Misery: There is a pawn shop here

Chapter 172 Five Artifacts
The vast martial world is rife with undercurrents. The Ghost River, yet to stir up a storm in the martial world, the mysterious legacy of Xuanyuan, and five divine artifacts prophesied to shake the heavens and earth, have become the prey in Li Xuanxiao's eyes. Logically, the Ghost River and its secrets should remain hidden, awaiting the opportune moment to emerge. However, if the world isn't bustling enough, the pawnshop's business will naturally be limited. Although the war between the Daoists and Demons is currently raging, in Li Xuanxiao's view, it still lacks a certain excitement.

The Ghost River was shrouded in an eerie atmosphere, its waters shimmering with a ghostly light, as if countless mysteries lurked within. Yan Qingcheng followed behind Li Xuanxiao, stepping into this unknown land, her heart filled with doubt. She asked softly, "Ghost River, what's so special about this place?" Her voice echoed along the silent riverbank, carrying a hint of unease and curiosity.

Li Xuanxiao walked steadily, his gaze deep, staring at the Ghost River ahead, and slowly said: "Beneath this river, there is a seal, three dangerous passes, and five divine artifacts with extraordinary power hidden within."

His words seemed to possess a mysterious magic, causing Yan Qingcheng and Jueqing Shu beside him to involuntarily hold their breath.

"A divine artifact?" Yan Qingcheng's tone was tinged with doubt and curiosity.

"They call them divine artifacts, but they're just some props with slightly greater power," Li Xuanxiao added.

The five divine artifacts beneath the Ghost River—the Sharp Senses Tassel, the Key of Creation, the Journey of Heaven, the Unbreakable Protection, and the Power to Shake the Heavens—while disregarding their side effects, could indeed dramatically increase a person's strength if all five were gathered together, and even individually, they would be enough to enhance an individual. However, if they were truly to be called divine artifacts, perhaps only the Key of Creation, which can revive the dead and heal the wounded, could be considered somewhat worthy of the title. As for the others, even if Ghost Liang gathered all the treasures, he wouldn't necessarily have an absolute overwhelming advantage against the Buddha Sword's Discourse. Shouldn't a true divine artifact grant even a prisoner the power to slay a god?

"Then why did the shopkeeper come here?" Yan Qingcheng asked again.

Li Xuanxiao continued walking, venturing deeper into the Ghost River, and replied, "Naturally, it's to bring the divine artifact back to light, and also to make it more worthy of its name."

As they spoke, the three arrived at the Ghost River region, triggering the first of the three trials. Sensing the presence of living beings, the Ghost River erupted with the chirping of insects, like a prelude to death. Immediately afterward, poisonous and evil insects swept out like haze and fog, the dense swarm sending chills down their spines. Before they could react, the poisonous fog had already arrived, filling the air with a nauseating stench.

"Ah!" Yan Qingcheng's expression changed drastically as she looked at the poisonous insects flying towards her with worry. "Sister Mei, be careful."

At this critical moment, Li Xuanxiao spoke calmly: "Alright."

His voice was calm and steady, yet it seemed to carry a power that shook heaven and earth. In the originally silent space, a gentle breeze suddenly blew up. The breeze was gentle but contained infinite power. Wherever it passed, poisonous insects flew backward and lined up on both sides of the road, as if welcoming some distinguished guest. Even the poisonous miasma disappeared without a trace, and the strange smell in the air gradually dissipated.

"Let's go." Li Xuanxiao patted Jueqingshu's shoulder, signaling him to relax, and then led the two forward. The man-eating vines and man-eating flowers were now obediently lying on the ground like children, not moving at all.

"This, these are..."

Although they remained completely still, Yan Qingcheng still felt a sense of fear. Li Xuanxiao pointed to these items and introduced them one by one. It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned them, because once he did, Yan Qingcheng actually got even closer to the Book of Heartbreak.

"The owner of this place has set up three checkpoints, filled with poisonous insects and vile flowers, all capable of taking lives. Only the most capable can escape these deadly trials, and this is only the first one." "This…"

"Let's go, the real troublesome third hurdle is yet to come."

The three continued onward, gradually approaching the depths of the Ghost River. But the moment they stepped in, Yan Qingcheng and Jueqingshu sensed that everything around them had instantly lost its color. Pure black and white light swept across the sky, carrying endless terrifying killing intent.

"Ah!" Yan Qingcheng screamed in terror. The power contained within the black and white light made her feel suffocated, as if her life was about to end there. Jueqing Shu also felt unprecedented pressure. Her hand holding the knife trembled slightly. She, who had been extremely confident in her swordsmanship before, felt powerless for the first time in her life. The black and white death light seemed to have a mysterious power, telling her that even if she drew her knife now, it would be useless.

However, the next moment, just before the black and white death rays descended, everything around them froze instantly, as if time had stopped flowing. Then, the black and white world regained its color, and Jueqingshu and Yan Qingcheng only heard a crisp cracking sound. When they looked again, everything had returned to normal.

"For the third checkpoint, you stay here; I will go myself."

After speaking, before the two women could react, Li Xuanxiao leaped and bounded into the Death Corridor. There, he saw a figure appearing and disappearing, with a strange appearance and an elegant demeanor. It was the figure of the peerless master, Wolong Xing.

The first palm strike he raised was a peerless move that gathered a thousand rivers and surged like waves. Li Xuanxiao did not forcefully suppress it with force, but instead suppressed his own power and activated the Innate Qiankun Gong. The unique moves followed one after another, breaking all of Wolongxing's set-up moves. Only when Wolongxing's moves became repetitive did Li Xuanxiao unleash a full-force palm strike, instantly shattering Wolongxing's afterimage and breaking the Death Corridor.

“Wolongxing, you have done your best.” Li Xuanxiao walked into the corridor, took out the Xuanyuan Chronicle, and then turned and walked out of the corridor.

"Is this the divine artifact?" Yan Qingcheng looked at the wooden box in Li Xuanxiao's hand, and Jueqing Shu also showed a look of inquiry towards it.

Li Xuanxiao nodded slightly, "Indeed, these are the five divine artifacts sealed here by a legendary figure."

"In ancient times, a demon wielded five divine artifacts, causing widespread bloodshed and calamity. Later, two divine monks, using a sacred artifact and a supreme Buddhist technique, vanquished the demon and saved the people from suffering. The five divine artifacts were lost in the process. Later, the lord of this place and his friend accidentally obtained them. Because he realized that these five treasures contained evil power, he created the Legend of Xuanyuan in an attempt to seal the five divine artifacts. However, he also knew that these things would one day reappear, which was beyond human control. I am merely causing them to reappear earlier."

"This..." Yan Qingcheng looked at Li Xuanxiao and asked, "What is the purpose of taking out this item, shopkeeper?"

"Why?" Li Xuanxiao smiled upon hearing this. "Naturally, it's to make it more worthy of the name of a divine artifact."

(End of this chapter)