Once everyone had taken their seats, Ji Hongsen clapped his hands and said, "Thank you all for giving me face by coming—even some friends I didn’t invite have arrived, and I appreciate it. I imagine you can guess why I’ve asked you here today. Yes, it’s about an innate treasure. But I won’t mention its name yet, because I’m worried that once you hear it, you’ll be too excited and it will affect our discussion."
Upon hearing Ji Hongsen’s words, everyone’s spirits were lifted. Everyone present knew how many treasures Ji Hongsen possessed. Back when Grand Origin Palace Master Sugwang was still alive, he was recognized as the wealthiest cultivator in this void. Ji Hongsen and Sugwang were the closest of allies, often venturing into the void together in search of fortune. If anyone claimed Ji Hongsen was poor, no one would believe it. Now, with Ji Hongsen himself announcing he had something good, it could only be an extraordinary treasure.
"Let’s decide by age—whoever is youngest shall go first, what do you think?" Ji Hongsen said with a smile, his gaze lingering on Di Jiu.
Di Jiu understood Ji Hongsen’s meaning perfectly. He wasn’t really talking about age, but rather cultivation—whoever had the lowest cultivation would go first.
In most trading gatherings, the first to present their goods usually held the advantage. But Di Jiu knew that in this place, being first was actually a disadvantage. He had heard from Tang Xitan that even if you brought something out for trade, as long as someone else wanted it, they could forcibly intervene.
Even knowing this, Di Jiu had no choice but to bring out Starfusion Gold—this was a treasure he desperately needed.
Di Jiu produced a piece of black material the size of a washbasin. Before he could speak, someone exclaimed in shock, "Nirvana Blackstone..."
Nirvana Blackstone was an absolute top-tier treasure. Used to refine meditation mats, it calmed the mind and expanded the sea of consciousness for cultivators who sat upon it. If incorporated into one’s own artifact, not only would it be more suitable for nurturing, but when Dao resonance and divine abilities were invoked, the effect would be even more harmonious.
Yet Nirvana Blackstone was exceedingly rare—even a fist-sized piece was hard to obtain, let alone the washbasin-sized chunk Di Jiu had presented.
Many eyes reddened, all fixed on the massive Nirvana Blackstone before Di Jiu. Several had already steeled themselves—this was something they had to acquire.
Tang Xitan clenched her fists. As a top-tier artifact grandmaster, this was the kind of treasure she truly coveted. If she had known Di Jiu possessed Nirvana Blackstone, she would never have let him bring it out—such a thing should have been traded privately to her.
No one spoke; all eyes were locked on Di Jiu and the Nirvana Blackstone before him. Now was the moment for Di Jiu to name his price, and everyone wondered whether they had what he needed.
To everyone’s astonishment, Di Jiu did not name a price. Instead, he brought out two more items.
"Law Fragments—and more than one…" Several cultivators gasped in shock. Even Law Fragments were being offered! Just how many treasures did this young Dao Origin Saint Emperor possess?
After presenting the Nirvana Blackstone, Di Jiu indeed produced two Law Fragments: one gold-type, one earth-type.
He knew that even Nirvana Blackstone and two Law Fragments together would not be enough to trade for Starfusion Gold. In a trade, one must never reveal all their cards at once; instead, present your offer and await the others’ bids.
"Daoist Di, may I ask what you seek in exchange?" Finally, a mid-stage Genesis Realm Saint Emperor could not help but cup his fists and inquire.
Di Jiu cupped his fists and replied, "Fellow Daoists, I have a piece of Nirvana Blackstone and two Law Fragments. What I wish to trade for is Starfusion Gold and a piece of Silverfrost Sulfur."
Upon hearing that Di Jiu wanted Starfusion Gold, many looked disappointed—none of them possessed such a thing. Most knew that Ji Hongsen had a piece of Starfusion Gold. Competing with him was pointless; he was the host, and no one wished to cross him over a trade with Di Jiu.
As soon as Ji Hongsen heard Di Jiu’s words, he understood exactly what Di Jiu was after.
Truth be told, Ji Hongsen’s need for Nirvana Blackstone was far greater than his desire for Starfusion Gold. Yet he knew that, despite the value of Di Jiu’s offer, it still wasn’t enough to exchange for Starfusion Gold.
"I do have a piece of Starfusion Gold, but what you’re offering isn’t enough for it—let alone for Silverfrost Sulfur," Ji Hongsen replied calmly. He wanted everything Di Jiu had presented, especially since he possessed an earth spiritual root.
He didn’t believe Di Jiu had deliberately offered an earth Law Fragment for his earth spiritual root; it must have been a coincidence, a stroke of luck.
Di Jiu smiled faintly. "There’s a saying: urgent needs are worth a thousand gold. If you lose your cultivation in the desert, a thousand gold is nothing compared to a cup of water. For us cultivators, it is like rowing against the current—if you don’t strive, or if you decide it’s not worth the effort, others will soon catch up to you."
Ji Hongsen sighed inwardly. He knew Di Jiu was trying to persuade him to lower his price, but he had to admit, Di Jiu’s words were true.
If he let someone else trade for the Law Fragments and Nirvana Blackstone today, perhaps they would surpass him in the future.
Ji Hongsen hesitated. "Add a little more to your offer—what you’ve presented so far simply isn’t enough for the trade."
At that moment, a sudden voice whispered in Di Jiu’s ear, "Friend, I have Starfusion Gold and Silverfrost Sulfur. If you don’t trade here, I can exchange with you privately in the future. I only want a Law Fragment and Nirvana Blackstone, and I’ll give you both items—no need to add anything else."
No matter how subtle the transmission, Di Jiu instantly knew who had sent it—it was Gou Zibi, whose eyes were perpetually narrowed.
Di Jiu soon realized that only he was aware of Gou Zibi’s secret voice transmission. Not even the other Genesis Realm Saint Emperors, nor Ji Hongsen, had noticed.
This fellow, with his eyes always half-closed and a deathly demeanor, appeared to be an early-stage Genesis Realm cultivator. But Di Jiu was certain he was playing the fool—either he was no ordinary Genesis Realm cultivator, or he was a schemer concealing his true cultivation.
Di Jiu paid Gou Zibi no mind. Instead, he began inscribing Law Array Banners around himself and produced a small jade vial. "Here is half a bottle of Primal Yin Chaos Essence. However, if you want my Primal Yin Chaos Essence, then Nirvana Blackstone is off the table."
"I’ll trade! I don’t want Nirvana Blackstone—I want Primal Yin Chaos Essence!" Ji Hongsen didn’t wait for Di Jiu to finish before decisively tossing a jade box to him.
Inside the jade box was a fist-sized white stone. Di Jiu’s heart soared with joy. This was the highest grade of White Starfusion Gold. If Ji Hongsen had known that white Starfusion Gold was the highest grade, he would never have traded away Nirvana Blackstone.
Di Jiu swept up the jade box without hesitation, tossing the jade vial and two Law Fragments to Ji Hongsen. As for the matter of Silverfrost Sulfur, since Ji Hongsen hadn’t mentioned it, Di Jiu didn’t bring it up either.
At that moment, Di Jiu could feel several powerful divine senses locking onto him. The treasures he had revealed were simply too extraordinary. Three items—each one a heaven-defying treasure.
"I have a piece of Silverfrost Sulfur and wish to exchange it for your Nirvana Blackstone." After Di Jiu and Ji Hongsen completed their transaction, a mid-stage Genesis Realm cultivator spoke up, producing a piece of Silverfrost Sulfur.
Without hesitation, Di Jiu sliced the washbasin-sized Nirvana Blackstone in half and said, "Your Silverfrost Sulfur is only worth half."
Seeing Di Jiu’s casual act of splitting the Nirvana Blackstone, several Genesis Realm experts who had hoped to meet him privately began to wonder. To split Nirvana Blackstone so easily—none of them could do it. Was Di Jiu also a Genesis Realm powerhouse, hiding his true cultivation?
The mid-stage Genesis Realm cultivator didn’t hesitate, tossing the Silverfrost Sulfur to Di Jiu. "Deal."
Only a fool would refuse—he had profited greatly from this exchange.
"Impressive, friend—you even possess Dao Flame, and it’s advanced to a low-grade Divine Flame. No wonder you weren’t interested in my Starfusion Gold or Silverfrost Sulfur." Gou Zibi laughed, sending another secret message to Di Jiu.
To Gou Zibi’s shock, his secret message suddenly became audible to everyone. His expression changed instantly as he realized what had happened—Di Jiu had quickly set up a restriction array, transforming all transmissions to him into public speech.
Di Jiu sneered inwardly. He despised schemers like Gou Zibi. If Gou truly possessed Starfusion Gold and Silverfrost Sulfur, it would be one thing, but Di Jiu was certain he had neither. Gou’s secret message was just an attempt to isolate and rob him. Though Di Jiu feared him not, he had no intention of wasting time with such a person.