Life-and-Fate Treasure, Trouble Rises in Longharvest

At Lu He's command.

Deep within his consciousness, the Dao Diagram trembled faintly. The Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel cradled in the White Ape Child's arms suddenly transformed into a five-colored streak of light and flew out.

Lu He lowered his gaze to inspect it.

Before his eyes, the five-colored radiance formed from the Treasure Wheel appeared directly before him and tightly enveloped the five pieces of pitch-black spirit gold in his hand.

His hand suddenly grew lighter.

Rustle—rustle—

Before long.

The five pieces of spirit gold suspended in midair became like stones weathered by wind and sand for ten thousand years, riddled with holes.

Dull, lightless dust drifted down like raindrops, swiftly piling into a thin layer across the floor.

Within that radiance.

Strands of five-colored thread condensed from nothing, intertwining with one another and slowly weaving the outline of a Treasure Wheel according to some predetermined blueprint.

Half an hour later.

The radiance dispersed.

With a bang.

The five rice-grain-sized pieces of spirit gold suddenly lost their support and fell from the air, sinking into the accumulated dust below and vanishing from sight.

But Lu He clearly had no mind to spare for that.

At this very moment, all his attention was fixed before him.

There floated a five-colored Treasure Wheel, its entire surface interwoven with profound and mysterious patterns.

"The second talent, the Life-and-Fate Treasure, the Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel... it's finally done!"

Excitement gleamed in Lu He's eyes.

"Come here!" He beckoned.

Before his words had even faded.

A hum echoed through the cultivation chamber.

The Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel in midair instantly became a streak of light. With a single flicker, it landed directly in Lu He's palm.

At his command, it sometimes shrank to the size of a fingertip, sometimes expanded to the width of his palm, sometimes darted and wheeled around his body, and sometimes scattered into five-colored radiance and slipped into his dantian...

It moved as readily as his own arm or finger, without the slightest obstruction.

For a while, Lu He played with it to his heart's content.

Only after a long time.

When the novelty had faded, Lu He finally calmed down and turned to look at the Golden Book in the corner of his vision.

[Name: Lu He]

[Cultivation: First Layer of Meal Qi]

[Arts: Scarlet Horned-Dragon True-Origin Visualization Diagram (100%)

Summon Mist as Soldiers Art · Not Initiated (1%)

Little Crimson Burning Art · Not Initiated (1%)]

[Talent Dao Diagram: White Ape Child Cave-Evolution Diagram]

[Level: Level 3 (27/600)]

[Grade: White]

[Talents: Immaculate Heart Ape (Third Tier) [Note: Enter a state of enlightenment, gaining an additional 1.1 times comprehension]

Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel (First Layer)]

[Origin Creation Spirit Radiance: 4 strands]

At the same time.

A piece of information that seemed to come from nowhere suddenly appeared in his mind.

It was precisely the detailed method for using the Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel to inscribe an art and transform it into a talent treasure art.

"After inscribing a spell, I only need to consume spirit gold to erase it?"

A trace of delight appeared on Lu He's face.

He had originally been worried that if he inscribed a spell onto the Treasure Wheel, then later obtained a higher-tier spell, what would he do if he regretted it?

But the appearance of this information dispelled his concerns.

"Since the inscription isn't permanent, then..."

Lu He's gaze fell upon the two spells he had just learned from the violet jade slip, and he began weighing them carefully.

"White-Scale Lake may be full of opportunities, but danger is everywhere as well.

The Little Crimson Burning Art is a purely offensive spell. It is powerful, but its methods of dealing with enemies are too limited.

Although the Summon Mist as Soldiers Art is less lethal than the Little Crimson Burning Art, it can summon mist to conceal one's figure and block detection. It is also a water-element spell, perfectly suited to White-Scale Lake."

Very soon.

Lu He made his choice.

With a thought, patterns of dharma principles began continuously forming on the Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel.

At a certain moment.

Lu He's eyes half-closed. As though sensing something, he pointed forward with one hand.

The dharma power he had just condensed within his dantian dispersed with a boom. The Treasure Wheel behind his head began spinning madly as well, continuously drawing upon the spiritual workings of heaven and earth within the cave dwelling.

In an instant, the temperature plummeted, and frost formed across the ground.

Thick white mist filled the entire cave dwelling and continued to billow outward without end.

"This..."

Lu He froze for no reason.

He had not cultivated the Summon Mist as Soldiers Art to the Initiated stage.

By all reason, he should have been unable to cast it.

Yet reality was that Lu He had indeed performed the Summon Mist as Soldiers Art.

He had not even needed to think, much less use dharma power to trace those incomparably intricate spell patterns.

He merely formed the thought, and the spell was cast.

Everything had been so natural, as though it were instinct.

Moreover, judging by its effects, it seemed to have directly reached the Initiated stage, yet its consumption of dharma power was nowhere near as great as recorded in the jade slip.

"Hiss—so this is a talent treasure art? And the power it unleashes is directly boosted by a minor realm..."

After coming back to his senses, Lu He could not help drawing in a sharp breath before looking directly at the Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel.

This was only the first layer, yet its effects were already so terrifying. What about the second layer?

The next moment, another piece of information appeared in his heart, instantly sobering Lu He up.

[To forge the second layer of the Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel, one thousand jin each of the Five Elements is still required...]

"My apologies for disturbing you."

The following morning.

At the Utility Hall, Lu He exchanged the thirty contribution points he had won at yesterday's tea gathering for Black Jade Pills. After converting his remaining contribution points into silver, he slung a bundle over his back and hurried toward the gate of the Medicine Garden.

According to what Steward Lu had said yesterday.

The spirit boat that would take the nine of them to White-Scale Lake would arrive around the Hour of the Dog tonight.

So, while there was still time during the day.

Lu He planned to visit his elder sister and bring her some silver along the way.

As he walked.

Whether tenant farmers, cultivators, or even the Medicine Garden seeds, everyone wore expressions of awe upon seeing Lu He.

The seeds had just experienced yesterday's tea gathering, so their reaction needed no explanation.

As for everyone else, the reason was equally simple—

At the gate of the Medicine Garden.

Several guards spotted a figure in a white robe embroidered with golden patterns approaching from afar. Their expressions immediately turned solemn, and they hurriedly straightened their clothes.

When that figure reached them, they called out in perfectly unified, full-throated voices:

"Greetings, my lord!"

"Mm. Open the gate." Lu He nodded.

"Yes!"

Without even asking a question, the guards bowed and jogged over to push open the gates.

Only after Lu He's figure had completely disappeared from sight did they let out a breath, their taut bodies gradually relaxing.

"Good heavens, why did this steward lord come over without a sound? He nearly scared me to death."

Someone wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his face full of lingering fear.

"Isn't that so? But... that steward lord looked rather unfamiliar. I've never seen him before."

Someone seemed to recall something and immediately grew puzzled.

Yet the moment those words fell.

The leader's face darkened, and he barked:

"Is it your place to worry about the affairs of such great figures? Get back to standing guard properly!"

Meanwhile.

"Tsk, clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse. That saying wasn't wrong in the slightest."

Lu He lowered his head and glanced at the white brocade dharma robe embroidered with golden patterns, marveling to himself.

He could not help recalling the guards' attitude when he had first left the garden. Compared with just now, it was the difference between heaven and earth.

"Then again, no wonder the stewards wear these so often. It repels dust and water, stays warm in winter and cool in summer, and even blades cannot damage it. It must be worth a fortune."

It was still that familiar bluestone road.

Lu He moved as lightly as the wind, dharma power circulating ceaselessly. With every step, he crossed more than ten zhang.

He did not idle away the journey, either.

The Black Jade Pill in his stomach was refined at high speed. A surging warm current flowed into the Vermilion Essence Spring, condensing into thread after thread of dharma power.

In the marketplace, carriages, horses, and pedestrians streamed endlessly past, creating a scene of extraordinary bustle.

The cries of vendors, the sounds of haggling, idle chatter... all kinds of noises mingled into a roaring din that made one's eardrums ache.

"Something's wrong. Compared to the last time I came here, this market looks lively, but beneath the surface... it is filled with killing intent!"

Walking amid the crowd, Lu He seemed to sense something and could not help looking toward every corner of the street.

There, figures with surging blood and qi sat or stood watch, copper badges uniformly hanging at their waists.

"People from the authorities... Could something have happened in Everharvest City?"

Lu He frowned.

A short while later.

After pawning several useless pill bottles from his bundle, along with that piece of violet jade which had lost its spiritual workings, and exchanging them all for silver, Lu He turned into a familiar alley.

Inside an old main hall.

"Little brother, hurry and have some tea."

Lu Shu carried over a cup of freshly brewed hot tea with brisk steps, undisguised delight hanging in her eyes and brows.

"Elder sister, I can do it myself."

Lu He quickly rose and took the cup from her, his gaze unconsciously lingering on his sister's face for a moment longer.

Compared to his last visit, his elder sister's complexion had clearly improved greatly.

"My wages have gone up again, so Ah Shu no longer needs to do those handicrafts. And after you came by last time, the old madam restrained herself quite a bit and hasn't made things difficult for her again."

Seeing this.

A simple-looking man beside them hurriedly explained.

This man was Lu He's brother-in-law, Wang Tie.

As he spoke.

Wang Tie could not take his eyes off the golden-patterned dharma robe.

He worked at a tavern and encountered quite a few distinguished guests in his daily life.

Yet he had never seen attire like Lu He's. With a single glance, he knew it was extraordinarily valuable. Even if they sold that tavern, they might not be able to afford it.

As he clicked his tongue in amazement.

He felt that an inadvertent glance from Lu He was enough to weigh on his chest and leave him short of breath. Only then did he truly realize that his wife's younger brother had become a genuine immortal master, high above the rest.

At that thought.

His mind suddenly grew somewhat dazed.

At this moment, Lu Shu beside Lu He gradually came back to herself as well. Smiling brightly, she chimed in:

"That's right, little brother. Your brother-in-law treats me very well, so you can rest assured."

"That is good, then."

Lu He nodded, and only then did a faint smile appear on his face.

The atmosphere in the room immediately relaxed.

"Oh, right, little brother, could you stay for dinner tonight?" Lu Shu sat nearby, looking at Lu He expectantly as she asked with some nervousness.

"I'm afraid not today."

Lu He shook his head and explained apologetically:

"I came this time for two reasons. First, to see how you were doing. Second, the Medicine Garden has made arrangements, and I must leave Everharvest City for some time, so I came specifically to bid you farewell."

"Leave Everharvest City?"

Lu Shu's breath caught. Her eyes widened involuntarily, thick worry and unease surfacing in them.

She wanted to persuade him otherwise.

But in the next instant, she suddenly realized that her younger brother was now an immortal master, and this involved the Azurehold Herb Garden, an immortal cultivation force—far beyond anything she could influence.

After a moment of silence.

Lu Shu could only helplessly remind him:

"The city outskirts are exceedingly dangerous. Little Brother, you... you must be extra careful. Don't force yourself when trouble comes."

"I understand. Rest easy, Sister."

Lu He nodded in agreement, then directly opened the bundle beside him.

Inside lay a jade talisman and a bulging money pouch.

"Keep this jade talisman. If you run into trouble you can't resolve, take it directly to the Medicine Garden and find a steward surnamed Lu."

Lu He stuffed the jade talisman into his sister's hand, his expression solemn.

As for the jade talisman, it was naturally the token Steward Lu had given him when he received the Spirit-Slaying Envoy quota last month. The contribution points on it had already been used up.

It was useless to him now.

It was just right to serve as proof for his sister to enter the Medicine Garden and seek out Steward Lu should anything happen.

Moreover, he had already discussed this matter with Steward Lu yesterday.

After another round of detailed reminders.

As noon gradually passed, Lu He took a sip of tea from his cup and rose directly to take his leave.

Not long after.

A startled cry suddenly rang out from the room:

"Two hundred and thirty taels! Ah Shu, come quickly—your brother left over two hundred taels of silver!"

Meanwhile.

After leaving his brother-in-law's home, Lu He did not leave the alley. Instead, he slowly walked deeper inside.

Rustle—

Footsteps echoed continuously through the dilapidated alley, making the surrounding silence seem even more pronounced—so silent that it felt strange, unnatural.

At a certain moment, the footsteps abruptly ceased.

Lu He stood where he was with his hands behind his back, his expression calm.

His white dharma robe snapped and fluttered in the wind.

"Come out. You've followed me for so long—aren't you tired?"

He spoke blandly.

As his words fell.

Amid a series of footsteps, two figures emerged from the corner and blocked Lu He within the alley.

"How did you discover us?"

The middle-aged male cultivator standing at the alley entrance stared fixedly at Lu He. He licked his lips, and the scar cutting across his face twitched incessantly, glinting blood-red.

"Why waste so many words? Just make your move.

A little brat who's only just entered the Qi-Feeding Realm has living soul and essence blood worth hundreds of mortals. Once we finish this job, we can report back to my lord. Those mad dogs from the Demon-Suppressing Pavilion are investigating more and more closely. This is no place to linger, so don't make too much noise."

"Judging by his clothes, he should have come from the Azurehold Herb Garden. He must be rolling in riches."

At this, the female cultivator beside him could not help shooting the other man a glare as she urged him on.

"Got it."

The middle-aged male cultivator looked helpless, but a surge of spell fluctuations suddenly rose from his body.

Meanwhile.

"My lord, living soul and essence blood..."

Lu He's gaze sharpened slightly. The Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel suddenly rose behind his head, whirling as it frantically drew in the sparse spiritual essence of heaven and earth around it.

At the sight.

The man who had been casting his spell suddenly froze in place, an expression as though he had seen a ghost appearing on his face.

"Wait, that's... a magical artifact? Run!"

He reacted instantly, shouting as he turned to flee.

The woman was startled. Without a second thought, she immediately ran after him.

At this moment, there was not the slightest greed for the magical artifact in either of their eyes—only profound terror.

They knew all too well the difference between cultivators with magical artifacts and those without.

Yet before they had run more than a few yards.

The two discovered that strands of icy mist had spread through every direction, becoming so dense in an instant that they could not see their hands before their faces.

Their senses blurred. They could not distinguish directions, nor could they even see the ground beneath their feet.

Not far away.

Lu He stood where he was, watching the two figures scurrying about in the fog with an indifferent gaze.

With a thought, the mist before him surged wildly and quickly condensed into five small arrows, each several inches long. Cold light flickered from their tips, making them appear incomparably sharp.

He lightly pointed a finger.

In an instant, the air let out a shrill wail. The five arrows shot forth as five streams of light, carrying the force of ten thousand jun, crashing directly toward the man and woman.

The two seemed to sense something and hurriedly activated their dharma power in terror to protect their bodies.

Yet wherever the small arrows passed, whether dharma power or flesh and bone, all were as fragile as tofu, unable to hinder them in the slightest!

About a dozen breaths later.

The mist dispersed, and two mangled corpses had silently appeared in the small alley.

Tap, tap—

Lu He walked over to the corpses, and a trace of helplessness flashed across his face.

He had actually discovered the pair long ago.

They too had only recently entered the Qi-Feeding Realm, but the dharma power aura on their bodies was far too unsteady.

By Lu He's estimate, when they condensed their first thread of dharma power and opened their Vermilion Essence Spring, they might not even have fully formed a single true talisman. Their control over the dharma power within their bodies was practically nonexistent.

Though the two had done their best to conceal their auras.

To Lu He's senses, they still stood out like torches in the night.

Besides.

With the Myriad-Dharma Marvelous-Insight Treasure Wheel at his side, and with the quality of their dharma powers worlds apart, even facing two opponents alone, Lu He had not the slightest concern.

Coming back to himself.

He took a deep breath and began searching the corpses.