Witnessing the surprise on the faces of Xiao Yan and his companions, Elder Pharmacist smiled, then waved his hand and said, “Enter.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan and his companions nodded and with a shift in their figures, they climbed up the steep sand dune. In a few flashes, they appeared before the spatial black hole. As they arrived, more and more figures could be seen flitting around the vicinity, their gazes landing on Xiao Yan’s group. Finally, many of them cast extra glances toward Cai Lin and Little Healer Immortal. However, those who could reach this place were not fools and understood that only certain individuals had the qualification to enter here. Therefore, very rarely would there be anyone foolish enough to provoke others.
Elder Pharmacist paid no heed to the gazes from the others. He stepped into the void and directly walked into the spatial black hole. Behind him, Xiao Yan and the two quickly followed. The instant they entered the black hole, the trio distinctly felt a strange force sweeping over them. This force, however, held no malice but rather seemed to be a form of scanning…
Entering the black hole, the world went dark for a moment for Xiao Yan and his companions. In the next instant, light and noise erupted. Squinting slightly, they found themselves in a space transformed into a small town. The town was not large, but gazing at its sky, a gray, hazy color prevailed, from which violent spatial fluctuations occasionally emerged.
“This is the Spatial Town, the venue for the Spatial Trade Fair. Although it’s not as vast as the ancient realms, it is already ample for trading purposes,” Elder Pharmacist remarked with a smile, looking at the bustling streets.
Xiao Yan and his companions nodded. Creating a unique space for trading was quite impressive, even though the space was not large, it was still not something any ordinary person could create.
“Take a look around first. There are hardly any inferior goods here; everything is of high quality,” Elder Pharmacist smiled and led the way down one of the streets. Xiao Yan and the others followed curiously, their eyes roving over the stalls.
On both sides of the street, stone platforms displayed scrolls, jade objects, potions, and even weapons and magic cores. Faint glows emanated from these items, indicating their extraordinary nature. Behind each platform, a person sat cross-legged, exuding formidable and enduring energy, clearly suggesting they were not to be trifled with.
“Earth Demon Leg, high-level Earth-class combat skill.”
“Great Mystery Decree, high-level Earth-class martial art…”
“Shape-Transformation Pill, high-level seventh-grade medicinal pill…”
“Ten Thousand-Year Blood Spirit Ginseng…”
As Xiao Yan’s gaze roamed, a dazzling array of items caught his eye. Some were so rare that even Xiao Yan felt a surge of excitement. The beautiful eyes of Cai Lin and Little Healer Immortal sparkled with fascination.
“Ground Spirit Sap, a material for refining medicinal pills that can attract six-colored lightning.”
Xiao Yan’s eyes swept over the materials radiating astonishing energy, and he couldn’t help but suck in a breath. He hadn’t expected such items to be available here.
The street was not long, merely a few hundred meters. When Xiao Yan reached the end, he was somewhat reluctant to tear his gaze away, still in awe of the multitude of items that had caught his attention. However, despite his interest, most of the items did not offer much practical use to him. After a brief inquiry, he decided against exchanging any of them, as these sly, old vendors always offered goods of equal value.
Sighing in slight regret, Xiao Yan was about to pull Cai Lin deeper into the town when he noticed her footsteps abruptly halt. Curious, he followed her gaze and saw a small, seven-colored stone. About half the size of a fist, it had seven exceptionally clear patterns on its surface, and a peculiar energy seemed to emanate from it.
“Seven-Colored Original Stone?” Xiao Yan’s brow twitched. Recognizing the item, he thought, “These are unusual stones, closely related to Seven-Colored Heavenly Devouring Serpents. Legend has it that they only appear where a Seven-Colored Heavenly Devouring Serpent dies. Such a stone, if infused with the serpent’s blood, produces a unique energy—no wonder Cai Lin stopped.”
Xiao Yan approached the stone, glancing at an elderly man with a withered face who was sitting listlessly behind the platform. The old man didn’t greet them despite their presence.
“Sir, how do I exchange for the Seven-Colored Original Stone?” Xiao Yan asked, smiling lightly.
The withered elder lifted his eyes slowly and replied, “Two eighth-grade elixirs, each inducing at least three-colored lightning.”
“Isn’t that a bit too steep?” Xiao Yan rubbed the Seven-Colored Original Stone. While it was rare, its value wasn’t infinite, particularly since it was only useful to the Seven-Colored Heavenly Devouring Serpents.
Elder Pharmacist stood aside with his arms crossed, observing the negotiation without interruption.
“If it’s too expensive, don’t buy it,” the elder replied curtly, showing no courtesy.
Xiao Yan rolled his eyes but maintained his composure. His years of experience had taught him patience.
As Xiao Yan was about to continue negotiating, Cai Lin suddenly grabbed his hand. Her cool, slender fingers gently wrote a word on his palm: “Buy!”
Xiao Yan was taken aback. He knew Cai Lin was no fool. While the Seven-Colored Original Stone was valuable, it wasn’t irreplaceable for her. Yet, she insisted, and even signaled discreetly, making it worth considering.
Despite receiving Cai Lin’s signal, Xiao Yan continued to negotiate with the elder. When the elder grew impatient, Xiao Yan tossed over a jade bottle and grabbed the Seven-Colored Original Stone, then promptly left with Cai Lin.
The withered elder was surprised by Xiao Yan’s sudden decisiveness. He inspected the jade bottle, feeling a bit shocked. Moments later, he frowned as he watched Xiao Yan’s retreating figure, sensing something was off.
“D*mn it, did I misjudge that item? But it clearly was a Seven-Colored Original Stone… What’s going on?”
After leaving, Xiao Yan and his companions disappeared from the elder’s sight. Turning a corner, Xiao Yan stopped and handed the stone to Cai Lin, asking, “Is there something special about this?”
Elder Pharmacist and Little Healer Immortal were also surprised, examining the stone without finding anything unusual.
Cai Lin took the stone, a smile appearing on her cold, beautiful face. “Most people only know that Seven-Colored Original Stones are found where Seven-Colored Heavenly Devouring Serpents die. But if over a hundred serpents die together, there’s a chance to find an Eight-Colored or even Nine-Colored Original Stone. However, the chance of over a hundred dying in the same place is almost impossible. So, while people know of Seven-Colored Original Stones, they don’t know of the Eight-Colored or Nine-Colored ones…”
“True peak Seven-Colored Heavenly Devouring Serpents are called Nine-Colored Heavenly Devouring Serpents. Only the most potent ancestor seems to have achieved this level, passed down through their bloodline. Ordinary people, including you, are unaware of this.”
Hearing Cai Lin’s words, Xiao Yan and Elder Pharmacist were dumbfounded, having never heard of this secret before.
“No wonder only you recognized it,” Xiao Yan said with a wry smile. “So, is this an Eight-Colored or Nine-Colored Original Stone?”
Cai Lin pricked her finger, letting a drop of blood fall on the stone. Astonishingly, after the seventh color pattern, another color gradually appeared…
“To determine the number of colors, one must use the blood of a Seven-Colored Heavenly Devouring Serpent…” she explained.
“An Eight-Colored Original Stone…”
Though disappointed, Xiao Yan acknowledged the value. An Eight-Colored Original Stone, if used well, could significantly enhance Cai Lin’s strength. After all, the energy difference between an Eight-Colored and a Seven-Colored Stone was immense.
“Ha, if that old man knew, he’d probably spit blood,” Elder Pharmacist laughed, pleased with the success of their first transaction. “Let’s go see the real treasures. We’ll find what we need there.”
With a wave, Elder Pharmacist led the way. Xiao Yan and Little Healer Immortal followed swiftly. Cai Lin, running her fingers over the Eight-Colored Original Stone, placed it in her storage ring. Unnoticed, a thin, faint line appeared after the eighth color.
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