It was indeed the hand bone of the formidable entity “Yellow Spring” from the Nine Netherworlds!
Because of the previous incident where the hand bone had absorbed the aura of “Yellow Spring,” Meng Qi had some anticipation. Therefore, when the appraisal results came out, he wasn’t overly shocked, nor did his heart surge with waves of astonishment—only a sense of bewilderment remained amidst the slight tremor.
After escaping confinement, did “Yellow Spring” eventually perish due to the end of his lifespan or some other reason, and was his skeleton discovered by the Sect of Life and Death, Impermanence?
Could it be that the Sect inherited the teachings of “Yellow Spring”?
Yet, how precious was the hand bone of such a mighty entity? In ancient times, the Overlord once forged a peerless divine blade using the Thunder God’s body and the Primordial Thunder Pool. Even if “Yellow Spring” was slightly inferior to the Thunder God, and only his hand bone remained—without the assistance of something like the Primordial Thunder Pool—this bone could still serve as the primary material for crafting a divine weapon. So why, after Old Zhongtou stole it, did the Sect only dispatch a mere combination of an Open Aperture disciple and an Outer Scenery undead to retrieve it?
This could still be explained as a broad allocation of resources, but after Lao Zhongtou escaped, why didn’t the Sect’s disciples report the incident, resulting in no high-level experts arriving at the Dongyang Branch?
Could it be that the Sect of Life and Death, Impermanence, didn’t realize this was “Yellow Spring’s” hand bone, and merely valued it for some other reason, considering it valuable or mysterious but not particularly important?
All these doubts paled in comparison to the mystery of the hand bone’s “disappearance” of power, which Meng Qi couldn’t figure out no matter how hard he tried. However, eight thousand Virtue Points were simply too much for him to ignore.
In an instant, several ideas flashed through his mind. For example, selling the “Xuan Shui Exorcism Banner” to the Jade Emperor Venerable or the organization Fairy Trace—they could scrape together enough Virtue Points for repairs by any means necessary. Then, each member could borrow it at the cost of some price when needed. This way, he could gain a large amount of Virtue Points while Fairy Trace could avoid certain tasks, and he could borrow it when needing to remove the Evil Thoughts of Zhenwu or undertaking deadly missions.
Of course, there was a drawback: since he couldn’t carry it with him at all times, he wouldn’t be able to use it in emergencies.
Another idea was to share the “Yellow Spring” hand bone with Fairy Trace. Several members could pool resources to solve the mystery, and subsequent gains would be divided equally. If it were forged into a divine weapon, each member could wield it for a period of time.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Meng Qi mentally reached out to the Master of the Sixfold Cycle, to see what was feasible.
After witnessing numerous instances of the Master’s merchant-like behavior, Meng Qi now regarded it more as an extremely intelligent being rather than a rigid “program.” He generally refrained from trying to exploit loopholes and always asked first.
The Master’s indifferent yet mighty voice echoed within Meng Qi’s mind:
“Artifacts of the Dharma Body level follow the same prerequisites for transactions among non-squad members as for specific missions. The same applies to borrowing.”
“Transactions involving Dharma Body artifacts between reincarnators and non-reincarnators are unrestricted. However, if such an artifact eventually ends up in another reincarnator’s possession through indirect means, it will be considered a direct transaction, whether intentional or not.”
“The value of ‘Yellow Spring’s’ hand bone is currently unknown. You may share it with anyone, up to five individuals, considered a temporary squad.”
Good thing I asked… Meng Qi wiped a cold sweat from his brow. If borrowing the “Xuan Shui Exorcism Banner” required completing a specific mission, dealing with Zhenwu’s evil thoughts would become complicated.
However, this mandatory restriction also had its advantages. At least when facing ambushes from members of the “Myth” faction, he wouldn’t be completely helpless and killed because they had borrowed divine weapons or Dharma Body treasures from the Jade Emperor or other senior members.
The matter of the “Xuan Shui Exorcism Banner” could be temporarily set aside. As one of the top ancient experts, Zhenwu’s evil thoughts might only be killable by specific means. Even if he obtained other divine weapons in the future, they might not replace the “Xuan Shui Exorcism Banner.” After pondering, Meng Qi imprinted his spiritual mark and aura onto the banner and stored it within his Ring of the Pocket Dimension.
As for the “Yellow Spring” hand bone, sharing it with Fairy Trace members wasn’t as beneficial as giving it to his close companions. After completing the Fengshen mission, gathering eight thousand Virtue Points among five people wouldn’t be too difficult.
After storing the hand bone and calming his thoughts, Meng Qi casually appraised the two treasures he had obtained from Zeluo Ju, to fully understand their functions and decide whether to sell or keep them:
“Ghost Binding Stone, Outer Scenery Grade Treasure (Middle Quality)—can release vengeful ghosts with normal Outer Scenery Fourth Heaven-level power. If the owner’s strength is insufficient, and the ghost hasn’t dissipated after eliminating the enemy, it will retaliate. Value: 3,500 Virtue Points, redeemable for 2,000.”
“Nine-Heart Chan Beads, Outer Scenery Grade Treasure (Lower Quality)—forged from an ancient temple’s spirit locust tree that perished in a lightning tribulation, attaining only the Outer Scenery Third Heaven level. Comprising nine prayer beads, each embodies distinct Chan insights. Presently, only one remains active—’Dharma Protector Glazed Light.’ Value: 2,000 Virtue Points, redeemable for 1,200.”
Meng Qi hesitated. The Ghost Binding Stone was a high-level treasure he lacked, but the retaliation risk was too troublesome—akin to eating something tasteless yet reluctant to discard. On the other hand, the Nine-Heart Chan Beads could be kept to block attacks in critical moments, reducing some damage, perhaps enabling his Eight-Nine Arts to withstand deadly strikes.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Qing Jiuyang, the “Goddess of Azure Clouds,” was admiring the rare treasures and Worry-Free Flowers floating before Meng Qi when she suddenly felt two burning gazes directed at her, similar to her own.
Meng Qi’s face was hidden behind the “Primordial Heaven Venerable” mask, preventing him from flashing a bright smile. He could only chuckle: “Goddess, I have something I’d like to offer you cheaply.”
In his palm lay a dark green stone nearly black, its surface shaped like a human face—vengeful, hideous, and twisted.
“You got another treasure!” The Goddess of Azure Clouds lamented bitterly, deeply regretting not gathering Xie Jiugui and others earlier to assassinate Zeluo Ju. What was there to fear from the old man’s retaliation?
After her lament, she instantly regained composure and requested appraisal, speaking in a very professional tone: “It retaliates. Its value isn’t too high—no more than 2,200 Virtue Points.”
You might as well just rob me! Meng Qi shook his head: “Goddess, you’ve already crossed the first Heaven Ladder. Are you still afraid of ghost retaliation? 3,200 Virtue Points for you.”
“Just because I’ve crossed the first Heaven Ladder, this treasure’s power holds little use for me. I’d rather save up Virtue Points for better items. 2,400 is my final offer,” Qing Jiuyang waved her hand dismissively.
Meng Qi chuckled: “Inside it seals vengeful ghosts. In a short time, it can serve as an equal-strength companion—capable of combat, reconnaissance, possession, and curses. How can it be compared to ordinary attack or defense treasures? No less than 3,000 Virtue Points.”
“Just because it can be used only once, I’ll generously offer 2,600,” Qing Jiuyang’s voice dripped with disdain.
“Then forget it. Without 2,800 Virtue Points, I’d rather risk using it myself,” Meng Qi withdrew his hand.
Qing Jiuyang immediately stepped forward: “Fine, 2,800!”
Meng Qi grinned and completed the transaction with her.
Next, he placed Zeluo Ju’s saber, several unused rare treasures, and a large amount of Worry-Free Flowers into the central jade pillar:
“Soul-Sucking Evil Saber, Precious Weapon (Lower Quality) — A malevolent blade capable of binding vengeful spirits, forged from Yin Iron infused with lingering souls and other materials. Originally of medium quality, it was struck by Solar True Flame and Heavenly Punishment Azure Thunder, causing the bound spirits to dissipate and its quality to degrade. Absorbing one hundred high-quality vengeful spirits would restore it, or it could be redeemed for 1,200 Virtue Points. Currently valued at 2,300 Virtue Points, exchangeable for 1,500.”
“Essence of Yellow Sand, rare treasure, useful for cultivating Yellow Sand martial arts or forging similar weapons. Value: 1,400 Virtue Points, redeemable for 800.”
…
“Half-finished Bag of the Pocket Dimension, artifact-level object (top quality), possessing only the ability to shrink objects. Value: 800 Virtue Points, redeemable for 80.”
“Worry-Free Flower, cultivated with diluted Yellow Spring water, useful for forging Forget-Worry Water. Even Outer Scenery cultivators would forget their past upon consuming it. However, suppressed by Xuan Water Red Mist, flowers older than a certain age will wither. Thus, their age remains insufficient, making Forget-Worry Water effects merely artifact-level. One flower valued at 900 Virtue Points, redeemable for 90. Total of fifty-nine.”
Meng Qi stood there stunned. If he had obtained the Worry-Free Flower before reaching the Outer Scenery level…
He suddenly turned to Qing Jiuyang and asked, “Goddess, can I sell artifact-level items to Open窍 teams?”
The Goddess of Azure Clouds replied in a tone of someone already deeply hurt by past attempts: “Even if you sell them for five hundred Virtue Points, they’ll only receive fifty. The Sixfold Cycle will swallow the rest!”
Well, one shouldn’t be too greedy… Meng Qi exchanged all these items, plus the Ghost Binding Stone and previous leftovers, totaling twelve thousand six hundred and forty-five Virtue Points.
Watching Meng Qi gain such a massive amount of Virtue Points in one go, Qing Jiuyang’s eyes filled with sorrow, longing to snatch them all for herself. With her current strength, she had never obtained ten thousand Virtue Points at once!
What should he exchange for… As Meng Qi pondered, he suddenly reached into his Ring of the Pocket Dimension.
“There’s… more…?” Qing Jiuyang could barely speak.
Meng Qi pulled out the brass keys from Zeluo Ju and Anguo Xie, along with the strange token made of neither metal nor stone, neither wood nor silk.
“A key to a certain warehouse. For the specific address, 200 Virtue Points.”
“A key to a certain courtyard. For the specific address, 200 Virtue Points.”
…
Except for the key identical to Zeluo Ju’s, all other keys from Anguo Xie bore such appraisal results. Meng Qi pondered for a while but chose not to obtain the specific addresses. Perhaps Anguo Xie’s treasures contained artifacts or perhaps not. He wasn’t a gambler by nature and didn’t want to spend Virtue Points recklessly. Previously, he had considered similarly and never attempted it.
“One key leads to a secret courtyard. For the specific address, 500 Virtue Points.”
“An activation token. This is the token for opening a certain item. For detailed information, pay 1,000 Virtue Points.”
After tallying up a total of 1,500 Virtue Points, Meng Qi suspected the item might hold even greater value. After some thought, he smiled again at Qing Jiuyang and said, “Goddess, this set of keys was obtained from Anguo Xie. Each one unlocks one of his hidden treasure troves. He’s a notorious lone thief in the Vast Sea, and his treasures are likely abundant. Even with cultivation-level restrictions, one could still earn a considerable number of Virtue Points. Would you like to join me in exploring them?”
Qing Jiuyang hesitated for half a moment: “800 Virtue Points. No more.”
“Deal.” Meng Qi agreed decisively.
This made Qing Jiuyang secretly regretful. She wished she had quoted 600 Virtue Points!
With Qing Jiuyang covering most of the cost, Meng Qi proceeded with the exchange:
“Located at Guangling Street, Fish Sea…”
“The activation token of the Myriad Manifestations Gate…”
The Myriad Manifestations Gate… What a grand name… Meng Qi stood there, momentarily stunned.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage