Oh, Isn't This the Spiritual Treasure of the Twelve Golden Immortals?

This Seat was not surprised to see this spiritual treasure appear among the Witch Clan.

After all, following the great war between the Witch and Demon Races, almost all the great powers had fallen, and numerous innate spiritual treasures were divided among the four Sages—Yuanshi, Tongtian, Jieyin, and Zhunti—each taking their share.

Then, another spiritual treasure flew into Qing Huan's hands, and this one was quite interesting.

"Tsk tsk! If only 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. The drum body is forged from strange bone, gleaming with a sinister, ghostly light, and the drumhead is made from Kui Ox Hide, its texture ancient and simple.

When gently shaken, a mysterious and powerful aura rushes forth.

The drum shakes the Yellow Springs, souls return to the Nine Nether. When struck, the sound seems to pierce the Three Realms, shaking the soul. Even a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, upon hearing seven beats, will have their Three Souls and Seven Spirits damaged."

This treasure was far stronger than the Jade Purity Bottle. A pity that if it could be raised one more grade, even a Quasi-Sage without a defensive treasure would struggle to withstand its power.

Next, a palm-sized red cover, crackling with flames, was picked up and toyed with in Qing Huan's hand.

Nine Dragon Fire-Quenching Cover, Innate Mid-grade Spiritual Treasure.

The cover was fiery red like flame, its surface flowing with mysterious runes.

It could summon nine fire dragons to spew Samadhi True Fire. The flames were scorching hot, instantly incinerating enemies to ashes, and held absolute suppression over opponents below the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm.

Moreover, this cover had a restraining effect on poisons and evil artifacts, easily breaking poison-type Dharma artifacts like Blood Dissolving Divine Sand.

Qing Huan was all too familiar with this treasure.

After all, it was originally the Dao-Confirmation spiritual treasure of Taiyi True Person, one of the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect. It was this very treasure that burned Shi Ji of the Jie Sect to death during the Investiture of the Gods War, thus fully igniting that conflict.

But now?

"This treasure has fallen into my hands. From now on, it will only be a treasure for my disciples. Taiyi, you can forget about it."

The corner of Qing Huan's mouth lifted slightly as he put it away.

At that moment, a golden mace, purple-gold in color and wreathed in thunder, caught Qing Huan's attention.

He stepped forward, picked up the golden mace, and nodded in satisfaction.

Not bad, this Innate Mid-grade Spiritual Treasure.

Nine Heavens Thunder Pattern Mace. Its body was purple-gold, engraved with nine thunder patterns, each containing a forbidden seal, flowing with the power of thunder.

When the mace was lifted, thunder roared, capable of shaking the mind and spirit.

This mace could summon the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, possessing a natural restraining effect against evil and demonic paths.

Qing Huan carefully surveyed the spiritual treasures remaining in the Treasure Vault and couldn't help but shake his head lightly.

At this point, only five Mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures and twenty-eight Low-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures were left in the vault.

The remaining hundred or so were all Acquired Spiritual Treasures. In his view, they were hardly worth paying attention to, of little use to him. He might as well go look at the innate spiritual roots.

"What? None of these spiritual treasures meet Daoist Friend Qing Huan's standards?"

Houtu, though unable to discern the grades of these treasures, saw Qing Huan shake his head and guessed that these items might not be satisfactory.

"Not entirely, but I've looked over all these treasures, and none of them are suited for you, Daoist Friend. I'd better take a look at the innate spiritual roots instead."

Qing Huan explained.

After hearing this, Houtu felt a pang of disappointment in her heart.

But she quickly rallied, after all, a method to solve the Witch Clan's Primordial Spirit problem had already been found. As for the Apricot Yellow Banner, no matter whose hands it was in, the Witch Clan would fight tooth and nail to seize it.

When Qing Huan's gaze fell upon the pile of spiritual roots, he couldn't help but be somewhat surprised.

He hadn't expected the Witch Clan to possess a High-grade Innate Spiritual Root, second only to a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Root.

There stood the High-grade Innate Spiritual Root, Jiao Pear. Its trunk was thick and sturdy, its branches lush and leaves a vivid green.

Every leaf seemed carved with precision, the veins clearly visible.

The fruits hanging from the branches were crystal white, transparent like glass, emitting a soft halo. Wisps of spiritual energy fragrance, like threads of light smoke, lingered all around.

"This is the innate spiritual root Jiao Pear, famous for its Enlightenment Fruit.

Eating one can greatly enhance a living being's comprehension during cultivation.

For those below the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm, one fruit can offset tens of thousands of years of bitter cultivation and deepen insights.

For a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, one fruit can offset a Huiyuan Era of bitter cultivation and provide some aid in understanding and comprehending the Great Dao.

Mm! Not bad. I can take it back to Zhongnan to plant and nurture."

A glimmer of delight flashed in Qing Huan's eyes. With a light wave of his hand, the innate spiritual root Jiao Pear tree was collected into his possession.

"Daoist Friend Houtu, I've made my selection. Four spiritual treasures and one innate spiritual root. I won't linger long in the Witch Clan. I need to return to my Daoist field to cultivate as soon as possible."

Qing Huan said.

"Mm! Daoist Friend Qing Huan, this great kindness, I, Houtu, will remember it in my heart.

If you ever face any difficulties in the future, I, Houtu, will surely repay you with all my strength."

Houtu's expression was sincere.

"Good. If Daoist Friend Houtu ever needs anything in the future, I will do my utmost to help.

After all, Daoist Friend Houtu can be considered the first true friend I've made since my Transformation."

Qing Huan smiled, but inwardly he thought:

"I'll still need to secure the position of King of the Underworld, Great Emperor Fengdu, in the Underworld later, so I'd better build a good relationship with Houtu!"

As for the Apricot Yellow Banner, it was likely impossible to obtain through the Witch Clan alone, since that spiritual treasure still sat on the Treasure Distribution Rock and would later be claimed by Yuanshi.

But since I'm here now, the Apricot Yellow Banner is fated to be mine.

After bidding farewell to Houtu and stepping out of the Treasure Vault, a matter suddenly came to Qing Huan's mind.

His two obedient disciples were still at Falling Phoenix Slope.

Since he had time now, he might as well bring Kong Xuan and Great Peng's two eggs back to Zhongnan Mountain first.

After all, the spiritual energy of Zhongnan Mountain far surpassed that of Falling Phoenix Slope, which would speed up the two little ones' Transformation.

By the time Hongjun's second lecture at Purple Firmament Palace ended, Kong Xuan and Great Peng would be nearing their Transformation.

Qing Huan pondered to himself:

"No good. Great Peng's foundation lacks the Innate Yin-Yang Qi; even if he transforms, he'll only be at the Golden Immortal level.

If I can make up for that foundation, this little one will become a Primordial Unity Golden Immortal upon Transformation, just like Kong Xuan.

And this Innate Yin-Yang Qi foundation seems to exist only in the Innate Yin-Yang Flood Dragon of the Eastern Sea."

Qing Huan paused briefly, then thought again:

"Ah, forget it! I'll use it for myself first! Once I gather the powers of Greater Yin, Greater Yang, Lesser Yin, and Lesser Yang, and pair them with that Innate Yin-Yang Qi, I'll give myself a boost first.

At that time, a single drop of my essence blood will be enough for Great Peng to make up his foundation and elevate his roots."

Returning to the outer edge of the Falling Phoenix Slope formation, Qing Huan transformed into a streak of light and instantly entered the formation.

"We welcome the Teacher's return."

Kong Xuan and Great Peng said in unison.

Though Kong Xuan was still inside his egg and had yet to transform, he could clearly sense that the Teacher's aura had grown far stronger than before, stirring a surge of aspiration in his heart.

"Haha, you two little ones, how have these days been? Have you gained any insights from my last sermon?"

Qing Huan asked with a smile.

"Teacher, we two brothers have fully integrated and comprehended the Dao you taught last time. Coupled with years of hard cultivation, we have both advanced by one minor realm."