He didn't think he would even reach the treasure grounds, so he didn't see the need for a map. Though the map's real value wasn't in finding the treasure itself, but in marking the distribution of various ferocious beasts, that still wasn't enough to move Yi Tianxing.
He refused without a hint of hesitation.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Jin Xiangyu's eyes, but she didn't push the topic of the map any further. Instead, she continued, "Since you don't want the map, I can only offer a treasure in exchange. I have something that can greatly enhance any faction's power. I wonder if you might be interested?"
"Let's hear it," Yi Tianxing replied with curiosity.
"A Spirit Gathering Array Diagram!" Jin Xiangyu waved her hand and produced a scroll.
Ancient and mysterious patterns floated on the scroll's surface.
"An array diagram!" Yi Tianxing's heart trembled, and his expression couldn't help but shift slightly.
"This Spirit Gathering Array Diagram is an extremely rare treasure, nurtured by heaven and earth itself. It contains the methods for setting up small, medium, and large Spirit Gathering Arrays, as well as an innate Spirit Gathering Array. It details everything: array formations, carving the array patterns, refining the array bases—completely comprehensive. Just acquiring it would allow a small array to multiply the spiritual energy of an area several times over, even dozens of times. For any force, the value is immeasurable. What do you think?" Jin Xiangyu explained with a light smile.
A single Spirit Gathering Array could transform a barren land into a spiritual one. Not to mention the more powerful large arrays, or even an innate Spirit Gathering Array, capable of reversing natural energy flows to create innate energy—such a formation's value was truly beyond measure.
Of course, setting it up would certainly not be as simple as it sounded.
"How many Eternal Coins do you want?"Yi Tianxing was indeed extremely tempted. If he could bring this array diagram back and set it up, it would massively boost Xuanhuang Town's strength. At the very least, the cultivation speed would skyrocket, and the townspeople's cultivation progress would quicken. It was a shortcut to strengthening their foundation.
"You tell me—how much do you think it's worth?" Jin Xiangyu threw the question back to him.
Clearly, she knew whoever made the first offer would be at a disadvantage when bargaining, narrowing their negotiation range and reducing their potential profits.
"The Spirit Gathering Array is indeed impressive and incredibly valuable, but my Eternal Coins aren't blown in by the wind. Moreover, this is just a diagram. To set up the array, I'd still need rare heavenly materials and refine specific array bases. I can't offer too high a price. Fifty thousand Eternal Coins," Yi Tianxing said after a brief moment of contemplation.
It was clear the Spirit Gathering Array Diagram was not a one-of-a-kind item. Jin Xiangyu likely had several copies. Even if she sold one to him, she could easily sell others later. Taking everything into consideration, he offered fifty thousand, and that was because this scroll was the original, nurtured by heaven and earth, not just a copy.
Otherwise, he wouldn't even offer that much.
Jin Xiangyu shook her head. "That's too low. You must understand, once an array is set up, it can cause a faction to soar in power. It even includes an innate Spirit Gathering Array. One price—one hundred thousand Eternal Coins."
She made no effort to hide that she was asking for an astronomical figure and was clearly unwilling to budge.
Indeed, she had made multiple copies of the diagram when she obtained it, and while she could sell more in the future, the knowledge itself remained priceless.
"Impossible. The most I can offer is fifty-one thousand. Eternal Coins require rare materials to mint, even refined Willpower Beads, valued at a 1:3 ratio against Spirit Stones. I already feel like I'm losing out. Xuanhuang Town hasn't even fully circulated them yet. Every single coin is extremely precious. The Spirit Gathering Array isn't worth that much," Yi Tianxing flatly refused.
"Ninety thousand—no lower. The earlier you set up a Spirit Gathering Array, the sooner you reap the benefits. Knowledge is priceless," Jin Xiangyu insisted after a slight frown.
The two once again entered a heated bargaining session.
The price continued to shift.
In the end, Yi Tianxing frowned slightly and said, "Sixty thousand. Not a coin more. If you don't agree, the deal's off."
He truly wasn't willing to spend a single coin more. Though the diagram was valuable, it wasn't unique. In the future, he might find another opportunity to acquire it.
"Deal! The Spirit Gathering Array Diagram is yours. Feel free to inspect it," Jin Xiangyu said with a smile, immediately agreeing.
Yi Tianxing took the scroll. Without hesitation, his Wordless Heavenly Book instantly revealed its origins in his mind—this was indeed the original treasure, born of heaven and earth, not a copied version. Every formation method was complete, without any flaws.
Satisfied, he immediately stored it in the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor's Pagoda without even inspecting it outwardly.
Jin Xiangyu's eyes flickered strangely when she saw that.
Clatter!
With a wave of his hand, Yi Tianxing produced a massive pile of Eternal Coins that landed heavily on the table, shining like a golden mountain.
Exactly sixty thousand coins, not a coin more, shimmering with dazzling golden light.
Even Jin Xiangyu's eyes were tinted gold from the sight.
So much money was hard to resist.
Like Yi Tianxing, she didn't bother to count them. With a wave, she swept the entire pile into a spatial treasure she possessed.
During this time, Yi Tianxing had never stopped minting Eternal Coins. He had used Demon Beads, refined Willpower Beads, and all the resources he could gather to produce them. In the town's markets, large numbers of Eternal Coins were already in circulation.
Even so, after absorption and consumption by cultivators, he now only had about one hundred thousand coins left.
Spending sixty thousand at once was a huge blow. His Money Tree still hadn't absorbed enough Heaven and Earth energy to fully turn golden and produce its first harvest of coins. He had to use his resources carefully.
"Fellow Daoist Yi is truly straightforward. I happen to have another treasure that might interest you," Jin Xiangyu said with a smile, wanting to strike while the iron was hot and obtain even more Eternal Coins. The more coins she had, the more smoothly the inn would run.
"What treasure?" Yi Tianxing asked curiously.
"You'll know when you see it," Jin Xiangyu replied mysteriously, producing another item with a wave of her hand and placing it before him.
"A turret?!"Yi Tianxing's expression shifted as he spoke in a heavy voice.
Before him stood what looked like a simple platform, but on that platform sat a massive black cannon. Covered in ancient, mysterious demonic patterns, it radiated a sense of law and order. Just looking at the dark barrel made one feel like they were facing a bottomless abyss, a sensation of imminent death and annihilation.
"This is a Magic Crystal Cannon. Not an artifact crafted by ordinary blacksmiths or alchemists, but a natural treasure born of heaven and earth. Its magical patterns are innate, and it possesses tremendous potential to grow. Once fully matured, even mighty beings could be blasted to death. Any faction that owns a Magic Crystal Cannon would gain a massive increase in strength and deterrence. Once cultivated, it could destroy the heavens and earth," Jin Xiangyu said with a light smile.
This wasn't a man-made artifact—it was a natural-born treasure. Its value was immeasurably higher.
No one would ever complain about owning too many defensive treasures like this.
"How much does the boss lady want for it?" Yi Tianxing asked after a deep breath.
Both of them understood the cannon's worth. Its value depended on how much each valued its potential. While the Magic Crystal Cannon was powerful, it was currently only a Yellow-Rank treasure. Raising it would require massive resources. Its potential was immense—but potential was not immediate value.
"This Magic Crystal Cannon—only one hundred thousand Eternal Coins," Jin Xiangyu said bluntly.
"Too high. I'll be honest with you—the Magic Crystal Cannon might be a treasure, but potential doesn't equal immediate worth. I can't offer that much for a defensive artifact," Yi Tianxing said decisively, standing up, clearly unwilling to continue the discussion.
Though the Magic Crystal Cannon was precious, Xuanhuang Town already had four defensive towers: two magic towers and two arrow towers, each just as powerful and valuable.
While tempting, it wasn't an absolute necessity.
Jin Xiangyu merely smiled, not stopping him.
She already had sixty thousand Eternal Coins, enough to keep the inn running smoothly.
"When great treasures emerge, heroes gather. I wonder what interesting characters will show up at the inn."
A meaningful glint appeared in Jin Xiangyu's eyes.
"Is this really an inn? It looks deserted from the outside. Pretty interesting. Hey waiter, bring me wine and food!"
At that moment, a burly figure walked in from outside.
He was a massive monk, wearing a string of giant prayer beads around his neck, a blade at his waist, and a shovel in his hand.
The moment he stepped inside, he glanced around, eyes wide, and roared, his voice like thunder, filling the entire inn.