Semi-Divine Artifact

Nangong Zheng's imposing aura bore down on him, and a cold gleam flashed in his eyes.

Liu Chengfeng met his gaze, withstood the pressure, and showed no fear.

"Her Majesty of Qiuchi's divine techniques are indeed terrifying. But what if a Demigod came?"

"A Demigod?"

Liu Chengfeng immediately thought of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect's leader.

"Inside the Ancestral Hall, the most captivating things aren't the Crow Nest Tree. They're the many treasures and semi-divine artifacts in the Hall of Sages."

"Semi-divine artifacts—"

Liu Chengfeng's heart tightened. Empress of Qiuchi hadn't told him about the Hall of Sages or the semi-divine artifacts.

"Senior, even if the Ancestral Hall is tempting, opening it isn't something that can be done overnight."

"I can wait. Can you? The longer this takes, the more likely it is that a Demigod will truly appear."

The leader of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect hadn't truly become a Demigod yet.

Liu Chengfeng realized the problem, and Nangong Zheng had also revealed this information to him.

Perhaps the day the leader of the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect became a Demigod would be the day they made their move.

"Ha, ha, ha! Since everyone is in such a hurry, perhaps there's room for negotiation after all."

"What room for negotiation?"

Nangong Zheng was taken aback by Liu Chengfeng's change in attitude.

"The Ancestral Hall has been activated. First, we must fill the Thunder Fire Eye before its gate can be opened. That's only the first step."

"Since everyone is interested in the Ancestral Hall, it just so happens that there are four Thunder Fire Eyes."

Liu Chengfeng had come up with a plan.

"What do you mean?"

"To honor everyone's enthusiasm, there'll be a share for each of us. Qiuchi Kingdom takes two, while the Nangong Clan and the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect each take one. How does that sound?"

"What do you want?"

"That's the entry fee. Senior, do you dare to wager against Qiuchi Kingdom?"

"How would we wager?"

Nangong Zheng's eyes narrowed.

"The Nangong Clan is unrivaled in alchemy, so let's wager on alchemy."

"Wager against us in alchemy?"

Nangong Zheng thought he must have misheard.

"Right. We'll compete in alchemy at the Thunder Fire Eye."

"To open the Ancestral Hall, we must use earthfire to fill the Thunder Fire Eyes. Whoever completes more pills to fill them wins and may claim the Ancestral Hall alone."

"I'll win."

Nangong Zheng didn't need to think twice to know how this wager would end.

In fire control and alchemy, no one beneath the Ancient Kingdom could compare to him.

"If you take the field, is there any point in wagering? I doubt anyone would agree. Each side should send a young alchemist to compete."

"I have no objection."

Nangong Zheng had no qualms about that. Even if he didn't compete, the Nangong Clan's disciples could still stand above the rest in alchemy.

"Is that all?"

"No. Since it's a wager, there must be stakes."

"What do you want?"

"Senior, if I'm lucky enough to win, the Nangong Clan will give me one bottle of Triple-Refined Mountain Pills."

"Triple-Refined Mountain Pills—"

Nangong Zheng's eyes narrowed.

"Fine. No problem."

Triple-Refined Mountain Pills were precious, but they posed no difficulty for Nangong Zheng.

"And if I win, the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect and the Ancient Li Royal Court must never again make an enemy of Qiuchi Kingdom."

"That's impossible."

Nangong Zheng rejected the demand outright.

"Then they must never make trouble for Cloud Rising Sect."

Liu Chengfeng lowered the stakes.

"That's not something I can decide."

Nangong Zheng shook his head.

"Senior, if you want the Crow Nest Tree, that's up to you."

Nangong Zheng gave a displeased snort.

"I've laid out my terms. If you won't agree, then let's see whether my Empress's spear is sharp enough!"

"Are you threatening us?"

Nangong Zheng's gaze turned icy, and the might of the Great Dao bore down on him.

"Since we can't come to terms, then we have no choice but to fight. Did you come to Qiuchi Kingdom to sightsee?"

Liu Chengfeng remained fearless and shot back.

"Fine. Very well. It's a deal."

"A deal. We'll settle this at the Thunder Fire Eye."

"Will you compete yourself?"

Nangong Zheng looked at Liu Chengfeng, plainly doubtful.

"Since I proposed the wager, I'll represent the royal family and take on your people. What's wrong with that?"

"You're an alchemist?"

"No. I'm going to cram for it. Learning alchemy now won't be difficult."

"Learning alchemy at the last minute won't be difficult?"

Nangong Zheng drew out his words. That sounded like an insult to him.

If alchemy weren't difficult, alchemists wouldn't hold such exalted status.

Nangong Zheng didn't believe that someone who learned alchemy at the last minute could challenge the Nangong Clan and the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect.

"You're bound to lose."

Even the most talented young alchemists wouldn't stand a chance against the Nangong Clan.

"It's too early to talk about winning or losing."

Liu Chengfeng was brimming with confidence, certain of victory.

Nangong Zheng was both surprised and doubtful. He couldn't imagine how someone who was cramming at the last minute could possibly beat the Nangong Clan.

"Fine. We'll see who wins."

The Nangong Clan was sure to win this contest.

"What if you lose, Senior?"

Liu Chengfeng looked at Nangong Zheng with a faint smile.

"Don't make absurd claims—"

Nangong Zheng's expression darkened, and his eyes turned sharp.

"Senior, anything is possible."

Liu Chengfeng remained unmoved and spoke unhurriedly.

"Who could beat the Nangong Clan?"

Nangong Zheng gave a cold laugh. The Nangong Clan's alchemy was unrivaled; neither Qiuchi Kingdom nor the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect could match it.

"Me."

Liu Chengfeng pointed at himself.

"My disciple is a Second Refinement, Upper Grade alchemist. You've never studied alchemy, and you think you can beat him? Keep dreaming."

Nangong Zheng gave him a cold look. It wasn't that he looked down on Liu Chengfeng; it was simply impossible.

"Anything is possible."

Liu Chengfeng's confidence made Nangong Zheng suspicious. He didn't believe anyone could learn alchemy on the spot and surpass his disciple.

"Senior, if you lose, the Crow Nest Tree will be beyond your reach, let alone the Crow Nest Heart Method."

Nangong Zheng gave a cold snort.

"Actually, even if you obtain the Crow Nest Tree, there's no guarantee you'll comprehend the Crow Nest Heart Method."

That went too far. Nangong Zheng's expression changed, and his eyes seemed ready to kill.

He was a Great Dao Divine Treasury powerhouse and a Third Refinement, Upper Grade alchemist. How dare a junior question his talent?

"Can Qiuchi Kingdom comprehend it?"

Nangong Zheng maintained his dignity and didn't get angry. He only gave a cold laugh.

Apart from the Nangong Clan's founder, no one had ever comprehended the Crow Nest Heart Method beneath the Crow Nest Tree.

"Not Qiuchi Kingdom. I, insignificant as I am, will do it."

"You—"

Nangong Zheng was taken aback again. He looked at Liu Chengfeng in disbelief.

"If I can cram for alchemy and still beat you, then comprehending the Crow Nest Heart Method will be a piece of cake."

Nangong Zheng was suspicious. He didn't believe him, but Liu Chengfeng didn't look as if he were joking. The Ancestral Hall was on the line.

"Senior, haven't you been going around in circles just to get the Crow Nest Heart Method?"

"Not only can I give you the Crow Nest Heart Method, I can also integrate it into the Sage Scroll Innate."

"The Sage Scroll Innate! Impossible!"

Nangong Zheng's mind shook. The Sage Scroll Innate was a cultivation method for the Blood Sea Divine Treasury, one of the Green Meng Realm's most supreme methods.

Only the Divine Dynasty possessed it in the entire Green Meng Realm.

"Senior, do you want the Sage Scroll Innate?"

The bait he'd tossed out was explosive. Nangong Zheng stared fixedly at Liu Chengfeng.

If he possessed the Sage Scroll Innate, he'd have a chance to become a Fourth Refinement Alchemist, the highest level of alchemist in the Green Meng Realm.

Even the Divine Dynasty would scramble for him and welcome him as an honored guest!

"That's impossible."

Nangong Zheng was half-convinced, half-doubtful. He didn't even dare dream of obtaining the Sage Scroll Innate.

"I can make it happen. What do you have to lose?"

"What do you want?"

Nangong Zheng still couldn't resist the temptation. The Sage Scroll Innate was far too alluring.

"Let's make another deal. I can give you the cultivation method. In exchange, you give me a promise."

"What kind of promise?"

"I haven't decided yet. When I call it in, you must do everything in your power to help me."

Nangong Zheng fell into thought while Liu Chengfeng remained completely at ease.

"Fine. I agree. If you can produce the Sage Scroll Innate, I'll give you my word."

"Good. It's a deal. Senior, don't forget that we're on the same side."

"We'll talk after you win."

Nangong Zheng gave a cold snort, still unconvinced.

"What's so difficult about that?"

Liu Chengfeng's confidence gave Nangong Zheng a surreal feeling.

Their terms were settled, and there was nothing more to discuss. Nangong Zheng left.

"Senior, I'll leave the rest to you."

Nangong Zheng left, and Liu Chengfeng saw him off like an old friend.

Nangong Zheng gave a cold snort. This was nothing like what he'd imagined when he arrived, and somehow, he'd even agreed to the deal.

He felt as if a junior had led him around by the nose. It left him seething.

"What a fine case of using public office for private gain."

After Nangong Zheng left, Empress of Qiuchi stared coldly at Liu Chengfeng.

"My Empress, weren't you in seclusion?"

Liu Chengfeng looked at Empress of Qiuchi with a faint smile.

Empress of Qiuchi's expression didn't change. She was as cold as frost, her imperial bearing commanding.

"You used the Ancestral Hall as a wager to seek personal gain. That's a grave offense."

Empress of Qiuchi's gaze was like a knife, enough to make anyone tremble.

"Your Majesty, you told me to handle everything. Besides, you never told me about the Hall of Sages or the semi-divine artifact. I wasn't going to let anyone lead me around by the nose."

Liu Chengfeng wasn't afraid. He met her gaze and gave a cold laugh.

Empress of Qiuchi's gaze remained sharp, and the icy chill around her made people shiver.

"When the Hall of Sages was built, the sages and worthies placed their treasures, cultivation methods, and manuals there, for future generations to study and obtain."

Back then, Qiuchi Kingdom's royal family had given up the Fire Spirit Pool and opened the Water Spirit Pool. The worthies had offered their treasures and manuals to bless future generations.

"That included a semi-divine artifact."

"Exactly. The Bashan Night Rain Bell can be called Qiuchi Kingdom's national treasure."

Empress of Qiuchi admitted it.

"Had my Empress never thought of claiming this semi-divine artifact?"

Liu Chengfeng narrowed his eyes.

"Something's not right. Since it came from comprehension, Your Majesty, what a clever little scheme you've cooked up. You wanted me to get the demigod artifact for you. You'd been plotting this from the very beginning."

Liu Chengfeng's heart tightened. Empress of Qiuchi had been plotting against him from the start.

"I don't like being manipulated."

Liu Chengfeng gave a cold laugh, his eyes turning icy.

"This is a partnership. We both stand to gain."

Pressed by Liu Chengfeng, Empress of Qiuchi's expression turned cold. She looked down at him, her presence overwhelming.

"Then let's make it an honest partnership."

Liu Chengfeng's temper flared, too. His eyes blazed like a tiger's, his aura fierce. He straightened his chest and moved closer to Empress of Qiuchi, undaunted by her imposing presence.

"If Your Majesty won't deal with me honestly, then we can call the whole thing off!"

He didn't like Empress of Qiuchi plotting against him, so Liu Chengfeng was flipping the table. If it came to it, he was done playing.

The man pressed in, so close they were almost touching. His fierce presence was like a tiger charging down the mountain, wild and disdainful of all.

Empress of Qiuchi had never been pressed like this before. The man's presence swept over her.

Her heart fluttered, cowed by his masculine bearing.

A moment later, Empress of Qiuchi gathered herself, still cold as frost, her imperial bearing undiminished.

"Fine. From now on, we'll discuss everything together."

Empress of Qiuchi nodded, agreeing to Liu Chengfeng's demand.

Empress of Qiuchi's quick agreement caught Liu Chengfeng off guard. He looked at the peerless beauty before him, so close, her delicate fragrance lingering in his nose.

Liu Chengfeng couldn't help swallowing.

"What are you thinking—"

Empress of Qiuchi was faintly angry, her chill presence pressing down on him.

"You're recruiting me as your Prince Consort. That makes us husband and wife. Isn't it normal for a husband to have certain thoughts about his wife?"

Liu Chengfeng was a little embarrassed, but he couldn't back down. He puffed out his chest.

Empress of Qiuchi snorted and stepped back, keeping Liu Chengfeng at a distance.

"You're competing with the Nangong Clan in alchemy. I'm afraid you're bound to lose."

"Your Majesty, who do you take me for? Which is harder: alchemy, or creating a congenital physique? There are plenty of alchemists, but are there plenty of geniuses who can create congenital physiques?"

Liu Chengfeng's arrogant words left even Empress of Qiuchi speechless.

It did seem that way.

"There are four Thunder Fire Eyes. The Nangong Clan has one, the Dragon Ascending Holy Sect has one, and you have one. What about the last one?"

"What do you think, my dear?"

Empress of Qiuchi's gaze was like a blade. She was displeased by his words and wanted to cut him down.

"The Grandmaster Mansion."

"We really are in sync, husband and wife. Since Ye Ziyang has an Ancestral Hall Talisman, shouldn't we keep him on our side?"

"Isn't that exactly what Ye Ziyang thinks, too?"

"Let's not fall out just yet. We can turn on each other after both sides have handed over their Ancestral Hall Talismans. Your Majesty, doesn't that buy us time?"