There is no antidote,” another person revealed, holding up a green herb.
Yin Tianfang’s heart stirred again. This Soul Fragment Grass was another herb he needed. He had originally worried about how to find the herbs required for the Three Division Technique; coming here was a gamble. To his surprise, two essential herbs appeared at once.
Soul Fragment Grass was deadly poison, mostly ineffective on ordinary people but highly useful to Yin Tianfang.
“Soul Fragment Grass for one supreme-grade spirit stone.”
“I want it!” Yin Tianfang waved his sleeve, sending a supreme-grade spirit stone toward the man. The man accepted it and tossed the herb to Yin Tianfang, who calmly stored it away.
Seven pairs of eyes fixed on Yin Tianfang. Even beneath his strange cloak, he sensed the intense gazes burning into him.
Feeling a subtle shift in the air, he bowed to the assembly, “I have what I need. I will take my leave.”
After Yin Tianfang left, the seven others rose quickly and followed. He made no pause, heading downstairs, out of the exchange house, and straight toward the city outskirts.
Walking among the crowd, Yin Tianfang sensed someone trailing him. His brows furrowed; trouble seemed inevitable once more.
Supreme-grade spirit stones were rarely used for barter. Only top sects and great families could afford to part with them in quantity. For a wandering cultivator, possessing more than ten was a fortune beyond imagination.
These stones contained exceptionally pure spiritual energy. In battle, when one’s internal energy was depleted, a supreme-grade spirit stone could restore it significantly over a short time.
Hence, they were as valuable as potent recovery pills and were dozens of times more effective than medium-grade stones in cultivation.
Within moments, Yin Tianfang produced six supreme-grade spirit stones for further trades. To the others, he was undoubtedly a fat target.
With a shift in thought, he quickened his pace, heading out of the city. Once outside, he transformed into a streak of light and sped away.
Not long after, two figures emerged from the city in pursuit. They exchanged glances watching the distant streak of light and swiftly gave chase.
Among the seven who remained, six pursued in turn.
One was an elder with white hair and beard, his aura powerful—he had nearly reached the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment, just one step from the Core Formation stage.
Yet that final step was notoriously difficult. Moreover, these were all wandering cultivators without the backing of sect resources, making breakthroughs even harder.
Yin Tianfang’s appearance only stirred their greed. Seeing him casually trade supreme-grade spirit stones for what they considered worthless herbs, they assumed he was wealthy.
No matter what, they would not let this fat sheep escape easily!