Tianyou Commandery

Lu Changsheng, Zhou Qingtian, and the others gazed at the two brocade boxes atop the Stone Platform, their eyes burning with fervor.

These two brocade boxes had been stored in the deepest part of the cave estate. They surely contained the Qin Family's most precious treasures.

The group approached the Stone Platform. Zhou Qingtian took a deep breath, then carefully opened the first brocade box.

Buzz!

The instant the brocade box opened, a fierce and domineering aura surged out from within. Everyone hurriedly looked over, only to see an ancient crimson scroll made of beast hide lying inside.

A phantom dragon claw was inscribed upon the surface of the scroll, emanating an incomparably ferocious baleful aura.

"Could this be the Qin Family's clan-defending ultimate art, the Sky-Splitting Sacred Lion Claw?!"

Zhou Qingtian's voice trembled with excitement. This was a Black-tier Martial Art, after all—its value was nearly impossible to measure!

At the side, Lu Changsheng was not as excited as Zhou Qingtian. His expression remained as still as an ancient well.

Holding his breath, Zhou Qingtian gently opened the second brocade box.

Buzz!

As the box opened, a dense bloody glow burst forth. At the same time, a faint yet peculiar scent of blood slowly spread from within.

"This is..."

Everyone looked over and saw a bowl-sized lotus, entirely blood-red, resting quietly inside.

The petals of this scarlet lotus were crystal-clear, as though carved from red jade. Within it, viscous spiritual fluid like blood seemed to flow slowly, radiating an incomparably vast force of vitality.

"This is..."

"Blood Spirit Lotus?!"

Zhou Qingtian cried out in shock, uncontrollable ecstasy rising in his eyes.

"Blood Spirit Lotus? Father, is this some rare treasure?"

Zhou Zhirou looked puzzled.

"Rare? It is far more than merely rare! This Blood Spirit Lotus is a holy medicine for healing! No matter how grave one's injuries are, as long as they still have a breath left, the Blood Spirit Lotus can make them recover swiftly!"

"Moreover, the Blood Spirit Lotus is one of the most important ingredients for refining high-grade life-extending pills. I never expected the Qin Family to possess such a treasure!"

Zhou Qingtian was beside himself with excitement.

Upon hearing this, a strange light appeared in Lu Changsheng's eyes. The Blood Spirit Lotus was known as a sacred healing medicine; possessing such a precious medicinal herb was no different from having an extra life.

After all, should one encounter a critical situation where they were gravely injured and on the brink of death, the Blood Spirit Lotus would be a miraculous medicine that healed wounds and saved lives.

"Young Friend Lu, these two treasures are surely the finest of the Qin Family's collection. Today, you rendered the greatest service in destroying the Qin Family. Choose one of these two treasures first."

Zhou Qingtian said generously.

Lu Changsheng did not decline. His gaze fell upon the two brocade boxes, and after hesitating for only a moment, he reached out and took the Blood Spirit Lotus.

"Patriarch Zhou, I believe this item will benefit me more. Thus, I shall leave this Black-tier Martial Art scroll to you, Patriarch Zhou, so that it may strengthen the Zhou Family's foundations."

Lu Changsheng smiled faintly.

Though the Black-tier Martial Art was excellent, he already possessed the Dragon Elephant Golden Body Art. Moreover, he knew well that biting off more than one could chew would only leave one unable to digest it, so he naturally chose the Blood Spirit Lotus.

"Young Friend, your righteousness is lofty! My Zhou Family will surely remember this in our hearts!"

Zhou Qingtian solemnly clasped his fists, then accepted the beast-hide scroll.

Just as Lu Changsheng had said, this precious Black-tier Martial Art was something that could strengthen the Zhou Family's foundations.

Over the next two days, the Treasure Cave bustled with activity. The Zhou Family clansmen had poured out in full force, like industrious worker ants, transporting every kind of precious treasure from the cave back to Zhou Manor. The Qin Family's century of accumulated wealth had now all become the Zhou Family's spoils of war.

Two days later, outside Tianyang City.

"Junior Disciple Lu, are you leaving so soon?"

Zhou Zhirou asked reluctantly.

"Yes. This trip out of the sect was mainly for training. There are still three months left, and I plan to venture farther afield."

Lu Changsheng nodded slightly.

At this moment, Zhou Qingtian suddenly brought forth a heavy Cosmic Bag.

"Young Friend Lu, the road ahead is long, and its dangers are unknown. These trifling items are merely a token of my regard. I hope you will accept them."

Zhou Qingtian said sincerely.

"Many thanks, Patriarch Zhou!"

Lu Changsheng did not refuse. He immediately accepted the Cosmic Bag and swept it roughly with his spiritual sense, whereupon an astonishment appeared on his face.

Inside the Cosmic Bag were a full three hundred thousand Spirit Stones, along with all manner of pills and medicinal herbs for healing, recovery, and detoxification, as well as several weapons of extremely high grade, each worth a city.

These precious treasures were clearly part of the Qin Family's trove. Zhou Qingtian was not a man devoured by greed; he had given a portion of the Qin Family's treasure entirely to Lu Changsheng.

With this wealth, Lu Changsheng now possessed the means to establish himself wherever he went.

"Take care, Senior Sister!"

Lu Changsheng solemnly clasped his fists, then departed Tianyang City.

Zhou Zhirou and the Zhou Family members watched Lu Changsheng off until his figure completely vanished from sight.

The Nine Heavens Continent was a broken land within the lower realm. This land was divided into four regions: the East Ling Domain, West Sea Domain, South Saint Domain, and North Desolate Domain.

The East Ling Domain was vast and boundless.

Across this land, sect forces were as numerous as stars. Among them, four great super sects shook the land and stood as its undisputed overlords.

These four great super sects were the most ancient existences in the East Ling Domain: the Lingxiao Sect, Supreme Sword Sect, Limitless Demonic Palace, and Exquisite Pavilion.

Lu Changsheng had lived in the Lingxiao Sect since childhood. He only remembered that when he had been very young, his parents had abandoned him outside the Lingxiao Sect's outer gate.

As for his parents, Lu Changsheng retained only vague impressions in his mind.

Later, however, he became a Miscellaneous Servant Disciple in the Lingxiao Sect.

After leaving Tianyang City, Lu Changsheng headed straight north. Along the way, he traveled beneath stars and moon, cultivating diligently.

During this period, he repeatedly tempered the spiritual power within his body. His breakthroughs had come too quickly, making an unstable foundation unavoidable, so he continually refined his spiritual power to consolidate his foundations.

For seven full days, he braved wind and slept in the dew like a wild man.

Seven days later, he finally arrived at a vast and boundless wilderness.

"This should be the Yellow Sand Ancient Road at the border of Tianyou Commandery."

Lu Changsheng took out a parchment map and examined it carefully. The wilderness before him stretched without end, filled everywhere with reddish-yellow sand and soil. For ten miles in every direction, there was nothing but desolation, with only low, hardy thorn bushes growing stubbornly.

Once he crossed the Yellow Sand Ancient Road, he would enter Tianyou Commandery's territory.

Tianyou Commandery was an extremely ancient region within the East Ling Domain, where forces of every kind were as numerous as cattle hairs. It was said that countless inheritance sites and hidden treasures existed within this ancient land.

This time, Lu Changsheng's destination was Tianyou Commandery. He intended to explore it and see whether he might encounter those legendary, hidden ancient inheritances and secret treasures.

Most of these hidden treasures were cave estates and tombs left behind by ancient experts. If he could obtain even some of their inheritances, his strength would soar dramatically...