Chapter 273: Discovery of a Spiritual Artifact

Jiang Fan was baffled by the question. He said, "Naturally, it's my experience with physical cultivation."

"Don't you cultivate physical techniques?"

"Hmm???"

Moon Mingzhu's eyes widened. "You're also skilled in physical cultivation? That can't be true, can it?"

Jiang Fan's cultivation level was already far ahead of his peers, truly in a league of its own. It was clear he must have poured all his energy into it. Otherwise, he wouldn't have achieved his current success. Where would he find the energy to also focus on physical techniques? Even a monstrous prodigy like Xia Chaoge wouldn't dare to spread himself so thin, would he?

Jiang Fan was speechless. "What's there to fake about it?" He raised his fist and casually punched the stone wall beside him.

*Boom*—

The secret chamber trembled slightly, and large amounts of dust fell down. Where he punched, a three-inch deep fist print appeared.

Moon Mingzhu was so shocked her eyes nearly popped out. That single punch was comparable to a first-layer Core Formation cultivator! Even the elite disciples of the Giant Sect might not possess such power. Moreover, it was clear Jiang Fan had merely punched casually, not using his full strength. If he displayed his full physical combat abilities, even the chief disciple of the Giant Sect might not be able to match him.

She stared blankly at Jiang Fan. She wondered if she was having hallucinations after falling into the abyss. How could such a monstrous prodigy exist in this world? Dual cultivation of physical and spiritual techniques was one thing, but to have both at the pinnacle of the Nine Sects' lands! And not only that, but he also possessed divine medical skills and unparalleled comprehension. Did such a person truly exist?

Seeing Moon Mingzhu's strange expression, Jiang Fan muttered, "This bit of physical technique should be inferior to yours. No need to be so surprised, right?"

*How could I not be surprised?* Moon Mingzhu snapped out of her daze, momentarily at a loss for words to complain. Her previous strike was simply the physical strength expected of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator, not something achieved through specialized training. What did she know about physical techniques? She casually replied, "Yes, let's exchange physical techniques sometime. Now, let's quickly see what this secret chamber is for." She didn't want to talk to Jiang Fan anymore, fearing he might reveal yet another talent she couldn't comprehend.

Jiang Fan also walked over, full of curiosity. Peering into the chamber, he saw several wooden shelves completely covered in dusty bottles and jars. In the center of the chamber was a similarly dusty alchemy cauldron, its original color obscured. Jiang Fan recognized it at a glance and exclaimed, "This is an alchemy chamber! This Nascent Soul grand elder is indeed a Soul Master!" This confirmed his judgment about the footprints. They were traces left by practicing soul power. The owner of this cave dwelling truly was a Nascent Soul Soul Master!

An alchemy chamber? Moon Mingzhu's eyes lit up, and she immediately went to the wooden shelves, rummaging through the bottles and jars. Jiang Fan, however, had no interest in them. He walked directly to the alchemy cauldron. He swept away the thick layer of dust, revealing the cauldron's true appearance. It was an alchemy cauldron carved with nine dragons and covered in intricate, unique patterns. Its material was extremely unusual. Despite centuries of erosion, it looked as good as new, without the slightest hint of rust.

With a thought, he tried to inject a wisp of spiritual energy into it. The ink-black cauldron immediately vibrated and emitted an incredibly powerful spiritual pressure! Moon Mingzhu, who was still rummaging through bottles and jars, was startled. She turned her head and revealed a look of shock. "This... this is... a spirit artifact?" Not quite believing it, she walked over and placed her palm on the cauldron. But as soon as she did, an astonishing spiritual pressure repelled her hand. Her face filled with wild joy. "That's right! It's a spirit artifact! Such astonishing spiritual pressure can only come from a spirit artifact! I actually get to see a spirit artifact with my own eyes?" Her eyes trembled, filled with immense fervor.

Until Jiang Fan spoke up, interrupting her. "Do you need this item?"

"Uh—" Moon Mingzhu's expression instantly froze. An alchemy cauldron is only useful to a Soul Master. For anyone else, it would be nothing more than scrap metal. This made Moon Mingzhu somewhat frantic, and she angrily kicked the cauldron: "How great it would be if you were a sword, or at least some other weapon! But no, you just *had* to be the most useless alchemy cauldron! This is outrageous! I, Moon Mingzhu, am destined to be at odds with Soul Masters for the rest of my life!" She was truly furious! For the first time in her life, she had the fortune to encounter a legendary spirit artifact, only for it to be an alchemy cauldron she couldn't use at all! Who wouldn't be driven mad by that?

Jiang Fan chuckled inwardly. Just because she couldn't have it, she curses Soul Masters? How pathetic! Coincidentally, Jiang Fan didn't have a dedicated alchemy cauldron yet. He wouldn't stand on ceremony with this one. He stepped forward and grasped the cauldron, attempting to lift it.

However. As he tried to lift it, Jiang Fan froze. The cauldron didn't budge! "So heavy?" Jiang Fan was surprised, activating his physical strength. But the cauldron was like Mount Tai, not even swaying. Jiang Fan refused to believe it; he activated all his physical and spiritual energy. To his astonishment, the cauldron simply couldn't be moved! "How can this be?" Jiang Fan was incredulous. His current strength was at least equivalent to a second-layer Core Formation cultivator. He should be able to lift a boulder the size of a thatched hut, even if just barely, right? How could something be completely immovable like this?

Seeing Jiang Fan's discomfiture, Moon Mingzhu's terrible mood finally improved. *So you, too, have your moments?* She chuckled, "What's wrong, didn't you eat? You can't even lift such a small cauldron?" Jiang Fan's face darkened. He said, "This cauldron is strange." Moon Mingzhu's smile widened as she gloated, "Can't do it yourself, blame the cauldron! If you can't move this cauldron, then I'll take it. Although I don't need it, I'm sure I can get a lot of benefits by giving it to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master." Watching Jiang Fan's face grow darker and darker, Moon Mingzhu felt incredibly pleased, chuckling as she walked up to the cauldron. She gripped the cauldron handles with both hands, casually attempting to lift it, and said: "Such a tiny cauldron, easy to lift..."

The words were still on her lips. Her expression froze first. Because the cauldron hadn't moved an inch! How could that be? Although she hadn't used spiritual energy, she was still a late-stage Core Formation body cultivator; there was no reason she couldn't budge a half-person-tall cauldron. She tried again, but it was still the same. The cauldron seemed to be firmly welded to the ground.

Jiang Fan frowned. "Your physical strength can't move it either?" Moon Mingzhu's face flushed, and she said guiltily, "Who, who said that? I haven't used my full strength yet!" Left with no choice, she secretly circulated her spiritual energy for one last attempt. Surely, unleashing the power of a late-stage Core Formation cultivator would be enough? To her shock, she exerted all her strength, her face turning red from the effort. The cauldron still hadn't moved an inch. She was stunned. "This thing is problematic!" With her strength, even a small mountain would at least tremble, even if she couldn't lift it. How could it be completely motionless?

Seeing that she couldn't move it either, Jiang Fan rubbed his chin and circled the cauldron. Suddenly, he felt a slightly uneven, subtle sensation under his feet. Looking down, there seemed to be something in the pile of ashes he was standing on. He used his foot to push aside the dust. To his surprise, he found a line of characters carved into the ground using soul power! They were left by that Nascent Soul senior! Jiang Fan's pupils contracted, and he immediately focused his gaze upon them.