I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 325: Extra Story (7)

Every three years, the realm transmission channel from the Cloud Dream Realm to the Qianyuan Continent opens, and each time ten thousand realm keys are issued. Only those holding a realm key have the right to enter the Qianyuan Continent.

In the years when the Qianyuan Continent was not yet famous, the sales of realm keys were generally middling, with plenty left over each round, merely circulating among cultivators of the Cloud Dream Realm.

Not long afterwards, the fame of the Qianyuan Continent soared, and more and more cultivators from different cultivation worlds heard of its wonders and went there to seek treasure.

The realm key thus became a rare object, with the official price rising from five hundred low-grade Spirit Stones per piece to a thousand medium-grade Spirit Stones. Even so, the market was still scarce, and many cultivators urgently in need of Spirit Grass would purchase them at prices several times higher from others, or exchange them with rare elixirs or weapons.

Qin Hai hadn’t expected the realm keys to become such hot items. He had to bargain quite a bit before he managed to buy one from a cultivator of the Celestial Web Realm for five hundred high-grade Spirit Stones.

To avoid drawing attention, Qin Hai disguised himself as a Loose Cultivator, suppressing his cultivation to the late Golden Core stage, mingling with the crowd, quietly observing those like him who were preparing to go to the Qianyuan Continent for treasure hunting.

The Qianyuan Continent places no restrictions on cultivation levels for cultivators entering, but it specifies the dangers within, discouraging those with too low cultivation levels from entering. Even so, quite a few cultivators in the Qi Refinement Realm stood within the crowd, mostly dressed lavishly, bearing proud expressions, like disciples of major sects.

"Those few in the Qi Refinement Realm are Inner Sect Disciples from the Xuanling Sect of the Celestial Moon Realm. This time their sect has brought a Supreme Elder in the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, and the Xuanling Sect is taking advantage of the opportunity to let these low-cultivation juniors venture into the Qianyuan Continent under the care of sect masters to gain some experience. If they can obtain some fortuitous encounters, it would be quite beneficial for their future cultivation."

Qin Hai turned his head toward the speaker, who had a round face full of amiability, and his magic robe bore no sect insignia, indicating he was likely a Loose Cultivator. Unlike most Loose Cultivators in modest attire, this person wore quite a number of high-grade defensive magic artifacts, all styled as gold and silver jewelry, his whole body glimmering like a wealthy merchant from the mortal realm rather than a cultivator.

The man smiled widely and cupped his hands toward Qin Hai: "I am Meng Ling, a Loose Cultivator from the Cloud Dream Realm. Greetings, fellow Daoist."

Qin Hai quickly returned the salute: "I am Qin Hai, from the Celestial Web Realm. Well met, Brother Meng."

Meng Ling’s expression showed slight surprise: "The Celestial Web Realm is not close to the Cloud Dream Realm; at least five realm transmission arrays must be turned, and the transmission fee requires quite a sum of Spirit Stones."

"Ah, yes, indeed," Qin Hai’s eyes flashed. He had arrived directly from the Immortal Realm to the Cloud Dream Realm via the Immortal Official’s channel without spending an Immortal Crystal. However, hearing Meng Ling’s words, Qin Hai felt the Spirit Stones spent on acquiring the realm key were not in vain.

Since ancient times, Sword Cultivators have rarely been wealthy, and Qin Hai was not affiliated with any sect, merely a Loose Cultivator. Meng Ling empathized with his difficulty in saving Spirit Stones and immediately consoled him:

"Brother Qin doesn’t need to regret the Spirit Stones. I have here a Hundred Herbs Map from the Heavenly Mechanism Tower, containing images of various rare and valuable Immortal Herbs and Spirit Plants. Once you’re in the Qianyuan Continent, if Brother Qin searches for Spirit Plants as indicated in the map and resells them, you won’t need to worry about cultivation resources for years!"

Having said this, Meng Ling then stuffed a Jade Scroll into Qin Hai’s hand, but when Qin Hai offered him money, Meng Ling refused.

"It’s just a recorded Jade Scroll; no need for Brother Qin to be so formal."

"If that’s the case, I won’t refuse. Once we enter the Qianyuan Continent, if there’s anything Brother Meng requires of me, I will do my utmost."

Meng Ling smiled broadly as he cupped his hands: "That’s excellent! With Brother Qin’s assistance, old Meng won’t be running frantically from Demon Beasts like last time, having lost more than half of the Spirit Grass he dug up."

Qin Hai smiled without speaking. He understood well that Meng Ling was offering goodwill in hope of traveling together and seeking the protection of Qin Hai’s martial prowess. Qin Hai also realized Meng Ling was no newcomer to the Qianyuan Continent; it would be better to follow him rather than wander aimlessly. The two tacitly agreed to mutually exploit each other’s strengths and quickly reached an understanding.

Having decided to travel together, Meng Ling meticulously explained the rules and regulations that foreign cultivators must follow upon entering, as well as matters to be mindful of once inside, to Qin Hai.

"What did you say? The realm key is merely a certificate for entering the Qianyuan Continent, and staying inside requires an extra fee paid by the day?"

Meng Ling nodded: "Exactly. The higher the cultivation level, the more expensive the stay fee."

Qin Hai was displeased: "Once inside, one is a hidden dragon in the sea; the Qianyuan people cannot follow me around at every moment, how would they know when I leave? It’s just up to my word how many days I’m there!"