Immortal Reincarnation Tribulation

Chapter 217 The Exorbitantly Priced Elixir-Making Water

The young man seemed hesitant this time, and after a long while, he finally gritted his teeth and spoke nervously:

"Master, I suppose you've done missions to hunt demonic beasts at sea before. According to the rules, cultivators must hand over all the demon cores they obtain at sea, no matter how many, and any excess will be converted into corresponding contribution points for this island."

However, everyone knows that exchanging demon cores for island contribution points is a complete loss. Therefore, many cultivators who go to sea secretly hoard any extra demon cores. If they do it discreetly, even the hall master won't be able to find out anything.

The island's higher-ups were naturally aware of this phenomenon, but there was no way to completely eliminate it. So they could only restrict the circulation of the Core-Melting Water, preventing cultivators from consuming the demon cores they obtained and forcing them to sell them secretly at considerable risk.

This would, to some extent, reduce the likelihood of cultivators secretly possessing demon cores.

"I see. Oh, don't worry, I won't mention this matter again. Does your shop buy demon cores?" Du Fan nodded and stopped worrying about the core-refining water.

The young man's lips twitched visibly upon hearing this. He felt that he was really unlucky today, and that this master was going to ruin him.

Although there are no strict rules on the island regarding the purchase of demon cores by shops in the market, doing so still violates the taboos of the higher-ups on Crescent Island, as it inadvertently encourages cultivators to collect demon cores.

"Couldn't you have said that a little more subtly?" the young man lamented inwardly. But after taking a deep breath, he still spoke respectfully and softly:

"Our shop does buy demon cores, but at a price about 10-20% lower than the market price. After all, our shop has to take some risks with this."

However, please rest assured, Master, the purchase price of demon cores is uniform across all shops in the market, and our shop will certainly not let you suffer any losses here.

"Hmm, I'm satisfied with your answer." Du Fan glanced at the waiter, left a casual remark, and turned to leave without hesitation. In just a few breaths, he had already disappeared.

"What? You're satisfied! What is this? Are you playing me?!" The young man was stunned at the sight, then his face turned red, his fists clenched, and he roared inwardly...

"I didn't expect that the Elixir-Melting Water was a contraband on Crescent Island, and it seems like the control over it is quite strict. Perhaps... we should check out other islands?"

After leaving that shop, Du Fan did not immediately enter other shops, but slowed down and thought about the Elixir-Melting Water.

"No, according to Zhao Chong and the others, the distance between any two of the seventy-two islands in the Earthly Fiend Archipelago is extremely far. Even if you take a rented wooden boat to the nearest island, it would take about a month to make a round trip."

If you're going to an island the size of Crescent Island, it will take even longer.

"Because I often go out to sea to do missions, this is simply impossible. Besides, most other islands would also ban the sale of the Elixir-Melting Water. Even if I were to manage to enter another island, it would basically be fruitless."

Du Fan frowned slightly, but quickly abandoned the idea.

"It seems we can only start with the main island. Naturally, no one would dare to sell something like the Elixir-Melting Water openly, which means that if someone were to sell it, the profits would be enormous."

Driven by such enormous profits, it's hard to guarantee that no one will be so daring as to try something like the "elixir-dissolving water," which has been banned for many years, is still in stock in various shops...

Thinking of this, Du Fan's eyes lit up. Black market trading exists in any era and in any world, wherever there are people, provided there is a source of goods.

"Even if it's unlikely I can buy a large quantity, I'll find a way to get my hands on a bottle first. Once I get back, I'll risk researching it. Getting the formula shouldn't be too difficult, and then I can concoct it myself!"

As Du Fan pondered this, a decisive look quickly appeared in his eyes. He strode towards Song Yuanzi's shop.

……

"So it's Fellow Daoist Du! Please come in. What are you planning to buy this time?" Upon seeing the newcomer, Song Yuanzi's face lit up with joy, and he quickly stood up to welcome Du Fan inside.

Du Fan nodded, then glanced around and noticed that there were several more mortal servants in the shop, who were trying their best to introduce various items to the cultivators in the shop.

"Fellow Daoist Songyuan, the items I purchased this time are somewhat special. May I speak with you in private?" Du Fan withdrew his gaze, stared at Songyuan, and spoke slowly.

"Oh? Fellow Daoist Du, please come with me." Song Yuanzi's eyes flashed, his expression became more serious, and after a moment of contemplation, he nodded slightly and led Du Fan to a back door deep inside the shop.

……

After a short while, Du Fan and Song Yuanzi found themselves in a secret room, sitting opposite each other.

"Fellow Daoist Du, this secret room is equipped with isolation-type restrictions. Our conversation will absolutely not be known to a third party. Fellow Daoist, you can tell me what you need to buy now." Song Yuanzi smiled slightly and got straight to the point. He was quite looking forward to this deal.

"The Elixir-Melting Water." Du Fan picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of the tea, and said casually.

Upon hearing this, Song Yuanzi's pupils contracted slightly. Then, seeing Du Fan's calm and composed demeanor, the muscles on his face twitched. His mind raced, and after a moment, he gave Du Fan a deep look, shook his head, and said:

"So Fellow Daoist Du wants to buy the Elixir-Melting Water. No wonder you're being so cautious. To be honest, this item isn't easy to obtain."

"No?" Du Fan looked at Song Yuanzi and frowned.

"Hehe, whether it exists or not isn't the key point. The key point is how much Fellow Daoist Du is willing to pay." Song Yuanzi seemed to have figured something out, and he regained his usual shrewish demeanor, saying with a smile on his face.

Upon hearing this, Du Fan felt relieved. It seemed that the other party did have the Elixir-Melting Water, although its price was probably not low. However, this was not a problem for Du Fan.

"I am sincerely interested in purchasing this item, but I also have important matters to attend to. Fellow Daoist Songyuan, there's no need for you to offer any more merchant-like words. Just name your price," Du Fan said calmly, his face expressionless.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Du, that's generous! This amount." Song Yuanzi laughed heartily at first, then suddenly stopped. Two strange lights flashed in his cloudy old eyes, and he suddenly raised his withered arm, extending two fingers.

"Two hundred spirit stones?" Du Fan was taken aback and asked tentatively.

"Fellow Daoist Du is joking. If two hundred spirit stones could buy a dose of Elixir Transformation Water, it wouldn't be considered a contraband. Two thousand spirit stones would be much more expensive." Song Yuanzi's lips twitched as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Two thousand spirit stones?"

Upon hearing this, Du Fan was startled, for even for him, this was no small sum.

It should be noted that even in the prosperous cultivation world of the Nine Provinces Continent, it is rare for an inner disciple of a large sect to have such a fortune. Even for a Foundation Establishment deacon, two thousand spirit stones would probably be more than half of their wealth.

Song Yuanzi wasn't too surprised by Du Fan's reaction. He naturally knew what the number of spirit stones represented, and he would have found it strange if the other party had remained calm.

After a long pause, Song Yuanzi smiled slightly and spoke at the opportune moment:

"Fellow Daoist Du, the Elixir-Melting Water has been banned on this island for many years. The amount scattered outside is extremely small. Although I cannot guarantee that the Elixir-Melting Water here is unique, the quantity of this medicine in this market will definitely not exceed ten."

As the saying goes, things are valued for their rarity. Although two thousand spirit stones is a lot, it is definitely worth it for Fellow Daoist Du to exchange them for a dose of Elixir-Refining Water. In places like the Earthly Fiend Islands, elixirs are extremely scarce, and demon cores make up a very large proportion of the cultivation level.

I dare to guess that Fellow Daoist Du bought the Elixir-Melting Water not for his own use.

With the aid of the Core-Melting Water, consuming the core of a low-level demon beast would be a losing proposition, but consuming the core of a mid-level or even high-level demon beast would be a different story.

Fellow Daoist Du, do you think we should reconsider?

"Hmm?" Du Fan initially ignored the old man's eloquent speech, but as he listened, his heart stirred.

"It seems that the old fox has misunderstood something, but this is for the best, it's a form of protection for me as well."

Du Fan frowned, deliberately feigning contemplation. After a long while, he took a deep breath, looked at the old man, and said in a deep voice, "One thousand five hundred."

"Eighteen thousand is the bottom line. Not a single spirit stone less. This shop is not owned by me personally, so please don't make things too difficult for me, Fellow Daoist Du."

"We'll have many more opportunities to cooperate in the future. At worst, I can offer Fellow Daoist Du a discount on other things, but this Elixir-Melting Water is absolutely out of the question." Song Yuanzi raised an eyebrow and said decisively.

"Okay, it'll be 1,800!" Du Fan slapped his thigh, a hint of pain on his face, and gritted his teeth.

"Great! Fellow Daoist Du, please wait here for a moment, and I will fetch this item for you." The old man breathed a sigh of relief, overjoyed. After saying this, he immediately stood up and prepared to leave.

"Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Songyuan," Du Fan said softly, sitting there.

"Hmm? Is there anything else, Fellow Daoist Du?" Song Yuanzi paused, his face immediately showing tension, fearing that the other party might change his mind.

"Add another hundred sea silk threads." Du Fan glanced at Song Yuanzi and smiled at him.

"No problem, I'll deduct one hundred spirit stones from the price of one hundred sea silkworm threads for you, fellow Daoist." Song Yuanzi's heart skipped a beat, his eyes gleamed, and after taking a deep breath, he left the secret room in high spirits.