The southernmost part of Great Chen is the sea, where there are bivalves that can produce pearls, known as pearls to people.
In the ocean, there are some old bivalves that have lived for hundreds or thousands of years. Inside them, pearls are nurtured, and on full moon nights, they float to the surface, spitting out pearls to be refined by moonlight, making them more round and flawless.
The pearls, refined by countless moonlit nights and nourished by the essence and blood of old bivalves, can be ground into powder for medicine and elixir-making. Consuming them can nourish the muscles and bones, as well as the internal organs, bringing the human body to an unbelievable level of strength.
"In the ’Hundred Herbs Scripture,’ there’s a ginseng pearl soup used for saving lives. The finest ginseng is boiled overnight with flawless pearls until the pearls become stone-like, and the essence is fully integrated into the soup. Those on the brink of death, after taking a sip, can catch a breath and recover."
"If a woman’s skin is not good, she can grind pearls into powder and apply it to her face to make it smooth and flawless."
"If these old bivalves encounter the right opportunity, they can evolve into mutant beast tiger bivalves. The pearls they nurture are known as ’Heavenly Bivalve Origin Pearls,’ also called Blood Exchange Pearls, which, when boiled and consumed, can change one’s bone marrow and blood, allowing Fifth Grade Martial Artists to leap to the Perfection of Fourth Grade, saving decades of time. It is an unparalleled treasure."
"I didn’t expect the Zheng family to acquire this treasure, but unfortunately, it was intercepted by a group of bandits. However, it is now ours."
Tian Li reached out and grabbed the Heavenly Bivalve Origin Pearl, feeling a warm sensation without any hardness, as if he were holding a ball of pure flesh and blood of a baby.
"Young master, this is an essential treasure. When Master Yin returns, he can use his alchemy technique to refine the Bone Marrow and Blood Changing Pill. This pill will not only allow a change of bone marrow and blood but also provide a chance to gain Qi sensing and step into the realm of Upper Third Grades."
Tian Li’s face was full of joy; he didn’t expect to gain such a treasure just from eliminating a group of bandits.
Zhong Lin also showed astonishment, not expecting such treasures to exist in the world. He thought that mutant beasts only caused destruction, not that they could produce such spiritual objects.
"I’ve said everything necessary, the Heavenly Bivalve Origin Pearl is yours, let me go."
Fan Ming said painfully, his face pale.
"Don’t think about leaving; we can give you a swift departure."
A sword shadow flashed by, and Fan Ming pointed his only remaining left hand at Zhong Lin, his face full of unwillingness, shock, and anger. But soon, his eyes gradually dimmed and finally lost all vitality.
A Fourth Grade Divine Power Realm expert died quietly in this wilderness, evoking deep sighs.
After a simple battlefield cleanup, the bodies were casually buried in a pit, and everyone returned to Tianyang City.
About an hour after they left, two figures suddenly appeared in the abandoned temple. After a search, they dug out the bodies of Fan Ming and the others from a mound behind the temple.
"All dead, the third head also died, chest collapsed, limbs shattered, right arm severed, and finally the throat was cut by a sword."
"Where is the Heavenly Bivalve Origin Pearl?"
"It’s gone, taken away by someone. What should we do now?"
"Report to the Village Chief in Black Wind Village and let him decide. Even the Third Head who had a Fourth Grade Divine Power Realm cultivation wasn’t a match. This is beyond what we can handle."
The two reburied the bodies and quickly left Turtle Back Mountain.
After returning to the Hundred Herbs Hall, Zhong Lin reported that all the bandits had been killed, and Deng Yunsheng began handling consolation matters.
In the room, Zhong Lin fiddled with the Heavenly Bivalve Origin Pearl in his hand. The golden light gave a warm feeling, lacking the hardness of a pearl, and felt as soft as a baby in his hand.
Gu Yourong took it curiously and even took a bite.
"What a magical thing; I’ve seen it only in books before. It’s beautiful."
"Unfortunately, the Bone Marrow and Blood Changing Pill is a Fourth Grade Elixir. I haven’t yet cultivated inner breath, so I can’t refine it. I’ll have to wait for Master to return and see how many pills he can make."
Gu Yourong laughed, "No rush; you just started cultivating your organs, and your lungs are not yet fully nourished. Even if you had the pill now, you couldn’t use it. Let’s have Old Deng prepare the supplementary materials for refining the elixir so that Master can start immediately when he returns."
Zhong Lin nodded; that was the only option.
"Senior sister, please hold onto this Heavenly Bivalve Origin Pearl. Hand it over to Master when he returns!" Zhong Lin said smilingly.
Gu Yourong nodded, also quite fond of shiny things, and was just wondering how to borrow it for a while...
At this thought, Gu Yourong looked at Zhong Lin, who wore a knowing smile along with others. Her face turned red, realizing her thoughts had long been seen through. Zhong Lin had done it on purpose.
"I... I’ll head back. I’ll hold onto this for you for now; you can take it back anytime you want."
"Senior sister can keep it for a while; I’m not in a hurry."
Gu Yourong snorted, turning her gaze elsewhere, but in the sunlight, her face was even more flushed.
"By the way, there’s one more thing. Mei Weixuan came by and wants to invite you to Wuyun City for the Treasure Pavilion auction."
"Treasure Pavilion auction? What’s that?"
Zhong Lin looked curious.
"Treasure Pavilion is a guild whose influence spreads across Chen Country, Lu Country, and Cheng Country. Each year it selects a country to hold auctions of various rare treasures, including elixirs, cultivation techniques, divine weapons, martial arts, and even mutant beasts. Each event is a grand gathering, and this year it happens to be in Wuyun City of our Chen Country."
Gu Yourong explained to Zhong Lin, who knew little about such matters.
"Not interested; I want to stay home and practice well."
Zhong Lin refused directly upon hearing this. Right now, he lacked neither cultivation techniques nor elixirs but only time. Besides, auctions sounded like places of trouble. It was better to stay home and practice, going wherever he wanted when his divine skill reached perfection.
"I suggest you still go."
Gu Yourong placed the Heavenly Bivalve Origin Pearl into a box, explaining, "I heard there’s a spiritual medicine called Nine Curved Spirit Ginseng at this auction, which Master planned to buy for refining the Breakthrough Pill. If Master can’t return in time from Black Wind Forest, he might miss this medicine, and who knows when he’ll get another chance."
"Breakthrough Pill..."
Zhong Lin had seen the description of this pill in the ’Elixir Scripture’ of Hundred Herbs Hall. The Breakthrough Pill is a Fourth Grade Elixir, said to help a First Grade Martial Artist break through bottlenecks and enter the next realm.
However, the Breakthrough Pill’s refining method is extremely difficult, and the spiritual medicines required are very precious. The Nine Curved Spirit Ginseng mentioned by Gu Yourong is just one of the main ingredients.
"Understood. In that case, I’ll make a trip."
Zhong Lin understood Martial Artists’ yearning for Martial Arts. If the Breakthrough Pill could indeed help them overcome bottlenecks, Master would spare no effort in refining it. As a disciple, it was natural to assist his Master.
"When is the auction being held?"
"In half a month. Given the travel time, you’ll need to leave in three days."
"I’ll go prepare the silver taels."
"Did Master leave any refined Fourth Grade Elixirs? I worry that silver alone might not buy the Nine Curved Spirit Ginseng. It’s best to prepare some Fourth Grade Elixirs just in case," Zhong Lin said.
"Alright, I’ll follow your suggestion."