âThe Giant Sword Boat will indeed make it easier for you, my nephew, to traverse realms in the future, but itâs still not the best solution.â
âIn the Void, there remain all kinds of risks, my nephew, so you must pay extra attention to your safety.â
Jin Zaigan said, squinting his eyes.
âYouâre right, uncle, but after all, with the duty of being a Guest Elder of the Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce, I received a lot of care from the Commerce Association and Senior Instrument Spirit when I was insignificant.â
âTherefore, I can only go back to the Cloud Void Domain from time to time to fulfill the obligations of a Guest Elder.â
Lu Xuan showed a hint of helplessness and said sincerely.
...
âOkay, just be careful yourself, my nephew.â
Jin Zaigan advised again, his tone extremely gentle.
Lu Xuan, who possessed exquisite proficiency in Cultivating Spiritual Plants, Spirit Brew, and Talisman Making, quickly became the precious treasure of the Huanzhen Sword Peak after joining. His value was even above many Nascent Soul True Monarchs of the peak, so there was a fear of losing him to any mishap.
Lu Xuan expressed his gratitude again, presented the thin elderly man with two bottles of Upper Class Spirit Brew, and personally escorted him outside his Cave Abode.
âThe Spirit Plants at the Heavenly Star Cave should be maturing soon. Wait for some time, and then Iâll go back to reap a round of rewards.â
âAnd those High Rank Spirit Plants in the Incomplete Cave Heaven;
the Cicada Wood should be nearing its third metamorphosis.â
Lu Xuan thought to himself.
âHowever, itâs indeed not a long-term solution to keep shuttling between the two Realms. I must find a way that serves both purposes.â
âFor now, it seems that I can gradually shift my focus to the Dongxuan Sword Sect.â
âOnce the Eightfold Palace matures enough and the rewards from refining the Incomplete Cave Heaven are sufficient, I can basically stay at the Sword Sect.â
Lu Xuanâs mind drifted to the few Dao Sect cultivators he had met at the Liyang Dao Sect, originally from the Divine Wood Sect.
He had always been mindful of obtaining the core part of the Divine Wood Green Pot, the treasure of the Divine Wood Sect.
Completing the Divine Wood Green Pot or acquiring a new one would undoubtedly shorten the maturation time of the Eightfold Palace significantly.
He went to the courtyard and, following the Ritual Refinement Technique provided by Jin Zaigan, began to refine the Seventh Grade Giant Sword Boat.
Entering the vessel, Lu Xuan discovered that the space inside was much larger than he had anticipated, and it even had areas designated for Cultivation, Alchemy, and Refining Instrument.
With a thought, the Giant Sword Boat turned into a streak of light, instantly reaching the other side of the Cave Abode.
On a whim, Lu Xuan controlled the Flying Boat, swiftly cutting through the sea of clouds.
The Flying Boatâs speed wasnât particularly fast, even weaker compared to the Scolding Thunder Wing, but its stability was unparalleled. In both Divine Shield and offensive power, it wasnât comparable to the Scolding Thunder Wing, which solely relied on its speed.
After testing the Giant Sword Boat for a while, he returned to his Cave Abode to continue Cultivating Spiritual Plants.
Days passed, and on this day, a plain-looking young Cultivator arrived at the entrance to the Cave Abode.
âBrother Huang, what kind of wind blew you over here?â
Lu Xuan Laughed as he welcomed the newcomer into his Cave Abode.
The young man was named Huang Jinhu and was one of the sect mates who had entered Heart Sword Lake with him last time.
Lu Xuan had a clear idea of his intentions but pretended not to understand.
The two chatted casually for a moment.
âJunior Brother Lu, I wonder if you still have any Shadow Stones left from your trip to the Heart Sword Lake?â
Huang Jinhu couldnât contain his curiosity and asked.
âBrother Huang is in luck, as I just happen to have the last one left.â
Lu Xuan said with a smile.
Since his return, sect mates had been frequently inquiring about them, yet he hadnât rushed to sell them, choosing to wait patiently instead.
âI wonder if Huang Mou might have the chance to purchase that Shadow Stone?â
Huang Jinhuâs eyes brightened, and he eagerly asked.
âThe uses of the Shadow Stone, I believe, do not require too much explanation from me, Brother. And there are no shortage of brothers and sisters who wish to obtain it.â
âAs for whether Brother Huang can possess it, that will depend on whether Brother Huang is fated with it or not.â
Lu Xuan Laughed and said, his implications very clear.
âAlright, please take it out first so I can have a look,â Junior Brother Lu requested.
Brother Huang didnât feel at ease with the Shadow Stone that could silently swap bodies with a reef stone;
he wanted to verify its authenticity first.
Lu Xuan had already confined the Shadow Stone with a treasure item, naturally not worrying about any issues arising. With a flash of spiritual light, a strangely shaped reef stone suddenly appeared in the courtyard.
Brother Huangâs consciousness sank into it.
Before Lu Xuanâs eyes, the countless sword marks on the reef stone instantly came to life, moving rapidly. Their trajectories were extremely mysterious and abstruse, as if displaying one exquisite swordsmanship technique after another, and the fierce Sword Qi seemed like it was about to shoot out from inside the stone.
âIt seems Brother Huang is already exchanging sword techniques with the Shadow Stone,â Lu Xuan silently thought.
In less than half a moment, all the sword marks came to an abrupt halt and returned to calm. Brother Huang opened his eyes.
âIt indeed is a Shadow Stone,â he said with a hint of excitement in his tone, nodding to Lu Xuan.
âHow many Sword Marks will it cost?â
âOne thousand seven hundred Sword Marks, what does Brother Huang think?â Lu Xuan asked with a smile.
âOne thousand seven hundred Sword MarksâŠâ Brother Huang fell into thought.
This price was already equivalent to a rather good Sixth Grade treasure item;
it wasnât very different from the selling price he was aware of and was within the range of what he was willing to accept.
âNo problem, here are one thousand seven hundred Sword Marks, please have a look, Junior Brother Lu.â
The allure of the Shadow Stone for a Sword Cultivator was indeed too great, and he didnât hesitate long before nodding in agreement.
âThe count of Sword Marks is correct, congratulations Brother Huang.â
âIt seems this treasure is fated to be with Brother Huang,â Lu Xuanâs Spiritual Sense swept over the Sword Marks, absorbing them into the Gluttonous Insect Pouch with a single motion.
âHahaha, thank you Junior Brother Lu,â Brother Huang, having obtained the long-coveted Shadow Stone, was in high spirits.
âBy the way, Brother Huang, regarding the matter of selling you the Shadow Stone, I would kindly ask you to help keep it a secret and not to reveal it carelessly,â Lu Xuan suggested, his expression turning serious as if recalling something.
âAfter all, there are more than just you, Brother Huang, who wish to get their hands on a Shadow Stone. If other fellow disciples knew that it was sold to you and not to them, they might feel uneasy, which could affect our brotherly bonds,â he cautioned Brother Huang.
âAlright, no problem. I was planning to conceal the Shadow Stone in my cave abode for cultivation anyway, so I wonât let anyone else know of its existence,â Brother Huang readily replied.
âThatâs good,â Lu Xuan laughed.
He had acquired seven Shadow Stones, and keeping one or two for himself was sufficient;
the rest could be exchanged for Sword Marks.
The main reason he specifically instructed Brother Huang was to prevent others from knowing he had acquired quite a few Shadow Stones from Heart Sword Lake, thus avoiding unnecessary trouble.
He guessed that this matter was highly unlikely to be leaked.
After all, the reason he gave was rational, and Cultivators typically wouldnât expose their treasured items to others.
Even if people came to know, it wouldnât be a big problem;
the price he offered wasnât absurd, and by selling to them, he was helping them fulfill a wish. They wouldnât hold a grudge for his well-intentioned concealment.
Several days later, another disciple who had entered Heart Sword Lake came to visit.
After some reluctance on Lu Xuanâs part, he sold a Shadow Stone to him, barely parting with it.
âBrother, this treasure must be destined for you,â he said naturally while cheerfully collecting over a thousand Sword Marks.