"Senior, this is a rare occasion. Why have you called me out of the blue this time?" Liu Hui chuckled. This Xiaoyaozi rarely initiated contact, so this sudden call was highly unusual, making him wonder about the reason.

"Little friend, we have been cooperating for so long, and I have done so much for you. Can I not even call you on my own initiative?" Xiaoyaozi puffed out his beard and glared, feigning great anger.

"Come on, Senior. I know you well enough. Just say what you need directly; I'm very busy right now," Liu Hui, having long seen through Xiaoyaozi’s nature, cut straight to the chase.

"Little friend, do you have any big jobs for me lately? I feel like I'm going to get sick from being too idle," Xiaoyaozi said coyly.

Liu Hui inwardly snickered. He genuinely didn't have anything for Xiaoyaozi to do recently, and he hadn't expected the elder to be so eager that he would actively ask for work.

"Senior, I'm a bit tight on funds lately. I don't have enough Spirit Stones to cover your remuneration, so I dare not trouble you," Liu Hui said with feigned regret.

"No trouble, no trouble at all! As long as I have something to do, even a small offering of Spirit Stones as payment will suffice," the old fox finally revealed his true colors.

Liu Hui chuckled quietly and sighed, "Senior, you can't refine magical artifacts or anything right now, and you don't have any precious items or even resources. I truly can't think of anything you could trade with me."

Xiaoyaozi looked somewhat dejected and morose. "It's not that I can't refine artifacts, but our Artifact Forging Sect's Floating Peak was damaged during the last Great Cultivation War and fell to the mortal realm. Some of its formations were also ruined, which is why we can't forge artifacts right now."

"Floating Peak? What is that? It sounds rather impressive," Liu Hui said, hearing the name for the first time and feeling curious.

"The Floating Peak is the foundation of our Artifact Forging Sect. Without it, we can't call ourselves the Artifact Forging Sect. The Floating Peak was refined by countless elders of our sect, who poured their life's energy and endless materials into it over countless years of tempering. Essentially, the Floating Peak is a colossal artifact refining facility, containing numerous refining chambers inscribed with artifact forging formations that allow us to easily produce high-quality magical artifacts. So, fundamentally, our Artifact Forging Sect operates solely based on this Floating Peak. Without it, we cannot forge. As long as we have the Floating Peak, we can forge anything," Xiaoyaozi explained.

"You boasted earlier about your profound artifact forging skills—turns out you were just bragging," Liu Hui began to tease.

Xiaoyaozi flushed, a rare sight. "I really am skilled! As soon as the Floating Peak is reactivated, I can forge anything you desire."

"How can that Floating Peak be reactivated?" Liu Hui, immediately intrigued by Xiaoyaozi's description of the peak's marvels, inquired.

"Actually, over the years, we have gathered the materials needed to repair the Floating Peak. The only thing required for its full reactivation is a massive amount of High-Grade Spirit Stones. However, the current cultivation world is fragmented. While the repair materials are rare, through our efforts, we managed to collect them all. But those High-Grade Spirit Stones... we truly have no way to acquire them, as nearly all of them were exhausted in the last Cultivation War. So, you see, the High-Grade Spirit Stones I took from you previously were all being used to prepare for the Floating Peak's restart. I've been striving for its revival all this time," Xiaoyaozi said earnestly, momentarily adopting an air of profound, immortal wisdom.

"If the Floating Peak is to be restarted, how many High-Grade Spirit Stones are required?" Liu Hui asked.

"It still needs another ten thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones," Xiaoyaozi stated.

"What? That many?" Liu Hui asked, astonished.

"Well, perhaps, maybe, I misremembered. It seems we're short by five thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones," Xiaoyaozi said without missing a beat, instantly returning to his usual self.

Liu Hui burst out laughing. "Heh heh, how many Spirit Stones you need is irrelevant to me, Senior. I was just curious and happened to ask."

Xiaoyaozi immediately slumped in disappointment; his elaborate act of pity, intended to wheedle some High-Grade Spirit Stones out of Liu Hui, had failed.

"Little friend, don't say that. Given our relationship, why don't you lend me some Spirit Stones so I can restart the Floating Peak? Once it's back online, I can forge countless artifacts for you, which will benefit you too! It's just a small upfront investment on your part," Xiaoyaozi began to pester him relentlessly, refusing to give up until he got his way.

"Senior, I really can't help you. And what if you suddenly claim you lack raw materials later and demand exorbitant fees for them? Wouldn't I suffer a huge loss?" Liu Hui shook his head repeatedly.

A sharp glint flashed in Xiaoyaozi’s eyes. He keenly spotted a loophole in Liu Hui's words. "Little friend, you actually have the means to help me restart the Floating Peak, don't you? You're just worried I won't keep my word, right?"

"I never said that. But think back carefully about our numerous transactions—do you think you still have any credibility left?" Liu Hui instantly denied it.

"Ahem, Little friend, if you don't help me today, I might suffer a cerebral hemorrhage and die. If I die, perhaps my spirit can cross the planar barrier, and then I can come find you for a chat," Xiaoyaozi resorted to bluster and veiled threats.

Liu Hui found himself helpless against the old man’s tantrum, but a thought suddenly struck him. He asked, "Senior, how large is your Floating Peak?"

"About ten times the size of an ordinary mountain in the secular world," Xiaoyaozi replied.

"Does it float in the air?"

"Of course! Why would it be called the Floating Peak if it didn't float in the air?"

"How high above the ground can it hover?"

"That depends on how abundant its energy is. If the energy is sufficient, it can even fly into outer space."

Liu Hui was profoundly shaken. He had long noticed a flaw in his 'Free Land' plan but never found a viable solution. Today, through Xiaoyaozi's words, he suddenly stumbled upon a potential solution to this critical flaw, and the probability of success seemed quite high.

"Senior, I can help you gather the remaining Spirit Stones you lack, but you must provide something in exchange," Liu Hui made his decision. A few thousand Grade Four Demonic Beast Crystal Cores were nothing to him; the Magic Plane had plenty. He was after something else entirely.

Xiaoyaozi was overjoyed. "Anything I possess that catches your eye, you can take it all."

"I want all the formation data and artifact forging documentation from your Artifact Forging Sect," Liu Hui stated.

Xiaoyaozi was aghast. "How can that be? These are legacies left by the ancestors of our Artifact Forging Sect! How can they be passed on? Never mind the formation data, but the forging techniques can only be utilized by cultivators who have reached the Golden Core stage. You seem to have only reached the Foundation Establishment stage, so what use are these documents to you?"

"I'm feeling restless and want something to burn for fun, perhaps?" Liu Hui smiled innocently.

"Absolutely not. However, if you can give me ten thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, I might consider it," Xiaoyaozi haggled righteously.

"If I give you ten thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, you give me all these documents. And once the Floating Peak is reactivated, you must forge a magical artifact for me," Liu Hui countered.

Xiaoyaozi considered it, looking extremely reluctant, but finally gritted his teeth. "It's settled then. I’m willing to do anything to restart the Floating Peak!" He retrieved a sphere the size of a round table from his storage space and placed it on the Planar Trading Device.

Liu Hui clicked the trade button but did not place the Demonic Beast Crystal Cores on his side. Seeing no Crystal Cores, Xiaoyaozi looked at Liu Hui curiously. "Little friend, where are the High-Grade Cores?"

"Senior, I naturally need to verify the goods first, see if the data you provided is genuine, before deciding whether to trade," Liu Hui, wary of Xiaoyaozi's tricks, dared not risk transferring the Demonic Beast Crystal Cores immediately.

Xiaoyaozi was helpless but clicked the trade button. The sphere the size of a round table instantly materialized before Liu Hui.

"How do I use this thing?" Liu Hui asked, unsure where to begin.

"Place your hand on it and channel your spiritual energy into the Inheritance Sphere," Xiaoyaozi guided.

"This thing is called an Inheritance Sphere? It’s quite descriptive, though." Liu Hui placed his hand on the sphere skeptically and slowly began inputting spiritual energy.

As soon as the spiritual energy entered the sphere, a flash of white light erupted before Liu Hui’s eyes, and his soul seemed to leave his body, arriving in a grand hall. A phantom image of Xiaoyaozi appeared before him.

The phantom figure said to Liu Hui, "I possess knowledge of both artifact forging and formations. Which would you like to study first?"

Liu Hui was greatly intrigued. This Inheritance Sphere functioned much like a teacher instructing a student, possessing incredible three-dimensionality. The cultivation world certainly had commendable aspects. He replied, "I want to study the formation knowledge."

The Xiaoyaozi phantom inquired further, "I have Solidification Formations, Spirit Gathering Formations, Suspension Formations, Water Repelling Formations, Energy Conversion Formations..."

Liu Hui listened as the phantom listed numerous formations he had never heard of, feeling a bit dizzy. He said, "I'll start with the Solidification Formation."

The Xiaoyaozi phantom explained, "The Solidification Formation, as the name suggests, can strengthen objects and enhance their toughness. This formation can increase an object's toughness by up to a hundred times..."

Liu Hui didn't pay close attention to the instructions on how to set up the Solidification Formation. Instead, his heart surged with ecstasy. From the phantom's explanation, he realized this formation was incredibly effective. If he could apply it to the materials from Earth, raising their toughness a hundredfold, he could create countless unbelievable things. The more he imagined its infinite uses, the happier he became.

Liu Hui quickly stopped the phantom’s lecture. He exited the main door of the hall and immediately found his soul returned to his body in the warehouse. On the trading device screen before him, Xiaoyaozi was staring at him expectantly.

"Little friend, how was it inside? I didn't lie to you, did I? This is an Inheritance Sphere I specifically refined for teaching my disciples; all the knowledge of our Artifact Forging Sect is within," Xiaoyaozi said.

"Mmm, passable. It’s just slightly interesting," Liu Hui deliberately downplayed it, acting uninterested in the contents.

"Little friend, since you’ve viewed the information inside, then please transfer the ten thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones to me," Xiaoyaozi urged impatiently.

"Senior, I've only viewed one type of knowledge; I haven't verified the rest. How about I transfer the Spirit Stones after I confirm the correctness of this knowledge?" Liu Hui decided to play hard to get, planning to make Xiaoyaozi anxious for a change, achieving a sort of equilibrium after being tricked so often.

"Little friend, you can't treat me like this! I am an elderly man; you must respect and cherish me," Xiaoyaozi pleaded mournfully.

"Precisely because you are an elder, I must respect and cherish you, which means I must verify the authenticity of your information. This is also a way to uphold your reputation," Liu Hui, now holding the Inheritance Sphere, remained completely unruffled and joked.

"Oh dear, young people are always so impulsive. Why don't you try entering the Inheritance Sphere again?" Xiaoyaozi suddenly sighed.

Liu Hui froze, a sense of foreboding washing over him. He placed his hand back on the Inheritance Sphere and channeled spiritual energy, but this time, the sphere gave no response whatsoever.

"How can this be?" Liu Hui was stunned. He channeled spiritual energy into the sphere again, but it remained inert.

"Little friend, this Inheritance Sphere has already been claimed by me; it belongs to me now. You only had the right to use it once. I apologize; I forgot to mention that earlier," Xiaoyaozi said apologetically.

"Old fellow—oh, I mean, Old Senior—this Inheritance Sphere is excellent, and I like it very much. Let's proceed with the trade immediately," Liu Hui roared in anger but quickly composed himself, adopting a humble smile. He was intensely keen on the knowledge inside.

"Little friend, your words just now made me very anxious, and as a result, many of my brain cells died. It seems I am one step closer to death; I am so pitiful," Xiaoyaozi lamented pitifully.

"Senior, I was wrong just now. I am willing to give an additional one hundred High-Grade Spirit Stones as compensation for your shock," Liu Hui immediately offered.

"Really?" Xiaoyaozi’s eyes widened instantly, his pitiful demeanor vanishing.

"Of course, it's true." Liu Hui first traded the Inheritance Sphere to Xiaoyaozi, then counted ten thousand and one hundred Grade Four Demonic Beast Crystal Cores from his storage space and placed them on the Planar Trading Device.

Xiaoyaozi laughed heartily, swiped his hand over the Inheritance Sphere, and a drop of blood flew off it. He flicked his wrist, and the blood drop vanished without a trace. Then, Xiaoyaozi placed the Inheritance Sphere back on the trading device.

Liu Hui and Xiaoyaozi clicked the trade button simultaneously. The Demonic Beast Crystal Cores went to Xiaoyaozi, and the Inheritance Sphere returned to Liu Hui’s possession.

As soon as he secured the sphere, Liu Hui bit his finger and dripped blood onto it. The blood was immediately absorbed, and a white light shot from the sphere into Liu Hui's body. He felt a faint connection form between himself and the sphere. He tried channeling a stream of spiritual energy into it, and his entire soul was instantly drawn back into the inheritance hall.

Not entirely trusting it, Liu Hui withdrew and re-entered. Everything proceeded smoothly. Liu Hui burst into hearty laughter; with this knowledge, he had greater confidence in achieving his ideals.

On the trading device screen, Xiaoyaozi was greedily counting the Demonic Beast Crystal Cores, drool practically hanging from his mouth. Although with his Nascent Soul stage cultivation he could ascertain the exact quantity with a mere sweep of his divine sense, he insisted on counting them manually, perhaps treasuring the process of counting Spirit Stones.

"Senior, Senior," Liu Hui called out, but Xiaoyaozi ignored him, still counting.

"Senior, Senior!" Liu Hui raised his voice.

"Oh, Little friend, what is it? I'm busy right now," Xiaoyaozi said with displeasure.

"Senior, the quantity of Spirit Stones is absolutely correct. I want to ask, can you open the Floating Peak now? What magical artifact are you preparing to forge for me?" Liu Hui had not forgotten the artifact forging promise Xiaoyaozi had made.

Xiaoyaozi suddenly smacked his forehead. "Ah, I forgot to mention something to Little friend! We have gathered all the materials needed to restart the Floating Peak, but there is one final item missing."

A sense of dread once again washed over Liu Hui's heart. He asked with a trembling voice, "Didn't you say all the materials were collected? Why is something missing now?"

"That item is very inconspicuous, so I completely forgot about it—I certainly didn't intend to hide it. But if we lack it, the Floating Peak still can't be activated," Xiaoyaozi said innocently.

"Since it's just a small, insignificant thing, hurry up and go collect it," Liu Hui felt utterly drained.

"The Qi Yun Auction House happens to be auctioning this small item, but the starting price is very high, and I don't have enough Spirit Stones to buy it right now. How about this: you lend me another ten thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones, and I can bid on that little thing. Once bought, the Floating Peak can be restarted, and I can then forge that artifact for you!" Xiaoyaozi said, wearing a greasy smile.

"Old fellow, you fraud! I hate you!" Liu Hui roared in fury and immediately terminated the communication link with Xiaoyaozi. He inwardly chastised himself: knowing full well Xiaoyaozi was cunning and treacherous, how could he still fall for his trap?

Liu Hui began to reflect on his actions, but in the next moment, he broke into a broad smile. He had acquired Xiaoyaozi's Inheritance Sphere; that knowledge was priceless, something he couldn't obtain no matter how much money he spent! Xiaoyaozi thought he had made a great deal, but in reality, Liu Hui was the biggest winner of this transaction, ha ha!

In high spirits, Liu Hui lovingly stroked the Inheritance Sphere and channeled spiritual energy into it, immediately entering the Inheritance Hall again. This time, he calmed his mind and listened carefully to the Xiaoyaozi phantom's lecture, but as the explanation progressed, his expression grew increasingly grim.

"The Solidification Formation is the simplest of all formations. Any cultivator who reaches the Foundation Establishment stage and generates True Essence can deploy it. However, given the amount of True Essence generated at the Foundation Establishment stage, one can generally only deploy a small-scale Solidification Formation..." As the phantom explained the precautions for setting up the Solidification Formation, Liu Hui became completely enraged. The highest level humans on Earth could cultivate to was Foundation Establishment; didn't this mean that even if he mastered this formation, it would have very little practical value? Furthermore, the Solidification Formation was the easiest of all formations, meaning the others would be completely out of reach! Xiaoyaozi had also mentioned that the forging techniques required Golden Core cultivation to use. With his current maximum of Foundation Establishment strength, he couldn't utilize them at all! He suddenly understood: although this data looked excellent, it offered him no real assistance; he had been deceived by Xiaoyaozi once again.

Once Liu Hui grasped this crucial point, he erupted in fury. He exited the Inheritance Sphere and opened the Planar Trading Device, calling out to Xiaoyaozi. However, perhaps because Xiaoyaozi felt guilty or was simply busy, he did not respond to Liu Hui's call, leaving Liu Hui's blazing anger with no outlet.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～ Thank you to book friend: ozki for the tip, and thank you to book friend: Qian Jia Di Yi Shao for the 3000-word update ticket. Thank you to book friend: Wo Yun Le Quan Zhu Ce for providing the discussion group, group number: one five eight seven four four one five one. Friends who are interested may join. V