Chapter 619: Cold Dragon Essence Pill

Under the focused gaze of many eyes, the square black jade, which appeared as a single piece, vibrated slightly. Slowly, a neat opening appeared in the center of its upward-facing jade surface. A metal handle slowly floated up from the opening. Then, the jade casket stopped vibrating.

Ling Shu patted her pounding heart. Following the incantation, she grasped the handle and lifted gently. The top of the square black jade, like a lid, was lifted.

A hiss of air escaped. A stream of unknown white mist gushed out. Everyone cautiously stepped back. Liu Li and Ling Shu retreated simultaneously, and they both remembered Jiang Fan, whose movements were still restricted. They both reached for Jiang Fan simultaneously, intending to pull him back. However, their hands met empty air.

Only then did they discover that Jiang Fan had already darted into a corner long before they opened the jade casket. His body was covered in a layer of crystal, and he held his purple sword defensively. He looked extremely cautious.

Liu Li paused, then said, amused and a little exasperated, "You're even sneakier than a rabbit!" While everyone else was still curious about the jade casket, Jiang Fan had already hidden himself first! Ling Shu also gave a wry smile. "Brother Jiang Fan," she said, "aren't you a bit *too* cautious?"

Seeing that the white mist posed no harm, Jiang Fan finally put away his purple sword, but the crystal layer on his body remained, unwilling to be removed. "I don't want to suffer another loss from the Tiger Demon Emperor's relics," he stated. A single bottle of the Tiger Demon Emperor's essence blood had nearly killed Jiang Fan on the spot. With such a valuable relic casket, he couldn't be too careful.

Seeing that there was no danger, Jiang Fan approached the jade casket. He carefully peered inside. A snow-white pill lay perfectly preserved. The white mist earlier was emitted by this pill.

"A pill?""Old Han, what kind of pill is this?"

Everyone became excited. A pill personally left behind by the Tiger Demon Emperor was certainly no ordinary item. This was the kind of discovery everyone hoped for during an expedition, because its effects were straightforward. It was far more valuable than documents or natural treasures.

Han Feidao was also a little excited, leaning in close to examine it carefully. But after a long look, he still shook his head slightly. "I've never seen it before," he said. "Ling Shu, put it away for now. I'll check some records, and tell you when I find something."

Ling Shu's face flushed with delight. There really was a treasure in the Tiger Demon Emperor's jade casket. She reached out to grab it, but Jiang Fan slapped the back of her hand.

"The Cold Dragon Prime Marrow Pill? Do you dare to touch it directly?""Don't you want this hand anymore?"

Ling Shu winced in pain and quickly pulled back her hand. "Brother," she asked in surprise, "you recognize this one too?" This pill was brimming with demonic energy, clearly a spirit pill of the demon race. How could Jiang Fan still recognize it?

Jiang Fan didn't speak. He casually picked up a piece of ten-year-old spirit meat from the table and tossed it towards the seemingly ordinary, snow-white spirit pill. The result was immediate. Before it even got close to the spirit pill, the pill emitted a startling blast of snow-white icy energy, instantly freezing the spirit meat into powder. Yes, it instantly turned to powder, without any pause.

"Gasp!" Ling Shu gasped in fright, hiding behind Jiang Fan. Her face was filled with panic. "Brother," she stammered, "how is this pill so dangerous?" The others were also startled and promptly stepped back. If it accidentally sprayed a vital part of someone's body, wouldn't they die on the spot?

Jiang Fan explained, "For any demon not specializing in ice-element cultivation, it's akin to a potent poison. Even the slightest contact is forbidden."

With that said, he took out a jade bottle and, using spiritual energy to manipulate it from a distance, placed the Cold Dragon Prime Marrow Pill inside. He then sealed the bottle. "Don't touch it directly with your body next time," Jiang Fan said, tossing it to Ling Shu.

Ling Shu carefully caught it, gazing at the incredibly dangerous pill inside the jade bottle with a look of lingering fear. "Good thing I have you, Brother, otherwise Ling Shu would have been in danger today." She took the opportunity to link arms with Jiang Fan, feigning a look of extreme fear.

Jiang Fan smiled. "This pill isn't dangerous as long as you don't touch it directly with your body," he said. "Unfortunately, you can't use it. It's used to increase the cultivation of a Demon Emperor. If someone in the Core Formation realm used it, they would surely explode from the overwhelming power."

"What? Increase a Demon Emperor's cultivation?" Ling Shu was astonished, never imagining that this spirit pill could be so incredibly potent. However, on second thought, given that it was left by the Tiger Demon Emperor, its immense power seemed entirely reasonable.

"Ling Shu, as soon as this gathering is over, you must immediately go to the Demon Emperor's Court and present this pill to the Demon Emperor," Han Feidao calmly instructed her, after a moment of surprise. "Don't hesitate."

Ling Shu was a little reluctant. Presenting it to the Demon Emperor would only earn her a small reward at best. Selling it, however, would surely fetch a huge sum. She cast a questioning glance at Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan pondered briefly. "Listen to him," he said. "Present it to the Demon Emperor, and do it quickly." The Demon Emperor is naturally suspicious, tyrannical, and ruthless. If Ling Shu were to keep this spirit pill, which only a Demon Emperor could use, it would be difficult to prevent him from speculating whether Ling Shu intended to sell it to the North Sea Demon Clan, or if her own clan was about to produce a Demon Emperor. Compared to facing such troubles, it would be better to proactively present it to the Demon Emperor. Furthermore, it would be best to present it *before* the Demon Emperor even heard about it. Otherwise, it would still leave the Demon Emperor suspicious that she had tried to conceal a spirit pill meant for him.

"Alright, I'll do as you say, Brother," she said decisively. Ling Shu likely understood the implications as well.

Everyone looked again at the now empty jade casket. Hun Yuan said, "Such a large jade casket couldn't possibly contain just one spirit pill, could it?"

Obviously not. The compartment holding the spirit pill was only one of several within the casket. There should be more below. Only this time, everyone had learned their lesson. Without waiting for Jiang Fan to back away, everyone quickly retreated to the back. No one dared to easily open the next compartment.

Jiang Fan shrugged. "Is that really necessary?" he said. "You're all so timid."

Liu Li's face reddened at his words. "Do *you* have the right to say that?" she retorted. Jiang Fan was the quickest to run away just now!

Jiang Fan didn't hide again. Instead, he came to the jade casket, pinching the edge with his fingers, and lifted upwards. The second compartment was revealed. There was no danger. This jade casket was meant to store items, not to be a harmful trap. Besides, if there truly were a trap, it would have been activated during the first opening. Placing it in a later compartment, after the opener had already been alerted, how could it still harm anyone? So, there was clearly no more danger.

Realizing there was no danger, everyone quickly rushed over. They looked closely and saw that the second compartment contained a piece of jade-like white bone. Demonic script was carved onto it.

Jiang Fan was surprised. "It's actually a demonic cultivation technique," he mused. "And a high-grade Earth-tier one at that. Truly rare." It was his first time seeing a demonic cultivation technique. Demons excelled most in physical strength, and some could unleash their innate bloodline abilities. Until now, he had never encountered a demon that could use cultivation techniques. To think the Tiger Demon Emperor had left one behind.

Ling Shu also found it incredible. "Our demon race actually has cultivation techniques?" she exclaimed. "How novel!" "Brother, what should I do with this cultivation technique? Should I also hand it over to the Demon Emperor?"

Jiang Fan said helplessly, "My suggestion is this: Everything discovered today should be presented to the Demon Emperor for his review. Otherwise, the Demon Emperor won't be able to rest easy." The Tiger Demon Emperor's jade casket had been opened. How could the Demon Emperor not speculate whether a treasure threatening his rule had been found inside? Only after examining each item himself would the Demon Emperor be at ease. "However, cultivation techniques are different from other items. You can transcribe a copy."

Ling Shu nodded. She immediately took out paper and a pen and transcribed two copies. She kept one for herself and handed the other to Jiang Fan. "I made a copy for you too, Brother," she said.

This made Hun Yuan's eyes redden with envy. He and Ling Shu had been close friends for many years, yet he had never seen her make a copy for him. How long had she even known Jiang Fan? And already, her heart was full of him!

Jiang Fan accepted it without ceremony. He then looked at the jade casket once more. From the remaining height, it was clear there was only one compartment left. And the most important items were often kept in the deepest part.