Chapter Twenty: You Call This the Supreme Immortal Treasure?

“What do you want?”
Everyone looked bewildered. We’ve been fighting all day, and now you’re asking the obvious.
“The mountain treasure is in his hands now. What should we do?”
“What should we do? If you want it, you go get it…”
“No, no, I wouldn’t dare provoke him. Suddenly, this mountain treasure doesn’t seem so important anymore.”
With every step Ye Qiu took forward, the crowd retreated a step. As they put it themselves:
It’s best if we keep a safe distance!
It wasn’t just them who dared not approach—even the three monstrous beasts were trembling with fear.
They had just witnessed the Sky-swallowing Sparrow being cleaved in two with a single sword strike, an awe-inspiring sight.
That creature was supposed to be a supreme fiend, second only to the very apex. In terms of strength, it was already comparable to the mightiest of the exalted. Yet even it was slaughtered in an instant—who would dare provoke Ye Qiu now?
No one dared come closer. In the sky, Fu Feng observed for a while, then suddenly realized his opportunity had come.
“Heh, since none of you dare approach, I’ll just help myself! What a chance to get close to this senior—who would dare trouble me in the future?”
The thought delighted him.
He swooped down, landing gently beside Ye Qiu, and greeted him respectfully: “I am Fu Feng, Grand Elder of the Luminary Sanctuary. Greetings, Senior…”
“Has Fu Feng lost his mind? He actually dared go near him?”
No sooner had Fu Feng landed than everyone was startled, thinking he’d gone mad, not realizing Ye Qiu had no intention of making a move.
“My goodness, this master hasn’t attacked… could it be they know each other?”
Speculation rippled through the crowd.
Suddenly, the old man Tian Yi said, “I remember now. Didn’t Fu Feng just say he was looking for his daughter? Could it be…”
The more they thought about it, the more terrifying it seemed!
Ye Qiu didn’t care about their reactions. To be honest, he was startled himself, thinking Fu Feng was about to ambush him.
Fortunately, he held it together in time—otherwise, he might have given himself away.
“No, keep calm, don’t panic!”
Ye Qiu steadied himself, then smiled slightly: “No need for such ceremony! You must be the elder of those young people inside, right?”
Fu Feng, deeply grateful, replied, “Yes, those inside are all my disciples. Thank you, Senior, for your timely intervention. Had it not been for you, I fear they would not have survived…”
Ye Qiu waved it off without denying it. He hadn’t really done anything, but why not accept a favor for free?
“How odd, why does everyone call me Senior? If it were just those youngsters, I’d understand—they’re green and know nothing.
But this Fu Feng seems quite formidable—how could he be so mistaken too?”
Ye Qiu couldn’t fathom it, but let it pass.
He raised the box in his hand, which seemed more and more familiar the longer he looked at it, and asked, “Is this the treasure you were all fighting over?”
The turmoil had persisted for almost a month, and Ye Qiu had noticed such chaos erupting elsewhere as well. Yet he had no idea what caused it.
Now, it seemed it was all for these mountain treasures! But what exactly was inside that could be worth all this bloodshed?
Fu Feng’s eyes brimmed with envy as he gazed at the box in Ye Qiu’s hands, but he dared not covet it. He could only say, “Yes, Senior! Legend has it that this item contains supreme immortal arts. If one could comprehend even a ten-thousandth of its secrets, one would be invincible in all the world…”
“That terrifying?”
Ye Qiu was beside himself with excitement; his hands were trembling.
Good heavens! As a transmigrator, how could I not have a cheat code?
See? It’s finally here! Though a bit late, just listen to that description—comprehend even a fraction, and you’re invincible?
That’s even more outrageous than hacking!
“Heh, I’ve struck gold! At last, I can make a name for myself—travel the world, acting as grandly as those Dragon Kings and Asuras…”
With trembling excitement, Ye Qiu studied the box closely, hardly able to believe it held supreme immortal arts within.
Fu Feng nodded. “Senior, these are only rumors. In fact, none of us know what’s truly inside. If you are curious, why not open the box and see for yourself?”
Open the box?
Ye Qiu glanced warily around him. “If I open it, do you think… they’ll all rush me, hacking me to death?”
Fu Feng nearly burst out laughing.
Masters these days—are they always so humorous?
Even if you gave them ten lives, none would dare! I suspect you’re just showing off, and not even trying to hide it.
Fu Feng smiled in silence, thinking: Good grief, showing off? Who in this world would dare come at you with weapons? You’re just trying to make a fool of me—I won’t fall for it…
So this is how true masters show off? My word, I’ve learned something new today—I must try this myself sometime: act clueless, then shock everyone. Sounds delightful.
Fu Feng didn’t reply, leaving Ye Qiu puzzled. What is this guy thinking?
“Sigh, never mind, let’s just open it!”
Ye Qiu, unable to make sense of it, turned his attention to the box, pondering how to open it.
Seeing him about to open it, everyone craned their necks in anticipation, eyes wide, eager to see what was inside.
Ye Qiu studied the box for a moment, then muttered, “Strange, the mechanism feels so familiar… Isn’t this my own mortise and tenon design?”
The more he looked, the more confused he became. Experimentally turning it a few times, the box indeed opened.
Instantly, a column of azure light shot up to the sky.
“What terrifying power—is this the supreme immortal treasure?”
The place erupted in excitement, every eye fixed on the box.
Ye Qiu peered inside and found only a single book, its cover emblazoned with three large characters.
“The Classic of Mountains and Seas? What the hell? Supreme immortal arts? Isn’t this just an ordinary book?”
Ye Qiu was dumbfounded and cursed aloud.
“Senior, what do you mean by this?”
Fu Feng’s expression turned odd as he asked.
Was there something wrong with the Classic of Mountains and Seas? Just the name alone inspired awe—why would Ye Qiu curse?
If only he knew the book’s origins, he might have thought differently.
“What’s wrong with it? Everything! How is this supposed to be a supreme immortal art? It’s just a worthless book—I have a pile of these in my study, and you call this a supreme art?”
Ye Qiu was losing his composure. He’d thought he was about to soar, and it turned out to be… this? This?
Damn it, wasn’t this the book I tossed aside years ago, thinking it wasn’t any good? I never imagined that the book I casually discarded would become a treasure others would kill for.
What a joke! If you wanted it, why not just ask? I could have copied a few for you…
Ye Qiu had no idea that his words had thrown the whole crowd into an uproar.
“My god, did he just say what I think he said?”
“He said he’s got a pile of these in his study?”
“Damn, this guy is ruthless!”
Everyone was in shock! The treasure they’d fought over until death—he just told them he had a pile of them.
Fu Feng was sweating with embarrassment, thinking this Senior never speaks unless it’s to shock the world!
This is too much showing off. Sure, your cultivation is high, but must you be so ostentatious?
According to the legend, the Classic of Mountains and Seas contains countless strange tales and beasts from ancient chaos to the present, all-encompassing, a tome of supreme immortal arts.
And now you tell me it’s a worthless book?
Ye Qiu flipped through it and muttered, “Wasn’t this just something I tossed aside back then? How could it be a supreme treasure?”
“Damn… he’s at it again?”
If that hadn’t been shocking enough, this time no one could remain calm.
He claimed to have written this book himself? Just how unfathomable was he?
Fu Feng, drenched with cold sweat, stammered nervously, “Senior, is that true?”
Ye Qiu shrugged, “Why would I lie? My signature’s right there—look, black on white: Author, Ye Qiu…”
He flipped to the back—sure enough, the name Ye Qiu was written there. Fu Feng’s legs nearly gave out in terror.
This book was really written by him?
Heavens, this must be a reclusive immortal—a true celestial being!
No, I must cling to him! If I can win his favor, our Luminary Sanctuary will surely flourish.
Fu Feng was so nervous in the presence of such a being, he was lost for words.
Ye Qiu had no idea what he was thinking. He flipped through the Classic of Mountains and Seas, finding nothing special about it.
He grumbled, “Damn, I thought it was some priceless treasure, and it turns out to be junk! You risked your lives for this?”
At that, everyone broke out in a cold sweat, suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed.
Is this even human speech?
Isn’t this just showing off in disguise?
To you it’s junk, but to us, it’s a treasure. You deliberately put it like that—aren’t you just calling us trash?
Honestly, compared to you, we really are trash.
“I’m so mad! I think he’s doing this on purpose…”
“Be more confident—drop the ‘think.’ He’s definitely doing it on purpose!”
Everyone was exasperated, but no one dared speak up. They were afraid, plain and simple.
The Sky-swallowing Sparrow’s fate was a lesson—who would dare provoke him?
“But… is this book really as worthless as he says?”
They didn’t believe it, nor did Fu Feng. He cautiously asked, “Senior, may I have a look at the book?”
“Huh? Sure, take it. Just remember to return it…”
Ye Qiu didn’t care and tossed it over.
Judging by their reactions, the book seemed quite valuable. Since it was, of course Ye Qiu wouldn’t give it away so lightly—he’d have to find a chance to sell it.
“Heh, I feel like I’m about to strike it rich…”
Fu Feng’s heart trembled as he gingerly received the Classic of Mountains and Seas, opening it to look.
Suddenly… a ray of light enveloped him.
“Damn… is this guy breaking through?”