Space Trade Fair and the Eighth-Tier Nine-Colored Nine Netherworld Underworld Pill

After putting away the Nine Netherworld Underworld Pill, Jiang Yuan wasted no time and headed straight for the Space Trade Fair.

The Space Trade Fair was organized by the Three Great Powers. Held at regular intervals, it drew experts from far and wide to trade rare treasures and was renowned throughout the Dou Qi Continent.

Before long, Jiang Yuan arrived at the venue, a vast palace-like building. People streamed past its entrance, which was heavily guarded.

Just as Jiang Yuan was about to enter, a guard at the door reached out to stop him.

The guard gave off a formidable aura. He looked Jiang Yuan over and asked coolly, "Stop. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

Jiang Yuan stopped and glanced at him, unperturbed by the questioning.

The guard was certainly strong. Judging by his aura, he was probably a Dou Zun. But Jiang Yuan did not consider him much of a threat. With the strength of an Eight-Star Dou Zong and the support of his Dou Di Bloodline, he might not lose if they fought.

Besides, he had not come here to fight. There was no need to make trouble.

"I'm here for the trade fair," Jiang Yuan said calmly.

The guard looked him over again. Seeing how young he was and how plainly he was dressed, he sneered. "The trade fair won't begin for several days. You're early. Come back then."

Jiang Yuan did not take offense at being turned away. "I'm not here to buy anything. I'm here to provide a pill."

The words "provide a pill" gave the guard pause. He studied Jiang Yuan from head to toe, plainly unconvinced.

After all, judging by Jiang Yuan's age and appearance, he hardly looked like someone who could produce anything valuable.

Seeing his attitude, Jiang Yuan knew the guard did not believe him. Without another word, he took the Nine Netherworld Underworld Pill from his Storage Ring and displayed it in his palm.

The moment the pill appeared, an intensely rich medicinal fragrance filled the air. Nine bands of light flowed across its surface, each radiating remarkably pure energy.

The guard froze at the sight. The disdain on his face vanished.

He drew a sharp breath. Though he was no alchemist, years of guarding the trade fair had shown him plenty of treasures. He could tell at a glance that this pill was extraordinary.

He had seen Eighth-Tier Pills before, but he had rarely seen one with nine bands of light flowing across it.

His expression changed at once, and his voice turned respectful. "My lord, forgive my poor judgment. Please, come inside!"

Jiang Yuan put the pill away and, without saying more, followed the guard into the venue.

After passing through several long corridors, he was led to a reception room.

Soon, a white-haired elder emerged. He wore a plain gray robe and had a kindly face, but a deeply restrained yet powerful aura lingered around him.

Jiang Yuan took one look at the man's appearance and aura and had a good idea who he was.

This was probably Old Man Baoshan, one of the people in charge of the trade fair.

Old Man Baoshan approached Jiang Yuan and greeted him with cupped hands. "Young friend, I am Old Man Baoshan. I hear you have a pill you wish to put up for auction at our trade fair?"

Jiang Yuan nodded at the polite greeting. "That's right."

Interest lit Old Man Baoshan's face. He gestured inward. "Please, come in. Let's sit down and talk."

He led Jiang Yuan into a private room and had a servant bring tea.

Once they were seated, Old Man Baoshan asked, "What tier is the pill you're offering, young friend? Might I have a look at it first?"

Jiang Yuan made no attempt to hide it. He took out the Nine Netherworld Underworld Pill and set it on the table.

Old Man Baoshan's eyes lit up the instant he saw it. Astonishment crossed his face as he carefully picked it up and examined it.

Once he saw the nine bands of light on its surface and sensed the energy within, he could no longer remain composed.

"An Eighth-Tier Nine-Colored Pill! Young friend, what is this pill called?"

"The Nine Netherworld Underworld Pill. Its effect is simple: it allows a Dou Zun who takes it to advance directly to Dou Sheng."

Old Man Baoshan froze on the spot.

He stared wide-eyed at Jiang Yuan, then at the pill in his hand. It took him a long moment to find his voice. "Advance from Dou Zun to Dou Sheng? Young friend, are you certain you mean Dou Sheng, not Half-Saint?"

Jiang Yuan nodded at his stunned reaction. "I'm certain. Dou Sheng."

"As long as the person taking it has reached Dou Zun, the Nine Netherworld Underworld Pill will let them break through directly to Dou Sheng. They can skip the Half-Saint stage entirely and do it in one step."

Old Man Baoshan drew a sharp breath. The hand holding the pill trembled despite himself.

It could take a Dou Zun straight to Dou Sheng?

Without even passing through Half-Saint?

This pill defied the heavens!

Everyone knew that while Dou Zuns were not exactly common on the Dou Qi Continent, they were not exceedingly rare either. Dou Shengs were another matter entirely. Every one of them stood among the strongest on the continent.

A pill that could let a Dou Zun bypass Half-Saint and break through to Dou Sheng was beyond price.

Old Man Baoshan took several deep breaths to calm himself. When he looked at Jiang Yuan again, his gaze was filled with respect.

Anyone who could refine a pill of this caliber could not be ordinary. Jiang Yuan might be some great figure from a hidden power.

"Young friend—no, my lord," Old Man Baoshan corrected himself hastily. "This pill is truly a rare treasure. Our trade fair will do everything we can to auction it for you. What would you like in exchange?"

Jiang Yuan did not beat around the bush. "I heard a Ninth-Tier Magical Beast's Magic Core will appear at this Space Trade Fair. I want it."

Old Man Baoshan paused, then nodded in understanding.

"You mean the Heaven-Splitting Thunder Flood Dragon's Magic Core, my lord?" Old Man Baoshan said. "We do have it, and it is scheduled to appear at the auction."

"But rest assured, my lord. Your pill is worth far more than that Magic Core. I can set it aside for you now. There's no need to wait for the auction."

Jiang Yuan nodded, satisfied by his eagerness. "Thank you."

Old Man Baoshan waved his hands at once. "Not at all. It's a great honor to have you at our trade fair, my lord. What's a mere Magic Core compared to that?"

He ordered a servant to fetch the Heaven-Splitting Thunder Flood Dragon's Magic Core, then personally poured Jiang Yuan tea, attending to him with great enthusiasm.

Before long, the servant brought the Magic Core. Jiang Yuan took the fist-sized object and examined it. Feeling the vast energy within, he was thoroughly satisfied.

According to the system, with this Ninth-Tier Magic Core, my strength can rise another level!