Translator: AnubisTL
"Fellow Daoist Limitless, your foresight is truly remarkable. I can indeed answer your question truthfully."
"True Bone Immortal has yet to give me a reply, saying he needs more time to consider."
"Fellow Daoist Hu chose the second option, claiming the Ghost Sword Sect's first favor. Fellow Daoist Crimson Hair selected the third option, entering the treasure vault to choose a single treasure."
With that, Ji Sha smiled at Li Qing, eager to see which path he would choose.
Li Qing fell silent, his mind racing with indecision.
Both the second and third options held immense appeal, making the choice agonizingly difficult.
The Ghost Sword Sect's favor was undoubtedly a valuable asset.
If he ever returned to the Azure Ridge Domain to avenge the Shangqing Sect and rebuild the Lingyun Sect, the Ghost Sword Sect's support would be invaluable.
A single, overwhelmingly powerful nascent soul realm cultivator could sweep aside all obstacles, ensuring his success in reestablishing the Lingyun Sect.
Even without rebuilding the sect, this favor remained precious. If used wisely, it could prove far more advantageous than selecting a rare treasure from the sect treasury.
But Li Qing's considerations went deeper, focusing on the true value of this favor's potential realization.
The Ghost Sword Sect was currently embroiled in the perilous immortal dao war, with the situation on the front lines shrouded in uncertainty. No one dared to definitively claim that the demonic path would completely overwhelm the righteous path.
If unforeseen circumstances arose and the demonic path were to suffer defeat, the value of this favor would become highly questionable.
Even setting aside these concerns, assuming the demonic path emerged victorious in the immortal dao war, would the three demonic sects truly settle into peace afterward?
At that moment, Li Qing's thoughts surged like relentless waves.
Observing his contemplation, Ji Sha chuckled softly. "There's no need to rush this matter," he said. "My purpose today was merely to convey this message to Fellow Daoist Limitless."
"If you require more time to consider, you may inform me of your decision in three days."
With these words, True Lord Ji Sha prepared to depart from Li Qing's temporary cave abode.
But Li Qing called out to him, "Fellow Daoist Ji Sha, please wait. I have already made my decision."
Hearing this, True Lord Ji Sha immediately halted, his face lighting up with keen interest.
"Oh? I'm eager to hear your choice!"
Li Qing declared solemnly, "I choose the third option! To select a treasure that catches my eye."
This answer slightly surprised Ji Sha, but since Li Qing had made his choice, he refrained from further comment.
"Very well! Since Fellow Daoist Limitless has made his decision, I won't linger any longer."
"In three days, I'll take you and Fellow Daoist Crimson Hair to the Ghost Sword Sect's treasure vault!"
"Farewell for now!"
With these words, Ji Sha clasped his hands in a formal farewell and departed Li Qing's cave abode.
"Fellow Daoist Ji Sha, safe travels!" Li Qing returned the gesture, watching the other man's figure disappear into the distance.
Staring at the empty cave abode, Li Qing fell into deep thought.
He wasn't sure if he had made the right choice, but there was no turning back now.
I hope I haven't made a mistake.
As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward the distant northern sky, toward the Azure Ridge Domain where the Lingyun Sect had once stood.
Rebuilding the Lingyun Sect had always been his ambition. Securing the Ghost Sword Sect's favor would undoubtedly be a tremendous asset.
As memories of the past faded like bubbles in his mind, he finally sighed:
"This is something I can't entrust to others. Rebuilding my sect must be done by my own hands."
And so, Li Qing remained within the Ghost Sword Sect's territory.
Surrounded by abundant spiritual energy, he wasted not a moment, immersing himself in cultivation with unwavering focus.
Three days was indeed a short time for a secluded cultivator, but in the blink of an eye, the day to select treasures had arrived.
"Fellow Daoist Limitless, let's depart!"
True Lord Ji Sha's voice echoed outside Li Qing's cave abode. Li Qing emerged to find two figures floating in the air outside his dwelling.
Besides True Lord Ji Sha, there was the Crimson Hair Immortal, with his fiery red hair.
The Crimson Hair Immortal's attitude toward Li Qing remained as cold as ever, completely ignoring him even after he emerged.
Despite this, Li Qing maintained his courteous demeanor, clasping his hands in a respectful greeting, adhering to the principle of not striking a smiling face.
Soon, under Ji Sha's guidance, they were swiftly traversing Sword Valley.
Along the way, they passed through several important sites of the Ghost Sword Sect, each of which Ji Sha cheerfully introduced.
"That's our sect's Sword Cleansing Pool. Only those who successfully achieve foundation establishment and become elders of the sect are permitted to cleanse their magic artifacts here."
Li Qing followed the sound of his voice and saw a pool brimming with Geng Metal Qi.
The pool was remarkably deep, its tranquil surface reflecting sunlight with a chilling, razor-sharp intensity that made one's heart palpitate.
The Crimson Hair Immortal, standing beside him, also showed a flicker of surprise. He couldn't help but ask, "So sharp... Could there be Geng Metal in this pool?"
Geng Metal—a supreme treasure of the Metal dao!
Legend has it that adding even a trace of Geng Metal to one's lifebound artifact would instantly sharpen it several times over.
Ancient records tell of a sword cultivator from an era long past, whose cultivation reached the heavens and pierced the earth. Using this metal, he forged an unparalleled Geng Metal Flying Sword, dominating the world without equal.
However, these accounts are from extremely ancient texts, and the exact details have long been lost to time.
Regardless, this supreme treasure of the Metal dao would undoubtedly drive countless sword and saber cultivators into a frenzy of desire!
Even Li Qing, whose natal magic treasure was a hammer, couldn't help but covet it.
"Heh heh heh, to be honest, our Ghost Sword Sect discovered this place by chance," the elder chuckled. "The sect leader investigated it thoroughly back then and found no Geng Metal within the Sword Cleansing Pool, only traces of Geng Metal Qi."
"The sect leader theorized that someone had once refined a magic artifact here using Geng Metal. When the artifact was completed, some of the metal's Qi leaked out, altering the pool's nature."
If it were merely Geng Metal Qi, its utility would be limited. At best, it could enhance the power of sword- and saber-type magic artifacts, offering little benefit to the natal magic treasures of core formation realm cultivators.
Li Qing wasn't surprised by this answer; he had expected as much.
If Geng Metal truly existed here, how could it possibly be left for mere foundation establishment elders to use? The Ghost Sword Sect Leader would have undoubtedly claimed it long ago to refine his natal magic treasure.
After all, Gui Li was a sword cultivator, and his natal magic treasure was undoubtedly a sword!
As they chatted, the group soon arrived at the Ghost Sword Sect's most important location.
It turned out to be a small mountain, within which the sect's treasure vault had been carved.
The mountain's interior had been hollowed out, and at its base, a massive iron gate was embedded in the rock face.
Several foundation establishment elders stood guard around the gate.
"Greetings, Supreme Elder!"
A foundation establishment elder quickly emerged to greet them, bowing deeply to show utmost respect.
"Hmm," Ji Sha said coldly. "By order of the sect leader, I am escorting two fellow Daoists to the treasure vault to select a single treasure each." He then produced a token from his storage pouch to verify his identity.
Seeing this, Li Qing couldn't help but click his tongue inwardly, thinking, The Ghost Sword Sect's rules are truly strict.
Even the supreme elder needs to present proof of identity to enter the sect treasury?
Of course, Li Qing wouldn't comment on the internal affairs of another sect; he simply observed the scene quietly.
After the foundation establishment realm elder confirmed Ji Sha's identity, he respectfully announced, "Supreme Elder, please enter!"
"Fellow Daoists, follow me!" Ji Sha said, leading Li Qing and Crimson Hair Immortal toward the treasure vault.
As they approached the iron gate, Crimson Hair Immortal suddenly spoke up:
"Wait a moment. What happens if he and I both want the same treasure?"
This question stunned everyone, including Li Qing and even Ji Sha.
To be honest, neither of them had considered this possibility.
But you know what? It was actually quite likely to happen.
The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.
(End of the Chapter)
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