## Chapter 361: Rumor of the Spiritual Treasure
Half a month after Cloud Mist True君 left, Lu Chang’an received a report from Xiao Qing Shan, stating that a Jie Dan True君 had left a message at the mountain gate, requesting the creation of a puppet.
This kind of situation was not uncommon. Lu Chang’an initially didn’t pay much attention to it.
However, when he saw the transmission符 presented by Xiao Qing Shan, with a special “Tian” character engraved on it, Lu Chang’an felt a stir in his heart.
After Xiao Qing Shan retreated, Lu Chang’an broke the restriction on the transmission符. Inside, Jing Wu Feng’s voice indeed played.
The content of the transmission符 mentioned the puppet request in a straightforward manner, revealing no obvious flaws.
Lu Chang’an was aware that things weren’t as simple as they seemed. He couldn’t help but think about the upcoming opening of the Ancient幽殿.
He didn’t personally go to the location mentioned by Jing Wu Feng.
The next day in the evening, at a low-grade spirit lake thousands of miles outside Cloud Mist Sect, a fishing platform stood.
Two figures appeared one after another.
The first was a young cultivator in a green silk robe, with a relaxed expression. It was Jing Wu Feng.
The second was a middle-aged man in blue armor, dressed like a mortal military general, radiating a fierce and murderous aura.
“Jing True君 has invited me out. What’s the purpose?”
The tone and speech of the blue-armored man were exactly like Cloud Mist Sect’s Xiang True君.
It turned out Lu Chang’an had secretly sent a fourth-grade puppet to meet with Jing Wu Feng privately.
During this meeting, Lu Chang’an noticed that Jing Wu Feng’s cultivation had reached the peak limit of the Golden Core stage, leaving no room for further advancement.
In fact, as early as ten years ago when they met in Cloud Sky City, Jing Wu Feng had already cultivated to the peak of Jie Dan.
“The Ancient幽殿, a forbidden area in the Central Domain, is about to appear. I believe Xiang Dao You has heard of it.”
Jing Wu Feng quickly got to the point.
“Oh? Does Jing Dao You also intend to enter the Ancient幽殿?”
“Yes! I have reached an agreement with a Nascent Soul cultivator in Cloud Sky Immortal City. I will enter the Ancient幽殿 with them soon. If Xiang True君 is also interested, we can watch each other’s backs in the Ancient幽殿…”
Jing Wu Feng didn’t hide anything and revealed his plan.
Lu Chang’an wasn’t surprised, but he still had doubts.
Jing Wu Feng was an Unbreakable Golden Core with exceptional talent and a mysterious background. If he wanted to seek resources for advancing to Nascent Soul, he wouldn’t need to enter the Ancient幽殿, such a high-level mysterious place.
Unless, Jing Wu Feng had a bigger scheme.
“To be honest, I recently declined an invitation from the Supreme Elder of our sect…”
Lu Chang’an also refused Jing Wu Feng.
He had cooperated with Jing Wu Feng and had a certain level of trust with him, more than with Cloud Mist True君.
However, Lu Chang’an didn’t lack lifespan. He could just follow the established path and plot to become Nascent Soul. Why risk himself in the Ancient幽殿?
Jing Wu Feng wasn’t surprised by Lu Chang’an’s refusal. He understood the man’s cautious nature.
“I heard that Xiang Dao You’s spirit pet has advanced to a transforming great妖. I forgot to congratulate you.”
Jing Wu Feng smiled and bowed in congratulations.
He then looked at the fourth-grade puppet in front of him, showing admiration. Finally, he revealed his true intentions.
“Now, Xiang Dao You has a fourth-grade妖 King, providing ample protection. Could you lend me the fourth-grade puppet to help me seek opportunities in the Ancient幽殿?”
“I can promise to swear an oath. I will allocate at least three-tenths of the gains in the Ancient幽殿. I will also sell the precious materials and spirit objects you need at a low price. If the puppet is damaged, I will compensate you with a perfect one in the future, ensuring you don’t suffer any loss.”
Jing Wu Feng’s proposal was much more sincere than Cloud Mist True君’s.
Just the point of compensation alone was unmatched, and there was a potential upper limit to the gains.
During their previous collaboration in hunting the magic dragon, Lu Chang’an had witnessed Jing Wu Feng’s strength. He could be considered to have Nascent Soul level combat strength and possessed unpredictable abilities, making him incredibly self-protective.
Lu Chang’an pondered for a moment. This kind of collaboration wouldn’t put his life in danger and also offered a chance to enjoy the benefits of the Ancient幽殿.
In the end, Lu Chang’an didn’t agree to lend the fourth-grade puppet.
Firstly, the puppet spirit of this fourth-grade puppet, if nurtured for another twenty years, could reach Nascent Soul level.
By then, it would become a true fourth-grade puppet, capable of completely matching a Nascent Soul True君.
If it was destroyed in the Ancient幽殿, it would be a great pity.
Secondly, the fourth-grade puppet contained Wei Puppet Master’s deposit. If it fell into the hands of other Nascent Soul old monsters in the Ancient幽殿, there was a risk of betrayal, including exposing some of Lu Chang’an’s secrets.
As Jing Wu Feng looked disappointed, Lu Chang’an pondered and said:
“However, I have an assassin puppet that has been strengthened and upgraded to the top level of the third grade. Jing Dao You can borrow it to go to the Ancient幽殿 if you are interested.”
“That’s good. I thank you for this.”
Jing Wu Feng’s lips curled slightly, achieving his expected outcome.
A fourth-grade puppet, such a powerful combat force, was indeed unlikely for Xiang Da Long to lend out.
Half an hour later, a mysterious man in a斗笠 appeared in front of them. The subtle fluctuations of spiritual pressure emanating from him clearly indicated he was at the peak of Jie Dan.
The man in the 斗笠 handed a control token to Jing Wu Feng.
Jing Wu Feng took over control and, after understanding the assassin puppet’s strength and functions, nodded slightly, feeling quite satisfied.
Lu Chang’an now had the transforming-level Di Yan Jun, who also excelled in concealment and assassination. Even with this assassin puppet enhanced to the top level of the third grade, it wasn’t that crucial to him.
In Jing Wu Feng’s hands, it could play a greater role, especially when combined with his mysterious and unpredictable spatial abilities, posing a threat even to Nascent Soul cultivators.
If he further combined it with certain Nascent Soul-level techniques, like fourth-grade spirit 符, fourth-grade potent poison, or spatial blades, it could be a significant threat to Nascent Soul cultivators, especially through surprise attacks.
After all, Nascent Soul cultivators couldn’t be fully protected at all times. In the environment of the Ancient幽殿, when facing battles against their peers and various dangers, their mental focus and spiritual power would be strained.
Soon, Lu Chang’an and Jing Wu Feng reached an agreement and made an oath.
Jing Wu Feng would rent the top-level third-grade assassin puppet, bearing the puppet’s loss and consumption. He would give Lu Chang’an one-tenth of the gains in the Ancient幽殿, no less than the materials needed to create a third-grade upper-level puppet.
If that wasn’t enough, Jing Wu Feng would make up the difference from his own pocket.
Secondly, he would give priority to Lu Chang’an for buying useful materials from the harvest, such as puppet materials, 符箓 materials. The price couldn’t be higher than the market rate.
One-tenth of the gains might sound low.
But Lu Chang’an didn’t need to enter the Ancient幽殿 and fight to the death. He could simply wait for his share and acquire the spirit objects and precious materials that flowed out of the Ancient幽殿 with priority.
Overall, this deal was quite fair.
The only risk was losing the top-level third-grade assassin puppet, which wouldn’t cripple him.
Moreover, he knew Jing Wu Feng’s strength and abilities, surpassing the self-preservation skills of ordinary early Nascent Soul cultivators.
As a Jie Dan cultivator, fishing in troubled waters within the Ancient幽殿 and being underestimated by other Nascent Soul old monsters could increase his chances and success rate.
…
After the deal was made, Lu Chang’an used the blue-armored puppet to learn the latest news about the Ancient幽殿 from Jing Wu Feng.
It was said that the Ancient幽殿 would appear and open within a year at most, and a high-grade魔晶 would be required for entry.
Before they parted, Lu Chang’an curiously asked a probing question:
“I see that Jing Dao You is quite young, with top-notch abilities and potential. It shouldn’t be difficult for you to seek Jie Ying. Why are you rushing to take the risk of entering the Ancient幽殿?”
Jing Wu Feng seemed to have an extraordinary background and pedigree. Logically, he shouldn’t take such risks.
For example, Yun Qing True君, who was inferior to Jing Wu Feng in terms of comprehensive abilities, didn’t need to worry about resources for advancement even in a Nascent Soul sect.
“I go to the Ancient幽殿, Nascent Soul opportunities are only secondary. I’m paving the way for the future after Nascent Soul.”
Jing Wu Feng sighed lightly, looking at the blue-armored middle-aged man in front of him. Sometimes, he was envious of the cautious Xiang True君.
If he didn’t dare to take the risk of competing for such an opportunity as the Ancient幽殿, then he wouldn’t have a chance to stand out in the trials of his own sect.
After answering Lu Chang’an’s final question, Jing Wu Feng took the assassin puppet with him and disappeared into the night.
In the underground palace of Cloud Mist Sect, where the fourth-grade spirit vein was located, Lu Chang’an had recently moved to the Di Yan Jun’s training ground to absorb the spirit qi of the fourth-grade spirit vein.
Although it couldn’t accelerate his overall cultivation progress, it significantly improved his daily cultivation efficiency, allowing him to spend more time studying divination, drawing 符, and puppetry, among other various cultivation arts.
Doing this was actually against the rules.
However, Cloud Mist True君 was out, and another True君 he had a good relationship with, Zi Xia True君, wouldn’t mind.
“Paving the way for the future after Nascent Soul?”
In the cultivation chamber of the underground palace, Lu Chang’an’s eyes flickered as he muttered softly.
For the first time, he felt inferior to another cultivator of the same level.
Over the past three hundred years of cultivation, he believed he had always planned ahead for opportunities and resources for higher realms.
In the middle and later stages of Jie Dan, he had plans for the Nascent Soul level.
But Jing Wu Feng, before even becoming Nascent Soul, was already paving the way for the future after Nascent Soul. He was even more forward-thinking.
Therefore, Lu Chang’an had a more comprehensive evaluation of Jing Wu Feng’s possible background and origins.
…
Half a year later.
Lu Chang’an turned three hundred and fifty years old. His cultivation became more advanced in the late stage of Golden Core.
On this day, news of the Ancient幽殿’s emergence reached the Central Domain from the forbidden area.
“Although I didn’t participate in the Ancient幽殿 personally, I took a stake.”
Lu Chang’an looked towards the direction of the Central Domain’s forbidden area, a hint of anticipation in his heart.
Since he could get a share of the gains from the Ancient幽殿, he naturally paid close attention and was concerned about it.
This kind of Nascent Soul-level mysterious place had a very high upper limit for rewards.
If Jing Wu Feng was lucky, one-tenth of the gains could be worth more than the value of a 化婴 Dan.
“The opening time of the Ancient幽殿 is usually no more than a month. I believe we will have results soon.”
Lu Chang’an patiently waited within the mountain.
He didn’t need to leave Cloud Mist Sect. He could simply have the blue-armored puppet outside monitor and gather related information.
During the waiting period, Zi Xia True君 visited the underground palace twice, to see Di Yan Jun and have tea and chat with Lu Chang’an.
Although they didn’t discuss the topic of “Ancient幽殿” in depth, Lu Chang’an could sense Zi Xia True君’s hidden worry and unease.
The visit and casual conversation of the female True君 might be to alleviate her inner anxiety.
The two True君’s relationship as Daoist couple had become a mere formality, but their hundreds of years of sect affection remained. They shared a common goal, to continue and strengthen Cloud Mist Sect.
In today’s Cloud Mist Sect, only Lu Chang’an and Di Yan Jun were at a level where they could converse with Zi Xia Xianzi on an equal footing and share the pressure.
Lu Chang’an understood this, so he talked about light topics, subtly relieving the psychological pressure of the female True君.
Zi Xia True君 noticed this and had a slight fondness for Xiang Elder’s understanding.
Importantly, Xiang Elder’s conversation and interactions made her feel naturally at ease, unlike other cultivators in the sect who would be tense and deliberately flattering.
…
Less than two months later.
The news about the Ancient幽殿 finally reached Great Yu Nation.
The rumors surrounding the Ancient幽殿 this time were quite explosive, attracting the attention of major forces.
Because the treasures appearing in the殿 were far more numerous than any records in the past thousands of years.
“Inside the Ancient幽殿, there was actually a fake spirit treasure!”
In the underground palace, Lu Chang’an put down the information jade slip in his hand, his eyes wide with astonishment.
Fake spirit treasures came in two types.
One was imitation spirit treasures.
As the name suggests, these were fake replicas of ancient spirit treasures created by later generations in the cultivation world, with significantly reduced power.
The other type was damaged true spirit treasures that had lost their spiritual essence and downgraded. Or they were created by repairing incomplete spirit treasures.
Fake spirit treasures were at least at the level of Nascent Soul great cultivators’ treasures.
Since true spirit treasures were extinct, even legendary 化神天君, some of their main treasures might be only higher quality fake spirit treasures.
Lu Chang’an’s surprise wasn’t just because a fake spirit treasure had appeared in the Ancient幽殿.
According to the rumors gathered by the blue-armored puppet outside, when the fake spirit treasure appeared, it was once obtained by Cloud Mist Sect’s Cloud Mist True君.
The specific reason was still unknown.
Lu Chang’an guessed that the fake spirit treasure might have passed through Cloud Mist True君’s hands, otherwise, there wouldn’t be such rumors.
After learning about the rumors of the spirit treasure, Lu Chang’an felt fortunate for his decision not to enter the Ancient幽殿.
The appearance of the fake spirit treasure would inevitably lead to a fierce battle among Nascent Soul True君, even possibly causing bloodshed, significantly increasing the death rate in the Ancient幽殿.
“Unfortunately, Cloud Mist True君 couldn’t secretly bring this treasure back. Otherwise, with Cloud Mist Sect now having three True君, plus the protection of the fake spirit treasure, even a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn’t dare to face them directly.”
Lu Chang’an said with a slight regret.
One early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator indeed couldn’t protect a fake spirit treasure. If there were three Nascent Soul, combined with the sect’s resources, turning it into a sect-protecting treasure would be a different story.
Several days later.
The high-level cultivators from Great Yu Nation who had participated in the Ancient幽殿 returned one after another.
Nascent Soul True君 from Great Yu royal family, Great Serpent Mountain, and other forces all returned to their respective forces.
Among them, the Great Yu royal family lost one older Nascent Soul True君.
Lu Chang’an didn’t worry about Jing Wu Feng.
The puppet he had lent to Jing Wu Feng was special. It had been used as a clone for years, and its unique mark was integrated into it.
If that assassin puppet was destroyed, Lu Chang’an, as the owner, would have a slight sensation.
However, there had been no such sensation so far.
The person who needed to be worried about was Cloud Mist True君.
Most of the Nascent Soul True君 who had participated in the Ancient幽殿 from Great Yu Nation had returned immediately, or their demise had been confirmed.
Only Cloud Mist True君 hadn’t returned to the mountain gate immediately, and his whereabouts hadn’t been confirmed.
Soon, rumors spread through the cultivation world of Great Yu Nation, saying that Cloud Mist True君 had died in the Ancient幽殿 while competing for the fake spirit treasure.
Fortunately, Zi Xia True君 immediately refuted the rumors, stating that her Daoist companion’s soul lamp hadn’t been extinguished.
She also showed the soul lamp of Cloud Mist True君 in the ancestral hall to the sect’s higher-ups.
The soul lamp not being extinguished proved that Cloud Mist True君’s Nascent Soul still existed.
Once reaching the level of Nascent Soul, survival and error tolerance increased significantly. Even if the physical body was destroyed, the Nascent Soul spiritual body could escape and rebuild a Dharma body, regaining its cultivation power.
“Could it be that Cloud Mist True君 was severely injured in the battle and escaped with his Nascent Soul in a life-or-death crisis?”
Lu Chang’an guessed as such.
After all, Cloud Mist True君 was involved in the fake spirit treasure’s emergence, placing him in a vortex of high risk.
Lu Chang’an was worried about this situation.
Although his relationship with Cloud Mist True君 was rather ordinary, he didn’t want him to be in trouble.
Cloud Mist Sect’s lineage had two Nascent Soul True君. If one of them died, it wouldn’t be good for the stability of the situation.
At least, before he became Nascent Soul, Lu Chang’an didn’t want Cloud Mist True君 to die. He needed a stable and peaceful cultivation environment.
…
The day after Zi Xia True君 refuted the rumors, a Nascent Soul visitor from the Great Yu royal family arrived, Yu Yuan Jin.
To avoid suspicion, Zi Xia True君 met with Yu Yuan Jin in the sect’s main hall. They talked privately for a long time.
Yu Yuan Jin had also entered the Ancient幽殿 and his injuries hadn’t healed yet.
It was predictable that Zi Xia True君 had learned about her Daoist companion’s situation in the Ancient幽殿 from Yu Yuan Jin and had confirmed his approximate whereabouts.
Yu Yuan Jin didn’t stay in Cloud Mist Sect for long, nor did he try to win over Lu Chang’an, which would have made the royal family look greedy.
Over the next half month, several Jie Dan cultivators from Cloud Mist Sect were sent out on missions, including Zi Xia True君’s trusted subordinates.
Even Xue Feng True君, who was in charge of the immortal city and full of vigor, went out secretly to act.
Lu Chang’an remained calm and didn’t ask Zi Xia True君 about the reason for these events.
Through divination, he had deduced a rough outline, but it wasn’t precise because it involved too many True君.
During this half month, Lu Chang’an continued to obtain information about the Ancient幽殿 through the fourth-grade puppet he had sent out.
He mainly focused on the news about Jing Wu Feng and Cloud Mist True君.
Cloud Mist True君’s life and death were unknown. It was confirmed that his Dharma body had been destroyed, and his Nascent Soul had escaped.
After the battle in the Ancient幽殿, Jing Wu Feng had actually become famous in the Central Domain.
It was rumored that Jing Wu Feng was one of the few surviving Jie Dan cultivators after the Ancient幽殿 appeared this time.
The opportunities and treasures he had obtained were enough to make Nascent Soul True君 envious.
Not only that, but Jing Wu Feng had teamed up with Nascent Soul True君 in the Ancient幽殿, leading to the direct or indirect deaths of two Nascent Soul cultivators.
After the Ancient幽殿 ended, the cultivators inside were randomly teleported to a location within tens of thousands of miles.
Later, Jing Wu Feng disappeared in the abyss of the Central Domain.
Several Nascent Soul True君 who had a grudge against him, including the Nascent Soul forces that had targeted him, were now searching for Jing Wu Feng’s whereabouts.
“As expected of Jing Tian True君, he became famous after a battle in the Ancient幽殿! But he also made trouble…”
Lu Chang’an felt happy yet had a strange sense of schadenfreude.
He was happy because the more Jing Wu Feng gained in the Ancient幽殿, the more Lu Chang’an would get from his “share.”
Furthermore, Lu Chang’an had the right to buy first when Jing Wu Feng brought back precious materials from the Ancient幽殿.
Lu Chang’an was almost regretting not lending out the fourth-grade puppet back then. He could have received a three-tenths share, which would have been even more impressive.
Fortunately, he was just collecting his share without taking risks. Even one-tenth was quite satisfactory.
The intelligence also mentioned “Red Serpent True君,” who was seriously injured and recovering in Great Serpent Mountain, secluded from the outside world.
…
Three days later, at midnight.
In the underground training ground of the fourth-grade spirit vein, Lu Chang’an was perfecting the creation of the異灵 peacock, eagerly awaiting the materials Jing Wu Feng would bring back.
Suddenly, Zi Xia True君 visited the underground palace secretly and transmitted a message to Lu Chang’an to keep it a secret.
In the underground palace’s secret chamber, Lu Chang’an welcomed Zi Xia Xianzi, dressed in a purple palace gown, with a slightly weary face, to the seat of honor.
Lu Chang’an and Di Yan Jun sat below her, looking at Zi Xia True君 with concern.
Looking at the one person and one rat who still showed her respect, Zi Xia Xianzi felt comforted.
It was like seeing a sturdy and reliable ancient tree amidst a raging storm.
“Zi Xia Senior, what are your orders for visiting the underground palace so late at night?”
Lu Chang’an politely and respectfully asked.
Zi Xia Xianzi sat upright, her silk ribbon dress fluttering, her curves rising and falling beautifully, her manner elegant and refined, but a frown marred her pretty face.
Her violet-star-like eyes looked at the one person and one rat below her, filled with complex emotions. She chose her words carefully, and her clear, dreamlike voice reached them:
“Da Long, don’t be so polite. Just call me Senior.”
“If my elder brother doesn’t come back, the future Cloud Mist Sect will need you and Di Yan Jun to shoulder the responsibility together and face the future storms.”
As these words left her mouth, Lu Chang’an’s heart trembled, and he looked at the renowned Zi Xia True君 in disbelief.
The change in Zi Xia Xianzi’s address, with a sense of closeness and intimacy, would have been enough to surprise someone under normal circumstances.
Even more shocking was the tone of Zi Xia True君’s words, suggesting that Cloud Mist True君’s situation wasn’t optimistic and he might not be able to return to the sect smoothly and resume cultivation.
“Zi Xia Shi Jie, why do you say that? What exactly happened?”
Lu Chang’an changed his address as requested, asking in a puzzled tone.
“In the current sect, you are the only one I can discuss such confidential matters with…”
Zi Xia True君 sighed softly, taking out a painting that looked like Cloud Mist True君 from her storage ring, then began to explain the truth of the matter in detail.
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