Chapter 241: The Reward from the Main Quest
Although Song Jiulai didn’t really believe in fate.
But it felt like every single requirement for the Nine Transformations Dragon Bone was a perfect match for her.
’A Sea of Consciousness?’
’Foundation Establishment Cultivators don’t have a Sea of Consciousness, but I do.’
’It was forcibly opened thanks to the Liuyao Secret Realm.’
’Can’t cultivate other mental methods...’
’But the system explicitly said I could.’
Song Jiulai’s heart suddenly began to pound.
Seeing the tempted look on Song Jiulai’s face, Nan Qi said, "The Nine Transformations Dragon Bone is indeed very powerful. Even if you can’t cultivate other mental methods after learning it, it’s not a complete loss. However, for Cultivators who can cultivate beyond the Core Formation Stage, it offers no benefits at all."
This was because the mental method simply didn’t have the later transformations.
Once someone reached the Core Formation Stage, it meant their mental method would never advance again in this lifetime.
A mental method’s progression affects a Cultivator’s Level, and since it improves along with the Cultivator’s Level, practicing this one basically meant giving up any chance of reaching realms beyond Core Formation.
In other words, the more talented a Cultivator was, the less likely they were to practice this mental method.
As for the less talented, unless they were lucky enough to be born into a Major Sect, they wouldn’t be able to afford this Nine Transformations Dragon Bone anyway.
For most people, it was a mental method of dubious value.
But Nan Qi was just here to sell her wares. She normally wouldn’t recommend it, but since Song Jiulai’s request was rather unorthodox, she brought it up.
Nan Qi continued her introduction, "The Nine Transformations Dragon Bone can refine all of your flesh and bones. Dragons were once revered as one of the most powerful Holy Beasts in this world. Their physical bodies are exceptionally tough—legend says they could tear space apart with their physical strength alone. Of course, that’s something only a Dragon could do."
"After cultivating this Dragon Transformation Bone, a draconic illusion will appear within your body. The better your cultivation, the clearer the Dragon Shadow. It’s even said that if you cultivate it to the absolute peak, you can gain the recognition of the Dragon Clan and transform your body into a dragon."
"Of course, these are all just legends. It’s impossible to achieve that just by reaching the Core Formation Stage."
Nan Qi shrugged. "Are you interested?"
Her subtext was clear: if Song Jiulai had any ambition, this mental method was obviously not for her.
Song Jiulai stroked her chin in thought. "A mental method this powerful... there must be very few people who cultivate it, right?"
Nan Qi said, "That’s right. Not many copies of this mental method are in circulation. We’ve only sold a few over the years."
And while some suckers had bought it, there was no guarantee they actually practiced it.
It only went up to the Core Formation Stage, and even among the least talented cultivators, it wasn’t unheard of for someone to reach that stage.
With that many Spirit Stones, why on earth would someone buy this mental method and cut off their own future?
Song Jiulai clasped her hands behind her back. "What’s the price? And is it a scroll or a book?"
’A scroll can be copied for the players,’
’A book can’t.’
Unexpectedly, Nan Qi said, "A scroll of the Nine Transformations Dragon Bone is one hundred top-grade spirit stones. A single book is just five top-grade spirit stones."
Song Jiulai was stunned.
"Do you have any idea what you’re saying?"
’That’s highway robbery!’
Nan Qi said helplessly, "I know you’re shocked, but that’s the price for the Nine Transformations Dragon Bone. No matter how restrictive its requirements are, it’s still a rare top-tier mental method. The power you gain after cultivating it is immense, it’s just... missing a few limbs."
Though the missing parts were quite critical.
But if it were a complete Cultivation Technique, how could it possibly have ended up in circulation for ordinary people to buy?
Besides, the story of where it came from was unreliable, and their True Treasure Pavilion wasn’t the only one in possession of the Nine Transformations Dragon Bone.
It was always on sale somewhere else.
Nan Qi added, "If Senior Zhai hadn’t introduced you, I wouldn’t even be selling these mental methods to you."
She really was honest—a little too honest, in fact.
Song Jiulai thought for a few minutes, then said with a pained expression, "Boss, two top-grade and fifty Mid Grade Spirit Stones. Let’s be friends."
Nan Qi: ?
This familiar haggling tactic instantly took her back to when she’d sold a Disposable Magical Treasure to that one sucker.
Nan Qi said, "Are you just here to cause trouble?"
Song Jiulai: "..."
Shamelessly, she asked, "Can’t you really give me a discount?"
Nan Qi, however, was a little curious. "With that much money, you could buy a better, more suitable Cultivation Technique. You don’t have to pick this one. If you reach the Core Formation Stage with it, you’ll never be able to break through again in this life."
"I know," Song Jiulai sighed. "What kind of future could I possibly have in this life?"
’True,’
’To still be in the Qi Refinement Realm at her age... reaching the Core Formation Stage would already be quite difficult for her.’
’Let alone the realms beyond that.’
At her core, Nan Qi was just a merchant. For someone of Song Jiulai’s Level to be able to casually offer so many top-grade spirit stones...
She must have some kind of backing.
Nan Qi didn’t care if the Spirit Stones were ill-gotten or if there was something wrong with the customer. The True Treasure Pavilion dared to make the sale, so naturally, they weren’t afraid of running into trouble.
So she said, "If you really want it, the price is non-negotiable. However, I can throw in a Qi Refinement Realm Cultivation Technique, the ’Step by Step Lotus Killing First Stage’. If you reach the Core Formation Stage, I’ll give you the Middle Stage version for free. How does that sound?"
A flicker of interest appeared in Song Jiulai’s eyes.
Lotus Birth Kill wasn’t an offensive Cultivation Technique, but a movement speed one.
Its price was comparable to Palm Thunder.
A cultivator using it would not only move with incredible speed but also leave behind a lotus imprint.
It sounded rather fantastical, but as long as the lotus imprint remained, the cultivator could instantly teleport back to its location at any time.
The higher their Level, the greater the distance they could teleport.
Strictly speaking, it was comparable to a teleportation effect.
That was why the lotus concealed a deadly intent, hence the technique’s name.
It was generally quite difficult to purchase. Song Jiulai thought for a long time.
Nan Qi didn’t interrupt her.
Finally, Song Jiulai steeled herself. "Fine! I’ll buy it!"
The main reason was that she desperately needed a Body Tempering Heart Method; her physical strength was still not high enough.
Previously, she’d been sent screaming and shouting after getting hit with a bit of venom from a demon beast.
The movement speed Cultivation Technique Nan Qi was throwing in also compensated for another one of her weaknesses.
This was an unexpected bonus.
Even if Nan Qi hadn’t offered it, she would have had to find a way to buy a movement speed Cultivation Technique later anyway.
The fact that a mental method like the Nine Transformations Dragon Bone was out in the open proved that someone must be practicing it, but that was their business. It didn’t matter if Song Jiulai couldn’t get the transformations past the fifth one after reaching the Core Formation Stage. After all, she already had Soul Cultivator, a growth-type mental method.
’Speaking of the Soul Cultivator ability the system gave me, it’s probably based on the souls of powerful players. By the time I reach the Nascent Soul Stage, it’ll probably become a Primordial Spirit.’
She had already discovered that the players’ cultivation speed was indeed faster than that of the locals.
They also had an easier time breaking through to new Levels.
’Of course, maybe it’s just because their Levels are still too low?’
The system suddenly spoke up: "If the players could get their hands on a mental method like the Dragon Transformation Bone, it would also be beneficial for their puppet bodies. Later on, when it’s time for Crossing Tribulation, the puppets might not be able to withstand the lightning strikes."
Song Jiulai replied, "That’s a nice thought, but you only face the lightning of a Tribulation when you’re crossing from Core Formation to Nascent Soul. Does this mental method even have the last three transformations?"
The system replied meaningfully, "Your main story quests give rewards. How can you be so sure you won’t get it then?"
Song Jiulai’s mind blanked.