Trading for the Copper Plate

The unique Soul Contract mark of the Pill Tower Notary Office, carrying an undeniable power of rules, slowly merged into the space between Lin Ming and Master Di's brows, eventually disappearing as a barely perceptible line. The contract was established and was supervised by the Pill Tower; in this Middle Continent Plains, almost no one dared to easily violate it.

Master Di clutched his own contract scroll tightly, his withered fingers trembling slightly with excitement, as if his long-dormant soul had been given a new lease on life.

He bowed deeply to Lin Ming, his tone more solemn than ever before. "Master Lin, I am deeply grateful! I... await your good news!"

Having said that, he didn't linger any longer. Filled with immense anticipation for the next three years, he hurriedly left, clearly eager to make more thorough preparations for welcoming the Soul Infant Fruit.

The Yellow Robe Elder witnessed the entire event, and his reverence for Lin Ming deepened, his attitude becoming even more humble. "Master Lin, would you like to take a look at the other stalls? There are several other masters on the top floor with very rich collections..."

Lin Ming waved his hand, but his gaze had already passed through the crowd, landing on a corner that still exuded a lazy and slightly slovenly atmosphere. "No need, I'm just looking around."

After saying that, Lin Ming led Xiao Yi Xian, Elder Yao, and Ye Zhong straight towards the Cold Jade Platform where Old Yan was.

Old Yan was still lying there looking like he hadn't woken up yet, but when Lin Ming and the others stopped in front of his stall, a shrewd glint flashed in his squinted eyes, like an old fox spotting its fat prey.

He slowly sat up, patted his gray robe stained with some unknown dirt, revealed a set of yellow teeth, and chuckled, "Oh, a distinguished guest! Young man, you have good taste. What treasure here has caught your eye? Don't worry, the price is guaranteed to be fair, no cheating!"

His tone and demeanor were exactly like those of a shrewd, unscrupulous businessman, completely out of place with the elegant and tranquil atmosphere of the rooftop.

Lin Ming was already used to his mannerisms and didn't bother with beating around the bush. He fixed his gaze directly on the pale yellow bronze piece that Old Yan had casually placed on the edge of the jade table and calmly said, "Take a close look at that bronze piece."

Old Yan's eyes lit up, and his smile became even more "radiant." He carefully, or rather, pretentiously, picked up the copper piece, but did not hand it over immediately. Instead, he held it in front of Lin Ming as if it were some priceless treasure, lowered his voice, and spoke in a somewhat mysterious tone.

"Hehe, as expected of a big spender who can casually offer Eighth Grade Pill Recipe as collateral, your eye for detail is truly sharp! Let me tell you, don't let its unappealing appearance fool you, this thing is absolutely a genuine ancient artifact! Feel the aura of time on it, these ancient patterns... it might hold some earth-shattering secret, perhaps a map of the legacy of an ancient Dou Sheng, or even some lost peerless cultivation Cultivation Method!"

He boasted animatedly, trying to exaggerate the value of the bronze piece to an outrageous degree.

Lin Ming watched his performance expressionlessly until Old Yan paused slightly before uttering three words indifferently. "Name your price."

Old Yan was taken aback by the direct price inquiry, but his smile immediately became even more enthusiastic. He rubbed his hands together as if he had made a great decision, and then spoke.

"Young man, you're quite straightforward! Since you're so discerning, I won't play games with you. Ancient artifacts are never simple, and their value is naturally... hehe, extraordinary. How about this, considering you just patronized Old Di's business, which is a great help to him, I'll give you a friendly price, a discount! Just give me any recipe for a Tier 8 Medicinal Pill! How about that, isn't that generous enough?"

Upon hearing this, even Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help but frown slightly, and Elder Yao let out a barely audible snort. Eighth Grade Pill Recipe? This old fellow really dares to ask! If no one recognizes this copper piece, it would be nothing more than a piece of utter scrap metal in his hands.

Lin Ming gave him a speechless look, as if to say, "Are you still half asleep?"

Lin Ming then said with a hint of mockery, "Tier 8 Medicinal Pill formula? Old Yan, why don't you just say you want Tier 9? I wonder where you learned this talent for talking so readily. State a reasonable price; if it's right, I'll take it. If not, you can keep it for yourself to study, or wait for the next sucker willing to trade Eighth Grade Pill Recipe for your 'earth-shattering secret'."

After saying that, Lin Ming made a move to turn around and leave.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't be in such a hurry, young man! Even if the deal falls through, we can still be friends. The price is negotiable, negotiable!" Seeing this, Old Yan quickly spoke up to stop him, his exaggerated smile fading and replaced with an expression of "reluctantly parting with his money."

He knew full well that he hadn't been able to unravel the mystery of this copper piece even after decades in his hands, and if he couldn't seize the opportunity to exchange it for tangible benefits today, it would probably just rot in his hands. Although the young man in front of him was young, his insight, courage, and background were extraordinary, making him the best candidate for him to get rid of this item.

So he pretended to ponder for a moment, as if he were having a fierce internal struggle, before gritting his teeth and saying, "Fine, fine! I can see you're really serious about it. Here's the deal: the lowest price! At least one Tier 7 High-Grade pill formula! This is truly my bottom line! Young brother, this is an ancient artifact; you should know its value. If you miss this opportunity, you'll never get another one!"

He held up one finger, emphasizing "Tier 7 High-Grade" and "bottom line".

Lin Ming sneered inwardly. This old guy really wouldn't act until he saw the benefit. Tier 7 High-Grade pill formula was also quite valuable, enough to tempt many Dou Zun expert. Using it to exchange for this copper piece whose activation method he didn't yet know was still quite risky. However, compared to Eighth Grade Pill Recipe, this was already within an acceptable range of risk.

Lin Ming shook his head, his tone resolute and unwavering. "Tier 7 High-Grade? Old Yan, do you think Tier 7 High-Grade pill formulas are as common as cabbages? And at the very least. I'll give you one last price. If you agree, we'll trade. If not, then I don't want it. You can keep it and continue to comprehend that 'earth-shattering secret'."

After a pause, Lin Ming looked calmly at Old Yan and said clearly, "Seventh Grade Intermediate, mid-level 'Suxin Pill' formula, in exchange for this copper coin."

"The Suxin Pill?"

Upon hearing this name, Old Yan's expression froze instantly, followed by an undisguised look of astonishment, which then transformed into ecstatic joy!

The Suxin Pill! This is a renowned top-grade auxiliary elixir among Mid-Grade Seventh-Rank Pill! Its effects are extremely unique; it doesn't directly enhance cultivation or combat power, but rather stabilizes the mind and eliminates distractions during alchemy or deep cultivation, greatly improving concentration and success rate!

For Alchemist, a single Suxin Pill often means a guarantee of success in refining a high-grade pill. Its value, at certain specific times, can even be comparable to some Tier 7 High-Grade pills!

Before starting to refine important pills, many high-level Alchemist will try every means to purchase a Suxin Pill or a pill with similar effects to ensure success. The recipe for the Suxin Pill is regarded as a treasure by major Alchemist factions and is rarely leaked. Its actual value and applicability far exceed many impressive-sounding but not widely applicable Tier 7 High-Grade pill recipes.

Old Yan had been stuck at the Tier 7 High-Grade realm for a long time, and his attempts to refine medicine often failed due to mental fluctuations. This Suxin Pill was a godsend for him, far more useful than a Tier 7 High-Grade formula whose purpose was unknown!

"Change it! Change it!!" Old Yan practically roared, afraid that Lin Ming would change his mind.

He shoved the pale yellow copper piece into Lin Ming's hand, his face beaming with joy. His previous cunning and calculation vanished, replaced by pure excitement. "Haha, good! Young brother, you're a truly honest man! You're straightforward! I love doing business with such decisive people!"

The speed at which his expression changed made even the Xiao Yi Xian to the side unable to suppress a smile.

Lin Ming took the cold, rough-textured copper piece. With a slight probe of his Soul Power, he could more clearly feel the ancient and obscure fluctuations within it, as well as the strange attraction that subtly targeted his soul. Lin Ming immediately confirmed that it was indeed true.

Therefore, Lin Ming did not delay and immediately took out a scroll from his Storage Ring. Inside was the complete recipe for the "Suxin Pill", including the combination of medicinal materials, Refinement Techniques, control of heat, and many details and precautions for Pill Formation.

"Old Yan, let's inspect the goods." Lin Ming pushed the scroll toward Old Yan.

Old Yan eagerly accepted it, immersing his Soul Power into it to examine it carefully. The more he examined it, the more delighted he became, until finally he couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh out loud, "Wonderful! Wonderful indeed! It really is the Suxin Pill! And the records are so detailed! Haha, good! The deal is done!"

Both sides got what they wanted, and everyone was happy.

Lin Ming said no more, put the copper piece into his Storage Ring, nodded slightly to Old Yan, and then turned and left the top floor with Xiao Yi Xian and Heavenly Flame Venerate.

Upon reaching the second floor, they met up with their senior brothers Xu Shilin and Xin Lan. Judging from the smiles on their faces, they must have found something. So, the group didn't explore any further and headed downstairs together.

Stepping out of the trading hall, the city lights were already twinkling, their brilliance like a fallen galaxy illuminating the bustling crowds. A cool night breeze brushed against my face.

"Shall we go straight back to the Ye Family Courtyard?" Xiao Yi Xian asked softly, her cool gaze sweeping over the surroundings with a hint of wariness.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ming nodded. Then, without lingering, the group moved and disappeared into the night, speeding towards the place where the Ye Family had provided for them in Sacred Pill City. Behind them, in the shadows, several ghostly figures appeared and disappeared, silently following them.

Even under the cover of night, Sacred Pill City remained as bustling as ever, with thousands of lights adorning the vast city like stars. After leaving the trade fair, Lin Ming and his group did not linger and headed straight for the Courtyard provided by the Ye Family.

Along the way, Lin Ming's senior brother, Xu Shilin, leaned close to Lin Ming and whispered, "Junior brother, when we left the trade fair just now, it seemed like someone was following us for a while."

Lin Ming remained expressionless and nodded slightly. "Yes, I know. They're just greedy spies or spies planted by the Cao Family; nothing to worry about."

Lin Ming, who was already used to such things, didn't pay much attention to them. After all, with the strength of their group, those people were just clowns.

The night is still long. After the joy of the harvest, perhaps undercurrents will be brewing.