Chapter 86: Iron Essence

This piece of iron essence was the legendary refined metal forged by compressing and tempering vast quantities of spiritual iron used by Nascent Soul cultivators.

Its value was extraordinarily high. Even a fingernail-sized fragment, if added to a third-rank magical treasure, could greatly increase its hardness and sharpness. Some even claimed that a touch of iron essence alone could double a treasure’s offensive power.

Yet a fragment no larger than a fingernail would still require at least five years of labor from an experienced Nascent Soul cultivator to refine. For someone at that level, spending so much time on this kind of material was far too costly, which made it even rarer. It was a treasure almost impossible to find on the market, no matter the price.

This fingernail-sized piece was already far more valuable than the spirit medicine in Lin Yang’s hands. He would likely need to add something else as well.

“To think Fellow Daoist could produce something so precious. Then I shall not hold back either.”

As he spoke, Lin Yang took a puppet from his storage pouch. The puppet was entirely black, its outer shell gleaming with a metallic luster. When he tapped it with his hand, it gave off a crisp, ringing sound.

“This is a peak Foundation Establishment puppet, and one specialized in body tempering. It can withstand the vast majority of attacks, and is well suited to protecting a cultivator.”

“And if one has younger descendants in the family, it would also be excellent to leave in their care, greatly improving their safety. I wonder whether this item, together with this spirit medicine, would be enough to trade for that iron essence.”

Lin Yang guided the puppet forward until it stood before the Golden Core cultivator from Heavenly Pavilion Stronghold, exposing every detail for inspection.

The cultivator sent his spiritual sense into the puppet. After examining the internal formations and the refining materials, he said, “I never expected Fellow Daoist Lin to be such a master of puppetry. To create such a superb piece from ordinary materials alone is remarkable.”

“Taken together, these two items may well mean that I am the one taking advantage of Fellow Daoist Lin. I wonder if Fellow Daoist would be willing to make the exchange.”

After a careful inspection, he found that the puppet was made from nothing more than relatively ordinary materials. Yet with the addition of numerous formations and refined artifact-crafting techniques, those common materials had been transformed into something of astonishing utility. The entire puppet had been turned into a small formation puppet with remarkable precision. It could even replenish its own energy, and as long as it was not subjected to sustained, high-intensity attacks, it would recover quickly.

“Since I’ve brought it out, of course I intend to exchange it with you, Fellow Daoist. If anything, I’m the one taking advantage here. Your iron essence is nearly impossible to buy.”

With that, Lin Yang erased the marks from both the spirit medicine and the puppet, then handed them over to the Golden Core cultivator from Heavenly Pavilion Stronghold.

“No need, no need. I’m the one benefiting from Fellow Daoist Lin. Since the exchange is complete, I shall take my leave for now.”

Only after he returned to his seat and settled down did Lin Yang speak again. “Very well, let the exchange continue.”

This is the last item I wish to trade. I suspect many of you fellow Daoists may be interested.

Lin Yang took out ten small jade bottles from his storage pouch, then removed a single pill from one of them. It was a green pellet, its surface covered in pill veins, exuding a rich and heady fragrance. The scent alone lifted the spirits of everyone present, and spiritual qi within their bodies began to circulate of its own accord, prompting their cultivation to run naturally.

The crowd was astonished. It was rare enough for a pill to have an effect merely from its fragrance alone.

“This is a pill used to assist Golden Core cultivators in their training, with a thousand-year spirit medicine as its principal ingredient.”

“And from one thousand-year spirit medicine, only five pills can be refined. That is why these pills are so precious.”

“Still, you have all already felt their effect. Merely smelling them is enough to aid one’s cultivation, and once consumed, the result will be even better.”

After saying this, Lin Yang removed one small jade bottle, opened the stopper, and let it pass from hand to hand. Each person took a turn smelling it before handing it to the next. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, everyone had finished inspecting it. The eyes of the Golden Core cultivators were practically shining.

Pills that assisted Golden Core cultivation were exceedingly scarce to begin with, and pills with such potent effects were even rarer. And here there were five bottles, each containing five pills.

That meant five people could successfully trade for one.

Their eyes gleamed with determination. No matter what, they had to secure at least one bottle. Even if they had no use for it themselves, they could always sell it elsewhere. The market for top-grade pills was never lacking in buyers. What was truly scarce was the alchemist capable of refining them.

“In that case, Fellow Daoist Lin, let the exchange begin,” said the male cultivator from the Joyous Union Sect, unable to wait any longer. This was truly a precious treasure.

“Since everyone is so eager, let us begin at once.”

“These pills may be traded bottle by bottle, so everyone may rest assured.”

Lin Yang chose to divide the pill exchange in this way, which would raise their value and prevent a single person from taking them all at once.

“Very well, then I shall be the first to offer a modest contribution.”

A Golden Core cultivator from an unknown sect stood up. Judging from his bearing, he seemed to come from a sect beyond the borders of the State of Yue.

“I do not have anything especially good, but I expect Fellow Daoist is in need of materials for refining magical treasures. This large piece of spirit gold stone should suit you well.”

The Golden Core cultivator produced a stone flecked throughout with golden particles, as though it were raw ore from a gold mine.

Spirit gold stone could yield a golden material when refined. That material was often used as an auxiliary component in forging sword blades, and after a weapon was struck, it could even assist in restoration. It not only improved flexibility, but could also repair chips and gaps.

The value of this mineral was not especially high, since it was not particularly rare. Still, such a large piece was worth quite a bit, and it was just about equal to the value of one bottle of pills.

“To think the opening round would already be the main event. Fellow Daoist is showing me such courtesy, even taking the trouble to choose a material perfectly suited to my needs. Then let us exchange it for the first bottle.”

Courtesy should be returned in kind. Lin Yang offered a few words of praise to brighten the mood.

“Very well, then I shall make the exchange with Fellow Daoist.”

The cultivator handed the stone to Lin Yang, and Lin Yang tossed the jade bottle to the cultivator in return. Golden Core cultivators were all seasoned and shrewd; they understood the ways of the world and did not lose their composure simply because Lin Yang praised them.

“Very well, next is the second bottle. Which fellow Daoist is interested?”

“Fellow Daoists, I still need to refine a sword-shaped magical treasure later, so I hope you will support me in that endeavor.”

Lin Yang reminded them.

“Fellow Daoist speaks truly. I happen to have something that is quite suitable for refining a magical treasure.”

A burly man from the Greatsword Sect stepped forward. In his hands he held a slab of withered wood. Though dry and aged, it still gave off a faint green glow. Just the glow alone caused the table beneath it to sprout new shoots and begin growing again. This was the true heartwood of a thousand-year peach tree, possessing astonishing restorative power. Even if it were laid over a wound, the wound could begin to heal.

Such a slab could also be used in refining magical treasures. As a sword hilt or scabbard, it was nearly perfect. Not only would the blade fail to harm the scabbard, but while practicing sword techniques, one could even recover physical strength.

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