Chapter Forty-Two: The Legacy of Those Who Came Before

After cultivating this “Spirit-Transforming Qi Technique,” a practitioner’s spiritual energy becomes imbued with a peculiar force. Should an opponent be struck, this force will invade their meridians and spiritual center, continuously eroding their reserves of power. Dispelling this intrusion is not difficult, but it takes time—something rarely afforded in battle. Once afflicted, one’s spiritual energy drains at a much faster rate.

This is a deadly advantage. Especially when opponents are of equal strength, the one whose energy depletes faster will inevitably be the first to fall.

“No wonder it needed special preservation—such a secret art is truly a rare find.” Song Changsheng’s heart leapt with joy. The creation of any secret art was no trivial matter; at minimum, one must reach the Golden Core stage. Just this one technique alone made the entire journey worthwhile.

He examined the remaining three jade slips, but none could compare to the brilliance of the first. These contained methods for array formation or artifact refinement—precious enough to itinerant cultivators, but for him, they were of little consequence.

Stowing away his gains, Song Changsheng pressed on to the next stone chamber. After two fruitless searches, he entered an unusual stone room.

It was remarkably spacious, several times larger than any chamber he had seen before.

“It appears empty, yet danger lurks in every shadow. The owner’s mastery of arrays is likely no less than my grandfather’s,” Song Changsheng thought, awe flickering in his eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, he wisely chose to circumvent the chamber.

He was certain treasure lay hidden within, but the opportunity was not his. Inside was a nearly third-tier sword array, the air thick with lethal sword qi—far beyond his capabilities.

Rather than waste time, it was better to seek fortune elsewhere.

What Song Changsheng did not realize was that soon after he left, Xu Yunhe also arrived via another passage. Feeling the razor-sharp sword qi and glancing at his empty right hand, Xu Yunhe resolutely stepped inside…

Song Changsheng continued his search, but his harvests were meager, leaving him puzzled. Why had the owner built so many useless chambers? Surely it was not out of boredom.

Yet with all his discernment, Song Changsheng could not fathom the true intent behind these designs, and could only speculate in silence.

Pushing open another stone door, Song Changsheng was stunned. Unlike the dimness of the previous rooms, this chamber was brilliantly lit.

He couldn’t help but look up. There was no sun, but at the center of the ceiling, a luminous sphere glowed—a massive orb set into the stone, like an oversized incandescent lamp.

“A Sea Pearl—such a large one is truly rare,” Song Changsheng marveled. Sea Pearls themselves were not valuable, but he had only ever read of such size in books. This was an eye-opener indeed.

His gaze dropped, and he noticed a jade bed in the corner, frosted with cold and upon it, a sitting skeleton—an eerie sight.

“How did I not notice it at first glance? Something’s not right.” Song Changsheng narrowed his eyes, catching the trick. A faint barrier cloaked the jade bed, distorting perception and thus escaping his notice at first.

“The flesh has long decayed, yet the bones still emit a faint spiritual radiance. This person must have been at least a Foundation Establishment cultivator—could this be the owner of the estate?”

Song Changsheng stepped forward, and with utmost respect, clasped his hands and bowed deeply. “Esteemed predecessor, I am Song Changsheng. By fortune I have entered your abode—if I have disturbed your rest, I beg your pardon.”

Though they were trespassers, the remains of a predecessor deserved at least basic respect.

Creak—

As Song Changsheng finished his bow, a door on the other side opened. Zhu Yiqun and Zhuang Yuechan had arrived as well—clearly, this was the final destination of the estate.

“Ah, it seems that arriving early isn’t as good as arriving at the right moment. If we’d been delayed, Changsheng would have claimed the greatest prize alone,” Zhu Yiqun said with a grin, gazing at the skeleton upon the jade bed.

“Indeed,” Zhuang Yuechan nodded approvingly.

“You both have perfect timing. Where is Fellow Daoist Xu?” Song Changsheng smiled, looking around.

Zhu Yiqun scratched his head. “I ran into Zhuang on the way. I thought Xu would be with you.”

“I didn’t see him,” Song Changsheng replied, frowning slightly. Had something happened?

At that moment, from the passage Song Changsheng had used, Xu Yunhe staggered in, his body crisscrossed with fresh wounds, barely able to stand.

Yet his spirit was high, visibly invigorated—clearly, he had gained something extraordinary.

“Fellow Xu, those wounds—are you all right?” Zhu Yiqun asked in concern.

“It’s nothing—just flesh wounds,” Xu Yunhe grinned, waving it off.

“That’s good. Since everyone is here, let’s divide this final great fortune,” Zhu Yiqun said, his eyes sparkling as he gazed at the intact storage pouch beside the skeleton.

No one asked what Xu Yunhe had experienced, nor what he had gained. As they’d said before, everything depended on one’s own ability.

Song Changsheng had a vague suspicion where Xu Yunhe had gone, but asked nothing. In time, this would become an unsolved mystery.

At Zhu Yiqun’s suggestion, Song Changsheng nodded. After another respectful bow to the skeleton, he dispelled the barrier and picked up the storage pouch.

Since its owner had perished long ago, the spiritual imprint sealing it had faded; it opened effortlessly.

With a slight shake, a pile of spirit stones, magical tools, metal ingots, jade slips, jade boxes, porcelain bottles, and other assorted items spilled out—a chaotic assortment of treasures.

It was time to divide the spoils.

Song Changsheng gathered the spirit stones and ores. “These have obvious value—we’ll split them evenly. As for the rest, since their worth is uncertain, let’s each take one item by luck. What do you say?”

He referred to the jade slips, boxes, and so on. Until opened, no one could know their contents—some may be empty, some may hold rare treasures.

Everyone desired the best, but any method of division risked discord. Better to let fortune decide, and keep harmony among the group.

“No method is perfectly fair; this is the best way,” Zhu Yiqun agreed.

Zhuang Yuechan and Xu Yunhe had no objections; there was no better alternative.

“Who will go first?” Song Changsheng asked.

“This time, it was thanks to Fellow Song that we entered the estate at all. I believe he should choose three items first,” Zhuang Yuechan suggested unexpectedly.

…