Chapter 148: Treasure Devours Spirit Beast

High-quality Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects.

Once one appeared,

it would be claimed in advance by the major Noble Families and Sects.

The Jin Family naturally had better ones, but it was impossible for them to be sold at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower. After all, the Jin Family’s own disciples also needed Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects.

"Manager Jin, are you sure there are no better Foundation Establishment Spiritual Objects?"

Li Chang’an asked again, his tone solemn.

Jin Yue looked troubled and shook his head.

"Daoist Li, businessmen like me are the most honest. We value integrity. How could I possibly deceive you? There really are no more!"

"Very well, then."

Li Chang’an wasn’t too disappointed; he had expected as much.

He then asked about the Foundation Establishment Pill.

Jin Yue still shook his head.

"Daoist Li, we really don’t have that!"

"Do you have any Tier Two Demon Cores?"

"We don’t have those either..."

Watching Jin Yue shake his head repeatedly, Li Chang’an fell silent.

He continued to browse the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower and bought some Bone Tempering Grass, finally gathering all the Treasures needed for the Ninth Stage of Body Refining.

At this point.

All the Treasures required for the entire Demon Blood Body Tempering Skill...

...Li Chang’an had finally gathered them all.

Next.

He just needed to follow the steps and cultivate, and his physique would gradually grow stronger until it reached Tier One Peak.

"Manager Jin, does the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower sell Body Refining Techniques?"

"We do!"

"I need one that is Tier Two or higher."

"We have those too, it’s just that..."

"Is it because of the price again?"

Li Chang’an couldn’t help but ask, seeing his hesitant expression.

"That’s not it!"

Jin Yue hurriedly denied it.

"Although Tier Two Body Refining Techniques are expensive, with your wealth, Daoist Li, you can certainly afford them. However, the ones we have are all imperfect."

"What do you mean?"

Li Chang’an was puzzled.

’Could the Cultivation Techniques be incomplete?’

Jin Yue sighed and replied, "Daoist Li, please follow me."

He then led Li Chang’an into a separate, hidden room.

Inside the hidden room,

hundreds of Cultivation Technique and Magic manuals were on display.

With a wave of his hand, Jin Yue retrieved three books from the collection. They were, impressively, all Tier Two Body Refining Techniques.

He placed the three books in front of Li Chang’an.

"Daoist Li, take a look at this one, the Golden Stone Body Refining Technique."

As he spoke, he pointed to the first book and began a serious introduction.

"This Body Refining Technique is the best one in the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower’s collection. It can be cultivated to Tier Two Peak."

"Oh?"

Li Chang’an’s interest was piqued.

A Tier Two Peak physique would be strong enough to withstand an attack from a Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator.

In other words,

as long as he didn’t provoke a Golden Core Master, his life would almost never be in danger.

And since Golden Core Masters were exceedingly rare—most Cultivators would go their entire lives without seeing one—the chances of provoking one were very small.

"Manager Jin, does this Body Refining Technique have any side effects?"

"It does."

Jin Yue sighed.

He opened the Golden Stone Body Refining Technique and explained it to Li Chang’an in detail.

"Daoist Li, after cultivating this technique, your flesh and blood will gradually turn to Gold and Stone, making it impossible to maintain your original appearance. Furthermore, you will be unable to switch to Body Refining Techniques of other attributes in the future; you’ll only be able to cultivate Gold or Earth Element ones."

"I see."

Li Chang’an was inwardly surprised. The side effect was indeed significant.

’I have no desire to become a stone man.’

’Unless it’s an absolute last resort, there’s no need to cultivate this technique.’

As for the second Body Refining Technique,

it could be cultivated to the Tier Two Middle Stage, but it caused the body to grow uncontrollably.

Someone who once cultivated this technique had only reached Tier One Peak when his height already exceeded two zhang, turning him into a veritable monster.

"This side effect is also significant."

Li Chang’an frowned.

’Thankfully, the Demon Blood Body Tempering Skill I practice has no side effects, just intense pain.’

"Daoist Li, this last Body Refining Technique can also be cultivated to the Tier Two Middle Stage. Its side effects are damage to one’s mind and a tendency toward fits of rage."

Jin Yue picked up the last book and introduced it to Li Chang’an.

After hearing him out, Li Chang’an had no choice but to give up.

He could only entrust Jin Yue with keeping an eye out for him.

The Jin Family was, after all, a Noble Family of merchants that frequently dealt with major powers. Perhaps one day they might obtain a perfect Body Refining Technique with no side effects.

"Rest assured, Daoist Li, I will definitely keep an eye out for you on this matter!"

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Manager Jin."

After settling this matter, Li Chang’an asked about the legacies of Talismans and Puppets.

Jin Yue stated, "Daoist Li, my family possesses Tier Two legacies for both of those, but they cannot be traded to outsiders. Not unless you become an Honored Guest Elder of my Jin Family."

Becoming a Jin Family Honored Guest Elder came with a strict requirement for one’s Cultivation.

One had to be a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator!

And Li Chang’an obviously did not meet this requirement.

Even if he did, he would not join the Jin Family so easily.

"Daoist Jin, is there no other way?"

Li Chang’an asked with a frown.

"A legacy isn’t a physical object, after all. You just need to copy it and trade it to me."

As he spoke, he took out an extremely expensive Gold Element Treasure and pressed it into Jin Yue’s hands.

This Jin Yue happened to be a Gold Spirit Root cultivator.

The Treasure Li Chang’an had produced would be of immense benefit to him.

But Jin Yue’s expression changed instantly, and he hurriedly returned the Treasure to Li Chang’an.

"Daoist Li, this is absolutely out of the question! My Jin Family has rules that no one can break!"

Jin Yue truly coveted Li Chang’an’s Treasure.

However, his fear of the family’s rules suppressed his desire for the Treasure, and he didn’t dare to secretly copy the legacy’s contents for Li Chang’an.

Seeing this, Li Chang’an could only put the Treasure away.

’So throwing money at the problem didn’t work.’

He felt a little regretful.

’They say money makes the world go round, but in the end, it isn’t omnipotent.’

After this, Li Chang’an stopped buying Treasures and instead sold some things he had no use for, such as the Treasures he had obtained from the Storage Pouches of the Blood and Fire Three Brothers.

...

「That evening.」

Li Chang’an returned to his residence.

He showed Dahuang the Treasure he had just bought as a form of encouragement.

"Dahuang, your advancement is getting closer and closer."

"WOOF!"

Dahuang’s eyes filled with joy, and its tail wouldn’t stop wagging.

Afterward, Li Chang’an prepared the medicinal liquid as usual, got into the medicinal bath, and silently endured the intense pain of Body Refinement.

’The Eighth Stage of Body Refining is nearing its end. It should be over soon.’

He mentally calculated the time.

After a while, he took the Spirit Doctor legacy from his Storage Pouch and continued studying its contents.

...

Time flew by, and several months passed in the blink of an eye.

「One day.」

News came from Zhou Yu.

She had a clan brother named Zhou Chuan who happened to possess an Earth Element Treasure capable of increasing a Demon Beast’s chances of successful advancement. She would introduce him to Li Chang’an tomorrow.

’Zhou Yu’s quite efficient.’

Li Chang’an was reasonably satisfied. His payment had not been in vain.

...

「That night.」

「Inside the house.」

Li Chang’an was taking his usual medicinal bath.

Before long, the excruciating pain wracking his body suddenly vanished.

"Success!"

A look of joy spread across Li Chang’an’s face as he rose from the medicinal tub.

At this moment, his whole body was scorching hot, his skin crimson, and white steam rose from him. The muscles all over his body were clearly defined; his physique had reached a new level.

The Eighth Stage of Body Refining was complete!

From now on, he could withstand an attack from a Qi Refining Eighth Layer cultivator.

’Just one last stage to go.’

Without hesitation, Li Chang’an immediately began to prepare the medicinal liquid for the Ninth Stage of Body Refining.

Just then, a golden light appeared before his eyes.

[Divination has been refreshed]

[Today’s Divination: Ominous]

[Zhou Yu will visit to introduce you to her Zhou Clan Member, Zhou Chuan, stating that he possesses the Earth Element Treasure "Withered Earth Root," which can increase the success rate of advancement by ten percent]

[You will purchase this Treasure and inform your Spirit Beast Dahuang, but unexpectedly, the Treasure will suddenly lash out and devour your Spirit Beast]