Chapter Ninety-One: Dividing the Treasures

Valley of Absolute Yin.

Because all the yin energy of heaven and earth had been devoured clean by Shiyan using the Profound Yin Art, there was not a trace of yin left in the Valley of Absolute Yin, which should have been the place with the heaviest concentration of such energy. Sunlight poured down from above, illuminating the valley.

In the center of the valley lay the massive body of the Nine-headed Celestial Serpent, its entire form stained with blood.

Beset by Chi Xiao, Zhua Qi, and Xia Xinyan, unable to draw upon the yin of heaven and earth, and exposed fully to the sun, the Nine-headed Celestial Serpent was at last slain.

Within the valley, aside from Chi Xiao, Zhua Qi, and Xia Xinyan, several others had appeared abruptly.

When Shiyan and Zuo Shi’s party arrived from outside the valley, Shiyan’s face darkened at a single glance at the scene within.

Beiming Shang and his grandson Beiming Ce stood openly in the valley. Yin Kui and Jiu Shan, naturally, were at Beiming Ce’s side. Mu Yudie and Di Yalan, faces alight with excitement, gazed at the blood-soaked body of the Celestial Serpent.

Besides the experts of the Beiming family, Zou Zihe and a strange, demonic youth had also appeared in the valley.

All eyes in the valley were fixed on the central corpse of the Nine-headed Celestial Serpent.

Chi Xiao and Zhua Qi were drenched in sweat and looked somewhat weakened.

Xia Xinyan’s face was pale—she had already consumed a Heaven Mending Pill, but her body could not quickly recover to its peak.

The three of them had spent all their strength and much of their vital energy, leveraging the time and place, to finally slay the Celestial Serpent—only to suddenly discover that Beiming Shang and a Heaven Realm expert had quietly slipped into the valley.

Their frustration was understandable.

Shiyan entered and stood beside Han Feng and Ku Long, his gaze cold as he watched the visibly excited Mu Yudie and Di Yalan.

"Those who see should have a share. There are nine demon crystals in the Nine-headed Celestial Serpent. How shall we divide them?" Beiming Shang frowned, speaking calmly. "I know the three of you worked hard, so my demand is not high. Of the nine demon crystals, I want only two: one of fire attribute, and one refined from yin energy."

"Why should you get a share?" Zhua Qi’s face twisted with rage. "All the demon crystals belong to us! We fought to kill the Celestial Serpent. You did nothing—what right do you have to claim a share?"

"And why not?" Beiming Shang’s smile was cold. "Because we’re here now."

"I want two," the Lord of the Dark Nether said coolly, pointing at the serpent's head that could spit yin energy. "The demon crystal in that head is mine. The rest are yours."

"Heh!" Zhua Qi suddenly sneered, "That depends on whether you’ve got the skill to claim them!"

"Of that, you should be more aware than I," replied the Lord of the Dark Nether. "On the outskirts of the Dead Marsh, we fought. You killed several of my men. But that was in the marsh, where you could hide in the swamps and poison mists. Here, without those barriers, how do you expect to contend with me?"

"Brother Zou," Beiming Shang turned to the Lord of the Dark Nether with a slight smile, "There appear to be three Heaven Realm experts on that side, but in truth, that’s not the case."

"Oh?"

"Miss Xia’s martial soul is formidable, but her true cultivation is only at the Third Heaven of the Hundred Tribulations. After using her martial soul, she can’t recover quickly. If it comes to a fight, we have nothing to fear." Beiming Shang pointed to Xia Xinyan.

At these words, Xia Xinyan’s expression turned icy.

Zhua Qi was taken aback and glanced at Xia Xinyan. "Is this true?"

In his opinion, though both he and Chi Xiao were exhausted, with Xia Xinyan’s Heaven Realm strength, they might force the others to give up the crystals. But only if she could maintain her strength—if she was only at the Third Heaven of the Hundred Tribulations, not only would they fail to prevail, but they could suffer loss.

Under Zhua Qi’s gaze, Xia Xinyan nodded helplessly.

"Beiming Shang, what brings you here?" Chi Xiao, worried about something else, was silent for a while before suddenly speaking.

"What do you think?" Beiming Shang asked with a smile.

"I see," Chi Xiao sighed, nodding. "You’re here for the Heavenly Gate as well. I never thought you’d get wind of it. It seems you’ve never relaxed your watch where the treasure map is concerned."

"My Beiming family’s eyes and ears in Skyfall City far exceed what you imagine. As long as I wish, nothing stirs in Skyfall City without my knowledge." Beiming Shang strolled unhurriedly to one of the serpent’s heads and said, "Let’s divide the demon crystals first, then discuss the Heavenly Gate."

With everyone watching, Beiming Shang, calm and unhurried, retrieved a demon crystal from one of the serpent’s heads. "I’ll have one more."

The Lord of the Dark Nether did not move, but said offhandedly, "Mu Hui, fetch the crystal."

The demonic youth smiled, nodded, and walked toward two of the serpent’s heads, not even glancing at Chi Xiao’s group, as if certain they would not dare act.

Zhua Qi's face flushed red with fury, but he stood motionless, gritting his teeth. "I’ll remember this."

Beiming Shang and the Lord of the Dark Nether ignored him.

"Zhua Qi, dig out the remaining five demon crystals," Chi Xiao sighed helplessly.

Scowling, Zhua Qi moved to the serpent’s corpse. As he extracted the crystals, he vented his anger, tearing the serpent’s heads apart with brutal, bloody force.

Shiyan watched coldly.

Chi Xiao and Zou Zihe had clearly planned this, waiting for the perfect moment.

When Chi Xiao’s group slew the Celestial Serpent, Beiming Shang appeared, seizing the advantage after Xia Xinyan had exhausted her martial soul and demanding a share of the spoils.

Beiming Shang’s methods were ruthlessly cunning.

He had contributed nothing, preserved his peak strength while Chi Xiao’s group fought desperately, and in the end, forced a share of the loot.

Once the Heavenly Gate opened, he would enter at full strength, his chances of profiting from the treasures inside higher than those of Chi Xiao’s group.

Shiyan took a deep breath, forcing himself calm. While the strong carved up the spoils, he remained silent, observing and waiting.

Before long, the division was done.

Of the nine demon crystals, the Beiming family received one fire-attribute and one refined from yin energy; Zou Zihe took two refined from yin energy. Of the rest, Zhua Qi took two poison-attribute crystals, Chi Xiao took one poison and one fire-attribute, and Xia Xinyan kept one fire-attribute.

The nine demon crystals were thus divided among the experts.

Next, the serpent’s poisonous fangs, spines, snakeskin, venom, and other materials were not overlooked.

With so many Heaven Realm experts present, these precious materials were quickly harvested and divided.

This time, the Shi family received five fangs, a piece of snakeskin from the serpent’s back, and three bottles of venom.

"This fire-attribute demon crystal will be greatly beneficial to your martial soul." Beiming Shang, with a casual toss, sent a demon crystal from the serpent’s body drifting toward Di Yalan.

Di Yalan was taken aback, glancing uncertainly at Beiming Shang, her voice trembling with excitement. "Master Beiming… you mean… you’re giving me this demon crystal?"

A fire-attribute demon crystal was extremely valuable for Beiming Shang’s Blue Flame martial soul, and this one came from a seventh-level monster, the Nine-headed Celestial Serpent—an immeasurably precious treasure for her.

Beiming Shang nodded with a smile. "Keep it. Use it well to cultivate. Now that you’re part of the Beiming family, I will not shortchange you."

Di Yalan hesitated, feeling the crystal too valuable. As it hovered before her, she was reluctant even to reach out.

"Sister Lan, it’s for you. Take it," Mu Yudie said, snatching the crystal and pressing it into Di Yalan’s hands.

"Thank you, Master Beiming." As the crystal touched her palm and she felt the intense heat radiating from it, Di Yalan no longer hesitated, unable to bear giving up the treasure, and quickly expressed her gratitude.

"We’re all family now. No need for thanks," Beiming Shang replied mildly.

A flicker of unease crossed Di Yalan’s face—she seemed to sense a hidden meaning in his words, but bowed her head, acting as if she hadn’t, and did not relinquish the seventh-level demon crystal.

—She could not resist the allure of the crystal.

Shiyan watched it all, his face stormy, silent.

…