Chapter 42: Chapter 40: Artifact Refining and Jade Seizing, Arrival of the Noble Families

As soon as Gu Yuan opened the Storage Bag, the first thing he saw was a golden "Compass."

This Compass was made entirely of gold, exceedingly luxurious, with densely packed Dao Patterns carved on it, depicting the celestial stems and earthly branches, dizzying to the eye.

When Gu Yuan took out the Compass, its spoon-shaped needle immediately started to spin, pointing steadfastly to the location of the Shell King.

"The Shell-Seeking Compass?"

"Kuang Mingsheng actually possesses this Dharma Artifact, no wonder he was able to find the Shell King before me."

Gu Yuan was suddenly enlightened.

A Shell Field, vast and boundless, finding a Shell King amidst the tides was no easier than finding a needle in a haystack, so to swiftly locate the Shell King, an Artifact Refiner invented the "Shell-Seeking Compass" specifically for Shell Pearls, which can directly guide to the Shell King’s location.

However, this Compass is difficult to make, with costs comparable to a Top-Grade Dharma Artifact, and extremely hard to refine, so even among Noble Family disciples, very few owned one.

Yet unexpectedly, Kuang Mingsheng actually had one.

"Without this treasure, you might have managed to live a little longer."

Gu Yuan shook his head, put away the Compass, and continued rummaging through the Storage Bag.

Apart from some miscellaneous items, the bag contained thirty-six Spirit Stones and a half-moon-shaped transparent Jade Pendant.

The Jade Pendant was completely transparent; holding it in hand, one could even see the lines on the palm.

"Is this... Void Nether Jade?"

Holding the Jade Pendant, Gu Yuan suddenly realized that his being seemed to be enveloped by a mysterious power, gradually disappearing from the Stone Platform, just like how Kuang Mingsheng had before.

"There is jade on the West Mountain, named Void Nether. Holding this jade, one’s form is hidden in the void, unnoticed unless by those of a far superior realm."

Gu Yuan recalled the introduction of this jade from the Scripture Pavilion in his heart.

This is a rare treasure during the Qi Refining Stage; with it, unless the opponent surpasses by three small realms, they cannot detect the holder’s whereabouts, allowing one to deceive heaven and earth.

However, this jade also has a flaw: if the bearer attacks or excessively stirs mana, it exposes their position, making it generally suitable only for stealth.

"Kuang Mingsheng used the Compass to find the Shell King and then incited the Human-faced Spider and the Red-tailed Ape to fight Yangg Yue and others, while he himself stealthily approached the Stone Platform holding the Void Nether Jade."

"But to prevent his position from being revealed, he dared not use too much mana, slowing his speed, and he happened to run into me!"

With these two treasures in hand, Gu Yuan instantly understood Kuang Mingsheng’s previous plan.

It must be said, the plan was quite ingenious.

First obtain the Shell King, then break through to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

Once his cultivation improved, he could easily either kill the Human-faced Spider, save Yangg Yue and others, or sneakily kill Yangg Yue and others.

And when he encountered Gu Yuan again, he could have used his superior cultivation to kill Gu Yuan, achieving freedom of mind.

"Luckily, I have Stone Liquid and knew the location of the Shell King, hence I didn’t lag behind; otherwise, he really might have succeeded."

Gu Yuan felt a bit fortunate in his heart.

This is the importance of speed in war.

Whoever obtains the Shell King first and steps into Qi Refining Sixth Layer gains the initiative.

With this thought, Gu Yuan no longer hesitated and quickly picked up the Dharma Artifacts bound by the Eight Wind Treasure Ring on the ground.

The Eight Wind Treasure Ring was a hush money given to Gu Yuan by Elder Fox; it had tremendous power, divided into eight rings, capable of suppressing all Dharma Artifacts in the Qi Refining Realm.

The "Three Declines Treasure Mirror" used by Kuang Mingsheng was also a Top-Grade Dharma Artifact, capable of suppressing the Essence, Qi, and Spirit in a person, simulating the power of the three declines of the Celestial People, yet even it was suppressed before the Eight Wind Treasure Ring.

The Treasure Ring seemed to have surpassed the realm of Dharma Artifacts.

Apart from the "Three Declines Treasure Mirror," the "Cloud Mist Treasure Robe" was also a High-grade Dharma Artifact, capable of descending seven rays of light to withstand a full-force attack from the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

With Kuang Mingsheng dead, Gu Yuan easily wiped the marks off these two Artifacts, making them his own.

Though the refining time was short and couldn’t be wielded like an extension of his own body, it was still no problem to enhance his strength by several folds.

After putting away the Artifacts, Gu Yuan used his mana to clutch the Shell King.

"Buzz buzz buzz!"

The Shell King was already highly spiritual and seemed to sense Gu Yuan’s hostile intent, frantically resisting his grasp.

Yet no matter how spiritual the Shell King was, without technique, its struggle was futile; it could only watch helplessly as Gu Yuan forcefully pried it open and took the crystalline, transparent Shell King Jade Pearl from the tender, pink shell meat.

The Shell Pearl was crystalline and transparent, exuding a peculiar fragrance, stirring Gu Yuan’s appetite, making him seemingly eager to consume it at once.

But this place wasn’t safe, and the battle between the Human-faced Spider and Yangg Yue and others outside could end at any moment; regardless of who won, they would head to the Stone Platform to find the Shell King.

And breaking through to Qi Refining Sixth Layer at the very least required finding a quiet place to refine for half an hour.

So Gu Yuan temporarily stored the Shell Pearl in a Jade Bottle and then held the Void Nether Jade, slowly channeling his mana to slip outside.

...

"Die for me!"

Outside the Water Cave, the fight grew increasingly fierce.

But Yangg Yue and the group were, after all, Inner Sect Disciples of the Daoist School; fighting desperately, they still had some strength, gradually regaining the situation and suppressing the Jade Water Human-faced Spider and the Red-tailed Ape.

Gu Yuan passed by like a ghost, his eyes somewhat cold.

If he wished, he could have taken this opportunity to reap the benefits, slaying both humans and Demon Beasts alike.

But after some thought, he temporarily let go of this idea.

He wasn’t a good person, but neither was he utterly evil. Yangg Yue and others had no direct conflict with him; killing them for small benefits would be a loss.

In this world of cultivation, the kindest and the most merciless rarely meet a good end.

Being moderate, instead, could avoid many troubles.

"First, break through to Qi Refining Sixth Layer!"

After leaving the "battlefield," Gu Yuan directly used his mana to move swiftly towards the depths of the Water Cave, finding a quiet, desolate place to begin consuming the Shell King Jade Pearl.

...

...

Meanwhile, above the Cloud Cliff Shell Field, a luxurious and extravagant Treasure Boat arrived belatedly.

On the Treasure Boat were all the elegant and graceful Noble Sons.

"Why do we need to come to this little Cloud Cliff Shell Field? Just for some Shell Jade? This young master isn’t interested, I’d rather have the Jade Void Pill at home!"

Someone complained on the Treasure Boat.

Some people had to toil to cultivate peacefully, yet others were born with no lack of resources, only needing to follow routine to endlessly break through their realm.

A Shell Field that could enhance cultivation was a significant opportunity for the Hidden Flood Dragon Institute disciples, but to the Noble Sons, it was trivial.

"Do you think you can cultivate peacefully your entire life when the great era of competition comes?"

"If you don’t engage in Magical Combat and experience battles now, when disaster strikes, how will you cope?"

But the strength of noble families didn’t come from nowhere. The wise among them saw the purpose behind the family’s arrangement in an instant, responding coolly.

Once these words were spoken, many voices chimed in on the Treasure Boat.

True noble descendants rarely receive the family’s full support; those here were outstanding individuals.

As soon as the Treasure Boat stopped, Escape Lights quickly descended, delving into battle with the Demon Beasts.

And in a corner of the Treasure Boat, a silver-haired, blue-eyed young man clutched a cloth bag at his waist, his eyes cold and shining.

"Gu Yuan, you little thief, spit out the fortunes that belong to me!"