I am in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have a demonic beast clone!

Chapter Three: Treasure Found in the Back Mountain of Xuankun Mountain! The Mother of Cold Iron!

Xuankun Mountain, as one of the many spiritual peaks within Huangfeng Valley, is not a core location of the sect, but it is still considered a "place for advancement" by many disciples.

According to the rules of the valley, disciples below the tenth level of Qi Refining must undertake a certain amount of miscellaneous tasks each year in exchange for cultivation resources.

Once one breaks through to the tenth level of Qi Refining, one can be freed from these mundane affairs, gain more free time for cultivation, and be qualified to open up one's own independent courtyard on a mountain like Xuankun Mountain, which is specially opened up for mid-level Qi Refining disciples.

Therefore, the small courtyards scattered throughout Xuankun Mountain are inhabited by disciples at the tenth level of Qi Refining. Although they are still considered low-level, they have already escaped the toil of the lowest level.

The area behind the mountain appears particularly desolate compared to the rows of courtyards on the front mountain.

The mountains here are steeper, the spiritual energy is relatively thin, and there are many jagged rocks and deep ravines. Apart from the occasional disciple coming to test their spells or collect some worthless common herbs, few people come here on weekdays.

The biting mountain wind howls year-round, whipping up withered branches and fallen leaves, adding to the desolate atmosphere.

At this moment, Zhou Ding's consciousness was attached to Xiao Jin, carefully exploring this desolate back mountain.

The strange fluctuations of "Earth Listening Technique" emanated from Xiao Jin and continuously spread and receded outwards from the surrounding ground, feeding back the "secrets" of the earth within a radius of several hundred meters one by one.

After exploring a large area, the results were meager.

Zhou Ding wasn't discouraged. This was expected. Huangfeng Valley had been established for many years, and it would be strange if treasures could be easily found near the disciples' residential area.

"Um?"

Just as Xiao Jin was controlling the creature to pass through a crevice covered with vines, a "point" that was completely different from the surrounding environment suddenly appeared in the wave image received in the mind.

It wasn't a strong spiritual energy reaction, but rather a calm, refined fluctuation with a unique metallic chill, hidden several feet underground at the bottom edge of a huge bluestone slab.

Zhou Ding's spirits lifted, and he immediately manipulated Xiao Jin to get closer.

Finding the loose soil beneath the bluestone slab, Little Gold's sharp claws began to dig rapidly.

Amidst flying dirt and pebbles, a palm-sized, dark-colored metal block with a faint blue luster was unearthed in no time.

The tentacles were icy cold, and a pure metallic and icy aura permeated the body.

"The Mother of Cold Iron!" Zhou Ding's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the object.

This is a rare material for refining weapons, especially suitable for incorporating into flying swords and other magical artifacts. It can greatly enhance sharpness and toughness, and also has a trace of icy coldness. It is one of the best spiritual materials for refining top-tier artifacts.

Such spiritual materials usually require a long period of time to develop before even a small amount can be produced.

"If this piece were taken to the market, it would be worth at least a hundred spirit stones!" A surge of joy welled up in his heart.

Unexpectedly, the first time I used the mutated [Earth Listening Technique] to explore in depth, I gained such a lot.

This back mountain is indeed sparsely populated, and the location where this object is buried is quite tricky. If one does not have the ability of [Earth Listening Technique], which is almost like seeing through the earth, an ordinary cultivator would hardly find it even if he passed by this place ten or a hundred times.

He dared not delay, put away Xiao Jin, picked up the heavy piece of cold iron mother, and quickly left the excavation site.

Back in the quiet room of the courtyard, after closing the door, Zhou Ding stroked the dark blue metal in his hand, a genuine smile appearing on his face.

"Now, with this [Earth Listening Technique], Little Jin can truly be considered a 'treasure-hunting rat' in name and reality."

After the joy, another thought became uncontrollably strong.

"Previous speculation... if the clone advances, will the main body also receive feedback?"

To verify this, Xiao Jin must advance.

However, it is not easy for monsters to advance.

The Little Golden Body possesses both metal and earth attributes. The most direct and effective way for it to grow and advance is to devour and absorb the pure spiritual energy from the corresponding metal and earth attribute spirit stones, supplemented by some demon beast pills.

In the past, Zhou Ding himself was already short of cultivation resources, so how could he have spared the energy to cultivate spirit beasts?

They can only be fed the cheapest "spirit-feeding pills" occasionally to keep them alive.

"It seems I have to make a trip to the market." Zhou Ding's gaze fell on the Mother of Cold Iron.

This item is precious, and trading it within the sect could easily attract unnecessary attention.

The marketplace is a melting pot of all sorts of people, and the transactions are convenient, making it a great place to sell.

……

Huangfeng Valley Market, located on the outskirts of the Taiyue Mountains and protected by Huangfeng Valley, is a thriving trading place for cultivators in northern Yue Kingdom.

Half a day later, Zhou Ding, who had changed into an ordinary blue robe and slightly adjusted his breathing, appeared at the entrance of the market.

He did not linger in front of the small vendors or ordinary shops, but went straight to the most magnificent and eye-catching building in the market—Wanbaolou.

Upon entering the building, you are greeted by a bright hall that can easily accommodate dozens of people without feeling crowded.

The ground was so shiny it reflected a person's image, and the surrounding walls were paved with a kind of jade that could subtly gather spiritual energy, creating a soft light.

Long cabinets made of precious red paulownia wood stretch across the space, gleaming with a warm luster.

Seven or eight servants dressed in matching blue short shirts stood with their hands at their sides, their expressions respectful and professional.

The overall layout is spacious and grand, giving people an intuitive feeling of strong financial resources and reliable reputation.

At this moment, two or three groups of customers had stopped in front of the counter, and two servants in blue robes were patiently explaining something to them.

Behind the counter, multi-tiered shelves displayed a dazzling array of items: from various mineral raw materials and herbs of different ages, to talismans shimmering with spiritual light, magical artifacts of various styles, and even copies of jade slips recording cultivation techniques and spells—a veritable feast for the eyes and a treasure trove of everything imaginable.

As soon as Zhou Ding stopped to look around, a sharp-eyed servant in a blue robe greeted him with a beaming smile: "Welcome to Wanbaolou, sir! What would you like to see? Would you like me to introduce it to you? Our shop has a complete selection of goods at fair prices, and we are sure to satisfy you!"

Zhou Ding waved his hand, his voice steady: "I have some materials I wish to sell. They are quite valuable. Please come and see me, Manager."

Seeing his composed demeanor, which suggested he wasn't joking, the attendant's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately bowed and said, "Please wait a moment, sir. I'll go and fetch the manager right away."

After saying that, he hurriedly went into the back room.

Before long, a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a brocade robe, with a capable-looking face and three long wisps of beard, came out as an attendant. He glanced at Zhou Ding and then smiled and cupped his hands: "My surname is Sun, and I am the manager of this building. I heard that you have a treasure to offer? Please come to the inner hall for tea and to discuss this further."

Zhou Ding nodded and followed Steward Sun to a private room separated by a screen.

After taking his seat, he didn't say much. He simply took out the piece of cold iron wrapped in an ordinary cloth from his storage bag and placed it on the table.

Manager Sun's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He picked up the metal and examined it carefully, then infused it with a wisp of magical power to perceive its properties. A look of surprise appeared on his face: "It's actually a high-quality Mother of Cold Iron! Judging from its size and the degree of concentration of the Cold Iron essence... truly rare. I wonder what price you intend to offer?"

Zhou Ding said calmly, "Manager Sun is an expert; why not give us a fair price?"

Manager Sun pondered for a moment, then held up two fingers: "One hundred and twenty low-grade spirit stones. This price is definitely high in the market. If you agree, this establishment will pay in full immediately."

Zhou Ding quickly calculated in his mind that this price was indeed much higher than the expected one hundred yuan, so Wanbaolou's offer was quite reasonable. He nodded: "Okay. However, it must all be exchanged for low-grade spirit stones of the metal and earth attributes, half of each."

Upon hearing this, Manager Sun was slightly taken aback, then suddenly realized and smiled, "It seems that you cultivate metal and earth techniques or raise related spirit pets. No problem, our establishment happens to have some in stock. Please wait a moment."

He was clearly knowledgeable and didn't ask any further questions.

Soon, a servant entered carrying a tray, on which were neatly arranged sixty metallic spirit stones with a pale golden luster and sixty earth-attribute spirit stones with an earthy yellow halo.

After confirming that the count was correct, Zhou Ding put the spirit stones into his storage bag, gave a slight bow to Steward Sun, and then left Wanbaolou without lingering any longer.

He didn't linger in the market. After buying a few bottles of ordinary pills to aid cultivation and a small packet of cheap spirit-feeding pills as cover, he quietly left and returned to Xuankun Mountain.

In the quiet room of the courtyard, Zhou Ding took out the sixty metallic spirit stones.

Little Gold seemed to sense something and began to stir restlessly in the spirit beast pouch.

Zhou Ding released it, and as soon as the little guy came out, its golden eyes locked onto the pile of golden spirit stones, making an urgent "squeak" sound.

"Eat up. Whether you can advance or not depends on yourself." Zhou Ding placed a gold spirit stone on the ground.

Little Jin pounced on it immediately, and with a "crunch," its sharp front teeth easily bit off a corner.

The pure metal elemental energy transformed into a warm current that it absorbed into its belly. It ate at an extremely fast speed, making a series of crisp crunching sounds, as if it were enjoying an unparalleled delicacy.

After that, Zhou Ding fed him regularly, and also gave him earth-attribute spirit stones alternately, while supplementing him with a small amount of spirit-feeding pills.

Time slipped away quietly amidst cultivation and nourishment, and three months passed in the blink of an eye.