Chapter 57: The Defective Ancient Treasure

Except for talismans.

This storage bag also contained two top-grade magical tools: a crimson longsword and a nearly shattered small shield.

Perhaps because Enguang Ge had only two floors, the bag held no high-grade dharma treasures.

"At least, those in Qi Refining late stage now have a dharma treasure to use."

Chen Zhao was also content.

Fang Zijing had expended most of his reserves in this battle; the storage bag contained only eighteen mid-grade spirit stones, a few Heqi Pills, and two sheets of paper.

Yet no Foundation Establishment Pill was found—perhaps it was on Fang Zhang.

As for the other two sheets of paper, they were equally fragile.

"The original recipe for Jianzhu Chun? That rune master was also skilled at brewing spirit wine..."

Chen Zhao raised an eyebrow.

"As for the other sheet... it seems to be an array diagram?"

He knew nothing of arrays; after glancing at it twice, his head spun and his mind grew dizzy.

"It seems I have no talent for arrays."

Chen Zhao chuckled bitterly.

He left Xin Tong in Su Muqing's care and turned toward the small palace.

Despite the fierce dharma battle earlier, the interior showed no sign of damage, as if untouched.

And the moment he stepped into the grand hall,

the distinctive aroma of Jianzhu Chun filled his nostrils.

"It seems this palace master had close ties with the Bamboo Building rune master—both often came here to drink."

Chen Zhao gazed at the two wooden chairs and couldn't help but sigh.

A romantic partner is easy to find; a true friend for ten thousand years is hard to come by.

The immortal path is lonely—if one truly had a kindred spirit to share eternity with, it would indeed be one of life's greatest joys.

This calls for a great toast.

After the great calamity, both were surely dead, their dao extinguished, leaving only Taiyin Palace hanging high in the heavens.

And this azure longblade.

Chen Zhao walked to the altar and examined it closely.

The blade was straight, entirely blue-white, inscribed with "Snow Remnant Moon," seemingly meant only for display.

Though weathered by time, its spiritual essence had dwindled to its last thread, yet the chilling aura still made Chen Zhao shiver.

The Qingming Naling Sword beside him emitted a low hum, as if in fear, issuing a warning.

The sound woke Xin Tong, who thought another attack had come and hurried into the hall.

"Is this... an ancient treasure?"

Su Muqing arrived right after, her eyes flickering with excitement.

Her family's ancient texts were vague, only stating it was a relic from ancient times.

Foundation Establishment stage cultivators could barely use it; only Golden Core cultivators could fully unleash its power.

But this blade before us... seems more like a fragment.

Its spiritual essence is only comparable to a top-grade magical tool—Qi Refining Great Perfection should suffice to wield it.

Unfortunately, it's too badly damaged to be activated frequently.

Hearing this, Chen Zhao couldn't help but rejoice inwardly.

A dead camel is still bigger than a horse; even fragments of what a Golden Core true cultivator used were stronger than other top-grade magical tools.

And if it could be repaired...

Chen Zhao's heart surged, but his storage bag was too weak to hold this blade—he'd have to find another way.

"Zhao, here's the Sanmei Linglong Heart!"

Xin Tong pointed to a jade vase, inside which a seven-colored fruit, shaped like a heart, pulsed.

A First Grade Upper Tier spirit medicine, yet preserved by a Nascent Soul sect—its rarity spoke for itself.

Legends say it can awaken low-grade beast spirits or nurture shattered souls and stabilize the dao heart.

Its nature is mild, yet its effects are certainly not weak!

But Chen Zhao was staring at a brocade pouch embroidered with the character "Duan."

More precisely, an unsealed storage bag.

Inside was only one final letter.

"Tuoluo Sect attacked; our sect fought desperately but lost. Qingxuan, let's drink again in the next life..."

Chen Zhao silently recited this and sighed.

Presumably, during the clash between the two sects, Tiankui was defeated; this person set up this barrier, waiting for Duan Qingxuan's return.

The barrier's key was the Kuai Xue Shi Qing Sword.

Alas, the friend left only this final letter, waiting in vain under the moon palace, never to see his kindred spirit arrive.

Chen Zhao frowned; he sympathized with their fate, but he cared more about Tuoluo Sect.

"If this sect still exists, it may return to finish the job—we must prepare more escape methods."

"To inherit another's relics is to inherit their karmic ties—this karmic debt is immense; I must cast a divination."

With this thought, he went to find the last jade vase, waiting for Zi Shi to arrive.

Su Muqing had already rushed over, holding four pills in her hands.

"Xiao Qing found some pills in the vase—please, brother, take a look."

Seeing Chen Zhao slay Fang Zijing with his sword and reap a bountiful harvest, she could not help but offer her attentions, hoping only to earn a share of the reward.

Chen Zhao swept a glance.

This pill looked very much like a Longevity Pill, but the ingredients were of a higher grade.

"You've truly never eaten one?"

"Mu Qing wouldn't dare."

Su Muqing's belly ached, and she could not bring herself to lie.

Beads of cold sweat soaked her white robe, yet she did not dare utter a single word of pain.

"Don't dare to seize opportunities on your own next time."

Chen Zhao spoke to admonish her,

With such rich opportunities, how could he allow her to harbor ill intentions?

Not even the slightest trace could be permitted.

"We drink from golden cups together, but white blades show no mercy. For the matter of the Su Family, you concealed the enemy and earned merit—this pill is yours as a reward."

He looked at the auspicious character in his hand, knowing this trip's opportunity would not bear further karmic ties, then flicked a pill outward with his finger, watching as Su Muqing swallowed it.

This kind of Longevity Pill had a mild nature, and would usually pose no risk of bodily explosion.

Of course, only usually.

After Su Muqing took it, a surge of tremendous vitality rose from her dantian, instantly flooding into her limbs and meridians, and her spirit could not help but lift.

"It can extend my life by twenty years—many thanks, Junior Brother, for bestowing the pill!"

She thanked him loudly, a look of great joy on her face.

Chen Zhao nodded slightly, but only watched her, until an hour later when the medicinal effect had fully dissolved, then gave one to Xin Tong as well.

This pill could usually only be used once in a lifetime; Chen Zhao kept only one for himself to take, and the rest could be exchanged for resources.

"Zhao... thank you. This pill is precious—I want to wait until I truly need it someday before using it."

Xin Tong was very happy, and asked Chen Zhao to keep it for her.

With this matter concluded.

Chen Zhao held the brocade pouch in his hand and stirred his mind.

It truly could contain the Snow Remnant Moon within it, and he could not help but click his tongue in wonder.

A mustard seed containing Mount Sumeru—perhaps only a great power could accomplish such a feat.

Perhaps all the Storage Bags in this world originated from this, passed down through many hands to low-level cultivators.

Chen Zhao put all the relics' treasures into the brocade pouch, and the treasures of Fulong Mountain into another Storage Bag.

Then.

One foot at a time, trampled underfoot.

The Storage Bag at his waist served as a cover; the Qingming Naling Sword, pills, and other items that could see the light of day were all inside.

Of course, he also placed the crimson longsword within, so as not to appear "empty-handed" and arouse suspicion.

After doing all this, he lowered his head to check his Divination.

【Divination Refreshed】

【Today's Divination · Great Misfortune】: Avoid staying indoors; interpreting the lot requires five Low-grade Spirit Stones.

It seemed bloodshed was unavoidable, and Spirit Stones could not be spared.

【Today's Divination · Great Misfortune】: You used Spirit Stones to activate the Array, teleporting to the core of Fulong Mountain, where you were attacked and killed by a second-tier demon beast.

Chen Zhao stroked his chin, a look of surprise on his face.

How could this Teleportation Array connect to Fulong Mountain?

Could the ruins be within the mountain, and they had happened to teleport over when passing through the mine's bottom prohibition?

Still, this matter no longer concerned him.

Chen Zhao walked out of the hall, intending to return the way he came.

But just as he descended the heavenly ladder, the corner of his eye caught a strange sight.

Beyond the silver moon, there was still a pillar of ink-colored water, reaching straight up to the vault of heaven.

The Spirit Spring was only on this peak—where did this water flow come from?

Thinking of this, his mind jolted as if struck by lightning, and he looked down beneath him.

He saw a stream winding toward the cliff, pouring into the vast Mohai!

And at the heart of the sea.

The ink-colored water shot straight into the clouds, like a dragon drawing in water!

The entire sect was that Nascent Soul Rune Master's Xiyan Pool!