"Spiritual Treasures refined from Refining Demon Souls are inferior to those from Fifth Rank Demon Souls."

"Fifth-Order Magical Beasts are too rare. Without Fifth Rank Demon Souls, Refining Demon Souls is a lower alternative method that was devised."

"It is said to involve fusing lower-order Demon Souls to form higher-order ones, solving the scarcity of high-order Demon Souls."

Yang Xiu answered all questions, laying bare the details of Refining Demon Souls.

"Refining Demon Souls also has its limits. The souls of at least Third-Order Magical Beasts are required, and souls of the same type and attribute are most suitable."

"Thunder Attribute Demon Souls are scarce, making Thunder Scale Demon Souls very valuable."

Upon learning about Refining Demon Souls, Jia Ren realized the use for his Thunder Scale Demon Souls and no longer thought of giving them away.

He silently made a mental note about Refining Demon Souls, then left that sea area, intending to find a place to learn this method and upgrade his Magical Treasure to a Spiritual Treasure as quickly as possible.

The Demon-Sealing Tower continued to operate, and he already had several God Transformation Level Magical Treasures.

These included his Personal Treasured Demon-Sealing Pagoda, his second Life-bound Magic Treasure, the Mountain and Sea Pearl, the Xuan Gui Shield, the Purple Thunder Exorcising Sword, Zhang Pengpeng's Life-bound Magic Treasure Yin Sha Silk, the Supreme Demon-sealing Tower, the Heavenly Fire Nether Lamp, the Trapping Gold Hoop, the Qingyun Sword, and the Xuanjia Flying Shield.

Altogether, the number had reached an impressive ten.

The Qingyun Sword and Xuanjia Flying Shield were specifically for selling to exchange for resources.

He planned to upgrade them to the Spiritual Treasure Level in the future to sell at even higher prices.

To advance using a Divinity Transformation Stage Demon Soul, I would have to slay ten Divine Transformation Period Demon Beasts myself. This is practically a death sentence!

Refining Demon Souls was a shortcut, but the number of low-order Demon Souls needed would certainly be no small figure.

"I haven't yet asked for your esteemed name, Daoist friend?" the Insect External Incarnation asked Yang Xiu with a smile.

"My surname is Yang, given name Xiu, from the Five Dragons Lake Shadow Sword Sect."

"This is Song Zhiqing, a disciple of the Green Thunder Sect."

"Which sect do you hail from, Daoist friend?"

"Zhen Yi, of the Five Elements Sect."

The Insect External Incarnation wasn't very familiar with the sects of the Mysterious Realm, only knowing of the Lingbao Sect and the Heavenly Palace Sect where Wang Fugui resided. His limited knowledge made it easy to expose himself.

The Heavenly Palace Sect was connected to the forces behind the seal. Although Wang Fugui got along well with him, it didn't mean the Heavenly Palace Sect felt the same way.

Claim to be a Loose Cultivator? Considering the Divine Skills and Ancient Treasures I've used, even a fool wouldn't believe it. Comparatively, the name of the Five Elements Sect is more appropriate. Whether the Mysterious Realm actually has a Five Elements Sect isn't my concern. If it doesn't, it just means the sect is too weak, and they haven't heard of it. Unless someone has ulterior motives, they won't dig deeper.

Five Elements Sect?

The two exchanged glances; they had never heard of such a sect.

The Mysterious Realm was vast. The paths a typical Golden Core Cultivator traveled would not exceed 200,000 li, so their awareness was always limited.

This must be a sect quite distant from the Azure Wave Sea, they thought.

Zhen Yi's position within the Five Elements Sect was clearly not trivial. His golden hoop Ancient Treasure could trap a Thunder Scale Beast, and the Divine Skills he previously displayed were astonishingly powerful.

"Meeting you, Daoist friend, must be fate. How about we continue hunting Magical Beasts and split the spoils equally among the three of us?"

Song Zhiqing was a calculating person. Seeing the Insect External Incarnation's strength, he was eager to hunt more Magical Beasts. A young master from a prominent sect wouldn't fuss too much over the distribution of benefits, he thought.

Yang Xiu couldn't help but frown. Song Zhiqing is going a bit too far. He took the most precious Thunder Crystal for free earlier and now wants to use someone else to gain more benefits...

"Daoist Zhen still wants to sell his Demonic Beast Materials. We can discuss cooperation another time," Yang Xiu said, ignoring Song Zhiqing's frequent suggestive glances.

"Thank you for leading the way, Yang Daoyou."

Song Zhiqing felt displeased but had no choice but to follow.

The three transformed into streaks of Escape Light, flying southeast.

The Demon-Spottng Talisman was activated, turning into a clear light, searching for the hidden auras of Magical Beasts.

After learning about Refining Demon Souls, the status of Magical Beasts in his mind had soared.

The Insect External Incarnation didn't want to spend additional time hunting Magical Beasts, preferring to gather information on the Mysterious Realm first.

Of course, if they encountered Magical Beasts along the way, he wouldn't miss the opportunity.

The auras of Magical Beasts detected along the way were few, their numbers far less than in the Western Extreme Sea.

"Is that a Demon-Spottng Talisman?"

"That talisman isn't very effective for spotting Magical Beasts; even if there are Magical Beasts nearby, it's hard to detect them with it," Song Zhiqing couldn't help but remind him when he saw the Insect External Incarnation use the Demon-Spottng Talisman.

"Why is that?"

The Demon-Spottng Talisman had always been unfailingly effective in finding Magical Beasts, and Jia Ren had used it to avoid much trouble from them. It can't be that a treasured talisman, so effective in the Sealed Land, is now useless in the Mysterious Realm.

"It's not that the Demon-Spottng Talisman is useless, but rather... after countless years of hunting in the Azure Wave Sea, the number of Magical Beasts has drastically dwindled. And most importantly..."

"The surviving Magical Beasts are mostly adept at concealing their auras and hiding. Those without such abilities were wiped out tens of thousands of years ago."

Jia Ren had initially thought the Mysterious Realm was a treasure trove, overflowing with riches and countless natural treasures.

Realizing the scarcity of Magical Beasts in this sea region and their skill at concealing themselves, he felt as if his dreams had shattered.

Why does it feel... this place is even more barren than the Sealed Land?

The density of nature's spiritual energy in the Cultivation World wasn't uniform. This place was likely a spiritually poor land, comparable to the Great Wilderness in the Sealed Land.

Since I'm already here, I can't just go back to the Sealed Land. He could only comfort himself with this thought.

The Demon-Spottng Talisman being useless didn't mean hunting Magical Beasts would be difficult for him.

The Ancestral Fish Sage Pill and Ancestor Beast Holy Pill were both divine elixirs. Using them as bait, hunting a large number of Magical Beasts wouldn't be difficult.

The only drawback was the uncontrollable risk. If a Divine Transformation Period Demon Beast was attracted, it would be a disaster.

His two companions flew at an average speed, still much slower than the Insect External Incarnation.

After nearly a month of flying, they finally sighted an island.

The island spanned nearly a hundred li, surrounded by a protective Formation that obscured the view.

"This is the Transformative Array of Green Condensation Island, specifically designed against storms coming from the sea."

The might of nature was unfathomable. Storms at sea could not be withstood by mortals and Low-Order Cultivators, making Formations a necessary protection.

The Transformative Array posed no obstacle to cultivators, who passed through it smoothly.

What came into view was a lush green island dotted with many buildings, arranged like a Star Luo Chess Board.

There were many people on the island, cultivators and mortals alike in great numbers.

"Green Condensation Island has a large Market and an auction house. Many Sects and trading companies purchase Demonic Beast Materials here."

"There are Teleportation Arrays on the island that lead to other islands and out of the Azure Wave Sea. If Daoist Zhen wishes to leave, he can do so by spending Spirit Stones to use a Teleportation Array."

Yang Xiu provided the Insect External Incarnation with a detailed introduction to the island's features.

The three landed on the island, hearing the shouts of many mortals and Low-Order Cultivators.

"Purchasing Third-Order Demon Souls for one thousand Medium-grade Spirit Stones each!"

"Unlimited purchase of Demon Cores and Demonic Beast Materials, highest prices in the Market, fair dealing to young and old!"

"Buying Cloud-Swallowing Carps, price for live ones negotiable!"

"..."

Most of the items being purchased on the island were related to Magical Beasts.

Everything about a Magical Beast was valuable: its flesh for Body Refinement, its blood for making Talisman Ink and special Elixirs, its materials for forging Magic Artifacts and Magical Treasures, and its soul for Refining Demon Souls.

As long as there was demand and the price was high enough, a large number of cultivators would flock to it.

Magical Beasts took time to grow, and with relentless hunting by cultivators, their numbers decreased year by year.

Nowadays, finding a decent Magical Beast, even relying on demon-seeking treasures, could take months.

The scarcity of Demonic Beast Materials drove up prices. These rising prices, in turn, attracted more cultivators to hunt Magical Beasts, leading to fierce competition where demand greatly outstripped supply.

"The Demonic Beast Materials obtained by Daoist Zhen will certainly have no trouble selling."

As they chatted idly, a shopkeeper from a nearby store proactively approached them. "Seniors, if you have materials to sell, the prices at Lianzong Emporium will definitely not disappoint you."

The three entered the shop, inquiring about the prices of Demonic Beast Materials, Magical Beasts, and Demon Souls to get a feel for the local market rates.

Demonic Beast Materials were expensive, and Spiritual Medicine was not cheap either.

The price of Demon Souls was rising the fastest, with high-quality Demon Souls costing more than a Magical Beast's Demon Core.

This was surprising, almost unbelievable.

In the Sealed Land, the price of a Demon Soul was only one-third to one-tenth that of a Demon Core. Yet, in the Mysterious Realm, the price of a Demon Soul could rival that of a Demon Core.

If I acted as a peddler from the Sealed Land, selling specialties of the Mysterious Realm, and bought Demon Souls there to sell here in the Mysterious Realm, I could likely make a huge profit.

The Insect External Incarnation shook its head, dismissing the thought.

Frequent visits to and from the Sealed Land would surely draw the attention of the Inspectors.

I don't lack cultivation resources; why get into trouble for such 'petty profits'?

Spending the same amount of time using the Ancestral Fish Sage Pill and Ancestor Beast Holy Pill to lure and hunt large numbers of Magical Beasts would yield more resources with lower risk.

"You've returned at a good time," Yang Xiu (or Song Zhiqing) said. "There will be an auction tomorrow with many treasures up for bid. Daoist Zhen, you mustn't miss it."

Will I find any suitable treasures at the auction? Even if there are Nascent Soul Level treasures, I won't waste my time.

His immediate priorities were to head to the Lingbao Sect and obtain the method for Refining Demon Souls.

"Thank you both for leading the way. I have other matters to attend to, so I must take my leave now."

He had given up his share of the Magical Beast resources precisely so they would guide him. Now, he had plenty of other channels to gather intelligence.

He had no intention of teaming up to hunt Magical Beasts; hunting alone suited him better. This way, secrets like the Ancestor Beast Holy Pill also wouldn't be leaked.

"May our paths cross again!" Yang Xiu cupped his fists towards the Insect External Incarnation and smiled unconcernedly.

Only Song Zhiqing felt somewhat dissatisfied but was helpless. He followed Yang Xiu towards the auction.

The Insect External Incarnation made its way to various shops, collecting intelligence and sea charts, striving to integrate into the Mysterious Realm.

Spirit Treasure Pavilion? Is this a shop of the Lingbao Sect?

Without hesitation, he strode into the Spirit Treasure Pavilion.

Compared to the previous shops, the Spirit Treasure Pavilion was a five-story building.

The shop's interior was lavishly decorated, and the female cultivators serving as receptionists were also much more beautiful, greeting arriving customers with enthusiasm.

"What does Senior wish to purchase?"

A female cultivator led the Insect External Incarnation to the third floor, where an array of fine Magical Treasures was on display.

There were also two Golden Core Cultivators on the third floor selecting treasures.

The first and second floors catered to Qi Refinement Realm and Foundation Establishment Cultivators, while the third floor was for Golden Core Cultivators.

Rules are rigid, but people are adaptable. As long as one displayed sufficient wealth, even a Qi Refining Cultivator could visit the fourth floor.

Though, if a Qi Refining Cultivator truly possessed such remarkable wealth, they might find it hard to leave Green Condensation Island alive.

"Is the Spirit Treasure Pavilion a shop belonging to the Lingbao Sect?"

The Lingbao Sect's reputation was illustrious. Aside from the Sect itself, it was unlikely any ordinary power would dare use the name 'Spirit Treasure Pavilion'.

"That is common knowledge, Senior," the Maid responded with a smile.

Just as I thought!

"Does the Lingbao Sect recruit disciples on any specific schedule?"

"And what are the requirements?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.