He urged his Heart and Spirit, releasing one item from within. A black python flew out, twisted mid-air, and transformed into a six-foot-long black cloth banner.
Extending his hand to grasp it, he gave it a shake. It emitted a sound like crashing waves beside his ear. Inhaling a wisp of Spiritual Energy, he performed a shallow Sacrificial Refinement and, upon examining it, discerned the item’s origins.
This banner was a Spiritual Artifact refined by an elder of the Mingcang Sect, specifically bestowed upon meritorious disciples. Named the "Three Elements Mixed Water Banner," it merely required a shake to scatter waves and conjure surging tides. With this artifact in hand, one could traverse the deep seas as easily as strolling on flat land.
Since this Dharma Treasure was not designed for combat, Zhang Yan merely toyed with it for a while before storing it away. He then retrieved another item and casually flipped it over in his hands, only to discover that it too was a treasure bequeathed by the Mingcang Sect.
This artifact was called the "All Elements Star Three Qi Palace Flag," a set of Array Flags intended for cultivators to defend themselves and their dwellings while journeying abroad.
The set consisted of sixteen flags. By arranging them according to the Array Diagram, they could harness the robust and condensed energies of Heaven and Earth to repel external foes.
Zhang Yan gave a slight nod of approval. This item was quite utilitarian and would certainly prove useful while traversing the untamed wilderness in the future.
He was about to continue delving into his findings when he sensed that the abundant Spiritual Energy within the Cave Mansion had begun to thin. Lifting his gaze, he noticed that the hundred or so Spiritual Shells surrounding him had already lost their luster. Their once-glistening surfaces had turned dull and ashen.
Without a trace of emotion, he waved his sleeve and swept the depleted Spiritual Shells aside. Then he took out another hundred or so from his Sleeve Bag, arranging them anew around his person.
The Xuanling Mountain where he currently resided was, after all, an artificial mountain molded by True Master Tao. As such, it lacked Spirit Veins and relied solely on Arrays to extract spiritual mechanisms. Yet much of this energy had already been siphoned off by True Master Tao’s disciples and the Demon Kings who had come to the island for the ceremony, leaving his portion feeble and sparse.
This was one of the reasons Wei Lihua had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Fu Hongyu’s arrangement of this particular Cave Mansion.
Nonetheless, while traveling abroad, cultivators who lacked an adequate Cave Mansion for cultivation could rely on Spiritual Shells to absorb their Spiritual Energy, thus maintaining their training.
Typically, the energy contained within a single Spiritual Shell could sustain a Ming Qi Realm cultivator’s needs for three to five days. However, at Zhang Yan’s current level, it would take seven to eight shells per day to meet his demands. However, with his considerable wealth, he expended them freely without hesitation.
Just then, he heard a squeaky sound from outside the cave. With a faint smile, he put away his Sleeve Bag and said, "Fellow Daoist, please enter."
A white shadow flashed at the entrance, and an aged white-furred ape appeared, holding a Jade Plate laden with vibrant, fresh fruits and a pot of fine wine. Walking upright like a human, it approached respectfully, set the Jade Plate on a wooden table, bowed, and said, "Fellow Daoist, please enjoy. This humble servant will now take leave."
Zhang Yan gave the slightest nod, and the old ape retreated slowly.
Glancing downward at the offerings, Zhang Yan chuckled wryly. Having achieved this level of cultivation, he had long since adopted the practice of Fasting. He had intended to decline, but the old ape insisted that Fu Hongyu had instructed it to ensure proper hospitality for esteemed guests, without which it would be punished. Thus, he found it inappropriate to refuse.
At that moment, a resounding rumble echoed from the distance, causing the Jade Plate on the table to tremble slightly. Yet Zhang Yan remained indifferent, as if he had heard nothing.
In these recent days, there had been incessant disputes and dueling flashes of tunneling light on the mountain across from him. However, he remained undisturbed, focusing solely on his cultivation without interference.
He once again withdrew his Sleeve Bag. Among the three treasures of the Heavenly Gate, he had already examined the banners and the Array Flags. Only one item remained unseen.
Sending his Heart and Spirit inside, he discovered a silent white radiance resting within, its true nature indiscernible. Infusing it with Spiritual Energy, he released the white light. But no sooner had it emerged than it let out a sharp howl, soaring into the air and slashing toward him.
Zhang Yan had already discerned that it was merely a Spiritual Artifact. However, it seemed to be inhabited by the essence of some demon, rendering it untamable.
Letting out a cold laugh, he remained seated, unmoving. With a metallic clang, the light struck his neck, leaving only a faint white mark. Realizing it could not harm Zhang Yan, the artifact recoiled in fright and darted toward the Cave Mansion’s exit.
Zhang Yan chuckled softly and shouted, "How could I let you escape!" With a sweep of his robe, he stowed the Sleeve Bag and immediately soared after the fleeing light.
Outside the Cave Mansion, a gilded fragrant carriage descended upon the mountaintop, riding on clouds. Over a dozen individuals stood beside the carriage, led by a man and a woman. The man was strikingly handsome but exuded a hint of malicious intent in his gaze—it was none other than Brother Feng, who had previously inquired about Zhang Yan at Fu Hongyu’s residence.
The woman was a mature, elegant beauty. Her hair was styled in a high bun, her skin as fair as snow, and she had a lithe, graceful figure. Her every gesture was imbued with a beguiling allure.
Glancing around with her alluring eyes, the woman spoke in a sugary tone: "Daoist Feng, are you certain this is the place you mentioned earlier?"
Brother Feng smiled and responded, "Lady Yu, what do you think of this location?"
Yu Consort lazily replied, "It’s passable. That other mountain’s constant fighting and commotion are far too noisy. This place, at least, is peaceful enough for temporary residence."
Brother Feng looked ahead and feigned surprise. "Oh? When I was here a few days ago, the place appeared uninhabited. How curious that someone should occupy it within just two days."
Yu Consort glanced at him and said indifferently, "Just drive them out. A Cave Mansion devoid of Spiritual Energy—what kind of remarkable person could possibly reside here?"
Brother Feng pretended to hesitate. "Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?"
Yu Consort snorted coldly, her expression turning impatient. "What are you afraid of? If the heavens collapse, this palace shall bear the weight."
Pointing with her finger, she addressed a towering and burly Demon Cultivator standing behind her. "Tong Bing, go and remove the occupant at once."
With a booming voice, the Demon Cultivator replied, "Yes, Your Majesty." He stepped down from the fragrant carriage and strode toward the Cave Mansion. Relying on the formidable status of his patrons, he did not bother announcing his presence at the entrance, instead swaggering inside. But after only a few steps, a streak of white light shot out toward him. Startled, he exclaimed, "A treasure!"
Reaching out recklessly to seize it, the light, impeded on its escape route, let out a piercing cry. Expanding, it sliced through the Demon Cultivator in an instant, cleaving him in two.
The Demon Cultivator let out an agonized scream before dying on the spot. Upon hearing the cry, Yu Consort’s delicate face first registered shock. But upon seeing the white radiance emerge, her captivating eyes lit up with delight, and she exclaimed, "What a marvelous treasure! I shall have it!"
Her words were barely spoken when a tunneling light flashed into view, enveloping the white radiance in an instant.
Yu Consort stared, momentarily dazed, as her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. Her expression turned stormy with rage as she chastised, "You there, Daoist! What kind of Dharma Treasure has emerged? How dare you keep it for yourself? Hand it over to this palace immediately!"
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)