The fortune telling was so accurate that I accidentally accumulated a huge amount of merit!

Chapter 273 They gave us too much!
Yun Ran, who was initially unhappy about the heavy price she had paid, was now overjoyed because of Gu Yuan's words about immense wealth.

At this moment, there was not a single complaint. If asked, the answer was simply that they had given too much!

Looking at the smile on Yun Ran's face, Gu Yuan felt the anger he had been holding in inexplicably dissipate.

A helpless smile played on his lips: "You're really easy to please."

If someone from another powerful family had performed such a feat, they wouldn't have been satisfied with these rewards.

"I'll take this as a compliment. By the way, have you found out the old Taoist's identity? And where are his remains?"

Jiang Ming followed the little paper figure to find Yun Ran. As a member of the Xuanmen sect, he naturally recognized at a glance that the purifying power that shocked him came from Yun Ran's sacrifice.

Not far away were black-robed figures with shattered bones and small paper figures staring menacingly at the surrounding area.

He easily guessed whose bones were on the ground and who had broken the illusion.

Jiang Ming immediately put away the old Taoist's bones.

At the same time, this formation, which could use its own fortune and merits as a sacrifice, was also protected.

Even the people from the censorship department couldn't get close to this place.

"Having learned of the extraordinary nature of that formation, I had people intensify their investigation. We finally found a clue: that old Taoist priest must have been someone from before the great upheaval in the Xuanmen sect."

At that time, the Xuanmen (mystical sects) had many exceptionally talented individuals, whether they came from a prestigious Xuanmen family, other sects, or even small, remote sects.

But after that great upheaval in the Xuanmen sect, many sects lost their lineage, and many even disappeared without a trace, leaving not a single word behind..."

Yun Ran immediately understood Gu Yuan's meaning. That old Taoist priest was definitely not an unknown person with such abilities.

If it cannot be found, then its origin will likely be difficult to trace.

"Unfortunately, I didn't find anything in the old Taoist's grave that could prove his identity."

The situation must have been too urgent, and the old Taoist priest didn't have time to leave anything behind.

"What about the other side of the illusion? Is the troublemaker a spirit of the artifact?"

Gu Yuan was no longer surprised; it was as if whatever Yun Ran could guess was perfectly normal.

"The investigators found a large cauldron used for sacrifices in a pit of bones. Based on the clues we found earlier, it seems that the illusion was caused by the spirit of that cauldron."

Too much time has passed, and even many historical documents from the Northwest region lack any record of that possible ancient kingdom.

Now, the spirit of the artifact has been severely injured by your purifying power and has fallen into a deep slumber. It will likely be difficult to ascertain why it did this.

Yun Ran sighed softly. What else could it be? It was just one of those few reasons.

The probability of a large cauldron used for sacrifices developing a spirit is far rarer than that of spirits developing sentience.

Perhaps the old herdsman's story is true; that ancient kingdom truly possessed a divinely bestowed treasure. It was this treasure that nourished the great cauldron used for sacrifices, allowing it to become a vessel spirit.

The spirit of the artifact may have unknowingly taken it upon itself to protect that country.

After the goddess fled with the treasure, the ancient kingdom was plunged into endless disaster, and the spirit of the artifact watched helplessly as the country it was protecting became like that.

The spirit of the artifact could not distinguish between good and evil, and was corrupted by resentment and evil energy, eventually becoming an evil spirit.

It's no wonder that it can create illusions, attack souls, and even plunder other lives at will. "These things will be handled by someone, don't worry. Your priority now is to take good care of your health."

Thinking of something, Gu Yuan took out an antique-looking box from the drawer next to the hospital bed.

Upon opening, the aroma of Nine Yang Grass wafts out.

"This is the Nine Yang Grass that you had left over from when you used your purification power. Jiang Ming has kept it for you, just in case some shallow-minded people try to take advantage of the situation."

Looking at her once-plump Nine Yang Grass, now reduced to only a few withered leaves, Yun Ran finally felt a pang of heartache.

"Can this be reimbursed?"

There should be Nine Yang Grass in the Special Administration Bureau's treasury, right? She only has a few plants left, and every one she uses is one less.

Gu Yuan, who had previously appeared wealthy and powerful, suddenly became somewhat distracted. Although the Nine Yang Grass was not the most top-tier natural treasure...

However, its usefulness is undeniable, especially for those in the Xuanmen sect. As a result, almost every branch office has a stockpile of it, which they keep hidden for their own use.

So there's basically no stock left, and now that Yunran wants reimbursement, he really can't agree to it.

"That...maybe..."

Seeing Gu Yuan like this, Yun Ran knew that the Special Administration Bureau's treasure trove was probably full, and her heart ached even more.

Perhaps it was because Yunran's heartache was too obvious at that moment.

Gu Yuan could only say, "I can submit the application for you, and once the treasure vault has stock, I'll replenish it for you immediately."

Upon hearing these words, Yunran's heartache vanished instantly.

Gu Yuan: ...

Good heavens, he's met a live master of face-changing!

Then, belatedly, it dawned on them that Yun Ran had done it on purpose.

He was opening his heart to Yunran, but Yunran was playing tricks on him.

No, he can't stay here any longer, or he doesn't know what kind of tricks Yun Ran will pull on him.

"You should get some rest. I have things to do, I'll come see you later!"

As he spoke, Gu Yuan vanished in a flash, afraid that if he was a step too slow, he would fall into Yun Ran's trap again.

I don't know why all the young girls these days are so cunning.

Seeing Gu Yuan flee in panic, Yun Ran burst out laughing: "Even if it's the government, they can't take advantage of me in the slightest."

Then, Yunran's gaze fell once again on the Nine Yang Grass, which had withered and only had a few leaves left.

If it weren't for the Nine Yang Grass, her life force would have been completely drained by the formation when she sacrificed her own merits.

[Host, although the Nine Yang Grass absorbed part of the sacrifice for you, the life force drained from your body is likely irreparable. Even with the golden light of merit to repair it, it probably won't be enough.]

The ginseng fruit's statement is not without basis; Yun Ran was seriously injured several times during missions, and the golden light of merit she received was able to repair most of the damage she suffered.

But this time is different. This time, Yunran sacrificed herself voluntarily, so in a sense, it doesn't fall within the scope of needing 'repair'.