Chapter 268 : Supreme Mystic Treasures

Chapter 268: Supreme Mystic Treasures

The second level of the Jade Clarity Treasure Hall.

Three hundred and sixty-five mysterious treasure orbs were arranged according to the Purple Star Astrology, drawing upon the power of the stars in the heavenly cycle to condense strands of tangible spiritual mist.

These mists filled the treasure hall, transforming into a silvery-white flowing brilliance, nurturing countless magical artifacts.

Unlike the first level of the Jade Clarity Treasure Hall, where the starry river served as a restraint, here, a dense array of artifact meteors darted about in chaos.

Occasionally, two or three meteors would curiously pause in front of Chen Beiwu, revealing their true forms as magical artifacts.

‘These artifacts possess a spirituality no different from that of a three-year-old child.’

Seeing this, Chen Beiwu’s eyes lit up slightly as he reached out toward one of the Third-Tier artifacts lingering before him.

“Buzz!”

It was fine when Chen Beiwu remained still, but the moment he moved, the artifacts scattered like frightened birds.

Only one tripod-shaped artifact remained floating in place, either too slow to flee or too curious, carefully observing him.

‘Interesting.’

Chen Beiwu raised an eyebrow, examining the tripod artifact carefully.

Its entire body was crimson like fire, the cauldron surface adorned with nine fire dragons in relief. Its three legs were shaped like crimson crows stepping on the sun, constantly radiating a dazzling light—its appearance was impressive.

Unfortunately, this Third-Tier artifact was clearly a cauldron suited for fire-attribute alchemists, not the offensive-type artifact Chen Beiwu was seeking.

As he pondered, a crisp voice suddenly called out.

“Junior Brother, please stay your hand.”

Chen Beiwu’s gaze paused and turned toward the voice.

The speaker wore a long azure robe, its cuffs and hem embroidered with alchemy patterns. A pale-golden medicinal gourd hung from his waist, and a treasure beast—a toad—perched on his shoulder, standing three zhang away.

“Junior Brother, I have long set my sights on this Nine-Dragon Three-Legged Cauldron and have been nurturing and observing it for over half a year,” said Jiang Yan, politely.

In all things, order mattered.

He couldn’t stand by and watch his favored artifact be taken away.

Had it been an ordinary Golden Core cultivator, Jiang Yan would have fought if necessary.

But the other party’s face was unfamiliar, and his cultivation was only at Foundation Establishment—likely a junior student of the Yuqing Immortal Sect who, due to some special background, had gained rare access to the Treasure Hall. Perhaps he simply didn’t understand the rules.

“If Junior Brother doesn’t believe me, you can examine the markings on the cauldron,” Jiang Yan reminded.

When a cultivator refined an artifact and received recognition from its artifact spirit, some of their mana aura would remain on the artifact.

Chen Beiwu glanced at the Nine-Dragon Three-Legged Cauldron and confirmed Jiang Yan’s words were true. He took a step back, showing he had no intention of forcibly claiming it.

Seeing this, Jiang Yan sighed in relief, gave a simple self-introduction, then asked for the other's name.

‘Chen Beiwu?’

Upon hearing the name, the smile on Jiang Yan’s face became even more genuine.

Though he had been in seclusion refining the Nine-Dragon Cauldron, he had still heard of last year’s famed Yuqing freshmen.

Not only had there been three Flawless Foundation Establishment cultivators, but even one Innate Dao Body, Yu Zhaohua, had appeared.

Some Immortal Students even believed that last year’s intake was the most monstrous in a century. And Chen Beiwu was one of those Flawless Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“Junior Brother Chen, have you ever fought Yu Zhaohua?” Jiang Yan asked curiously.

“Only within the Struggle Realm, and I lost,” Chen Beiwu raised an eyebrow, interested. “Senior Brother Jiang, don’t tell me you’ve dueled her too? What was the result?”

“Ahem.” Jiang Yan coughed lightly and changed the subject. “What type of artifact are you looking for? Perhaps this Senior Brother can offer some advice.”

Being a Golden Core Early-Stage cultivator defeated by a Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator was a black mark he preferred not to discuss.

Chen Beiwu dared to ask; Jiang Yan didn’t dare answer. He could only forcefully steer the conversation away.

“A Third-Tier upper-mid-grade offensive-type artifact, effective against demonic entities and corpse fiends, and suitable for a Water-Wood Spiritual Root cultivator.

Preferably a bow-type artifact. If not, then flying swords, fans, needles, or other types will do,” Chen Beiwu said.

Jiang Yan furrowed his brows, slightly surprised by the request.

For Foundation Establishment cultivators, higher grade didn’t necessarily mean better.

The higher the grade, the more mana required to fully unleash its power.

Even a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator might not be able to exhibit much of a Third-Tier high-grade artifact’s might, even after exhausting their entire dantian’s mana. It might even backfire during combat.

By reason, someone like Chen Beiwu, who hadn’t yet reached Core Formation, should ideally choose a Third-Tier low-grade artifact.

If aiming for future potential, he could afford to be a little greedy and go for a Third-Tier mid-grade artifact.

As for Third-Tier high-grade, unless it was highly compatible, even Early Golden Core cultivators would struggle to fully utilize it.

Otherwise, Jiang Yan himself wouldn’t have bypassed all the high-grade artifacts on the third floor of the Jade Clarity Treasure Hall and chosen the Nine-Dragon Cauldron instead.

“There aren’t many artifacts in the Jade Clarity Treasure Hall that meet Junior Brother’s criteria.”

Jiang Yan flicked his fingertip, using Earthly Sha True Qi to conjure a virtual map of the Jade Clarity Treasure Hall, marking artifact coordinates.

“On the fourth floor, deep within the Hall, there’s a sword called the Yimu Corpse-Slaying Sword.

Its blade contains Yimu Divine Thunder and is tempered with Mystic Yin True Water, specialized in breaking through corpse qi and ghostly spirits.

The drawback is that its artifact spirit is extremely proud. Without comprehending the third realm of swordsmanship and forging a Sword Heart, one cannot gain its recognition.”

“At the center of the seventh floor lies a Demon-Piercing Thorn.

This artifact is forged from Pure Yang Gang Crystal, interwoven with Weak Water Silkworm Threads, and cleansed with Soul-Calming Wood. It inverts yin and yang, specifically slaying demons and corpse fiends—highly effective against demonic cultivators.”

“In the ninth-floor main hall…”

Jiang Yan proceeded to introduce nine Water-Wood attribute artifacts to Chen Beiwu—three high-grade Third-Tier, six mid-grade.

Chen Beiwu nodded and thanked Jiang Yan for the information, then headed directly for the fifth-floor teleportation array of the Treasure Hall.

The Yimu Corpse-Slaying Sword had too high of a requirement—he couldn’t meet it. The Demon-Piercing Thorn, however, seemed like a good choice.

“Buzz!”

Watching Chen Beiwu’s figure disappear, Jiang Yan shook his head slightly.

Truly the fearlessness of a newborn calf before a tiger.

The Demon-Piercing Thorn, as a high-grade Third-Tier artifact, was no less difficult to tame than the Yimu Sword.

If Chen Beiwu had time to invest in taming an artifact, it might be better spent enhancing his Companion Beast’s bloodline.

After all, artifacts were merely external tools.

“Right, Froggy?”

Jiang Yan glanced at the toad treasure beast on his shoulder.

“Croak!”

...

Seventh Floor of the Jade Clarity Treasure Hall.

To Chen Beiwu’s surprise, the moment he stepped into this floor of the hall, a dozen gazes immediately swept over him.

These gazes carried scrutiny, amusement, disdain—but most of all, undisguised curiosity.

‘Hah, another fool who doesn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth.’

A young man in a purple robe let his gaze linger briefly on Chen Beiwu before scoffing and looking away.

Though he hailed from a Dao Venerable Immortal Family and had a narrow-minded personality, looking down on cultivators who lacked self-awareness, he wouldn’t stoop to mocking others in public and tarnish his own standing.

Chen Beiwu ignored the stares from the surrounding Golden Core True Persons and, following Jiang Yan’s directions, quickly made his way to the center of the floor.

There, a seven-inch-long rhomboid spike hovered in mid-air, emanating a biting cold gleam.

Its tip was a triangular blood groove, engraved with Soul-Calming Inscription Patterns that reversed Yin and Yang. Like molten lava, it faintly exuded a fierce Pure Yang Gangsha Qi.

The grip was wrapped in bluish Weak Water Silkworm Thread, which, with the help of the soul-calming patterns, converted the Pure Yang energy inside the Gang Crystal into Weak Water Cold Flame, specialized for slaying corpse fiends and ghostly spirits.

“Buzz!”

But in the next second, under Chen Beiwu’s gaze, the rhomboid spike landed in the hand of a stunningly beautiful female cultivator with a graceful figure.

There was no doubt—he had arrived a step too late. The Demon-Piercing Thorn had already acknowledged a master.

“Can I help you?”

Ye Xinya turned her head and smiled lightly at Chen Beiwu.

Chen Beiwu’s pupils contracted slightly as he recognized her identity and gave a small shake of his head.

The Rising Stars List was established by the Yuqing Immortal Sect specifically for newcomers, ranking their potential, talent, and combat prowess.

But the Jade-Void Rankings were different—only powerful graduates of the sect, elite among Golden Core cultivators, made that list.

For Ye Xinya to be ranked seventy-ninth on the Jade-Void Rankings meant she was truly a genius among geniuses.

Following Chen Beiwu’s gaze, Ye Xinya glanced at the Demon-Piercing Thorn in her hand, then calmly stood and left.

There was still time in the future. Approaching Chen Beiwu now would be unbecoming.

“Phew.”

Watching Ye Xinya’s graceful figure depart, Chen Beiwu let out a breath of turbid air.

No two ways about it—his luck today was rather poor. Every artifact he wanted either resisted him or had already chosen a master.

At that thought, Chen Beiwu directed his consciousness into the Nine-Breath Chaos, and after confirming that no Gray Misfortune Qi or Scarlet Baleful Fate was wandering within the Chaos World, he reopened his eyes.

“Gurgle.”

Golden Egg tilted his head and rubbed his cheek against Chen Beiwu’s, offering comfort.

‘It’s just an artifact. If this one doesn’t work, go for the next.’

Chen Beiwu turned to look at the ninth-floor teleportation array of the Jade Clarity Treasure Hall, deciding to change targets.

He would now attempt to subdue the last high-grade Third-Tier artifact Jiang Yan recommended—while also taking a look at the legendary Supreme Mystic Treasure.

...

Ninth Floor of the Jade Clarity Treasure Hall.

As the teleportation ended and Chen Beiwu opened his eyes, what greeted him wasn’t the Supreme Mystic Treasure, but a familiar figure—snow-white skin, exquisite features, and a cold demeanor.

‘To run into her here too, huh.’ Chen Beiwu raised an eyebrow, though he wasn’t surprised.

Any cultivator with three consecutive wins in the Struggle Realm could earn a custom Third-Tier artifact.

Given Yu Zhaohua’s strength, obtaining five consecutive wins and earning the Tribulation-Breaking Golden Core would be effortless. Her presence in the Treasure Hall was no surprise.

“You’re here for the Sun-and-Moon Devouring Wheel too?”

Seeing Chen Beiwu, Yu Zhaohua slightly parted her red lips, looking puzzled.

Chen Beiwu: “???”

What was that? The Sun-and-Moon Devouring Wheel—what kind of artifact was so important that even Yu Zhaohua would value it?

Sensing the fleeting confusion in his eyes, Yu Zhaohua’s expression returned to calm. “Apologies. I was mistaken.”

Of course. The Sun-and-Moon Devouring Wheel was a fire-attribute Supreme Mystic Treasure. As a Water-Wood Heavenly Root cultivator, Chen Beiwu had almost no chance of being acknowledged by it.

Yu Zhaohua turned around and looked up toward the vault of the Treasure Hall, her expression somewhat hesitant.

The artifact spirit of a Supreme Mystic Treasure possessed an intelligence comparable to a Golden Core True Person—keenly aware of profit and danger, and extremely proud.

Even with her Innate Dao Body, earning the approval of the Sun-and-Moon Devouring Wheel’s spirit was exceedingly difficult.

Seeing this, Chen Beiwu activated his divine sense, following Yu Zhaohua’s gaze upward.

“Buzz!”

An endless torrent of light and heat instantly evaporated all divine sense, causing Chen Beiwu’s face to pale slightly. Instinctively, he cut off the connection and shut his eyes.

Yet in his mind remained the lingering image of what he had just seen:

High above the hall, a terrifying artifact blazed like the Golden Crow, manifesting the image of the Great Sun Haoyang.

Its form was that of two overlapping scarlet-gold divine rings, each three inches wide.

The inner ring surged with Lunar True Flame, freezing space and corroding the soul.

The outer ring blazed with Solar True Flame, radiating power strong enough to burn mountains and boil seas.

The two rings merged seamlessly, twisting the space within three zhang around them, projecting an illusion of a Celestial Dog Devouring the Sun. Its aura was nearly comparable to that of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Chen Beiwu’s divine sense had merely approached within three zhang of the artifact before it was utterly consumed, nearly damaging his Purple Mansion Spirit Platform.

“Be careful. Don’t use your divine sense again. The Sun-and-Moon Devouring Wheel may only be a replica of the Primordial Sun-and-Moon Diagram, and its power may be less than one ten-millionth of the original, but it’s still a peerless Supreme Mystic Treasure,” Yu Zhaohua warned.

Chen Beiwu: “...”

Warning him after he used his divine sense? What was the point? Might as well fart with his pants on.

Noticing his odd look, Yu Zhaohua pursed her lips and explained:

“The Sun-and-Moon Devouring Wheel actively devours a cultivator’s divine sense as a method of selection. When it finds a suitable host, it will dispel its Solar and Lunar flames, suppress its powers, and resonate to acknowledge its master.”

“But it has a temper. It doesn’t allow second chances.”

“Once you fail, trying to connect again will provoke it. Best case, you’ll get hurt. Worst case, your cultivation realm will fall.”

Hearing this, Chen Beiwu’s eyes revealed clarity.

So that’s why Yu Zhaohua hadn’t warned him—she was testing his compatibility with the Supreme Mystic Treasure.

“So... does that count as a success or failure?” Chen Beiwu humbly inquired.

“Probably a failure,” Yu Zhaohua replied uncertainly.

She had tried earlier herself and experienced the same result—the Sun-and-Moon Devouring Wheel maintained its brilliant glow without responding.

Had she been acknowledged, the artifact wouldn’t still be hovering at the top of the hall, unwilling to descend.

Hearing this, Chen Beiwu immediately lost interest.

The Sun-and-Moon Devouring Wheel might be powerful, but if it couldn’t be used, it meant nothing to him. At best, it was a spectacle.

With that thought, Chen Beiwu stepped forward and cast his gaze across the great hall, searching for the high-grade Third-Tier artifact Five-Spike Sea-Splitting Halberd that Jiang Yan had mentioned.

Meanwhile, Yu Zhaohua remained where she was, pondering how to subdue the Sun-and-Moon Devouring Wheel, completely ignoring Chen Beiwu’s casual wandering.

‘Nope.’

‘This one’s a bust too.’

‘Why are they all a bust?!’

Chen Beiwu put down the Five-Spike Sea-Splitting Halberd, his eyes narrowing.

These Golden Core artifacts and the Supreme Mystic Treasure were brutally realistic. Seeing that he was only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, they all gave the same answer: rejection.

‘Am I really going to have to settle for a soulless low-grade Third-Tier artifact?’

Chen Beiwu frowned deeply, when suddenly, from the corner of his eye, he spotted a flicker of crimson fortune in a side hall.

That crimson glow nearly blended in with the radiant treasure lights all around—almost indistinguishable.

But it couldn’t escape the detection of Chen Beiwu’s Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability.

‘Even artifacts... have fate?!’

Heart trembling slightly, Chen Beiwu strode toward the source of the crimson fortune and picked up a dull, ashen piece of tattered cloth, scrutinizing it carefully.

The cloth felt coarse to the touch, devoid of any spiritual fluctuation—entirely out of place in the Jade Clarity Treasure Hall, more like a cleaning rag accidentally left behind.