Sixty-four ancient wooden pillars, forming the eye of the formation, stood majestically, carved with strange runes, emitting a not-weak aura.
Originally, this complex and profound grand formation would have been very difficult for Wu Tao to break, posing quite a challenge…
However, during a previous ambush operation, Wu Tao had found an extremely precious Four-Colored Barrier-Breaking Talisman in the storage bag of a deceased inner disciple of the Han Shui True Spirit Sect.
This Four-Colored Barrier-Breaking Talisman alone was worth five thousand spirit stones.
After expending considerable effort and using the Four-Colored Barrier-Breaking Talisman as an aid, he finally managed to break open the grand formation.
Yet, besides this grand formation, there were layers upon layers of smaller restrictive formations. Many were rare killing formations, filled with all sorts of traps and dangers.
Fortunately, as time wore on, a significant portion of these killing formations had become dilapidated.
Wu Tao spent a considerable amount of time entering this dilapidated hall. He discovered that it contained the complete cultivation system of a small sect, an entire, unbroken inheritance from the Primordial Era.
The vast and endless collection of scriptures and jade slips were less a mere inheritance and more a guarantee and foundation for any ambitious individual seeking to establish their own sect.
It was unknown who, when, or for what purpose this place was left behind. Inside the hall, an astonishing array of books and jade slips, suspended in mid-air by the restrictive enchantments, moved and shifted, creating a captivating spectacle.
Each scripture and jade slip recorded the cultivation techniques and spells practiced by the cultivators of this small sect during the Primordial Era.
Wu Tao casually reached out, and a jade slip shot out, landing in his hand. With a brief scan, he knew the cultivation method within was profound and difficult to understand, certainly not ordinary.
Wu Tao's own cultivation system was already incredibly complex, encompassing current techniques, ancient sword cultivation, primeval Buddhist cultivation, and the inheritance of the Nightmare Eye from the Primordial Nightmare tribe.
Now, with the addition of a systematic array of cultivation methods from the Primordial Era, he was able to integrate and generalize, achieving significant breakthroughs.
The value of this hall, which contained numerous cultivation methods from the Primordial Era, was no less than that of an inheritance of Primordial Great Divine Abilities in his estimation!
He greedily absorbed the fundamental knowledge of the Primordial Era's cultivation systems from the many techniques within the hall.
With the assistance of the Primordial techniques recorded in this hall, he believed he could rectify his own shortcomings in just a few years.
In other aspects, he would truly be able to stand on equal footing with the top prodigies of the cultivation world, aside from his raw combat power.
Unbeknownst to him, a month had already passed.
Upon emerging from his seclusion, Wu Tao was filled with confidence. He let out a long roar to the heavens, his laughter brimming with youthful arrogance and dominance.
Before he had comprehended them, Wu Tao had not fully grasped the significance of these Primordial cultivation methods. Now, with sudden enlightenment and clarity, he understood that these were truly invaluable treasures to him at this moment.
As long as one's aptitude was not too poor, and they received such a systematic Primordial cultivation method, even if they couldn't integrate it as quickly as Wu Tao, they could still establish a solid foundation through diligent practice. In time, they would achieve success and make a name for themselves.
Ultimately, they could contend with the numerous prodigies of the cultivation world. Even if they couldn't become invincible, they could at least become top-tier experts.
There was also a possibility of achieving fame, establishing their own sect, and leaving a trace of their name in the long river of history.
Having stayed in this dilapidated hall for a full month, Wu Tao stretched, pushing open the dust-laden doors.
He glanced at the sun in the sky, calculated the time with his fingers, and hesitated whether to return home now or continue deeper into the Abyss of the Dream Sea.
Time was indeed running short, and any further unforeseen circumstances could leave him in an awkward situation.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps from behind him, someone approaching his direction with undisguised haste.
His ears twitched slightly, and Wu Tao instantly turned around, his tattered ancient sword pointing forward.
The approaching person stopped upon seeing this, appearing somewhat surprised by Wu Tao's rapid reaction.
On the other side, Wu Tao looked closely and realized it was Zhang Wan'er.
Zhang Wan'er smiled enchantingly, sizing Wu Tao up. She gracefully raised her hand and said, "Why, after only a few days apart, Senior Brother no longer recognizes this humble girl?"
"Junior Sister Wan'er, you followed me. Do you have something to discuss?" Wu Tao replied cautiously, his composure undisturbed.
"With Senior Brother Wu's character, having stayed in the Sea God's Ruin for so long, you must have engaged in countless ambush operations, am I right? However, among these spoils of war, there should be quite a few items that Senior Brother Wu cannot use, or finds of little use. Am I correct in my guess?" Zhang Wan'er's voice was crisp, but her tone was remarkably firm.
"You are correct. I do possess some rare magic artifacts and rare treasures that are of little use to me due to my cultivation methods; they are somewhat like chicken ribs. However, Junior Sister Wan'er, what is the intention behind your question? You don't expect me to kindly give them to you, do you?" Wu Tao's expression slightly darkened as he retorted.
"It seems Senior Brother Wu truly is speaking with a demonic cultivator like myself for the first time. Actually, besides the overt conflict between the righteous and demonic paths, the truly valuable treasures acquired secretly are often exchanged one-on-one among friends through private arrangements." Zhang Wan'er smiled charmingly, explaining unhurriedly.
"Why do it this way? Wouldn't it be safer to auction them off?" Wu Tao frowned upon hearing this.
"Does Senior Brother Wu truly not know, or are you deliberately feigning ignorance? If truly valuable items are put up for auction, at least over ten percent of the profit will be taken. Moreover, some items are inherently troublesome and are not suitable for too many people to know their whereabouts." Zhang Wan'er explained again.
"Alright, enough pleasantries. Do you wish to trade treasures with me or not?" Seeing Wu Tao still hesitating, Zhang Wan'er seemed to grow impatient, her voice and tone becoming slightly colder.
"If Junior Sister Wan'er truly has good items, I am naturally willing to trade. However, Junior Sister Wan'er, why did you seek me out?" Wu Tao agreed readily but then asked abruptly.
"Isn't that simple? We have known each other for some time and understand each other to some extent. I have confidence in your strength and character. You are precisely the person suitable for trading. Furthermore, Senior Brother Wu is not the first person I have traded with. Tell me, what items do you have that would be suitable for our demonic path?" Zhang Wan'er said frankly, adding, "Besides my own items, I also have many items entrusted to me by my senior sisters and junior sisters for exchange. So, Senior Brother Wu, please bring out any good items you have."
Upon hearing this, Wu Tao's expression flickered, and he then chuckled softly.
"Items suitable for demonic cultivators, I naturally have some. But shouldn't you also reveal some of your items to me first, so I can have some idea?"
"Hmph, the items I possess range from various spiritual herbs and materials to magic artifacts, exotic items, and treasures of your righteous path. Everything you could possibly want. What do you desire?" Zhang Wan'er retorted with a cold laugh.
"What magic artifacts, or treasures from the Primordial, Primeval, or Ancient eras, etc., are not of interest to me. I am more interested in spiritual materials, elixirs, and the like. Do you happen to have any Spring of Life Water, Ten Thousand Year Golden Cicada Shell Eggs, Thousand Year Water-Fire Dual-Melting Grass, Eight Thousand Year Green Medicine Flood Dragon Bone, or Ink Jade Fragrant Wood? I am currently in dire need of these items," Wu Tao asked tentatively, his eyes flickering.
"What? Wu, are you insane? Spring of Life Water, Ten Thousand Year Golden Cicada Shell Eggs, Thousand Year Water-Fire Dual-Melting Grass, Eight Thousand Year Green Medicine Flood Dragon Bone, Ink Jade Fragrant Wood, and other such extremely rare spiritual items are things that even Nascent Soul stage old monsters might not possess. Let alone cultivators like us at the Foundation Establishment stage. Are you not intending to trade at all and are deliberately playing with me?" Zhang Wan'er was stunned at first, then immediately erupted in a torrent of curses, clearly enraged.
"If that's the case, do you have the following items, Junior Sister? Such as Hundred Medicine Spirit Bee Honey, Yellow Spring Water, Flying Sky Glazed Crystal Stone, Three Thousand Year Green Plum..." Wu Tao, unconcerned by Zhang Wan'er's insults, proceeded to list all the other spiritual items he needed. This was a technique of communication and negotiation: first, propose a request that the other party absolutely cannot fulfill, and then propose a more difficult but achievable request. This way, the other party would be more likely to accept the latter.
Hearing this, Zhang Wan'er's expression gradually improved from extreme displeasure. After Wu Tao finished speaking, she finally said with some displeasure after a long pause, "Don't get your hopes up. Spiritual items that can enhance cultivation are only found during great fortuitous encounters. Our demonic path is also severely lacking in them. Currently, I only have two: Hundred Medicine Spirit Bee Honey, and Yellow Spring Water."
"What, Junior Sister? You truly have Hundred Medicine Spirit Bee Honey and Yellow Spring Water? I am willing to pay a high price to acquire them," Wu Tao said excitedly, quickly pressing further.
"That's right, I do possess these two spiritual items. However, Senior Brother, you should also know their value. Without items of equivalent value, I will absolutely not agree!" Zhang Wan'er hesitated slightly, not immediately refusing.
(New book being updated, seeking collections, recommendation tickets, forwards, please give more, thank you friends, your support is my motivation!)