"So Fellow Daoist Xuanyue possesses outstanding divine sense and secret arts. It seems I was overconfident." Mo Tiange smiled slightly at Demon Lord Xuanyue, offering a compliment.
Demon Lord Xuanyue's gaze shifted, looking quite pleased with himself, though it was unclear if he was deliberately trying to appear charming. Mo Tiange had figured it out by now—this demonic cultivator was inherently narcissistic, always maintaining an air of effortless grace. It wasn't specifically aimed at seducing her alone. If that was the case, he shouldn't be too difficult to deal with.
Next, the eight of them exchanged a few more polite words. Finally, Demon Lord Xuanyue gave a light cough, steering the conversation back on track. He first swept his gaze over everyone, then settled it on Mo Tiange. "Miss Qin, just now the seven of us were exchanging spiritual materials. Might you be interested?"
With this, the eyes of the seven others once again focused on her.
Han Shizhi smiled and said, "Most of us gathered here are primarily seeking treasures. Since Fellow Daoist Qin comes from the Outer Sea, the spiritual materials you possess are likely quite different from those of us Yunzhong cultivators. It's possible we might have things the other urgently needs."
"Exactly," Qingyunzi said with a smile. "May I ask if Fellow Daoist Qin comes from Xiaoyang or Yuan Prefecture? This humble Daoist has also wanted to travel to the Outer Sea, but I've never been able to free myself from duties. To this day, I've only been to the Inner Sea."
The Inner Sea referred to the sea area near Yunzhong containing some islands. These waters were often bases for cultivators hunting sea beasts, such as Beiji Island. The Outer Sea, on the other hand, referred to places like Yuan Prefecture and Xiaoyang, separated from Yunzhong by vast oceans.
Mo Tiange merely smiled, gently sidestepping the question. "The place I come from is somewhat different from Yuan Prefecture and Xiaoyang. However, I might indeed have items you all need."
Hearing her response, Demon Lord Xuanyue said, "Since Miss Qin doesn't object, shall we consider you a participant in our spiritual materials exchange?"
Mo Tiange nodded, indicating she had no objections.
A smile curled on Demon Lord Xuanyue's lips as he glanced at the others and continued, "Before Miss Qin joined, we had just finished discussing cultivation matters. Since that's the case, let's begin."
A trading session spontaneously organized by cultivators naturally differed from one run by a merchant establishment. No one introduced the treasures, nor did anyone try to stir up excitement. Among the group, Demon Lord Xuanyue had the highest cultivation, so he was tacitly accepted as the host.
After saying this, Demon Lord Xuanyue was the first to toss out several items onto the table, speaking casually. "Take a look at these things. See if you're interested. You can trade for them with other items or buy them with spirit stones."
Mo Tiange lowered her head to look. On the table were several pieces of ore, some spiritual herbs, and one Magical Treasure. The cultivation methods of demonic cultivators differed from those of Daoist cultivators. Therefore, the materials needed for pills and spiritual treasures also differed. These spiritual herbs and ores were excellent materials for Daoist cultivators to refine pills and treasures, but were of little use to demonic cultivators. Magical Treasures were even more so. Thus, when Demon Lord Xuanyue tossed out these items, he didn't even spare them a glance.
The ores and spiritual herbs were decent items, but Mo Tiange didn't need them. However, the Magical Treasure caught her eye for a few extra moments. It appeared to be a mottled, rusty sword, covered in dust, yet it faintly emitted an extraordinary aura of wind and thunder. She was somewhat puzzled by this treasure. If it were truly a spiritual treasure, it shouldn't have such mottled rust, right? It wasn't like ordinary iron from the mortal world. But if it were a mundane object, how could it possess such a powerful presence? Ordinary Magical Treasures only revealed their aura when used. Merely lying here, it exuded such a presence—something almost only sentient treasures possessed.
The ores and spiritual herbs were quickly traded away by the others. Finally, everyone's gaze settled on this treasure. Like Mo Tiange, they couldn't discern its true nature and hesitated, unsure whether to trade for it.
Demon Lord Xuanyue chuckled and said to everyone in a leisurely tone, "Could it be that none of you are interested in this Fusheng Sword?"
As soon as he spoke these words, everyone was stunned. Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo's expressions changed dramatically. Even Qingyunzi and Yuankong's faces turned serious, their eyes fixed motionlessly on the rusty sword on the table.
"The Fusheng Sword? Could it be... Senior Fuyaozi's Fusheng Sword?" Yong Ruyu stared intently at the rusty sword, asking nervously.
Demon Lord Xuanyue lifted an eyelid slightly, revealing a half-smile. "Does Fellow Daoist Yong think there's another Fusheng Sword?"
Receiving this confirmation, the expressions on everyone's faces grew even more vivid. Yong Ruyu, Qiu Chengruo, and Qingyunzi looked full of tension, while Yuankong and Han Shizhi wore expressions of awe.
Mo Tiange was puzzled. Fusheng Sword? Fuyaozi? What were these?
Demon Lord Xuanyue glanced at her, a bewitching smile appearing on his face. "Miss Qin is not from Yunzhong, it seems you haven't heard of the Fusheng Sword or Fuyaozi either?"
Mo Tiange nodded. "I haven't been in Yunzhong long and indeed haven't heard of them. May I ask what this Fusheng Sword is? And who is Fuyaozi?"
"The Fusheng Sword is Senior Fuyaozi's personal sword," Yong Ruyu answered instead. He let out a long breath, calming his emotions slightly, and looked at Mo Tiange. "Senior Fuyaozi is a legendary senior expert from the tales of our Yunzhong. He was a cultivator from tens of thousands of years ago, a Loose Cultivator without sect or faction. Relying on his immense supernatural powers, he roamed freely across Yunzhong, even making cultivators from Yuan Prefecture and Xiaoyang bow before him. During his time, Dao and demon were irreconcilable. Because of him alone, the demonic path was suppressed to the point of having almost no foothold. Historical records say that when he was only at the mid-stage of Nascent Soul, he single-handedly fought ten Demon Lords at the Nascent Soul stage without showing any sign of defeat. In the end, those ten Demon Lords had no choice but to retreat and defend the Guixu Sea."
"Not only that," Qingyunzi continued, his face filled with reverence. "Although he was a Loose Cultator, he established a complete set of Daoist cultivation techniques and passed them on to the world. Moreover, he publicly shared his cultivation insights without reservation, allowing many Loose Cultivators to also walk the proper path of cultivation. Over these tens of thousands of years, although Senior Fuyaozi did not found a sect nor have direct disciples, countless cultivators have benefited from him, calling themselves his successors." At this point, Qingyunzi added, "This humble Daoist is also among them."
"Yunzhong actually had such a figure?" Mo Tiange was greatly astonished. The path of cultivation was fraught with thorns. Life and death struggles among cultivators were quite normal, and cultivation insights were the most secret of secrets for any cultivator. That he could publicly share all of it was truly shocking.
"Hehe, this Senior Fuyaozi was even more than that," Han Shizhi picked up the thread with a smile. As an academy professor, his knowledge was naturally extensive. "From what I know, this Senior Fuyaozi was not only immensely powerful but also held unique views on Daoist principles. I once read in an ancient book about the principles Senior Fuyaozi upheld, which were vastly different from those of fellow Daoists cultivating today. This Senior Fuyaozi believed that since immortal cultivators possess greater power than mortals, they should bear greater responsibility. When a power loses its constraints, it affects the rules of heaven and earth. Therefore, cultivators should not only refrain from killing each other but should even help one another."
Mo Tiange was taken aback, murmuring the phrase, "Should not kill, but should help..."
"Correct," Qingyunzi sighed. "Senior Fuyaozi held this belief throughout his life. Even those who had once been enemies could share a smile and let bygones be bygones. Truly magnanimous. Such breadth of mind has never been seen in Yunzhong for over a hundred thousand years."
"...And with that, he could cultivate all the way to Nascent Soul?" Mo Tiange was deeply shocked. Could such a person truly walk the path of immortal cultivation to the very end?
"Not just Nascent Soul," Yong Ruyu said. "Senior Fuyaozi roamed freely across Yunzhong. It's said he eventually advanced to the Deity Transformation stage. However, that's just a legend. Regarding Senior Fuyaozi's final outcome, historical records offer various theories. No one knows which is true."
"But one thing is certain," Demon Lord Xuanyue interjected. He seemed rather disdainful of the words from Yong Ruyu and Qingyunzi, his expression displeased. "Fuyaozi is the idol in the hearts of all cultivators in Yunzhong."
Earlier, Yong Ruyu had mentioned that during Fuyaozi's time, Dao and demon in Yunzhong were irreconcilable, and Fuyaozi had once defeated ten Demon Lords. This Demon Lord Xuanyue was a demonic cultivator, so of course he viewed Fuyaozi unfavorably. However, no matter how displeased he was, he had to admit that Fuyaozi was truly exceptionally powerful.
"So that's how it is," Mo Tiange said, feeling a sense of yearning. "What a pity this Senior Fuyaozi lived tens of thousands of years ago. Otherwise, I would truly love to witness the demeanor of such a great expert."
"We Daoist cultivators all feel the same way," Yong Ruyu said, seeing her look of yearning. He immediately felt a sense of kinship and smiled as he added this remark. However, it earned him a scolding glare from Qiu Chengruo, who pinched his hand.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange couldn't help but smile. Even with her poor perception of such matters, she could tell these senior brother and junior sister had romantic entanglements. Her own heart was already spoken for, so she naturally wouldn't provoke others. But this Qiu Chengruo was too tense. Did she suspect ulterior motives every time a woman spoke to Yong Ruyu?
Yong Ruyu, however, seemed completely unaware. His gaze returned to the Fusheng Sword on the table. "Fellow Daoist Xuanyue, where exactly did you obtain this Fusheng Sword? If it's a relic of Senior Fuyaozi, its value would be astronomical."
Demon Lord Xuanyue lifted an eyelid slightly. "I obtained this sword by chance. After multiple verifications, I confirmed it is indeed Fuyaozi's Fusheng Sword. I've asked many senior demonic path experts. This sword disappeared during the battle of the ten great Demon Lords against Fuyaozi. It was probably left in the demonic realm at that time. You all don't need to be so awestruck. Although the Fusheng Sword is powerful, this one is not the complete Fusheng Sword."
Hearing this, Qingyunzi was startled and asked urgently, "What does Fellow Daoist Xuanyue mean by that?"
Demon Lord Xuanyue said lazily, "Do you think that after tens of thousands of years and being corroded by Demonic Qi in the demonic realm, this sword could still be as spiritually replete with spiritual energy as it was originally?"
Yong Ruyu and the others were stunned, the excited expressions on their faces calming down somewhat. That was true. The demonic realm was filled with Demonic Qi. If this treasure had remained there, it would certainly have been corroded by the Demonic Qi. After tens of thousands of years, it would be remarkable if it hadn't turned into a pile of ordinary iron.
Qingyunzi thought for a moment and asked cautiously, "Does Fellow Daoist Xuanyue believe this sword can still be used?"
"Since this lord has brought it out for trade, it naturally still has some use," Demon Lord Xuanyue said indifferently. "To be honest, this sword truly lives up to being Fuyaozi's personal sword. After tens of thousands of years of Demonic Qi corrosion, it still retains the presence of a spiritual treasure. Of course, you are all sensible people. This sword certainly cannot be used directly. It needs to have the Demonic Qi purified and be re-refined before it might recover some of its original power. But only some."