Chapter 700: Chapter 700
The short cultivator wore a bitter smile.
"Believe it or not, Daoists, I truly did not obtain any useful treasure.
"That cave dwelling was located in an unusual place, inside a nameless cavern on an island, opened up by a senior cultivator through immense power. The reason this Transformation Realm demonic beast hide decayed so easily is undoubtedly related to that cave.
"There was a strange, unidentified cold mist within the cave, not only extremely frigid but also possessing a terrifying corrosive force.
"The cave dwelling was divided into three layers. Due to the barriers being constantly assaulted by the cold mist over an unknown number of years, the first two layers had lost most of their power. Only then was I able to break through. But for the same reason, the cold mist had already invaded long ago, and every treasure stored within those layers had been completely corroded.
"Only the third layer’s barrier appeared intact. The treasures inside might have been spared."
To strengthen his argument, Daoist Fan produced a pill and a spirit talisman one after another. Both had decayed completely, just like the beast hide.
The pill had lost all spiritual essence, reduced to a lump of misshapen residue. Its original form as a spiritual elixir could no longer be recognized.
The talisman was even more fragile. As it passed from hand to hand, a female cultivator tugged slightly at a corner, and it unexpectedly tore. In the next moment, it disintegrated into countless fragments.
She quickly apologized, but Daoist Fan waved it off casually. "Even a spirit talisman couldn’t escape destruction. Can any of you think of a treasure capable of withstanding such corrosion?"
"That was a Sun-Piercing Talisman," someone blurted out.
The fragments fluttered into the sea like snowflakes and vanished as the waves swept over them.
The scholar in the azure robe stared dazedly at the scene, his face full of regret. "I once caught a glimpse of one at an Inner Sea auction, purely by luck. All the bidders were Spiritual Infant grandmasters, and in the end it sold for an astronomical price. And now, this Sun-Piercing Talisman lay silently in some unknown cave, stripped of its power, reduced to scraps... What a pity."
After seeing the beast hide, the pill, and the talisman, everyone began to believe Daoist Fan’s words. Unless it had been the cave of a Spiritual Infant grandmaster, there was no way to gather such treasures, even in a ruined state.
The gaunt elder who had been silently pondering finally spoke, "I recall there was once a former island master of Huntian Island named Saint Dongming, whose ice-type supernatural abilities were utterly astonishing. If what Daoist Fan says about the cold mist is true, then perhaps only someone like Saint Dongming would have dared to establish a cave dwelling in such a place."
Qin Sang knew little about the history of Huntian Island.
But the others, who had hunted demonic beasts there, were more familiar.
Upon hearing the name Saint Dongming, many were visibly shocked. One of them asked Daoist Fan eagerly, "Was it really that senior’s cave dwelling?"
Daoist Fan shook his head. "With the beast hide and the Sun-Piercing Talisman in such a state, what do you think could possibly have remained intact? I did see some fragments of jade slips in the cave, but without exception, they had all decayed beyond recognition. I searched the entire cave dwelling and found nothing that could confirm the identity of the senior who once lived there."
"If it truly was Saint Dongming’s, then what Daoist Fan said is quite credible," the gaunt elder remarked, his tone suddenly softening and no longer so aggressive.
"Saint Dongming had a well-known reputation. I am sure all of you have heard of him. But he was also the one who held the position of Huntian Island’s master for the shortest time. No one knew where he went in the end. It is also said he was the most withdrawn from worldly affairs, which led to chaos on the island during his tenure, much like what we see today. Perhaps he devoted himself fully to cultivation, which is why he chose to open his cave dwelling in such an obscure and unknown place."
Halfway through his words, the elder seemed to recall something. His expression suddenly shifted with alarm. "Saint Dongming left behind so many treasures in that cave. From what you described, it sounds like something happened unexpectedly, and he did not have time to take them with him. Could that place have been where he passed away in meditation?"
"I think that’s unlikely, but I am certain there are treasures within that cave no less valuable than the beast hide and the Sun-Piercing Talisman. I have said all I needed to say. Fellow Daoists, have you made up your mind? Are you going or not?" Daoist Fan replied, shaking his head.
The group exchanged looks. No one immediately agreed, but no one refused either.
Yet Qin Sang could tell that all of them were tempted.
Cave dwellings left behind by Spiritual Infant cultivators were exceedingly rare. With so many treasures inside, this one was no less valuable than the ancient hidden realms of the Small Cold Domain, especially if there was even a chance of finding a Spiritual Infant’s remains.
However, the information revealed by Daoist Fan was far too limited to ease everyone’s concerns.
Under the crowd’s expectant gaze, the gaunt elder naturally stepped forward and asked, "Daoist Fan, since you are inviting us to join you in opening the barrier, I assume you do not intend to claim all the treasures for yourself afterward?"
Daoist Fan gave a cold snort. "What, now? This cave dwelling was discovered by me, and it was I who racked my brains to figure out how to break the barrier. I have already promised to pay you all a reward. Your only task is to follow my instructions and help break the final layer of the barrier. Do you really think you can claim a share of my treasures without lifting a finger?"
There were also two female cultivators among those invited by Daoist Fan.
One of them, with exquisite makeup, giggled and said, "Compared to a Spiritual Infant’s treasure, I’m more than willing to forgo a measly Black Lizard Horn. Besides, since you described the cold mist as so strange and dangerous, aren’t we taking a considerable risk by helping you break the barrier? You gathered us in such a hurry and handpicked this specific group. Surely you had your reasons." Official source ıs novel•fire.net
Daoist Fan's expression shifted several times before he let out a cold snort.
"I knew I couldn’t hide it from sharp eyes like yours. The barrier left behind by that senior served not only to protect the cave dwelling, but also to contain the cold mist and prevent it from seeping out. I was careless and ignorant. After breaking the barrier, I failed to notice the disturbance in time, and now the cold mist is on the verge of bursting out of the cavern. If we delay any longer, it will definitely alarm the nearby demonic beasts.
"I truly had no other choice. If I waited to gather more friends, the treasures would have ended up in the hands of the demon race.
"As for the danger within the cavern, you need not worry. With your strength, you will certainly be able to hold off the cold mist until the barrier is broken. Aside from that, there is no other threat. The cave dwelling’s barrier is purely defensive in nature.
"Besides, I never intended nor have the strength to monopolize the treasure. I have no desire to lose my life over worldly possessions. But let me make this clear. If you want a share of the treasure, then the previous reward I promised will no longer apply. Also, once we break the barrier, I will pick one item first, and the rest will be divided equally."
Seeing that Daoist Fan was being reasonable, the others found it hard to argue further.
The scholar asked, "What if there is only one item in the cave dwelling? Will you still claim it all for yourself?"
"Exactly! I went through countless hardships, while you all stand to gain with little effort. If you cannot even agree to this, then I would rather let the treasure fall into the hands of the demon race. The chances of there being only one treasure are extremely slim. But if that does happen, I will offer you some compensation at my discretion," Daoist Fan replied firmly.