Chapter Sixty-One: Treasure Artifacts

Azure waves shimmered, stretching endlessly to the horizon.

Xu Chen and Zong Changshou were grilling fish by the lake, while not far away, Li Chengfu battled three members of the Mad Heart Clan single-handedly.

“This kid has made quite a bit of progress lately,” Zong Changshou remarked, watching the distant fight, stroking his chin.

“Senior Li’s cultivation method for tempering his vital energy is extremely profound,” Xu Chen replied, “but he lacked combat experience before.”

“A few more battles and his strength will naturally increase,” Zong Changshou said.

Xu Chen brushed the prepared sauce onto the fish, then added another layer of oil. Instantly, a unique aroma wafted through the air.

“Senior Zong, are you particularly sensitive to all sorts of news?”

“This time, the great families of Thunder Prefecture have issued such family tasks—why is that?” Xu Chen couldn’t help his curiosity.

“I’m not sure. I asked my family, but they didn’t reveal anything,” Zong Changshou replied. “But I suspect some important figure among our people has discovered a place of great significance, accessible only to those in the Vital Energy Realm.”

“There must be something inside crucial to humanity,” he continued, his gaze fixed on the grilled fish in Xu Chen’s hand.

“I feel the same,” Xu Chen said, handing the perfectly cooked fish to Zong Changshou.

Just then, a scream rang out from the distance—a Mad Heart Clan warrior collapsed in despair. Li Chengfu, growing more formidable with each bout, swiftly dispatched the remaining two.

“He’s made a mess of himself; his moves still lack finesse,” Zong Changshou commented, enjoying his fish with a leisurely air.

“Not too bad, though.”

Soon after, Li Chengfu, having cleaned himself and changed clothes, approached.

“I’ve completed my task. I’ll leave with Junior Brother Xu in a while,” he said. “Are you coming?”

“No. The greatest opportunity in this world is a celestial artifact; I have to find it,” Zong Changshou replied without turning.

“I knew it,” Li Chengfu said with a chuckle, sitting down and accepting the grilled fish from Xu Chen.

The three ate and chatted.

Mostly, Li Chengfu and Zong Changshou conversed, while Xu Chen listened. The two scions discussed matters concerning the major sects and influential figures of Thunder Prefecture, including secrets not usually shared with outsiders, broadening Xu Chen’s horizons.

After finishing the fish, Xu Chen and Li Chengfu bid Zong Changshou farewell and shattered their realm tokens.

Reality shifted. When they regained their senses, they had exited the teleportation gate.

The plaza was a hubbub of voices, disciples from various sects gathering around the teleportation portals, either searching for teams or waiting for companions.

As soon as the two emerged, they drew the attention of the disciples of the Great Creek Sect who had been waiting.

“Are you two uninjured?” asked a newly initiated disciple.

“We’re fine, no need to worry about us,” Xu Chen replied, waving to his former companions.

“Let’s go sell your Earth Vein Spiritual Liquid at one of the surrounding merchants,” Li Chengfu suggested.

The plaza marketplace had transformed into a luxurious commercial street, offering everything from clothing and food to magical treasures and elixirs.

In a merchant’s VIP lounge:

“Honored guests, the total is five million three hundred thousand spirit coins. Please check if everything’s correct,” the manager said, handing Xu Chen a storage pouch.

Xu Chen checked inside, counting the five hundred and thirty yellow crystal cards, then nodded. “The amount is right.”

With that, he and Li Chengfu rose to leave.

“This is your reward for the mission, Junior Brother Xu,” Li Chengfu said, handing over a small pouch containing ten yellow crystal cards.

“It’s too much,” Xu Chen remarked after a glance.

“I’d planned for three months, but didn’t expect to recruit someone as skilled as you,” Li Chengfu smiled. “Take it—who knows, we may work together again someday.”

“In that case, I won’t be shy,” Xu Chen said, placing the pouch in his storage bag.

“Will you return to the sect with me, or stay here for a while?” Li Chengfu asked.

After recent battles, Li Chengfu realized his own lack of strength and wanted to return to the sect to improve.

“You go ahead, Senior Brother Li. I’ll stay and buy a few things,” Xu Chen replied, gazing at the towering city walls of Thunder Prefecture’s capital. With so much wealth on hand, he felt obliged to spend some.

“Very well. Send me a message when you return to the sect, and I’ll go submit the mission,” Li Chengfu said with a smile.

“No problem.”

Xu Chen accompanied Li Chengfu to the teleportation hall within the capital, then set off on his own to explore the city.

“First, I should tell my parents they don’t need to send me spirit coins anymore,” he mused. “But before that, let me buy them some gifts.”

The Treasure Pavilion, the city’s largest hall of magical artifacts, was said to host dozens of master craftsmen, with several grandmasters capable of forging celestial artifacts standing guard.

Upon entering, Xu Chen felt as though he’d stepped into a palace.

“I didn’t expect spatial formations inside,” he thought.

The grand hall was imposing, with countless exquisite treasures hanging on both walls. Occasionally, a wall would display spiritual artifacts.

“Honored guest, is there any magical treasure you’re looking for? I can assist you,” a Treasure Pavilion attendant greeted him warmly.

“I’d like to buy a few treasures suitable for the Void Returning Realm. Do you have any recommendations?”

At these words, the attendant’s eyes lit up—a major transaction!

“Please follow me to a private room.”

Both sides of the hall held tea rooms for entertaining distinguished guests.

Inside, Xu Chen sipped fragrant tea while the attendant presented his recommendations.

“Honored guest, based on your information,” the attendant explained, “you’ve just entered the Void Returning Realm, frequent battlefields, and are a blade-wielding specialist.”

“In that case, this Blood Soul Blade is most suitable. It’s a top-tier treasure, forged from Blood Soul Stone and the spine of a Blood Flood Dragon from the Profound Dao Realm, merged with various precious materials.”

“The Blood Soul Blade absorbs the vital energy and souls of slain enemies, storing it as a unique energy within the blade. In fierce combat or when using your abilities, this energy transforms into spiritual power, replenishing the wielder.”

A blade radiating chilling aura was presented to Xu Chen.

“The Blood Soul Blade can boost a Void Returning Realm expert’s combat power by thirty to forty percent.”

“How much for this battle blade?” Xu Chen asked, impressed by the introduction.

His father’s Dragon Pattern Saber was also a treasure, but at best increased strength by twenty percent, and his family had saved for years to afford it.

“Ninety-eight thousand spirit coins,” the attendant replied with a smile.

Xu Chen frowned slightly. He didn’t know much about treasure prices, but a typical one cost around twenty thousand spirit coins.

“Crafted by renowned masters, with three hundred years of free maintenance.”

“Wait a moment,” Xu Chen said, taking out his disciple’s token to send a message to Li Chengfu.

The reply came instantly.

“It’s not cheap, but not overpriced either.”

Seeing Li Chengfu’s response, Xu Chen nodded.

“If you lower it a bit, I’ll buy it.”

“Ninety-five thousand spirit coins.”

“I’ll take it!”

An hour later, Xu Chen emerged from the Treasure Pavilion.

He’d spent ninety-five thousand spirit coins on the Blood Soul Blade, one hundred thousand on a top-tier battle armor, and twenty-five thousand on a treasure-grade talisman brush.

Feeling it wasn’t enough, he bought two jade talismans for emergency spatial teleportation, each costing fifteen thousand.

“Should I buy something for myself?” Xu Chen wondered, walking down the street, stroking his chin. After some thought, he realized he hardly lacked anything at all.