Yan Kingdom is rich in water and wood-attribute veins, but the other three elements are extremely scarce, with not a single earth-attribute vein found in the entire nation. This scarcity makes earth-attribute treasures extraordinarily rare, driving their prices up by more than 40% compared to others.
The third-rank lower-grade Kunwu Earth Bell, valued at around 40,000 spirit stones in Chu Kingdom, could easily sell for at least 60,000 spirit stones in Yan Kingdom.
Evaluating the bell's value, Lin Muyang calculated internally: "My Sixteenth Uncle recently advanced to mid-Purple Mansion and has gained significant standing in the family. He currently lacks a defensive earth-attribute treasure. If I acquire this item for him, I'll surely earn his favor."
"If this works, he might speak on my behalf next time resources for breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage are distributed."
With this in mind, Lin Muyang nodded and smiled.
"This treasure is indeed extraordinary and is worth exchanging for the Water Element Crystal. I'll make the trade."
After the exchange, Elian and Wei Xuyuan did not linger at the barter gathering, leaving promptly.
Outside, Wei Xuyuan clasped his hands toward Elian, his expression serious. "We are both carrying rare treasures and might attract unwanted attention. The journey back to Chu Kingdom is long. I plan to rent a spirit spring cave and focus on breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage first. What about you?"
"I'm thinking the same," Elian replied, nodding.
"Why don't you focus on your breakthrough, and I'll refine the Water Element Crystal into a treasure? Then we can travel back together for added safety."
"Agreed," Wei Xuyuan said.
The two made their plans and decided to remain on Thousand Star Island until their items were refined. After parting ways with Wei Xuyuan, Elian returned to his cave and instructed Yaya not to leave before beginning his closed-door refining of the Pure Water Green Lotus Platform.
He first retrieved the second-rank lower-grade refining cauldron passed down through his family and then carefully took out the third-rank treasure, Pure Water Green Lotus.
The Pure Water Green Lotus, a valuable wood-attribute treasure, was something Elian had owned for years but had been reluctant to use in battle for fear of damaging it.
"This has to succeed," Elian murmured, his expression serious. The Pure Water Green Lotus was not as durable as metals like Profound Iron. Being relatively fragile, if the refining process failed, the material could be destroyed entirely. Extreme caution was required.
He began slowly tempering the Pure Water Green Lotus with gentle flames, gradually melting the Water Element Crystal into it to prevent it from being consumed by the fire.
Throughout this process, he carefully protected the innate patterns within the lotus, ensuring they fused seamlessly with the Water Element Crystal. The meticulous work took significant time and effort. By the time the crystal was fully integrated into the Pure Water Green Lotus, half a month had passed.
At this point, Elian noticed a transparent barrier enveloping the lotus.
"The power of Pure Water," he observed, his eyes lighting up. The fusion of the Water Element Crystal and the Pure Water Green Lotus Platform was complete. From this point on, the lotus was no longer vulnerable to the destructive power of fire or gold.
With the foundational fusion complete, Elian moved on to the critical step of inscribing the life-bound array patterns.
Inscribing these patterns wasn't overly complicated but required precision as the patterns would become more intricate with the treasure's advancement. Elian successfully completed this step without much difficulty and then proceeded to refine the platform with five-element energies.
For this, he had prepared a substantial amount of wood and water spiritual energies, which he gradually infused into the lotus.
The process was labor-intensive. Despite his advanced cultivation, it still took him two months to refine the treasure from second-rank lower-grade to second-rank upper-grade.
When the platform was complete, Elian expelled a breath of Primordial Purple Qi onto it. The platform shone brightly, and though it did not reach third rank, its potential increased significantly, much like his Fiery Void Sword.
Examining the Pure Water Green Lotus Platform, Elian realized it could now store double his spiritual energy.
"If I could upgrade it to third-rank lower-grade, it might store triple my energy," he thought, his admiration for the treasure growing. With this treasure, his final weakness was addressed. Even in a battle against Purple Mansion cultivators, his energy reserves would no longer be a disadvantage.
Placing the Pure Water Green Lotus Platform into his dantian, Elian suppressed his excitement and emerged from his secluded cultivation.
"It's time to come out," he said to himself.
As he left the chamber, a small figure dashed toward him. Yaya, with red-rimmed eyes, clung to his hand, crying, "Uncle, I thought you'd abandoned me!"
"How could I?" Elian chuckled, patting her head. Only then did he realize he had been in seclusion for over three months.
In the meantime, Yaya had made significant progress, successfully breaking through to the Qi Refining stage.
"Not bad," Elian said with a smile, ruffling her hair.
"It seems you haven't slacked off while I was in seclusion."
Smiling warmly, he added, "Since you've worked so hard, I'll take you out for some fresh air today."
Taking the little girl out of the cave, Elian first visited Wei Xuyuan's cave and found that he was still in seclusion. Deciding to make the most of the outing, he continued wandering the market with Yaya.
"Uncle, I want candied hawthorns!" Yaya exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over as she tugged at his hand, jumping up and down with joy.
As they walked, a man in the distance narrowed his eyes at Yaya, a flicker of light flashing in his gaze. The man approached, calling out, "Daoist friend, stop."
"Hmm?" Elian turned to look at the man, his gaze turning cold as recognition dawned.
The speaker was Deng Yuanwu, a direct descendant of the Deng Immortal Clan. His eyes lingered on Yaya with a hint of greed, and he spoke arrogantly, "The girl beside you is quite lovely. I happen to be in need of a maidservant."
"If you're willing to sell her to me, I'll pay you 10,000 spirit stones."
"Uncle…" Yaya trembled, clutching Elian's arm and hiding behind him, her eyes pleading for his protection.
Elian patted her head reassuringly, then turned to Deng Yuanwu. His expression calm, he replied, "This girl is my niece. She is not for sale."
"Hmph!" Deng Yuanwu's gaze hardened as he sneered.
"Do you know who I am?"
"In Yan Kingdom, the Deng family is the heavens. If you wish to survive here, you'd best not defy me."
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D