Chapter Fifty-Six: The Little Exchange Gathering

After the incident at the Lingyu Sect’s medicinal garden, both Jinyun Valley and Lingyu Sect jointly issued a higher-level bounty: any cultivator who could provide information on the whereabouts of these bandits would receive a handsome reward.

It seemed this was destined to end in a fight to the death.

…

One month later.

Qin Ming was in the spiritual fields, casting the Advanced Spirit Rain Art to water the crops.

Suddenly, the communication talisman on his body stirred.

“Fellow Daoist Qin, the small gathering we previously discussed will be held soon, set for tomorrow. The Feng brothers have returned from hunting demon beasts.”

“You may prepare some items for exchange at the gathering.”

The message was sent by Alchemist Yan, his neighbor from the courtyard next door.

Qin Ming replied in acknowledgment, then pondered what he should bring for the exchange tomorrow.

The next day.

Qin Ming arrived at the gathering as invited.

When he entered Alchemist Yan’s courtyard, all the other cultivators from the neighboring residences had already arrived.

“Come, come, everyone. Let me introduce you—this is Fellow Daoist Qin Ming from the next courtyard, a mid-tier spirit herb cultivator.” Alchemist Yan greeted the guests warmly as he introduced Qin Ming.

Qin Ming went around offering greetings.

The two Feng brothers were both at the eighth level of the Qi Refining stage. The older one, bald, was named Feng Yuan; the younger, a brawny man with a scar across his face, was Feng Fan.

Because both spent most of their time hunting demon beasts in the wild, they exuded an air of ruggedness—bold and uninhibited in their speech and manners.

Huang Xishan, from the Ding Courtyard, was in his forties. Years of working with furnaces had tanned his skin a deep bronze. He was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, and served as the chief artifact refiner at the Treasure Refinement Hall in the market.

As a high-grade artifact refiner, Huang Xishan was naturally the main focus of the gathering. The others clustered around him, eager to build rapport.

After all, having a good relationship with a master refiner meant always having someone to turn to when you needed a custom artifact.

“To be honest, my refining orders are already booked until the end of next year,” Huang Xishan said, sitting in a rattan chair, his expression proud and aloof. “However, if any of you here have special needs, I can prioritize your order—and offer you a ten percent discount.”

The Feng brothers immediately considered commissioning him for an artifact. Given their years of hunting demon beasts, they certainly had a variety of materials suitable for refining.

Their attitude toward Huang Xishan became even more respectful, addressing him as “Master Huang” with particular warmth.

The last guest, Lin Zixiao from the Bing Courtyard, was a striking young man in his early twenties—likely only four or five years older than Qin Ming. His features were handsome and cold, his long hair casually tied behind his head with a slender cord.

More impressively, he was a rare mid-tier formation master.

Lin Zixiao, however, was quite amiable, greeting everyone with a smile.

The cultivators sat on rattan chairs in the courtyard, sipping tea and conversing.

Despite his own status as a mid-tier spirit herb cultivator, compared to the others present, Qin Ming’s position was somewhat lower. Moreover, he was currently serving as a spiritual farmer under the Lingyu Sect, and his cultivation was only at the fifth level of Qi Refining...

The others treated him politely but without enthusiasm—neither deliberately making friends, nor excluding him.

After chatting for an hour, the exchange officially began.

With a smile, Alchemist Yan said, “Since I called for this exchange, I’ll start.”

He produced two bottles of pills and introduced them: “This first bottle contains Genxue Pills, a sacred medicine for healing. As long as the wound isn’t fatal, these pills can regrow flesh and bone.”

“The second bottle contains Spirit Gathering Pills, which enhance cultivation in the mid to late stages.”

“If any of you have enough spirit stones or items of equivalent value, you’re welcome to exchange.”

Qin Ming eyed the Genxue Pills with curiosity—he had never seen such a healing elixir before. He recalled it being recorded in a pill manual as one of the most difficult mid-tier pills to refine. As for the Spirit Gathering Pills, they were of ordinary quality.

Nonetheless, this demonstrated Alchemist Yan’s considerable skill—after all, he could refine some of the most challenging mid-grade elixirs.

The two bottles were quickly purchased by the Feng brothers in exchange for spirit stones.

Next, the Feng brothers presented their exchange items.

The elder brother, Feng Yuan, took out a monster core and a pair of claws, placing them on the table. “These are the demon core and claws of a late-stage tier-one Blackwater Crocodile. My brother and I expended great effort to slay it. If any of you have good items, feel free to show them. If we find something suitable, we’ll make the exchange.”

He finished speaking and watched the others for their reactions.

“I have a mid-grade artifact, a Binding Demon Rope. If you agree, we can trade,” Huang Xishan offered, clearly interested in the materials.

Feng Yuan and Feng Fan exchanged glances and hesitated. “Master Huang, could you add a little more? After all, these are late-stage tier-one beast materials—sufficient for refining a high-grade artifact.”

“My offer stands,” Huang Xishan replied, his voice cool as he ceased bargaining, his expression tinged with displeasure.

The Feng brothers looked a bit embarrassed.

At that moment, Lin Zixiao took out a formation disk with a smile. “I have a Lesser Fiery Departure Array, a mid-grade attack formation. Would you trade your two materials for it, Brother Feng?”

“A Lesser Fiery Departure Array!” the Feng brothers exclaimed in delight, immediately agreeing to the exchange.

Even the high-grade artifact master Huang Xishan’s expression shifted slightly, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

Qin Ming was also familiar with the Lesser Fiery Departure Array—renowned as the most lethal of all mid-tier formations, with a wide area of effect and tremendous power. Crafting it required a formation master of exceptional skill.

“I didn’t expect Brother Lin could even craft a Lesser Fiery Departure Array—impressive!” Alchemist Yan praised, giving a thumbs-up.

The other cultivators also voiced their admiration, looking at Lin Zixiao with newfound respect.

Lin Zixiao only smiled and replied humbly, “It’s just a minor trick, not worth mentioning.”

The Feng brothers, beaming, accepted the formation disk from Lin Zixiao, completing the transaction.

Everyone was now even more curious and expectant about what Lin Zixiao would offer next.

After putting away the demon beast materials, Lin Zixiao calmly produced a palm-sized game board from his storage pouch, its surface densely covered with black and white pieces.

At its unveiling, everyone was mystified, wearing expressions of utter confusion.

Qin Ming, too, observed the board with curiosity, pondering for a while but unable to discern its value.

Only the high-grade artifact master Huang Xishan seemed deep in thought.

After a long silence, his eyes suddenly widened in disbelief as he exclaimed, “Could... could this be the long-lost... Twofold Reversal Illusion Array?!”

PS: Thank you, fellow Daoists, for your monthly and recommended tickets!