The plump, fair-skinned middle-aged man was none other than Bao Datong, the Celestial Secret Pavilion’s Wind Whisperer, whom he had encountered previously.
However, at that time, Gu Yuan was disguised as Yan Shisan, not in his current identity.
Just as Gu Yuan looked at Bao Datong, Bao Datong seemed aware and turned his gaze towards him.
Upon seeing Gu Yuan, his eyes lit up, and he hurried forward a few steps, cupping his hands in greeting, "Could it be Fellow Daoist Gu from Medicine King Mountain before me?"
Gu Yuan displayed surprise, pretending not to recognize him, and asked, "Who are you?"
Bao Datong laughed harmlessly, "I, Bao Datong, am the Wind Whisperer of the Celestial Secret Pavilion. My information is slightly more informed than the average person, so I’m able to recognize you. Please, Fellow Daoist Gu, do not mind."
"Ah, so it’s a fellow Daoist from the Celestial Secret Tower."
Gu Yuan nodded understandingly, scrutinized Bao Datong for a few moments, then asked, "Does Fellow Daoist Bao have any business?"
Bao Datong rubbed his hands together, smiling sheepishly, "To be honest, I, Bao Datong, like to make new friends, especially those who, like Fellow Daoist Gu, are outstanding geniuses. That’s why I dared to disturb you just now."
Gu Yuan, with some thoughts in mind, straightforwardly found a secluded spot with the other and directly asked:
"Since Fellow Daoist Bao is the Wind Whisperer of the Celestial Secret Tower, your information should be very well-informed. Has Fellow Daoist heard of the Taiyin Spirit?"
"Taiyin Spirit?"
Bao Datong was a little surprised, thinking for a moment, he said:
"It is one of the world’s supreme Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, a moon phase material that can gather moonlight power, sense Taiyin’s might, and nourish the female physique, maintaining eternal youth. In terms of rarity, it’s only below the Nine Divine Metals. To cultivators practicing Profound Yin, Taiyin, or moon phase divine techniques, this material is even more precious."
"The moment it appears, it is snatched up by others."
"Aside from the Taiyin Immortal Palace, only a handful of top-tier female cultivators would treasure it. Such as the Celestial Silkworm Lady of Hundred Poison Mountain, and the Peach Blossom Fairy of Lankao Mountain."
"Peach Blossom Fairy?"
Upon hearing the familiar three words "Lankao Mountain," Gu Yuan’s eyebrows twitched, couldn’t help but ask:
"Is this Peach Blossom Fairy’s surname Qin?"
Bao Datong felt slightly strange but maintained an impassive look and said:
"Indeed, her surname is Qin, and her name is Hongxiao."
"Hmm..."
Gu Yuan nodded without saying much more.
In his mind, secretly nodding, that Peach Blossom Fairy indeed has a remarkable background, turns out she is the top-tier loose cultivator Peach Blossom Fairy.
Gu Yuan had heard somewhat of the Peach Blossom Fairy’s fame.
The Yunmeng Mountain Range stretches for countless thousands of miles, its depths unfathomable, sprawling across the lands of Southern Border’s Feng, Qin, Liu, Yun, Ze, and Yan states.
Deep in the Yunmeng Mountain Range are numerous famous mountains and great rivers, along with various perilous and blessed lands.
The famous mountains and blessed lands are often occupied by major cultivation sects and high-ranking loose cultivators.
Examples include Medicine King Mountain, the Star River Sword Sect, Gu God Sect, and top-tier loose cultivators such as Venerable Poison Dragon, White Ape Sword Immortal, Celestial Silkworm Lady, Peach Blossom Fairy, and others like Madam Pigeon.
It’s said that these high-ranking loose cultivators have cultivation nearing heaven and earth with vast divine techniques, even top major cultivation sects like Medicine King Mountain and Gu God Sect are wary of them.
Since Qin Hongxiao is that Peach Blossom Fairy, this means her cultivation is not at the Yin Spirit Realm, probably at the Dragon Gate Realm.
Bao Datong seemed to have thought of something and said, "By the way, is Fellow Daoist Gu interested in a Red Dragon Order quota? I do have some information about that quota."
"Red Dragon Order quota?"
Gu Yuan was startled, then realized it was the quota to enter the Red Dragon Immortal Palace. He asked, "How much spirit stones is one quota?"
Bao Datong offered a number, "Five thousand spirit stones..."
Upon hearing this, Gu Yuan’s mouth twitched.
Of course, the Red Dragon Immortal Palace is a wonderful place, filled with immortal fate. If one can enter once and come out safely, they will surely return with overflowing rewards.
However, five thousand spirit stones, for ordinary Celestial Human Realm cultivators, is certainly a considerable sum.
Many people can’t accumulate that many spirit stones in a lifetime.
Moreover, the opportunities in the Red Dragon Immortal Palace come with significant risks.
If a cultivator goes bankrupt, painstakingly gathers five thousand spirit stones to buy such a quota and then resolutely enters the Red Dragon Immortal Palace, aiming to hit the immortal fate.
Those who actually return with full loads are very few.
The vast majority would likely have scant returns, losing everything, ending up with not even their underwear intact.
But losing everything isn’t the worst; although their spirit stones are gone, they’re at least still alive.
The unluckiest are those who spent spirit stones and lost their lives.
That being said, numerous people still dare to bankrupt themselves just to chase one opportunity.
The Red Dragon Immortal Palace, though excellent, holds little interest for Gu Yuan.
He now has cultivation techniques, inheritors, opportunities, and magical artifacts. Apart from a few necessary items, Gu Yuan lacks nothing.
Thus, he has no reason to enter the Red Dragon Immortal Palace.
Gu Yuan had an idea and asked, "By the way, does Bao still engage in other businesses?"
Bao Datong laughed a little awkwardly, "Fear not, Brother Gu, these days I’m struggling with my cultivation, and my purse is tight. If there is a way to earn spirit stones, as long as it doesn’t go against my principles, I wouldn’t mind getting involved."
Gu Yuan nodded appreciatively, "Very well. I have a True Daoist Technique here, called the Luo Sha Scripture, an Earth Tier Middle Grade Daoist Scripture. Except for the incomplete Core Formation techniques, the cultivation techniques from Martial Master to Celestial Human Realm Great Perfection are all complete."
"My cultivation follows another path, so this True Daoist Technique is useless to me. I plan to trade it for some water attribute spiritual objects. Does Bao have any guidance?"
Upon hearing Earth Tier Middle Grade Daoist Scripture, Bao Datong’s eyes brightened, and he smiled, rubbing his hands:
"I wouldn’t dare offer guidance, but I do happen to know an old cultivator possessing a thousand-year Moon Clam Pearl, a Water Spirit Pearl cultivated by a thousand-year-old clam demon. This old cultivator, his years are advanced, and his only concern is for his descendants, hoping to leave them with a few quality True Daoist Techniques."
"If Fellow Daoist Gu doesn’t mind, I can help you get in contact with this person."
He seemed a bit embarrassed, "However... if the transaction is successful, my benefit..."
"Eighty spirit stones."
Upon hearing "thousand-year Moon Clam Pearl," Gu Yuan didn’t hesitate to offer, "As long as you can facilitate this deal, I’ll give you eighty spirit stones."
"Fellow Daoist Gu is truly generous!"
Bao Datong was greatly pleased upon hearing this and eagerly vowed, "Rest assured, leave this matter to me!"
Eighty spirit stones might not seem much, but it’s actually a considerable reward for any Innate Martial Master.
In those markets, eighty spirit stones could hire three to five Innate Martial Masters for over a month.
Gu Yuan was also very satisfied.
Pearls such as the Clam Pearl are cultivated from a clam demon absorbing moonlight power and water spirit qi.
The thousand-year Moon Clam Pearl is especially the life essence cultivated by an ancient clam demon over millennia, containing vast accumulations of water spirit qi, essence of water, and moonlight power.