Chapter 521: Chapter 521

"Who is Master Xuanzhu Huo De?" Both Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian were unsure.

However, the rules of the Cultivation Realm must be obeyed.

Zhouyang, despite his injuries, went directly to the stone statue of the Daoist figure without hesitation and bowed three times in respect, after confirming there was no danger inside the hall. Then, he and Jiang Fengxian together collected the treasures on the stone table.

Among the three treasures, Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian first examined the jade scroll, thinking it contained a cultivation technique, perhaps even the inherited cultivation technique of Master Xuanzhu Huo De.

Yet they were overthinking it; inherited cultivation techniques are of great significance and would not be easily left here for outsiders to obtain.

The jade scroll actually recorded a fire element divine technique cultivation method, named "Profound Celestial Fire Thunder Pearl".

This "Profound Celestial Fire Thunder Pearl" divine technique wasn’t particularly profound, as Golden Core Stage cultivators could learn it.

However, the lack of profundity does not mean the power is lacking.

Take this "Profound Celestial Fire Thunder Pearl" divine technique as an example: if condensed using only a Golden Core Stage cultivator’s True Flame as its source, its power would be akin to a spell of the same tier.

But if condensed using a powerful Supreme Yang Fire like "Qianyang True Flame" as its source, the power could rival a full-force strike from a Late-Stage Golden Core cultivator.

Thus, almost immediately after seeing the cultivation method of this divine technique, Zhouyang decided it would be the first divine technique he would cultivate.

Having discussed the jade scroll containing the divine technique’s cultivation method, let’s move on to the other two treasures.

The crimson jade ruyi carved with a Qilin pattern was named "Lion Fire Ruyi", a Tier Five Middle Grade Magical Artifact with an "Artifact Soul", sealing a beast soul of a Tier Five Lower Grade Demon Beast "Unicorne Fire Lion Beast", its power rivaling ordinary Tier Five High-Grade Magical Artifacts.

As for the purple-red jade pendant, it was actually a jade talisman.

Talismans come in various forms, commonly made from paper talismans and beast skin talismans used by cultivators. Yet talismans could also be made using spirit jade, beast bone, spirit wood, and other materials as carriers.

Although talismans made from spirit jade, beast bone, spirit wood, and other carriers are extremely powerful and can be preserved for a long time, the success rate of making such talismans is dismal.

For cultivators learning talisman making, using talisman paper as a carrier, even those slightly talented can succeed in one or two out of every hundred blank talisman papers used.

Yet, using spirit jade, beast bone, or spirit wood as carriers, the success rate is less than one in a thousand.

Such a significant gap means even those with abundant wealth cannot afford to burn them.

Thus, nowadays, the technique for using spirit jade, beast bone, and spirit wood as carriers to make talismans has long been abandoned by talisman makers. Those who know how to use these materials to make talismans are truly rare.

Zhouyang, being a Tier Four Rune Master, naturally knew the history of talisman makers.

The jade talisman in his hand, upon careful inspection, though it’s unknown how many years it had been left within the hall, still remained usable.

Judging by the faint aura emanating from the jade talisman, once activated, its power likely wouldn’t be inferior to the attack that severely injured him earlier, certainly a treasure that could turn the tide in crucial moments.

He intended to take the jade talisman as his own gain, but first, he had benefited from Jiang Fengxian’s generosity earlier by acquiring many Spirit Herbs and Elixirs, and before entering he obtained the purple-red Treasure Mirror, so taking the jade talisman now would appear excessively greedy.

Especially since the Jade Ruyi Magical Artifact was evidently suited for a Fire Element Cultivator, adhering to the principle of team exploration and treasure sharing among cultivators, it was appropriate for him to take this Magical Artifact.

Therefore, after pondering for a while, Zhouyang reluctantly set down the jade talisman and took the jade ruyi.

"This jade ruyi is just suitable for Zhouyang’s use, Zhouyang won’t be courteous to Impatiens. As for the divine technique cultivation method within the jade scroll, you can copy a copy of it."

Upon hearing his words, Jiang Fengxian felt touched and relieved.

Zhouyang never disappointed her. In such situations, most cultivators would probably choose the more useful jade talisman.

After all, in a place as dangerous as the Kunxu Realm, a jade talisman with its simplicity and immense power is much more practical than a Magical Artifact.

"Brother Zhou, your kindness, I humbly accept."

She politely replied, then took the jade talisman and stored it in her Storage Ring, then looked at Zhouyang, who was covered in wounds, and solemnly said, "Brother Zhou, please rest here to recover, while I guard outside for you, ensuring you’re undisturbed."

Zhouyang indeed required a quiet environment to heal, and upon hearing this, didn’t argue with Jiang Fengxian, immediately shut the hall door and began to meditate and recuperate.

The Red Palace all around had formidable array restrictions, entering through the front door wouldn’t trigger those formidable arrays, and as long as Jiang Fengxian guarded the front door, there was no fear of anyone entering elsewhere.

Two months passed this way before Zhouyang fully healed his injuries.

Once healed, Zhouyang didn’t rush to join Jiang Fengxian in sweeping other places but took out the purple-red Copper Mirror Spiritual Artifact stored in his Storage Ring for research and identification.

This purple-red Copper Mirror wasn’t an ordinary Magic Artifact but an Array Artifact.

An Array Artifact is a tool for setting up arrays, commonly used items like an Array Plate or Array Banner.

Just as magical artifacts are diverse, array artifacts also come in various kinds.

This purple-red Copper Mirror wasn’t an Array Plate or Array Banner type, only usable for setting up specific fixed arrays, but an artifact specially refined for enhancing the destructive power of arrays.

This type of array artifact isn’t limited to any single array for use, but can be placed into any array for enhancement.

Zhouyang wasn’t an Array Master, so sacrificing this array artifact wouldn’t allow him to utilize its function, and after studying it, he stored it away, intending to give it to Zhou Guangxiang later.

Next, after exiting seclusion, Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian began searching the mountain ranges for suitable targets.

Their combined strength was comparable to late-stage Golden Core cultivators; they could boldly venture into several parts of the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower and gained considerable rewards.

Yet they remained cautious, avoiding areas near the Heaven-Reaching Immortal Tower in the depths of the mountains.

Regarding the Heaven-Reaching Immortal Tower, Jiang Fengxian’s fragment contained information stating it was a must-go for Nascent Soul Stage cultivators visiting the Kunxu Realm, where the true treasures of Ten Thousand Treasures Tower reside.

However, seizing treasures from within seemed extremely difficult, even for Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

One day, just as Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian chose a pavilion halfway up the mountain to act, a thundering angry shout suddenly reached them.

"Yu Deshui, are you really going to swallow the Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit alone?"

Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit!

Zhouyang’s expression changed drastically, exchanging glances with Jiang Fengxian, both seeing shock in each other’s eyes.

The so-called "Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit," as its name suggests, is a rare spirit fruit that aids cultivators in enlightenment and cultivation.

This Spirit Fruit is extremely rare and even beneficial to Nascent Soul Stage cultivators. If it occasionally appears on the market, it will be immediately snapped up by Nascent Soul cultivators, leaving Golden Core cultivators without a chance to purchase it.

The most crucial thing is that this "Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit" is unlike many rare spirit fruits, which can only be consumed once in a lifetime. It can be consumed multiple times, although the effect diminishes with each use.

"Let’s go take a look!"

After Zhouyang’s expression changed slightly, he immediately made up his mind and shared his thought with Jiang Fengxian.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Fengxian nodded in acknowledgment, not surprised by his thinking.

With Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Objects like the "Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit," once discovered, anyone would be a fool to watch it fall into others’ hands when there’s a chance to intervene.

Both of them were not the type to blindly stick to principles, so naturally, they wouldn’t pass up on this opportunity.

For Zhouyang, obtaining an "Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit" could greatly aid him, whether in utilizing its "enlightenment" effect for insights into divine techniques, seeking advancement as a Tier Five Refiner, or breaking through cultivation bottlenecks when encountered in the future.

As for Jiang Fengxian, she was stuck at the bottleneck from the early to the middle stage of the Golden Core. Consuming an "Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit" would give her an almost 80% chance of advancing to the fourth layer of the Golden Core and entering the middle stage.

Immediately after making up their minds, the two rushed towards the source of the shout.

Due to the prohibition against flying in the mountain range where the "Ten Thousand Treasures Tower" is located, it took Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian nearly a quarter of an hour to cover just a few dozen miles.

This had its disadvantages, but also benefits.

The downside was that by the time they arrived, the person who shouted and the one who seized the "Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit" were no longer there.

The upside was that without the ability to fly, even if the person had left, they couldn’t have gone far.

Indeed, after following the residual aura for two more quarters of an hour, Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian spotted the silhouette of the fleeing cultivators from afar.

Perhaps because of the previous angry shout, aside from Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian, two or three nearby cultivators were also drawn to come and investigate.

The pursued pair was intercepted by a late-stage Golden Core cultivator. Updates are released by novᴇlfire.net

By the time Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian arrived, the two fleeing cultivators, for reasons unknown, had seemingly reached an agreement and teamed up against the blocking cultivator.

"This is troublesome. Both of them are late-stage Golden Core cultivators. With your skills and mine, seizing the ’Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit’ from them would be exceedingly difficult!"

Zhouyang observed the duel among the three late-stage Golden Core cultivators from a distance, sighed to Jiang Fengxian with a look of regret.

Though flights are prohibited at the "Ten Thousand Treasures Tower," unlike in the "Red Desert," use of magical artifacts like flying swords is allowed and the no-fly zones are far less extensive.

If this were a place like the "Red Desert," Zhouyang, with his physique comparable to that of a Tier Five Demon Beast, would dare to engage even a late-stage Golden Core cultivator.

But here, he wasn’t confident he could seize the treasure from a late-stage Golden Core cultivator.

However, upon hearing his words, Jiang Fengxian slightly shook her head and said, "Not necessarily. Have you forgotten the Jade Talisman I hold?"

Zhouyang hesitated for a moment, pondered briefly, and then replied solemnly, "It’s still too risky. The Jade Talisman might help us settle one person, but with so many people here now, once we use it, we may not be able to escape from them!"

"That’s why we can’t act first; we need to wait for the right opportunity to make our move."

As Jiang Fengxian spoke, the battlefield underwent another change.

The intercepting cultivator, finding himself unmatched and unwilling to reap no benefits for himself, withdrew when realizing the unfavorable situation.

Upon giving way, the two cultivators who had discovered the "Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit" together did not press further, quickly advancing along the path cleared for them and charged out towards areas beyond the "Ten Thousand Treasures Tower".

Witnessing this, Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian, not to mention other cultivators who rushed over, all had changes in their expressions.

If these two cultivators escaped, given the escape methods of Golden Core cultivators, they couldn’t possibly catch them unless a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator intervened.

"Everyone, treasures go to those destined. Initially, it doesn’t matter who ultimately gets the treasures. If these two escape, none of us would benefit. Let’s join forces to contain them first and discuss the rest later!"

The one who spoke was the late-stage Golden Core cultivator who had previously intercepted the fleeing pair.

From his words, it was clear that he yielded initially to avoid fighting with the pair and ending up giving advantage to others, hoping instead to rally the others to act together.

Although everyone saw through his intentions, nobody rejected his proposal, as it was indeed the reality.

"Fellow Daoist is right. Let’s contain those two first and address other matters later."

The responses came from two other Golden Core cultivators who formed a party. Upon responding, they immediately pursued after them.

Though Zhouyang remained silent, his actions indicated agreement with the proposal made by the late-stage Golden Core cultivator.

Consequently, the five Golden Core cultivators reached a consensus and simultaneously launched pursuit against the two fleeing individuals.

With five against two, they naturally held a firm advantage, soon cornering the fleeing duo, leaving them no option but to desperately fend off Zhouyang and the others’ attacks.

However, just as Zhouyang thought they might take down the duo first, an unexpected turn occurred.

The cultivator named "Yu Deshui" suddenly pulled out two spirit Qi-rich white Spirit Fruits during the battle and tossed them to his fighting companion. Then, the two each sought to break out in different directions.

"What do we do? Which one should we chase?"

Jiang Fengxian turned to Zhouyang for advice.

Meanwhile, the other three cultivators were contemplating the same dilemma.

"Two Spirit Fruits would be sufficient for us!"

Without hesitation, Zhouyang made his decision.

Thus, they immediately pursued the cultivator who had received the two Spirit Fruits.

Witnessing their swift decision, the other two groups hesitated momentarily before deciding to chase after the cultivator named "Yu Deshui".

The "Enlightenment Profound Truth Fruit" certainly consisted of more than two pieces. Yu Deshui’s initial intention of monopolizing indicated that the items were in his possession. Now that he handed over two to his partner, it was likely he had more than two Spirit Fruits left.

Therefore, with Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian choosing first, the decision of the other three to pursue Yu Deshui was indeed understandable.