Chapter 380

Xu Xuanguan, one of the Nine Elders of the Coffin-Bearing Society, sixth in rank, was born into the pure yang Xu family, studied the Dao at Maoshan, held an illustrious status and extremely high seniority, and was an expert in gold-seeking and tomb-raiding arts.

On that day in Huizhou, Zhang Fan had once met him briefly.

It was there that he saw the Eight Kings Carrying the Coffin Map and learned of the existence of the Coffin-Bearing Society.

"Do you know Elder Xu?" Zhao Zhao Menglang asked, gripping Zhang Fan's hand.

He had been searching for Xu Xuanguan for a long time, but such a figure was like a dragon glimpsed only in its head, vanishing without trace; once he truly hid, few in the world could find him.

"I met him once," Zhang Fan nodded.

"When?" Zhao Zhao Menglang pressed.

"Last year," Zhang Fan whispered.

Last year, in Huizhou Province, he had endured an unforgettable experience.

He had not only seen Elder Xu the Sixth, but also Mo the Fifth, the abbot of Qiyun Mountain.

There, he had also encountered Yuan Wang Lingguan, the Monkey Shen, and befriended Zhang Wang.

The local great clan, the Xu family of the Daoist lineage, was utterly destroyed in a single day—its family scattered, its wealth gone, never to regain its former glory.

"Last year?" Zhao Zhao Menglang's eyes lit up instantly.

If Zhang Fan had met Xu Xuanguan three or five years ago, the chance of finding him would have been slim; but since he met him just last year, it was highly likely Xu was still there.

"Where is Elder Xu?" Zhao Zhao Menglang blurted out.

The moment the words left his mouth, Zhao Zhao Menglang quickly raised his hand to stop himself.

"I spoke rashly—how could the hermitage of a senior master be mentioned so casually?"

Zhao Zhao Menglang was not only a Daoist, but also a seasoned merchant with sharp, shrewd instincts who understood the weight of consequences.

In his view, Zhang Fan's connection with a senior master like Xu Xuanguan was both fortune and blessing; to casually reveal the master's secluded retreat might turn blessing into misfortune and ruin this bond.

Moreover, since Xu Xuanguan had withdrawn from the world, he clearly wished to be undisturbed—if one could find him so easily, it would show no sincerity.

"Young brother, just tell me the general area. Whether you can meet the master again depends on sincerity and luck," Zhao Zhao Menglang said solemnly.

"Huizhou Province, Annan City," Zhang Fan murmured.

"Annan City—good, I'll remember this favor," Zhao Zhao Menglang nodded heavily, clapping Zhang Fan on the shoulder.

"Young brother, we've chatted long enough—today, if you don't pick out two treasures from me, I won't let you leave."

"This…"

Zhang Fan paused to think. After wandering for hours, apart from the ancient painting he could not bear to part with, he had not seen a single treasure that truly stirred him.

"Old brother, do you have any artifact shards?" Zhang Fan suddenly asked, his mind stirred.

"Artifact shards?" Zhao Zhao Menglang's gaze sharpened slightly. "You're looking to upgrade your artifact?"

All artifacts require incense offerings, alchemical refinement, and sincere devotion to gradually awaken and evolve through years of accumulation.

Generally, a common artifact must be offered for a hundred years to ascend to a Huang Yu artifact.

Zhang Fan's Divine Weiling Zhen Mo Jin Yin is a Huang Yu artifact, already offered for over two hundred years, yet still lacking the necessary power to ascend to a Qingyu artifact.

However, in the art of forging artifacts, there are methods to steal heaven's timing—seeking other artifacts as fertilizer to absorb their accumulated incense and spiritual power, or fusing them with naturally born treasures, greatly shortening the ascent time.

The Divine Weiling Zhen Mo Jin Yin was Zhang Fan's first artifact, passed down from the Zhang family of Long Hu Mountain, with immense potential—he would never abandon it.

Since acquiring it, he had offered incense day and night, refining it with the Divine Demon Embryo.

Even after its recent destruction in Huizhou Province, he spent a great price to have Fang Fang Changle bring it back to Maoshan for repair.

"Yes, I have an artifact I wish to devote effort to," Zhang Fan nodded.

"Artifact shards aren't cheap—they're hard to come by," Zhao Zhao Menglang said gravely.

Artifacts are the foundation of a sect or clan.

Not every generation produces a gifted heir, but artifacts can be passed down endlessly, growing stronger over time, even ascending to higher ranks.

A single Huang Yu artifact is enough to sustain a family like the Yinshan Xiong clan for generations.

Thus, even if an artifact is damaged, sects and clans will spend great sums to repair it; to reduce one to shards is exceedingly rare.

Therefore, artifact shards are extremely scarce; even when available, many sects and clans prefer to buy them to bolster their own ancestral artifacts and save time on ascension.

"Young brother, what type of artifact do you have? Did you bring it?" Zhao Zhao Menglang asked.

Artifacts of the same type fuse more efficiently and require fewer resources.

"Seal type. I didn't bring it."

Zhang Fan lied—he actually held the Divine Weiling Zhen Mo Jin Yin in his hand, but its origins were dubious, and it was originally a Zhang family artifact; he feared Zhao Zhao Menglang might recognize it.

"I do have a few shards of seal-type artifacts."

Zhao Zhao Menglang paused, then spoke. To an ordinary person, he would never part with these shards—they could be kept as future favors.

In truth, had Zhang Fan not known Xu Xuanguan, Zhao Zhao Menglang would never have brought them out.

"Wait for me a moment."

Saying this, Zhao Zhao Menglang turned and entered the shop's storage room; soon, the sound of a safe turning and unlocking echoed, and moments later, he emerged carrying several wooden boxes, placing them on the table.

"Young brother, you've come to the right place today—these treasures aren't shown to just anyone."

Zhang Fan and the others gathered around as Zhao Zhao Menglang opened each box one by one.

"So many?" Meng Qi's eyes widened.

There were nine seal-type artifact shards—on any other stall, finding even one would be difficult.

"These are what I've gathered over the years—half of them came from the Qin Ling," Zhao Zhao Menglang whispered.

Meng Qi's heart stirred. "Uncle Zhao, you truly have connections everywhere—even with the Qin Ling's great demon!"

At these words, Zhang Fan and Li Li Yishan exchanged glances, their expressions turning strange.

This Zhao Zhao Menglang was no ordinary merchant.

All demons and spirits of the world hide within mountains and seas.

In today's mortal world, demons and monsters are few; yet places like Mount Ailao Mountain, the three-thousand-li Qin Ling, Mount Zhangbai Mountain, the Ten Thousand Mountains, and Bashu—the land of demons—still harbor hidden realms where demons, ghosts, and spirit cultivators dwell.

The three-thousand-li Qin Ling is one of China's three great dragon veins, more unique than other hidden realms; among all such realms, its number of demons and ghosts ranks among the top three.

To acquire treasures within Qin Ling territory, one must establish connections with the celestial and terrestrial lines.

"Don't tease Uncle," Zhao Zhao Menglang chuckled, eyes half-lidded. "Just trying to make a living."

"I'm not teasing," Meng Qi said solemnly. "I've heard from elders in our sect that the Qin Ling's demon king hates humans intensely."

In every hidden mountain or sea realm, the strongest among all demons and ghosts is called the demon king.

Zhang Fan had once encountered the demon king of the Ten Thousand Mountains—the bald elder known as Jiangzhen Xiang Ye.

Demon kings vary in temperament and conduct.

Jiangzhen Xiang Ye was relatively mild and low-key, even friendly toward humans; he mingled among mortals, holding multiple jobs, even handing out flyers for college entrance exam tutoring.

But the Qin Ling demon king is different—he despises humans intensely. In the chaotic early years, he slaughtered countless humans, consuming their souls as sustenance.

Thus, any Daoist entering Qin Ling who disturbs the earth to seek treasures will inevitably face harassment from Qin Ling's demons and ghosts.

Even a Tian Shi must abide by its rules when entering Qin Ling.