Cultivation Starts from Farming Chapter 1043 - 444: Lifespan Increased; News of the Profound Celestial Spiritual Treasure (2)

Xu Ping and the Nine Nether Elder raised no objections. Unfamiliar with their surroundings, following Dragon King Ao Guang was indeed their wisest course of action.

Following a brief respite within the Deep-sea Dragon Palace, the group utilized the palace's internal Teleportation Array. A day later, they reached their journey's ultimate destination: Central Cloud City.

The instant they emerged from the Teleportation Hall, even Xu Ping, who was accustomed to the magnificence of the True Dragon Hall, could not help but be silently awestruck by the breathtaking cityscape before him.

Central Cloud City truly lived up to its illustrious name.

The entirety of the colossal metropolis was not constructed upon level ground but was instead built around several colossal, sky-piercing peaks that appeared to bridge the heavens and the earth.

Myriad pavilions, soaring towers, grand palaces, and numerous residences were artfully scattered across the mountainsides like constellations, interconnected by shimmering rainbow bridges and ethereal cloud paths. Mist perpetually swirled around the mid-levels, while celestial cranes and mystical birds gracefully soared through the air.

As the esteemed Dragon King Ao Guang had previously mentioned, Central Cloud City, serving as the nexus of the Central Domain, drew in cultivators of Divinity Transformation from surrounding realms.

It was here that the major trading conferences and grand auctions for Divinity Transformation Cultivators primarily took place.

Dragon King Ao Guang addressed Xu Ping and the Nine Nether Elder, saying, "Esteemed Daoists, the trading conference is not scheduled to commence officially for another month."

"Ao has certain personal affairs to attend to in this locale. Let us proceed independently and reconvene before this very Teleportation Hall in one month's time."

He gestured towards the magnificent Teleportation Hall situated behind them.

After a moment's pause, he solemnly imparted a crucial warning, "Remember, any form of unauthorized combat is absolutely forbidden within the confines of Celestial Cloud City."

"This is an inviolable law upheld by all the Divinity Transformation Powers who maintain a presence here."

"Those who defy this decree will face collective retribution from all constituent powers, regardless of their cultivation level, even if they are Divinity Transformation Cultivators themselves. There are no exceptions."

"You two must exercise extreme caution in your conduct."

Both Xu Ping and the Nine Nether Elder acknowledged his words with understanding nods.

After Dragon King Ao Guang departed with his progeny, transforming into streaks of escape light, Xu Ping and the Nine Nether Elder exchanged a knowing glance before parting ways, each vanishing into the immensity and vibrant activity of Celestial Cloud City.

Truly, this grand gathering of the human world lived up to its formidable reputation.

Shops lined every street, their signs aglow, offering only top-tier merchandise. Countless rare Fourth-Rank, and even nascent Fifth-Rank Spiritual Materials, potent Pills, and formidable Magical Treasures, which were seldom encountered in the Wind Origin Realm, were readily available for acquisition.

The cultivators traversing the thoroughfares exuded potent spiritual auras, and Xu Ping encountered a considerable number of Late-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators. Occasionally, he could discern subtle traces of unfathomable, unsettlingly profound energies emanating from individuals who must have been mighty Divinity Transformation Ancestors from other domains.

Xu Ping proceeded to visit several of the most prominent and reputable cross-domain trading corporations. As anticipated, his efforts yielded significant rewards.

By leveraging some of his accumulated but unused precious Spiritual Materials, and exchanging several high-quality Fourth-Rank talismans, he successfully procured multiple Tier Four Longevity Pills. He also acquired a segment of Fifth-Rank Spirit Wood, as thick as a child's arm, faintly marked with intricate thunder patterns.

The efficacy of the Tier Four Longevity Pills requires no further explanation. This particular Fifth-Rank Soul Nourishing Wood is recognized as one of the preeminent materials for crafting superior talisman paper, its quality even surpassing that which he had previously employed. It suffices to enable him to inscribe a greater quantity, or even venture into the creation of more advanced, near-Fifth-Rank talismans.

However, the sole point of a mild letdown:

Despite making inquiries at several major establishments and even seeking intelligence from the widely informed branches of the "Heavenly Secrets Pavilion," he was unable to uncover any definitive leads regarding the Nine Heavens Astral Wind Essence. This particular item appeared to be significantly rarer than he had initially surmised.

Nevertheless, on the whole.

After a fortnight of diligent exploration, he had successfully divested himself of numerous stock items. He had also procured several essential auxiliary components required for the refinement of Fourth-rank Top-grade Puppets, alongside the critical Fifth-Rank Soul Nourishing Wood.

Xu Ping felt he had already gained a great deal and was quite content with his acquisitions.

...

That very night.

Xu Ping returned to the serene, Qi-rich independent courtyard maintained by the True Dragon Hall within Celestial Cloud City. In the tranquil confines of his chamber, he carefully retrieved the Tier Four Longevity Pills, which had necessitated considerable expenditure, and consumed them one after another.

The pills dissolved instantly within him, transforming into a gentle yet immensely powerful Life Origin Force. This force permeated his limbs, his bones, and delved deep into his very Divine Soul.

Once the medicinal efficacy had been fully assimilated, Xu Ping performed a silent assessment. His lifespan had increased by a total of 150 years.

"This is quite satisfactory," Xu Ping murmured, a sense of contentment warming him.

Having refined these pills, his lifespan had finally surged past the five-thousand-year mark, settling at 5,101 years.

Five thousand years of existence is an epochal duration for a cultivator at the Divinity Transformation stage, a feat almost beyond comprehension.

Should he manage to procure a Fifth-Rank Longevity Pill, the boon to his lifespan could reach truly extravagant proportions.

Yet, a treasure of such rarity as a Fifth-Rank Longevity Pill...

It remains uncertain if such an item even graces the mortal plane.

After a brief period spent regulating his breathing, ensuring the newly acquired lifespan was thoroughly integrated and stable, Xu Ping retrieved an ancient jade slip he had previously traded for.

Within this slip was stored vital intelligence concerning the Central Domain and other realms, an invaluable resource for newcomers aiming to expand their understanding.

Xu Ping channeled a portion of his Divine Sense, immersing it into the depths of the jade slip.

The slip held an immense wealth of information, a veritable cosmic expanse within its confines.

Details about the Central Domain's city divisions, its prevalent specialties, and introductions to several public secret realms were quickly perused by his Divine Sense; he took a cursory note of them without deep immersion.

While these facts held a degree of utility, they were not the most pressing matter occupying his attention at this precise juncture.

However, as Xu Ping's Divine Sense traversed a section detailing significant historical occurrences within the Central Domain, his focus was instantly and completely captivated.

The information displayed pertained to the legendary Profound Celestial Spiritual Treasure.

"Profound Celestial Spiritual Treasure?"

A jolt of profound astonishment coursed through Xu Ping's mind.

Throughout the years, his pursuit of knowledge regarding the advancement of his Profound Celestial Embryo had never ceased, yet he had only unearthed scattered whispers and indistinct rumors.

To his utter surprise, a remarkably concrete account regarding this very topic was discovered within this unexpectedly obtained jade slip.