I Am Overlord c1-962
Page 262
"Go ahead and enjoy the fruits. Make yourself at home," said Edoli.
With the invitation, Xiang Shaoyun picked up one of the fruits and started eating it one large bite at a time. Tang Longfei did the same. Xiang Shaoyun was aware that when facing a goldman, one ought to be sincere and straightforward instead of being all jumpy and hesitant, which would be viewed as disrespectful.
He had learned that from the books he had read in the Book Pavilion. One could never have too much knowledge. One shouldn't look down on those books just because they weren't battle techniques or cultivation methods. They had taught him a lot of things that others might not know. When Edoli saw the straightforward manner in which Xiang Shaoyun was behaving, he laughed cheerily.
After eating the fruit, Xiang Shaoyun could feel an energy of high purity coursing through his body. The energy filled his gold star, cramming it full. His star could no longer take in more energy, so he guided the excess energy from the fruit to his astral cosmos sea.
Xiang Shaoyun could feel that not only had his cultivation base grown, but his flesh had also grown considerably as well. It was a pity the primegold fruits were only king grade. If they were emperor-grade fruits, they would have an even more amazing effect.
After eating, Xiang Shaoyun said, "Thank you for the meal, Prince Edoli. From now onward, you are my friend! We humans place particular importance on return gifts. Since you have gifted me these primegold fruits, let me give you a gold lotus in return!"
As he said that, Xiang Shaoyun took out a gold lotus and handed it over. Edoli's eyes lit up when he saw the lotus. The goldmen barely had any chance to leave the independent space. Thus, it was very hard for them to get the resources of the outside world. This gold lotus was one of the plants with an elemental affinity matching theirs that they greatly desired.
"Savior, your gift is much more precious than what I have given you," said Edoli in excitement.
"The gift does not matter; it's the gesture. For you to invite me here, you are already showing me a lot of respect," said Xiang Shaoyun.
Edoli stood up and solemnly said, "That is a fine saying. Savior, from now on, you are the respected guest of the goldmen."
Xiang Shaoyun's generosity had earned the respect of this prince.
With a smile, Xiang Shaoyun replied, "I am honored. If you don't mind, you don't have to keep calling me savior, Prince. That's too polite. You should just call me Xiang Shaoyun."
"Haha, sure, sure, I won't be overly courteous anymore, then," said Edoli. "Let me get someone to show you around. I need to further recover from my injuries. I will throw a feast for you tonight!"
He then called a female servant over to take Xiang Shaoyun and Tang Longfei on a stroll around their territory.
Tang Longfei whispered, "Shaoyun, will it be dangerous for us to walk around here so openly?"
"Don't worry," said Xiang Shaoyun. "Also, pay attention and see if there is anything you want here. If there is, you can consider trading with the goldmen. You might be pleasantly surprised."
At the goldmen's territory, there were numerous trade districts. Although the stalls and shops looked crude, a lot of gold elemental items were sold, with many of them high-level items. As a gold cultivator, Tang Longfei's eyes lit up when he saw them.
"That's a golden banana leaf, a great material to forge a golden fan!"
"That's an excellent-quality goldsteel stone! Look at the size of it! It's big enough to forge about 10 weapons."
"Wow, that's a primegold fruit at the emperor grade! It's so big!"
...
Tang Longfei felt like he had arrived at a paradise of gold. Everything here seemed capable of benefiting him. He wished he could have all of it for himself.
"If you are interested, you may trade for them with items of equivalent value. Our race requires some rare items of you humans. If you have anything we are in need of, the trade will be even easier," said their guide.
"I see. Let me take a look at what I have in stock," said Tang Longfei.
While he was rummaging through his storage ring, Xiang Shaoyun took out a bottle of golden liquid and said, "Are you interested in this gold lunar liquid?"
The moment he spoke, numerous gazes concentrated on him, causing him to feel uneasy.
Chapter 632: The Significance of the Gold Lunar Liquid
The gold lunar liquid was something Xiang Shaoyun had obtained at the same place he had found the white tiger's inheritance. He possessed a considerable amount of the liquid, and he also knew that the liquid was a rare treasure for any gold cultivator.
However, when he read about the actual usage of the liquid at the Book Pavilion, he was greatly surprised. He had not expected that apart from increasing one's cultivation, the gold lunar liquid was also capable of improving one's physique and enhancing one's bloodline power.
If a newborn infant was fed the liquid, the baby could very well obtain a Goldstar Physique. The gold lunar liquid was in fact a top-tier sovereign-grade liquid, one that was very close to reaching the saint grade.
However, he did not consume the liquid blindly and instead decided to wait until he reached the peak of the Emperor Realm before doing so. That way, he would be able to maximize the liquid's efficacy. Now, he had revealed the liquid to see if the goldmen were interested in it. Their burning gazes told him that the goldmen wanted it more than he had imagined.
"Honorable human, I am willing to trade 500 catties of the best goldsteel stone for that bottle of liquid in your hand," said one of the goldmen.
Immediately after, a different goldman spoke hastily, "I am willing to trade 10 gold banana leaves for your bottle of liquid!"
"You guys are too cheap. I am willing to trade my vicious steel mist pearl for your liquid!" said a sturdy goldman.
"Vicious steel mist pearl? Ewula, you actually managed to find a treasure like that?" a different goldman exclaimed in astonishment.
The vicious steel mist pearl was a treasure that formed after spending many years at a place with extremely dense vicious steel mist. To the side, Tang Longfei was salivating listening about the treasure. For him, the vicious steel mist pearl would be the best treasure for continuous breakthroughs. It could also bring his combat prowess to a brand new height. However, he was even more confused by the bottle Xiang Shaoyun was holding. What treasure was it for the goldmen to be willing to pay such a high price to obtain?
"Ok! I'll take your deal!" said Xiang Shaoyun without any hesitation when he heard Ewula's offer.
Ewula said, "Wait here for me. I'll go get the pearl."
He then left for his house. He walked with wide steps, stomping on the ground so hard the ground shook, his excitement clear for all to see. The vicious steel mist pearl was a valuable treasure for any goldman, but it wasn't exactly something unimaginably valuable.
After all, the goldmen were born with a natural Gold Physique. With their ability to directly consume gold stones, vicious mist, and so on, they could naturally form vicious gold energy within their body. A vicious steel mist pearl could only increase the strength of a goldman, unlike the gold lunar liquid, which could improve their physique and bloodline.
That was why the gold lunar liquid attracted them so much. At this time, not even the guide in charge of showing around Xiang Shaoyun and Tang Longfei could keep calm anymore. She said, "Honorable guest, your gold lunar liquid will also be very useful for the prince. May I ask if you have more?"
Her face was filled with expectation; she was evidently hoping to receive an affirmative answer.
"Yes, honorable guest. Do you have more? I am willing to trade half of everything I have for the liquid," offered a goldman.
The other goldmen were similarly getting worked up, all of them asking Xiang Shaoyun the same question.
Xiang Shaoyun shrugged and smiled. "I really don't have a lot. I'll need to discuss it further with the prince later."
At this time, Ewula returned with the vicious steel mist pearl in hand. The pearl exude
d a thick vicious gold energy of extremely high purity. Tang Longfei had the urge to snatch the pearl immediately. Of course, he did not act on his impulse.
"Here, this is the vicious steel mist pearl!" said Ewula.
When Xiang Shaoyun laid his eyes on the pearl, he trembled. The pearl was something not even the Bloodsin City had in stock, yet it could be found in the goldmen territory. The mere thought of having one right before him filled him with excitement. He quickly handed over the gold lunar liquid before putting the vicious steel mist pearl away.
"Thank you, honorable guest!" said Ewula before he left impatiently for his house. He couldn't wait to consume the liquid and enhance his bloodline.
Xiang Shaoyun did not take out more gold lunar liquid. Instead, he took out some other random treasures to trade with the goldmen. They were the treasures he had accumulated over the years of killing his enemies, and it was quite a decent collection. There would definitely be some that could catch the eyes of the goldmen.
Tang Longfei no longer hesitated and took out everything he had as well so he could trade for the things he needed. After a while, the trading concluded, and everyone dispersed in satisfaction.
Xiang Shaoyun and Tang Longfei returned to Edoli's palace once again. Edoli reappeared, and he looked much better this time. It was clear he had recovered nicely.
"Xiang Shaoyun, you actually have gold lunar liquid on you? Why didn't you tell me? I could have traded for the liquid!" said Edoli with a longing look.
"Hehe, I had no idea the liquid was so important for your race," said Xiang Shaoyun with a smile.
"It is more than important! It can recover our bloodline, and if we can further purify our bloodline after using the gold lunar liquid, we can even transform into true gold giants!" said Edoli seriously. "Do you have more? I am willing to trade for it with more treasures!"
"I do have some more, but I wonder what the prince has to trade? We might be friends, but I can't really give it away for free. Am I right?" said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Of course. Even if you want to give it for free, I won't dare to accept such a gift," said Edoli. He clapped his hands, and the servants came in with some treasures. The first treasure was a dazzling item exuding gold energy of high purity.
It was actually a saint gold crystal, one that was even larger than the saint crystal Money had taken from the Purple Lightning Pool.
"This is a saint gold crystal, something even a human Saint would want. What do you think?" Edoli asked.
"This is indeed a good treasure. I wonder...what are the other two items?" said Xiang Shaoyun with a big smile on his face.
Soon, the second and third treasures were shown as well. The second treasure was actually a gold tree sapling that was about as big as an arm. Its trunk and leaves constantly radiated a fascinating luster.
As for the third treasure...
Chapter 633: Gold Tree Sapling and Broken Stele
Gold tree sapling! Gold trees were extremely rare and valuable. Even in this independent space, only one mother tree existed, and it was under the goldmen’s control. The mother tree was the foundation of all the goldmen here, and they would never allow it to be taken away from them.
In the past, an academy elder had once tried to snatch the tree from them. Ultimately, an ancient goldman who had been alive for an untold number of years appeared, killing the elder right where he stood. Since then, the humans stopped trying to get the mother tree.
The mother tree, further discouraging the humans from additional attempts, had developed its own intelligence and gained the capacity to protect itself, making it extremely hard to steal.
Edoli's sincerity was obvious from the fact that he had offered even a gold tree sapling for trade. Xiang Shaoyun had repeatedly gulped since the moment he had laid eyes on the sapling. If he could obtain the sapling and grow it, it would mature into a tree capable of producing many primegold fruits.
Of course, a long period of time would be required to make it bear fruit. As for the third treasure, it puzzled Xiang Shaoyun. It was actually a broken stele that seemed extremely ancient. It looked completely unremarkable, with its completely black surface, and seemed extremely shabby next to the first two dazzling treasures. But since the stele was something Edoli had taken out, there was definitely something more to it.
"You should know the worth of a gold tree sapling, but growing it won't be easy. It can only survive in a land rich with the power of gold," said Edoli as he pointed at the sapling. He then pointed at the broken stele and said, "This stele is something my clan has owned since ancient times. I heard it was what you humans call a Battle Techniques Stele, one that has been kept with us all this while. We haven't been able to put it to any use, so I'm showing it to you. Perhaps you will find it useful."
Xiang Shaoyun nodded and stepped forth to study the three treasures. He was having a hard time remaining calm. The saint gold crystal was temporarily useless for him since his gold star was already full. Of course, it was still equivalent to a massive amount of wealth and would help him in his endeavor to advance into the Heaven Battling Realm.
As for the gold tree sapling, it was something any organization would wish to have. Such a tree could enhance the strength and wealth of an entire organization. Of course, for a sapling to grow, thousands of years were required. Furthermore, the sapling had harsh growth requirements, and that was the sapling’s biggest issue.
Even so, Xiang Shaoyun was unwilling to give up on it. He believed his astral cosmos sea would meet the sapling’s requirements and be sufficient for its growth. As for the broken stele, he needed to further study it before coming to a decision.
When he approached the stele and scanned it attentively, he found numerous ancient human words. With great difficulty, he started reading the contents and found them somewhat familiar. After he read through the words, his pupils constricted, and a look of disbelief appeared on his face.
Th-this is the mysterious ancient mantra! Shock overwhelmed Xiang Shaoyun.
The words written on the stele were actually the ancient mantra he had learned from the gravekeeper elder. Although some of the words had blurred, he could still glean from the other visible words that it was the mysterious ancient mantra.
Xiang Shaoyun took a deep breath before looking at Edoli. "Prince, I can see your sincerity from all three treasures you have taken out, but I wish to have all three. I wonder if that is possible?"
"Xiang Shaoyun, the three are all extraordinary treasures. You sure you want all of them?" Edoli asked.
"Yes," Xiang Shaoyun said as he took out a bottle containing gold lunar liquid.
The amount of gold lunar liquid in the bottle was more than 10 times greater than what he had traded to Ewula. It was obvious Xiang Shaoyun was well prepared for this trade. In truth, even if Edoli hadn't shown such precious treasures, he would still reveal the gold lunar liquid he had to strengthen his friendship with the goldmen.
Edoli stood up in excitement. "So much gold lunar liquid!"
"Prince, do you think what I have here is enough?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.
"Of course! Of course! They're all yours!" said Edoli without even bothering to bargain.
For others, the three treasures were much more valuable than the gold lunar liquid. But for the goldmen here, although the three treasures were precious, they were incomparable to the gold lunar liquid. To enhance their bloodline, everything was worth it. That was because an improvement of their bloodline would grant them a longer lifespan and much more room to grow. It was an advantage the other treasures couldn't grant.
After handing over the gold lunar liquid, Xiang Shaoyun joyfully stowed away the three treasures.
"Haha, meeting you is a truly joyful event! Tonight, I will throw you a feast!" said Edoli, roaring with laughter.
"It will be my honor to join your feast," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Right, in the future, if you have any other treasures, feel free to consider trading with us. We are willing to put up
anything we have for trade," said Edoli.
"I don't really know what you guys need. Why don't you give me a list? If I happen to get any of them, I'll come to trade. That will make things easier," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Sure, I'll get someone to prepare a list and a generous gift for you! That will be my way of thanking you for saving me, so you can't reject the gift!" said Edoli.
Just like that, Xiang Shaoyun obtained the friendship of the goldmen and a bunch of rare gold elemental materials. Tang Longfei felt himself going dizzy from staring at so many treasures. He was a gold cultivator. Every single thing he saw could greatly benefit his cultivation. Furthermore, there were also a lot of sovereign-grade materials, enough to supply his cultivation all the way until the Soul Foundation Realm.
As for Xiang Shaoyun, he was filled with joy. He had never expected that his trip to the Vicious Steel Mist would be so bountiful. This was an unexpected but pleasant surprise. He stowed away all the gifts. When facing a goldman, one did not need to be overly courteous, or they would think you were a hypocritical person.
Later at night, Edoli called over a number of goldmen to make the feast more lively. This was also his way of formally introducing Xiang Shaoyun and Tang Longfei to his clansmen. In the future, the two would be warmly welcomed and not attacked when they came to cultivate.
Xiang Shaoyun and Tang Longfei were overjoyed. They even took out some of their precious liquors and shared them with the goldmen. The feast bustled with noise, joy, and excitement.
Chapter 634: Desolation
Xiang Shaoyun and Tang Longfei were in no rush to leave the goldmen's territory. Edoli arranged a residence for them, and that residence would also serve as their VIP lodging from then on. In the future, they could visit as they pleased.
On top of that, two female goldmen were assigned to them. The two quickly rejected the assignment in shock. How would it feel like to sleep with an alien about double one's height? Well, the two believed that it would be too much for them.