“What will you offer in exchange?” The immortal medicine sneered, its tone dripping with disdain, clearly unimpressed by Shi Hao’s potential offerings.
“Would they want a leaf from the Longevity Tree?” Shi Hao asked.
The old medicine immediately bristled. “Dare you target me? I’ll fight you to the death!”
“Don’t think you’re the only one with immortal medicine leaves. I have some too,” Shi Hao replied calmly.
“You… have them too?” The old medicine was stunned.
Shi Hao opened his palm, revealing a single leaf—glistening, brimming with vitality, exuding a fragrance that soothed the soul.
“I… want to kill you!” If the old medicine had a face, it would have turned pitch-black, for that leaf was unmistakably its own, previously taken by Shi Hao.
It was precisely because of this leaf that Shi Hao had been able to track its aura all the way here.
“Brother Dao, have you found anything to your liking?” San Zang approached and inquired.
“Still looking!” Shi Hao ceased his exchange with the immortal medicine. Today had been an extraordinary journey—venturing into the underground world and mingling with the Burial Clansmen.
“What among my possessions could be traded for these items?” Shi Hao asked the Longevity Tree, silently projecting images of various artifacts through divine sense.
“These are mere magical tools, far inferior to their burial artifacts. The difference in power is immense,” the old medicine remarked.
This shocked Shi Hao. He had just projected several weapons and artifacts, yet the immortal medicine dismissed them outright. Were the Burial Clansmen’s weapons truly so superior to the tools of the surface world?
Some things Shi Hao would never reveal, lest he expose himself—such as the Great Luo Sword Embryo.
But he did wish to trade for something. What could he offer?
Soon, an idea struck him. He retrieved a handful of multicolored sand grains, each radiant and shimmering with auspicious light. He was certain that even if exposed, these would raise no suspicion.
This was the Soil of All Things!
Back in the Divine Medicine Mountain Range, even the female Burial Clansmen had coveted it, their eyes gleaming with desire.
“Give me… that!” If the old medicine had eyes, they would have turned blood-red.
The so-called Soil of All Things, as the female Burial Clansmen had once said, was one of the rarest burial soils, born in the Burial Domain. Ordinary people could only dream of seeing it, let alone obtaining it!
“Can this be traded?” Shi Hao asked.
“Of course! This belongs to the Burial Kings!” the old medicine replied. For a plant like it, rooting in the Soil of All Things would accelerate growth, offering immense benefits.
Shi Hao was astonished to realize that the Soil of All Things was even more valuable than he had imagined. A mere handful could be exchanged for that clump of dried blood!
“You’ve struck gold. Though this blood has lost its spiritual essence, it has unique properties. The vendor here is inexperienced—seeing soil exclusive to the Burial Kings drove him to madness, willing to trade anything,” the old medicine commented.
In its view, the blackened blood was far more valuable than the handful of burial soil—a rare burial treasure!
To the immortal medicine, even the Golden Burial Clansmen had failed to recognize the true worth of the black blood. Shi Hao had stumbled upon incredible luck.
Nearby, when the Burial Clansmen saw Shi Hao produce the Soil of All Things, some showed surprise, while those who had harbored doubts were now convinced.
How could an outsider possess such a thing? Only a Burial King could claim it!
To them, Shi Hao was undoubtedly a Golden Burial Clansman, hailing from a lineage of Burial Kings—his status terrifyingly lofty, on par with San Zang and Shen Ming.
From their expressions, Shi Hao understood that the Burial Clansmen had dismissed their final suspicions.
“This stone is decent. If you plan to enter the Burial Abyss, it’ll prove useful,” the old medicine advised Shi Hao.
Among the wares on the stall lay an unremarkable stone, half-buried under miscellaneous items. It was yellowish-brown, seemingly ordinary, save for its many markings. Upon closer inspection, the patterns resembled ghostly faces—five in total.
“What’s its value?” Shi Hao truly couldn’t discern anything special about it.
At least the clump of blood had some significance, possibly shed by an unparalleled figure. But this stone? Aside from the ghostly markings, what else did it offer?
Shi Hao picked it up, sensing it carefully, yet found nothing extraordinary.
“Those not born in the Burial Domain wouldn’t understand. This is a Burial Stone, imbued with peculiar power—recognized by all Burial Clansmen. A five-faced Burial Stone is decent, but far from a burial treasure,” the immortal medicine explained.
“Then why suggest I trade for it? Do you think I have an endless supply of Soil of All Things?” Shi Hao grumbled.
In truth, he had a fair amount of the soil—losing a few handfuls wouldn’t hurt.
“To the untrained eye, this is a five-faced Burial Stone. But in reality, it bears nine ghostly faces—undoubtedly a burial treasure, priceless!” the immortal medicine warned.
Shi Hao felt dizzy. What was this nonsense about ghost-faced Burial Stones? He had no idea of their use, let alone why the number of faces mattered.
He turned the stone over in his hands, scrutinizing it, yet found no trace of its supposed magnificence.
“This is considered a rare treasure?” He was deeply skeptical. Would the old medicine truly help him find treasures out of kindness?
“I fear that without proper burial artifacts in the Burial Abyss, your identity might be exposed. Now, with two burial treasures, you’ll command enough respect to deter others,” the immortal medicine said.
“Hmm, Brother Huang, may I take a look at that Burial Stone?” Shen Ming approached just then, her watery eyes blinking, her fiery red hair swaying, exuding an enchanting allure.
“Hurry! Give the vendor some Soil of All Things and secure it. The woman’s accompanying immortal medicine has also seen through its true nature!” the old medicine urged.
Shi Hao’s heart stirred. Indeed, beside Shen Ming hovered a purple immortal medicine, wreathed in mist like a meditating sage, encircled by nine halos—radiant and divine.
With a smile, Shi Hao handed the vendor some Soil of All Things, finalizing the trade before passing the stone to Shen Ming.
Shen Ming’s eyes narrowed briefly, a flash of brilliance concealed within. She sighed. “It seems Brother Dao’s fortune is immense. A legendary nine-faced Burial Stone, appearing here of all places. How careless of me to let it slip by.”
Her candid admission of missing such a rare treasure confirmed the old medicine’s words, startling Shi Hao.
“What? A nine-faced Burial Stone has appeared?” Others exclaimed in shock. Even the Golden Burial Clansmen were stirred, crowding around to examine it.
Shi Hao maintained a composed smile, though his mind swirled with confusion. What was the purpose of this stone?
He mused that, at worst, he could feed it to the God-Slaying Stone later.
“Let’s proceed to the Burial Abyss,” San Zang suggested.
“Yes, it’s time to depart,” Shen Ming agreed.
“Are there no other treasures here?” Shi Hao asked the immortal medicine privately.
“That rotten coffin plank isn’t bad either,” the old medicine replied.
“That… let’s pass,” Shi Hao said, repulsed.
The group set off, though some remained in the market, uninterested in venturing further.
Indeed, the Burial Abyss was not far—barely five hundred li away, a trivial distance for cultivators of their caliber.
A passage led directly there, and soon they arrived.
Though underground, the space ahead was vast. Beyond a black abyss, chaotic mists shrouded the expanse, as if they stood at the world’s end.
Before them loomed an enormous dark chasm, its presence suffocating, as if it sought to pull souls from their bodies and draw them into its depths.
“It’s about to open. Be cautious—the burial artifacts spewing forth will be terrifying!” San Zang warned.
The group halted, observing carefully.
“How do you plan to enter the Burial Abyss? What’s your reliance?” Shi Hao asked the Longevity Tree privately. After all, immortal medicines lacked combat prowess—how could it survive such a perilous place?
Instinct told him this ancient site held unfathomable origins, its depths unimaginably dreadful.
“Immortal medicines nurture the Wheel of Longevity. But never mind—you wouldn’t understand anyway!” It actually sounded disdainful.
Shi Hao was speechless. Today, this plant had repeatedly belittled him. Gnashing his teeth, he muttered, “I’m considering whether to steam or boil you later.”
“You… dare target me?” The old medicine bristled.
“Ah, right. You should hand over that rotten wooden box. If you’re descending into the abyss, losing it would be unfortunate.” With that, Shi Hao smoothly—and firmly—took the box from it.
The old medicine seethed, itching to resist. But lacking the strength to oppose him, and with their cooperation at stake, causing a scene would only expose them.
“You won’t understand that box’s purpose. Only I can utilize it!” it protested weakly.
“We’ll study it together after you return from the abyss,” Shi Hao said flatly, refusing outright. The box was his ultimate goal—now finally in his grasp.
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