"A trade?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuan was slightly surprised.

The Old Ape didn’t let Gu Yuan wait long, as he reached into his abdomen and produced a crimson Jade Scroll.

"I am aware that the Daoist School possesses countless secret techniques and divine methods, but this Jade Scroll of mine is no ordinary object; it is a High-grade Sword Seal!"

"How about I trade this Sword Seal with you?"

The Old Ape pointed to the Jade Scroll and said to Gu Yuan in a solemn tone.

A Sword Seal?!

Gu Yuan’s interest was piqued immediately.

Among the world’s various Dharma Seals, there are countless miraculous ones, but the Sword Seal is universally recognized as the Seal of Slaughter, possessing formidable power and incredible speed. The most famous Dharma Seal of the Cyan Peak Daoist School is the Golden Brilliance Great Sword Seal!

Gu Yuan had seen this seal in the Transmission Hall, but its cultivation requirements were stringent, and he did not choose it at the time.

There are other Sword Seals, but due to his Spiritual Sense, Gu Yuan didn’t choose any, which he now regrets a bit.

Unfortunately, the Transmission Hall is not easy to enter. He spent the entire year in diligent cultivation, without completing any tasks from the Fate Hall, so he didn’t accumulate Contribution Points, and had no opportunity to enter again.

But unexpectedly, he found a Sword Seal on an Old Ape today.

It was truly a delightful surprise.

However, what kind of trade does this Old Ape intend to make?

The value of a Superior Sword Seal is not insignificant, comparable to a Top-Grade Dharma Artifact, or even more.

"Old Senior, please feel free to speak your mind."

Gu Yuan asked.

"Alas!" The Old Ape looked at the Jade Scroll in his hand, and then at the burly Golden-backed Ape beneath him. Unable to help himself, he sighed and said, "To be honest with the Young Immortal, my Golden-backed Ape clan was accepted by the Daoist School, allowed to reside on Spiritual Crane Island, free from external tribulations, and only needing to brew wine for a peaceful life. Such days are already very good for a small clan like ours."

"But unfortunately, although Spiritual Crane Island is good, it’s also a shackle that binds the potential of my clan."

"The Great Child was born with dual pupils, exceptionally gifted, and has already touched the threshold of the Earth Demon level. However, there are no Earth Demon Spirit Objects on Spiritual Crane Island. Without Spiritual Objects, advancing is nearly impossible!"

At this point, the Old Ape’s face was full of sorrow.

The Golden-backed Ape beneath him immediately became anxious, constantly patting the Old Ape’s back, as if trying to comfort him.

The Old Ape patted the Golden-backed Ape’s shoulder, signaling it to calm down, then looked at Gu Yuan again and sincerely said, "Therefore, I’d like to ask the Young Immortal for a favor."

"Could you purchase an Earth Demon Spirit Object for the Great Child?"

An Earth Demon Spirit Object? 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

This Old Ape actually wishes to help this Golden-backed Ape advance to the Earth Demon level?

Gu Yuan suddenly understood.

On Spiritual Crane Island, there are numerous Spirit Beasts, but very few can break through to the Earth Demon Realm.

The biggest reason is the "Spiritual Objects."

Just like a cultivator breaking through the Foundation Establishment, if a Demon Beast wants to break through to the Earth Demon Realm, it must have a unique Spiritual Object to refine itself, forming a unique "Earth Demon Bone," to advance.

This step is extremely difficult, requiring not only opportunities, Spiritual Objects, and talent but also a bit of luck. Countless Demon Beasts and cultivators have been stuck at this stage.

Although the Golden-backed Ape has decent talent, at the level of the Daoist School, it is still quite ordinary.

The Daoist School would not pour resources into a single Golden-backed Ape.

The Spiritual Objects on Spiritual Crane Island belong to the Daoist School; they are public property, and no cultivator would help a Demon Beast find Spiritual Objects for a breakthrough.

If they have resources, they would use them to cultivate their own juniors, not invest in a Demon Beast.

It’s not like it’s their clan’s guardian Spirit Beast.

So, if the Golden-backed Ape wants to break through, it can only rely on itself.

However, although Spiritual Crane Island is vast, it won’t naturally produce Spiritual Objects; outside help is essential.

Moreover, Spiritual Objects are precious, and even if the Golden-backed Ape brews Monkey Wine, it’s far from sufficient.

But this small Spirit Ore vein offers the Old Ape a glimmer of hope.

Only... without the assistance of a Human Race cultivator, even possessing Spirit Stones is useless, as they cannot leave the island.

In recent days, the Old Ape has been cautiously organizing his clan to mine the ores and seeking opportunities to contact the cultivators of Spiritual Crane Island to find a reliable partner to help purchase the Spiritual Object.

However... wealth can arouse greed, and the status of the Golden-backed Ape clan is far inferior to that of Human Race cultivators, so the Old Ape has always been very cautious, keeping its secret, merely observing quietly.

Gu Yuan’s arrival both startled and delighted the Old Ape.

Startled that its secret ore mining had been discovered.

Delighted that this Human Race cultivator has a dark heart, with no intention of reporting to the Daoist School, only wanting to embezzle.

A dark heart is good, because it means they can share the profits together.

The most crucial point is that this Human Race cultivator is dark-hearted but not greedy, quite shrewd instead, with exceptional ability to assess the situation — being capable of killing a Lower Middle-grade Spiritual Ape yet choosing only to injure, clearly leaving himself a way out.

Familiar with the Daoist Academy Decree yet not bound by it, with excellent means, knowing how to leverage, his heart doesn’t seem that wicked; discovering the secret of the spirit ore, he’s simply a natural partner for collaboration.

So, the Old Ape laid all its cards on the table, taking a gamble, proposing a trade to Gu Yuan.

"This Sword Seal is quite superior and will surely be of great use to the Young Immortal!"

"I offer this Sword Seal as payment and compensation, in exchange for the Young Immortal purchasing an Earth Demon Spirit Object for my clan!"

The Old Ape earnestly said again.

The value of a Superior Sword Seal is at least several hundred Spirit Stones. Adding a fifty-fifty split of Spirit Stones, Gu Yuan can earn nearly two thousand Spirit Stones.

This is already a significant sudden windfall.

However, purchasing an Earth Demon Spirit Object is not a simple matter.

There are considerable risks involved, for those cultivators or Demon Beasts who can partake in such purchases are undoubtedly powerful, and there may be complications.

But if the endeavor succeeds, the bonds formed with an Earth Demon Realm Demon Beast could prove extremely beneficial.

Once it breaks through to the Earth Demon, the status of the entire Golden-backed Ape clan within the Daoist School would rise, possibly even allowing them to have an island to themselves, facilitating the growth of their tribe.

The Tribulation Cultivation Treasure Manual even says... those skilled in killing also need to form bonds, with numerous friends, and when the loved ones of those they killed seek revenge, they won’t have to be afraid.

After pondering for a moment, Gu Yuan said, "I can agree to this, but the timing of the purchase is up to my discretion, given that the task is complex and requires careful planning."

"There are significant risks involved; I must ask for an additional hundred Spirit Stones."

"However, I can provide you with some mining tools and extra Storage Bags to enable faster mining and storage, preventing discovery by others."

Deals ought to optimize one’s benefits, especially when one holds the upper hand.

"Very well, very well! This indeed requires thorough planning!"

"The Great Child has only just touched the threshold, and more cultivation is required; there is no rush!"

"As for the hundred Spirit Stones, it won’t be an issue!"

The White Old Ape, upon hearing Gu Yuan’s agreement, laughed heartily, joyfully stroking his beard.

The reason he chose Gu Yuan was precisely due to his prudence and caution.

It mattered not if he had to give up an extra hundred Spirit Stones.

The spirit ore mine could still yield him over fourteen hundred Spirit Stones, and alongside the Monkey Wine, he could afford a Spiritual Object’s price.

"With the Young Immortal being so forthright, I certainly cannot be stingy; this Sword Seal will serve as a deposit for the Young Immortal!"

"Furthermore, the Spirit Stones already mined here, the Young Immortal can also take half!"

The White Old Ape had no special means to restrain Gu Yuan, so he could only act sincerely.

He casually tossed the Jade Scroll to Gu Yuan.