Translator: AnubisTL
Li Qing slowly bent down and picked up the seemingly ordinary vine.
The vine was about as thick as a man's arm, its surface dry and brittle, yet surprisingly light. It felt utterly lifeless.
Too ordinary!
Li Qing wondered if this was just a random piece of vine someone had picked up in the wilderness and inadvertently brought into the Ghost Sword Sect's treasure vault.
But this was the Ghost Sword Sect's treasure vault—how could such a mundane vine possibly end up here?
With that thought, Li Qing exerted a bit more force with his fingers. Soon, he felt an unyielding hardness.
Even with his strength, he couldn't budge the vine. Clearly, this was no ordinary object.
Li Qing mentally sifted through his memories, trying to recall any information about this vine from the spirit wood encyclopedias he had studied.
Unfortunately, despite his years of cramming immortal dao knowledge, he still couldn't identify the vine's species.
Frustrated, Li Qing once again sent a divine sense message to True Lord Ji Sha.
"Fellow Daoist Ji Sha, may I ask about the origins of this vine?"
If I don't understand, I'll just ask. After all, I've already promised to help him refine his artifact. Might as well make the most of it.
True Lord Ji Sha, who had been observing the entire exchange, seemed to have anticipated this question. He chuckled softly, the scar on his face appearing even more sinister.
"No one in the Ghost Sword Sect knows the exact origins of this vine, but I can tell you its history.
"During the great siege of the Ancient Imperial City, Sect Leader Gui Li clashed with Wang Chengdao. Wang Chengdao, wielding the ancestral imperial sword, sent the sect leader flying with a single strike.
"When the sect leader fell into the underground chambers of the Imperial City, he stumbled upon a hidden underground chamber. This withered vine was found displayed within that chamber."
After receiving the divine sense transmission, Li Qing fell silent.
The subsequent events were obvious. Even Gui Li couldn't decipher the vine's origins or find any significant use for it.
Thus, he relegated this useless item to the sect's treasure vault, where it gathered dust.
"So even Gui Li couldn't find any use for this vine?" Li Qing murmured to himself, his eyes flickering with thought.
His interest in this withered vine stemmed from his cultivation of the transformation chapter of the Myriad Lives Demonic Art. If he could condense seven colored life essence from his lifespan, might he be able to revive it?
But a problem remained: he didn't know the vine's origin. What if, after reviving it, it proved to be nothing more than a useless trinket?
Even setting that aside, could he truly revive this seemingly lifeless vine with seven-colored life essence? That was a question of paramount importance.
Li Qing pondered carefully, his attention firmly fixed on the vine.
Meanwhile, Crimson Hair Immortal had discovered a treasure that truly captured his heart: a translucent, pale yellow crystal, radiating an eerie, otherworldly glow.
Its extraordinary nature was immediately apparent, though its true identity likely remained a mystery to all but Crimson Hair Immortal himself.
Judging by the fervent gleam in his eyes, its value must be considerable.
Li Qing and True Lord Ji Sha both noticed this scene. The latter immediately asked, "Fellow Daoist Crimson Hair, do you perhaps know the origin of this Yellow Crystal?"
Just as Li Qing had chosen the withered vine, the Ghost Sword Sect might not know the origins of every item in their treasure vault.
The immortal cultivation world was vast, and some things remained beyond comprehension.
Even the most powerful cultivators could not achieve omniscience or omnipotence.
Crimson Hair Immortal didn't answer directly. Instead, he replied evasively, "Heh, I once saw something similar in a badly damaged scroll, but the scroll was so fragmented that it didn't explain the crystal's origin."
As he spoke, Crimson Hair Immortal continued toying with the Yellow Crystal in his hand.
"I'll take this unknown treasure."
Upon hearing this, True Lord Ji Sha was momentarily at a loss for words.
In principle, Crimson Hair Immortal could take any item from the treasure vault. However, this Yellow Crystal, whose purpose remained unknown, seemed to possess considerable value.
The other party was an artifact refiner, whose knowledge of spiritual materials and precious ores far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators.
If this Yellow Crystal truly turned out to be a peerless treasure, and they allowed him to take it, the Ghost Sword Sect would likely lose sleep over it for years to come.
"Fellow Daoist Ji Sha, do you have some unspoken concerns?" Crimson Hair Immortal asked with a smile. "If your sect is unwilling to part with it, I'm willing to offer another treasure in exchange."
He set down the Yellow Crystal and walked to the other side of the treasure vault, picking up an oval-shaped stone.
Unlike the Yellow Crystal's eerie brilliance, this stone appeared utterly ordinary, resembling any common mineral ore.
Yet Crimson Hair Immortal's gaze burned with fervent intensity as he looked at the stone, as if desperate to make everyone aware of its hidden value.
Hearing this, Ji Sha felt like he was being toyed with.
Without a doubt, he had no idea what this ordinary-looking stone ore actually was.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Crimson Hair, you jest. Since the sect leader has granted you permission to choose any treasure from the vault, why would I stand in your way?"
"Whether it's that crystal or this stone, if either interests you, feel free to take it."
These words were spoken with remarkable candor, showcasing the Ghost Sword Sect's magnanimity.
"Hahaha! Well said! As expected of the Ghost Sword Sect—your integrity is truly admirable!"
"Then it's settled! I'll take this stone!"
With that, Crimson Hair Immortal stored the head-sized stone.
Li Qing, who had been observing the entire exchange, couldn't help but gape in astonishment. He thought to himself, This Crimson Hair Immortal is truly cunning. With just a few words, he's completely outmaneuvered True Lord Ji Sha.
Beside him, True Lord Ji Sha's inner turmoil clearly belied his calm exterior. A flicker of anger lurked in his eyes, though he kept it well hidden.
Since achieving core formation and becoming a supreme elder, few had dared to treat him with such disdain.
"No problem, Fellow Daoist Crimson Hair. Please take your leave," True Lord Ji Sha said calmly.
Crimson Hair Immortal took the oval stone and prepared to leave, but his gaze lingered wistfully on the radiant yellow crystal.
Li Qing narrowed his eyes at this.
Could that yellow crystal actually be something of great value?
His curiosity piqued, he waited until Crimson Hair Immortal had left the treasure vault before setting down the withered vine and approaching the yellow crystal.
"It emanates a faint aura of earth attribute primordial energy," Li Qing mused, stroking the crystal. "What could this be that Fellow Daoist Crimson Hair was so intrigued by?"
True Lord Ji Sha stepped forward, his expression solemn. He had clearly noticed Crimson Hair Immortal's lingering gaze as well.
"I don't know either. Even I'm unaware of this yellow crystal's origins. Perhaps only the sect leader knows its true nature."
"Fellow Daoist Limitless, if you're interested, why not take this yellow crystal with you? It might be a hidden treasure. Fellow Daoist Crimson Hair's discernment is quite remarkable!"
Li Qing had a favorable impression of True Lord Ji Sha, who understood the ways of the world, which was why he spoke so frankly.
After pondering for a moment, Li Qing shook his head under True Lord Ji Sha's astonished gaze.
"No, it might just be another trap left by the Crimson Hair Immortal."
"His feigned generosity might be a ploy to make me choose this Yellow Crystal. It could very well be something utterly ordinary."
"Besides, I don't even know what this Yellow Crystal is or what it's used for. Even if it's truly valuable, taking it would likely just mean keeping it locked away in a chest."
What meticulous thinking!
True Lord Ji Sha's gaze toward Li Qing now carried a hint of admiration. This possibility couldn't be dismissed!
"Fellow Daoist Limitless speaks truly. That Crimson Hair Immortal really had ulterior motives, putting on such a performance before leaving," True Lord Ji Sha sighed.
To be honest, if Li Qing hadn't pointed this out, True Lord Ji Sha might have chosen the Yellow Crystal himself when he had the chance to exchange for treasures later.
Now, looking back, he could only conclude that the Crimson Hair Immortal was a true drama queen.
"So, Fellow Daoist Limitless, what do you plan to take?"
Li Qing smiled and pointed to the withered vine he had examined earlier. "I'll take this section of unknown origin. Its texture is remarkably tough, and I intend to study it thoroughly back home to see if it can be refined into a magical artifact."
"Very well. Since that's your choice, Fellow Daoist Limitless, feel free to take it."
After Crimson Hair Immortal's earlier theatrics, Ji Sha found Li Qing's straightforward and candid approach refreshing.
Li Qing's directness, without any pretense or hidden motives, made the Ghost Sword Sect appear petty and untrustworthy by comparison.
Though they were practitioners of the demonic path, they still upheld basic principles of integrity!
With that, Li Qing picked up the withered vine, a flicker of anticipation stirring within him.
If his seven-colored life essence could truly revive this thing, it might prove to be something extraordinary.
Of course, even if it proved useless, it could still be used for refining a magical artifact.
(End of the Chapter)
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