“Hmm? What kind of precious treasure? And it's a complete set?”Ji Yuan naturally assumed it would be something like a Spiritual Artifact. A complete set of Spiritual Artifacts... like Jiang Hong's Child-Mother Blades back then, whose power had been extraordinary.
However, after inspecting the Storage Pouch once more, he still failed to find any complete set of Spiritual Artifacts.
“It should be stored inside a box. There were also two Talisman Papers crossed over each other on top of the box.”
Ye Zhiqiu recalled.
“A box... is it this one?”
After searching around, Ji Yuan really did find a box tucked away in a corner of the Storage Pouch, buried beneath a pile of miscellaneous items.
“Yes, that's it!”
Ji Yuan raised his hand and opened it.
Inside were... a stone that appeared to be stained with blood, a brownish piece of wood emitting a strange fragrance, and a treasure pearl radiating a gentle white glow.
The three items were neatly placed side by side inside the box. At a glance, none of them appeared ordinary.
“What are these?”
Ji Yuan first used the Object Manipulation Technique to lift out the stone. After sensing it briefly, he immediately confirmed that it was a Dragon Blood Stone!
One of the upgrade materials required for the 【Fish Pond】.
Unfortunately, there was only one piece.
The 【Fish Pond】 required three Dragon Blood Stones to upgrade.
Even without considering the other two items, this Dragon Blood Stone alone was already an exceptional treasure.
It was an immortal material formed after being contaminated by the blood of a Fourth-Tier Flood Dragon. Even among Third-Tier immortal materials, it was considered exceedingly rare.
Whether used for weapon refining or cultivation, it was an invaluable treasure.
“You said these were a complete set of treasures. What are they used for?”
Ji Yuan tossed the Dragon Blood Stone back into the box and turned to ask.
Ye Zhiqiu looked at him suspiciously before saying, “Young Master Li, you really don't know about that Third-Tier Thunderstorm Flood Dragon?”
“I don't. Damn it, if I had known, I wouldn't have crashed right into it back then...”
Ji Yuan said rather speechlessly.
Had that Third-Tier Flood Dragon not appeared to have recently suffered injuries, with its strength diminished and its speed slowed, Ji Yuan would have already used the Sky-Escape Shuttle to flee for his life.
Only then did Ye Zhiqiu explain,
“That Third-Tier Thunderstorm Flood Dragon had only recently laid eggs, so its body was somewhat weakened. That's why quite a few cultivators around Southern Sea City have been eyeing it.”
“Among them are even quite a number of Core Formation Cultivators.”
Ji Yuan glanced at the three items inside the box.
“Mourning Taoist was one of them as well?”
“Exactly.”
“But the old thief knew he wasn't strong enough to target the Flood Dragon itself, so he shifted his attention to its eggs.”
Looking at the three treasures, Ye Zhiqiu introduced them one by one.
“The Dragon Musk can lure the Thunderstorm Flood Dragon away, drawing it to a designated location. Then the Venomous Flood Dragon Pearl will explode, releasing poisonous gas capable of knocking the Thunderstorm Flood Dragon unconscious.”
“As for the Dragon Blood Stone, it has been specially modified. It contains a Third-Tier confinement spell. Even if the Thunderstorm Flood Dragon awakens ahead of time, the spell can still trap it for a while.”
“Mourning Taoist prepared quite thoroughly.”
Ji Yuan examined the treasure box.
Ye Zhiqiu nodded.
“To gather these three items, he spent quite a lot of Spirit Stones and called in quite a few favors. Our true objective this time was actually to try to seize the Flood Dragon Eggs.”
“Someone had already investigated before and said there were two eggs in total.”
“Mourning Taoist's plan was to raise one himself and sell the other.”
“He could then earn several thousand Middle-Grade Spirit Stones.”
“Quite a nice little scheme.”
Ji Yuan smiled as he stored the treasure box back into his Storage Pouch.
“Young Master Li, you could actually give it a try.”
After thinking for a while, Ye Zhiqiu softly said,
“I've heard the old thief calculate it several times. These three items are all Third-Tier Immortal Materials. The Third-Tier Dragon Musk will absolutely lure the Flood Dragon away. As for the Venomous Flood Dragon Pearl and the Dragon Blood Stone, they'll definitely work as well.”
“Even if it fails, preserving your life shouldn't be a problem. Besides... besides, Young Master Li could even invite the seniors of your clan to help.”
Ye Zhiqiu felt that even if Ji Yuan came from a Nascent Soul Noble Family, a Third-Tier Thunderstorm Flood Dragon would still be enough to tempt them.
“Heh.”
Ji Yuan merely smiled without commenting.
Were Thunderstorm Flood Dragon Eggs valuable?
Naturally, they were.
Once hatched, they would become Third-Tier Flood Dragon hatchlings. After successfully forming a contract and raising them to maturity, they would become genuine Third-Tier Flood Dragons.
Unfortunately...
Ji Yuan already had two such Third-Tier Flood Dragon hatchlings.
In fact, he had so many that he could barely raise them all.
If he got another one, he'd probably have no choice but to sell it.
Since that was the case, was it really worth risking his life over a mere few thousand Middle-Grade Spirit Stones?
Absolutely not.
Not to mention that Ji Yuan currently possessed tens of thousands of Middle-Grade Spirit Stones inside his Storage Pouch. Even if he didn't, he still wouldn't risk his life provoking a Third-Tier Flood Dragon.
That was simply too dangerous!
Therefore, after listening to Ye Zhiqiu's explanation, Ji Yuan had already made his decision.
Once he left Ice-Fire Island and returned to Southern Sea City, he would simply take this complete set of treasures specially prepared for the Thunderstorm Flood Dragon...
...to the auction house and sell them!
The next auction wouldn't be held until a year later, so there was more than enough time.
Either way, it was all about earning Spirit Stones. Rather than risking life and limb to obtain Flood Dragon Eggs before selling them, it was far better to sell these treasures directly and let someone else risk their life instead.
“About how many Spirit Stones did he spend preparing these?”
Ji Yuan asked.
Ye Zhiqiu pondered for a moment before replying,
“All together... I'd estimate more than three thousand Middle-Grade Spirit Stones. The materials themselves were already expensive, and on top of that, he even hired a Core Formation Cultivator to inscribe the spell into the Dragon Blood Stone.”
...More than three thousand.
If I sell it at the auction house for over four thousand, that shouldn't be too much, right?
While nodding, Ji Yuan seemed to think of something and casually asked,
“Dragon Blood Stones are pretty rare. Do you know where he got this one?”
“The Dragon Blood Stone... I heard he traded with Real Person Many-Eyes from Tianmu Mountain. Years ago, Real Person Many-Eyes found quite a number of Dragon Blood Stones while exploring overseas.”
Tianmu Mountain...
Ji Yuan recalled the topographic map and quickly located Tianmu Mountain.
It lay northeast of Southern Sea City, not very far from Thunder Marsh.
In that case, when he headed to Thunder Marsh later, he could make a slight detour and see whether he could strike a deal with Real Person Many-Eyes.
After silently making a note of it, Ji Yuan stored away both Storage Pouches.
For now, he had no idea when Ice-Fire Elder would finally take him to the Strange Pond to condense his Flying Sword, but it probably wouldn't take too long.
So these next two or three days could only be spent cultivating.
Thinking of this, Ji Yuan suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Ye Zhiqiu behind him.
“Y-Young Master Li... what is it?”
Ye Zhiqiu subconsciously took half a step backward.
Although the cultivator before her appeared to be only at the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Realm, both his methods and background far surpassed her own.
A thought had even crossed her mind.
If she could remain by his side as a maid, that actually wouldn't be bad.
Li Changshou had a good temperament and no strange hobbies. He didn't seem like someone who would demand that she warm his bed.
More importantly, becoming his maid was practically the same as joining a Nascent Soul Noble Family.
Although he was supposedly an illegitimate son, the fact that the Li Family Patriarch had given him a Golden Core-stage Corpse Servant clearly showed how favored he was within the family.
No matter how she looked at it, he was worth following as a rogue cultivator.
So... was he looking at her now because he wanted her to pledge her loyalty?
Just as Ye Zhiqiu was preparing to kneel in allegiance, Ji Yuan instead asked,
“How did you survive that Divine Soul killing technique?”
...So that's what he meant. I thought it was something else.
Ye Zhiqiu felt slightly disappointed, but without hesitation she lightly flipped her right hand, producing a scroll of sheepskin.
Then she explained through voice transmission,
“This is the Secret Technique I obtained.”
“A Secret Technique?”
Ji Yuan glanced at the sheepskin before looking back at Ye Zhiqiu. He also transmitted his voice.
“Tell me in detail. I noticed your cultivation dropped by an entire minor realm after using it.”
“Yes.”
“That is the price of using the Secret Technique. After I used it this time, Mourning Taoist failed to kill me. The cost was losing one minor realm of cultivation.”
“Only that?”
Ji Yuan found it hard to believe.
If that were truly the only price, then this Secret Technique was simply too overpowered.
A situation that was certain death could be exchanged for merely dropping one minor realm...
There was no way it could be that simple.
Even if the price had been dropping an entire major realm, Ji Yuan would have found it more believable.
“No. My Divine Soul was also damaged because of it. In the future, breaking through to a major cultivation realm will become extraordinarily difficult.”
When mentioning this, the color that had only recently returned to Ye Zhiqiu's face became deathly pale once more.
For her, there had once been at least a sliver of hope of comprehending the mysteries of the Core Formation Realm.
But now...
Even that tiny remaining window had been completely shut.
“As expected. I knew it couldn't be that simple.”
Ji Yuan sighed.
But in reality...
Damage to the Divine Soul?
For others, that might indeed be an unsolvable problem.
But for Ji Yuan, with the 【Meditation Room】 and the 《Nine Chambers Soul-Suppressing Scripture》, damaged Divine Souls could gradually recover.
It could even be said that Ji Yuan's Divine Soul was already much stronger than those of cultivators at the same realm.
If the damage Ye Zhiqiu had suffered this time were inflicted upon Ji Yuan...
It probably wouldn't even count for much.
At most, it would merely shave off the portion that exceeded ordinary cultivators. He would simply cultivate it back afterward.
In other words...
For others, this Secret Technique carried an enormous side effect.
For Ji Yuan, it was practically side-effect free.
“So... does Young Master still wish to learn it? After I learned this Secret Technique, it could only be passed on two more times. If I pass it to Young Master, only one inheritance opportunity will remain.”
Without realizing it, Ye Zhiqiu's form of address had changed from "Young Master Li" to simply "Young Master."
“I'll learn it. It's a good technique after all. When traveling the cultivation world, one can never have too many skills.”
Ji Yuan did not display excessive interest.
“Young Master only needs to inject Spiritual Energy into it first, then probe it with Divine Sense to learn it.”
Ye Zhiqiu respectfully handed over the sheepskin with both hands.
Ji Yuan followed her instructions.
Very soon, a stream of unfamiliar memories poured from the sheepskin into his mind...
The Secret Technique, 《Divine Severance Technique》.
'The name certainly fits. Sever the Divine Soul in exchange for survival.'
After resting briefly, Ji Yuan completely digested the memories.
It was indeed a Divine Soul Secret Technique.
However, unlike the 《Nine Chambers Soul-Suppressing Scripture》, one nurtured the soul, while the other severed it.
Ji Yuan immediately attempted to comprehend it.
Yet he discovered that he couldn't understand it at all.
Not to mention mastering it—even reaching the entry level would probably require the assistance of the 【Enlightenment Room】.
“Very well. You should keep it.”
Ji Yuan returned the sheepskin before pondering briefly.
“I've accepted your Spirit Stones and now learned such a Secret Technique from you. That settles the debt for saving your life. You no longer need to keep it in your heart.”
“No, Young Master...”
Before Ye Zhiqiu could finish speaking, Ji Yuan interrupted her.
“Saving you was merely something I did in passing. The favor was never that great to begin with, so repaying it is enough.”
Cause and effect.
When it should be severed, it should be severed.
The moment Ye Zhiqiu changed her form of address from "Young Master Li" to "Young Master," Ji Yuan had already understood what she meant.
His identity as a member of a "Nascent Soul Noble Family" was fabricated from the start.
Even if it weren't...
He still would not bring Ye Zhiqiu along.
They were both sensible people.
Since Ji Yuan had already spoken so plainly, Ye Zhiqiu naturally understood his intentions.
She sighed inwardly and softly responded,
“Very well.”
“For the next few days, stay by my side. Once we leave this place, you can make your own plans.”
After saying that, Ji Yuan thought it sounded a bit too heartless.
So he took out a Golden Messaging Talisman and handed it to her.
“If we meet again someday, you may contact me through this. We've survived life and death together twice now. That at least makes us fellow Daoists.”
“Very well. Thank you, Young Master Li.”
Ye Zhiqiu accepted the Messaging Talisman with both hands before hurriedly cupping her hands in salute.
Ji Yuan simply replied with an “Mm,” saying nothing more.
Over the next two days, Ji Yuan remained inside the room studying the 《Canglan Nine Tribulations Sword Manual》.
Since he was on Ice-Fire Elder's territory and Ye Zhiqiu was beside him, he did not even dare activate any building effects.
Two days later, Ji Yuan felt both body and spirit had reached their peak and was fully prepared to condense the Flying Sword Embryo.
Yet Ice-Fire Elder never came to summon him.
Not only that, the old man was nowhere to be found within the thatched courtyard, and Ji Yuan had no idea where he had gone.
...Could something have happened here?
Surely I can't be that unlucky?
Ji Yuan could no longer sit still.
He decided that if Ice-Fire Elder still hadn't appeared by tomorrow morning, he would go looking for him himself.
After waiting for about another hour, just as dusk settled, a hearty laugh suddenly came from outside the door.
“Virtuous Nephew! Virtuous Nephew!”
“Hm?”
Ji Yuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, instantly opened them.
He and Ye Zhiqiu instinctively exchanged glances.
Both saw the surprise in each other's eyes.
Because the voice belonged to none other than the previously missing Ice-Fire Elder.
Not only that...
A series of footsteps could also be heard outside.
The visitor...
Was not Ice-Fire Elder alone.
Even so, Ji Yuan walked over and opened the door.
Standing before him was a man identical in appearance to Ice-Fire Elder.
Middle-aged to elderly, with graying temples.
Yet unlike Ice-Fire Elder...
This man wore a blazing crimson Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Robe, a Golden Imperial Crown Set with Jade and Pearls upon his head, and stood perfectly upright.
He did not hunch over while walking as Ice-Fire Elder usually did.
Behind him followed ten maidservants.
Each carried either lanterns or flowers, trailing behind the dragon-robed man like palace maids.
Ji Yuan was completely dumbfounded.
Ye Zhiqiu, who had followed him outside, was equally stunned.
Fortunately, Ji Yuan recovered almost immediately.
He stepped from the doorway into the courtyard and respectfully saluted the man.
“This junior, Li Changshou... greets Senior.”
Meanwhile, Ji Yuan was already pondering whether the man before him truly was Ice-Fire Elder...
...or perhaps his twin brother.
The appearance was identical.
Yet their mannerisms were completely different.
They hardly seemed like the same person.
Perhaps noticing Ji Yuan's confusion, the dragon-robed man openly explained,
“No need to doubt it. It is indeed me.”
“Virtuous Nephew, simply come with me.”
After saying that, Ice-Fire Elder flicked his sleeve and turned toward the entrance.
The various maidservants of every figure and appearance followed in orderly fashion.
Ji Yuan hesitated only for a moment before turning to Ye Zhiqiu.
“You wait here. I'll accompany Senior and see what's going on.”
“Yes.”
Ye Zhiqiu saluted and remained behind.
After leaving the courtyard, Ji Yuan quickly caught up with Ice-Fire Elder.
The entire procession then grandly made its way toward the Palace Complex within the valley.
Some time later...
Upon arriving before the Imperial Palace, Ji Yuan discovered that there were actually guards stationed at the palace gates!
They were female cultivators clad in armor.
Leading them was a general-like female cultivator at the Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment Realm.
The moment she saw Ice-Fire Elder approach, she led the women behind her to kneel on one knee and loudly proclaimed,
“We pay our respects to Your Majesty!”
“You may rise.”
Ice-Fire Elder waved his hand before leading the dumbfounded Ji Yuan through the palace gates and into...
...the Imperial Palace.
As Ji Yuan looked around while walking, he couldn't help but think...
So Ice-Fire Elder had secluded himself in these mountains simply to play an enormous live-action imperial role-playing game?
Only...
Throughout this vast Imperial Palace, he was the only man.
Everyone else was a woman.
...Could his body really handle that?
As for whether Ice-Fire Elder was qualified to be emperor...
Ji Yuan never doubted it.
A Late Golden Core Stage cultivator could easily become emperor on Ice-Fire Island.
Even back on Cangluo Continent, he could seize a vast territory and establish his own empire.
After wandering through the palace for the time it took to burn one stick of incense, they finally arrived at a grand hall.
Ice-Fire Elder naturally took his seat upon the Dragon Throne before sweeping his sleeve.
“Attendants, bestow a seat!”
Very quickly, two beautiful maidservants emerged from behind a screen.
Together they carried a chair and placed it behind Ji Yuan for him to sit.
Ji Yuan sat down.
Yet he felt as though he were sitting on needles.
The entire scene...
The entire experience...
Was simply far too bizarre.
Had it not been for his trust in the Li Family, Ji Yuan would probably have fled long ago instead of remaining until now.
“I know that Virtuous Nephew must have many questions.”
Ice-Fire Elder, seated upon the imperial throne, first let out a sigh before saying,
“Very well. Let me tell you a few things, and then you will understand.”
“In truth... before I embarked upon the path of cultivation, I was originally an emperor in the mortal world.”
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 250: 《Divine Severance Technique》【Please Vote with Monthly Tickets】
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