Hearing that there were Spiritual Treasures to be claimed, everyone was thrilled. Still, they rose and bowed toward the Dao Platform in thanks.
They then headed outside, and Qing Xuan's group did the same. Once Qing Xuan left Zixiao Palace, he saw countless glowing orbs flickering atop Treasure Distribution Cliff.
"Let's each grab treasures on our own. We'll regroup afterward." With that, Qing Xuan flew toward the Spiritual Treasures.
Hong Yun and the others scattered as well, while Qing Xuan headed for the ten brightest clusters of light.
The Three Pure Ones, Jie Yin, Zhunti, and others had targeted the same treasures as Qing Xuan.
With so many people and so few treasures, it was only natural that two people would compete for one. Qing Xuan was fairly lucky; the Spiritual Treasure he intended to claim happened to have no other contenders.
Qing Xuan reached out and collected the Spiritual Treasure. To his surprise, it was a small banner.
"Northern Profound Origin Water Control Banner! It fell right into my hands without any effort. I've actually gathered all the Five Directions Innate Banners! Hahaha!" Even if he gained nothing else, Qing Xuan had already profited greatly.
Qing Xuan looked around, and his eyes lit up. Di Jun and Yuanshi were fighting over the final large orb of light.
Qing Xuan hurried forward and reached for it. Yuanshi immediately roared in fury.
"Qing Xuan, you're courting death!"
Yuanshi had just sent Di Jun flying, then turned and attacked Qing Xuan, swinging the Jade Ruyi at him.
"Yuanshi, Spiritual Treasures belong to those capable enough to claim them!"
Qing Xuan drew the Primordial Halberd and knocked Yuanshi away with all his strength before collecting the treasure.
"Hahaha! The Qian Kun Cauldron! Yuanshi, this treasure has no fate with you. Go fight for the other Spiritual Treasures. If you're any later, there won't be anything left."
Yuanshi's expression darkened, but he did not continue fighting Qing Xuan. Just as Qing Xuan had said, claiming Spiritual Treasures was the most important thing now.
After putting away the treasure, Qing Xuan flew toward other Spiritual Treasures to seize them.
"High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Yin Yang Mirror. High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Eight Sceneries Palace Lantern. Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Nine Heavenly Light Divine Blades. Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Purple Lightning Hammer. Wonderful, wonderful!" Qing Xuan happily collected treasures when he suddenly heard a cry.
"Master, save me!"
In the distance, Peng Xuan had already reverted to his original form and was flying toward Qing Xuan, with a Daoist following behind him.
"Such nerve! You dare lay hands on my disciple!" Qing Xuan flew into a rage, grabbed the Primordial Halberd, and rushed over.
Seeing his master approach, Peng Xuan transformed into human form and hurriedly hid behind Qing Xuan, pointing at the Daoist as he spoke.
"Master, I relied on my speed to snatch this man's Spiritual Treasure. He actually tried to kill me afterward. I couldn't beat him, so I had no choice but to come find you.
Hey, Daoist, get lost while you can, or my master might accidentally kill you!" Peng Xuan first explained what had happened, then mocked the Daoist.
Hearing this, the Daoist burned with rage and roared at Qing Xuan.
"Daojun Qing Xuan, your disciple stole my Spiritual Treasure, and he still dares behave like this. You must give me an explanation!"
Qing Xuan smiled at those words.
"My disciple took your Spiritual Treasure because you were too weak, and you still want an explanation from me?
I say you frightened my disciple. Shouldn't you be the one giving me an explanation?"
"Good, good, good! I've long heard that Daojun Qing Xuan's magic power is boundless. Today, I, Jue Mu Dao Ren, will have a taste of it!" Jue Mu Dao Ren laughed in extreme anger. He had not expected Qing Xuan to be so unreasonable, and immediately prepared to settle things with his sword.
"Heaven and Earth Severing!"
Jue Mu Dao Ren held a longsword as a streak of sword light slashed toward Qing Xuan.
An idea struck Qing Xuan. He took out the Spirit Devouring Blood Mosquito Banner. Ever since refining this Spiritual Treasure, he had never used it, so he decided to test its power on this man.
"Myriad Mosquitoes Devour Souls, go!"
The blood mosquito banner transformed into a hundred billion Blood Red Black Mosquitoes, surrounding Jue Mu Dao Ren.
"What is this?"
Jue Mu Dao Ren cried out in terror. He could feel his magic power rapidly draining away, while even his Primordial Spirit was slowly being devoured.
"No! I was wrong! Daojun Qing Xuan, I was wrong! Spare me! Sp—" The Blood Red Black Mosquitoes formed a crimson sphere, and Jue Mu Dao Ren's desperate voice within grew fainter and fainter before vanishing completely.
"Return!"
Qing Xuan waved his hand and recalled the Spiritual Treasure. The hundred billion blood mosquitoes returned to his hand, becoming an ordinary-looking small crimson banner.
Everyone looked toward Jue Mu Dao Ren. All that remained was a human-shaped skeleton lying on the ground.
"Hiss!"
Sharp intakes of breath rang out all around. Those who witnessed it trembled in fear and hurriedly moved away from Qing Xuan.
"What kind of Spiritual Treasure is that? How can it possess such terrifying power?"
"So this is the famed Daojun Qing Xuan of Three Immortal Islands?"
"Cannot be made an enemy! Cannot be made an enemy!"
The surrounding crowd chattered endlessly. Qing Xuan heard them but paid no attention. Even he had been startled by the Spirit Devouring Blood Mosquito Banner's power.
"M-Master, what Spiritual Treasure is that?" Peng Xuan asked from behind him, his voice trembling.
"It's nothing. We'll talk after we return." Qing Xuan put away the Spiritual Treasure without another word. He glanced at Jue Mu's corpse and knew that even Jue Mu's Spiritual Treasures had been drained dry. He no longer paid it any mind and left with Peng Xuan.
Qing Xuan flew around with Peng Xuan, searching for targets. Suddenly, his eyes brightened. He saw Jie Yin fighting for a Spiritual Treasure, protected by the Twelve-grade Merit Golden Lotus.
The Spiritual Treasure is mine! Qing Xuan rejoiced inwardly and hurried over. Seeing him, Jie Yin immediately became wary. He even abandoned the Spiritual Treasure and quickly dodged aside.
Qing Xuan ignored him and said to Jie Yin.
"Jie Yin, I need a Golden Lotus Seed. How about giving me one?"
Jie Yin looked puzzled.
"Qing Xuan, you should not be lacking in Spiritual Treasures. What use do you have for a lotus seed?"
"You need not know what I want it for. This is the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, Purple Gold Alms Bowl. I'll trade it for two lotus seeds."
Jie Yin's eyes lit up. Although Merit Golden Lotus Seeds were precious, even when cultivated, they could only produce Nine-Rank Merit Golden Lotuses, which were Low-grade Spiritual Treasures. They were decent, but could not compare to the Purple Gold Alms Bowl.
Still, Jie Yin cautiously asked.
"Truly?"
"Don't worry. I'll give it to you first. Catch!"
Zhunti caught the Spiritual Treasure Qing Xuan tossed over, still somewhat dazed. He then took out two lotus seeds and gave them to Qing Xuan, while Jie Yin hurriedly left, afraid Qing Xuan would regret it.
Qing Xuan put away the lotus seeds with a smile on his face, thinking to himself.
It worked. Once the lotus seeds mature, I can proceed to the next step!
Qing Xuan had originally wanted to look for Minghe, but after looking around, he abandoned the thought and took Peng Xuan to find Hong Yun and the other person.
The Spiritual Treasures on Treasure Distribution Cliff were soon all claimed. Qing Xuan met up with Hong Yun and the other person, and both wore radiant smiles. It seemed they had both gained much.
"You two, I'm taking my disciple back to Three Immortal Islands. Would you like to come along?" Qing Xuan asked with a smile.
"No, no. I'm returning to Huoyun Palace. I snatched so many Spiritual Treasures this time—it feels amazing. I'm going back to refine them."
"Indeed. I'm returning to Wuzhuang Temple as well, to digest the gains from this trip."
The two declined. Soon afterward, they returned to the Primordial Continent and went their separate ways, while Qing Xuan took Peng Xuan and flew toward Three Immortal Islands.
Meanwhile, on Three Immortal Islands, Qing Xuan's other disciples were gathered together, eating hotpot.
"Senior Brother, why hasn't Master returned yet?" Bi Xiao asked Kong Xuan, deeply curious about where their master had gone to have fun. He had been gone for thousands of years.
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