Exotic Treasure

Lost in thought.

He moved his mind, and Ghost Illumination activated.

The world turned into a void; all scenery vanished, leaving only rays of white, gray, and black.

Immediately, Qin Jiu shifted his intent.

He arrived inside the residence arranged for Zheng Dahai and his two companions.

Several voices echoed in his ears simultaneously.

"Elder Zheng, was that celestial phenomenon truly caused by a rare treasure? Could the Wei Army be behind it? After all, that King of Pacifying the Seas is a 'Demon-Feeding Lord,' and this branch of the Wei Army marching south is his direct lineage. With demons running rampant in Songshan County right now, they are likely trying to emulate the King of Pacifying the Seas."

"Using the blood essence of the county's commoners to feed a Great Demon and force its entry through the pass."

As the words fell.

Zheng Dahai's voice followed.

"You have yet to enter the Willow Tendon realm."

"Naturally, you cannot sense it. In truth, the Wei Army alone lacks the capability to alter the celestial phenomena. This phenomenon arose because the White Bone Heretical Sect used great means to irrigate the Songshan ley lines with demonic turbid qi, birthing a Land of Extreme Yin. Within a year, a rare treasure will surely emerge."

"Just watch."

"I expect those bastards from the Divine Fist Sect will catch the scent soon enough. Once the sect's Divine Guard Army arrives, you two must occupy a favorable position in the county seat as quickly as possible. Only then can we secure the geographical advantage when we seize the treasure."

"Understood."

Qi Yuan's voice carried curiosity as he asked, "May I ask, Elder, what exactly is this rare treasure?"

"I have no way of knowing for now."

"However, judging by the extreme yin malevolence of the ley lines, it is either an extreme yin treasure or a pure yang treasure. When heaven and earth intersect and yin and yang harmonize, either type is related to cleansing or refining high-quality true qi. If the Mystic Firmament Sect obtains it, perhaps our sect might even produce a Grandmaster because of it."

"No wonder the sect attaches such importance to this."

"Not only did they dispatch the Divine Guard Army, but they also sent three direct disciples to lead the troops."

"Hmm."

"Do not spread word of this. This territory is not simple. When I was traveling here earlier, I sensed at least two existences at the Willow Tendon realm; judging by their aura, they should be from the White Bone Cult. Add to that the person from the Wei Army who arrived ahead of the main force, and the confrontation with County Magistrate Ye Wunian... I fear Songshan County will soon become a demon's den."

"In these two days, we must select the disciples as quickly as possible. Once the Divine Guard Army arrives from Pinglin County, have them escort the disciples away immediately."

After the final sentence was spoken.

The voices fell silent, and no one spoke again.

Qin Jiu pondered slightly.

He did not deactivate Ghost Illumination, but with a shift of his intent, he swept out of the Qin Mansion.

Since breaking through to the Three Refinements, not only had his talent slots increased by six, but his mental strength had also improved significantly. Feeling no fatigue, he wanted to scan the area around the county seat to see if the County Magistrate, who had left that day, and the others had all returned.

After all, even Fu Hanchuan had returned.

Coupled with the White Bone Cult mentioned by Zheng Dahai just now.

If he didn't take a look.

Qin Jiu truly could not rest easy.

However, to his surprise, within the Inner City Patrol Office, there was nothing but the gray light belonging to Fu Hanchuan.

"Report to the Commander."

"All disciples of the Canghai Martial Arts Hall have been interrogated."

"Oh? Did you find out anything?"

"Reporting to the Commander, your subordinate used all manner of torture, but gained nothing. The deaths of the Li Family, the Han Family, and even the members of the Divine Fist Sect in the Inner City should have no connection to the Canghai Martial Arts Hall. Should we release them?"

"Release them?"

Fu Hanchuan's voice carried a chill.

"Though they have no connection to the tragedies of those families, their Hall Master dared to collude with the Canal Gang and the Four Seasons Pharmacy to ambush Magistrate Ye. For this alone, it would not be excessive for me to skin them alive and pull their tendons. If not for the fact that the Four Seasons Pharmacy is now empty, and those brats from the Canal Gang, they should all be brought to justice right now. Lock those people in the water dungeon and deal with them after the Magistrate returns."

"Sir, about the Qin Family..."

"We have no concrete evidence right now, and with the Mystic Firmament Sect intending to protect them, let's not touch that place for now."

"Pass on my orders."

"The Patrol Office, the Demon Suppression Bureau, and even the yamen bailiffs are to be fully mobilized. First, publish the information regarding the Mystic Firmament Sect's disciple selection, then suppress the scattered demons that have infiltrated the city, and finally, guard the city gates well while waiting for the County Magistrate to return."

"He really is dutiful."

After listening, Qin Jiu finished.

With a flicker of his intent, he swept past the Inner City, scanned the Outer City briefly, and then deactivated Ghost Illumination.

"For now, the malice directed at me within the city has subsided, which is neither good nor bad news. The people from the Four Seasons Pharmacy and the Canal Gang seem to have left the county seat over the past few days. I wonder if Jiang Lin, Tang Yu, and Ji Changqing will return."

"And then there is that White Bone Cult..."

Qin Jiu pondered.

He began to slowly execute his Stance Training within the courtyard.

He had already taken the time to slaughter the remaining dozen or so spirit beasts from the Hundred Beasts Garden. Although he did not obtain the talents he desired, the spirit beast meat had been cured into jerky and packed away; the Qin Mansion could leave the county seat at any moment.

However, according to Zheng Dahai, the Divine Guard Army would arrive in a few days.

They would then allocate personnel to escort the disciples.

He intended to wait until then to depart with the main group. As for the strange treasures, the Wei Army, or the White Bone Cult that the other party mentioned, Qin Jiu had no desire to get involved. If it were not for the fear that the Qin Family might encounter accidents on the road if they left alone, he would have already taken his people out of the city.

But the distance from Songshan County to Ning'an Prefecture would take at least half a month even with fast horses, and traveling with family would be even slower, requiring at least three weeks.

This forced Qin Jiu to be cautious.

The next day.

The long street outside the Qin Mansion was bustling with noise.

Whether they were dressed in fine silks or were ragged beggars, everyone had gathered here.

"Quiet!"

Qi Yuan stood at the entrance.

He first channeled his internal energy to shout, and after the crowd covered their ears and fell silent, he continued: "I will repeat this once more: those wishing to join the Mystic Firmament Sect must be under thirty years of age. Those who exceed this age may return home."

"Line up below."

"Enter the Martial Arts Arena to have your bone structure measured..."

Qin Mansion, East Wing.

Qin Xuanzhou found Qin Jiu and bowed, saying: "Head of the Family, should we send the guard team to assist them at the Martial Arts Arena?"

"The guard team?"

Qin Jiu shook his head and said: "The mansion is currently filled with a mixed bag of people. The guard team needs to keep an eye on the crowd to ensure they do not wander out of the Martial Arts Arena and into other parts of the Qin Mansion. Just arrange for one or two people to maintain order."

Although he had his Ghost Illumination active at this moment, he could not be expected to deal with every petty thief trying to fish in troubled waters himself.

What would be the point of keeping a guard team otherwise?

"By the way."

"Xuanzhou, do you have any interest in joining the Mystic Firmament Sect?"

Qin Jiu suddenly asked.

Qin Xuanzhou was startled, then shook his head: "Although I am a Three Refinements martial artist, I am already thirty-two years old and do not meet the sect's entry requirements."

"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible."

"You have already reached the Great Completion of the Three Refinements; with just two or three years, you could break through to Internal Strengthening. It might be worth a try."

Qin Jiu mused: "I will find an opportunity to ask Elder Zheng. As for the Qin Family, focus on training Qin Xudong during this time. Once we reach Ning'an Prefecture, it will be enough for him to manage the family's affairs."

At the same time.

Three figures, clearly showing their advanced age, arrived outside the Qin Mansion with their children and grandchildren.

They looked up at the plaque of the Qin Mansion.

Their faces were filled with complex emotions.