Chapter 668: The Pitch-Black Iron Sliver

Although the Divine Dragon Soul-Calming Jade Pendant merely trembled slightly, Yang Tian's heart immediately tightened. Being able to attract the attention of a divine object meant it was likely an extraordinary treasure.

Last time, when he encountered the Soul-Nourishing Divine Tree, the Divine Dragon Soul-Calming Jade Pendant had vibrated so violently that Yang Tian had nearly failed to suppress it.

This time, the amplitude was not very large, but since it had aroused the desire of a divine object, it was no ordinary treasure that could catch its attention.

Generally, the Divine Dragon Soul-Calming Jade Pendant only stirred when encountering soul-type treasures.

He forcibly suppressed the excitement in his heart, pretending nothing was wrong as he walked forward, while inwardly he was filled with fervor.

"Could it be a soul-type treasure?" Yang Tian muttered to himself, licking his somewhat dry lips.

After communicating with the artifact spirit for a while, Yang Tian's eyes flickered with uncertainty. Even the artifact spirit could only sense it vaguely, unable to grasp it clearly, likely because something was concealing it.

"I hope this item hasn't been discovered by others, or else I'll have gotten excited for nothing," he said to himself, touching his nose as his excitement subsided considerably.

If it were a precious herb or something similar, given Yang Tian's financial standing, he probably couldn't afford it.

Following the direction indicated by the jade pendant, Yang Tian walked deeper into the area. Along the way, he was greatly enlightened, encountering many rare treasures, but many of them were priced beyond even his means.

"The items on the third floor are truly unimaginable; they must be the finest treasures in the cultivation world," he sighed, withdrawing his gaze and continuing inward.

There seemed to be a hierarchy here. The deeper he went, the more Yang Tian felt that the people around him were unfathomable. Each figure was extremely powerful, likely extraordinary big shots.

At a stall ahead, an old man with white hair sat with his eyes half-closed, looking as if he were about to fall asleep. He appeared very ordinary, paying no heed to the people passing by.

His gaze falling on this stall, Yang Tian felt a trace of surprise in his heart, and he couldn't help but take another look at the old man.

There were actually ten-thousand-year-old precious herbs on display, and as many as ten of them! There were also many pill formulas, some silver scrolls, and some ancient artifacts—all extraordinary items, exuding an ancient aura.

Although these items were rare, they were all offered in exchange for some spiritual herbs, with nothing available for bloodstones.

Yang Tian's covert gaze swept over a cyan iron sliver, only the size of a thumb. It was this item that the Divine Dragon Soul-Calming Jade Pendant had indicated.

"It requires nectar, and I happen to have some!" Noticing a line of small golden characters, Yang Tian's heart suddenly surged with delight.

"It requires three drops. This old man probably hasn't discovered that something else is hidden inside," he thought, glancing covertly at the old man, secretly pleased.

After pondering for a moment, he did not immediately make the exchange. His gaze roamed over the ten ten-thousand-year-old precious herbs, and when he noticed a cyan vine, a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.

It was a small vine about ten feet tall, surging with vigorous life fluctuations, extremely vibrant, and flowing with a faint cyan glow.

"Ten-thousand-year-old Green Wood Vine!" Yang Tian licked his lips, his heart burning with desire. This precious herb was one of the ingredients for refining the Yin-Yang Life-Returning Pill—the Green Wood Vine!

Yang Tian also had this kind of herb, but unfortunately, its age was not high. This was the first time he had seen a ten-thousand-year-old one, and it would certainly greatly enhance the effect when refining the pill.

"Senior, I would like to exchange for this Green Wood Vine," Yang Tian said after a moment of silence, glancing at the old man who paid him no attention, then cupping his hands.

"Mm, put down the item and take the Green Wood Vine," a faint voice sounded in Yang Tian's ear as soon as he finished speaking, carrying a hint of laziness.

Hearing this, Yang Tian nodded. In his hand, a precious herb appeared—a red one, emitting a scorching aura, with divine radiance flowing on its petals and leaves.

The Crimson Flame Spirit Herb—this was something Yang Tian had obtained from the Divine Garden and was extremely beneficial for alchemical fire. He had never used it, but now, for the sake of the Green Wood Vine, he had no choice but to use this precious herb.

As soon as this precious herb appeared, it drew the attention of those around. Some elders couldn't help but nod; the herb was preserved perfectly, truly top-grade.

"It's actually a top-grade herb that enhances alchemical fire. The Great Elder has made a huge profit this time." A lecherous old man muttered, a hint of envy flickering in his tone.

Now, during the Alchemy Convention, the price of such herbs had more than doubled out of nowhere, and all major powers were in urgent need of them.

"What a fool, he's taken a huge loss..." An old man lamented, sighing inwardly.

Some even wanted to go over and interrupt the transaction, but when they noticed the old man, they shrank their necks and immediately abandoned the thought.

The stall owner suddenly opened his eyes, staring at the Crimson Flame Spirit Herb in Yang Tian's hand with surprise. Although the Green Wood Vine was precious, it couldn't compare to the Crimson Flame Spirit Herb Yang Tian held.

This herb had a medicinal age of thirteen thousand years, and there was also a gap in quality between the two. He hadn't expected this young man to use such a precious herb for an exchange.

After a few glances, a smile appeared in the old man's eyes. Then his gaze fell on Yang Tian, and his pupils slightly contracted, revealing a hint of surprise.

Yang Tian's heart tightened. He had a premonition that his Heaven-Replacing Earth-Changing Art had been seen through by the other party. This old man's cultivation was terrifying.

The surprise in the old man's eyes grew, but he made no rude move. He muttered inwardly, "How strange. His body is hazy, and divine sounds resonate within. He's no ordinary fellow—much better than my two worthless grandsons..."

This feeling of being watched only lasted a moment before dissipating, and Yang Tian breathed a sigh of relief.

Putting away the Green Wood Vine, Yang Tian's lips twitched slightly. He gritted his teeth and said with a smile, "Old senior, I'm interested in this item. I'll trade for it too."

"Oh..." Hearing this, the old man's gaze fell on the small black iron piece, surprise appearing in his eyes.

These things were all antiques. He had studied them countless times in his spare time, never expecting this young man to want this item.

The black iron piece was extremely peculiar, but even with his insight, he couldn't tell what it was. Yet it was certainly no ordinary object, which was why he had set the exorbitant price of three drops of nectar.

"Three drops of nectar—you need to think it over carefully." The old man, apparently feeling goodwill toward Yang Tian from the earlier Crimson Flame Spirit Herb, gave a slight reminder.

"Senior, I've made up my mind." Nodding, Yang Tian's goodwill toward the old man also increased. A milky white jade bottle appeared in his hand, and he handed it to the old man.

Glancing at the bottle, the old man saw through its contents at once. He nodded slightly, a satisfied expression appearing on his face.

"Ah, what a sucker. Which junior is this, so ignorant of how to cherish treasures..." Clearly, the contents of the jade bottle hadn't escaped the notice of others, and they all twitched their mouths.

"This iron piece isn't some extraordinary treasure either. Wasting is shameful." People sighed, and whispers arose all around.

"Indeed, nectar is a rare find once in a century. Last time the Supreme Elder of the Alchemy Dao Alliance opened his furnace to refine pills was ten years ago. The nectar that fell wasn't even enough for them to share, let alone auction."

"This young man must be a greenhorn, foolishly making the exchange."

Although the voices were low, they didn't escape Yang Tian's ears. The corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily, and he mischievously thought to himself, "Whether it's a loss or a gain, you'll never know the answer."

Nectar was extremely rare. Adding a few drops during alchemy would dramatically enhance the pill's effects, making it fatally attractive to alchemists. These three drops of nectar could be exchanged for many treasures.

Seeing the old man's satisfied expression, Yang Tian rubbed his hands together and reached for the black iron piece.

"Wait." Just as Yang Tian's hand touched it, a voice like pearls falling on a jade plate slowly rang out. The sound was extremely pleasant, like celestial music, making one feel as if bathed in spring breeze.

Some of the surrounding elders couldn't help but turn to look. The voice was too beautiful, and it carried an aura of inviolability.