With Huang Chengyan's understanding and insight into Confucian classics, combined with his cultivation of the top-tier Confucian technique "Record of Righteous Blood and Loyal Heart", his cultivation was extremely solid and steady. His fortune was already bound to Xuanhuang Town. As a Confucian cultivator, one must establish words, establish learning, establish achievements, and establish virtue. Every step was closely intertwined with the human path.
As Xuanhuang Town continued to grow stronger, and Huang Chengyan, being one of its key officials, oversaw various operations, governed the people, and built the town, his cultivation also increased every moment. His speed of breakthrough was astonishing. His foundation was deep; if not for the fact that visualizing runes and condensing the Sea of Transformation required immense willpower and soul strength, he would have broken through several times already.
Such was the uniqueness of Confucian cultivators.
To a large extent, their progress was tied to their personal cultivation and innate talent.
Now, upon seeing this Confucian divine ability manual, even Huang Chengyan couldn't help but feel his heart race with intense desire. If he could cultivate this ability and open the corresponding fate aperture, it would mean a significant transformation in his combat power.
"May I ask, fellow Daoist, how do you intend to trade this divine ability manual?"
Huang Chengyan asked.
"We wandering merchants travel and trade across many regions, each with its own currency system. So generally, we either barter or use a mutually agreed-upon currency. We aim to ensure fairness in every transaction. Of course, ordinary gold, silver, and jewels no longer qualify as currency."
Zhen Youde replied with a chuckle. A glint of shrewdness flashed in his small eyes.
Wandering merchants never made unprofitable deals, especially not in matters of currency. Gold and silver, once treasures, were now useless, worthless as trade items.
Typically, barter was still the most common way to trade. Item prices were mutually assessed. Above all, wandering merchants ensured their trades were never losses.
"How about this currency, fellow Daoist?"
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed. He knew full well how shrewd wandering merchants were. Back when he traded with Jia Chengxin, he had paid with Willpower Orbs, only to later feel he had undervalued them—not that the price was unfair, but he hadn't made full use of their effects, wasting them unnecessarily.
As he spoke, a Eternal Coin appeared in his hand and was passed over to Zhen Youde.
"This currency…"
Zhen Youde examined the Eternal Coin with shock, weighing its mass and sensing the pure Heaven and Earth energy within, even noticing a unique amplification effect akin to that of Willpower Orbs or fortune-enhancing objects. It was flawless. Its golden luster and exquisite appearance made it naturally appealing—even he couldn't help but feel fondness at first glance.
"Eternal... Xuanhuang. This is a new currency. The Eternal Coin contains pure, untainted Heaven and Earth energy like spirit crystals, and can be absorbed directly. It also offers an amplification similar to Willpower Orbs and Qi Luck. It's the best of both worlds—a perfect fusion. Fascinating. This coin is very interesting."
Zhen Youde seemed utterly captivated by the Eternal Coin, marveling as he studied its depths.
After a while, he looked back at Yi Tianxing with admiration. "What a remarkable coin—round outside, square inside, embodying the laws of Heaven and Earth. One side says 'Eternal,' the other 'Xuanhuang.' Eternal as Heaven, Xuanhuang as Earth. I didn't expect you to have such a divine minting method. This coin, bearing the name 'Eternal,' naturally gathers Qi Luck."
"Merely a fortunate creation," Yi Tianxing replied calmly.
"May I ask if fellow Daoist has enough Eternal Coins in circulation? If so, I would like to purchase in bulk and accept Eternal Coins for all items in my store."
Zhen Youde said firmly and without hesitation.
The greatest issue merchants faced on Eternal Continent was the lack of a unified currency. Everyone used something different—spirit crystals, pills, spirit shells—each valid due to their embedded spiritual energy or Heaven and Earth essence. But none were universally accepted. Compared to Eternal Coins, all other options paled. Even the blind could tell which one was more suited to be currency.
"Eternal Coins are difficult to mint. The required materials are rare and precious—most basic materials are Heaven-born crystals. Added to that are unique inscriptions and treasures. They can be refined like pills to increase cultivation without side effects. Naturally, I can't produce them in vast numbers, but since I've mastered the minting technique, I can make more with enough materials. If fellow Daoist wishes, I can supply a batch. Just not in excessive quantities."
Yi Tianxing replied with a casual smile.
In truth, his Money Tree was already producing Eternal Coins continuously, and with the steady harvest of Willpower Orbs and Demonic Thought Beads, he could keep minting indefinitely. This ensured a plentiful currency supply for all of Xuanhuang Town.
"Excellent. We'll conduct this transaction entirely using Eternal Coins."
Zhen Youde replied joyfully.
"Then what is the price for this Confucian divine ability manual 'Words Shape Reality'?"
Yi Tianxing asked.
"This is a divine Confucian ability—rare and precious. I won't ask much: 30,000 Eternal Coins," said Zhen Youde after a brief pause.
Thirty thousand Eternal Coins! Given that it took one Willpower Orb to mint ten coins, the cost amounted to 3,000 Willpower Orbs—an astounding price.
"That's too much. Eternal Coins aren't easily minted. And this divine ability, though precious, is likely not a unique copy. If it were a true one-of-a-kind, the price might be justified. But since it can be spread and copied widely, no matter how rare, it has a market value. 10,000 Eternal Coins would be fair."
Yi Tianxing stated firmly.
"Very well, deal."
Zhen Youde grinned and agreed.
This was a zero-cost trade for him. Divine abilities, especially fate-aperture techniques, were foundational and beneficial for life. They were incredibly valuable. But as Yi Tianxing suspected, this wasn't the original—just one of many copies he'd had made.
"I'll take this manual then."
Yi Tianxing handed over the 10,000 Eternal Coins without hesitation and claimed 'Words Shape Reality'.
The wandering merchant dealt in costless trades—so did he. Eternal Coins were his own mint, and spreading them only helped promote their circulation and reputation, indirectly boosting Qi Luck.
Coins are transient. Treasures are eternal.
"Fellow Daoist Yi, you are a refreshing customer indeed," Zhen Youde said sincerely, delighted at the neatly stacked pile of golden Eternal Coins before him. He waved his hand and stored them away.
"How many more technique manuals or divine arts do you have, fellow Zhen? Why not show them all? If suitable, money is not an issue."
Yi Tianxing smiled.
"Of course."
Zhen Youde's grin widened. "I've not traveled far lately, but I did collect a fair number of manuals. I have 78 Sea of Gods foundational techniques. Of those, 57 are common grade, 13 medium, and 8 high-grade. Prices are: common at 100 Eternal Coins, medium at 500, high at 1,500."
Seven of the common ones were already in the Scripture Pavilion.
The rest required 23,500 Eternal Coins in total.
"I'll take them all."
Yi Tianxing didn't hesitate to pay. Even if the prices were slightly inflated, it didn't matter.
In the chaotic Eternal Continent, knowledge is priceless. Once obtained, it can be passed down for generations.
"I also have 37 combat techniques and spell manuals, including 'Yin-Yang Reversal Blade Art', 'Light-Splitting Phantom Arrow Technique', and others."
Zhen Youde laid them out.
Any manual not already in the Scripture Pavilion, Yi Tianxing bought without hesitation, paying another large sum of Eternal Coins.
"Would fellow Daoist be interested in pill formulas?"
Zhen Youde asked with a grin.
"What kind?"
Yi Tianxing asked quickly.
"I have formulas for:
Huasheng Pill (Profound-grade): detoxifies, heals injuries
Clearheart Pill: strengthens the mind and stabilizes mood
Primordial Essence Pill: increases cultivation
Snow Lotus Pill: enhances cultivation and heals wounds, also detoxifying.All excellent formulas."
Zhen Youde explained.