Chapter 1773: True Treasure

**The Mortal World**

In front of the courtyard.

Qin Sang, now disguised, had just presented his visiting card. He stood with his hands behind his back in front of the gate, surveying the courtyard.

He saw lush trees, heard birds singing, and smelled fragrant flowers. It was a rare and excellent dwelling, an ideal cave abode, anywhere.

This was the residence of Master Qi.

Soon after, a Daoist boy hurried out, bowing as he said, "Senior Bright Moon, Master requests your presence."

"Thank you, young Daoist."

Qin Sang responded kindly, expressed his thanks, and was led by the Daoist boy into the reception hall.

The Daoist boy offered fragrant tea and spirit fruits, saying, "Please wait a moment, Senior. Master has a few matters to attend to and will be here shortly."

Qin Sang nodded, "Please go ahead, young Daoist."

Once the Daoist boy left, Qin Sang sipped the fragrant tea, pondering to himself.

Qin Sang's visit to Master Qi was not to request the refinement of a magical artifact. He had two objectives.

Firstly, to seek guidance on artifact refining techniques.

His Natal Spirit Sword, the Roaming Cloud Sword, had remained unused since incorporating the True Spirit of Scorched Wood, as he was waiting for it to birth its own spirituality.

Although Qin Sang had received some guidance and ancient texts in the Storm Realm, there wasn't much experience he could draw upon for reference.

Secondly, he wanted to ask the master to examine three damaged treasures and determine their origins.

Qin Sang mused that the three damaged treasures likely originated from the Immortal Palace, and their grade certainly wouldn't be low. Revealing all of them might arouse suspicion, and he didn't want to stir up any trouble.

With Qin Sang's current strength, he didn't fear the Jushan Sect as much as the Daoist Court, but he was concerned that some factions might be colluding with the Daoist Court.

It would be better to take out one item first to test the waters.

Qin Sang's spiritual sense entered his Qianjun Ring, and three damaged treasures appeared before his eyes: a sword, a drum, and a scroll.

Qin Sang valued the Shadow-Bearing Sword the most; after all, he was a sword cultivator, and this sword appeared to be the most intact. The more he valued it, the more cautious he had to be.

The broken drum had a hole in its surface, and it seemed that restoring the hole would be enough to repair the treasure.

As for the scroll, it depicted an endless expanse of water, constantly flowing, still running incessantly, emitting the sound of gurgling water. The treasure itself possessed an unusual phenomenon.

When he first obtained this treasure, Qin Sang couldn't discern anything special about it, judging only from its appearance that it might be the most valuable.

Now that his cultivation had advanced significantly, looking at the treasure again, Qin Sang had a new insight: he suspected the scroll was the most severely damaged.

Just then, Qin Sang sensed someone approaching the hall. He withdrew his spiritual sense, rose, and looked towards the door. Seeing the person, he was taken aback.

Such an unkempt person was truly rare!

The newcomer was a plump Daoist priest with disheveled hair, looking hurried. His Daoist robe was a magical artifact with self-cleaning abilities, appearing new but with a large hole ripped in its side.

Considering his attire, his rotund figure seemed less strange.

Qin Sang couldn't imagine how a Daoist priest with Nascent Soul cultivation could get himself into such a state.

Some alchemists who experimented with pills on themselves, or cultivators of the evil path, might end up looking neither human nor ghost.

The plump Daoist priest was indeed Master Qi, whom he sought.

This person was highly skilled in artifact refining; a pseudo-spiritual treasure that appeared at the Jushan Assembly's auction had been crafted by him.

However, when Qin Sang discerned Master Qi's cultivation level, a doubt arose in his mind.

"One should not judge a book by its cover."

Qin Sang thought to himself, but he couldn't help but wonder if this person would meet his expectations.

"Daoist Bright Moon?"

Master Qi quickly entered the hall, bringing a gust of wind with him. He squinted his eyes to examine Qin Sang, mumbling, "I thought some old fellow was using an alias to amuse this poor Daoist. Unexpectedly, Daoist friend, you are quite unfamiliar."

Qin Sang bowed and said, "This poor Daoist rarely visited Star Island Immortal Lake before. After my breakthrough, I ventured out, wishing to refine a suitable magical artifact, and thus came to visit you, Master."

"So, you just broke through... please sit."

Master Qi suddenly understood.

Given Master Qi's reputation, many Ascended Profound True Persons came to visit, but not everyone could meet the master himself.

If Qin Sang hadn't revealed his late-stage Nascent Soul aura, Master Qi wouldn't have invited him in so readily.

"What kind of magical artifact are you planning to refine, Daoist friend?" Master Qi was indeed focused solely on artifact refining; he didn't ask about Qin Sang's background and went straight to the point.

Qin Sang was also an artifact refiner. Through his questions, he subtly probed the master's attainments in the path of artifact refining, gradually shedding his initial disdain.

This person was indeed worthy of his reputation; sometimes, just a few words from him would enlighten Qin Sang.

After a while of discussion, Master Qi frowned. "Daoist friend, it seems you don't have a clear idea yet."

Qin Sang's questions earlier were wild and imaginative. If Master Qi hadn't found them interesting himself, he would have become very impatient by now.

"That's why I came to seek your guidance, Master."

Qin Sang smiled, "This poor Daoist will be staying in Pot City for a while, so there's no rush. Besides, I also acquired something and would like to ask for your expertise on it, Master."

As he spoke, the Qianjun Ring shimmered, and a wooden box appeared in Qin Sang's hand. He opened its seal.

"This treasure was unexpectedly obtained by this poor Daoist. I've kept it for many years but have never been able to fully understand it. Please examine it, Master."

Master Qi knew this was Qin Sang's true intention. He was somewhat surprised and grew very interested, his gaze fixed keenly on the wooden box.

From their previous conversation, Master Qi could tell that Qin Sang was not completely ignorant of artifact refining.

Those questions must have been a test for him. What kind of treasure could make this person so cautious?

'Snap!'

The wooden box opened, and the sound of flowing water immediately filled the hall.

Immediately, a scroll flew out of the wooden box and hovered in mid-air. The scroll's shape was irregular, having five corners.

The entire scroll was covered with a depiction of water, flowing as if a segment had been cut from a river surface, its source and end unknown.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The sound of flowing water echoed in the hall.

"This is..."

Master Qi stared intently at the scroll, his expression somewhat captivated. He suddenly turned to Qin Sang, his voice eager, "May this poor Daoist hold it and examine it?"

He knew the rules and wouldn't ask about the treasure's origin.

"No problem."

Qin Sang nodded, a surge of anticipation in his heart. This person seemed to have truly recognized something.

Master Qi raised his right hand, and the scroll flew to him on its own.

Qin Sang's eyes flashed. He felt that the person was performing some kind of secret art, as invisible fluctuations enveloped the scroll.

When the scroll landed in Master Qi's palm, streaks of white light suddenly shot out from his hand, quickly forming a cloud of white mist that enveloped the scroll.

Ignoring the stranger beside him, Master Qi closed his eyes in absorption, his entire mind sinking into the white mist.

Qin Sang picked up his spirit tea and sipped it slowly, quietly observing Master Qi's actions.

Master Qi continuously formed several hand seals, then sat cross-legged and still. The white mist and scroll hovered before him, the mist swirling and unfurling, the scroll appearing and disappearing, fluctuating within the mist.

After a while, Master Qi changed his hand seals again, causing the scroll to sometimes roll up like a painting scroll and sometimes unfurl.

Qin Sang gradually discerned something. The mist contained a peculiar power, and Master Qi was attempting to manipulate this power to infiltrate the scroll, seemingly a rather ingenious secret art of artifact refining.

Unfortunately, the seemingly gentle flowing water repeatedly thwarted Master Qi's efforts. No matter how many hand seals he changed, they were always repelled by the flowing water.

However, Master Qi was not entirely without gain. The mist gradually gathered towards the edges of the scroll, forming a mist ring.

Following this, the changes in the mist became increasingly subtle.

It was unclear how much time had passed.

Master Qi suddenly let out a long sigh and withdrew his spiritual focus.

Qin Sang's heart stirred. Master Qi had used every method, yet the scroll showed no change. Had he failed?

"Master, have you discerned anything?" Qin Sang eagerly asked.

Master Qi pondered, "This poor Daoist isn't entirely certain, but..."

He paused, then Master Qi suddenly changed his tone and asked Qin Sang, "Daoist friend, do you know what happens when a magical artifact, after nurturing a spirit embryo and becoming a spiritual treasure, continues to ascend in grade?"

Qin Sang naturally knew. What Master Qi referred to as a "spirit embryo" was likely what he understood as "spirituality." After spirituality was born, a tool spirit would naturally be nurtured.

"A tool spirit is born?"

"That's only one aspect."

Master Qi nodded, "This poor Daoist was fortunate enough to read an ancient text which recorded that after achieving the status of a spiritual treasure, one can choose to help it nurture a tool spirit, which is then divided into innate and acquired."

Qin Sang pricked up his ears and listened carefully. This was a secret concerning treasures beyond spiritual treasures.

Although he only possessed one spiritual treasure at the moment.

Since they had reached this point, Master Qi decided to explain in detail: "The distinction between innate and acquired is based on the origin of the treasure and its tool spirit. Those refined by cultivators are called acquired spirit-nurturing treasures, or acquired spiritual treasures. Legends say there are innate spiritual treasures in the world, born with innate spirit embryos, whose tool spirits are nurtured by heaven and earth. These are called innate spirit embryo treasures, or innate spiritual treasures. As for any further differences between innate and acquired spiritual treasures, this poor Daoist cannot tell you..."

Master Qi continued, "Besides these, there's another branch, called True Treasures."

"True Treasures?"

Qin Sang showed a thoughtful expression.

"Indeed. It is said that at the very moment a tool spirit is about to be born, one can use immense divine power to forcibly interrupt the process and thoroughly refine the spirit embryo into the spiritual treasure. This way, a True Treasure can be created."

At this point, Master Qi revealed an expression of awe. "When I first learned this secret, this poor Daoist was shocked for a long time, thinking it was a great waste. But according to that ancient text, True Treasures are no less inferior to acquired spiritual treasures; in some aspects, they might even be stronger. Above spiritual treasures, innate spiritual treasures, acquired spiritual treasures, and True Treasures are each said to have their unique strengths..."

As for the exact differences between the three supreme treasures, Master Qi couldn't elaborate, as he hadn't reached that realm himself.

Qin Sang also understood that the Daoist sects might possess relevant ancient texts and inheritances, but Master Qi was not a member of a Daoist sect and thus lacked the qualifications to view them.

Qin Sang quickly calmed his thoughts and looked at the scroll with surprise, "Could it be that this poor Daoist stumbled upon a great opportunity, and this is one of the three supreme treasures?"

"Most likely a fragment of a True Treasure..."

Master Qi hesitated, "When complete, it was probably a spirit map, a banner, or a cloud garment, something of that sort."

"A fragment of a True Treasure?"

Disappointment flashed in Qin Sang's eyes. He had thought it was a damaged True Treasure, but a damaged True Treasure and a fragment of a True Treasure were two different concepts.

He gazed at the scroll, not expecting such a significant origin for this treasure. It seemed that the Formless Immortal Sect had explored the Immortal Palace very deeply back then.

In the Cloud Pool of the Langhuan Jade Pavilion, the scroll, the Shadow-Bearing Sword, and the broken drum were the three most striking treasures.

"Could the other two also be True Treasures?"

Qin Sang's heart burned with anticipation. He feigned excitement and looked at Master Qi, "Master, is there any way to repair this treasure?"

Master Qi gave a wry smile, "Daoist friend, you think too highly of this poor Daoist. Let alone a fragment of a True Treasure, even a slightly damaged True Treasure is beyond my capabilities. To be honest, this poor Daoist's lifelong ambition is merely to refine a single spiritual treasure."

At this moment, Master Qi, who had been hesitant to speak, finally couldn't hold back. Disregarding all decorum, he repeatedly asked, "Daoist friend, could you tell this poor Daoist where you obtained this treasure?"

"This..."

Qin Sang hesitated for a moment before saying, "This poor Daoist obtained it unexpectedly during a journey deep within the Sinister Plains. I found it somewhat profound, so I brought it back, not realizing its origins were so astonishing."

This was the excuse he had prepared long ago.

The Sinister Plains and Sinister Sea were dangerous and mysterious places, and it was not uncommon for people to find opportunities there.

Master Qi didn't doubt him, saying thoughtfully, "Daoist friend, you might have come across a place where a Grand Daoist Master or even a legendary True Monarch of the Daoist sects once fought. Only they are capable of refining and shattering True Treasures."

Qin Sang then took the scroll into his hand, examining it repeatedly. He sighed lightly, "So, not only is this treasure beyond repair, but even attempting to re-refine it for other uses is wishful thinking."

"This poor Daoist truly cannot do it. If Daoist friend can persuade a high-ranking expert from the Daoist sects, perhaps they can point you in the right direction," Master Qi repeatedly shook his head.

Visiting high-ranking Daoist experts was definitely something he would do in the future.

Since it was merely a fragment of a True Treasure, the risk of attracting covetous gazes was much lower.

Qin Sang thought to himself, and with a flick of his hand, he was about to put away the scroll.

Master Qi exclaimed in urgency, "Daoist friend, wait!"

"Master, is there something else?" Qin Sang asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

In the cultivation world, those who focused entirely on side paths, just like those solely pursuing the immortal path, were all fanatics.

He could bait Master Lingxu with a Witch Tribe elixir recipe, and he could also bait Master Qi with a True Treasure fragment.

This method had never failed, so he wasn't worried about the other party not taking the bait.

As expected, Master Qi rubbed his hands and cautiously said, "Since Daoist friend will be staying in Pot City for some time, might I borrow this treasure for a look? Although this poor Daoist cannot refine it, if I could study it thoroughly, it would be of great benefit... I would be immensely grateful to you, Daoist friend."

Qin Sang feigned hesitation, then said, "This poor Daoist would be delighted to see Master's divine abilities advance. It would truly be a fortune for cultivators of our Jushan governance."

Master Qi's face immediately lit up with joy.

Unexpectedly, Qin Sang's tone changed, "However..."

Under Master Qi's worried gaze, Qin Sang spoke unhurriedly, "To be frank, this poor Daoist also has considerable interest in the path of artifact refining, but unfortunately, lacking a renowned master, my knowledge is shallow. When Master studies this treasure, could you allow this poor Daoist to observe and perhaps offer some simple explanations? Also, this poor Daoist intends to take on disciples and has long admired the prestigious sects of Star Island Immortal Lake. I wish to secure a qualification for my disciples to receive their official registrations. Would Master be able to introduce me then?"

For Master Qi, only the first condition presented a difficulty.

The sects of Star Island Immortal Lake had all tried to recruit Master Qi at some point, and he had some connections with them. Securing a qualification for official registration wouldn't be difficult.

Qin Sang's request was not merely about sharing insights. Studying the True Treasure required special Daoist arts, and explaining its intricacies to Qin Sang would inevitably involve the core essentials of Master Qi's lineage, which was akin to guiding a direct disciple.

This was openly learning from another's master.

But the temptation of the True Treasure was too great!

In the end, Master Qi couldn't resist the temptation. "As Daoist friend wishes! However, let it be known beforehand, I cannot guarantee how much Daoist friend will ultimately comprehend."

"That will depend on whether this poor Daoist's comprehension is high or low."

Qin Sang smiled and handed over the scroll.