Rain on the Bluestone
"I'm still completely bewildered," Qin Sang said coldly, addressing Master Feng after waving off Island Master Shen. "You kept talking about a conflict between two races, yet inexplicably, we fought a demon king, and then just as inexplicably, a Xuantian Palace traitor and a Xuantian Palace treasure appeared. How much do you really know? Shouldn't you explain yourselves and clear up my confusion?"
The others exchanged glances.
Master Feng produced a pre-prepared statement. "We only just learned of the demon race's conspiracy ourselves, and hadn't yet had a chance to inform you, fellow Taoist..."
Qin Sang had already reaped the greatest benefits and was merely feigning discontent, with no real intention of pursuing the matter. His expression softened slightly after hearing Master Feng's explanation.
"That individual was first pursued by Xuantian Palace, then fled into the demon territory, and was subsequently chased by the Rainbow Rat all the way here... What treasure did he bring out of Xuantian Palace?"
Island Master Shen shook his head. "I couldn't overhear specific information. The Rainbow Rat probably wasn't aware of the full truth at the time, only that Xuantian Palace valued this item extremely highly. They dispatched several elders to pursue it deep into the demon territory, only giving up when they nearly disturbed the Great Sage Tianpeng."
The Great Sage Tianpeng. A powerful cultivator in the late stage of form transformation, he admired the prestige of the ancient demon race's Great Sages and styled himself a Great Sage, infamous throughout the North Sea.
They hadn't obtained any useful information.
Qin Sang mused that he would only know what treasure it was once he opened the ice casket himself.
At this moment, Madame Yue, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "Since the treasure has fallen into the hands of the demon race, why don't we spread the news..."
"Use a borrowed knife to kill!"
Island Master Shen clapped his hands. "I had the same thought! Let's see if they can hold onto that treasure!"
Master Feng, however, hesitated, saying, "I've heard Xuantian Palace always acts domineeringly. I'm afraid that once the news spreads, they won't be the only ones in trouble. A Xuantian Palace treasure appeared nearby, and we all participated in the struggle for it. Even if we claim the demon race took it, others might not believe us. We might attract too many people and lose our peace, ending up doing more harm than good. The situation would become even more complicated then..." As the reigning power in this area, he certainly didn't want to give anyone an excuse to interfere. Even someone as powerful as Master Feng had people and factions he had to be wary of.
The Black-robed Knight echoed, "I still plan to travel elsewhere and wouldn't want to be constantly watched."
Madame Yue nodded her graceful head. "My thinking was too simplistic."
Master Feng shook his head. "Madame Yue's suggestion has merit. We certainly can't let Bi Fang off easy. We can release the news, but it needs careful consideration."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Next, they brought out the ice caskets they had each seized. Including Qin Sang's Snow-Patterned Cold Jade, the human cultivators had managed to seize a total of eight ice caskets. Most of them were various spiritual materials for artifact refinement, with values ranging from high to low. There were no spiritual medicines or similar items, likely consumed by the white-robed man during his escape.
Qin Sang's eyes immediately fixed on a piece of red jade inside one of the ice caskets.
*Whoosh!*
Qin Sang directly drew the red jade into his hand and began to examine it carefully. The red jade had patterns resembling wood grain within it. Holding it, he could feel a warmth emanating from it.
Seeing Qin Sang's actions, Island Master Shen and the others frowned slightly.
Master Feng shook his head slightly, then looked at Qin Sang. "Oh? Have you taken a liking to this Fallen Phoenix Jade, fellow Taoist?"
"Fellow Taoist Feng, you recognize this item?"
Qin Sang averted his gaze, nodded, and said, "I am currently searching for suitable spiritual materials to enhance my magic treasures, and the Fallen Phoenix Jade perfectly meets my requirements. I wonder if you would be willing to part with it?" After a pause, Qin Sang took out the Snow-Patterned Cold Jade. "The Fallen Phoenix Jade is the most valuable among these spiritual materials. I am willing to hand over this piece of Snow-Patterned Cold Jade in exchange for it."
The others exchanged glances.
Master Feng said, "The Snow-Patterned Cold Jade was taken by you from Bi Fang, so it rightfully belongs to Fellow Taoist Qin. Since you put it that way, I have no objection."
Madame Yue, on the other hand, said delightedly, "I was just about to refine an ice-attribute magic treasure, and half a piece of Snow-Patterned Cold Jade would be sufficient. Many thanks, Fellow Taoist Qin."
Qin Sang took the Fallen Phoenix Jade and stepped aside, watching as Master Feng and the others divided the remaining spiritual materials. Everyone was pleased.
Master Feng then prepared to launch a counter-offensive against the demon race. As speed was essential in warfare, Island Master Shen and the others immediately returned to make arrangements.
Before long, only Qin Sang and Master Feng remained in the main hall.
Master Feng said apologetically, "I should have waited for the demon race to retreat before fulfilling my promise to take you to Hundred Flowers Valley. However, the situation has changed, and I'm afraid I won't be able to leave anytime soon. I can write you a letter, and you can take it to visit the Hundred Flowers Valley Master. Alternatively, you could stay as my guest for a while longer, and once things here stabilize, I'll accompany you myself?"
Hearing this, Qin Sang fell into silent contemplation. Upon hearing that Master Feng and the others intended to spread the news, he had already decided to leave this troubled area as soon as possible. He was relatively weak and lacked strong backing. If powerful cultivators from Xuantian Palace or other major forces came calling, it would be difficult to deal with them. However, he sought an audience with the Hundred Flowers Valley Master not just to exchange insights. If Hundred Flowers Valley possessed unique insect-controlling secret arts, he also wished to seek their guidance. Relying solely on a letter would not be conducive to building a close relationship.
After some thought, Qin Sang said, "Then I shall wait a while longer. Since I have nothing else to do, I'll continue to guard Shichen Island for you, fellow Taoist Feng. If there's an opportunity to hunt Bi Fang or other demons, I'd also like to vent some of my frustration."
Master Feng was overjoyed.
Bidding farewell to Master Feng, Qin Sang flew back to Shichen Island without delay. As before, he left the Nascent Soul talisman puppet in the immortal's cave. Qin Sang himself then entered a nearby island reef, took out a set of formation flags, and set up layers of restrictions before finally retrieving the mysterious ice casket.
"What a complex seal," he mused, "I wonder what treasure this is..."
Qin Sang picked up the ice casket and began to examine it carefully. The ice casket was crystalline but not transparent, its interior a solid pale white. It was unclear whether the white light emanated from the sealing power or the treasure itself. Even with his Heavenly Eye Butterfly, he could only perceive a mass of white light, unable to discern its contents.
"Hiss! This ice casket seems to be made of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice!"
Qin Sang was secretly astounded. Xuantian Palace indeed demonstrated immense extravagance, using rare Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice to craft a mere container. This discovery only heightened Qin Sang's anticipation.
Unexpectedly, an hour passed, and Qin Sang found himself completely bewildered, with no idea where to even begin. He observed the ice casket repeatedly, activating his spiritual sense and, with the aid of his Heavenly Eye Butterfly, meticulously analyzing the seal on its surface. Unbeknownst to him, an entire day and night slipped by.
Night fell on the second day.
Qin Sang, his face etched with fatigue, entered meditation for a period of quiet cultivation before picking up the ice casket once more. His expression became extremely solemn.
"The seal is seamless, but that's not the most difficult part. Inside the ice casket, there seems to be an incredibly violent power. I wonder if it's just my imagination..."
With a thought, Qin Sang decided to try something. He placed the jade casket on the ground. Then, a gentle force flowed from Qin Sang's palm, slowly approaching the ice casket. Time itself seemed to slow down. Qin Sang's movements were exceedingly gentle.
Finally, the surface of the ice casket shimmered with a faint light, and pale blue threads subtly emerged within the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice as the sealing power manifested.
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