A figure materialized amidst the pandemonium of the Heart Realm.
I'm here. Xu Jingming's smile broadened as he gazed upon the colossal landmass floating before him. Spanning a size equivalent to five universes, at its heart stood a massive, squat, dark-green tree. Its canopy enveloped over half the land.
Ancient Tree World. Xu Jingming scanned the area. The busiest trading hub in the South Pavilion 3609 Dominion.
The South Pavilion 3609 Dominion was humanity's new dominion. It boasted three half-step third-realm powerhouses, who reigned as the undisputed overlords of this territory.
Ancient Tree World, North River Boat, and Thearch Dragon Island—these three factions dominated the dominion, serving as its primary trading centers.
Of the three half-step third-realm powerhouses in the dominion, Thearch Dragon Island Lord holds the most impressive pedigree. Rumored to be a personal disciple of a third-realm being, his fame has spread across thousands of neighboring dominions. Xu Jingming couldn't help but be awed.
Senior Valley Goldstone, the invincible half-step third-realm powerhouse, was only an unofficial disciple of Feather Fire Lord.
The chasm between unofficial disciples, official disciples, and personal disciples was immense.
Being a personal disciple meant that a third-realm existence held that individual in high regard, investing significant effort into their development.
This demonstrated the imposing nature of Thearch Dragon Island Lord's identity.
No one wishes to become enemies with a personal disciple of a third-realm existence, Xu Jingming thought. But it's precisely because of his background that Thearch Dragon Island Lord behaves so tyrannically. His trading rules are also the most severe.
In contrast, Ancient Tree World champions the rights and interests of weaker high-dimensional lifeforms, emerging as the fairest and most prosperous hub. Crucially, Ancient Tree World Lord's strength far surpasses that of Thearch Dragon Island Lord!
In terms of pedigree, Thearch Dragon Island Lord reigned supreme.
In terms of might, Ancient Tree World Lord was indisputably the strongest—a fact even acknowledged by many in neighboring dominions.
The North River Boat powerhouse appeared the most ordinary by comparison.
Phew.
Xu Jingming stepped out of the Heart Realm and soared toward the Ancient Tree World.
Upon the vast land of Ancient Tree World lay a city where over 100,000 high-dimensional lifeforms resided permanently. Naturally, most were shop employees.
"Brother Wu Ming, it's been a while since your last visit."
"Brother Wu Ming, I just got a shipment of new goods from the Abyss. Care to take a look?"
As Xu Jingming entered, several high-dimensional Eternal lifeforms eagerly approached to greet him.
Numerous Heart Realm lineage high-dimensional lifeforms served as merchants in high-dimensional space! After all, they could effortlessly traverse multiple dominions and transport merchandise. Moreover, they possessed numerous clones capable of handling transportation, negotiations, combat, and various other matters.
Xu Jingming's clones were dispersed across 2,000 to 3,000 neighboring dominions, exploring the trade hubs in each dominion.
Xu Jingming also engaged in arbitrage when opportunities arose. Additionally, he moonlighted as a procurement agent for Myriad Star Island. Since the dean, Tower Master, Island Lord, Redmond, and others possessed only one true body, Xu Jingming was responsible for procuring supplies for humanity and Myriad Star Island.
Greeting his friends along the way, Xu Jingming swiftly arrived at his destination.
"Brother Wu Ming, you've arrived." An enormous winged mutated beast eagerly welcomed him.
"Brother Blacklake." Xu Jingming approached. "Are the goods I requested ready?"
Blacklake—a peak Eternal of the Heart Realm lineage—was a rather renowned merchant in the South Pavilion 3609 Dominion! Many of Xu Jingming's transactions were conducted with Blacklake.
"Rest assured." Blacklake ushered Xu Jingming into a secluded space within the shop, where they both took a seat.
"The Sin Beads you requested." Blacklake handed Xu Jingming a cloth bag.
As Xu Jingming accepted it, he saw a small storage treasure filled with colorful Sin Beads.
Sin Beads were a material produced by the Heart Realm. If Xu Jingming spent more time in the Heart Realm, he might discover additional Sin Beads or even rarer Heart Realm materials.
"9,000 Sin Beads in total," Blacklake announced. "That'll be 180,000 drops of Abyssal True Blood."
Xu Jingming reciprocated by handing over a storage bag.
Blacklake inspected it and grinned. "The weapons and materials you provided are barely worth 180,000 drops of Abyssal True Blood."
"The goods I offered are worth 180,000 drops of Abyssal True Blood, not a drop more or less," Xu Jingming retorted with a sidelong glance.
"The market is tough these days. I'm swamped with inventory, and it's tough to offload," Blacklake admitted, smiling. "Why not do me a favor and purchase a few more items? I just acquired an illusory realm treasure crafted by a half-step third realm. Brother Wu Ming, you excel in the illusory realm, don't you? Your power will undoubtedly soar after acquiring this illusory realm treasure. I can offer you a great deal on this treasure."
"How much?" inquired Xu Jingming.
"Only one drop of Abyssal Mother Blood." Blacklake beamed. "A bargain, right?"
"I can't afford it." Xu Jingming rose to leave.
Having been confined in the Myriad Species World for years, his numerous clones in the outside world maintained a low profile and avoided disputes. His main source of income involved buying items at low prices and selling them at higher prices across multiple dominions and assisting other high-dimensional lifeforms with purchases. He also dispatched countless Black Lotus incarnations to search for ruins. After more than 5,000 years, he had only amassed just under 200,000 drops of Abyssal True Blood.
He had virtually exhausted his fortune purchasing the Sin Beads, leaving him especially destitute!
How could Xu Jingming possibly afford a single drop of Abyssal Mother Blood?
It likely costs just one drop of Abyssal Mother Blood because it is a practice piece crafted by a half-step third-realm powerhouse, Xu Jingming surmised. If a half-step third-realm powerhouse had invested significant effort in refining the weapon, the price would have been several times greater.
However, Xu Jingming was concentrating on the silver parchment and had no desire to divert his attention to the illusory realm for the time being.
"Brother Wu Ming, don't rush off just yet." Blacklake stood up. "I have a friend who would like to meet you."
"Meet me? What for?" Xu Jingming inquired, puzzled.
"It's a good thing," Blacklake assured him with a smile.
Moments later, an eight-headed lifeform entered, each of its heads smiling warmly at Xu Jingming. "Brother Wu Ming, I've long heard that a Heart Realm powerhouse has emerged in our dominion. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Xu Jingming recognized the newcomer and nodded in acknowledgment. "Brother Eight Clams, what can I do for you?"
There were only so many high-dimensional Eternal lifeforms in the dominion. Besides a few particularly elusive ones, Xu Jingming had information on nearly every high-dimensional Eternal lifeform.
"Two friends and I are planning to explore a treacherous region," the eight-headed lifeform revealed with a grin. "We urgently require a Heart Realm powerhouse to join us. We don't need much from you; just help us scout ahead and gather intel. We'll handle any truly dangerous situations."
"Oh? A pathfinder?" Xu Jingming nodded thoughtfully.
He was genuinely intrigued.
He had declined such invitations when trapped in the Myriad Species World, not wanting any distractions.
Now that he had escaped the Myriad Species World, he was open to exploring hazardous territories.
Heart Realm powerhouses excelled at reconnaissance. Moreover, if a clone were to perish, a replacement could be swiftly dispatched.
"Which region?" Xu Jingming asked, his curiosity piqued. Naturally, he was reluctant to venture somewhere excessively perilous.
"I can't divulge specifics just yet, but I can assure you it's a treacherous area within our dominion," the eight-headed lifeform replied. "The danger is inherently limited. We're offering 50,000 drops of Abyssal True Blood. All you need to do is send a clone to accompany us and scout ahead."
"50,000 drops of Abyssal True Blood?" Xu Jingming shook his head. That was too little! Far below the going rate!
"If you think that's insufficient, fine. You can have 10% of the treasures we uncover during our expedition!" the eight-headed lifeform countered.
He would receive 10%, yet serve as the vanguard?
Pathfinding might sound simple, but pathfinders were the first to face danger!
"With a total of four Eternal lifeforms and me taking 10%, why am I the one scouting ahead?" Xu Jingming regarded the other party with a faint smile.
"We won't need your help if we run into real trouble," the eight-headed lifeform clarified.
"If it's such a great offer, why not enlist Brother Blacklake's help?" Xu Jingming inquired.
The price just seemed too low.
"Brother Blacklake has long attained the peak of the Eternal realm. Wu Ming, you've only just entered the Eternal realm, making you relatively weaker. If we face serious trouble, we'll handle it ourselves. A 10% share isn't insignificant," the eight-headed lifeform argued.
Xu Jingming shot him a glance, stood up, and walked out.
The eight-headed lifeform didn't try to persuade him further, simply watching Xu Jingming leave.
"Eight Clams, your offer is too low," Blacklake said, shaking his head. "I've already put you in touch with seven Eternals from the Heart Realm lineage, but none of them agreed. And the price you're offering Wu Ming is the lowest of all!"
"He's merely a newly-advanced Eternal. He deems 50,000 drops of Abyssal True Blood insufficient, and even a 10% share is too small," Eight Clams grumbled. "Isn't it just sending a clone?"
"Even for clones, scouting can be dangerous," Blacklake pointed out. "Some perils involve karma and corruption, which can also affect all the clones. As a result, historically, Heart Realm lineage powerhouses who take on scouting roles receive a higher cut than other members."
Eight Clams shook his head. "I'll discuss it with my companions. If we agree to raise the price, I still need to hire a powerful Eternal from the Heart Realm lineage. In my opinion, this newly-advanced Eternal Wu Ming is worth no more than the current offer."
…
Xu Jingming was unfazed. Over the years, he had engaged in buy-low, sell-high transactions across numerous dominions. Failed negotiations were a common occurrence.
To think I'd be underestimated.
In the Heart Realm's beast hide space, Xu Jingming continued examining the enormous silver sheet. That's right. From the outside world's perspective, I only reached the Eternal realm a few millennia ago.
But they have no idea that it took me merely about 10,000 years to cultivate from a low-dimensional lifeform to the Eternal realm. Xu Jingming remained confident. His survival in the Myriad Species World was proof of his talent.
Having successfully escaped the Myriad Species World, he had been rewarded with such a valuable prize.
Xu Jingming's numerous clones meticulously studied the silver sheet while refining psychic weapons using the Sin Beads as material.
With his initial refining experience, 1,000 Sin Beads were sufficient for Xu Jingming to craft a psychic weapon spear. The materials he acquired this time were enough to forge nine psychic weapons.
Disregarding the labor costs of refining and nurturing, the materials alone amounted to an average of 20,000 drops of Abyssal True Blood per psychic weapon.
It was worth noting that ordinary Eternal weapons—even finished products—only cost about 10,000 drops of Abyssal True Blood, with even lower-priced options available! This demonstrated the high value of psychic weapons.
It's just an ordinary Eternal psychic weapon; it's far inferior to a third-realm weapon. I can only rely on quantity. Xu Jingming couldn't help it; he was too poor. He had depleted all his savings to purchase this small amount of material.
Time slipped away, and before he knew it, over a thousand years had passed.
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