"Collect."
Lu Changsheng reached out with a large hand, snatching the Void Divine Crystal straight into his grasp.
This Void Divine Crystal was massive.
It was roughly the size of a stone slab, exuding the aura of Void Divine Stones yet gleaming brightly like a crystal. Furthermore, its aura was unimaginably dense.
"What a massive Void Divine Crystal!"
"Given its size, if a few more centuries had passed until it was completely consumed by the Void Divine Stone vein, it would have been fully capable of birthing a large-scale vein."
Lu Changsheng murmured in amazement.
This truly was an enormous haul, far exceeding his wildest expectations!
A Void Divine Crystal this large could only be stumbled upon by chance, never sought at will.
With the crystal in hand, Lu Changsheng stored it away into his spatial treasure.
Yet he did not stop there.
The Void Divine Crystal had already gestated a Void Divine Stone vein. Now that the saint beast flood dragon was dead, Lu Changsheng naturally was not about to leave those Void Divine Stones behind.
"Rise."
With a low shout from Lu Changsheng, the entire ground began to tremble.
*Rumble!*
The Five Elements Decomposition divine ability enveloped the valley. The ground caved in, exposing one Void Divine Stone after another, which Lu Changsheng promptly swept into his spatial treasure.
Only after several hours did Lu Changsheng finally cease his work.
"Hmm?"
His heart stirred. He whipped around.
"What exquisite concealment."
"Even my Perception Domain failed to detect you in the slightest."
"Yet after staying so long, a trace of your aura leaked out after all."
"Come out. Or do you intend to withstand my divine ability head-on?"
Lu Changsheng stared meaningfully at an unremarkable sapling behind him.
Looking across the area, there was no one near the sapling. Not even a spirit beast.
It was completely vacant, without a whisper of an aura. Whom was Lu Changsheng speaking to?
As his words fell, the surroundings remained dead silent.
Lu Changsheng did not bother saying more.
*Hum.*
Spiritual Black Hole activated.
Watching the black hole form in midair, a figure abruptly emerged from behind the sapling.
"Hold on, fellow Daoist, hold on!"
It was a black-robed martial artist.
Not a sliver of aura leaked from him. Even standing right in front of Lu Changsheng, Lu Changsheng found him difficult to sense.
"Oh?"
"Willing to come out at last?"
"Your concealment method is quite marvelous. If you hadn't stayed for so long and let a tiny trace of your aura slip, even I wouldn't have noticed."
"Speak. What were you hiding in the shadows for?"
"If you cannot explain yourself clearly, you can vanish along with that flood dragon."
Lu Changsheng's words made the black-robed martial artist's heart clench. He hurried to say, "Fellow Daoist, it is all a misunderstanding, truly!"
"A misunderstanding?" Lu Changsheng said coldly. "What misunderstanding?"
The black-robed martial artist rushed to explain, "Truth be told, I have been hiding here for far more than a few hours. I've been concealed in this vicinity for a dozen days or so."
"Our Deep Space Chamber of Commerce learned long ago of a Void Divine Stone vein beneath this valley. But a saint beast flood dragon dwelt here, making ordinary exploration impossible. So the chamber came to me, asking me to use my art of stealth to scout the Yuntu Mountain Range little by little."
"My stealth technique is quite peculiar; even a Martial Saint would struggle to notice it. Still, I didn't dare leak my aura lightly, fearing the flood dragon would discover me. Thus, I could only wait."
"That flood dragon never wandered far, so I kept waiting for a chance when it left."
"Regrettably, before my chance came, you arrived instead, fellow Daoist."
"Fearing a misunderstanding, I never dared show myself. I did not expect that after witnessing you unleash such peerless might to strike upward and slay a saint beast flood dragon, my mind would be so shaken that I leaked a wisp of aura after all, allowing you to notice me."
Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
What this black-robed martial artist said was likely true. The man had not been hiding here for just a day or two, but for quite a long time.
"So, now that I have destroyed the Void Divine Stone vein and even taken the Void Divine Crystal, does your chamber intend to seize it back?" Lu Changsheng asked.
The black-robed martial artist's cheek twitched slightly, yet he forced an awkward smile. "Fellow Daoist must be joking. The Void Divine Stone vein in the Yuntu Mountain Range was unowned. Since it was claimed by you, it naturally belongs to you."
"Why would our Deep Space Chamber of Commerce ever think of taking it back?"
"Besides, with that saint beast flood dragon around, even if a Martial Saint from our chamber acted, they might not have been able to suppress it, let alone claim the vein."
"Only someone of your divine ability could slay the flood dragon and claim the Void Divine Stone vein. Therefore, whether it is the vein or the crystal, you earned every bit of it, fellow Daoist. Our Deep Space Chamber of Commerce harbors no designs whatsoever."
The black-robed martial artist explained in a flurry.
Was this a joke? Scheme after the Void Divine Crystal or the vein from this man? Wouldn't that be seeking death?
Even a saint beast flood dragon had been blasted to death head-on by this person. What could the Deep Space Chamber of Commerce possibly do?
Right now, he was genuinely trembling in his boots.
If a Martial Saint had slain the flood dragon, bowing one's head and stating one's stance would generally resolve the matter without issue.
Yet that was not the case here.
This was a Divine Ability realm martial artist slaying a saint beast flood dragon!
It was equivalent to a Divine Ability realm martial artist felling a Martial Saint from below!
Just how astounding was that?
It was an earth-shattering secret!
The black-robed martial artist genuinely feared being silenced forever.
Lu Changsheng saw right through his thoughts.
In truth, while he had considered silencing him, there was little need.
So what if a Divine Ability realm martial artist felled a saint beast? With three boundless divine abilities, he had the right to do so!
Moreover, the other party did not even know who he was.
Even so, Lu Changsheng still gave him a warning.
"I do not wish to hear word of my presence in the Yuntu Mountain Range spreading through the Holy Land."
"Yes, rest assured, fellow Daoist! My lips are sealed!" the black-robed martial artist promised repeatedly.
Without another word, Lu Changsheng transformed into a streak of light and vanished beyond the horizon.
"Phew..."
The black-robed martial artist finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling immense bitterness in his heart.
"My life is preserved at last."
"To fell a saint beast flood dragon while merely a Divine Ability martial artist... this man is certainly no nameless nobody."
"Just who could possess such terrifying strength? Especially those three divine abilities—they seemed to surpass every top greater divine ability I have ever known..."
Daring not linger any longer out of fear that the man might change his mind, the black-robed martial artist swiftly departed the Yuntu Mountain Range as well.
What had transpired today would undoubtedly leave a deep impression, etched into his memory for the rest of his life!
***
Martial Saint Mansion, Cave Abode Number One.
Lu Changsheng returned smoothly to his cave abode in the Martial Saint Mansion.
This journey had taken about a month, which was not terribly long.
He directly brought out the massive piece of Void Divine Crystal.
The Void Divine Crystal was finally his.
Now, Lu Changsheng wanted to see just how far this colossal crystal could push his Ten Directions Saint Body.
With that, he closed his eyes and began refining it.
One day, two days, three days, four days, five days...
As time passed day by day, Lu Changsheng's Ten Directions Saint Body advanced at a rate visible to the naked eye.
It took him ten full days to refine the crystal.
Ten days later, Lu Changsheng opened his eyes.
He immediately called up the attribute panel to inspect his current physical condition.
Host: Lu Changsheng
Comprehension: 361,400 (Praised for a Hundred Generations)
Hundong Saint Body: Unforged (46%)
Five-Colored Divine Light Saint Body: Unforged (57%)
Ten Directions Saint Body: Unforged (63%)
Lu Changsheng saw on the attribute panel that the Ten Directions Saint Body had actually reached 63% progress.
"Not bad. The Ten Directions Saint Body has reached 63%, and that is without refining any supplementary materials."
"The same goes for the other two saint bodies; I haven't refined many supplementary materials for them yet either. Once refined, their progress will rise even further."
A sharp light flashed in Lu Changsheng's eyes.
Supplementary materials were comparatively easier to find, but the key issue was that they were expensive, requiring vast sums of spirit stones.
Lu Changsheng still had several hundred thousand spirit stones on him, but that was certainly not enough.
However, he had obtained more than just the Void Divine Crystal in the Yuntu Mountain Range; he had also acquired a massive quantity of Void Divine Stones.
That was an entire vein's worth.
Even though it had still been gestating, the number of Void Divine Stones was by no means small.
Void Divine Stones were in high demand. If he wished to sell, finding buyers would never be an issue.
Thus, Lu Changsheng immediately set out for the outer mansion.
The outer mansion had a Trading Hall where anything could be traded, and Void Divine Stones were naturally no exception. Moreover, many chambers of commerce were stationed directly within the hall, allowing him to liquidate goods at any time.
Lu Changsheng found a large chamber of commerce inside the Trading Hall and sold a portion of the Void Divine Stones.
He did not sell them all, only a small fraction.
Void Divine Stones were simply too valuable. After all, they were used to craft spatial treasures and always fell short of demand. Even so, he obtained several million spirit stones.
With the spirit stones in hand, Lu Changsheng embarked on a massive shopping spree.
Forging the three saint bodies required many supplementary materials. Although these materials were fairly precious, Lu Changsheng spent lavishly, buying in bulk, so he was able to purchase nearly all of them.
After spending an entire day shopping in earnest, Lu Changsheng looked at the materials packed full inside his spatial treasure and returned to Cave Abode Number One in satisfaction.
"Let us begin."
Lu Changsheng began refining the supplementary materials to further push the progress of forging his three saint bodies.
This was destined to take a long time, and Lu Changsheng was mentally prepared for it.
So he began refining the materials, piece by piece, day after day.
Ever since arriving at the Martial Saint Mansion, Lu Changsheng had either been in closed-door cultivation or preparing for it.
Refining supplementary materials did not raise a saint body's progress very quickly, yet it consumed a great deal of time.
In the blink of an eye, three months flew by.
*Swish.*
Lu Changsheng opened his eyes.
The supplementary materials were largely exhausted, and he could feel that the progress of his saint bodies had reached an exceptionally high level.
He immediately brought up the attribute panel to check his status.
Host: Lu Changsheng
Comprehension: 391,400 (Praised for a Hundred Generations)
Hundong Saint Body: Unforged (78%)
Five-Colored Divine Light Saint Body: Unforged (71%)
Ten Directions Saint Body: Unforged (99%)
Lu Changsheng looked at the three saint bodies on the attribute panel.
Among them, the Ten Directions Saint Body had already reached 99% progress.
In other words, advancing it just a sliver more would allow him to forge the true Ten Directions Saint Body.
Naturally, Lu Changsheng would not advance it any further. Once he forged the Ten Directions Saint Body, he would no longer be able to fuse the three saint bodies together. That was something he could not accept; what he sought was their fusion.
"All three saint bodies have exceeded 50% forging progress."
"Theoretically, attempting to fuse them now would carry a fair chance of success."
"Yet there is still a possibility of failure."
"The higher their progress, the higher the success rate of fusion."
"Moreover, balance must be maintained. It would be best if all three reached 99%."
"That way, once fused, I might be able to seize the momentum to forge the fused saint body outright and advance to Martial Saint!"
A sharp glint flashed across Lu Changsheng's eyes.
The Five-Colored Divine Light Saint Body still lacked two key materials: Innate Five Elements Wood and Innate Five Elements Earth. With those two key materials, bringing its forging progress to 99% would not be difficult.
As for the Hundong Saint Body, the previous ethereal demon beads clearly had not been enough. Another two ethereal demon beads should suffice to push its progress to around 99%.
"Ethereal demon beads... are somewhat difficult to obtain for now."
"As for Innate Five Elements Wood and Innate Five Elements Earth, I can try searching for them."
Just as Lu Changsheng rose and prepared to head to the outer mansion's Trading Hall, the message transmission stone abruptly vibrated violently.
*Hum.*
Lu Changsheng took out the stone to check.
"Brother Lu, the Li Chamber of Commerce is in trouble. If you have time, please return."
It was a dispatch from Li Guang.
"The Li Chamber of Commerce is in trouble?"
Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
He understood the strength of the Li Chamber of Commerce well. With a Martial Saint holding the fort, under normal circumstances they would never face trouble. If trouble had arisen, it was bound to be significant.
Recalling how Li Guang and the Li clan had aided him, Lu Changsheng made up his mind.
"Innate Five Elements essences aren't easy to find right away either. I'll make a trip back first."
With that thought, Lu Changsheng turned into a streak of light, leaving the cave abode and flying toward Tiansheng City.
The journey from the Martial Saint Mansion to Tiansheng City took considerable time—three full months. The distance was immense.
Even with Lu Changsheng flying at full speed, three months had elapsed by the time he returned to Tiansheng City.
Without even stopping at the Holy Land Heavenly Sect, Lu Changsheng headed straight for the Li clan.
"Brother Li."
"Brother Lu, you're back?"
Li Guang's spirits lifted. He had not expected Lu Changsheng to return so quickly, knowing just how vast the distance was between the Martial Saint Mansion and Tiansheng City.
"Brother Li, what on earth happened?" Lu Changsheng asked.
Li Guang took a deep breath and said heavily, "The Li Chamber of Commerce is facing trouble."
"All these years, news of the ancestor's injury was kept under wraps. But because he hasn't shown his face in many years, certain factions grew suspicious after all."
"And so, they began probing."
"For a Martial Saint faction, once stripped of its Martial Saint, you can imagine how hard it is to protect its influence."
"The faction probing us is Tianguang City's Black Light Chamber of Commerce."
Lu Changsheng's heart stirred.
"Wait, the Black Light Chamber of Commerce? The one that invaded the Ancient Region last time?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"Yes, that very one."
"Last time, that Martial Saint from the Black Light Chamber of Commerce questioned our Li clan, but was rebuffed by the ancestor's reply."
"It seems now that their Martial Saint never let the matter go. Instead, they began probing us, each time crossing the line further, aiming to force the ancestor to show himself or even fight."
"The ancestor's injuries have never fully healed. Though he can still fight, doing so would aggravate his condition and drastically shorten his lifespan. Unless pushed to the absolute brink, he cannot act."
"Because of this, the Black Light Chamber of Commerce grew increasingly brazen over time. They've seized much of our chamber's business throughout the Holy Land, pressing in step by step," Li Guang said through gritted teeth.
It was clear that the Li Chamber of Commerce had endured bitter days recently.
Lu Changsheng knew that this matter was rooted in his own actions.
Had he not borrowed the power of the Li Chamber of Commerce to deter the Black Light Chamber of Commerce from invading the Ancient Region in full force, the Black Light Martial Saint would not have harbored a grudge against the Li clan's ancestor. How could things have reached this point?
Strictly speaking, Lu Changsheng was the reason the Li Chamber of Commerce had fallen into this predicament.
"How has the Black Light Chamber of Commerce been threatening the Li Chamber of Commerce?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"Their approach is simple. They forcefully severed all our suppliers and business partners."
"They used brute force directly, while our chamber lacked the power to protect those partners. Disappointed, those partners naturally had no choice but to defect to the Black Light Chamber of Commerce."
Lu Changsheng understood.
The Black Light Chamber of Commerce had resorted directly to martial force. After all, the Holy Land was a world where martial might reigned supreme. Doing business ultimately depended on martial strength as well.
If the Li Chamber of Commerce could not even protect its business partners, how could those partners continue doing business with them?
Over time, the Li Chamber of Commerce would crumble from within.
"The Black Light Chamber of Commerce couldn't have their Martial Saint act personally every time. Has the Li Chamber of Commerce not considered fighting back?" Lu Changsheng asked.
"We organized manpower to retaliate. But at the level of Divine Ability martial artists, our chamber is indeed weaker than theirs."
"What's more, that Martial Saint of the Black Light Chamber of Commerce already declared that if any Divine Ability martial artist dares to step up, he will personally intervene and suppress them."
"Because of that, we can't even hire external Divine Ability martial artists."
"Now, we can only retreat step by step, consolidating our business back into Tiansheng City as much as possible. But once we do that, our Li Chamber of Commerce will be all but finished..."
Lu Changsheng understood.
Once a chamber of commerce could not even guarantee its goods—such as lacking Heavenly Spirit Water—how could it still be considered a grand chamber of commerce?
In time, business would plummet, and no one would come to the Li Chamber of Commerce to buy anything.
After finishing his explanation, Li Guang fell silent.
The room went still.
Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes. Looking at Li Guang, he asked in a low voice, "Brother Li, is the Black Light Chamber of Commerce's Martial Saint very strong?"
Li Guang gave Lu Changsheng a surprised look, but shook his head nonetheless. "He shouldn't be overly formidable, just an ordinary Martial Saint. If our ancestor weren't injured, he could easily overpower him."
"Even now, if the ancestor risked aggravating his injuries, he could still defeat the Black Light Martial Saint."
"However, once, twice, three times... if that Martial Saint provokes him repeatedly, forcing our ancestor to fight multiple times, he probably won't even be able to preserve his life..."
Lu Changsheng understood.
The Black Light Martial Saint was not exceptionally powerful. Even risking his wounds, the Li clan's ancestor could defeat him, yet he could not slay him. Without slaying the opponent, endless trouble would follow.
Faced with provocation after provocation, what could the Li Chamber of Commerce rely on to contend with them?
"Brother Li, this matter originally stemmed from the Ancient Region."
"Allow me to handle it," Lu Changsheng said slowly.
His words took Li Guang aback.
"Brother Lu, you intend to fight? But the Black Light Chamber of Commerce's Martial Saint..."
Lu Changsheng waved a hand. "A Martial Saint will not act lightly, as he must remain wary of the Li ancestor."
"Besides, even if that Martial Saint does act, I am not entirely powerless to resist."
"At worst, I can simply retreat."
"As long as I do not face the Martial Saint directly, however many Divine Ability martial artists the Black Light Chamber of Commerce sends, I will kill!"
"We'll wear them down and see who outlasts whom!"
A fierce glint flashed in Lu Changsheng's eyes.
Li Guang's brow furrowed tightly.
He knew Lu Changsheng made it sound easy, but in reality it was exceedingly difficult.
If a Martial Saint acted, Lu Changsheng thought he could resist a move or two? Li Guang did not share such confidence.
Once a Martial Saint made a move, who among Divine Ability realm martial artists could be their match? Never mind withstanding a blow or two—merely avoiding an instant kill would already be a display of extraordinary skill.
Even if Lu Changsheng had forged boundless divine abilities, Li Guang did not believe he could rival a Martial Saint.
"Brother Lu, this is far too dangerous..."
Li Guang still disagreed. He would rather have the Li clan lie low for a while and take a step back.
With the ancestor present, the Li clan would not be annihilated, and they still had Lu Changsheng as their hope. If they lay low for several years until Lu Changsheng became a Martial Saint, using saint bodies forged from boundless divine abilities, could he not suppress the Black Light Martial Saint then?
Therefore, they had to endure for now!
"Brother Lu, I sent word asking you to return only so you could make arrangements for the Holy Land Heavenly Sect, keeping them low-profile and biding their time. I didn't summon you back to throw your life away against the Black Light Chamber of Commerce," Li Guang said earnestly, weighing every word.
He had not called Lu Changsheng back to fight desperately.
"Enough, the matter is settled."
"Tomorrow, take martial artists from the chamber, and I will bring some people from the Holy Land Heavenly Sect to Tianguang City."
"Whatever issues exist, we will lay out the terms face-to-face."
Lu Changsheng spoke decisively, having already made his choice.
Li Guang hesitated before finally nodding. "Very well. If we must go, I will consult the ancestor and make sure he accompanies us regardless."
"With the ancestor overseeing the scene, the Black Light Chamber of Commerce's Martial Saint shouldn't dare cross the line too far."
Lu Changsheng did not object.
The Li clan's ancestor was merely injured, after all, and remained capable of fighting. Having a Martial Saint present to hold down the fort was indeed safer.
Afterward, Lu Changsheng returned to the Holy Land Heavenly Sect.
From Sect Master Lu Tong, Lu Changsheng learned about the Li Chamber of Commerce's plight as well. It matched what Li Guang had told him almost exactly.
"Martial Saint..." Lu Changsheng murmured softly.
A Martial Saint was a sublimation of the martial path.
Though he had slain the saint beast flood dragon, he had yet to exchange blows with a true Martial Saint.
Heading to Tianguang City tomorrow, he might just discover the difference between a Martial Saint powerhouse and a saint beast flood dragon.
Chapter 231