Chapter 692: Chapter 690: Mysterious Spiritual Seeds

“Sixth Grade Spirit Seed…”

Upon hearing the female cultivator’s words, Lu Xuan’s eyes instantly brightened.

Though he had cultivated many Fifth-Rank and higher spiritual plants in his cave abode, each plant was hard to come by, making him all the more aware of the rarity of the Sixth Grade Spirit Seed.

Of course, he wouldn’t miss such a rare opportunity.

“Please introduce me to some specifics about that family, Taoist friend Wen,” he said, his tone gentle.

“The cultivator interested in selling the family’s spiritual seeds comes from the Qing Yuan Bai Family, a vast family within thousands of miles, purportedly established by a Primordial Infant True Monarch, with a heritage spanning many years,” she explained.

“However, after the longevity of the ancestors in the family was exhausted, the clan gradually showed signs of decline. This generation, including the patriarch, only has two Golden Core cultivators.”

“Though their power is still not to be underestimated, compared to their most prosperous period, there is a significant gap.”

As the branch tower master of the Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce, the female cultivator was naturally familiar with every major and minor power within Liyang Region, and she detailed this to Lu Xuan.

“A declining family? With two Golden Core cultivators?”

Lu Xuan’s expression remained calm, but a question mark surfaced in his mind.

He could never associate decline with Golden Core cultivators. Recalling his own time at the Qi Practicing Stage in Linyang Market, where the Wang Family, which managed the market and had several Foundation Establishment cultivators, seemed like a colossal entity. He had not expected that within the Liyang Region, a family with Golden Core Real People would be described as declining.

“I am somewhat interested in the spiritual seeds of the Bai family; when the opportunity arises, please lead me there, Taoist friend Wen,” he requested.

“No problem, Senior,” the female cultivator replied, bowing her head.

Days passed, and aside from going out to purchase some cultivation materials and visiting the grocery store, Lu Xuan spent the rest of his time in the branch, dealing with miscellaneous duties and cultivating.

Taoist friend Wen led him to a secluded courtyard.

“Senior Lu, this is Patriarch Bai Yushan of the Bai Family,” she introduced.

“Patriarch Bai, this is Senior Lu Xuan, a guest elder of our Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce, skilled in the path of spiritual plants,” she announced.

No sooner had they entered the courtyard than two enthusiastic Golden Core cultivators approached them.

The leader was a clear-eyed elderly man, in the Early Core Formation stage, bursting with spiritual power and seemingly not far from the Mid-term of Core Formation.

Following him was a sharp-eyed young man, also in the Early Core Formation stage.

“So it is Friend Lu. This humble one is unworthy of your visit from afar, please forgive me,” the elder said, smiling more warmly after hearing the female cultivator introducing Lu Xuan as a guest elder of the Sea Tower Chamber of Commerce, and stepped forward, cupping his hands.

“I’ve met Fellow Bai, you’re too courteous,” Lu Xuan responded with a smile, returning the gesture.

After exchanging pleasantries, from the elderly man’s introduction, they learned the young man was his nephew, exceptionally talented, who broke through to the Core Formation realm after just over a hundred years of cultivation.

The female cultivator stayed in the courtyard, with other Bai family cultivators hosting her, while Lu Xuan followed Bai Yushan inside a spacious hall.

Inside the hall were five Golden Core cultivators, two at the Intermediate stage and three at the Early stage, all of whom looked somewhat unfamiliar.

As they introduced each other, upon hearing that Lu Xuan was a Commerce Association Guest Elder, a hint of surprise flickered in the eyes of the five, causing them to take a couple more glances at him.

Another Early Core Formation stage cultivator later entered the hall.

“The allure of a Sixth Grade Spirit Seed still seems a bit weak; had it been a Sixth Grade Magical Treasure or Array, the cultivators coming here would far exceed this number, perhaps even Golden Core Late Stage cultivators would rush here,” Lu Xuan quietly mused to himself while tasting the Spiritual Tea.

Six people waited for a moment, and the elder walked to the center and saluted with his fists.

“Thank you, fellow Daoists, for coming despite your busy schedules. You are likely already aware of the matter at hand,” he said.

“The Bai Family possesses a Sixth Grade Spirit Seed, a treasured heirloom left to our family by an ancient ancestor. Unfortunately, we have never known the proper method to cultivate it and have been hesitant to attempt it rashly.”

“It has always been kept within the family, but we fear that the life force of the Spirit Seed may dissipate; thus, we are reluctantly prepared to part with it in exchange for a suitable treasure.”

“Given the numerous members of our clan, we give priority to Fifth-Rank Cultivation Methods or Low-Rank Divine Skills, followed by formations and Magic Artifacts.”

“Of course, if there is a significant difference in the value of the treasures, compensation with other items will be necessary,” he said in a grave voice.

Although the Golden Core Real People present had already understood that the Bai Family was in a period of decline, he would certainly not state it openly but instead found a flawless-sounding reason.

After the elder finished speaking, he took out an extraordinary Spirit Seed from his storage bag.

The Spirit Seed was enveloped in a veil-thin layer of black mist with a profound spiritual light circulating on its surface, exuding a deep sense of mystery.

“It is indeed a Sixth-Grade Spirit Seed, but one of a variety never seen before,” a few Golden Core Real People commented after a brief inspection, sensing the rich vitality within the seed.

“This is no ordinary Sixth-Grade Spiritual Plant. As for the specific variety, please allow me some secrecy for now. I will disclose more details once I have exchanged it with one of you,” the elder said slowly.

Hearing his words, everyone’s curiosity intensified.

Soon, a Golden Core Cultivator spoke up to inquire about the price.

“Fellow Bai, I have a rare bronze mirror, ranked Fifth Grade, named the Dazzling Light Mirror, which possesses many marvelous uses and can be refined into a Low-grade Magical Treasure. Would it be possible to exchange it for your Spirit Seed?”

With this Golden Core Real Person breaking the balance, others began to bring out their rare treasures sequentially.

“Patriarch Bai, how about this Starlight Twin Swords? A complete set of Fifth-Rank Magic Instruments, forged from extraordinary meteorites. When used, they have far greater power than ordinary Five-Grade Flying Swords and can significantly enhance your power, potentially raising our chances of reaching the Nascent Soul stage,” said a Golden Core Intermediate Cultivator, as a long and a short sword burst forth, their blades dazzling with starlight. They seemed to be attracted by some special force, maintaining a constant distance from each other.

“Patriarch Bai…”

Various treasures made a dazzling display, and one Golden Core Intermediate Cultivator even brought out a Fifth-Rank Cultivation Method, profoundly stirring the elder’s heart.

“Uncle Yushan, why not choose the Dazzling Light Mirror or the Starlight Twin Swords?”

“With such Strange Treasures, our power could increase significantly in a short time, perhaps enough to bring the Nascent Soul within reach,” a young cultivator from the Bai Family whispered to the elder in a corner.

“Foolish!”

The stern elder secretly glared at the young man.

“Is our family lacking in magical artifacts? Even if you obtained those rare magical instruments, any increase in power would be extremely limited.”

“Our family is failing to bridge generations. While numerous talented disciples have emerged, only a few have the potential to reach the Core Formation stage.”

“If an accident happens or when our time comes, the entire Bai Family will either disperse or be swallowed by other forces. Therefore, we cannot focus merely on ourselves but must consider how to ensure the continuity of our family.”

“That Fifth-Rank Cultivation Method, albeit ordinary in quality, could provide many Bai Family disciples with an additional option and a greater chance. Let’s consider it for now,” the elder communicated privately to the young man.

“Patriarch Bai, would you allow me a closer look at the extraordinary Spirit Seed? If it is satisfactory, I do have a fine Treasure Item on hand,” said an unexpected gentle voice from the Commerce Association’s Guest Elder.