The Inheritance Dharma Bead

Early the next morning, Han Changming woke up feeling refreshed and invigorated.

After pushing himself to make talismans, Han Changming had been utterly exhausted. His magical power was fine; he could speed up its recovery with a Spirit Gathering Stone. But restoring his spiritual sense was more troublesome. Even with the help of Spirit Recovery Incense, he couldn't make talismans for long.

He planned to buy a few bottles of Qi Refining Pills to speed up his cultivation.

Han Changming emptied the contents of his Storage Bag, intending to get rid of the things he no longer needed.

"Huh, what's this...?"

He held a round, azure bead in his hand, his expression turning strange.

If he remembered correctly, he had received a few Clam Pearls after haggling with a stall owner when he went to the Loose Cultivator Plaza to buy a Talisman Brush.

This Clam Pearl wasn't a Clam Pearl at all. It was an Inheritance Dharma Bead.

The Inheritance Dharma Bead was a rather special kind of magical artifact in the East Sea cultivation world. Before a cultivator passed away, they would record the location of their final cave dwelling inside a Clam Pearl magical artifact and cast it into the sea. Whoever happened to find the Clam Pearl could obtain the predecessor's legacy. That was why this kind of magical artifact was also called an Inheritance Dharma Bead.

An Inheritance Dharma Bead looked no different from a Clam Pearl and normally gave off no trace of spiritual energy. The difference was that it had to absorb enough spiritual energy before its contents could be seen. It was also much harder than an ordinary Clam Pearl, so if someone used it to craft a magical artifact, they would easily notice something unusual.

Once, a first-tier artifact refiner had accidentally obtained an Inheritance Clam Pearl and gained an ancient cultivator's legacy. His cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds, and he had become a renowned high-ranking cultivator.

The Inheritance Dharma Bead had been sitting in his Storage Bag all this time. Perhaps it had absorbed the spiritual energy from the Spirit Gathering Stone, because Han Changming had easily discovered its legacy.

According to the Inheritance Dharma Bead, the predecessor had been a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator. He had encountered a powerful foe while hunting demonic beasts and suffered grievous injuries. Before his death, he had left behind the Inheritance Dharma Bead, hoping that someone fortunate enough to find it would inherit his legacy and avenge him.

Han Changming was thrilled. A Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator's final cave dwelling was sure to contain plenty of valuables.

He wished he could sprout wings and fly straight to the cave dwelling to claim its treasures.

After his brief excitement, Han Changming calmed down.

There had been nothing suspicious about how he obtained the Inheritance Dharma Bead. If it hadn't absorbed enough spiritual energy, he wouldn't have noticed anything unusual and would have assumed it was an ordinary Clam Pearl.

Han Daohe had warned Han Changming from a young age that pies didn't fall from the sky. Even if one did, it wouldn't land right on your head. If he ever obtained an Inheritance Dharma Bead or discovered an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling, he shouldn't rush off treasure hunting. It was best to bring along members of his clan. Some rogue cultivators deliberately set traps to prey on low-ranking cultivators.

Han Changming had obtained the Spirit Gathering Stone and the Taiyi Spirit-Transforming Gourd by chance, so a trace of wishful thinking lingered in his heart. Maybe he really was the child of fortune!

His elders had warned him since childhood not to believe too readily in so-called ancient cultivators' cave dwellings. There simply weren't that many ancient cultivators' cave dwellings in the world.

Han Changming couldn't make up his mind. The Inheritance Dharma Bead kept him awake for days, and he couldn't focus on making talismans.

After struggling with the decision, Han Changming made up his mind and told Han Dehai about it.

First, that would reduce the risk. If rogue cultivators had set a trap, going treasure hunting alone would be like a wolf walking into a tiger's den. Second, even if the ancient cultivator's cave dwelling contained treasures, he would still get a share. On top of that, he could earn a substantial number of contribution points.

Han Changming wasn't being selfless. His cultivation was simply too low. At the fifth Qi Refining Layer, he wouldn't stand a chance against rogue cultivators if he ran into them.

Han Dehai held the Inheritance Dharma Bead, his expression grave.

"Changming, you did the right thing. I'll notify your Seventh Aunt. We'll make sure to bring you along when we go treasure hunting. Until then, you mustn't go on your own. Understand? Rogue cultivators often set traps to kill low-ranking cultivators. You're your Eleventh Uncle's only grandson. If something happened to you, he'd be heartbroken. He's already so old, yet he still travels everywhere for your sake. If the ancient cultivator's cave dwelling contains treasures, you'll have made a great contribution. That's the clan's rule. We won't shortchange you," Han Dehai said earnestly.

"I understand, Thirteenth Uncle. I won't go treasure hunting on my own," Han Changming obediently replied.

Since he had told Han Dehai about it, he naturally wouldn't go treasure hunting on his own.

"Ninth Brother, you're way too lucky! You actually found an Inheritance Dharma Bead while shopping. How come I never get that lucky? I should go wander around the Loose Cultivator Plaza more often." Han Changjiong sounded envious.

Han Dehai shot Han Changjiong a stern look and scolded him. "We don't even know for sure if it's an Inheritance Dharma Bead. It could be a trap set by rogue cultivators. Changjiong, starting today, keep a close eye on Changming. If he leaves the market on his own, I'll hold you responsible first."

"Understood, Thirteenth Uncle."

Han Changming gave a bitter smile. He hadn't expected Han Dehai to still worry that he might go treasure hunting on his own.

It wasn't strange. Who wouldn't be tempted by a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator's cave dwelling?

After breakfast, Han Changming and Han Changjiong left the Spirit Talisman Pavilion.

When they passed a bun shop, Han Changjiong pulled Han Changming inside and bought two five-jin bags of buns. Carrying the two steaming-hot bags, Han Changjiong ate as they walked.

Han Changming now had more than seven hundred spirit stones and could afford to splurge. He spent a hundred spirit stones on two bottles of Qi Refining Pills, and Han Changjiong bought two bottles as well.

Considering their future treasure hunt, Han Changming went to the Hundred Refinements Pavilion and spent six hundred spirit stones on two magical artifacts.

A first-tier superior defensive magical artifact, the Mystic Light Armor, had been crafted from the shell of a first-tier superior Mystic Water Turtle. It cost three hundred and fifty spirit stones.

A first-tier intermediate magical artifact, the Shadowless Needle, struck without a trace and was ideal for catching people off guard. It cost two hundred and fifty spirit stones.

Han Clan members received a discount when buying magical artifacts at the Hundred Refinements Pavilion. Outsiders would have needed at least seven hundred spirit stones to buy these two items.

Han Changjiong and Han Changming went to the Loose Cultivator Plaza to try their luck.

Han Changming's gaze swept rapidly across the stalls, hoping to find a hidden bargain.

Suddenly, Han Changjiong quickened his pace, and Han Changming hurried after him.

Before long, Han Changjiong stopped in front of a stall.

The stall displayed some demonic beast materials and several stalks of spirit herbs. The stall owner was a young woman in a yellow dress, about eighteen or nineteen years old. She had a voluptuous figure, a round face, and chubby cheeks, and looked quite adorable.

"Miss, how much are you asking for these?" Han Changjiong asked obsequiously, staring at the woman's prominent chest and swallowing.

Han Changming was speechless. His Seventh Brother always turned into a leering fool whenever he saw a well-endowed woman.

"The prices are marked. If there's something you want, just say so. You're welcome to buy something, but if you're not buying, don't cause trouble." A woman's icy voice came from behind them.

Han Changming turned around and saw a young woman in a purple dress standing behind them. She looked to be in her early twenties, with a graceful figure and a cold expression.

Han Changjiong gave an awkward smile, stuffed a bun into his mouth, and led Han Changming away.

"Little sister, be more careful in the future. Don't let people take advantage of you without even realizing it."

Hearing this, Han Changming felt a little awkward.

They wandered around for more than half an hour without finding anything, then returned to the Spirit Talisman Pavilion to rest.