403: Chapter 402 Golden Elixir Fruit

With this thought, Qin Changsheng already had a complete decision in his heart.

That was to make a trip to the Wu Family after the gathering to resolve their impending crisis.

Then, he would obtain the spirit marrow liquid from Wu Feng.

More than an hour later, as the last person finished sharing their cultivation insights.

This Foundation Establishment Gathering also entered its final trading phase.

As the trading began, some people opened their Storage Pouches, taking out Medicinal Pills, Talismans, low-grade Magical Artifacts, and spirit materials that were useless or idle, neatly placing them on the tables;

Some scanned the room, picking out the cultivation resources they needed, bargaining in pairs, bartering, and exchanging what they had for what they lacked; the private room instantly became lively and bustling.

The group of Foundation Establishment Cultivators was immersed in the trading, the atmosphere hot and harmonious.

However, Qin Changsheng remained indifferent throughout, not participating in any trades.

He restrained all his aura, his gaze seemingly casual, but in reality, from start to finish, it had quietly fallen on Lin Yao in the crowd.

Others didn't know the inside story, but Qin Changsheng knew clearly that Lin Yao was hiding an extremely precious Heaven And Earth Treasure, the golden core fruit.

This fruit was one of the most important medicinal ingredients for him to elevate his Golden Core quality to gold.

He waited quietly, patiently watching everyone trade and Exchange, calculating inwardly, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Not long after, Lin Yao, who had been watching quietly, slowly stood up: "Senior Brothers, I came today not seeking Medicinal Pills or spirit materials, but only an earth-grade low grade sword. If anyone has a suitable weapon in hand, you may trade with me."

As her voice fell, the private room fell silent for a moment.

Earth-Grade Magical Artifacts were inherently scarce, far exceeding what ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators could refine or possess. Most of those present were only at the Foundation Establishment stage, holding only Yellow Rank or Profound Rank weapons; no one possessed an extra earth-grade low grade sword.

For a time, no one responded; everyone wore expressions of helplessness, as no one could meet Lin Yao's request.

In the corner, Qin Changsheng, who had been silently observing, suddenly had a gleam flash in his eyes; his heart stirred instantly.

Lin Yao's identity was extremely special; she was not an ordinary Sect Disciple, but the Personal Disciple of the Yao Race overlord, Shen Guhong.

Shen Guhong was his mortal enemy, and also the primary target he had aimed at in the past when he destroyed the Ten Thousand Demon Altar and severely damaged the Yao Race.

Since she was the student of a mortal enemy, there was no need to show mercy.

Today, meeting by chance, with Lin Yao asking for help, it was the perfect Opportunity for him to take action and take advantage of the situation!

At the same time, Qin Changsheng had a plan: use a temporarily copied Earth-Grade sword to Exchange for the incomparably precious golden core fruit in Lin Yao's hands. This deal would be a guaranteed profit.

With his mind made up, Qin Changsheng no longer hesitated.

He secretly activated his Heavenly Dao Trait ability—[Copy].

The power of the Heavenly Dao quietly flowed through his body, beginning to Copy an earth-grade low grade sword inside his Storage Space.

In an instant, a flash of spiritual light condensed into shape; an earth-grade low grade sword with perfect quality, pure aura, and no flaws quietly materialized.

This copied sword's appearance, spiritual power, and texture were indistinguishable from the real thing, enough to pass for the genuine article. The only flaw was its limited duration; it could only persist for three days, after which it would dissipate on its own and vanish into nothingness.

Lin Yao stood in place, a trace of disappointment inevitably climbing onto her elegant brows and eyes.

She had held some expectations, thinking that the Sect gathering was full of hidden talents and perhaps someone might happen to carry an extra Earth-Grade weapon, but she hadn't expected to end up with nothing.

But she urgently needed a suitable Earth-Grade sword to Cultivate her Lifebound Treasure and was unwilling to give up. After a slight pause, she spoke again, her tone carrying a hint of earnestness, relaxing all trading conditions: "If any Senior Brothers have an earth-grade low grade sword, no matter how many Spirit Stones or what kind of rare treasures, as long as I can provide them, I can use them all for the Exchange!"

To obtain this sword, she was already sparing no cost, allowing the other party to name their price.

Yet even so, no one in the room responded. Everyone could only smile bitterly and shake their heads, feeling helpless.

Just as Lin Yao was full of disappointment and preparing to give up, a calm voice suddenly rang out from the corner.

"I happen to have an earth-grade low grade sword in my possession." As the voice fell, all gazes in the room instantly converged there.

They saw Qin Changsheng, who had been sitting quietly in the corner and was completely unremarkable, slowly stand up.

His expression was indifferent, revealing no abnormality, and he gently waved his hand.

A clear beam of spiritual light flew out from his sleeve and landed steadily on the table in front of him.

Hum—a crisp sword chime rang out softly, and a cold, frigid light began to circulate.

The copied earth-grade low grade sword lay quietly on the table. The patterns on the sword body were regular and delicate, the spiritual power was thick and pure, the sharpness was restrained yet hidden, and the quality was flawless. Its aura, texture, and quality were no different from a real Earth-Grade sword; there was not a single flaw.

The moment she saw this sword with her own eyes, Lin Yao's eyes instantly lit up with brilliant radiance. The disappointment on her face was swept away, replaced by hard-to-conceal rapture and surprise.

She had thought this trade was doomed to fail and had never dared to hope she would see an earth-grade low grade sword of such superior quality at a Foundation Establishment Cultivator gathering.

With this Earth-Grade Magical Artifact sword, she could craft an excellent Lifebound Treasure.

Not only Lin Yao, but all the Cultivators present stared intently at the sword on the table, their faces full of amazement and their hearts full of envy.

No one expected that this plain and reticent middle-aged Cultivator would actually hide such a precious Magical Artifact.

Lin Yao suppressed the excitement in her heart, hurriedly stepped forward half a step, her posture humble and respectful, and took the initiative to ask: "Senior Brother, I don't know what you want to Exchange for it? As long as it is within my power, any treasures or Spirit Stones in my possession are yours to choose from!"

Qin Changsheng pretended to ponder, acting as if he were thinking seriously: "I want the golden core fruit."

The short four words fell, clearly reaching Lin Yao's ears.

Lin Yao, who was just full of rapture, saw the joy on her face instantly freeze, replaced by intense conflict and hesitation.

She herself fell into a difficult dilemma.

How precious the golden core fruit was! It was a top-tier Heaven And Earth Treasure she had luckily obtained in her early years after adventuring into an ancient Secret Realm, overcoming countless dangers, and fighting to the death for it.

Such a rare treasure was far more valuable than an ordinary earth-grade low grade Magical Artifact. She had always treasured it carefully, never willing to use it, let alone trade it with others.

For a time, Lin Yao felt a hundred kinds of reluctance in her heart, deeply conflicted.

But when her gaze fell back to the sword on the table, with its flowing spiritual light and excellent quality, her hesitation gradually wavered.

She was about to refine her Lifebound Treasure; an ordinary Profound Rank sword simply could not bear the power of a Lifebound Treasure, severely limiting her combat capabilities.

Only an Earth-Grade weapon could perfectly match her Cultivation Technique, allowing her to forge her exclusive Lifebound Treasure and achieve a qualitative leap in her combat power.

If she missed today, she didn't know when she would be able to find another earth-grade low grade sword that was so suitable and of such superior quality.

On one side was the priceless Heaven And Earth Treasure, the golden core fruit; on the other was the excellent Opportunity to forge her Lifebound sword path and soar upwards.

After several weighings and trade-offs, Lin Yao finally suppressed her reluctance.

Compared to the golden core fruit, being able to forge her Lifebound Treasure early and improve her sword cultivation Foundation was of greater benefit to her long-term path of cultivation.

She took a deep breath, the conflict in her eyes completely faded away, she gritted her teeth, and no longer hesitated.

She saw her raise her hand to wipe her Storage Pouch, and a fruit that was round, translucent white, and suffused with rich Spiritual Qi slowly emerged.

The fruit peel shimmered with flowing colors, and wisps of sweet Spiritual Qi rushed towards her; it was the incomparably precious golden core fruit.

"Senior Brother, the golden core fruit is here. I will trade it for your Earth-Grade sword." Lin Yao's tone carried a hint of heartache, but she still firmly handed the golden core fruit over.

In the corner, Qin Changsheng reached out and took the golden core fruit, sensing it carefully.

After confirming that the Spiritual Qi was pure and the fruit was complete and flawless—a genuine golden core fruit—he did not linger.

He raised his hand and pushed the copied earth-grade low grade sword with a three-day duration limit in front of Lin Yao, his voice flat and waveless: "The trade is complete."

Lin Yao hurriedly reached out and took the sword. The moment she held it in her hand, feeling the biting sharpness of the sword body and the thick Spiritual Qi, the trace of reluctance in her heart instantly dissipated by more than half, and her eyes were full of satisfaction.

The surrounding Cultivators watched this trade, all silently amazed; no one expected that Lin Yao would actually take out the supreme treasure, the golden core fruit, to trade for this Earth-Grade sword.

Qin Changsheng couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the gazes of others. After successfully obtaining the golden core fruit, he had no intention of staying a moment longer.

Without waiting for anyone to say more, he turned slightly, walked straight out of the private room, and taking advantage of the moment when everyone's attention was focused on the trade of the sword and the golden core fruit, he quietly and hurriedly left Qingyun Tower.

Now that Qin Changsheng had obtained the golden core fruit, he only needed to head to the Wu Family to obtain the final treasure, and he would be able to elevate his Golden Core quality to the highest gold.

...

Wu Family.

The entire residence was shrouded in a lingering haze. The lively scene of Cultivators coming and going and Spiritual Qi lingering had completely disappeared, replaced by bone-chilling fear and despair.

Throughout the mansion, whether they were direct descendants, collateral branch members, or guards and servants, everyone wore a sorrowful expression, walking in a hurry, with an unbreakable worry pressing between their brows.

A catastrophe was already hanging over the head of the Wu Family.

Everyone knew that the Wu Family had carelessly offended a powerful Golden Core Cultivator. The other party had already threatened that in one month, he would personally visit and annihilate the entire Wu Family, leaving no one alive.

For the Wu Family, whose Foundation was limited to a worldly clan and whose highest cultivation was only at the Foundation Establishment Peak, a Golden Core Cultivator was a supreme powerhouse who could destroy everything with a flip of his hand—a terrifying existence they simply could not resist.

More than half a month passed in a flash, and the paths of survival left for the Wu Family were already few and far between.

Inside the Wu Family's council hall, all the core members of the Wu Family gathered, the atmosphere suffocatingly oppressive.

No one spoke, only heavy sighs rose and fell; everyone's heart was pressed down by a thousand-jin boulder.

On the main seat, Wu Family head Wu Feng sat upright, his temples slightly gray, his expression weary and grave.

Having managed the Wu Family for many years, he had weathered countless storms, but he had never been as helpless and exhausted as he was today.

Looking at the panicked and helpless clan members and Elders below, he took a deep breath, suppressed the panic in his heart, and asked in a deep voice.

"There are only ten days left before that Golden Core powerhouse visits. Now that catastrophe is upon us and our Wu Family is in imminent danger, you are all the core of the clan; if you have any methods to save our lives, speak them all."

As his voice fell, the hall was silent for a moment, then completely exploded. The clansmen, suppressed for many days, could no longer hold back and began to offer strategies; various chaotic suggestions rose and fell.

"Family Head, that is a Golden Core Cultivator! Our Wu Family has no power to resist at all; remaining here is a dead end. In my opinion, it is better for everyone to disperse and flee, each saving their own life. If one can survive, that is one more; it is better than total annihilation!"

As soon as this was said, many people were moved. In a desperate situation, fleeing separately was the most helpless retreat.

Even if that Golden Core Cultivator was powerful, it was impossible for him to slaughter all the members of the Wu Family.

They would surely have one or two Bloodlines survive.

Immediately, a clan Elder shook his head and retorted, his expression pained: "Fleeing in all directions is ultimately the worst strategy! Our Wu Family has lived here for generations, with clan ties and connected Bloodlines; fleeing separately will only result in becoming Loose Cultivators. From then on, the Wu Family will be completely destroyed, and there will be no Legacy!"

"In my opinion, select the direct descendants and core Bloodlines with excellent talent in the clan, have elite guards escort them to break out at the cost of their lives to preserve the Wu Family's spark, and let the rest stay here to drag the other party down to the death!"

Once this strategy was proposed, the hall fell into silence again. Preserving the spark but sacrificing most of the clan members—it was cruel but realistic.

At this time, a clan member who had gone out for training cupped his hands and proposed loudly: "The only path to survival now is to seek protection from a major Sect! The Heavenly Sword Sect is close at hand and is a top Sect in the Southern Region, with clouds of strong experts and generations of powerhouses. We should immediately prepare generous gifts, go to the Heavenly Sword Sect, and kneel to beg for protection. Using the Sect's influence to deter that Golden Core Cultivator might be able to keep our Wu Family safe!"

This proposal made a glimmer of light appear in many people's eyes; this was currently the only seemingly viable path to survival.

However, their Wu Family had no friendship within the Heavenly Sword Sect.

And there were no strong experts in the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The only one, Senior Brother Wu Yong, had died before the Zhenyao Pass.

"Why kneel and beg others! Our Wu Family has been rooted here for generations, cultivating for generations; how can we surrender without a fight! Since we are going to die anyway, it is better to gather all the clan's combat power, exhaust all the Magic Treasures and Medicinal Pills in the clan, and fight the Golden Core Cultivator to the death! Even if we are not a match, we must make the other party pay a price; we will never disgrace our Wu Family Bloodline!"

For a time, there were many opinions in the hall, and the four plans each had their supporters.

Some advocated fleeing for survival, some advocated preserving the spark, some pinned their hopes on Sect protection, and some were determined to fight to the end.

Quarreling, conflict, and hesitation were intertwined in the hall, but no one could come up with a truly safe method that could ensure the safety of all Wu Family members.

Wu Feng on the main seat watched the arguing clansmen, his eyes full of weariness and bitterness.

He knew clearly in his heart that fleeing in all directions was a strategy of losing one's roots, selecting the best to break out was the pain of severing an arm, Sect protection had slim hopes, and fighting to the death was like throwing an egg against a rock.

The large Wu Family, with a Legacy of hundreds of years, had actually fallen into a desperate situation of having no way forward or back, with no countermeasures, under the Pressure of a Golden Core.

Just as this chaotic stalemate was happening, the Grand Elder stood up.

"In my humble opinion, we do not need to be limited to a single strategy. We can implement three strategies in parallel, seeking survival from multiple sides, to fight for a sliver of hope for the Wu Family."

The Grand Elder walked slowly out of the queue, his expression steady and solemn, his gaze sweeping across the room.