Lu Wu Bell

Taking advantage of the moment, Song Changsheng returned to the formation eye. With a wave of his hand, a set of formation flags and a dark yellow bronze bell emerged from the ground.

After putting away the formation flags, he finally had the chance to properly examine this Top-Grade Spirit Artifact that had served as the formation eye.

After shrinking, it looked more like a bell. An exotic beast was carved upon its surface: it had a human face, tiger claws, the form of a fierce tiger, and nine tails behind it, looking majestic and imposing.

It was the image of the ancient Divine Beast, "Lu Wu."

"Lu Wu Bell, will you follow me from now on?"

Song Changsheng lightly touched the bronze bell and murmured softly.

A layer of light appeared on the surface of the Lu Wu Bell. The carved Lu Wu seemed to come alive, even giving off a feeling of delight.

"Looks like you agree. I certainly won't disgrace you." Song Changsheng smiled slightly and placed it into his Universe Bag. The value of a Top-Grade Spirit Artifact was in no way inferior to the inheritance left behind by the master of the Immortal Cave.

What puzzled him, however, was that all signs indicated the master of the Immortal Cave should have been a Sword Path Cultivator skilled in both formations and artifact refinement. The three inheritances in the Universe Bag also proved this point.

Would a Sword Path Cultivator's Natal Spirit Tool be a bronze bell? That was clearly impossible. This Lu Wu Bell was more like a material he had used to set up formations.

Then the question was, where was this sword cultivator's Natal Spirit Sword? Or rather... whose hands had it fallen into?

Song Changsheng suddenly recalled the Stone Chamber he had not entered. His gaze unconsciously shifted toward Xu Yunhe in the distance. Could it have fallen into his hands?

That possibility was quite high.

But it could only rot in his belly. If there truly was a Spirit Artifact stronger than the Lu Wu Bell inside that Stone Chamber, it could only mean that he and it were not fated to meet.

While he was deep in thought, Zhu Yiqun came over cursing under his breath. "These Blood Demons are ridiculous. I turned everything upside down, but these people's Universe Bags were cleaner than my pot. Other than Demonic Artifacts, there was nothing at all.

That Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator didn't have a Universe Bag on him at all. Did Not Know whether he hadn't brought one or whether Senior Niu took it."

"Could it be that you pocketed it all for yourself?" Song Changsheng teased with a smile.

"How can you slander my innocence out of thin air? Am I that kind of person?" Zhu Yiqun immediately cried out with an exaggerated expression, making the two of them burst into laughter.

After the laughter died down, Zhu Yiqun tossed a pile of bloodstained Demonic Artifacts onto the ground. "A total of thirty-one Demonic Artifacts. Let's split them."

"It won't be easy for us to dispose of these Demonic Artifacts." Song Changsheng frowned slightly. Though they were all low-quality First-Tier Demonic Artifacts, they were still worth quite a few Spirit Stones.

The key was that Demonic Artifacts were difficult to handle. Song Changsheng still had not found a suitable way to deal with the few Demonic Artifacts captured last time. If there was truly no other option, he could only melt them down.

Hearing this, Zhu Yiqun thumped his chest hard enough to shake the heavens. "That's a minor issue. I have connections. How about this? If you trust me, leave them to me to handle. When the time comes, we'll split the proceeds equally."

"I trust Fellow Daoist Zhu's character," Xu Yunhe was the first to state his position.

Song Changsheng nodded. "That would be for the best. Such a large batch of Demonic Artifacts would truly be difficult for us to deal with ourselves."

"Don't worry. Old Zhu will definitely handle it perfectly for you." Zhu Yiqun grinned and put away the Demonic Artifacts on the ground.

"These Blood Demons are organized. They definitely can't be this impoverished. Their lair must be nearby, but it's a pity they didn't leave behind any survivors."

Song Changsheng felt somewhat regretful. The surrounding area was nothing but hills and Dense Forest. Trying to find a deliberately concealed demonic cultivator lair was no different from fishing for a needle in the sea.

"When fate decrees it, it will come; when fate denies it, don't force it. Our gains are already great enough." Zhu Yiqun took it rather well.

Song Changsheng nodded in relief, but then a flash of inspiration struck him. "Right, how should we handle that senior's remains? We can't just leave them here, can we?"

"We received the senior's legacy, so naturally we must properly arrange the senior's remains, lest they be used by Heretics and Demonic Cultivators. Also, the bones and belongings of the fellow cultivators who came with us must all be properly laid to rest."

Zhu Yiqun rarely turned serious. When he spoke of those fallen fellow cultivators, his eyes even reddened.

"Leave the senior's remains to me," Xu Yunhe, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly said.

Song Changsheng and Zhu Yiqun exchanged a glance before finally nodding in agreement.

Xu Yunhe entered the Immortal Cave to gather the remains. Watching his back, Zhu Yiqun said enviously, "Fellow Daoist Xu was the one who gained the most from this journey.

Although he lost an arm, the sword qi around him was subtly veiled, and his edge had begun to show. Once he broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, he would likely become another figure renowned in all directions."

"Everyone has their own destined opportunity. Our gains this time were not small either. We should be content."

"True. Eh, someone else is coming?" Zhu Yiqun pointed toward the distant horizon.

Song Changsheng looked into the distance and saw a small black dot gradually growing larger. Upon focusing his eyes, he saw that it was Wang Wanzhou flying over on a sword.

Seeing the traces left behind by the fierce battle, Wang Wanzhou's heart grew heavy. He could sense that two cultivators no weaker than himself had once fought here. It was very likely that he had arrived a step too late.

His aged eyes looked around, and at last, amid the wreckage, he saw Song Changsheng. He immediately Sighed in Relief and flew his sword to Song Changsheng's In Front Of. "This Old Man arrived a step late. Thankfully, you're unharmed. Otherwise, your Grandfather would probably storm This Old Man's Garrison Manor."

Song Changsheng hurriedly cupped his fists in salute. "Maternal Uncle, you overstate it. This junior is already deeply grateful that you came. This junior will report the matter to Grandfather and remember Maternal Uncle's aid."

"Hahaha, saying such things is far too formal. By the way, did you encounter Demonic Path Followers? I sensed the aura of Blood Demons." Wang Wanzhou swept his gaze around, his expression grave.

Song Changsheng recounted the whole story, leaving out nothing except the gains within the Immortal Cave.

"So that was it. As the saying goes, heaven blesses the fortunate. It could not be more fitting for the two of you." Wang Wanzhou sighed with emotion.

Song Changsheng pondered briefly before finally making up his mind to ask, "Maternal Uncle, you and my Grandfather are old friends. Did Not Know whether there is some grudge between the Lineage and Sunset City?"

Wang Wanzhou stared at him for a while before finally sighing. "This Old Man knew you would ask this, but it would be inappropriate for This Old Man to tell you. When you have the chance, ask your Grandfather yourself."

"This matter is related to Grandfather?" Song Changsheng frowned slightly. Why had he never mentioned it?

"Ah, enough of that. If you're done here, then return to the Market with me. When This Old Man came, the Earth Fire Sect was far from peaceful."

Wang Wanzhou had no intention of saying more. After glancing at the Great Sun that was about to set, he spoke to Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng looked at Zhu Yiqun. "Brother Zhu, are you coming with me, or...?"

Zhu Yiqun spread his hands. "I've already notified my family's Old Master. He'll come pick me up shortly. If he doesn't see me, he'll fly into a rage. You should go ahead with this senior first. Yun He will leave with me."

Seeing this, Song Changsheng did not press the matter. After cupping his fists, he leapt onto Wang Wanzhou's Flying Sword and began the journey back...