Chapter 104: Just a Treasure

Innate Spirit Treasure!

Shangguan Hongtian took the lead.

The Supreme Empire possessed only two innate spirit treasures: one called the Supreme Imperial Seal, and the other, the Scroll of Magnificent Mountains and Rivers.

Now, he brought out the Scroll of Magnificent Mountains and Rivers.

This was a treasure that aided cultivation—immeasurably rare and of paramount importance to the Supreme Empire.

But at this point, there was no time to hesitate.

If the nation perished, these innate treasures would only end up as prizes for others.

“We have to succeed...”

He wasn’t even sure if he was saying that to Shangguan Huanling, or to himself.

We have to succeed!

Shangguan Huanling, on the other hand, felt no pressure at all. Without hesitation, she began absorbing the Scroll of Magnificent Mountains and Rivers.

Just an innate spirit treasure? In her past life, she’d devoured more than one Heavenly Venerable-grade artifact.

Ninth Layer of Path Integration!

Innate treasures really were extraordinary.

“I need more,” Shangguan Huanling said calmly.

Master Danqing let out a quiet sigh. The Mountain River Pagoda Sect possessed three innate spirit treasures.

One was the Mountain River Pagoda, the symbol of their sect—there was no way it could be given up.

One was the Purple Qi Heavenly Fire Cauldron, their sacred artifact for artifact refinement—also not something they could part with.

Which meant only the Liuli Xuanhuang Sword could be offered.

“But even if you absorb the Liuli Xuanhuang Sword, you’ll only reach the first layer of the Tribulation Crossing stage. Can you really succeed in surviving tribulation?” Master Danqing couldn’t help but ask.

He was truly in pain.

Innate spirit treasures—how precious were they?

Shangguan Huanling raised an eyebrow. “You’re questioning me?”

She formed seals with both hands—and in an instant, her aura surged, and she broke through into the Tribulation Crossing Stage, rising in one breath all the way to the fifth layer.

Such a method—truly terrifying.

Not only did she cross into a major realm, but within that realm, she instantly climbed five sub-levels.

“If I’ve stepped into the Tribulation Crossing realm, then I’m already half-invincible. If I survive tribulation—then I’ll be fully invincible!” Shangguan Huanling declared with total confidence.

She had revealed just a glimpse of her power, and Master Danqing didn’t even know how to respond. He could only let out another sigh.

He offered up the Liuli Xuanhuang Sword with both hands.

“It’s just an innate spirit treasure. Once I fully mature, even supreme treasures will be nothing. By then, I’ll gift each of you an imperial weapon—if you’re capable of wielding them,” Shangguan Huanling said grandly.

Master Danqing remained expressionless.

To true powerhouses, innate spirit treasures were nothing.

But to the Mountain River Pagoda Sect, this was a core foundational treasure. And now, to hear it spoken of so lightly—how could he not feel bitter?

But he showed nothing on his face.

Still... he really couldn’t understand—how was this woman a Great Emperor in her past life?

What kind of Great Emperor acted like °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° this?

The Liuli Xuanhuang Sword had its essence fully absorbed. Shangguan Huanling opened her eyes.

“Not enough. Still not enough!”

Shangguan Hongtian and Master Danqing both froze.

“The Supreme Imperial Seal... it’s the symbol of the Supreme Empire. It really can’t be destroyed...” Shangguan Hongtian looked at Master Danqing with a pleading gaze.

That thing—was their jade seal.

It bore the will of the people, carried the nation’s dragon energy.

Master Danqing: “...”

“My Mountain River Pagoda is a symbol too!”

“Then what about the Purple Qi Heavenly Fire Cauldron?”

“That’s our sect’s foremost artifact-refining treasure! Without it, how are we supposed to forge anything ever again?” Master Danqing was one hundred times unwilling.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The capital’s defensive array was now on the verge of total collapse.

Life or death—everything hung in the balance.

“Daoist friend!” Shangguan Hongtian shouted.

Master Danqing...

Was miserable.

His heart ached. His liver ached. His teeth ached. His soul ached.

He was utterly sick of this!

He truly didn’t want to part with the Purple Qi Heavenly Fire Cauldron. Letting it be destroyed like this—it was sheer waste!

Just one Purple Qi Heavenly Fire Cauldron could be used to refine how many spirit treasures?

“Daoist friend!”

“Fine—take it!”

A palm-sized purple cauldron was handed over by Master Danqing.

This time, Shangguan Huanling should be able to break through to the Tribulation Crossing stage, right?

Shangguan Huanling curled her lip. Short-sighted. This investment today would yield returns a thousand, ten thousand times over in the future. What was there to be reluctant about?

She accepted the Purple Qi Heavenly Fire Cauldron and began absorbing it.

Her true essence surged mightily. Her nascent soul, shaped in her own image, was exquisitely beautiful—otherworldly and ethereal.

She drew closer and closer to the Tribulation Crossing stage.

Closer... and closer...

Shangguan Hongtian and Master Danqing both clenched their fists in tense anticipation.

Suddenly, their eyes flew wide open.

“No! Stop!!”

Shangguan Hongtian’s voice went shrill, nearly cracking—like a eunuch’s shriek. In this moment, the emperor himself was so startled his heart leapt to his throat.

But—it was too late.

Shangguan Huanling suddenly began compressing her true essence.

She had just been an inch away from breaking through to the Tribulation Crossing stage—yet in a breath, she forcefully compressed her cultivation back down to the first substage of the ninth layer.

Master Danqing was stunned into silence.

Shangguan Hongtian clutched his chest, his breathing turning ragged.

“What are you doing?!”

Shangguan Huanling blinked, confused. “Isn’t it normal to compress your realm a little before a breakthrough?”

“You’ve already used up all the spirit treasures—now you compress your realm? How are you supposed to break through to the Tribulation Crossing stage?!” Shangguan Hongtian shouted, fuming.

“How could it be used up? Father, don’t we still have the Supreme Imperial Seal? In my past life, after your death and the fall of the empire, I never absorbed the seal—I kept it as a memento.”

“But now, the Supreme Empire won’t fall! I can absolutely devour the Supreme Imperial Seal and break through the tribulation!” Shangguan Huanling said seriously.

BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!

The great formation now fully collapsed, shattering into pieces.

A billowing black fog engulfed the skies.

“Hahahaha—two great human powers destroyed at once! Delightful! Hahahaha!”

A savage, domineering voice of laughter reached their ears.

Shangguan Huanling’s face changed drastically.

“Father! Hurry—it’s almost too late!”

At this point, Shangguan Hongtian truly wanted to kill her himself.

She’d been so close to breaking through smoothly, yet she had to compress her cultivation right before. And for what? That tiny bit of compression—how much could it possibly improve her?

“We must reach the Tribulation Crossing stage!”

“Aiya, I have my own considerations!” Shangguan Huanling huffed.

She grabbed the Supreme Imperial Seal. Golden currents of light streamed into her body, rapidly fusing with her.

“Where’s the Mountain River Pagoda? I want that too—quick!”

“No!” Master Danqing snapped. “The Mountain River Pagoda is the symbol of my sect. I absolutely cannot let you absorb it!”

“The sect’s about to be destroyed anyway, and you’re still clinging to symbols? It was wiped out in the last life too! If you don’t follow me this time, it’ll be wiped out again! Hand it over!” Shangguan Huanling barked.

Master Danqing shook his head fiercely. “No! Absolutely not!”

Outside, the sound of screams thundered across the heavens.

Countless imperial guards were being slaughtered. The palace’s defensive formation had already begun to come under direct assault.

Shangguan Huanling’s eyes widened. Without consulting Shangguan Hongtian or Master Danqing, she began compressing her true essence again.

And this time—she compressed it hard.

Because Shangguan Huanling despised this kind of dithering behavior. She had already said—follow her, and the rewards in the future would be returned a thousandfold.

It was just a single innate spirit treasure!

“Ling’er—you’re insane!!”

Seeing Shangguan Huanling compress her cultivation yet again, Shangguan Hongtian completely lost it.

“I’m not insane! Do you two really think heavenly tribulation is easy to overcome? I have to reach my strongest possible state!”

“Mountain River Pagoda—give it to me!”

Master Danqing’s eyes went bloodshot. His fists clenched so tight they trembled.

Why did she have to take the Mountain River Pagoda? Just one less—what difference would it make?

Why did she have to?!

Aaaaarghhh! She was going to make him cough up blood!