Chapter 195 - 178: More Than a Year’s Cultivation Achievements, the Trade Assembly Begins
Chapter 195: Chapter 178: More Than a Year’s Cultivation Achievements, the Trade Assembly Begins
「More than a year later.」
Deep within his cave residence, Lu Zhao looked at the Golden Feather Bird crouching obediently before him, the corners of his mouth finally curving into a satisfied smile.
This once proud and untamable Spiritual Bird, after more than a year of his carrot-and-stick approach—including the constant temptation of Metal Spiritual Materials and the deterrence of the Beast Taming Token—had finally been completely subdued. The ferocity in its eyes was gone, replaced only by a docile sheen.
At this moment, the Golden Feather Bird’s plumage was no longer the dull color of over a year ago. Instead, it shimmered with a pure, dazzling gold, as if every single feather had been cast from molten Greater Yang Gold Essence. It was even more magnificent and eye-catching than when it was with Li Xuerou, casting flowing golden shadows in the dim Quiet Chamber of the cave residence.
This astonishing transformation was, of course, the result of Lu Zhao’s tireless efforts over the past year. Lu Zhao had fed it all the metal scraps, rich with pure Metal Qi, that he had discarded after countless failed attempts at Puppet Refining.
Nourished by a large amount of pure metal essence, it had taken a huge, steady step towards adulthood, and its aura had also grown subtly more condensed and powerful.
However, over the past year, Lu Zhao’s greatest gain was not the increasingly mystical Golden Feather Bird, but his own dual advancement in Puppetry and Magic.
In terms of Puppetry, thanks to the profound techniques inherited from the Puppet Bead and countless hours of tireless practice, his success rate in refining the Earth Vein Spirit Puppet had stabilized at around forty percent.
This should have been an achievement worth celebrating. However, a piece of news left Lu Zhao less than pleased. Master Lin of the Spirit Puppet Tower had passed along a discouraging message through Zhao Xiaoshu: the number of Earth Vein Spirit Puppets backlogged in the Warehouse was already considerable. At the Marketplace’s current sales rate, it would likely take nearly ten years to sell them all, and they simply couldn’t accept a new batch.
This news was like a bucket of cold water, dousing Lu Zhao’s enthusiasm for further refining this puppet until only a wisp of smoke remained. He had no choice but to temporarily halt his work on it.
As for the Red Fire Spirit Bird Puppet, Lu Zhao’s supply of the two key Fire Attribute materials required for its refining was extremely limited—not enough to hone his success rate to a satisfactory level. Even if he managed to force the creation of one, it would be of little significance. He could only ask Zhao Xiaoshu to continue gathering the materials and shelve the refining of this puppet for the time being.
By contrast, his progress in Magic cultivation was far more exciting.
Half a year ago, after cultivating the *Hundred Waters Spirit Enhancement Skill* to the Great Success Realm, he began attempting to fuse it with the *Thousand Overlapping Waves Skill*, which he had already mastered to Great Success long before. Supported by Lu Zhao’s powerful Divine Sense—far surpassing that of his peers—and his profound reserves of Magical Power, the fusion process was arduous and consumed a tremendous amount of his Heart Spirit. Nevertheless, on a certain night when inspiration struck, the fusion succeeded as naturally as a river finding its course.
In the end, he successfully mastered a brand-new, powerful composite Magic, its might far exceeding the simple superposition of the two individual spells—the *Thousand Waters Hundred Spirits Skill*!
As soon as he reached the Entry Level with this skill, it already displayed astonishing potential. Lu Zhao had tested it privately in a hidden valley; the transformations of the Magic’s form were complex and agile, reaching a state of myriad changes.
What excited him even more was that a full-power strike from it could faintly rival the all-out attack of a Puppet Battle Formation composed of Tier Two Strong Demon Ape Corpse Puppets! This would undoubtedly become one of the powerful trump cards in his hand.
In addition to this Magic, he had also refined his life-saving Escape Technique, the *Blood Shadow Escape*, to the 2nd Layer. The moment he activated the Magic by channeling his Essence Blood, a crimson shadow would flash, leaving only the faint scent of blood in its place. A single use was enough to escape nearly three hundred zhang!
This distance already exceeded the maximum Divine Sense range of many Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, greatly enhancing his chances of survival in dangerous situations.
The only thing that left Lu Zhao with a slight sense of regret was that profound Escape Technique combining Concealment and extreme speed, the *Thousand Waters Spirit Transformation Escape*. He was still just one step away from breaking through to the 2nd Layer.
However, Lu Zhao could clearly feel that invisible bottleneck loosening and dissolving under his daily efforts. Based on his current cultivation progress, he was confident that within a year, the breakthrough to the 2nd Layer would occur naturally. When that happened, his travel speed would become even faster.
As for his Cultivation, he had formed two more drops of Magical Power True Liquid in the past year. Lu Zhao now had a total of fourteen drops of Liquid Magical Power in his Qi Sea. This cultivation speed was certainly not fast, but it was a speed he had only achieved by consuming one Pill every month.
After more than a year of Cultivation, Magic practice, and Puppet Refining, Lu Zhao didn’t plan to remain in his cave residence any longer. The Sect’s Trade Assembly for Foundation Establishment Cultivators was about to begin, and he had to set out immediately.
After leaving his cave residence, Lu Zhao used the *Thousand Waters Spirit Transformation Escape* and headed straight for the Outer Mountain’s General Affairs Hall area. An announcement for this Trade Assembly had already been posted, stating it was being handled by the General Affairs Hall.
Arriving at the venue for the assembly, he saw from a distance a vast, ancient-style hall. On the massive plaque hanging above the entrance, two words were carved in vigorous Ancient Seal script: "Treasure Pavilion."
A faint Spirit Light Restriction enveloped the hall, isolating it from the clamor outside. This was the venue for the Trade Assembly.
Outside the hall’s entrance, two Outer Sect Stewards in uniform Profound Daoist Robes stood as still as iron towers. Their auras were as steady as an abyss, their gazes as sharp as a falcon’s, silently scanning everyone who approached.
Lu Zhao retracted his Escape Light and calmly walked forward, presenting his Inner Sect Steward Token. The two Outer Sect Stewards’ gazes swept over it, and the stern looks on their faces were instantly replaced by reverence. They bowed in unison, their voices loud yet humble, "Disciple pays respects to Martial Uncle!" Then, they simultaneously stepped aside to clear the path.
Stepping into the hall, a unique fragrance mixed with High-Grade sandalwood washed over him, and the clamor of voices immediately flooded his ears.
The space inside the hall was exceptionally vast, with a dozen enormous stone pillars supporting a high dome. The dome itself seemed to be inlaid with countless fine particles of Star Sand, emitting a soft, steady silver glow, like a miniature Star River suspended upside down.
The floor was paved with massive stone slabs as smooth and polished as black jade, so reflective that they mirrored the figures walking across them.
In the very center was a circular White Jade Platform, lustrous and radiant, raised about a chi from the floor. It was clearly the place for displaying treasures. Surrounding the Jade Platform in a large ring were several hundred wide chairs crafted from hundred-year-old Spirit Wood that gave off a faint, clean fragrance. Nearly half of them were already occupied.
Lu Zhao’s gaze was like lightning as he swept it impassively across the entire hall, his heart tensing slightly. There were about one hundred and fifty people here. The vast majority were wearing the Profound Daoist Robes of the Bixia Sect’s Inner Sect Disciples or Inner Sect Stewards. Each one had a composed demeanor and restrained Magical Power. The weakest Cultivation among them was Early-stage Foundation Establishment, and there were quite a few Mid-stage and Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators as well. Several powerful streams of Divine Sense were faintly interweaving throughout the hall.
Another thirty to forty people were dressed differently, some in luxurious brocade, others in simple hemp robes. They were clearly from the various Cultivation Clans affiliated with the Bixia Sect. Without exception, their auras were all at the Foundation Establishment Stage, revealing the profound heritage of regional powers.
The entire hall was filled with an invisible pressure as heavy as a mountain, a natural result of the intermingling auras of so many Foundation Establishment Cultivators. It made one’s breathing slow down involuntarily.
Lu Zhao didn’t know most of the people in the hall. He had only met a handful of them on passing occasions at the General Affairs Hall or in other unremarkable settings, and they were merely nodding acquaintances.
However, his gaze soon caught two familiar figures in the crowd. One was Chen Chumo, who had guided him through the ancestor-worshiping ceremony. He was currently speaking in low tones with several fellow sect members who had composed auras, his expression quite focused.
The other was Zhou Xianlu, the one who had informed him about this Trade Assembly. He was surrounded by several people who looked like representatives from Cultivation Clans, dressed in fine robes and chatting cheerfully.
Seeing this, Lu Zhao had no intention of going over to chat. His eyes scanned the hall for a moment before he found a secluded corner near a pillar at the edge, where there were relatively few people. He sat down quietly, retracting his aura to its absolute minimum and melting into the hall’s shadows.
Time slowly passed amidst the swirling aroma of Spirit Tea and the low murmur of discussions. Dozens more Cultivators entered the hall, either alone or in groups, and found empty seats. The sense of pressure within the hall grew even heavier.
About an hour later, the heavy doors of the hall slowly swung shut with the low groan of turning hinges, blocking out the last sliver of outside light. The Trade Assembly had officially begun.
At this moment, an elderly man with a gaunt face and a calm yet wise gaze walked unhurriedly onto the central Jade Platform.
He did not deliberately release any pressure, but the air of someone long accustomed to a high position and important responsibilities naturally emanated from him. His calm gaze swept across the entire hall.
"Fellow sect members, fellow Daoists from the clans," the old man’s voice was not loud, but it was as clear as a spring washing over stones, reaching everyone’s ears. "I am Weii Qingping, humbly serving as the Chief Steward of the General Affairs Hall’s Logistics Bureau. I shall be hosting this Trade Assembly for our Foundation Establishment Companions."
He paused briefly, his gentle yet incredibly clear voice echoing in the vast hall. "The old rules apply: barter for goods or trade for specific needs. It is a free trade. The highest bidder wins, or both parties can negotiate an agreement."
"I only hope that everyone will uphold the camaraderie of our sect and the pact of righteousness, abide by the rules of this place, and not cause any trouble." After concisely reiterating the rules, he gave a gentle smile. "In that case, allow me to start things off."
As he spoke, he flipped his palm, and an exquisite Cold Jade Box, about a chi long and constantly emitting wisps of Cold Qi, appeared in his hand. The moment he lifted the lid, a rich and pure Wood Attribute Spirit Mechanism and a cool aura spread out, overpowering the various mixed scents in the hall.
A Spirit Grass, entirely a deep and mysterious purple, lay quietly inside the box. Its leaves were shaped like sharp swords, and a faint, shimmering Spiritual Qi seemed to flow through its veins. The fresh, herbal fragrance was refreshing to the soul.
"A stalk of Tier Two Middle-Grade Spirit Grass, ’Purple Wood Sword Heart Grass’," Weii Qingping introduced calmly. "This grass grows in the heart-pith of thousand-year-old ancient trees and is an indispensable Main Material for refining the ’Purple Wood Spirit Pill’. This Pill is quite beneficial for Cultivators with a Wood Attribute Technique to advance their Cultivation and solidify their Magical Power Origin."
After saying this, he paused, looking to see if anyone in the audience was interested.