Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant Chapter 2288: 163: Exchange_3

A radiant beam projected from the registry, scanning the surface once before trembling slightly, failing to display any text for a long duration.

Wang Ba’s brow furrowed at the sight.

In that moment, a hesitant voice drifted in from the corridor outside the quiet room:

“Taoist Friend Taiyi, I am the custodian of the treasure chamber. Might I have a brief word with you?”

Wang Ba instinctively looked toward the armband resting upon the list and realized the situation. He replied softly:

“Please, enter.”

With a wave of his hand, the door to the quiet room swung open. An elderly man with a long beard, clad in a reddish-brown robe adorned with cloud patterns, stood at the threshold. He offered Wang Ba a respectful greeting before stepping cautiously inside.

Upon entry, his eyes were immediately drawn to the Dao Treasure armband on the page, and a glimmer of excitement flickered within them.

Recalling his duty, he quickly addressed Wang Ba:

“Taoist Friend, is it your intention to trade this treasure for cloud beads?”

Wang Ba gave a slight nod:

“Indeed. Since you have come personally, is there an issue?”

The long-whiskered elder shook his head rapidly:

“Not at all. It is simply that we rarely encounter anyone willing to part with a top-grade Dao Treasure. Consequently, our treasure chamber lacks extensive experience in valuing such items…”

Understanding the man's implication, Wang Ba raised his hand, lightly beckoning the armband to fly into the elder's grasp.

The old man’s expression was one of unrestrained joy. Wasting no time, he produced several specialized tools, triggered the Innate Cloud Ban, and performed a series of rigorous inspections on the artifact.

After a short while, the elder rubbed his palms together and nodded, stating:

“It is truly a top-grade Dao Treasure… however, its offensive power is somewhat mediocre, and its Innate Cloud Ban only just reaches the requirements for its grade. Should you still wish to trade it for cloud beads, the Sect can offer a price of eighty million.”

“Only eighty million…”

Wang Ba felt a wave of letdown upon hearing the figure.

He had anticipated a sum closer to one or two hundred million, yet the reality fell short.

Even if he took the eighty million, a deficit of over seven hundred million remained.

“No matter. I shall secure the most vital items first; the rest can wait for a future opportunity.”

Having reached a silent conclusion, Wang Ba spoke:

“I will take the cloud beads, then.”

Beaming with satisfaction, the elder quickly secured the armband Dao Treasure. Simultaneously, the tally of cloud beads available to Wang Ba increased by eighty million.

Wang Ba proceeded to select his highest priorities: the Tribulation Crossing Divine Pill, the Nine-Colored Divine Soil, twelve Unification Spirit Beasts, and various world bones.

He finalized the exchange for them all.

One after another, these treasures manifested from the list.

Wang Ba inspected the Nine-Colored Divine Soil. Despite its grand name, it appeared as a mere speck of black, roughly the size of a grinding stone.

Furthermore, the eight world bones provided by the Cloud Sky Sect were diverse in hue and scale, suggesting they held vastly different inherent laws.

Gazing at the bones gathered before him, Wang Ba felt a stir of anticipation:

“These materials will certainly assist me in grasping different laws to further refine my Dao Domain.”

Although he had recently reached the early-stage Crossing Tribulation realm, his comprehension of laws was far more profound than that of his contemporaries. Previously, within the Illusory Realm created by Heavenly Monarch Chao using the Silkworm Dragon Staff, he had studied Divine Beast Rules for eight millennia. Despite the realm being an illusion, the rules were authentic. It was now simply a matter of time before his Dao Domain fully integrated these laws, allowing him to ascend to a Ninth-Tier Dao Domain. Once accomplished, he would only need to nourish his Primordial Spirit to advance to the middle-stage Crossing Tribulation.

It was merely a waiting game.

Observing that Wang Ba had abandoned several items he had originally eyed, the long-whiskered elder suddenly spoke:

“Taoist Friend, are you in need of more cloud beads?”

Wang Ba looked up and nodded slightly:

“Do you have a suggestion?”

The treasures he had picked were essential for his own growth or the development of the Little Cang World. If a path existed, he naturally wished to acquire everything on his list.

The elder, though a mere guardian of the chamber, seemed well-informed regarding Wang Ba’s recent accomplishments. He suggested:

“Taoist Friend, you have already dispatched several Bodhisattvas and triumphed in magical combat; few in your current realm can match you. Lately, the Supreme True Buddha has been constant in demanding duels outside our gates, and the fallout from our losses has been significant. With your prowess, you might consider intervening. Our Sect would grant cloud beads as a reward.”

“Magical combat?”

Wang Ba’s face remained a mask of calm, showing no emotion.

He had expected that residing in the Cloud Sky Realm would involve fighting others, and he was not inherently against it.

Nevertheless, as a newcomer, he believed it was wiser to observe and listen rather than acting impulsively.

For now, he simply nodded and inquired:

“Is it possible to reserve the items I could not yet afford?”

The elder looked somewhat hesitant:

“I can put them aside for a short time, but other Taoist friends might seek to exchange for them as well. It would be best if you did not wait too long.”

Wang Ba offered no further comment.

He could not guarantee his timeline, and without absolute confidence, he was unwilling to move recklessly.

He had already drawn enough attention recently out of necessity; once was sufficient.

He bid the man farewell and exited the treasure chamber.

Outside, he discovered Chen Zhongqi was still waiting for him.

“I apologize for the delay.”

“It was no trouble at all.”

Chen Zhongqi quickly waved off the apology, pulling his gaze away from the distance, though his face still betrayed a sense of deep-seated worry.

Wang Ba followed Chen Zhongqi’s previous line of sight toward the edge of the Cloud Sky Realm. There, he observed shimmering lights and the clashing of Dao Domains. Faint sounds of conflict reached his ears, causing him to frown slightly:

“Is the magical combat still ongoing?”

At Wang Ba’s question, Chen Zhongqi’s composure slipped, and he spoke with irritation:

“Indeed. The Supreme True Buddha followers dictate the terms of every duel. This time, the victory goes to the side that wins six out of ten bouts. Three matches have concluded, and we have only one win. I fear this round is also lost… It is a shame I cannot fight personally; if I could, I would cut that demon monk down with a single blade!”