Chapter 537: Interests! Friendship?

Luo Tong was obsessed with forging, and Shui Miao knew this very well.

For someone obsessed with forging, reaching the ultimate realm is undoubtedly the ultimate goal they pursue.

Therefore, Shui Miao had no reason to doubt Luo Tong’s motives.

Currently, Shui Miao followed Luo Tong into the supreme spirit artifact, the Yōumíng Sea Conch, diving deep into the seabed of the Luōshā Sea.

The Luo Sha Sea was filled with bloodthirsty energy, dark and dim, with an unusually strong presence of sinister yin energy.

Fortunately, the幽冥 Sea Conch contained an感应 Formation that transmitted all external phenomena into illusions inside the conch, allowing people to identify them.

The Mingqi Yumeng Sea Conch rapidly descended, and after quite some time, it dove into a deep oceanic trench.

“I’ve found them!”

Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen suddenly shouted excitedly, “Haha, this guy Wu Chang Yi Dao is such an idiot! Fighting with the Dragon Lords on the sea surface is one thing, but actually chasing them here. This is the bottom of the sea, the place where the dragons grew up. Even if he has a treasure that can reverse time to increase speed, he won’t be able to move quickly underwater. Even if he can hold out for a while, he definitely won’t last long.”

“You mean he doesn’t have enough spirit stones?”

Shui Miao looked at the illusion and noticed dozens of vicious dragons circling around Wu Chang Yi Dao inside the trench, seemingly forming a Formation to trap him.

Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen pointed at the illusion, saying, “Look, there are clearly several treasures hidden within this trench. These treasures form an invisible formation capable of affecting the mental and physical abilities of outsiders. Beneath this formation lies the dragons’ lair, brimming with abundant spiritual energy. Even if Wu Chang Yi Dao possesses ample spirit stones, being trapped here for an extended period and attacked repeatedly by dozens of dragons in succession—under the formation’s influence—how long can he truly endure? That’s precisely why warriors remain mere warriors, boasting only their reckless bravery, ultimately leading to their own destruction. It’s simply a matter of time.”

“…”

Shui Miao didn’t say anything, but deep down, he felt a desire to help Wu Chang Yi Dao. He believed that a master who was straightforward, upright, and fearless in slaying demons and monsters deserved respect.

“Alright, Shui Miao, we didn’t come here merely to observe. With them in chaos, this is the perfect opportunity for us to sneak into the Dragon Palace and gather treasures. The vicious dragon clan has been terrorizing the Luosha Sea for countless years, amassing riches rivaling those of the dwarves. Now that you’ve lost the dwarves’ support, it’s only natural to come here and seek some profit. As long as you have sufficient forging materials and ample time, you can recreate a supreme treasure. Then, you’ll be able to dominate the Immortal Realm with the confidence of both offense and defense.”

“Isn’t this taking advantage of their misfortune?”

Shui Miao felt a bit reluctant, as the four Dragon Lords had once protected him. He found it disgraceful to exploit their current predicament.

Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen hesitated slightly before replying, “Heavens, you’re so naive! But you must understand, they are all vicious dragons! They protected you only because you trapped them inside a formation. Where do you think their wealth came from? Do you still believe they earned it honestly? How many innocent lives have they killed in the Luosha Sea every year, and how many treasures have they robbed? Their wealth is nothing but ill-gotten gains! Moreover, you wanted to help Wu Chang Yi Dao, right? By seizing their treasures now, you’re actually helping him!”

Luo Tong could tell that Shui Miao and Wu Chang Yi Dao shared similar personalities—both clear about good and evil and highly loyal.

“Alright then!”

Shui Miao’s heart stirred, and he nodded in agreement.

Thinking about how the vicious dragons had devoured many innocent souls aboard the ghost ship, Shui Miao no longer hesitated.

At this moment, the supreme spirit artifact, the幽冥 Sea Conch, stealthily entered the depths of the Dragon Palace.

Guided by Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen, the infiltration proceeded exceptionally smoothly.

Curious, Shui Miao asked, “Luo Tong Senior, you seem very familiar with this place?”

“Don’t call me senior, just call me Brother Luo!” Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen chuckled, lowering his voice, “Do you know how many treasures in the Three Realms I’ve forged? Let me tell you, including this Dragon Palace where treasures are hidden, I built it myself and even left behind soul talismans inside. You must understand, we who live by forging treasures would suffer greatly without sufficient materials. So, when I forged treasures for them, I always kept a trick up my sleeve. As long as I wish, I can come in and take treasures as easily as walking into my own backyard.”

Under Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen’s control, the supreme spirit artifact, the Y冥 Sea Conch, dodged and wove skillfully, avoiding numerous detection formations.

Shui Miao couldn’t help but feel shocked, “Brother Luo, according to what you’re saying, the Ten Yin Kun Yuan Formation I currently possess has also been tampered with by you. As long as you wish, you can take it back anytime, right?”

“Haha, of course! I won’t hide anything from you, so don’t worry. I have no interest in these Formations,” Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen replied generously and readily.

“…”

Shui Miao secretly felt startled, blaming himself for being too careless. If it weren’t for Bu Yi and the others leaving, he might have remained in the dark forever. If he ever faced Luo Tong’s true body in battle, wouldn’t he suffer a humiliating defeat without even knowing why?

However, Shui Miao suddenly thought that since Luo Tong had tampered with many Formations, why not ask him exactly what tricks he had planted? If Luo Tong told him, it would prove that he truly trusted him. If he refused to say, it would mean he was just humoring him, intending to use him for his own ends later.

Before Shui Miao could ask, Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen transmitted a divine thought into his mind.

Shui Miao’s heart stirred as he realized that the divine thought contained three different methods Luo Tong used to tamper with treasures during forging.

“Haha! Just one last barrier to go! Watch me…”

Upon reaching the Dragon Palace, in front of a giant golden gate, Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen summoned a crimson pearl the size of an egg and placed it into the mouth of a carved golden dragon above the gate. Shui Miao sensed that the pearl contained pure fire-elemental energy. Soon, golden water flowed from the dragon’s mouth. Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen collected the golden water and then controlled the Youming Sea Conch to shrink in size, slipping through the dragon statue’s mouth and into a hidden narrow passage over thirty meters long, finally emerging inside the treasure vault from the mouth of another golden dragon.

Inside the Dragon Palace’s treasure vault, countless treasures were piled up like mountains, though all of them were spirit treasures. Not a single immortal artifact was present, although various spirit stones were naturally abundant.

“Haha! Didn’t expect them to have collected so many spirit treasures!”

“However, none of these are particularly good. This treasure vault has three layers. The deeper we go, the better the treasures stored inside.”

Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen approached what seemed to be an ordinary wall lamp, pulled out its wick, and guided the幽冥 Sea Conch to shrink once more, slipping into the second layer of the treasure vault.

“It’s the Phantom Demon Mirror!”

The second layer of the vault was nearly empty, containing only five or six weapon racks. As Shui Miao emerged from the幽冥 Sea Conch, he immediately spotted the Phantom Demon Mirror of the millennium female ghost Bai Lian resting on one of the racks. Examining it closely, he noticed a round hole drilled through the mirror. After scanning it with divine perception, Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen shook his head, “This Phantom Demon Mirror is completely destroyed, leaving only incomplete and irreparable Formations. It’s practically useless. It would be better to forge a new one than to try repairing it.”

Still, Shui Miao placed the Phantom Demon Mirror into his Holy Yuan Ring. Even though it was a broken treasure, it was still the sacred relic of the Demon Clan. Perhaps one day he could repair it and return it to Meng San Niang as repayment for her kindness.

“This sword is a pity too—it’s also ruined!”

Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen shook his head at the broken blood-red longsword beside them, “Still, it can be useful as raw material.”

Shui Miao turned and recognized it immediately—it was Hua Tian Xiong’s Holy Demon Devouring Heaven Sword.

The second layer of the vault contained about five or six other treasures, but unfortunately, all of them were damaged.

“Brother Luo, how did their treasures get broken? The vicious dragon clan doesn’t seem to possess any powerful treasures, right?” Shui Miao was puzzled. If Bai Lian and Hua Tian Xiong were only pretending, they wouldn’t have actually destroyed their treasures, would they?

“Of course, they do have powerful treasures. Their most formidable one is the Dragon God Claw, powered by Dragon Essence. However, each use shortens their lifespan by five hundred years. Who would willingly risk their life for a fight when they could live peacefully?” Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen looked around the second layer disinterestedly, “These are all just raw materials for forging. Shui Miao, if you like them, take them. If not, leave them. Anyway, I have plenty of good materials at my true body’s place.”

Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen approached a weapon rack and pushed it aside, revealing a round little hole.

Undoubtedly, this was the secret passage leading to the final layer of the treasure vault.

Thus, the two entered the last treasure vault.

“Uh! This… this is…”

“So intense! What kind of stone is this, Brother Luo?”

As soon as they emerged from the Yin冥 Sea Conch, Shui Miao and Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen were dazzled by the colorful radiance emanating from a stone inside the vault!

“Could this… could this be the legendary Nuwa Stone?!”

Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen stared in disbelief, unable to confirm whether this was truly the legendary Nuwa Stone said to be capable of mending the heavens.

At the mention of the Nuwa Stone, Shui Miao’s spirit surged.

Having suffered many setbacks and been deceived many times, Shui Miao understood well that friendship could easily crumble in the face of great profit. He immediately focused his spiritual power to subtly sense Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen’s mental fluctuations. One must be cautious, for he would never allow himself to be deceived again.

“No! This definitely isn’t the Nuwa Stone. The Nuwa Stone couldn’t possibly be this big. Shui Miao, what do you think this is?!”

Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen’s eyes darted around, his mind racing.

“He’s definitely been tempted by profit and is now trying to deceive me with lies!”

Shui Miao sensed Luo Tong’s Yuan Shen’s thoughts and inwardly felt relieved. Fortunately, what he was dealing with was only a Yuan Shen projection. If Luo Tong’s true body were here as well, he might not have the advantage today.

Shui Miao’s mind raced, and instantly, a powerful Soul Devouring force surged within him…