Chapter 2733: Seeking the Ultimate Treasure

The more than two hundred associated treasures within this star system are undoubtedly an astonishing number, especially considering that Lu Ye only encountered a handful of such treasures when he was in the starry sky years ago. While some might remain undiscovered, their total number is certainly not large.

If Lu Ye only needed a few, the God Cauldron of Creation might have been able to provide them as a gesture of gratitude for his previous contributions. However, dozens or hundreds were truly out of the question. The associated treasures of this star system already have owners. If so many were to be extracted, the overall strength of this star system would be greatly diminished, impacting future developments. Furthermore, the value Lu Ye currently demonstrates does not warrant such a significant sacrifice from this star system.

“Is there no other way?” Lu Ye asked.

“There is,” the God Cauldron of Creation replied.

Lu Ye remained silent. Based on his recent experience, he dared not hold too much hope for the God Cauldron’s words, lest he be toyed with again. Its personality seemed somewhat mischievous.

This time, before he could even ask, the God Cauldron continued, “With the power you have displayed, you are unmatched in this star system. You could seek out cultivators who possess associated treasures, kill them, and then seize their treasures.”

“Are you testing me, Revered Deity?” Lu Ye’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Would you do that?” the God Cauldron retorted.

“Revered Deity, your mind is as clear as a mirror; why ask such a question?” Lu Ye slowly shook his head. If he truly intended to do so, he wouldn’t have come here; wouldn’t it be more convenient to just act out there? To pit himself against the entire star system alone might not be wise, but currently, the only ones in this star system who could pose a threat to him were likely the masters of those supreme treasures.

The God Cauldron fell silent. After a long moment, it spoke again: “One never truly knows another’s heart. Do not blame me for testing you. This star system simply cannot withstand much more turmoil. Both I and the Hegemons of this star system can sense that we cannot withstand the Star Abyss’s invasion. Everything we are doing now is merely prolonging our demise. One day, this star system will be torn to shreds, and then the star system will cease to exist.”

Now it was Lu Ye’s turn to fall silent.

The God Cauldron knew these things, and Lu Ye was just as aware. That’s why he had resolutely entered the Star Abyss years ago, solely to find a way to resolve the issue from its root. Although he had seen no hope so far and had little clue, while humans make plans, success depends on fate; one should never live in despair.

“You are very strong! You are the most powerful cultivator this star system has encountered so far. Therefore, I want to reach a gentleman’s agreement with you!” the God Cauldron slowly began.

Lu Ye was somewhat puzzled: “Revered Deity, do you mean…”

The God Cauldron’s gaze was distant: “If one day, this star system shatters, I hope you can protect the beings of this star system to the greatest extent possible. If you can agree to this condition, I will show you a clear path!”

Lu Ye chuckled: “Revered Deity, you trust me so much?”

“Do I have any other choice?” the God Cauldron looked at him.

That was true. For ten thousand years, this star system had only encountered cultivators from the outer realms, who invaded through the Star Abyss Gate like hungry wolves, filled with greed for this star system. Lu Ye was the only one who had infiltrated this star system and, despite possessing immense power, had not embarked on a killing spree. This alone proved his benevolent nature. Moreover, the strength he displayed was trustworthy enough. With no other options, Lu Ye was the only person who could be entrusted with this.

“Alright.” Lu Ye nodded. “If that day truly comes, the cultivators of this star system can come to the inner realm to seek me, and I will certainly protect them to the best of my ability.”

This was a worthwhile agreement! Although it was just a verbal agreement, and no one knew when that day would arrive, this star system boasted several masters of supreme treasures, as well as unique supreme treasures like the God Cauldron of Creation. If all these were to join Lu Ye’s command at that time, Yuanxi City’s strength would undoubtedly skyrocket. Especially the God Cauldron of Creation; the power of this supreme treasure was truly extraordinary, making Lu Ye greatly desire it. Supreme treasures could not be easily wielded by just anyone, but associated treasures could. If every cultivator under his command possessed an associated treasure, what a prosperous scene that would be.

“I hope you will keep your word!” the God Cauldron said, gazing at Lu Ye. With that, it flicked its finger, and a jade slip flew towards him.

Lu Ye gladly accepted it. With a sweep of his divine sense, he found it was a star map with a route inscribed, leading to an unknown destination. “This is…” He looked up at the God Cauldron.

“How the associated treasures of this star system are forged, I presume you have already found out,” the God Cauldron slowly began.

Lu Ye nodded; Yingluo had already explained this to him.

“Since the Star Abyss invasion began, I have been contacting the various supreme treasures of this star system, communicating and negotiating with them to forge numerous associated treasures. I have also helped some of them find the great spirits capable of wielding them. However, even if they do not resist forging associated treasures, the number they can forge in a short period is limited. Exceeding this limit would damage their foundations.”

This is why, despite having a supreme treasure like the God Cauldron of Creation, this star system still only possesses over two hundred associated treasures. Because the number of supreme treasures is limited, the number of associated treasures that can be forged is also limited. Even with the assistance of the God Cauldron of Creation, a single supreme treasure cannot forge an infinite number of associated treasures.

Lu Ye tried to glean useful information from the God Cauldron’s words and vaguely understood, “Revered Deity, are you implying that if one disregards the foundations of those supreme treasures, it’s entirely possible to forge many more associated treasures?”

“You are truly clever.” The God Cauldron’s tone was full of praise, yet its expression remained rigid. “At the end of the route I gave you, there is a supreme treasure. If you are capable of subduing it and bringing it to me, I can forge many associated treasures for you!”

Lu Ye’s eyebrows immediately rose. The God Cauldron had said ‘if you are capable,’ implying that if Lu Ye lacked the ability, she would not be to blame.

Lu Ye vaguely sensed that this supreme treasure was probably one that was disobedient, unwilling to consider the bigger picture, or sacrifice itself for the greater good; otherwise, the God Cauldron would not have offered it up. She must have communicated with it, attempting to use its power to forge associated treasures, but was refused. Such a supreme treasure was useless to this star system, which was why the God Cauldron had used it as a condition for trading with Lu Ye.

“What is this supreme treasure called, and what are its powers?” Lu Ye humbly inquired.

The God Cauldron softly uttered a few words.

Lu Ye’s eyebrows immediately shot up.

Days later, Lu Ye emerged from an extinguished sun. After leaving the God Cauldron, he had followed the route diligently. Along the way, he encountered this sun and, after confirming that no life existed throughout the star system, he ventured inside to absorb some energy, replenishing the fuel for his Talent Tree. The task ahead would largely rely on the power of his Talent Tree.

As he traveled, he was filled with mixed emotions. The intelligence of that God Cauldron of Creation was simply incredible. Outwardly, this supreme treasure seemed to be the condition it offered for a trade with Lu Ye, but in reality, wasn’t it also a test for Lu Ye? The information it had about Lu Ye came from Zhongli’s communications; it hadn’t witnessed anything firsthand. Since it was inconvenient for it to personally test Lu Ye’s true capabilities, the other supreme treasure served as an excellent touchstone. If Lu Ye could indeed subdue that supreme treasure, it would prove he truly had the ability to protect the beings of this star system. Then, if the star system were to shatter in the future, the surviving beings could fully seek his protection. If Lu Ye lacked this ability, then naturally, all talk would cease.

Lu Ye wasn’t entirely confident about whether he could subdue that supreme treasure. So far, he had indeed encountered many supreme treasures, but he had only truly fought against one: the Heavenly Jade Sword. At that time, he was on the Starry Sky Chessboard, empowered by its energy, and his strength had surged to an uncontrollable level. Yet, he was frustrated in his confrontation with Yun Shiwang, who wielded the Heavenly Jade Sword. He eventually had to hand over control of his physical body to a wisp of Blood Calamity’s separated soul to finally contend with Yun Shiwang as an equal. The Heavenly Jade Sword was undoubtedly powerful; if it found a suitable master, the destructive power it could unleash would far exceed that level.

Although the supreme treasure he was going to subdue was not a combat-oriented one, the power of any supreme treasure should not be underestimated. Fortunately, the power of the Talent Tree should, to some extent, be able to restrain the supreme treasure’s power, which gave Lu Ye a little more confidence.

The further he went, the more desolate and uninhabited the area became. This was not due to the Star Abyss invasion; this region of the Star Abyss had been like this even before the invasion. Because for the entire star system, the star field ahead was a forbidden zone!

Several days later, Lu Ye’s heart stirred, and he silently sensed his surroundings. There were traces of poison! Although very faint, it was an extremely potent poison. They drifted through the surrounding void, like countless unseen tiny insects, attempting to burrow into Lu Ye’s body. But they were blocked by the Sky-Battling Holy Dragon Guard.

Lu Ye was slightly surprised and pleased. The Sky-Battling Holy Dragon Guard, a secret Dragon Clan technique, did not require active activation once mastered. It acted like an invisible, ethereal armor encasing Lu Ye. It not only provided Lu Ye with powerful protection but also possessed a strong restraining effect against various magical attacks and a significant resistance to highly toxic substances. This was the first time Lu Ye had felt its protective capabilities since he began cultivating this secret technique. The faint toxins drifting around were no ordinary substances; they were residual emanations of a supreme treasure’s power.

Because the supreme treasure Lu Ye was seeking this time was the Myriad Poison Orb! According to the intelligence he had gathered from the God Cauldron of Creation, the Myriad Poison Orb had long ago developed its own sentience and was fully capable of normal communication. However, when the star system faced calamity, it had refused the God Cauldron’s request to forge associated treasures. Relying on its unique power, it had hidden within a spatial marvel, avoiding the world. Naturally, the God Cauldron of Creation had no way to deal with it and could only ignore it for ten thousand years. However, this did not mean the God Cauldron harbored no resentment. The entire star system was striving, including all supreme treasures capable of communication, yet the Myriad Poison Orb hoarded its power so selfishly. What use was such a supreme treasure if it remained this way?