“I’ve asked about this too. Rumour has it that Pixiu Island is rich in treasures, especially producing large quantities of Tianyuan Crystals, useful for both Heavenly Human Realm and Cave Heaven Realm cultivators.”
Qin Huo replied, “These Tianyuan Crystals aren’t spirit stones or pills. They’re special crystals formed from condensed Tianyuan energy, their creation method unknown, but they’re highly effective for enhancing cultivation, which is why so many martial artists risk going there.”
“I know about Tianyuan Crystals, records mention them. Even Yin-Yang Realm cultivators can’t refine them. How does Pixiu Island manage it?” Ling Xiao frowned, pondering, unable to figure it out, and asked, “Do those who go never return?”
“Some return, but they’re few, with greatly improved cultivation and many treasures,” Qin Huo answered.
Before Ling Xiao arrived, Qin Huo had investigated thoroughly, planning to head to Pixiu Island himself, but Ling Xiao came quickly.
“Looks like we need to visit Pixiu Island. Let’s head to the dock!”
Though not far from Divine Phoenix Continent, flying there was nearly impossible, requiring a ship.
Ling Xiao had the Moonlight Treasure Ship but didn’t want to use it lightly. He’d resort to it if he couldn’t rent a vessel.
“Alright!”
They went to the nearby dock, bustling like a mid-sized town market.
Vendors sold goods, and many martial artists awaited ship departures.
A massive puppet ship, capable of carrying thousands, was docked, bearing a flag with a Pixiu emblem.
Clearly, this was Pixiu Island’s vessel.
Ling Xiao was shocked, nearly all martial artists here were above Heavenly Human Realm, with some Cave Heaven Realm cultivators mixed in.
Pixiu Island was dangerous, but its allure was strong, drawing so many.
“Brother Ling, look, they’re selling Tianyuan Crystals!” Qin Huo pointed at a stall.
“They’re real Tianyuan Crystals!”
Ling Xiao, initially skeptical, confirmed their authenticity after inspection.
“How many low-grade spirit stones for one?” he asked.
With the ship not yet departing, they had time to gather information.
The stall owner smiled, “First time here, I presume? Tianyuan Crystals are precious, as you’ve likely heard. One low-grade Tianyuan Crystal’s effect is 100,000 times that of a low-grade spirit stone!
A mid-grade one costs 10 million low-grade spirit stones, a high-grade one, 1 billion!”
The staggering prices were beyond even Ling Xiao, let alone ordinary people.
Tianyuan Crystals were precious, usable only by Heavenly Human and Cave Heaven Realm cultivators, but crafting a low-grade one required a Reincarnation Realm cultivator.
Mid and high-grade crystals needed special environments, not just manpower.
“Thanks for the info, I’ll take one low-grade Tianyuan Crystal,” Ling Xiao said, buying one to study, not wanting more.
“Qin Huo, let’s get ship tickets. I want to see what secrets Pixiu Island holds!”
Touching the crystal, Ling Xiao made up his mind.
Even without the goal of rescuing slaves, the crystals alone were worth the trip.
Cultivation was crucial for him now.
Seeing humans humiliated, he feared becoming like them one day. To avoid that, he needed strength.
“You two heading to Pixiu Island?” the ship’s captain asked.
“Yes,” Ling Xiao nodded.
“Cave Heaven Realm cultivators go free, half-step Cave Heaven Realm pay 10,000 low-grade spirit stones, each lower level doubles the fee,” the captain said coldly, “Acceptable?”
“That’s robbery!” Ling Xiao was stunned. Qin Huo, needing only 20,000 spirit stones, was fine, but as a First Heaven Realm cultivator, Ling Xiao faced over 10 million.
“No spirit stones, no trip,” the captain said flatly.
Ling Xiao smiled, “Qin Huo, you go. I’ll find another way.”
Unwilling to be fleeced, he had a plan.
Qin Huo bought a ticket and boarded.
In a secluded spot, Ling Xiao used his Shadow Armour, concealing his aura, and slipped aboard with the crowd.
Once on, they couldn’t touch him.
He learned all Heavenly Human Realm cultivators and above paid just 10,000 spirit stones. The captain, seeing him as a stranger, tried to scam him.
Ling Xiao sneered inwardly, “You have tricks, I have countermeasures. No one’s taking advantage of me.”
Chatting briefly, he found a quiet spot on the ship and began refining the Tianyuan Crystal.
Tianyuan Crystals were pure Tianyuan energy compressed into crystal form, purer than spirit stones.
In nature, they formed rarely, often after a powerful martial artist’s death, with low-grade ones craftable only by Reincarnation Realm cultivators.
Pure Tianyuan Crystals merged directly into heavenly veins, requiring little conversion, justifying their cost.
Using one low-grade crystal, Ling Xiao’s cultivation jumped from late First Heaven to its peak in moments, under a quarter-hour, astonishing him.
Even in the Tianyuan Treasure Tower with divine pills, progress wasn’t this fast.
“This Pixiu Island trip was the right call!”
Regretting not buying more crystals, he noted the ship had set sail, cutting through the stormy ocean toward Pixiu Island.
Though massive, the ship was fast, expected to arrive in an hour.
Ling Xiao grew excited, wondering how many Tianyuan Crystals awaited on Pixiu Island.
