txolops Chapter 432 Biyun Sect
Chapter 432 Biyun Sect
Chapter 432 Biyun Sect
Seeing the dark-faced, burly man's reaction, Luo Ming's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible light. His tone remained calm, but he stated a quantity that sent a chill down the spines of the five men: "The more the better. I am not refining ordinary magic treasures; the required quantity is—quite large. I wonder if any of you fellow Daoists have any spare? Or do you know where we can purchase them in large quantities? I am willing to exchange them for spirit stones that are one to two tenths higher than the market price, or other equivalent materials or pills."
Upon hearing this, the burly man with the dark face didn't mince words. After a moment's thought, he raised his hand and patted the storage bag at his waist. In a flash, five or six fist-sized crystals appeared in his palm. They were deep blue, with starlight seemingly flowing inside, and exuding a rich, condensed water-attribute spiritual energy. These were the "Sinking Sea Mystic Crystals".
"Fellow Daoist Luo, these are the only six pieces I have left." The burly man surnamed Gao held the Xuanjing in his hand, a hint of regret on his face.
"This was more than 20 years ago, when Gao's cultivation was still in the early stage of Core Formation. Relying on his boldness, he and a few friends ventured deep into the edge of the Black Fiend Sea Abyss and luckily found it in a crevice of a collapsed seabed rock layer."
Since then, the activity of demonic beasts has become increasingly frequent, especially in the deep sea region, where high-level demonic beasts are emerging one after another. Fewer and fewer fellow cultivators dare to venture deeper into the abyss, and the production of the Sea-Sinking Mystic Crystal has naturally become scarce. What's circulating in the market now is mostly old stock.
Luo Ming's gaze swept over the six Xuan Crystals. Their quality was acceptable, and their size was quite large, but the quantity—far from what he had expected. He was disappointed, but showed no sign of it, nodding: "The quality is good. Fellow Daoist Gao, please name your price. Alternatively, I have some pills and talismans here; see if you need anything."
After some simple bargaining, Luo Ming paid a sum of spirit stones in exchange for six crystals, enough to refine just one Xuan Shui Pearl. Even a small amount is better than nothing.
The transaction was completed, and the atmosphere seemed to become more harmonious. Just then, the black-robed young cultivator who had been silent all along and whose cultivation was at the early stage of Core Formation stepped forward, cupped his hands towards Luo Ming, and said, "Fellow Daoist Luo, if you really urgently need a large amount of Sea-Sinking Mystic Crystals, I know a place that you might be willing to try."
"Oh? Where?" Luo Ming looked at him, his gaze questioning.
The young man in black robes said, "From here, heading northeast for about a month, there is a sea area called the Crimson Coral Sea."
Deep in that sea lies a large island called Blood Crane Island. This island is now occupied by the Azure Cloud Sect, serving as an important stronghold and market town in the outer sea.
The Azure Cloud Sect is quite powerful, operating in the outer seas year-round and frequently trading with cultivators from various factions. Its market town is among the largest of the human strongholds in the outer seas. If you, fellow Daoist, were to try your luck there, perhaps—you could obtain a sufficient quantity of Sea-Sinking Mystic Crystals.”
"Azure Cloud Sect? Blood Crane Island?" A hint of surprise flashed in Luo Ming's eyes. Azure Cloud Sect—if he remembered correctly, the Supreme Elder of this sect seemed to be that Mysterious Crane Immortal.
Judging by the time, that old monster Miaohe should have already had his physical body destroyed, with only his Nascent Soul hiding. How can the Azure Cloud Sect still maintain a decent stronghold in the outer sea? It seems that even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, or perhaps there are other Nascent Soul cultivators supporting the sect?
"Thank you for your guidance, fellow Daoist." Luo Ming suppressed his thoughts, nodded his thanks to the black-robed youth, and then asked, "Does your possession have a detailed sea map leading to Blood Crane Island? I am willing to exchange it for spirit stones."
"Yes, there is, but—" The young man in black hesitated for a moment before taking out a slightly worn jade slip from his storage bag.
"This map was obtained several years ago. Now the situation in the outer seas is changing, and the range of monster activity is constantly changing. I can't guarantee whether it is completely accurate. Moreover, Blood Crane Island is hidden in a secluded location, and there is an illusion array around it. Without a specific guiding incantation or token, it is difficult for outsiders to find it."
However, the map marks the reception points of the Azure Cloud Sect on several nearby islands. When you arrive in that area, you can go to one of the reception points to inquire.
"It's alright, this map will guide you. Thank you." Luo Ming took the jade slip, examined it briefly, confirmed it was correct, and paid the reward as well.
More than a month later, deep in the Red Coral Sea.
A streak of azure light flew from the horizon and stopped above a sea area shrouded in a light red mist, revealing Luo Ming's figure. He held the jade slip with the sea chart in his hand, comparing it with the scattered islands below, and finally his gaze locked onto the outline of a huge island about a hundred miles ahead, completely shrouded in an even thicker, seemingly impenetrable gray-white mist.
"Blood Crane Island—this is it," Luo Ming muttered to himself.
He concealed most of his aura, suppressing his cultivation level to the late Core Formation stage—a level that was enough to attract attention without being too conspicuous.
Looking down at the dense fog array that almost completely obscured the entire island, Luo Ming's lips curled into a slight smile: "These days, the human forces in the outer seas are all following the same pattern. They either hide on the seabed or underground like 'Reef Island,' relying on both the natural environment and array formations for concealment."
Alternatively, they could act like the Azure Cloud Sect, directly concealing the entire island with a large illusion array, making it appear as chaos from the outside. As long as they don't actively provoke trouble or create too much noise to attract the attention of transformed demon cultivators, they could indeed maintain a secluded existence. Unfortunately, they are ultimately just barely surviving.
He flipped his hand and took out a blank communication talisman, placed it on his forehead, and recorded a few words with his divine sense. Then he flicked his finger. The communication talisman transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into the churning gray-white fog in front of him.
A few breaths later, a faint hum of the array's operation could be heard from within the thick fog. Immediately afterwards, a not-too-strong but sufficiently meticulous divine sense swept over, lingering on Luo Ming for a moment, focusing on probing his cultivation aura. After sensing the spiritual energy fluctuations of Luo Ming's "late-stage Core Formation" realm, the wariness contained in the divine sense seemed to lessen considerably.
"Whoosh—"
'
The thick fog ahead seemed to be parted by an invisible hand, revealing a circular passage about ten feet in diameter with swirling fog around its edges, leading straight into the interior of the island.
Luo Ming remained expressionless and stepped into the passage. The passage was about a hundred feet long, ending at a wide-open dock area.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator, dressed in a white robe embroidered with the Azure Cloud Sect's crest of clouds and cranes, was already waiting. Upon seeing Luo Ming emerge, he immediately stepped forward, a warm yet respectful smile on his face, and bowed deeply: "Junior Zhou Li, a steward of the Azure Cloud Sect, respectfully welcomes Senior to Blood Crane Island! As a Core Formation stage expert, Senior is exempt from any entrance fee according to the island's rules. Moreover—"
He paused, then his smile widened, his tone clearly inviting him to join.
"If you intend to stay and cultivate here long-term, our sect can provide you with a cave dwelling with excellent spiritual energy free of charge! You only need to lend a hand when you occasionally encounter external enemies on this island. What do you think, senior?"
"Oh? So generous?" Luo Ming raised an eyebrow, understanding dawning on him.
It seems that the Biyun Sect is eager to recruit high-level cultivators to bolster its strength in order to cope with the current perilous situation in the outer seas. Offering cave dwellings for free may seem like a significant financial loss, but it is actually a potential source of assistance when the alliance is formed.
This is a far cry from the days when cave dwellings on Qiyuan Island were incredibly expensive and hard to come by. But thinking about it, it makes sense. Back then, Qiyuan Island was a stable trading center, while now that Blood Crane Island is on the verge of collapse, it naturally has to lower its standards.
"We can discuss the matter of the cave dwelling later. The main reason I came here is to check out the market on your island and purchase some necessary items." Luo Ming's tone was calm, neither agreeing nor refusing.
"Yes, yes, senior, please follow me. The market is over there, and all kinds of resources are quite complete." Zhou Li quickly stepped aside to lead the way, while presenting a token that was neither gold nor wood and was engraved with cloud and crane patterns.
"This is a temporary identity token for this island. With it, you can travel freely in most areas of the island and enjoy some discounts in the market. Please keep it safe, senior."
Luo Ming took the token and casually hung it on his waist. Guided by Zhou Li, he headed towards the depths of the island, towards a relatively bustling market area where the outlines of buildings were faintly visible.
Not long after Luo Ming left the dock and disappeared into the streets, Zhou Li, the Foundation Establishment steward who had received Luo Ming, quickly lost his warm smile, which was replaced by a hint of tension and solemnity.
He looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, quickly took out another specially made light red communication talisman from his sleeve, stuck it to his forehead, moved his lips slightly, recorded a few words with his divine sense, and then rubbed his fingers together. The communication talisman turned into a barely perceptible red light and disappeared into the center of the island.
In a short while, the transmission talisman passed through layers of buildings and restrictions and arrived at the center of Blood Crane Island. Deep inside a palace with an ancient exterior but a luxurious and exquisite interior, there was a dimly lit room with closed doors and windows.
Behind the rosewood table in the center of the room sat a young cultivator dressed in magnificent feather robes, with a handsome face but also exuding a somewhat effeminate and sinister aura. His cultivation had reached the peak of the late Core Formation stage. He was toying with a blood-red jade pendant, his eyes flickering uncertainly.
A pale red communication talisman flew in, which he grabbed and his consciousness entered.
A few breaths later, the young cultivator suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint like that of a hawk flashing in them, and an excited and ruthless expression on his face.
"Another late-stage Core Formation cultivator? Judging from the description, he doesn't seem very old—" he muttered to himself.
"His cultivation level is barely enough, but I don't know—whether his spiritual root aptitude and physical strength meet Master's requirements—"
He abruptly stood up, paced around the room a couple of times, and after a moment, the effeminate air on his face vanished, replaced by a cold, resolute expression. He walked to a bookshelf on one side of the room and activated a hidden mechanism.
With a soft "click," the bookshelf silently slid open to the side, revealing a stone staircase extending downwards behind it, exuding a chilling aura. Without hesitation, the young man in feathered robes strode forward.
The stone steps wound downwards, deep into the mountainside. The further down one went, the stronger the chilling, bloody stench in the air became, mixed with an eerie fluctuation of soul power that unsettled the mind.
A moment later, he arrived at the door of a secret chamber located dozens of feet underground. The stone door of the chamber was tightly closed, and its surface was engraved with countless intricate, twisted, and slightly writhing blood-red runes, emanating a strong yin aura.