Chapter 69: A Lead on the Method, the Sword Tomb’s History

Seeing that Ye Qiuyue had already explained, Wu Li did not interject. He was still waiting for Qin Xiao’s answer.

“What if a single Saint Origin Spirit Fruit were put up for auction? What price could it fetch?”

Qin Xiao was still unwilling to give up and continued to ask.

“One was sold at our branch’s auction house. The customer insisted on an auction, or we would have bought it ourselves. It sold for one billion Spirit Stones.”

Wu Li did not hide anything and answered Qin Xiao directly.

“What? A single fruit is worth one billion?”

Qin Xiao had prepared himself for the price, but a billion still shocked him.

“Yes. That was an auction price, but you cannot simply buy this fruit whenever you want. With so little supply, the auction price is effectively the market price.”

Wu Li continued to explain.

“Then, Manager Li, do you have one billion?”

Qin Xiao sounded doubtful.

“Don’t worry, young friend Qin. I have some savings. If they fall short, the association will lend me the rest. I can afford it.”

Wu Li did not mind Qin Xiao’s doubt. After all, one billion was no small sum; it could well be called an astronomical figure.

The Immortal Dao Merchant Association might be the only faction with that means. Even the Tianyuan Sect would struggle to produce a billion Spirit Stones.

“I was just asking. I agree. If I get a Saint Origin Spirit Fruit in Spirit Medicine Valley, I’ll sell you one first.”

Qin Xiao agreed to Wu Li’s request outright.

He already had the fruit, but now he was afraid. Spirit Stones and Spirit Liquid were money. Showing money might put him in danger. From what he had heard, this fruit was beyond money—it was treasure. Showing treasure could get him killed.

If word spread that he had many Saint Origin Spirit Fruits, who knew how many Soul Formation and Body Integration cultivators would hunt him? Even Great Ascension experts might come to seize them.

“Haha, your word is enough, young friend Qin. Whether you get one or not, it does not matter.” This story is hosted at novelping . com.

Seeing Qin Xiao agree, Wu Li’s mood instantly brightened, and he laughed heartily.

Wu Li could not explain it, but he felt Qin Xiao was unusual and likely to obtain the fruit. It was an investment. If Qin Xiao found one, Wu Li would have a chance to break through. If not, he lost only a piece of information.

“The advanced Body Refinement method is deep in the Sword Tomb. I read many records while studying Body Refinement and happened to find an old text. It said that more than ten thousand years ago, the Sword Tomb was only a trial ground, belonging to a first-rate Qingzhou sect: the Divine Sword Sect.”

Wu Li’s account explained the Sword Tomb’s origins.

Qingzhou had once been the greatest holy land for sword cultivators on the continent. The Divine Sword Sect had the strongest sword cultivators, and others came from everywhere to seek it out.

The Divine Sword Sect could not admit every sword cultivator. Before ascending, its founding ancestor laid out the Sword Tomb. Anyone who reached a hundred li inside could join the sect. At five hundred li, they could become a Personal Disciple. Whoever cleared the Sword Tomb could become the next Sect Leader.

It later became a trial ground for the sect’s own disciples too. Clearing it was an honor. Over the years, countless people challenged the Sword Tomb, and countless died inside.

Despite its rank, the Divine Sword Sect had few members. All were obsessed with the sword and cared little for the belongings left in the Sword Tomb. Gradually, it became a place to find treasures.

Later, the sect produced a genius in Sword and Body Dual Cultivation. He was the only person to reach a thousand li into the Sword Tomb since the founding ancestor had laid it out. For some unknown reason, he stood there with his sword and never returned. Some said he had spent all his life force forcing his way there and exhausted his lifespan.

More people suspected foul play. Someone had envied his talent and feared he would become Sect Leader. They must have sabotaged him. There were many theories.

Then the Divine Sword Sect was destroyed overnight, with nobody left there. No one knew what had happened. Some said it had offended a faction it should not have crossed. Others said its members had taken all the sect’s treasures into the Sword Tomb. The sect was gone; the Sword Tomb remained.

The theory that the sect members had retreated into the tomb persisted because, from that day onward, the Sword Tomb was sealed off, becoming a secret realm that opened only once every decade.

When the Sword Tomb reopened, it had an age limit. No one over a hundred could enter. Plenty of Soul Formation cultivators below that age went in, yet none met a living person. In time, it was simply another secret realm. Fewer and fewer people remembered the Divine Sword Sect.

“Wait, Manager Li. You say nobody has gone a thousand li inside all these years. How could I go that far? How would I get his Body Refinement method?”

Qin Xiao understood the story now, but nobody had managed it in over ten thousand years. What could he do?

That was hardly a useful lead. Was Wu Li making fun of him?

“Don’t be impatient. You are young and already have this body. I believe you can reach it before a hundred. The Sword Tomb’s pressure grows stronger the farther you go. You can use it to temper your body until you can get the method. Then you will truly transform.”

Wu Li knew the clue was true but of little use if Qin Xiao could not reach it yet. He hurried to explain.

“And the people who fell farther inside had stronger bodies. They may have left Body Refinement methods too. Even if those are not as good as that genius’s, they should not be far behind. You can improve step by step. Body Refinement takes time. You cannot do it all at once.”

Seeing Qin Xiao’s displeasure, Wu Li quickly added that.

“Very well, your words make sense. You provided the clue, and my inability to retrieve it is no fault of yours. The condition I promised still stands.” This chapter is updated first at novelping.com.

Qin Xiao felt a little shortchanged, but it was a good lead and good advice. He had plenty of the fruit. Better to do Wu Li a favor. He might need his help later.

“I misjudged you, young friend Qin. I was worried you might go back on your word. You have been generous. I owe you a favor.”

Wu Li said with a trace of awkwardness.

The information was useful and reliable. Still, it was worth much less than the chance to buy a Saint Origin Spirit Fruit.

“No need for that, Manager Li. We know each other. Of course I would offer it to an acquaintance first.”

Qin Xiao had thought it through. He wanted someone reliable to sell his Saint Origin Spirit Fruits in future. Trading with the whole association was too risky. Using Wu Li as his agent might work.

Wu Li was part of the association, and Qin Xiao was sure he would reach Body Integration. He would have cultivation, connections, and buyers. He was a good choice.

“Since our business is concluded, we shall take our leave.”

He still wanted to see Heavenly Clothes Pavilion. He had never been there and did not even know where it was. He could look around and learn the way.

“It has been a pleasure, Young Master Qin. Bring any fine goods to our association in future, and come to us for anything you want to buy. If we do not have it, leave the details. We will find it for you.”

Seeing Qin Xiao and his group preparing to leave, Ling Ruoxue did not press them to stay, offering a few polite parting remarks.

“Of course. A pleasure doing business.”

Qin Xiao replied briefly before leading his people away.

“Sixth Brother, I didn’t know you were so scheming. All six of us are at late Soul Formation, and you want to reach the peak first!”

Wu Jian gestured accusingly at Wu Li.

“Brothers, I’m not like you. You leave the affairs alone and cultivate in peace. I have to train and manage things. There is too little time for cultivation. What else can I do? Otherwise, when you all reach the peak, I will still be at late Soul Formation.”

Wu Li was exasperated. Were these really his own brothers? They left all the work to him so they could cultivate quietly. Didn’t he need to cultivate too? And now they criticized him for it!