Chapter 698: Blue Lotus Cauldron

Glazed Bamboo is one of the ten spiritual bamboos in the immortal cultivation world. It grows in unique environments, making it extremely rare. Glazed Bamboo over a thousand years old is almost extinct, let alone over five thousand years old.

"Oh, what's this?" Wang Changsheng exclaimed softly, his gaze falling upon the cauldron's inner wall.

Following his gaze, one could see five mysterious runes. At first glance, they looked like runes; upon a second look, they resembled characters; and upon a third, they appeared to be five lifelike demonic beast patterns.

Ye Lin stepped forward to examine them, a look of recollection on his face. He said, "These are ancient characters. The first two characters are 'Qinglian' (Green Lotus). These five characters should be the name of this magical treasure, likely something like 'Green Lotus Cauldron.'"

"Ancient characters?" Wang Changsheng was a little surprised. So, this small cauldron was a magical treasure from ancient times?

Wang Changsheng's heart grew extremely excited. A magical treasure from ancient times was incomparable to ordinary ones.

Judging by the unusual behavior of the Glazed Bamboo, this small cauldron might be a unique treasure used for cultivating refining materials. Of course, this was merely Wang Changsheng's speculation; he would understand it better after a few more experiments.

Since he didn't know its full name yet, Wang Changsheng temporarily called it the Green Lotus Cauldron.

The lid of the Green Lotus Cauldron itself was not heavy, but once closed, it required a great deal of effort to open, which was very peculiar.

"This time, I've acquired an incredible treasure. Qingshan still doesn't have a Natal Magical Treasure. This Glazed Bamboo can be used to refine a flying sword artifact. Glazed Bamboo is one of the ten spiritual bamboos in the immortal cultivation world, so a flying sword refined from it would definitely be very powerful. It's just a shame there's only a small amount of Glazed Bamboo, enough to refine only one flying sword." Wang Changsheng said with some regret.

Ye Lin smiled and said, "This Glazed Bamboo is much better than a thousand-year-old one. Although it can only be used to refine one flying sword, its power will definitely surpass that of ordinary flying swords."

"Thanks to you, otherwise, not to mention slaying the Ghost-Devouring Thunder Python, I wouldn't even have been able to get past those restrictions."

"We're family, no need for formalities. You're busy; I need to head back. Changyue must be worried sick."

Ye Lin's lifespan was running out. He no longer desired anything else; raising his two children and growing old with Wang Changyue would bring him complete satisfaction.

After seeing Ye Lin off, Wang Changsheng took out a large pile of items and meticulously began counting them.

Three Core Formation cultivators had died at the hands of the Ghost-Devouring Thunder Python, so their belongings naturally fell to Wang Changsheng.

He had over 1.2 million spirit stones, a pile of third-tier refining materials, and thirteen magical treasures.

They had no identity tokens on them, suggesting they were rogue cultivators.

Wang Changsheng selected four magical treasures and put the rest away. He could give them to other clan members if they advanced to the Core Formation stage in the future.

The Profound Sun Mirror, an offensive magical treasure, could release golden light beams to harm enemies. The Mountain-Shaking Seal was a heavy-type magical treasure. The Ink Cloud Umbrella was a defensive magical treasure, though its handle had some fine cracks, indicating it had sustained significant damage. The Illusionary Water Banner could release mist to trap enemies.

With these four magical treasures, Wang Changsheng had more confidence when facing enemies and wouldn't need to immediately use the Mountain Sea Pearl.

He placed a fist-sized blue ore into the Green Lotus Cauldron and closed the lid.

Opening his mouth, a stream of black flames flew out, enveloping the Glazed Bamboo. He intended to refine a Natal Flying Sword for Wang Qingshan.

In the Coral Sea, on Yellow Dragon Island. True Monarch Yellow Dragon was discussing something with two Nascent Soul cultivators, all three of their expressions grim.

"The people sent to the Northern Frontier have returned. The Nine Nether Sect once experienced internal strife, but Sect Master Shangguan Wei quickly quelled it and offered a hefty reward for Ye Lin's capture. Ye Lin was a formation master of the Nine Nether Sect, and his father, an elder of the Nine Nether Sect, had gone missing after failing in the contention for the sect master position, most likely dead. From various intelligence reports, it seems the items in Ye Lin's cultivation cave are genuine. We didn't realize it until we sent people to the Northern Frontier, but the Nine Nether Sect's strength places it among the top ten in the South Sea immortal cultivation world. They have profound foundations and are not someone we can afford to provoke," True Monarch Yellow Dragon said slowly, his tone heavy.

The first half of the "Nine Nether Heavenly Illusion Scripture" cultivation technique was now in Yellow Dragon Island's possession, becoming a hot potato.

"The Nine Nether Sect's power can rank among the top ten in the South Sea immortal cultivation world?" The other two exchanged glances, expressions of shock on their faces.

One must know that the South Sea immortal cultivation world was rich in cultivation resources and home to many high-level cultivators. Yellow Dragon Island had some renown within the Coral Sea, but outside it, the name Yellow Dragon Island wouldn't carry much weight. The ten major sects of the South Sea were different; each force had been passed down for tens of thousands of years, boasting profound foundations and countless masters.

Yellow Dragon Island dared to provoke the Heavenly Sea Pavilion and the Cold Flame Gate, but it would absolutely not dare to provoke any of the ten major sects of the South Sea.

It was foreseeable that if Yellow Dragon Island's disciples cultivated the "Nine Nether Heavenly Illusion Scripture," and the Nine Nether Sect traced it back, the trouble would certainly be significant.

"According to the original plan, should we change its name and let the disciples of the Heavenly Sea Pavilion obtain it?"

True Monarch Yellow Dragon shook his head and said, "No, the Nine Nether Sect is too powerful. One wrong move, and we'll be playing with fire. Even if the Heavenly Sea Pavilion doesn't recognize it as a Heaven-grade cultivation technique, the Nine Nether Sect wouldn't rashly act against them. There are only a few major forces, so it would be easy for them to suspect us. The 'Nine Nether Heavenly Illusion Scripture' must be spread to other sea regions, the further away the better. The 'Nine Nether Heavenly Illusion Scripture' can be kept as a trump card to be used against a suitable target."

"How about we disseminate the cultivation technique, let other forces cultivate it, and see the Nine Nether Sect's reaction, relying on the 'law does not punish the masses' principle? If the Nine Nether Sect doesn't react, then we can let our disciples cultivate it."

Even if the Nine Nether Sect was powerful enough to destroy one or two forces, they couldn't possibly annihilate all cultivators and forces practicing the "Nine Nether Heavenly Illusion Scripture"!

"There's no need. Heaven-grade cultivation techniques are immensely powerful, but they require a great deal of resources. Conservatively estimated, the resources consumed to cultivate one Core Formation cultivator practicing a Heaven-grade technique would be enough to cultivate five ordinary Core Formation cultivators. While it's true that the law doesn't punish the masses, who can guarantee that the Nine Nether Sect won't hold us accountable? Furthermore, Heaven-grade cultivation techniques are precious precisely because they are rare. If the 'Nine Nether Heavenly Illusion Scripture' were widely spread and many people cultivated it, this technique would no longer be considered valuable."

If the "Nine Nether Heavenly Illusion Scripture" were widely disseminated, its weaknesses would be easily discovered, making practitioners vulnerable in combat.

Spreading the "Nine Nether Heavenly Illusion Scripture" would not bring much benefit to Yellow Dragon Island. Even if their disciples cultivated it, they could at most train one or two powerful Core Formation cultivators. True Monarch Yellow Dragon was thinking more about himself; 'heaven and earth destroy those who are not for themselves.'

The stronger he became, the more Yellow Dragon Island would prosper. A few more powerful Core Formation cultivators wouldn't significantly impact Yellow Dragon Island. For major events, it was still up to Nascent Soul cultivators to resolve them. In conflicts between sects, Core Formation cultivators were the main fighting force, not the decision-makers.

"That's true, what a pity. A Heaven-grade cultivation technique... Sect Master Shangguan Wei of the Nine Nether Sect must be very powerful! If she discovered a cultivator practicing the 'Nine Nether Heavenly Illusion Scripture,' she certainly wouldn't let them live."

True Monarch Yellow Dragon waved his hand and said, "However strong Shangguan Wei is, it has nothing to do with us. We just need to make sure we don't provoke her. Zhang Wuchen is celebrating his four hundredth birthday, and he's invited me to attend. I'll leave the island's affairs to you."

Zhang Wuchen had gained significant renown in recent years. Since Zhang Wuchen had invited True Monarch Yellow Dragon to his birthday celebration, True Monarch Yellow Dragon naturally wouldn't refuse. There might be some opportunities; Zhang Wuchen had attained the Nascent Soul stage many years ago, and this was his first major birthday celebration, so there must be something very important happening.

"Very well, Senior Brother Huang, please go without worry! We will look after Yellow Dragon Island."