The materials required to refine the White Rainbow Mountain-Splitting Talisman were quite precious.
He Song indeed needed to think carefully about how he would acquire these materials.
According to He Song's understanding, refining a Talisman Treasure like the White Rainbow Mountain-Splitting Talisman required several types of materials.
Each one, even in the Golden Core Realm, was considered quite valuable.
First, there was the core body of the Talisman Treasure.
The core body needed to hold a large amount of spiritual power and possess the ability to continuously gather ambient spiritual Qi, allowing the Talisman Treasure to recover its power.
In the cultivation world, there were actually many such materials available.
Among them, the best were exceedingly precious items like the Treasure Tree Heartwood, the Monster Beast Core, a cultivator's Golden Core, the Spirit Mine Marrow, and so on.
Treasure Tree Heartwood was obtained from a Golden Core Tree Demon after its soul perished, by burning its body down to its condensed essence. Being the remnant of a Golden Core Tree Demon, the Treasure Tree Heartwood could hold a substantial amount of spiritual power for the Talisman Treasure's attacks. Moreover, such a Treasure Tree Heartwood naturally possessed the ability to continuously gather ambient spiritual Qi. It could be considered an excellent material for refining the core body of a Talisman Treasure.
The Monster Beast Core was taken from the body of a Golden Core level monster beast, representing the essence of its being.
And a cultivator's Golden Core, naturally, was taken from the body of a Golden Core cultivator, the foundation of their cultivation.
Although Monster Beast Cores and cultivator Golden Cores were quite different, their functions were rather similar. Both could be used to refine spirit pills, Talisman Treasures, and even spirit tools. Since both were the essence of Golden Core level entities, they could naturally hold a large amount of spiritual power, increasing the reserves within the Talisman Treasure. Similar to the Treasure Tree Heartwood, Monster Beast Cores and cultivator Golden Cores also possessed the ability to continuously gather ambient spiritual Qi. This effect was usually not apparent, but inscribing a Spirit-Gathering Pattern within them could solve this issue. Thus, both Monster Beast Cores and cultivator Golden Cores were also excellent materials for refining Talisman Treasure cores.
As for the last item, the Spirit Mine Marrow.
This was the most precious thing within a spirit mine, found only at its very center. It was the core essence of a spirit mine. In other words, the existence of Spirit Mine Marrow was the reason a spirit mine formed in the first place. The surrounding veins were merely accessory products of the Spirit Mine Marrow.
However, this Spirit Mine Marrow was typically only found in the center of large, or even super-large, mine veins. Smaller or medium-sized spirit mines usually lacked such a thing. After all, landscapes change over eons, and large or super-large veins could shift due to geological changes. It was quite normal for smaller, fragmented veins to be left behind during these transformations. Such a spirit item naturally possessed the ability to hold vast amounts of spiritual power and continuously gather ambient spiritual Qi. However, this Spirit Mine Marrow was extremely rare, and even if discovered, it was almost never sold. Therefore, wanting to use Spirit Mine Marrow to refine a Talisman Treasure was incredibly extravagant.
Regarding the material for the Talisman Treasure core, although He Song still possessed the Golden Core of True Monarch Silver Moon in hand, he hadn't previously considered using it for this purpose.
While True Monarch Silver Moon had indeed died at He Song's hands, personally killed by him, Silver Moon's vast memories had provided He Song with immense help. It could be said that without Silver Moon's memories, He Song might have taken many more detours. This was why He Song hadn't thought of using his Golden Core for the Talisman Treasure core before.
However, now that he had decided in his heart to refine a Talisman Treasure, and realized that refining the Talisman Treasure core would very likely use a cultivator's Golden Core, a thought stirred in He Song's mind.
True Monarch Silver Moon, could he still help him one last time?
Thinking back to the True Monarch Silver Moon who had tried to possess him but was killed in return...
He Song took the Golden Core out of his Storage Bag and examined it briefly before him. Then he shook his head and put the Golden Core back into the Storage Bag.
True Monarch Silver Moon's Golden Core, even after many years, still shone brightly. But if He Song couldn't obtain a Monster Beast Core or a Treasure Tree Heartwood from others through trade later on, this Golden Core might indeed become one of He Song's trump cards.
A Golden Core, combined with other precious materials to refine a Talisman Treasure, would certainly be enough for He Song to use as a trump card.
But soon, He Song remembered something else.
A single Talisman Treasure could allow He Song to use it as a trump card.
What if he refined several Talisman Treasures...?
If he remembered correctly.
Meng Guan and Wei Fan.
It seemed they had slain Golden Core cultivators during the great war between the God Locking Sect and the One Sun Sect.
Then, the Golden Cores of those cultivators...
A thought flashed through his mind, and He Song's eyes lit up.
He provided Meng Guan and Wei Fan with Spirit Talismans and Spirit Pills, making the two stronger.
With Meng Guan and Wei Fan being stronger, they could naturally slay more Golden Core True Monarchs.
Having slain more Golden Core True Monarchs, the cultivator Golden Cores they obtained would naturally increase.
Could he... ask them for these cultivator Golden Cores?
Although cultivator Golden Cores were extremely valuable, given He Song's friendship with Meng Guan, this matter seemed quite possible. After all, without He Song, it wouldn't have been so easy for the two to slay Golden Core True Monarchs.
At worst, He Song could pay a price based on the value of cultivator Golden Cores, directly asking the two to hand over all the cultivator Golden Cores they obtained. This would also save He Song the trouble of going elsewhere to purchase cultivator Golden Cores.
Thinking of this, He Song seemed to understand something.
So, sending Spirit Pills and Spirit Talismans to Meng Guan and the others could actually yield such a return. This harvest was truly an unintentional act yielding unexpected benefits.
In this way, sending Spirit Pills and Spirit Talismans to Meng Guan and Wei Fan this time could bring him considerable gains.
One had to know, items like cultivator Golden Cores were inherently rare, and few people would ever put them up for sale.
Even He Song himself, during his most difficult times, had never considered selling the Golden Core of True Monarch Silver Moon he possessed. The preciousness of a cultivator's Golden Core was evident from this.
Thinking here, He Song immediately decided in his heart that he needed to discuss this with Meng Guan and Wei Fan later, asking them to keep the cultivator Golden Cores they obtained. He would offer to buy them.
He just didn't know if Meng Guan and Wei Fan would agree to this after hearing his request.
Besides the Talisman Treasure core, the other components needed for refining the Talisman Treasure, while still very valuable, were not comparable to the level of Monster Beast Cores, Treasure Tree Heartwood, and cultivator Golden Cores. These three were the very core essence of Golden Core level beings. Each was extremely valuable, incomparable to other materials.
Just calculating based on the price of a cultivator's Golden Core, the cost would likely bankrupt an ordinary Golden Core cultivator.
In the cultivation world, Golden Core cultivators were already few. Moreover, each Golden Core cultivator had a lifespan of several hundred years. Knowing that their Golden Core could very likely be taken by others after their death to refine various treasures, almost every Golden Core True Monarch would hide themselves in a secluded place before dying. This was also why Golden Core Cave Abodes occasionally surfaced in the cultivation world.
Obtaining a cultivator's Golden Core was almost impossibly difficult for an ordinary cultivator. And precisely because of this, it led to the high price of cultivator Golden Cores, making their price extremely high in the cultivation world. So high that even Late-Stage Golden Core cultivators would hesitate repeatedly when considering buying one. Furthermore, they had a price but no market; such treasures basically never appeared on the market.
He Song had known previously that refining a Talisman Treasure required this item. But before, He Song hadn't thought of using True Monarch Silver Moon's Golden Core to refine a Talisman Treasure. That was why he had hesitated about whether to refine one right after learning the refining method.
But now...
As he genuinely wanted to start refining the Talisman Treasure...
Thinking about the cost required to exchange for a cultivator's Golden Core, Treasure Tree Heartwood, or Monster Beast Core...
He Song hesitated again and again, but ultimately had to pragmatically set his sights on True Monarch Silver Moon's Golden Core.
These things were simply too expensive.
Even for the current He Song, trying to trade for these items would likely cost him his entire fortune. Since he had one readily available on hand, it was definitely better to use it first.
As for the other materials needed for refining the Talisman Treasure, although still quite valuable, they were within He Song's affordable range.
Refining a Talisman Treasure required the core body and precious Talisman Ink.
The Talisman Ink used for Talisman Treasures was vastly different from the Talisman Ink used for ordinary Spirit Talismans.
The Talisman Ink used for drawing ordinary Spirit Talismans was mostly made from Monster Beast Blood, supplemented with Spirit Herbs and powdered spirit minerals concocted together. This kind of Talisman Ink was naturally fine for use on ordinary Spirit Talismans. But if used on a Talisman Treasure, it would weaken the Talisman Treasure's power, making the loss outweigh the gain.
The Talisman Ink used for the White Rainbow Mountain-Splitting Talisman.
Just the materials alone were much more precious than ordinary Talisman Ink. It required the Heart Blood Essence of a monster beast, supplemented with Spirit Liquid derived from numerous precious Spirit Herbs, and the powder of several valuable spirit minerals. Each of these materials was extremely costly and quite difficult to find.
However, according to He Song's speculation, the Treasure Gathering Pavilion might have these items. Even if they didn't, given the interconnected nature of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion's major branches, he would only need to wait for a period. The Treasure Gathering Pavilion would deliver the required items to him.
Thinking of this, a thought stirred in He Song's mind.
Now.
Since the Talisman Treasure core was settled.
And the items needed for making the Talisman Ink were no longer an issue.
Then it was time to set out and search for the precious materials needed to make the Talisman Ink.
With this thought flashing through his mind, He Song pondered for a moment before quickly packing up all the items in his Temporary Cave Abode.
The Alchemy Room, Artifact Refining Room, and Talisman Crafting Room buildings were all stored away by He Song into his Storage Bag.
He didn't touch the large number of Spirit Herbs growing in the Medicinal Garden. These Spirit Herbs were mostly still in their growth phase. If he moved them, the loss might outweigh the gain.
But, since he was leaving to purchase the items he needed, and He Song already knew this trip might require him to stay outside for an extended period, waiting for the items he needed to be delivered. Therefore, not knowing exactly how long he'd have to wait, He Song acted decisively and directly retrieved the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree from the cave abode and put it into his Storage Bag.
He didn't know how long he would be gone this time. According to He Song's estimation, it could be as short as one or two months, or possibly several months or more. For such a long time, He Song naturally couldn't leave the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree in the cave abode. It was safest to keep such a treasure on his person. He couldn't leave the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree behind in the cave abode like last time.
Last time, when he came out of seclusion to go to Hu Prefecture, He Song knew the trip wouldn't take too long, which was why he made that choice. But this time was different. Not knowing how long he would have to wait this time, it was wiser to keep the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree on his person. Otherwise, if someone stole it, He Song's loss would likely be immense.
After storing the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree in his Storage Bag, He Song's gaze swept over his Temporary Cave Abode. Confirming once again that there was nothing else he needed to take with him, He Song then traveled underground, heading into the distance.
Traveling underground.
Leaving his Temporary Cave Abode.
Following his memory, He Song quickly headed towards the Prefectural Capital of Zichuan Prefecture.
The Prefectural Capital of Zichuan Prefecture was not far from He Song's Temporary Cave Abode, but also not close. With He Song's current speed piloting the Low-Grade Spirit Tool Flying Boat, it only took two days for He Song to reach the vicinity of the Zichuan Prefecture Prefectural Capital.
Several hundred li away from the Zichuan Prefecture Prefectural Capital.
He Song descended and quickly set up a Tiangang Divine Thunder Formation in a mountain valley. After securing a retreat route for himself, He Song once again piloted his Low-Grade Spirit Tool Flying Boat, heading towards the Zichuan Prefecture Prefectural Capital ahead.
He Song was not visiting the Zichuan Prefecture Prefectural Capital for the first time. He had been there once before, right after He Song broke through to the Golden Core Realm, when he came to the Golden Snake Sect territory looking for Meng Guan and Wei Fan, he had gone to the Zichuan Prefecture Capital once. That time, He Song had hidden his aura, appearing with the cultivation of Peak Foundation Establishment within the Zichuan Prefecture Capital, obtained a detailed map of the Golden Snake Sect, and took the opportunity to learn more about the Golden Snake Sect.
Now.
As He Song set foot in the Zichuan Prefecture Capital for the second time, the cultivation aura he displayed had changed to that of the Golden Core Realm.
He had no choice; the items He Song needed to buy now were definitely not something a mere Foundation Establishment True Person could acquire.
The displayed Golden Core Realm cultivation served both as He Song's demonstration of his own strength to deter troublemakers, and as He Song's stepping stone to purchase what he needed from the main branch of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion within the Zichuan Prefecture Capital.
Transactions involving Golden Core level items mostly involved bartering. Especially since He Song was seeking exclusively precious items this time. If He Song still showed the cultivation of Peak Foundation Establishment, others might perceive He Song as weak and easy to bully. At that point, things might not turn out well. Perhaps it would even lead to more trouble.
But revealing a Golden Core cultivation changed things completely. It was actually very difficult to surround and kill a Golden Core cultivator. Among cultivators of the same realm, it would likely take at least four to have a sufficiently high chance of successfully ambushing an ordinary Golden Core cultivator. Furthermore, He Song's own strength was not weak, he had formations for protection, and the Blood Burning Escape Technique at his disposal; wanting to ambush He Song would likely be far from simple.
Under these circumstances, although He Song's arrival attracted the attention of the Golden Core cultivators in the Zichuan Prefecture Capital, at least for now, no one had harbored any ill intentions towards He Song.
After entering the Zichuan Prefecture Capital, He Song's figure soon stepped into the Treasure Gathering Pavilion within the capital.
Inside the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.
He Song explained in detail what he needed to the Pavilion Master here, and inquired about the price and availability of cultivator Golden Cores. But he quickly received news from the Pavilion Master here that didn't surprise him.
The items He Song wanted.
This Treasure Gathering Pavilion branch did indeed have some. But not all of them.
If He Song could wait for some time, the Pavilion Master here could help He Song transfer the goods from other main branches. However, this method required time. If He Song didn't want to wait idly, he could personally visit other main branches to purchase them.
As for the price of a cultivator's Golden Core, the current market price was a staggering one hundred thousand Medium-Grade Spirit Stones. Moreover, it currently had a price but no market; essentially, no one was selling.
He Song was already mentally prepared for this, so he naturally didn't say much, just asked them to hurry, stating he would wait in the Zichuan Prefecture Capital.
After a brief conversation, He Song took his leave.
Within the Zichuan Prefecture Capital, He Song casually bought a courtyard residence and settled down.
According to the local Treasure Gathering Pavilion Master, the items He Song needed would take at least two to three months to arrive here.
During this time, He Song could return to his cave abode to cultivate, and even go back again to replant the Mixed Gold Spirit Fruit Tree. But after some thought, He Song abandoned this tempting idea.
Returning now would be tantamount to telling the other Golden Core True Monarchs in the Zichuan Prefecture Capital that he had established a cave abode within Zichuan Prefecture.
For an outsider Golden Core True Monarch, who needed to wait here for several months, staying within the prefectural capital to wait was undoubtedly their best choice.
(End of Chapter)