Heavenly Spiritual Treasure

Chapter 26: Heavenly Spiritual Treasure

At that moment, the Substitute Divine Statue in his dantian was already stirring restlessly.

Li Yan widened his eyes and searched carefully, soon spotting his target.

On the courtyard wall opposite, a Black Snake had coiled there at some point. It was as thick as an adult's arm, hissing as it flicked its tongue, green light glimmering from its eyes.

Anyone could tell at a glance that this thing was strange. Ordinary people would certainly have been terrified.

Yet when Li Yan saw it, he inexplicably felt as though it were a plate of rare and delicious delicacies.

He remained composed and pretended not to notice, but his left hand had already pressed against the hilt guard of the Guan Shan Saber at his waist, while his other hand reached into his robes for the Three Talents Demon Suppressing Coin.

The snake also slithered down, silent as a night breeze.

Its head remained fixed on the room where the First Madam was, as though it were growing anxious, its winding body crawling over.

Every Soul Guiding Lamp in its path went out.

A sudden understanding arose in Li Yan's heart.

This snake was most likely an entity with cultivation.

The First Madam of the Lu Family's Living Soul had left her body, and this thing was very likely involved.

Whatever the case, he would kill it first and worry about the rest afterward.

"Don't move!"

However, just as he was about to act, Wang Dao Xuan's trembling voice rang out behind him. He said softly, "The moment this thing is startled, it'll be ruined completely!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Black Snake seemed to sense the danger as well. Its form dispersed and vanished rapidly, as though it had never appeared.

The sweet, fragrant scent could no longer be detected either.

Li Yan regretted it deeply, but he did not grow angry.

He knew Wang Dao Xuan would not deliberately ruin his opportunity. Since he had spoken up, there had to be a reason. He therefore asked, "Daoist Wang, what was that?"

Wang Dao Xuan was clearly shaken as well. He swallowed and said:

"That was... a Heavenly Spiritual Treasure!"

A Heavenly Spiritual Treasure?!

Li Yan's heart jolted as he recalled the name.

Widow Wang had once mentioned that the former dynasty's martial general and grandmaster Yang Yi, in order to defeat the Golden Horde Khanate, had hired Treasure Hunters to investigate everywhere. They had found a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Treasure and refined it into a pair of Demon Blades of immense power.

Later, the Demon Blades had run wild and turned on their master, so the Da Xing Dynasty had melted them down and forged them into one hundred and eight Three Talents Demon Suppressing Coins. The object in his robes was one of them.

How had a Heavenly Spiritual Treasure come to look like this?

As though he knew what Li Yan was thinking, Wang Dao Xuan said in a low voice, "There are many kinds of Heavenly Spiritual Treasures, and they form for all sorts of reasons. Yet every one of them develops intelligence. They are the blessings of fortune between Heaven and Earth."

"But taking that fortune from Heaven and Earth is easier said than done. Heavenly Spiritual Treasures all have various taboos. Without understanding the crucial points, it's like trying to scoop up the moon's reflection from the water, or grasp flowers in a mirror and the moon in a bubble—visible, but impossible to obtain."

"They have two greatest characteristics."

"First, divine objects conceal themselves. They have already developed intelligence, and unless they reveal themselves of their own accord, you won't recognize them even if their true bodies are placed right before your eyes."

"Second, their natures are fierce and unyielding. If the method is wrong, whether they are destroyed or captured, they will immediately scatter all their fortune. Pearls will become rubble, and some will even drag you down with them in death."

Li Yan frowned. "They're that difficult?"

"That is precisely why the Treasure Hunter trade exists in the esoteric arts."

Wang Dao Xuan shook his head. "The Great Dao is boundless, and methods of the Dao are likewise endless. A person's energy is limited. Whether it's the orthodox teachings or unorthodox arts, one must build a foundation from childhood."

"Those Treasure Hunters who awaken the Yin Yang Eyes are locked from childhood in lightless cellars, trained until they become like night cats, with eyes sharp enough to pierce through anything..."

"And those like you, who awaken the Nose Spiritual Root, are often thrown into desolate wilderness, mass graves, or uninhabited forests. Their eyes are temporarily blinded with medicine, and they must rely solely on their sense of smell to find their way home..."

"Furthermore, Heavenly Spiritual Treasures come in many varieties, so Treasure Hunters specialize in different areas. Some explore mountains, some scour the seas, and some only crawl into grave pits. Each has their own unique skill."

Li Yan felt a headache coming on. "Do we have to invite a Treasure Hunter?"

Wang Dao Xuan shook his head. "Most of those people have eccentric tempers, and their movements are mysterious. I, a poor Daoist, have no way to contact them."

"Still, I do know some of the methods used by Treasure Hunters."

"Every Heavenly Spiritual Treasure is born from the fortune of Heaven and Earth, and must therefore be countered by something. As long as you find its true body, follow the generating and overcoming relationships of the Five Elements and the positions of the Eight Trigrams, then locate the object that counters it, you can collect it."

Li Yan was speechless. "What is the true body of that snake?"

Wang Dao Xuan gave a bitter laugh. "If I had the ability to identify treasures, I wouldn't have fallen into such dire straits. But I do know one thing..."

"That thing is definitely very inconspicuous!"

At dawn the next day, the people who had hidden outside returned one after another.

Their zodiac signs were incompatible with the First Madam's, so they could not approach the residence. After staying awake all night, they were bursting with curiosity and privately asked around as soon as they returned.

The First Madam's maids naturally did not dare say anything carelessly.

But many people had heard the commotion last night. In private, they discussed it, adding flourishes and embellishments until the story quickly became absurd and bizarre.

According to them, ghosts and gods had come to interfere during the soul summoning. Daoist Wang had set up an altar and battled them through the entire night before finally seizing back the First Madam's soul.

In short, the more mysterious, the better.

Thus, in the eyes of everyone in the residence, Wang Dao Xuan appeared increasingly enigmatic.

Yet at that moment, the rear residence was utterly silent.

Wang Dao Xuan held the three-finger pulse positions and checked the emaciated First Madam's pulse, stroking his beard from time to time, his brows tightly knitted.

The old Daoist had studied medicine as well. Though he could not compare with those Daoist physicians of the esoteric schools, he was more than qualified to serve as a local doctor.

As he had expected, although the First Madam's Living Soul had returned, she still had not awakened. Her face was haggard, and she exhaled more than she inhaled.

An ancient saying went that everyone in the world had a fixed allotment of qi.

Exhaling more than one inhaled was a sign that one's allotment of qi was nearly exhausted.

After taking her pulse, Wang Dao Xuan went outside with Landlord Lu and shook his head. "Just as I expected, the First Madam does not have much time left. Her lamp is dry and her oil exhausted; medicine cannot save her."

"The fortunate thing is that her Living Soul has returned, so she can still be buried in peace after she passes. Landlord Lu, you should make preparations early."

Landlord Lu sighed. "Thank you, Daoist Wang."

"We returned from the capital and have neither ancestral residence nor burial grounds. I ask that you help us choose an auspicious site. We do not seek lasting wealth and honor, only a little peace—peace and safety."

"That is only natural."

Wang Dao Xuan nodded and left the rear residence with Li Yan.

Before leaving, Li Yan turned back for a look, unwillingness in his heart.

From last night until dawn, he had not stopped for even a moment. He had searched every place he could, without closing his eyes at all.

But as Wang Dao Xuan had said, Heavenly Spiritual Treasures were masters of concealment. Sometimes, even when placed right before your eyes, they could not be detected unless they revealed themselves.

Though unwilling, he could only leave.

This was, after all, the Lu Family's main residence, and all the guards had already returned.

If he wanted another chance to search, he would probably have to wait until the funeral was being held on a grand scale.

But who knew when the First Madam would breathe her last?

His grandfather's health was worsening by the day. He had already asked a neighbor to look after him during these few days away, and he could not stay out for long.

Fortunately, unless a Treasure Hunter made a move, no one else had any hope of finding a Heavenly Spiritual Treasure he could not find.

He could continue searching when he found the time.

Amid these wild thoughts, the two of them had already returned to the side courtyard with Steward Lu.

After this night, Steward Lu was even more respectful toward Wang Dao Xuan. "Daoist, you must be tired. The master instructed us to let you rest properly after you eat."

"No need."

Wang Dao Xuan shook his head slightly and looked toward the earthen hills behind GuShui Village. He said solemnly, "The First Madam's condition is poor. I'll go up the mountain after eating and choose a suitable place, lest everything become chaotic when the time comes."

Steward Lu grew even more impressed. "Then I'm sorry for the trouble, Daoist."

With that, he ordered the servants to bring out the food, then bowed and withdrew.

Last night, Sha LiFei had also waited outside because his zodiac sign was incompatible. Seeing Steward Lu leave, he could no longer hold himself back. He came over, eating as he asked questions.

Li Yan, meanwhile, thought for a moment before telling them that he planned to leave first.

Wang Dao Xuan stroked his beard. "Filial piety comes before all other virtues. This matter cannot be delayed. Yan XiaoGe, rest assured. Once I finish here, I'll go to Li Family Fortress to find you."

After eating, Li Yan prepared to leave.

Perhaps wanting to curry favor with Wang Dao Xuan, Landlord Lu specially instructed the steward to provide travel expenses upon hearing that Li Yan was leaving, and to choose a horse from the stables as a gift.

This was a lavish gesture, and Sha LiFei's eyes went red with envy.

The three of them came to the stables. There were more than ten horses here. Though none could be called a fine steed, they were clearly far better than some of the frauds sold at the horse market.

Li Yan was in a good mood as well. After looking left and right, he chose a large black horse.

It was young, mild-tempered, and even leaned toward his hand of its own accord to eat the carrot.

"Good horse!"

Sha LiFei praised it, then turned toward the horse tack in the corner and smiled. "I once helped a saddler deliver saddles, so I know a little. I'll pick a good one for you."

With that, he burrowed into the corner and began rummaging.

"Huh? What's this?"

As he overturned the horse tack, he discovered a stick that had fallen onto the ground.

It was pitch-black and covered in scars, with a blurry dragon pattern on its surface.

Steward Lu had followed them in. When he saw it, he immediately frowned. "How did this thing end up in the stables?"

Seeing their gazes, he hurriedly explained, "There used to be more than a dozen residences here. After the master returned to his hometown, he bought them all and had them demolished and rebuilt."

"One of them was once the former residence of the Xianyang Drum King..."

Sha LiFei brightened. "The Drum King? Did he look like a leather drum?"

Steward Lu said disdainfully, "What would a coarse fellow like you know?!"

"There are countless kinds of drums in Guanzhong: the Ten-Faced Gong and Drum, the Wei Flag Gong and Drum, the Dragon Turning Drum, the Old Temple Old Drum... There are too many to count, and each carries its own lineage."

"Every fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Chang'an holds a drum festival. The roar of the drums is an unparalleled spectacle. Those who can become Drum Kings are few and far between."

"This was a relic of a Drum King. In my youth, I studied a little as well, so I kept it as a memento. It was originally stored in the house, so how did it end up here?"

"I don't see anything special about it. It's just a broken stick..."

Sha LiFei muttered, then casually handed it to Li Yan beside him.

Li Yan had been interested in antiques in his previous life. After taking it, he wanted to have a look.

However, the instant it reached his hand, his expression suddenly changed!