Chapter 209: Chapter 149: White Bone Ridge

At the exchange meeting, everyone began by sharing their cultivation experiences.

Their sharing revealed the distinct characteristics of the two Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Xuu Yang, who had faced life and death for years, shared cultivation experiences that were incisive and sharp, often hitting the nail on the head when answering questions. In contrast, Dongfang Ling, a famous figure in Foundation Establishment circles, spoke of principles that were subtle and nourishing, like a gentle rain. His insights were clearly born from his own daily ponderings and were extremely detailed.

The insights shared by the two gave Lü Zhong a great deal of inspiration.

Many things he previously couldn’t comprehend suddenly became clear to him.

After a while, the group gradually shifted to casual conversation.

After all, these exchanges happened several times a year, so there wasn’t always a wealth of new experiences to share. Furthermore, cultivators intentionally held back some of their secrets. As a result, Lü Zhong had only been listening for less than half an ancient hour when the experience-sharing portion concluded.

He found it a great pity.

He quickly perked up, however. The next segment of the event was also promising.

The "exchange" in the name of the meeting wasn’t just about experiences; it was also about trading what one had for what one needed. At this point, the attendees would present their valuable items. Whether they truly wanted to trade for something or were just showing off, it was always a relatively interesting part of the event.

After a moment’s thought, Lü Zhong took out a dozen Flying Talismans.

Although these talismans were slow-moving items in his Talisman Shop, that didn’t mean Flying Talismans weren’t rare. He estimated that aside from the city’s Great Commerce Associations, very few Independent Cultivator Talisman Makers knew how to create them. Otherwise, his shop wouldn’t have been able to attract customers as soon as it opened.

Sure enough, the dozen Flying Talismans drew many eyes.

Tier Two Flying Talismans might not be of much use to Foundation Establishment Cultivators who could already fly, but for the junior disciples in their families, they were a crucial means of survival.

In a critical moment, having such a talisman would greatly increase their chances of survival.

"Fellow cultivator, I have two True Rhythm Pills here. Would you be willing to trade for four talismans?" A white-haired, white-bearded old man came forward and asked, cupping his hands in respect.

"No problem!" Lü Zhong said with a smile, though inwardly he was overjoyed.

The True Rhythm Pill was a Pill suitable for cultivators in the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment. While its effect on increasing one’s cultivation was slightly weaker than other Pills of the same tier, its benefit was that it produced less accumulated Pill Poison, and the Spiritual Qi it contained was much purer.

All in all, it was a rather good Pill.

In truth, his main purpose wasn’t to sell talismans. He was only here to promote his shop.

He figured that by attending more of these gatherings, business at his shop would pick up more quickly.

A dozen talismans, only twelve in total, were quickly traded away by the cultivators present. In return, Lü Zhong received several different kinds of Pills. Although he only got one or two of each, it would be enough to sustain his cultivation for a while.

Soon, the exchange meeting drew to a close.

Lü Zhong scanned the crowd and quickly spotted Xu Tianqing. He hadn’t forgotten his other purpose for coming: to convince Xu Tianqing to entrust him with the Array Formation commission.

After all, setting up a Tier Two Array would earn him at least three to four hundred Spirit Stones, which was slightly more profitable than Talisman Making.

Perhaps because Lü Zhong had successfully integrated into their circle, Xu Tianqing readily agreed.

The two agreed on the details and quickly signed a Spirit Contract.

According to the agreement, Lü Zhong was to travel to Xiliu Manor outside the city and set up a Tier Two Thick Earth Flowing Sand Array there. He had to complete the task within one month to receive his payment.

Over the next month, he rushed all over, taking on several Array Formation commissions.

All told, his income amounted to 1,100 Spirit Stones.

Combined with his income from Talisman Making in his spare time, his monthly earnings were nearly 3,000 Spirit Stones. After deducting all his expenses, he could save at least a thousand Spirit Stones.

Lü Zhong did the math carefully. ’This way, I can actually save up some Spirit Stones,’ he realized.

Moreover, as time went on and business at the Talisman Shop improved, his monthly surplus of Spirit Stones would grow even larger. Saving enough to buy a Spiritual Object to aid in Core Formation would finally become a real possibility.

...

Time flows differently in cultivation; in the blink of an eye, nearly half a year had passed.

Thanks entirely to the popularity of the Flying Talismans, business at the Talisman Shop finally began to pick up. It was still far from meeting Lü Zhong’s expectations, but it was a small achievement nonetheless.

On this day, Lü Zhong set out early, well before dawn.

Thanks to his successful integration into the Foundation Establishment circle, he had learned a useful piece of information a few days prior.

He had learned that there was a place called White Bone Ridge, located over three hundred miles south of the city. It had once been the lair of a Nascent Soul Old Demon. After the Lingyue Sect rose to prominence, a great battle had taken place there. The Old Demon was slain on the spot by Ancestor Lingyue, and ever since, White Bone Ridge had become a place for adventurers to explore.

Lü Zhong’s purpose in going there was to collect the Nether Bone Fire found within.

Nether Bone Fire was a type of Yin Fire that could be used as fuel for his Spirit Forging Fire, serving to strengthen the flame. He hoped to use it to enhance the Spirit Forging Fire’s ability to purify his True Essence. After breaking through to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, the fire’s effect had weakened considerably, simply because its grade was no longer high enough.

Spirit Fires also had grades. The Nether Bone Fire was Tier One Lower Grade. Because Lü Zhong’s Spirit Forging Fire was condensed from Golden Sun Insect Fire, it was only at the Tier One Middle Grade level. He estimated that he would need to raise it to Tier One High-grade for it to have a noticeable effect again.

Piloting his Wood Spirit Wind-controlling Ship, he traveled for over two ancient hours and finally arrived at White Bone Ridge.

From a distance, the mountain range, which spanned over thirty miles, was a ghastly white. Ominous clouds hung in the sky, so thick that not even the sunlight could disperse them.

Upon entering, he was met with gusts of dark wind that sent sand and stones flying everywhere.

From time to time, shadowy figures flickered past—ghostly creatures that coveted the Essence Qi of cultivators. They were hiding among the dry bones, their gazes filled with insatiable greed and malice.