Promise!

Chapter 273, Obtaining the Treasure

The winter sun was warm and gentle, casting white light on the rooftops and eaves. The Linghu Lake in the distance shone like a bright mirror, and the entire city of Cangzhou seemed to awaken in a languid state.

As the crowds in the Third Ring Road gradually increased, it became increasingly noisy. The great opportunities that kept emerging in the Funiu Mountains attracted more independent martial artists to enter the mountains with greater enthusiasm, resulting in more gains and making the December energy tide of that year even more lively.

Bian Zhihao's massacre of martial artists has drawn the ire of the Xuantian Division, who are determined to bring him to justice. This has stirred up a storm of unrest and undercurrents.

Bailu Martial Academy was already on holiday, so Zhuang Jin no longer needed to slack off. Lately, he had been focusing on cultivation. This day, he came out of the meditation room to rest and ran into the old lady.

"Young Zhuang, Zhihao has been found over there. Would you be willing to accompany your grandmother on the trip?"

Knowing Zhuang Jin's cautious nature, Shangguan Jinfeng spoke frankly: "Bian Zhihao has fled to Lanzhou, and the Lanzhou aristocratic families have also sent people to get involved. Now it is a matter between two states."

"It's just a treasure basin and some precious pills. It's not worth the great families' Yin Gods fighting so fiercely. We'll agree that each of the two great families in the two states will send one person to see how you juniors do."

The Shangguan family has no innate three-corpse warriors at the Corpse Severing Realm. This time it's either Shangguan Yunchang or him.

Having said that, Zhuang Jin couldn't avoid the topic. However, since it was a battle between beings below the Yin God level, it posed no danger to him, so he might as well go and see them off: "I've known Bian Zhihao for a while, so I might as well go and see him off."

"Alright, alright, let's go with Grandma then!" Shangguan Jinfeng led Zhuang Jin into the sky aboard the Phoenix King, which had undergone three blood transfusions.

At the same time, the Cen family, the Ge family, and the state government all made moves and set off together.

……

Daxing Prefecture is located at the border of Cangzhou and Lanzhou.

Bian Zhihao took the treasure basin and the precious pill, and has been fleeing in panic for many days. Except for necessary rest, he has been on the road and dares not stop for a moment.

He had initially hoped to escape like Ao Zhiqi, but in reality, he had been too complacent. The pursuit by the Xuantian Division was unprecedented in its intensity. Even with utmost caution, he still managed to expose his tracks during the pursuit, killing several waves of pursuers, but he was still locked into the area and came into view.

Now, Bian Zhihao feels like an insect surrounded by a thick spider web, with less and less room to maneuver, and will eventually be captured and eaten.

However, what gave him a glimmer of hope was that, starting from the past two days, an unknown force seemed to be secretly helping him, which was why he was able to get here.

"Soon, in half a day we'll enter Lanzhou territory."

Thinking this, Bian Zhihao felt a slight sense of relief, but also unease and worry: 'That unknown force is most likely also up to no good, or perhaps it's one of the powerful families of Lanzhou.'

But now, with enemies both in front and behind, there is no other choice.

Bian Zhihao, weary from his journey, bypassed the populated county town and quickened his pace.

"Wow!"

Suddenly, a long cry rang out, and a golden eagle circled in the sky, from which a person fell.

The newcomer was none other than Li Shicong. He looked at Bian Zhihao with a slightly complicated expression: "Brother Bian, you have always been cautious. Why have you gone to such lengths? If you surrender and hand over the Treasure Basin and the Elixir, I can save your life."

"Having come this far, how can I possibly turn back?"

Bian Zhihao sighed with a complicated expression, then turned cold and hard, and decisively made his move. His azure innate energy surged out like waves of a boundless sea, and judging from his aura, he had actually reached the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm, the Second Corpse-Slaying Realm!
It was the Treasure Basin Elixir that enabled him to sever his two corpses during this period of time, and even the accumulation of his two-corpse-severing realm was completed rapidly in a short time with the help of the Elixir.

"Then please forgive my rudeness, brother." As Li Shizong raised his hand, a phantom image of a giant tree appeared behind him, as if a tree realm had descended and enveloped him.

Li Shizong was also at the level of the Two Corpses Severing Realm, and had been immersed in this realm for many years. His accumulation of the Two Corpses Severing Realm was already complete, and he was in good condition. Unlike Bian Zhihao, who was mentally exhausted, he was able to handle the situation with ease.

After several hundred moves, Bian Zhihao was at a disadvantage.

A young man in white suddenly appeared and blocked Li Shicong's way: "Fellow Daoist Bian, please leave. I will stop this person for you."

"Thank you!"

Bian Zhihao didn't recognize the other person, but he didn't care about anything else. He cupped his hands in greeting, hurriedly got away, and continued forward.

But they hadn't gone far when another voice rang out: "Fellow Daoist Bian, please wait!"

……

After Li Shicong represented the Cangzhou government, the Cen and Ge families were repeatedly blocked by people, but they also inexplicably appeared to help them, turning misfortune into good fortune one after another. However, Bian Zhihao felt increasingly uneasy.

'Only the aristocratic families can rival them. I don't know those martial artists who have severed two or three corpses and helped me, but considering the whole story, they must be from aristocratic families in Lanzhou.'

'As I predicted, I am now completely under their surveillance, and even a powerful Yin spirit is secretly targeting me.'

'The powerful families of Cangzhou? The powerful families of Lanzhou? Ha, at this moment I'm like a piece of meat on a chopping board, the only difference is who will eat me.'

Bian Zhihao thought sadly, realizing his predicament. After three battles, he was in a sorry state, his clothes torn in many places. He was only able to drag his heavy steps forward, relying on the obsession he had held onto in the past.

'The Cangzhou government, the Cen family, the Ge family, and the Shangguan family are still missing.' He anticipated another calamity ahead.

Indeed, after walking a short distance, they found someone waiting ahead. Who else could it be but Zhuang Jin?

Swish!
Zhuang Jin didn't make a move, but instead tossed over a red wine gourd: "Brother Bian always says to be cautious, but this time you've taken the plunge and gambled so recklessly, only to end up like this. Do you regret it now?"

Bian Zhihao took the wine without hesitation, not even worried about poisoning it. He gulped it down in one go. Lately, he had been fleeing in a sorry state, and this wine was like a life-saving rain for him.

After drinking most of it and catching his breath, he wiped his stubble-covered mouth and chin with his tattered sleeve before saying, "Of course I regret it, but even if I had to do it all over again, I would still make the same choice."

"Brother Zhuang, do you know what the treasure basin and the precious pills nurtured within it for hundreds of years mean?"

He shook his head with a wry smile: "Knowing is easy, doing is hard; ultimately, it's a matter of not having enough willpower."

"Composure?"

Zhuang Jin nodded and looked at the other party: "Brother Bian, is there anything else to say?"

"I don't blame anyone for how things have turned out this way. But, gambling always leads to losses. Brother Zhuang, learn from this lesson and take it as a warning!"

As Bian Zhihao spoke, he condensed his innate spiritual energy and looked at Zhuang Jin: "Come, let me learn from Brother Zhuang's superior skills."

As expected, just as Zhuang Jin was about to make a move, an old man with white eyebrows and a long beard, who had reached the Three Corpses Severing Realm, appeared and stopped Zhuang Jin.

Zhuang Jin held nothing back, unleashing his full power. His innate Qi, at its peak, possessed the ice attribute, which, combined with the freezing winter weather and his spiritual energy, transformed an area of ​​several dozen feet into a frozen wasteland, pressing down upon them. The white-browed elder had already slain the Three Corpse Worms and attained a flawless body. Despite his white hair and beard, he possessed a youthful face and his combat strength remained at its peak. His own condensed aura clashed with Zhuang Jin's, causing the air to hum in unison.

"Ten thousand swords return to the clan!"

"Five thunders rectify the law!"

Sword energy crisscrossed, and lightning struck down. As the two clashed, mountains collapsed, rocks split, and the earth shook.

However, unlike before, this time Bian Zhihao did not leave. He stood to the side and did not even attack Zhuang Jin. He just squinted his eyes and drank the remaining wine in the red wine gourd with great care.

The white-browed old man grew anxious and, distracted by the battle, shouted, "Fellow Daoist Bian, if you don't leave now, when will you?"

Just as this person became distracted and impatiently opened their mouth—

Boom!
The Kui Niu drum sounded.

A sonic wave that shook the very soul enveloped the old man, causing him to freeze for a moment. In that moment of weakness, countless materialized ice-soul sword energies gathered and blasted him away, causing him to cough up blood and fly backward.

—The opponent looked miserable, but Zhuang Jin had actually avoided vital points; it was only a moderate injury. This wasn't because Zhuang Jin had tried to take advantage of the opening but couldn't kill the opponent; it was just a pre-arranged duel, and there was no need for him to kill a martial artist at the Innate Corpse-Severing Realm who had severed three corpses, thus drawing unnecessary hatred.

Swish!
Zhuang Jin injured the white-browed old man, then flashed to Bian Zhihao's side. He pointed a finger down, intending to seal the opponent, but unexpectedly Bian Zhihao stepped forward and asked to die.

In his final moments, Bian Zhihao left a telepathic message: "Since we are going to die today, we might as well do a favor and give the Treasure Basin and the Elixir to Brother Zhuang... Also, be careful of Li Shicong!"

boom!
The gourd in the man's hand fell to the ground.

Zhuang Jin's expression was complicated. He slung his bag over Bian Zhihao's shoulder and looked up at the sky: "Seniors, can this bet be ended?"

……

After Zhuang Jin killed Bian Zhihao, obtained the Treasure Basin and the Precious Pill, and asked this question, several cold snorts came from afar, followed by the appearance of Shangguan Jinfeng, Cen Chongxuan, Ge Daoqian, and Xuan Yuanzhengji, the governor of Cangzhou.

This is a duel between Cangzhou and Lanzhou, and also an internal duel within Cangzhou.

Each of the two prefectural governments and prominent families sent one person to block and one to assist, in a total of four rounds.

If Bian Zhihao is stopped or killed in the four passes but does not pass Cangzhou, then the Treasure Basin and the Elixir will belong to Cangzhou; if Bian Zhihao passes through the four passes and escapes to Lanzhou, then the Treasure Basin and the Elixir will belong to Lanzhou.

In the end, Zhuang Jin successfully intercepted the treasure basin and the precious pills, which were returned to Cangzhou. Because Zhuang Jin represented the Shangguan family in the battle, the Shangguan family ultimately took control of the treasure basin and the precious pills they obtained, as well as the pills that would be upgraded in the future. The Shangguan family took 40% of the share, while the Cen and Ge families and the state government each took 20%.

It can be said that Zhuang Jin has made great contributions to the Shangguan family this time, and Shangguan Jinfeng will not treat him unfairly. On this day, when he returned, Shangguan Yunchang handed him a few things.

……

Cangzhou City, First Ring Road, Shangguan Family Residence, Quiet Room.

Zhuang Jin looked at the three precious pills radiating spiritual light in front of him, as well as a round, shimmering green bead.

These three precious pills are the Gangyuan Pill, Ningyuan Pill, and Zhuangshen Pill, all of which have been nurtured in the Treasure Basin for hundreds of years.

The Gangyuan Pill is a pill that normally accelerates the accumulation of the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm. However, because of this pill, it has been upgraded and nurtured in the Treasure Basin for hundreds of years, and contains extremely large medicinal power.

The reason why Bian Zhihao, whom we saw before, completed most of his realm accumulation in a short period of time after breaking through the realm of Severing Two Corpses was because of this pill. According to Shangguan Jinfeng's estimate, this 'Super Gangyuan Pill' is enough for a martial artist in the Innate Severing Corpse Realm who has reached the Severing Two Corpses Realm to complete the accumulation of the Severing Two Corpses Realm within a month.

The Condensing Qi Pill, a pill that helps break through the bottleneck of the Innate Qi Realm, has also undergone hundreds of years of upgrading and nurturing. Now it is effective even for the bottleneck of the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm.

—Its effects do not overlap with those of the Corpse-Subduing Pill. The Corpse-Subduing Pill is used to suppress corpse worms, but it cannot help one break through the bottleneck of the Innate Corpse-Slaying Realm and enter the profound 'Super Inner Observation' state to perceive the three corpse worms.

The last Body Strengthening Pill, ordinary Body Strengthening Pills only stimulate and strengthen Qi and blood, and are the usual resources for physical body cultivation techniques. However, this pill has been upgraded and nurtured for hundreds of years, and it also contains enormous medicinal power with remarkable effects. Shangguan Jinfeng assessed that it was enough to support the breakthrough from the eighth to the ninth level of the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique.

These pills were extremely suitable for Zhuang Jin. They were carefully selected by Shangguan Jinfeng as a reward for his merits. It can be said that Zhuang Jin's trip was well worth it with just these three pills.

"The Gangyuan Pill will allow me to quickly accumulate the necessary resources to reach the Two Corpses Severing Realm; the Zhuangshen Pill, on the other hand, will allow me to push my Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique to the ninth revolution once I've consumed all the Kui beef."

'As for this Condensing Qi Pill, I haven't reached a bottleneck yet, but I don't need it. It's not convenient to return it or exchange it for now. I'll see if I can exchange it for a super-enhanced Qi Essence Pill when I break through to the Three Corpses Severing Realm.'

Zhuang Jin thought to himself.

The last round, shimmering green bead is the Wood Spirit Bead, one of the ten spirit beads of Yin Yang, Five Elements, Wind, Thunder, and Ice.

—The Funiu Mountains are lush with trees, and there is a certain probability of finding Wood Spirit Orbs during the Yuan Qi tides. The Shangguan family naturally has some in stock, but since they didn't reward them for their previous lack of contribution, they gave them away this time.

In Shangguan Jinfeng's view, Zhuang Jin was essentially a son-in-law, and since he was given to him, the inheritance would eventually be passed on to his and Shangguan Yunchang's offspring. It was a very generous move, as the inheritance would be kept within their own family.

'Last time, the Holy Spirit Orb absorbed a Wind Spirit Orb; this time, it obtained a Wood Spirit Orb.'

Zhuang Jin nodded slightly, took out the Holy Spirit Pearl, and used a secret technique to activate its absorption and refinement.

After a while.

hum!
As the Wood Spirit Orb shattered, Zhuang Jin noticed that the Holy Spirit Orb had become more stable, and its effects of concealing one's aura, accelerating cultivation, purifying energy, and enhancing aptitude had been strengthened once again.

'I am connected to the Holy Spirit Pearl by mind and spirit. After the Holy Spirit Pearl successively devoured the Wind Spirit Pearl and the Wood Spirit Pearl, it seems to have undergone some mysterious changes, but these are more felt than described and difficult to discern. If the Holy Spirit Pearl were to truly devour the ten spirit pearls of the Five Elements, Yin and Yang, Wind, Thunder, and Ice, would it actually generate a materialized space within it?'

'Well, I'm still far from collecting all ten spirit orbs. For now, I should focus on cultivation and strive to break through to the Yin God realm as soon as possible.'

Reflecting on his journey, Zhuang Jin realized that no matter how glorious he appeared, he was merely a pawn in the game: 'Only by breaking through to the Yin God realm can I truly escape the chessboard in the state city!'

With that thought in mind, he swallowed the 'Super Gang Yuan Pill' and, as he refined it, felt the innate Gang Yuan in his dantian rapidly surging and increasing.

If, under normal circumstances, the accumulation of one's spiritual realm is like a trickle flowing into a spring, then at this moment, it is like a mighty river bursting forth from its dam. The difference between the two is immeasurable.

'At this rate, I should be able to complete the accumulation of the Second Corpse Severing Realm within a month, and then I can eliminate the last Corpse Worm.'

Zhuang Jin thought to himself, calming his mind, refining the medicine, controlling its power, and immersing himself in this rapid improvement.

……

(End of this chapter)