Qing Huan was not surprised to see this spiritual treasure in the Witch Clan.
After the great war between the Witch and Demon Races, nearly all great powers had fallen. The numerous Innate Spiritual Treasures had been divided among the four Sages, with Yuanshi, Tongtian, Jieyin, and Zhunti all gaining something.
Then another spiritual treasure flew into Qing Huan's hand. This one was rather interesting.
"Tut, tut! How wonderful would it be if this were a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!"
Qing Huan looked at the small skull drum in his hand.
High-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure: "Nine Nether Soul Suppressing Drum. Its body was fashioned from strange bone, giving off a sinister, ghostly gleam. Its drumhead, made from Kui Ox Hide, bore ancient patterns.
When gently shaken, it released a mysterious and powerful aura.
The drum shook the Yellow Springs, and souls returned to the Nine Nethers. When struck, its sound seemed capable of piercing the Three Realms and shaking souls apart. Even a Grand Unity Golden Immortal would suffer damage to their three souls and seven spirits after hearing it seven times."
This spiritual treasure was far stronger than the Jade Purity Bottle. Unfortunately, if it could be raised another grade, even a Quasi-Sage would find it difficult to withstand its power without a defensive spiritual treasure.
Afterward, Qing Huan took out a palm-sized red cover wreathed in fire and played with it in his hand.
The Nine Dragon Fire-Quenching Cover, an Innate Mid-grade Spiritual Treasure.
Its body was scarlet as flame, with mysterious runes flowing across its surface.
It could summon nine fire dragons to breathe Samadhi True Fire. The flames were incomparably scorching and could instantly burn enemies to ashes, exerting absolute suppression over opponents below the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.
Furthermore, this cover restrained poisons and evil artifacts, easily breaking poison-type magical treasures such as Blood Dissolving Divine Sand.
Qing Huan was exceedingly familiar with this spiritual treasure.
After all, it had originally been Taiyi True Person's Dao-attaining spiritual treasure among the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect. It was this very treasure that had burned Shi Ji of the Interception Sect alive during the Investiture of the Gods War, thoroughly setting off that war.
But now...
"This spiritual treasure has fallen into my hands. From now on, it will only be one of my disciples' spiritual treasures. Taiyi, don't even think about it."
Qing Huan's lips curled slightly as he put it away.
At that moment, a purple-gold metal mace wreathed in lightning caught Qing Huan's attention.
He stepped forward, picked up the mace, and nodded in satisfaction.
Not bad, an Innate Mid-grade Spiritual Treasure.
The Nine Heavens Thunder Pattern Mace was entirely purple-gold, with nine thunder patterns engraved upon its body. Every thunder pattern contained a restriction and flowed with the power of lightning.
When held, thunder roared from the mace, capable of intimidating the mind.
This mace could draw down divine lightning from the Nine Heavens and naturally restrained evil demons and wicked paths.
Qing Huan carefully surveyed the spiritual treasures in the Treasure Vault once more and could not help shaking his head lightly.
At this point, only five Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures and twenty-eight Low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures remained in the Treasure Vault.
The remaining hundred or so were all Acquired Spiritual Treasures. In his view, they were not worth much attention and were of little use to him. He might as well look at those Innate Spiritual Roots.
"What? Could it be that none of these spiritual treasures have caught Fellow Daoist Qing Huan's eye?"
Though Houtu could not discern the grades of these spiritual treasures, seeing Qing Huan shake his head, she guessed that they were likely less than satisfactory.
"Not entirely. It's just that I've examined these spiritual treasures, and not a single one suits you, Fellow Daoist. I'd better take a look at the Innate Spiritual Roots!"
Qing Huan explained.
After hearing this, Houtu could not help feeling somewhat disappointed.
But she quickly pulled herself together. After all, they had already found a way to resolve the Witch Clan's primordial spirit problem. As for the Apricot Yellow Banner, no matter whose hands it was in, the Witch Clan would seize it even if they had to risk their lives.
When Qing Huan's gaze fell upon that cluster of spiritual roots, he was somewhat surprised.
He had not expected the Witch Clan to possess a High-grade Innate Spiritual Root second only to an Ultimate Innate Spiritual Root.
That High-grade Innate Spiritual Root, the Jiao Pear tree, had a thick, ancient trunk, while its branches and leaves were lush and emerald green.
Every leaf looked as though it had been carefully carved, its veins clearly visible.
The fruits hanging from its branches were crystal-white and translucent like crystal, radiating a soft glow. Waves of fragrant spiritual qi drifted around it like wisps of smoke.
"This is the Innate Spiritual Root Jiao Pear, a famous Enlightenment Fruit.
Eating one can greatly improve a living being's comprehension during cultivation.
For those below the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm, eating one can offset tens of thousands of years of bitter cultivation and deepen their insights.
If a Grand Unity Golden Immortal eats one, it can likewise offset the bitter cultivation of one Huiyuan Era and provide some assistance in comprehending the Great Dao.
Hmm! Not bad. I can take it back to Zhongnan Mountain and cultivate it."
A trace of delight flashed through Qing Huan's eyes. With a gentle wave of his hand, he stored the Innate Spiritual Root Jiao Pear tree away.
"Fellow Daoist Houtu, I've finished choosing. Four spiritual treasures and one Innate Spiritual Root. I won't remain in the Witch Clan for long; I still need to return to my Dao Field as soon as possible to cultivate."
Qing Huan said.
"Mm! I, Houtu, will forever remember Fellow Daoist Qing Huan's great kindness this time.
If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, I, Houtu, will certainly repay you with all my strength."
Houtu's expression was utterly sincere.
"Good. If Fellow Daoist Houtu ever needs anything in the future, I will also do my utmost to help.
After all, Fellow Daoist Houtu can be considered my first friend since my Transformation."
Qing Huan smiled, but inwardly he thought:
I'll still need to head to the Underworld someday and secure the position of King of the Underworld, Great Emperor Fengdu. I need to build a good relationship with Houtu first!
As for the Apricot Yellow Banner, the Witch Clan probably cannot obtain it on their own. After all, that spiritual treasure is still on Treasure Distribution Rock and will later fall into Yuanshi's hands.
But since I'm here, the Apricot Yellow Banner is fated to be mine.
After bidding Houtu farewell, Qing Huan had barely stepped out of the Treasure Vault when something occurred to him.
His two good disciples were still at Falling Phoenix Slope.
Since he had some free time now, he should first bring Kong Xuan and Great Peng, those two eggs, back to Zhongnan Mountain.
After all, Zhongnan Mountain's spiritual qi was vastly stronger than that of Falling Phoenix Slope. It would also accelerate the Transformation of the two little ones.
After Hongjun's second lecture at Purple Sky Palace ended, Kong Xuan and Great Peng would soon undergo their transformations as well.
Qing Huan thought to himself:
No, Great Peng's innate Yin-Yang Qi source is incomplete. Even after Transformation, he would be no more than a Golden Immortal.
If his source could be restored, this little fellow would be like Kong Xuan—upon Transformation, he would become a Taiyi Golden Immortal.
And it seems that only the Innate Yin-Yang Flood Dragon above the Eastern Sea possesses this innate Yin-Yang Qi source.
Qing Huan paused briefly, then thought again:
Ah! Forget it. I should use it myself first! Once I gather the powers of Greater Yin, Greater Yang, Lesser Yin, and Lesser Yang, then add that innate Yin-Yang Qi, I can strengthen myself first.
By then, a single drop of my essence blood will be enough to restore Great Peng's source and improve his foundation.
After returning outside the grand formation at Falling Phoenix Slope, Qing Huan transformed into a streak of light and instantly entered the formation.
"Welcome back, Master."
Kong Xuan and Great Peng said in unison.
Though Kong Xuan was still inside his egg and had yet to undergo Transformation, he could clearly sense that his master's aura was much stronger than before, and a wave of longing rose within him.
"Haha, you two little fellows, how have you been these days? Have you gained any insights from the Dao I taught last time?"
Qing Huan asked with a smile.
"Master, we brothers have already fully integrated the Dao you taught us last time. Along with our bitter cultivation over the years, we have both advanced by a minor realm."
Before you continue