Fifteen Pieces

A cultivator's Fate Source skill is a skill they comprehend from their personal Fate Source's object. This Fate Source's object is naturally part of the cultivator from birth, residing within their sea of consciousness. How many skills they can gain from it depends on their comprehension and effort.

The stronger a cultivator's Fate Source skills, the stronger he becomes. So, when cultivators of the same level fight, it's not just about their cultivation level. You also have to consider their magical items, techniques, soul roots, the strength of their Fate Source skills, and other factors.

Fate Source skills, being one of the most core abilities, uses the least energy, are the most hidden, and are crucial in battles.

The shadow of the ancient mirror summoned behind Yu Jing was clearly his Fate Source's object.

The white light emitted from the ancient mirror seemed to have the ability to assist in appraising items. Such a supportive skill was very rare and useful. No wonder, even as a low-level Qi Condensation cultivator, Yu Jing had managed to hold a high position in the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion—he clearly has some skills.

Even Wang Guan's expression changed when he saw the ability of the ancient mirror, secretly raising his opinion of Yu Jing. Meanwhile, the people from the Spreading Blossom Sect didn't seem surprised, likely already aware of this.

The shadow of the mirror didn't last long before Yu Jing retracted it. The red light from the jade formation plate also dimmed, returning to its normal state.

"This is one of the control plates for the 2nd-grade mountain protection formation, Ten Directions Wind and Fire Returning to Origin Formation. This one mainly boosts the power of fire attacks. When combined with the wind element formation plate, the fire, borrowing the force of the wind, can make one of the formation's most powerful offensive moves, Ten Directions Scorching Flames, even more deadly.

"Ten Directions Wind and Fire Returning to Origin Formation is one of our Qi Yun Sect's signature formations, and only a Golden Core cultivator can craft it. Normally, the formation runs on the spiritual veins' power, so it doesn't use much spiritual energy. But to activate its various abilities, you'll need to use spirit stones. If you push it to the limit, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator caught inside, no matter how hard they defend, might not survive the Ten Directions Scorching Flames. And if at least four Foundation Establishment cultivators are working together to fully activate the formation, even a Golden Core cultivator trying to break through the defense from outside will have a hard time.

"Aside from creating illusions and blocking flight, this formation has ten transformations. One of them is…"

"Among 2nd-grade arrays, this one can be considered top-tier." As Yu Jing explained the situation with the crimson jade plate and the Ten Directions Wind and Fire Returning to Origin Formation, his innate ancient mirror's appraisal skill proved to be incredibly exceptional.

"A top-tier 2nd-grade mountain protection formation!" The two Spreading Blossom Sect members' eyes sparkled with excitement. Once the crimson jade plate is redeemed and the formation is fully activated, the Spreading Blossom Sect's foundation will be as solid as a mountain for the next hundred years!

After hearing Yu Jing's description, Qi Xiu couldn't help but sigh. No matter how strong the Ten Directions Wind and Fire Returning to Origin Formation was, it couldn't compare to the danger of letting one's own people bring wolves into the house.

If the sect had worked together with unified effort, even without a Foundation Establishment cultivator to oversee the formation, the Spreading Blossom Sect, relying solely on the three Foundation Establishment cultivators, they could still have been able to put up a fight. And they wouldn't have ended up in such a sorry situation.

Now they had to use our own property to trade with their enemies, trying to get something in return to keep the sect going.

People bring dishonor upon themselves before others do. The ancient sages' words are indeed not deceiving me! He thought to himself, shaking his head in resignation.

"So, what's the value of this crimson jade plate? The item is indispensable, sure but it's merely one of many plates of this mountain protection formation." The Foundation Establishment female cultivator asked anxiously. 

The more Yu Jing praised the Ten Directions Wind and Fire Returning to Origin Formation, the more beneficial it was for the Spreading Blossom Sect. But at the same time, their purse would likely suffer a significant blow. She was feeling both happy and a bit pained about the cost.

Yu Jing, more confident in his appraisal while discussing his expertise, became even more at ease in front of the two Foundation Establishment cultivators. "Well, let's put it this way," he replied with a smile. "This crimson jade plate is crucial in the Ten Directions Wind and Fire Returning to Origin Formation. Without it, the formation's strongest attack will lose half its power, so it can't be too cheap. However, this formation is an authentic Qi Yun Sect inheritance, and there are about ten or so Golden Core cultivators on Qi Yun Mountain who can make this formation. If you could get one of them to make a duplicate plate, the materials themselves aren't that expensive. So in that sense, the crimson jade plate shouldn't be too costly."

"Heh, if we could ask a Golden Core cultivator from Qi Yun Mountain for help, we wouldn't have made this trip to Qi Nan in the first place. Just tell us, roughly how much is it worth? We'll buy it if the price is reasonable," said the Foundation Establishment female with a forced smile. 

Qi Yun Mountain was home to the main branch of Qi Yun Sect, where all the Golden Core cultivators highly esteemed individuals with limitless future. The small Spreading Blossom Sect had no no influential connections to speak of with them.

"50 3rd-grade spirit stones." Since she made it clear, Yu Jing didn't beat around the bush. Representing Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion meant he was responsible for the accuracy of his appraisal, so he gave a firm answer.

*What…* The Spreading Blossom Sect Leader, responsible for finances, gasped at the price, his face twisting in shock. Only when the female cultivator gave him a sharp look did he control his reaction. Clearly, this was a heavy burden for the sect.

Qi Xiu, though keeping a neutral face, was both shocked and pleased inside.

Shocked that this seemingly ordinary crimson jade plate was worth as much as fifteen *Foundation Establishment Pills*, and pleased that Chu Qin Sect would greatly benefit from the sale. As the sect leader, he would feel much more at ease. 

Qin Siyuan may be irresponsible, but at least his judgment is sharp, Qi Xiu thought.

"Alright, let's settle it at this price then." The female cultivator was straightforward and didn't drag things out. She had the leader of the Spreading Blossom Sect hand over 50 3rd-grade spirit stones to Yu Jing.

Yu Jing accepted the payment, then pulled out a triplicate contract and handed it to Qi Xiu and the Spreading Blossom Sect's leader to sign. He and Wang Guan also left their marks as intermediaries, and each party—Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, Spreading Blossom Sect, and Chu Qin Sect—kept a copy.

"With this transaction complete,if there are any disputes in the future, you must inform Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion," Yu Jing said as he handed over the spirit stones to Qi Xiu. "The appraisal fee has already been covered by the Spreading Blossom Sect."

Qi Xiu, though reluctant, thanked the Liuhua Sect representatives. The female cultivator didn't pay him any mind and simply gave a polite nod to Wang Guan before leaving with the sect leader. Yu Fengxing also said his goodbyes, leaving only him and Wang Guan in the room.

Qi Xiu took one of the 15 spirit stones and respectfully offered it to Wang Guan. "I owe you a great debt this time, and I have little to repay you with. Please accept this token of my gratitude," he said sincerely. 

Wang Guan, however, refused to take it, waving his hand. "I have no shortage of such things. Your sect has plenty of uses for spirit stones in Black River, so keep it for yourselves."

Qi Xiu, worried that Wang Guan might think it was too little, added another spirit stone and tried to insist, but Wang Guan still declined. 

"I'm not interested in money or goods," Wang Guan finally explained. "Just remember today's favor. In the future, treat my family's younger generation with the same kindness."

Qi Xiu understood what Wang Guan meant and quickly agreed. While he didn't know what kind of repayment Wang Guan might expect in the future, Qi Xiu already had debts to both the Qi Yun Chu family and the Southern Chu family. With so many debts, Qi Xiu felt like having more lice doesn't itch—he was no longer bothered by it.