The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1380 - 713: Bronze Relief, Evil Spirit Stone (2)

"Keep this matter strictly confidential. If it gets out, someone will surely use it to stir up trouble."

"The junior understands." Li Yan nodded solemnly.

Throughout history, many have used the prophecy to disrupt the world, even if it didn't exist, one would create it forcefully.

A myth, it's best left as just a myth forever.

Beside him, Bai Chenshan sighed as he looked at the relief sculpture, "No wonder Emperor Shi believed Xu Fu's words. Back then, perhaps they truly wished to renew Jianmu using this Immortal Ascension Formation..."

Li Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, "That would be a violation of the Heavenly Rules, and would inevitably lead to chaos!"

Combining knowledge from his past life, he had a rough speculation at this moment.

The Daluo Dharma Realm might be another unique space.

When the ancient Immortal Gods descended, they possibly brought a large amount of the Daluo Dharma Realm's power, hence were able to display much divine might.

But as more people descended, the human world would be interfered with.

The Great Flood might have appeared because of this, and it wouldn't just be a matter of misery and suffering.

The words were merely to caution Bai Chenshan, lest the old Taoist get any ideas.

"Naturally."

Bai Chenshan shook his head and said, "An old man like me knows a little about the ordinances of the Heavenly Rules, but never thought it was this reason."

Yan Jiuling, seeing this, hurriedly mediated, "There are more over there, Brother Li, please follow me."

Aside from this peculiar bronze relief and jade sacrificial offerings, the rest were clearly Qin Dynasty artifacts, containing all sorts of items.

Bai Chenshan shook his head and said, "These are Qin Dynasty arrays, perhaps related to the ways of sacrificing to heaven and earth. Unfortunately, they've been completely destroyed by Earth Dragon Roll. I will try to restore them, find the demon's array methods, as a precaution."

"Hmm, what the senior said is right."

Li Yan responded perfunctorily, not paying much attention.

The Nine Tripod are no longer the Nine Tripod of the past, the plan for the Immortal Ascension Formation has long been abandoned.

Now that Jianmu is again seeking the Nine Tripod, there must be other plans.

Thinking of this, Li Yan turned his head to Yan Jiuling, "Is there any clue about Zhao Qingxu?"

Yan Jiuling shook his head and said, "The academy instructors have long been rechecked by us, and there is nothing unusual. Rest assured, Grandmaster Huo Yin is currently overseeing the academy, and there are experts patrolling secretly. If those demons dare infiltrate, they'll surely come but never return!"

...

After touring those ancient objects, Yan Jiuling led Li Yan back to his residence.

Once the tea was brewed, Li Yan asked, "Brother Yan, have we become tributes?"

"Look at my memory."

Yan Jiuling slapped his forehead and laughed bitterly, "The Academy Director is absent; Bai Jianzheng only acts as a teacher and is unwilling to get too involved in academy matters. The majority of the Academy's grand opening ceremony fell upon us, leaving us busy."

"Rest assured, the position of tribute suits you best; you aren't required to stay at the academy year-round, offering greater freedom."

"The academy will surely flourish with treasures and many masters in the future. You're allowed to use them, making it rightful and justified. This position isn't easily obtainable and requires the emperor's consent. Lord Pei has put in considerable effort, along with several major accomplishments by Brother Li, thus earning your inclusion."

Upon hearing this, Sha Lifei was displeased, "We've risked our lives, yet haven't heard of the others. How did they qualify?"

"Naturally, there's a reason."

Yan Jiuling patiently explained, "Currently, the academy employs four tribute teams, including yours; naturally, none are simple."

"Firstly, 'Sea Treasure' has quite a background. Its leader, 'Sea Moon Monk', is a descendant of Master Jianzhen who traveled eastward by ship back then, often hiding in Japan for intelligence gathering, well-versed in sea routes, and strongly recommended by the Sea Opening Sect. They're primarily active at sea, thus their reputation within the Divine Land Xuanmen isn't prominent..."

"'Dragon Erosion' has roamed the wilderness for years. Their leader is the Hidden Treasure Man, surrounded by many eccentric talents, specialized in investigating royal Dragon Vein..."

"As for 'Cloud Guest', it's a team secretly nurtured by the court with many thieves and robbers among them, never erring in action..."

After hearing this, Li Yan came to a realization.

No wonder they're inconspicuous; all are trained by the court.

In this context, it seems only their 'traveling immortals' are outsiders.

"By the way."

Yan Jiuling stood up again, "Brother Li, wait for me a moment."

After saying this, he hurriedly left the room.

Not long after, he returned with two guards behind him, carrying a heavy square wooden box together.

With beads of sweat on their brows, the two set down the box and bid farewell, clasping their hands.

Li Yan stepped forward to examine it. The box had a dark hue, made entirely of century-old Yin Chen Wood, with the emblem of "Qiankun Academy · Hundred Treasury Seal" and layers of talisman engraved on its surface. Smelling it, it emitted a peculiar scent of wet, cold vegetation mixed with the old scent of coffins.

"What is this?"

Li Yan asked bewildered.

Yan Jiuling explained, "Isn't Brother Li looking for treasures containing life force?"

"I sought approval from the Director and exchanged the credits you earned for submitting the 'Seeking Immortality' ahead of time, searching on the register for a long time."

"Treasures containing life force are quite rare. This item is categorized as 'Jiazi Seven', and after careful consideration, this item fits best."

"Oh, what exactly is it?" Li Yan's interest was piqued.

Yan Jiuling shook his head and said, "I am not a cultivator; this item needs you to open it."

Without further ado, Li Yan took the key, removed the talisman seals, and opened the three bronze card locks on the lid.

As soon as the lid was lifted slightly, a chilling, damp aura enveloped the air, like leaves decaying underground.

Inside was lined with a thick layer of black cloth, with a bowl-sized, dark blue stone embedded in the center.

The surface of this stone was rugged and porous, covered in spiral-like eerie patterns, upon closer inspection, appearing like countless small whirlpools slowly rotating.

"Stone?"

Li Yan frowned upon seeing this.

With experience, he knew that the spiritual objects capable of mending the Daluo Dharma Body must have once contained abundant life force, such as Azure Dragon Mountain dinosaur eggs, Mountain God Tai Sui...

A stone is a dead object.

Yet before he could inquire further, his pupils shrank and his gaze became excited, "What is this thing?"

At that moment, the Daluo Dharma Body was wildly trembling, appearing extremely hungry.

Yan Jiuling also looked closely, "This item has a significant background."

"The ancient book 'Yi Yuan' Volume Five records a passage in the chapter on strange stones: 'During the reign of Qi Feidi, a sea guest presented a blue stone, placed in the upper garden. Within three days, all extraordinary flowers and trees withered as if frost-stricken; the stone heart faintly emitted a mysterious glow, resembling coagulated blood.' The record in the classic refers to this item, later transferred into the palace's secret treasury..."

"At the beginning of this dynasty, it was moved under the pavilion base in the depths of the Imperial Garden, used to suppress the earth's cold energy, prompting rare flowers to bloom early. However, last winter month, all plum trees, fragrant laurels, daffodils — normally vibrant even in winter — suddenly turned brown and decayed overnight! Root veins seemed to have been scorched by fire..."

"Shanglin Garden officials dug three feet under the pavilion base to retrieve this stone, and the covered soil had turned to ash, devoid of life. Due to this bizarre occurrence, implicating the Forbidden Palace, it was later confiscated by the Law Enforcement Hall and determined as a source of calamity, sealed into storage."

As he spoke, Yan Jiuling hesitated slightly, "The Law Enforcement Hall investigated it before, claiming this stone has a peculiar nature, capable of devouring the life force of surrounding vegetation and consolidating it. Therefore, its contained life force is exceptionally abundant but extremely sinister and wicked. Ordinary people approaching it may suffer from stagnation of blood and energy, or even a decline in life force."

"Brother Li, do you think it works? If it's dangerous, I'll go exchange it..."

"No need, this item is perfect!"

Li Yan interrupted him, resisting the urge to absorb, and closed the box again.

"As long as it is usable."

Seeing his expression, Yan Jiuling chuckled silently, relieved.

"Lord Yan, don't forget Old Sha!"

Sha Lifei, seeing this, quickly spoke, "What about the items I asked you to find?"

Yan Jiuling smiled and said, "For the treasures in the warehouse, your accomplishments aren't enough. Besides, they're all from the Imperial Palace's Inner Treasury, each of immense value, not suitable for crafting firearms. The Firearms Workshop also has treasures, and the Thunder Fire Master is stationed there."

"I've already mentioned it to him, but with the opening ceremony approaching, he's tied up; afterward, he'll help you craft firearms."

"That would be nice!" Sha Lifei nodded contentedly.

Beside him, Li Yan hesitated for a moment and asked, "What about the Divine Artifact?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Jiuling's expression became solemn, glancing outside the door, he spoke softly, "I haven't seen it either, but the Director has passed on a message."

"Due to the commotion caused, during the opening ceremony, the emperor will announce the Divine Artifact to the realm!"