lín xuān yī jiù shì yī fù dàn dàn de biǎo qíng ， yǔ zhòng rén yú guàn ér chū ^^^^^^^^ zhào xìng ér suǒ shuō ， jīn tiān hái yǒu yī cháng níng dān qī xiū shì de jiāo yì huì ， ér qiě suàn suàn shí jiān ， yīng gāi yě kuài yào kāi shǐ le ， bù guò lín xuān bìng méi yǒu qián wǎng cān jiā de yì si ， fǎn ér xiàng yǒu cǐ pí lèi le yī yàng ， cháo yíng bīn gé de fāng xiàng zǒu qù 。
林轩依旧是一副淡淡的表情，与众人鱼贯而出^^^^^^^^照杏儿所说，今天还有一场凝丹期修士的交易会，而且算算时间，应该也快要开始了，不过林轩并没有前往参加的意思，反而像有此疲累了一样，朝迎宾阁的方向走去。
Lin Xuan still wore a calm expression as he emerged from the crowd with everyone else. According to Zhao杏儿, there was another meeting for condensation core cultivators today and it should be about to start soon. However, Lin Xuan showed no intention of attending; instead, he seemed tired and headed towards the welcoming pavilion.
cǐ shā tiān sè yǐ yǒu xiē àn ， fù jìn de xiū shì yě zhú jiàn xī shǎo qǐ lái 。
此刹天色已有些暗，附近的修士也逐渐稀少起来。
By this time, the sky had grown somewhat dark, and fewer cultivators were around.
lín xuān yuè zǒu yuè piān ， jiàn jiàn de ， yǐ lái dào yī huāng wú rén yān de shù lín lǐ miàn 。
林轩越走越偏，渐渐的，已来到一荒芜人烟的树林里面。
Lin Xuan continued walking until he arrived at a desolate forest. Quietly, he released his divine sense, finding that there were no other cultivators within several miles. A satisfied look appeared on his face as he formed a hand seal, causing his figure to blur and turn into an inconspicuous streak of light, shooting towards the distant sky.
qiǎo rán jiāng shén shí fàng chū ， fāng yuán shù lǐ nèi dōu méi yǒu xiū xiān zhě ， lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū mǎn yì zhī sè ， shuāng shǒu yī qiā jué ， shēn yǐng dùn shí biàn dé mó hú ， huà wèi yī dào bù qǐ yǎn de jīng hóng ， jī shè xiàng yuǎn chù de tiān kōng 。
悄然将神识放出，方圆数里内都没有修仙者，林轩脸上露出满意之色，双手一掐诀，身影顿时变得模糊，化为一道不起眼的惊虹，激射像远处的天空。
Meanwhile, after the trading meeting concluded, many cultivators dispersed in different directions. One of them, the Golden Spirit Fairy at Foundation Establishment stage, flew out of the mountain pass.
yǔ cǐ tóng shí ， cān jiā wán jiāo yì huì de xiū shì men yě gè bēn dōng xī ， qí zhōng nà wèi zhù jī qī de jīn líng xiān zi gèng shì xiàng shān ào wài fēi qù 。
与此同时，参加完交易会的修士们也各奔东西，其中那位筑基期的金灵仙子更是像山坳外飞去。
The Immortal Mountain Conference had officially begun, so not all cultivators resided in the welcoming pavilion. Some preferred to find their own accommodations due to their peculiar dispositions. Old Monster Jin was one such individual who had established a cave dwelling about a hundred miles away from here. The Golden Spirit Fairy returned there after attending the trading meeting.
yìn shān dà huì bìng xià zhèng shì kāi shǐ ， zì rán bú shì suǒ yǒu de xiū shì dōu jū zhù zài yíng bīn gé ， shì ， yǒu bù shǎo pí qì gǔ guài de xǐ huān lìng mì zhù chù ， jīn lǎo guài jiù shì qí zhōng yī ge tā zài lí cǐ yuē bǎi lǐ yuǎn de zi jiāng fāng lìng pì le yī chù dòng fǔ ， cǐ shí cān jiā wán jiāo yì de jīn líng biàn shì fǎn huí gāi chù 。
印山大会并下正式开始，自然不是所有的修士都居住在迎宾阁，世，有不少脾气古怪的喜欢另觅住处，金老怪就是其中一ge他在离此约百里远的子江方另辟了一处洞府，此时参加完交易的金灵便是返回该处。
This arrogant female cultivator now wore a worried expression. Everyone knew that she had been favored by her ancestor and possessed enviable pure attribute spirit roots, but behind the scenes, she suffered greatly.
zhè xiāo zhāng de nǚ xiū cǐ kè què mǎn miàn chóu róng ， rén rén jiē zhī tā dé jiā zǔ ēn chǒng ， gèng yǒu zhe lìng rén xiàn mù de chún shǔ xìng líng gēn tiān zī ， rán ér bèi dì lǐ de kǔ chǔ què zhǐ yǒu zì jǐ qīng chǔ 。
这嚣张的女修此刻却满面愁容，人人皆知她得家祖恩宠，更有着令人羡慕的纯属性灵根天资，然而背地里的苦楚却只有自己清楚。
Indeed, while her spirit root was excellent, it was also an inherently severed meridian body.
bù cuò ， rè de líng gēn shì hěn yōu yì ， rán ér què shì tiān shēng de jié mài zhī tǐ 。
不错，热的灵根是很优异，然而却是天生的截脉之体。
A severed meridian body meant that during condensation core formation, one would encounter a massive bottleneck. The success rate of forming a core was less than one percent compared to ordinary cultivators.
suǒ wèi jié mài zhī ti ruò shì zhǎng zài pǔ tōng fán rén shēn shàng ， dào méi yǒu shén me guān xì ， kě yǐ shuō ， duì shēng huó wán quán méi yǒu yǐng xiǎng ， rán ér ruò shì xiū xiān zhě ， qíng kuàng kě jiù bù zěn me miào le 。
所谓截脉之ti若是长在普通凡人身上，倒没有什么关系，可以说，对生活完全没有影响，然而若是修仙者，情况可就不怎么妙了。
It was well known that condensing cores was already difficult for regular cultivators; reducing the odds further by making it only one percent was essentially sealing off her chances of cultivation.
yōng yǒu zhè zhǒng tǐ zhì de rén ， huì zài níng dān de shí hòu ， yù jiàn tiān dà de píng jǐng ， ràng jié dān de jǐ cuì ， bù zú pǔ tōng xiū shì de bǎi fēn zhī yī 。
拥有这种体制的人，会在凝丹的时候，遇见天大的瓶颈，让结丹的几萃，不足普通修士的百分之一。
However, if she were extremely lucky and managed to successfully form a core, this body would not hinder her future cultivation in any way.
zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī ， yuán běn xiū shì jié dān jiù hěn kùn nán ， zài zhè shí ， jī chǔ shàng yòu jiāng jī lǜ jiàng dào bǎi fēn zhī yī ， kě yǐ shuō ， yǐ jiāng cǐ rén xiū xiān de xī wàng quán bù dǔ sǐ 。
众所周知，原本修士结丹就很困难，在这十，基础上又将几率降到百分之一，可以说，已将此人修仙的希望全部堵死。
In short, a severed meridian body was like a chainsaw, but merely locking down the hope of condensation core formation.
bù guò ， rú guǒ zhēn shì yùn qì hǎo dào jí chù ， néng gòu jiǎo shēn jié dān chéng gōng de huà ， jié mài zhī tǐ duì qí yǐ hòu de xiū xíng ， yòu bú huì yǒu rèn hé niē qiāng le 。
不过，如果真是运气好到极处，能够侥申结丹成功的话，截脉之体对其以后的修行，又不会有任何捏枪了。
When Jin Spirit discovered that she had such a constitution, the disappointment in her heart could be imagined. Old Monster Jin, though an Immortal婴期 cultivator, also lacked a solution.
kě yǐ zhè yàng shuō ， jié mài zhī tǐ jiù xiàng yí gè jiā suǒ ， bù guò jǐn jǐn shì jiāng níng dān de xī wàng suǒ zhù 。
可以这样说，截脉之体就像一个枷锁，不过仅仅是将凝丹的希望锁住。
Could she only remain a minor Foundation Establishment stage cultivator for life? Jin Spirit was unwilling to accept this fate and scoured countless ancient texts until she found a potential solution.
dāng bèi jiā zǔ zhěn duàn chū zì jǐ shì zhè zhǒng tǐ zhì de shí hòu ， jīn líng xīn zhōng de jǔ sàng kě xiǎng ér zhī ， jīn lǎo guài suī shì yún ， yīng qī xiū shì ， dàn yě tóng yàng méi le zhǔ yì 。
当被家祖诊断出自己是这种体质的时候，金灵心中的沮丧可想而知，金老怪虽是云，婴期修士，但也同样没了主意。
While one's constitution couldn't be changed, increasing the chances of condensation core formation could be achieved through medicinal means. If she had an upper-grade Foundation Establishment Pill to push past the bottleneck, it might offset the disadvantages of her severed meridian body.
nán dào zì jǐ zhè bèi zi ， zhǐ néng zuò yī míng xiǎo xiǎo de zhù jī qī xiū shì ， jīn líng bù gān xīn ， fān yuè liǎo wú shù diǎn jí ， zhōng yú zhǎo dào le jiě jué de tú jìng 。
难道自己这辈子，只能做一名小小的筑基期修士，金灵不甘心，翻阅了无数典籍，终于找到了解决的途径。
In ancient times, there were several such examples.
tǐ zhì wú fǎ gǎi biàn ， rán ér xiǎng yào zēng jiā níng dān de jī lǜ ， què kě yǐ qiú zhū yú yào shí ， rú guǒ yǒu yī píng shàng pǐn zhù jī dān yòng lái chōng jī píng jǐng ， huò xǔ kě yǐ dǐ xiāo jié mài zhī tǐ de yīn yǐng 。
体质无法改变，然而想要增加凝丹的几率，却可以求诸于药石，如果有一瓶上品筑基丹用来冲击瓶颈，或许可以抵消截脉之体的阴影。
Finding a solution was supposed to bring joy, but Jin Spirit faced new challenges. Upper-grade Foundation Establishment Pills weren't available for purchase; they were legendary items.
zài bo gǔ shí qī ， jiù yǒu guò hǎo jǐ cì zhè yàng de lì zi 。
在卜古时期，就有过好几次这样的例子。
It was known that in the myriad arts of cultivation, alchemy and array formation were considered the most profound. Most pills on the market were lower-grade. However, given her ancestor's status, obtaining middle-grade pills wouldn't be difficult, but upper-grade ones remained out of reach.
zhōng yú zhǎo dào le jiě jué tú jìng ， àn lǐ shuō ， jīn líng yīng gāi kuáng xǐ ， rán ér děng dài tā de què shì xīn de nán tí ， shàng pǐn zhù jī dān ， nà bú shì yǒu jià wú shì ér gēn běn jiù shì chuán shuō zhōng de dōng xī 。
终于找到了解决途径，按理说，金灵应该狂喜，然而等待她的却是新的难题，上品筑基丹，那不是有价无市而根本就是传说中的东西。
Jin Spirit wouldn't give up. Though she was a direct descendant of her ancestor, if she couldn't even complete condensation core formation, naturally, she would not inherit the family legacy. She didn't want to see her ancestor's great achievements fall into the hands of other senior brothers and sisters.
xū zhī ， zài xiū xiān bǎi yì lǐ miàn ， dān dào yǔ zhèn fǎ ， shì gōng rèn de zuì wèi bó dà jīng shēn ， shì miàn shàng de dān yào ， dà duō yě dōu shì xià pǐn ， dāng rán ， yǐ jiā zǔ de shēn fèn ， nòng xiē zhōng pǐn de yě bù nán ， dàn shàng pǐn de jiù zhǐ yǒu wàng yáng xīng tàn 。
须知，在修仙百艺里面，丹道与阵法，是公认的最为博大精深，市面上的丹药，大多也都是下品，当然，以家祖的身份，弄些中品的也不难，但上品的就只有望洋兴叹。
Thus, this female cultivator traveled extensively, appearing in various markets and auctions to seek information on upper-grade Foundation Establishment Pills.
dàn jīn líng bú huì fàng qì ， suī shuō zì jǐ shì jiā zǔ de dí qīn duò nǚ ， dàn rú guǒ lián níng dān dōu bù néng wán chéng de huà ， zì rán bù kě néng jì chéng yī bō ， ér tā kě bù yuàn yì kàn jiàn jiā zǔ de dà hǎo jī yè luò zài bié de shī xiōng mèi shǒu zhōng 。
但金灵不会放弃，虽说自己是家祖的嫡亲剁女，但如果连凝丹都不能完成的话，自然不可能继承衣钵，而她可不愿意看见家祖的大好基业落在别的师兄妹手中。
Three years passed with no leads.
gù ér cǐ nǚ sì chù yún yóu ， chū mò yú dà xiǎo fāng shì yǔ pāi mài huì lǐ ， mù dì jiù shì dǎ tàn shàng pǐn zhù jī dān de xiāo xī 。
故而此女四处云游，出没于大小坊市与拍卖会里，目的就是打探上品筑基丹的消息。
Sighing deeply, Jin Spirit consoled herself that the Immortal Mountain Conference had yet to officially begin. It was the largest event in the entire Spirit Beast Island cultivation world, perhaps it would fulfill her wishes. Just as she thought this, Jin Spirit's expression suddenly changed. A heavy cloud of gloom appeared on her brows as her light slowed and stopped.
rán ér sān nián guò qù le ， méi yǒu yì diǎn xiàn suǒ 。
然而三年过去了，没有一点线索。
"Who is hiding there? Get out here," she demanded.
yōu yōu de tàn le kǒu qì ， jīn líng zhǐ néng zài xīn zhōng ān wèi zì jǐ ， yìn shān dà huì shàng wèi zhèng shì kāi shǐ ， zhè shì zhěng gè yāo líng dǎo xiū xiān jiè zuì dà de shèng shì ， yě xǔ néng suì le zì jǐ de xīn yì zhèng zhè yàng xiǎng zhe ， jīn líng tū rán liǎn sè yī biàn ， méi yǔ jiān fú xiàn chū yī dào nóng zhòng de yīn mái ， dùn guāng yī huǎn ， tíng le xià lái ：“ shì shuí guǐ guǐ suì suì de duǒ zài nà lǐ ， gěi běn xiān zi gǔn chū qù 。”
幽幽的叹了口气，金灵只能在心中安慰自己，印山大会尚未正式开始，这是整个妖灵岛修仙界最大的盛事，也许能遂了自己的心意正这样想着，金灵突然脸色一变，眉宇间浮现出一道浓重的阴霾，遁光一缓，停了下来：“是谁鬼鬼祟祟的躲在那里，给本仙子滚出去。”
"Hmph, brat, you know nothing about the heavens or earth. A mere Foundation Establishment stage cultivator dares to call yourself a fairy! What are you?" A hoarse voice replied, extremely rude. Then, a red light flickered from about ten feet away, and an old bald man materialized strangely.
“ hēng ， chòu yā tou ， bù zhī tiān gāo dì hòu ， qū qū yī zhù jī qī de xiǎo xiū shì ， jū rán yě gǎn wàng chēng xiān zi ， mí suàn shén me dōng xī ？” yī yǒu xiē shā yǎ de shēng yīn xiǎng qǐ ， bú kè qì zhì jí ， jiē zhe jù lí jīn líng yuē shí yú wén yuǎn de dì fāng hóng guāng yī shǎn ， yī míng tū dǐng lǎo zhě guǐ yì de fú xiàn chū lái 。
“哼，臭丫头，不知天高地厚，区区一筑基期的小修士，居然也敢妄称仙子，弥算什么东西？”一有些沙哑的声音响起，不客气至极，接着距离金灵约十余文远的地方红光一闪，一名秃顶老者诡异的浮现出来。
"Is it you?" Jin Spirit's face turned pale at the insult. She couldn't help but draw in a cold breath. This person was familiar; he was the old condensation core cultivator who had offered middle-grade Foundation Establishment Pills during the trading meeting, trying to exchange them for her eggs of three-headed golden serpents. He had followed her secretly.
“ shì nǐ ？” tīng le duì fāng wǔ rǔ de yán yǔ ， jīn líng liǎn sè nán kàn yǐ jí ， cǐ kè ， què yòu rěn bú zhù dào chōu le yī kǒu liáng qì ， cǐ rén tā rèn shí ， zhèng shì gāng gāng jiāo yì huì shàng ná chū zhōng pǐn zhù jī dān ， xiǎng yǔ tā jiāo huàn děng luǎn de níng dān qī lǎo zhě ， cǐ rén jìng qiāo qiāo de gēn lái le 。
“是你？”听了对方侮辱的言语，金灵脸色难看以极，此刻，却又忍不住倒抽了一口凉气，此人她认识，正是刚刚交易会上拿出中品筑基丹，想与她交换等卵的凝丹期老者，此人竟悄悄的跟来了。
"Why did you follow me? What do you intend?"
“ nǐ gēn zōng wǒ ， yì yù rú hé ？”
“你跟踪我，意欲如何？”
"Hmph, brat, what else can I say? You insulted me at the trading meeting; how could I let it go? Refusing my hospitality and taking a drink from the well, I want to make sure you understand that in the cultivation world, using someone's power to bully others will lead to severe consequences. Of course, if you're willing to hand over those three-headed golden serpent eggs as an apology, I might spare your life," the bald old man sneered.
“ hēng ， chòu yā tou ， zhè hái yòng shuō me ， jiāo huàn huì shàng ， mí rú cǐ wǔ rǔ lǎo fū ， wǒ qǐ néng jiù zhè me suàn le ， jìng jiǔ bù chī chī fá jiǔ ， wǒ yào ràng mí bié míng bái ， zài xiū xiān jiè ， hú jiǎ hǔ wēi yào chī dà pú tóu ， dāng rán ， mí ruò yuàn yì jiāng nà sān shǒu jīn mǎng de děng luǎn jiāo yǔ lǎo fū ， dàng zuò péi zuì zhī wù ， wǒ yě yuàn yì fàng mí yī tiáo shēng lù 。” tū dǐng lǎo zhě níng xiào zhe kāi kǒu 。
“哼，臭丫头，这还用说么，交换会上，弥如此侮辱老夫，我岂能就这么算了，敬酒不吃吃罚酒，我要让弥别明白，在修仙界，狐假虎威要吃大菩头，当然，弥若愿意将那三首金蟒的等卵交予老夫，当作赔罪之物，我也愿意放弥一条生路。”秃顶老者狞笑着开口。
"You dare hurt me! My ancestor is..."
“ nǐ gǎn shāng wǒ ， běn xiān zi de jiā zǔ kě shì ” miàn duì níng dān qī xiū shì suǒ shì fàng chū lái de líng yā ， jīn líng de jiāo qū sè sè fā dǒu ， rán ér zuǐ bā shàng què réng bù kěn fú shū 。
“你敢伤我，本仙子的家祖可是”面对凝丹期修士所释放出来的灵压，金灵的娇躯瑟瑟发抖，然而嘴巴上却仍不肯服输。
Facing the pressure from a condensation core cultivator, Jin Spirit's body trembled with fear, but she refused to admit defeat verbally.
“ hēng ， mí bù yòng ná jīn lǎo guài lái yā wǒ ， bù cuò ， zhāng mǒu què shí rě bù qǐ yuán yīng xiū shì ， mí ruò lǎo lǎo shí shí de dài zài yíng bīn gé lǐ ， nà lǐ rén duō yǎn zá ， wǒ yě ná mí méi bàn fǎ ， rán ér zì zuò niè ， bù kě huó ， nǐ jū rán cóng yìn shān dà huì de jǔ bàn dì chū lái le ， zhè lǐ chú le mí wǒ ， hái yǒu bié de rén me ， zhāng mǒu zì rán huì jiāng chēng chōu hún liàn pò ， nà jīn lǎo guài yòu zěn me zhī dào shì wǒ gàn de ” tū dǐng lǎo zhě de liǎn shàng mǎn shì dé yì zhī sè ， rán ér biǎo qíng què yuè fā xiōng è 。
“哼，弥不用拿金老怪来压我，不错，张某确实惹不起元婴修士，弥若老老实实的待在迎宾阁里，那里人多眼杂，我也拿弥没办法，然而自作孽，不可活，你居然从印山大会的举办地出来了，这里除了弥我，还有别的人么，张某自然会将称抽魂炼魄，那金老怪又怎么知道是我干的”秃顶老者的脸上满是得意之色，然而表情却越发凶恶。
"Hmph, you don't need to threaten me with Old Monster Jin. Yes, I can't afford to offend an Immortal婴期 cultivator. If you stay in the welcoming pavilion where there are many people and eyes, I won't be able to do anything to you. However, reaping what you sow, you came out from the conference grounds. Apart from you, is there anyone else here? I will naturally draw your soul and refine it," the bald old man's face showed satisfaction but became even more ferocious.
jīn líng yǎo le yǎo bèi chǐ ， shén qíng yuè fā jīng huáng le qǐ lái ：“ nǐ bié luàn lái ， yào xiǎng rén bù zhī ， chú fēi jǐ mò wèi ， nǐ ruò gǎn duì wǒ bù lì ， jiā zǔ jué bú huì fàng guò nǐ ”
金灵咬了咬贝齿，神情越发惊惶了起来：“你别乱来，要想人不知，除非己莫为，你若敢对我不利，家祖绝不会放过你”
Jin Spirit bit her teeth, her expression growing increasingly frightened: "Don't do anything rash. If you want to keep a secret, don't reveal yourself. If you dare harm me, my ancestor won't spare you."
zhè děng ruǎn mián mián de wēi xié yán yǔ ， tū dǐng lǎo zhě nǎ huì fàng zài yǎn lǐ ， hēi hēi hēi de lěng xiào bù zhǐ 。
这等软绵绵的威胁言语，秃顶老者哪会放在眼里，嘿嘿嘿的冷笑不止。
These weak threats meant nothing to the bald old man, who laughed derisively.
“ chòu yā tou ， fèi huà shǎo shuō ， kuài jiāng sān shǒu jīn mǎng de děng luǎn jiāo yǔ wǒ ， hái yǒu mí de chǔ wù dài ， kǒu dāng ， jū rán shě de huā wǔ wàn jīng shí mǎi xià nà léi yīng zhī gǔ ， rú cǐ huī jīn rú shàng ， kàn lái wài jiè chuán yán ， jīn lǎo guài dú zì zhàn jù yī zuò kuàng mài ， cái dà qì cū ， dào bú shì nà rén zài hú luàn chuī xū le 。” tū dǐng lǎo zhě yī biān shuō ， yī biān jiāng mù guāng luò zài shào nǚ de yāo jiān ， mù guāng zhōng mǎn shì tān lán 。
“臭丫头，废话少说，快将三首金蟒的等卵交予我，还有弥的储物袋，口当，居然舍得花五万晶石买下那雷鹰之骨，如此挥金如上，看来外界传言，金老怪独自占据一座矿脉，财大气粗，倒不是那人在胡乱吹嘘了。”秃顶老者一边说，一边将目光落在少女的腰间，目光中满是贪婪。
"Brat, stop wasting time and give me those three-headed golden serpent eggs. And your storage bag too. You actually spent fifty thousand crystal stones on that thunder eagle bone; spending money like water, it seems Old Monster Jin truly controls a mine, rich beyond measure," the bald old man said as he fixed his gaze on her waist, filled with greed.
jīn líng zì rán bú huì rú duì fāng suǒ yuàn ， jiù suàn qián cái zhēn de shì shēn wài wù ， kě duì fāng huì bú huì xìn shǒu chéng nuò yě hái shì liǎng shuō ， shí zhī ** hái shì huì jiāng zì jǐ chōu hún liàn pò 。
金灵自然不会如对方所愿，就算钱财真的是身外物，可对方会不会信守承诺也还是两说，十之**还是会将自己抽魂炼魄。
Jin Spirit wouldn't comply as she wished. Even if wealth was just an external matter, whether the other party would keep their promise remained uncertain; most likely, they would still draw and refine her soul.
shào nǚ liǎn sè qīng bái jiāo tì le shù biàn ， tū rán shǒu wàn fān zhuǎn ， tāo chū yī zhāng jīn càn càn de fú zhuàn ， wàng shēn shàng yī pāi ， huà wèi yī dào jīn hóng ， pò kōng fēi zǒu 。（ wèi wán 、
少女脸色清白交替了数遍，突然手腕翻转，掏出一张金灿灿的符篆，望身上一拍，化为一道金虹，破空飞走。（未完、
The girl's face alternated between white and pale several times before suddenly flipping her wrist to reveal a golden talisman that transformed into a streak of golden light, breaking through the air as it flew away.
Lin Xuan still wore a calm expression as he emerged from the crowd with everyone else. According to Zhao杏儿, there was another meeting for condensation core cultivators today and it should be about to start soon. However, Lin Xuan showed no intention of attending; instead, he seemed tired and headed towards the welcoming pavilion.
By this time, the sky had grown somewhat dark, and fewer cultivators were around.
Lin Xuan continued walking until he arrived at a desolate forest. Quietly, he released his divine sense, finding that there were no other cultivators within several miles. A satisfied look appeared on his face as he formed a hand seal, causing his figure to blur and turn into an inconspicuous streak of light, shooting towards the distant sky.
Meanwhile, after the trading meeting concluded, many cultivators dispersed in different directions. One of them, the Golden Spirit Fairy at Foundation Establishment stage, flew out of the mountain pass.
The Immortal Mountain Conference had officially begun, so not all cultivators resided in the welcoming pavilion. Some preferred to find their own accommodations due to their peculiar dispositions. Old Monster Jin was one such individual who had established a cave dwelling about a hundred miles away from here. The Golden Spirit Fairy returned there after attending the trading meeting.
This arrogant female cultivator now wore a worried expression. Everyone knew that she had been favored by her ancestor and possessed enviable pure attribute spirit roots, but behind the scenes, she suffered greatly.
Indeed, while her spirit root was excellent, it was also an inherently severed meridian body.
A severed meridian body meant that during condensation core formation, one would encounter a massive bottleneck. The success rate of forming a core was less than one percent compared to ordinary cultivators.
It was well known that condensing cores was already difficult for regular cultivators; reducing the odds further by making it only one percent was essentially sealing off her chances of cultivation.
However, if she were extremely lucky and managed to successfully form a core, this body would not hinder her future cultivation in any way.
In short, a severed meridian body was like a chainsaw, but merely locking down the hope of condensation core formation.
When Jin Spirit discovered that she had such a constitution, the disappointment in her heart could be imagined. Old Monster Jin, though an Immortal婴期 cultivator, also lacked a solution.
Could she only remain a minor Foundation Establishment stage cultivator for life? Jin Spirit was unwilling to accept this fate and scoured countless ancient texts until she found a potential solution.
While one's constitution couldn't be changed, increasing the chances of condensation core formation could be achieved through medicinal means. If she had an upper-grade Foundation Establishment Pill to push past the bottleneck, it might offset the disadvantages of her severed meridian body.
In ancient times, there were several such examples.
Finding a solution was supposed to bring joy, but Jin Spirit faced new challenges. Upper-grade Foundation Establishment Pills weren't available for purchase; they were legendary items.
It was known that in the myriad arts of cultivation, alchemy and array formation were considered the most profound. Most pills on the market were lower-grade. However, given her ancestor's status, obtaining middle-grade pills wouldn't be difficult, but upper-grade ones remained out of reach.
Jin Spirit wouldn't give up. Though she was a direct descendant of her ancestor, if she couldn't even complete condensation core formation, naturally, she would not inherit the family legacy. She didn't want to see her ancestor's great achievements fall into the hands of other senior brothers and sisters.
Thus, this female cultivator traveled extensively, appearing in various markets and auctions to seek information on upper-grade Foundation Establishment Pills.
Three years passed with no leads.
Sighing deeply, Jin Spirit consoled herself that the Immortal Mountain Conference had yet to officially begin. It was the largest event in the entire Spirit Beast Island cultivation world, perhaps it would fulfill her wishes. Just as she thought this, Jin Spirit's expression suddenly changed. A heavy cloud of gloom appeared on her brows as her light slowed and stopped.
"Who is hiding there? Get out here," she demanded.
"Hmph, brat, you know nothing about the heavens or earth. A mere Foundation Establishment stage cultivator dares to call yourself a fairy! What are you?" A hoarse voice replied, extremely rude. Then, a red light flickered from about ten feet away, and an old bald man materialized strangely.
"Is it you?" Jin Spirit's face turned pale at the insult. She couldn't help but draw in a cold breath. This person was familiar; he was the old condensation core cultivator who had offered middle-grade Foundation Establishment Pills during the trading meeting, trying to exchange them for her eggs of three-headed golden serpents. He had followed her secretly.
"Why did you follow me? What do you intend?"
"Hmph, brat, what else can I say? You insulted me at the trading meeting; how could I let it go? Refusing my hospitality and taking a drink from the well, I want to make sure you understand that in the cultivation world, using someone's power to bully others will lead to severe consequences. Of course, if you're willing to hand over those three-headed golden serpent eggs as an apology, I might spare your life," the bald old man sneered.
"You dare hurt me! My ancestor is..."
Facing the pressure from a condensation core cultivator, Jin Spirit's body trembled with fear, but she refused to admit defeat verbally.
"Hmph, you don't need to threaten me with Old Monster Jin. Yes, I can't afford to offend an Immortal婴期 cultivator. If you stay in the welcoming pavilion where there are many people and eyes, I won't be able to do anything to you. However, reaping what you sow, you came out from the conference grounds. Apart from you, is there anyone else here? I will naturally draw your soul and refine it," the bald old man's face showed satisfaction but became even more ferocious.
Jin Spirit bit her teeth, her expression growing increasingly frightened: "Don't do anything rash. If you want to keep a secret, don't reveal yourself. If you dare harm me, my ancestor won't spare you."
These weak threats meant nothing to the bald old man, who laughed derisively.
"Brat, stop wasting time and give me those three-headed golden serpent eggs. And your storage bag too. You actually spent fifty thousand crystal stones on that thunder eagle bone; spending money like water, it seems Old Monster Jin truly controls a mine, rich beyond measure," the bald old man said as he fixed his gaze on her waist, filled with greed.
Jin Spirit wouldn't comply as she wished. Even if wealth was just an external matter, whether the other party would keep their promise remained uncertain; most likely, they would still draw and refine her soul.
The girl's face alternated between white and pale several times before suddenly flipping her wrist to reveal a golden talisman that transformed into a streak of golden light, breaking through the air as it flew away.