Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1679: 903: Stone Spirit Recognizes Master, Tianyunzi's Breakthrough Accomplished

The atmosphere intensified, growing heavy with unspoken tension.

After a prolonged silence, the mysterious figure clad in black robes finally posed a question: “This elder wishes to acquire certain longevity items and elixirs capable of nourishing the primordial spirit. What quantity can you furnish?”

Zhao Sheng responded with a gentle smile, “Whatever amount you desire, I can procure. We possess an abundance of longevity items; I have medicinal treasures that can extend life by ten years, a century, a millennium, and even several elixir pills that grant an additional ten thousand years of lifespan.

As for elixirs that nourish the primordial spirit, we have an even wider selection. Ranging from the lowest First Rank Loose Pill to the esteemed Eighth Rank Doumu Soul Stabilizing Pill. Each carries a distinct price, determined by its grade and rarity.”

The black-robed stranger, though considerably tempted, managed to suppress his burgeoning excitement and inquired in a deep, resonant voice, “Then… what is it that you seek?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Sheng let out a hearty laugh, “Immortal bone! In addition to immortal bone, I also require the refining methodology for the Filthy Immortal Arrow. Should the esteemed senior possess rare items such as ancient immortal techniques, immortal artifacts, or treasures of heaven and earth, I am prepared to offer a high price in exchange.”

The black-robed stranger stated, “I do not have the No Wind Immortal Bone. Do you desire immortal bones of other attributes?”

Zhao Sheng’s eyes gleamed with renewed interest, and he decisively nodded, “I do, irrespective of the immortal bone’s attribute, I am interested.”

“One pill that extends life by ten thousand years for a single immortal bone!” the black-robed stranger declared, steeling his resolve and suddenly proposing a steep price.

Zhao Sheng’s smile faltered, and he slowly shook his head, “The senior’s sincerity is lacking. How many years must you endure while missing the opportunity to trade with me, your prime trading partner? Even if a new Immortal Ruins Guest were to arrive, can you be certain they would possess the spirit pills you desire?”

“For one immortal bone, I can offer at most three treasure pills that extend life by a thousand years. To demonstrate my sincerity, I guarantee these three treasure pills will be of distinct varieties.”

Longevity elixirs operate differently from other consumables; only one of each specific type can be ingested effectively for life extension. Consuming a second of the same type yields no further benefit.

It remains unclear which of Zhao Sheng’s statements swayed the other party. After a moment of contemplation, the black-robed stranger unexpectedly assented.

Witnessing this, Zhao Sheng brimmed with eagerness and promptly inquired about the refining method for the Filthy Immortal Arrow.

However, this time, no matter how Zhao Sheng attempted to persuade him, the black-robed stranger remained resolute and unwilling to concede.

After an hour of negotiation, Zhao Sheng, finding himself at an impasse, finally decided to reveal his ultimate bargaining chip.

“…I possess a ‘Demon Refining Heart Fire Technique,’ obtained from an Ancient Golden Immortal. Its efficacy is extraordinary, capable of refining even a true immortal-level devilish thought with ease. Does the senior have an interest in it?”

“Hmm? Is this true!” The black-robed stranger’s head snapped up, his gaze fixed on Zhao Sheng, his black robes fluttering slightly, an outward display of his internal turmoil.

Zhao Sheng privately acknowledged a slight exaggeration in his claim, yet the “Demon Refining Heart Fire Technique” was indeed capable of refining true immortal demons.

Zhao Sheng declared with solemnity, “I would not jeopardize my reputation for a single transaction. If the senior harbors doubts, I am willing to inscribe the initial thirty percent of the technique right here and now.”

With that, he produced a jade pupil scroll, its surface receptive to his will and heart light, which flowed into it like liquid, instantly imprinting over seven hundred immortal seal characters.

He then casually tossed the jade pupil scroll towards the stranger.

The black-robed stranger flicked his sleeve, deftly retrieving the jade pupil scroll and stowing it within his robes.

In the span of a single breath, the edge of the black-robed stranger’s garment moved, and his voice, remarkably, carried a tremor, “Deal!”

Zhao Sheng, upon hearing this, felt a surge of delight within his heart, though he maintained an outwardly composed facade.

At that precise moment, a golden plate, roughly three feet square, and the jade pupil scroll suddenly materialized from the black-robed stranger’s sleeve, floating out.

The golden plate and the jade pupil scroll gracefully drifted through the air, hovering steadily.

Zhao Sheng immediately understood the unspoken arrangement and swiftly extended a wisp of his will heart light, enveloping the jade pupil scroll.

Instantly, the entirety of the “Demon Refining Heart Fire Technique” was imprinted onto the jade scroll.

With a simple thought, the jade pupil scroll swiftly floated towards the black-robed stranger, while the golden plate was drawn towards Zhao Sheng.

The moment it settled into his grasp, Zhao Sheng experienced an immediate resonance with his heart light. The golden plate abruptly displayed a dense array of true Taoist texts.

The truly astonishing aspect was how these true Taoist texts naturally integrated with his will heart light, then vividly imprinted themselves into his spirit, rendering them unforgettable.

Zhao Sheng instantly perceived that he had secured an exceptionally advantageous bargain.

The mere one thousand four hundred ninety-six Dao true texts were sufficient to attain the venerated status of a Tribulation Crossing Realm cultivator, and that's not even considering the additional refining method for the Filthy Immortal Arrow.

It was a perfect example of valuing the container over its contents.

The stranger cloaked in black had dwelled within the Burial Immortal Ruins for an excessive duration, evidently losing touch with the struggles faced by cultivators in the lower mortal realms.

Zhao Sheng's resolve remained unbroken, and he swiftly regained his composure.

"Senior, would you consider parting with one or two immortal bones?" he inquired once more.

"Perhaps next time!" The black-robed stranger retracted the jade pupil scroll but then added unexpectedly, "This old man requires some time. Young friend, when you return, perhaps you could bring more elixirs that promote longevity and nourish the primordial spirit?"

Zhao Sheng pondered this and nodded thoughtfully, subsequently arranging a date for their next exchange.

As if eager to depart, the black-robed stranger transformed into a wisp of black mist the moment the arrangement was settled, vanishing into the obscuring sky.

The moment he disappeared, the Stone Spirit abruptly emerged from the earth.

Casting a furtive glance around, it whispered, "Has the old fellow finally departed?"

Zhao Sheng confirmed, "He just left!"

Upon hearing this, the Stone Spirit leaped enthusiastically from the ground, bounced before Zhao Sheng, and vociferously declared, "Good riddance! That dried-up husk is a total nuisance; simply because we owe him a single five-colored stone, he drones on incessantly every single time he visits."

With a sudden thought, Zhao Sheng's lips curved into a smile, "I too desire five-colored stones! Esteemed Stone Spirit, could you possibly procure a few for me?"

Five-colored stones are peculiar earth-attribute treasures of immortal quality, categorized into several tiers, with 'earth' representing the lowest rank.