The Foundation Establishment cultivator, newly advanced to the first layer, clearly lacked suitable artifacts. Eyeing the Golden Thread Sword and the Threefold Diagram in Elian's hands, he eagerly said, "I'd like to exchange for the Golden Thread Sword and the Threefold Diagram."
Elian frowned slightly. Both the Golden Thread Sword and the Threefold Diagram were low-grade second-tier artifacts, and flying swords generally held higher value. Together, the two treasures were worth nearly 2,500 spirit stones.
In contrast, the Replenishing Primordial Fungi, while a mid-grade second-tier herb, was relatively common among its kind, typically valued at no more than 1,400 to 1,500 spirit stones.
Shaking his head, Elian replied, "The value of your herb doesn't match that of these two treasures."
"If you truly want to make the trade, you'll need to add 1,000 spirit stones as compensation."
The Foundation Establishment cultivator, a wandering cultivator with limited resources, struggled to gather the required amount. Eventually, he borrowed from friends to make up the difference and completed the exchange.
Both parties were satisfied with the deal. Elian obtained the Replenishing Primordial Fungi, while the cultivator acquired the two treasures he desired.
Seeing the success of this trade, a few others came forward with spiritual herbs in hopes of exchanging them for artifacts. However, lacking the corresponding alchemical recipes, Elian regretfully passed on those herbs.
"It's a shame I don't have enough spirit stones, or I'd buy them to study their properties," he mused, leaving the stage with some disappointment. The trading conference continued, but no items of interest to Elian appeared.
After the event concluded and the attendees left the Tianxu Pavilion, Elian, knowing that the wood-aligned leyline had yet to be opened, decided to refine Vitality Pills to improve his alchemical skills.
He approached Liu Rumeng and purchased the supplementary ingredients needed for the Vitality Pills from the Tianxu Pavilion. Then, he rented a high-grade second-tier alchemical room and began the refinement process.
Over the years, Elian had refined several batches of second-tier pills, improving his alchemy skills significantly. His success rate for low-grade second-tier pills now stood at 30%.
The Vitality Pill, while challenging, was within his capabilities. Based on his current proficiency, he estimated a 60% chance of success.
"This will determine if I can reach the mid-grade second-tier level in alchemy," Elian murmured to himself as he prepared the ingredients. Activating the ground fire formation, he began refining the herbs.
The supplementary herbs, all first-tier, were relatively easy to process. Using ground fire, he completed their refinement in just half an hour, producing a liquid essence.
However, the Replenishing Primordial Fungi proved more challenging. To preserve its properties, he lowered the ground fire's temperature, significantly slowing the process.
After half a day of careful effort, he successfully refined the fungi into a liquid essence.
Elian then combined the two liquids, meticulously tempering them with gentle heat. Another half day passed before the mixture was successfully blended, yielding a solution that contained only 50% of the original essence.
"My cultivation is still lacking; I lost quite a bit of essence," he murmured. A high-grade second-tier alchemist could likely extract 80-90% of the essence, resulting in a much higher pill yield.
Now at the critical stage of condensing the pills, Elian focused intently, using true fire to refine the solution. After half an hour, two pills finally formed and flew out of the alchemy furnace.
Catching them and placing them in a jade bottle, Elian smiled with satisfaction. This was his first attempt at refining mid-grade second-tier pills, and achieving a 20% success rate was a remarkable accomplishment.
"Ground fire rooms are incredible," he thought, glancing at the alchemy furnace. The controlled fire source had reduced the strain on his true essence, slightly boosting his success rate.
Pleased with his progress, Elian returned to the inn to await further instructions from Tianxu Mountain.
Five days later, news arrived. Jiang Linglong had pinpointed the exact location of the wood-aligned leyline and summoned the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Tianxu Mountain.
When Elian arrived at the gathering place, he found that everyone had already assembled. Nearly sixty Foundation Establishment cultivators had gathered, clearly not wanting to miss this opportunity.
"Nearly sixty Foundation Establishment cultivators," Elian noted silently.
"It seems everyone who isn't in seclusion is here."
Once the crowd was ready, Jiang Linglong wasted no time. She led the group out of Tianxu Mountain, flying eastward for 20,000 miles over five to six days before reaching a desolate mountain range.
"We've arrived," Jiang Linglong announced calmly as they landed before the mountain range.
Elian was surprised. The area looked like a barren wilderness, with no indication of a wood-aligned leyline.
Noticing his confusion, Liu Rumeng smiled and explained, "This must be your first time encountering a leyline."
"Five-element leylines are formed by the natural convergence of heaven and earth's five elemental forces. They're typically hidden deep in the wilderness and are self-concealing. This wood-aligned leyline is shrouded by a wood-aligned barrier that hides it from view."
As Liu Rumeng explained, Elian began to grasp the extraordinary nature of the five-element leylines. This wood-aligned leyline was concealed within the earth and could only be accessed through a specific entry point.
While Elian was processing this, Jiang Linglong addressed the crowd.
"Once this wood-aligned leyline is opened, you will be allowed to enter, but there are rules you must follow."
"First, this leyline has been dormant and undeveloped for years, meaning it likely contains wood-aligned creatures born of the leyline's energy."
"Upon entering, you must follow my orders and eliminate these wood-aligned creatures."
"Once we secure the leyline, the spiritual herbs and treasures within will be distributed according to merit."
After ensuring everyone agreed to the terms, Jiang Linglong activated the Tianxu Immortal-Slaying Sword and tore a one-meter-wide entrance through the wood-aligned barrier.
The crowd watched in astonishment. Typically, opening a leyline's entrance required elaborate formations, but Jiang Linglong had pierced the barrier with a single strike.
"Enter."
As the entrance opened, the crowd surged forward, following Jiang Linglong into the leyline.
Stepping into the wood-aligned leyline, Elian found the scenery transformed. The barren wilderness gave way to a lush paradise filled with birdsong, fragrant flowers, and abundant wood-aligned energy.
"Interesting," Elian thought, as a flash of light hurtled toward him.
It came from a wood-aligned creature, a first-tier high-grade entity, unleashing a natural magical attack.
Elian responded swiftly, pointing his sword finger and summoning the Fiery Void Sword. The blade cleaved the light in two and pierced the creature, pinning it to the ground.
As the wood-aligned creature died, its energy dissipated, leaving behind a cluster of pure wood essence.
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D