Chapter 246: Heavenly Phoenix Tail Feather

Hall of Merit.

Sect Leader Chi Xuan Zhenjun personally accompanied Xiao Zhangqing here to exchange treasures.

Although this time on Blood Crystal Island he only guarded for a few months, Xiao Zhangqing's gains were abundant.

Not to mention the treasures that the two Overflowing Sea Sect Elders produced; the contribution points they alone provided were several times the hundreds of years of accumulation by his predecessor Fang Yuan.

First, the Overflowing Sea Sect Elder who attacked the western corner formation breach of Blood Crystal Island was later investigated by the Three Sun Sect and was indeed not some unknown nobody.

His name is Han Chan Zhenren, one of the law‑enforcing Elders of the Overflowing Sea Sect; his strength already rivals late‑stage Golden Core, and his cultivation is widely recognized as on the verge of breakthrough.

After the Hall of Merit deliberated, it decided to grant Xiao Zhangqing 20,000 contribution points.

As for Madam Ming He, no further explanation is needed; she is a top‑tier Golden Core cultivator in the Eastern Pole State, consistently ranking among the best, and the Overflowing Sea Sect's internal combat power reliably ranks in the top five, having caused endless trouble for the Three Sun Sect these past years.

Under normal circumstances, nowadays, aside from Sect Leader Chi Xuan Zhenjun himself, no one can slay her in the Three Sun Sect.

Thus the contribution points for killing Madam Ming He reached 50,000!

Adding Xiao Zhangqing's merit for guarding Blood Crystal Island these months, and his pivotal role in the final battle that almost single‑handedly held the island, the sect was not stingy and granted another 20,000 contribution points.

Therefore, on this Blood Crystal Island expedition, Xiao Zhangqing earned a full 90,000 contribution points!

With 90,000 contribution points, the treasures in the Hall of Merit—except for a few special sect‑founding relics that cannot be exchanged for merit points—allow exchange of all fourth‑tier items.

"Elder Fang, please view the treasure list…"

The Grand Elder, whose hair had turned white and who showed obvious signs of age, met Xiao Zhangqing again this time; in less than half a year, his attitude had become completely different from last time.

No longer looking at a junior with anticipation and encouragement, but rather deeply moved and respectful.

He also knew in advance what had happened on Blood Crystal Island, realizing that the person before him was not an ordinary Three Sun Sect elder, but harbored the soul of a Nascent Soul ancient monster.

In truth, he had to address the other as a senior.

"I wish to exchange the Heavenly Phoenix Tail Feather and the Carefree Fruit; sorry to trouble you, Grand Elder."

Xiao Zhangqing no longer examined each item; after his previous viewing of the Hall of Merit's treasures, he had already memorized them, noting every useful one.

Upon learning his contribution points had reached 90,000, he immediately decided in his mind which treasures to exchange.

"Heavenly Phoenix Tail Feather requires 55,000 merit points, Carefree Fruit requires 30,000 merit points. In total, 85,000 merit points…"

The Grand Elder glanced at Sect Leader Chi Xuan Zhenjun beside him, who nodded.

He then took a deep breath, turned, produced a special token and magical instrument, activated a technique, and soon two light spheres shot out from behind.

"Elder Fang, these are the Heavenly Phoenix Tail Feather and Carefree Fruit you requested."

The Grand Elder, with a hint of reluctance, used his mana to support the two light spheres and handed them to Xiao Zhangqing.

These are among the Three Sun Sect's most precious treasures, yet now they must be given to an 'outsider'.

Do not be fooled by the abundance of Hall of Merit treasures; they represent nearly two thousand years of the Three Sun Sect, accumulated generation by generation.

"Hoo~"

Xiao Zhangqing felt rather excited; after a brief inspection, he carefully placed the two treasures into his storage pouch.

The Heavenly Phoenix is a top‑bloodline powerful demon beast; legend says it carries the bloodline of the divine phoenix. Thus any adult Heavenly Phoenix is at least late third‑tier, and most reach fourth‑tier.

Its tail feather is the essence of its whole body, condensing its cultivation and refined blood.

Each fourth‑tier Heavenly Phoenix tail feather is equivalent to a fourth‑tier hidden weapon—indestructible yet possessing massive destructive power.

It can be said that in sheer offensive power, this Heavenly Phoenix tail feather is no weaker than the fourth‑tier spirit treasure embryo blade Xiao Zhangqing obtained by slaying Han Chan Zhenren.

Not to mention its provenance, containing the refined blood and aura of a fourth‑tier top Heavenly Phoenix, so 55,000 merit points is not expensive.

For Xiao Zhangqing himself, once the fourth‑tier top Heavenly Phoenix tail feather is equipped by the system, it might grant the talent of a top prodigy of the Heavenly Phoenix clan, which is the real profit!

Its value rivals that of a late‑stage Nascent Soul Grand Cultivator's life‑defining Magic Treasure! It may even surpass it.

Among the Hall of Merit's many treasures, aside from the few priceless relics that cannot be exchanged for contribution points, the one Xiao Zhangqing most desires is the Heavenly Phoenix tail feather.

As for the Carefree Fruit, it is a fourth‑tier spirit fruit.

Its effect is simple: it helps Nascent Soul cultivators heal injuries to their Primordial Spirit, and if a Golden Core cultivator pushes into the Nascent Soul realm and reaches the Heart Demon Tribulation stage, taking the Carefree Fruit offers a slight aid.

Although the assistance is modest and it does not rank high among Nascent Soul treasures.

Nevertheless, any treasure concerning a cultivator's Nascent Soul is an absolute rarity; in the Da Yu Cultivation World it is especially hard to come by, so Xiao Zhangqing would not let it slip away.

Since he has already attained the Golden Core, he naturally should prepare for the Nascent Soul.

"Sect Leader, if I wish to obtain those Hall of Merit treasures that cannot be exchanged, what kind of contribution should I make to the sect?"

Having already taken what he could, Xiao Zhangqing naturally began to set his sights elsewhere.

Seven‑Stud Arrow, Three‑Flame Whip…

These two non‑exchangeable treasures are both highly attractive to Xiao Zhangqing.

The Seven‑Stud Arrow is a karmic Magic Treasure; even if the system cannot extract a powerful skill from it, its inherent uniqueness and lethality are endlessly useful. The Three‑Flame Whip is itself a fourth‑tier top spirit treasure, rumored to have been used by Transformation God Venerable for years; if the system could extract a skill, its value would be extraordinary.

"There is no possibility, these treasures…" before Sect Leader Chi Xuan Zhenjun could speak, the Grand Elder sternly refused first.

As the Hall of Merit's guardian, these treasures are like lifelines to him.

Although Heavenly Phoenix tail feathers are rare and precious, they do not greatly aid a cultivator, so handing them to an outsider is tolerable; however, each of the non‑exchangeable treasures holds immense significance for the Three Sun Sect, and losing them to the outside would be a grave loss.

Sect Leader Chi Xuan Zhenjun shook his head at the Grand Elder, interrupted him, and continued: "Under normal circumstances, these treasures cannot be exchanged."

Xiao Zhangqing caught the implication, "Then what kind of situation would be considered abnormal?"

Sect Leader Chi Xuan Zhenjun explained: "Elder Fang should know that even though I, as sect leader, may borrow these non‑exchangeable treasures, I cannot keep them. After use, they must be returned to the sect."

Xiao Zhangqing knew this; the Grand Elder had explained it to him before.

But for him, a temporary loan offers little benefit.

He intends to exchange them and then leave the Qingxu Realm! "The Three Sun Sect is now in a perilous season of survival; I believe that in special times, one should act in special ways. If I can make a special contribution that truly saves the sect from fire and water, then exchanging one or even two treasures is not impossible."

Sect Leader Chi Xuan Zhenjun said.

The Grand Elder heard this, opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately chose silence.

The original text is being read!

Indeed.

These treasures are the millennia‑old heirlooms of the Sanyang Sect, and under normal circumstances they would never be handed to outsiders.

But if the sect is about to be breached, the inheritance risks being cut off; keeping these treasures would be of no use. "For example, killing two more Foundation Establishment masters of the Fuhai Sect like Lady Minghe?" Xiao Zhangqing asked.

Chi Xuan Zhenjun said gravely, "The reason the Fuhai Sect can force our Sanyang Sect into this situation is not that its top Foundation Establishment masters far surpass us, but that the Fuhai Sect has gained support from the Purple Mist Sect, one of the Nine Sacred Lands. Therefore, for the Sanyang Sect to turn the tide, there are only two ways."

"The first is to make the Purple Mist Sect cease supporting the Fuhai Sect. For instance, befriending any one of the three Nascent Soul Zhenjun of the Purple Mist Sect; as long as any of them is willing to speak up, the Fuhai Sect would not dare to continue its aggression. I wonder, among Elder Fang's contacts, is there anyone who has a good relationship with a Nascent Soul Zhenjun of the Purple Mist Sect?"

Xiao Zhangqing shook his head.

He is an outsider, unfamiliar with life and places in the Qingxu Realm.

Let alone the Nascent Soul Zhenjun of the Purple Mist Sect, he doesn't even know a single Foundation Establishment cultivator, let alone befriend them.

Chi Xuan Zhenjun continued, "If we cannot befriend the Purple Mist Sect, then there is only the second path: we eliminate the Fuhai Sect, severely injuring or even killing its Grand Elder Lingxiao Zhenjun! In that case, the Fuhai Sect would be leaderless; we need not suppress them further, and even if the Purple Mist Sect continues to support them, they cannot threaten our Sanyang Sect."

In the Qingxu Realm, although the Nine Sacred Lands are lofty, they also adhere to certain rules.

One may conduct unsavory dealings in secret to scheme benefits.

But openly, one cannot arbitrarily annihilate a weaker sect without cause.

Chi Xuan Zhenjun paused, fixed his gaze on Xiao Zhangqing, and said earnestly, "If Elder Fang is willing to join forces with me to ambush Lingxiao Zhenjun, the treasures in the Hall of Merit may be chosen freely by Elder Fang for temporary borrowing. Once the ambush succeeds—if Lingxiao Zhenjun is severely injured or killed—the treasure need not be returned and becomes your personal property."

Xiao Zhangqing fell silent for a moment and asked, "May I ask, Sect Master, how strong is Lingxiao Zhenjun of the Fuhai Sect? Compared with you, who is stronger, and by how much?"

Chi Xuan Zhenjun did not conceal anything and replied truthfully, "Lingxiao Zhenjun's cultivation is naturally at the Nascent Soul Initial Stage. However, his combat power is among the top tier of that stage. Throughout the Qingxu Realm, he is a fairly renowned figure. Compared with me, the gap is considerable. In a one‑on‑one fight, I could only defend myself against him."

Xiao Zhangqing, hearing this, shook his head with a wry smile, "Since Lingxiao Zhenjun's combat power is so terrifying, how could a mere Foundation Establishment middle‑stage cultivator like me dare to ambush him? Sect Master, you truly overestimate me."

"I'm not joking," Chi Xuan Zhenjun said seriously. "If Elder Fang can wield Nascent Soul‑level combat power, our alliance might indeed have a chance to face him. Moreover, with intention or not, through an ambush, the two of us have a good chance of severely injuring him."

Xiao Zhangqing still refused.

The difficulty is too great.

If the disparity between Lingxiao Zhenjun and Chi Xuan Zhenjun were comparable, his joining could upset the balance and deliver a fatal blow to Lingxiao Zhenjun, which he might consider attempting.

Moreover, the risk and reward are not proportional.

If after the ambush Lingxiao Zhenjun is not severely injured, the borrowed treasure must be returned.

Risking one's life, only to end up empty‑handed.

The Qingxu Realm's immortal path is so flourishing, with countless opportunities awaiting his exploration; there is no need to take such reckless risks.

After all, once this duplicate dies, it's uncertain when it could return.

"Since Elder Fang is unwilling, let this matter be dropped. However, should Elder Fang ever become interested in my proposal, feel free to contact me at any time."

Chi Xuan Zhenjun sighed and said regretfully.

In truth, he did not hold much hope; even an old monster who has cultivated to the Nascent Soul stage, himself included, is generally cautious.

Without absolute certainty, one would not take risks lightly.

Especially a Nascent Soul cultivator who has already possessed a body once, would be even more meticulous.

His suggestion was meant to probe Xiao Zhangqing's background, to see exactly how strong Xiao Zhangqing truly is.

In his speculation, Xiao Zhangqing's cultivation before the possession was at least at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage.

"Who exactly is this person, which Nascent Soul Zhenjun fell and then possessed?"

"Although there are many Nascent Soul Zhenjun in the Qingxu Realm, those above the middle stage are few. We need to investigate further to find which Nascent Soul Zhenjun fell…"

"If we learn this person's background, we gain a certain initiative. Requesting his services then becomes much easier."

Chi Xuan Zhenjun's eyes flickered as he silently weighed his thoughts. (End of chapter)