As he spoke,
An elder produced a stone from his hand.
Li Shuang reached out and took it.
Then,
Her eyes subtly changed.
This stone.
It was real!
What did this signify?
It meant that this was a genuine object, passed down for 50,000 years. It was highly probable that this very stone had witnessed the entire sect ascending at that time.
"This stone contains the power of extreme yin and cold. You may use it," the elder said, looking at Li Shuang.
"Yes," Li Shuang responded.
The elder said indifferently, "I'll go back first. I'll come down to see you for the first time tomorrow at this time. The day after tomorrow, the third floor will be very busy, so I won't have time to look after you. Also, guarding the Millennium Silk Net on the second floor earns you a thousand points for each day you persist. Work hard, and familiarize yourself well with this stone."
"Yes," Li Shuang replied again.
A black passage reappeared on the ceiling. The elder nodded to Li Shuang and returned directly to the third floor.
This time, when the elder came down, aside from dealing with Shui Yao's body, he never once inquired about her death.
Moreover, he simply handed over the management of the second floor to her.
Li Shuang felt as if she were in a dream.
She activated the Rebirth Art and quietly asked a disciple next to her, "Excuse me, who was that senior just now? And since Senior Sister Shui Yao has passed away, will no one else inquire about this matter?"
The disciple glanced at Li Shuang indifferently and said, "That was Senior Sister Shui Yao's master, the sect's Third Elder."
Li Shuang: "..."
???
She had thought it was someone unrelated to Shui Yao, which was why he didn't care about her life or death.
But it turned out.
He was Shui Yao's master?
She couldn't tell at all!
Indeed, the Langya Sect currently had disciples who weren't like disciples, masters who weren't like masters, and people who weren't like people.
The disciple had no intention of continuing to talk with Li Shuang and turned to attend to his own business.
At this moment, the Millennium Silk Net threads were very quiet, and Li Shuang had nothing to deal with. Li Shuang took out the stone and observed it silently.
The Heaven and Earth Smeltery provided the most basic information.
"Yin-Moon Stone: A substance of extreme yin and cold, containing the aura of the Yellow Springs, highly effective for cultivating the Yellow Springs Art."
It seemed as if the elder had specially given her this treasure because she had just started practicing the Yellow Springs Art.
However...
Li Shuang no longer trusted anyone in the Langya Sect.
She directly spent some value points to have the Heaven and Earth Smeltery conduct a detailed examination.
The Heaven and Earth Smeltery re-examined it and provided the results.
"Yin-Moon Stone (refined): This stone contains the aura of the Yellow Springs and is highly effective for cultivating the Yellow Springs Art. However, this particular Yin-Moon Stone has been refined by someone in advance. If one cultivates using this kind of Yin-Moon Stone, their physique will subtly change over time. Eventually, the person using this Yin-Moon Stone will become a vessel for the refiner. The refiner can take over your body, devour your soul, and live again through your body at any time."
"This item is worth 30,000 value points."
Li Shuang: "..."
Good, good, good.
This Langya Sect truly had talented individuals!
Shui Yao lured others into practicing supplementary cultivation methods, then sought opportunities to devour their souls to strengthen herself.
But she probably didn't know.
She thought she was the oriole, but her master had already raised a gun to hunt her.
Li Shuang believed that Shui Yao must have used this Yin-Moon Stone a lot. She had probably already become the Third Elder's vessel.
If the Third Elder's lifespan ended or he accidentally met with an accident, he could be resurrected in Shui Yao's body at any time.
He had essentially left himself a fallback plan!
This Third Elder was quite cunning and calculating.
But he hadn't anticipated that under the punishment of the Heavenly Dao, both he and Shui Yao would die on the spot, making resurrection impossible.
Even if the Third Elder had left vessels outside the Langya Sect, it would have been useless.
After all...
His true spirit was trapped here.
Even the deepest schemes probably couldn't be executed anymore.
Li Shuang stared at the stone for a while.
The rules of the Heavenly Dao would not allow anyone in this secret realm to escape through any means. Therefore.
Even if she used the Yin-Moon Stone, she would most likely not be replaced by the Third Elder.
However...
She might not even keep her life then.
This Yin-Moon Stone must not be used.
But.
The Third Elder said he would come down to see her tomorrow at this time.
If she didn't use it at all, it would probably arouse suspicion.
At that point, her life would also be in danger.
She needed to come up with a foolproof plan.
Li Shuang thought for a moment and then asked the Smeltery.
"This Yin-Moon Stone is worth 30,000 value points. Is its true value in the stone itself, or in the energy it contains?"
The Heaven and Earth Smeltery quickly answered: "It's the energy."
Li Shuang quickly said, "That's right! So, can I exchange a portion of the energy in the stone? Just... one-third. You can give me 10,000 value points for now."
The Heaven and Earth Smeltery seemed to have paused for a moment.
Li Shuang's request...
Was somewhat unexpected.
"Think about it carefully, my method of exchange is reasonable and doesn't take advantage of you at all," Li Shuang reasoned with emotion.
The Heaven and Earth Smeltery remained silent for a moment, then gave one word: "Permitted."
Permitted?
That's good, that's really good!
Isn't that just perfect!
A hint of joy flashed in Li Shuang's eyes.
After getting a definitive answer from the Heaven and Earth Smeltery, she was no longer anxious.
This energy didn't need to be exchanged right now.
She had to find the right moment!
Anyway, exchanging it was an instant matter, so it would be quick!
Just as Li Shuang was thinking this.
Suddenly.
The Millennium Silk Net threads, which had been quiet, suddenly erupted into chaos.
In Li Shuang's perception, a wicked force surged forth from the threads.
Li Shuang mimicked Shui Yao, activating the Yellow Springs Art to pacify it.
However.
Her mastery of the Yellow Springs Art was too shallow, and the threads of the Millennium Silk Net became even more sinister.
These threads began to bare their fangs and claws at the disciples on the second floor. Though merely threads, in a trance, they seemed like countless pythons, now opening their bloodthirsty mouths.
"Junior Sister Li Shuang! What are you hesitating for! Quickly use the power from the Yin-Moon Stone!" a disciple cried out in alarm.
Li Shuang's eyes flickered.
Good, good, good.
So that's where they were waiting for her.
They were forcing her to use the power from this stone!
"Alright!"
Li Shuang took out the stone in front of everyone and then said in her mind.
"Heaven and Earth Smeltery, exchange one-third of the energy!"
The next moment.
One-third of the energy in the stone was gone.
Li Shuang also gained 10,000 value points.
She didn't actually absorb it, so the power of the Yellow Springs Art naturally didn't increase.
However!
She had a higher-level Rebirth Art!
Li Shuang directly activated the Rebirth Art, and when the power of the Styx descended, the threads of the Millennium Silk Net seemed to encounter their nemesis and instantly quieted down.
Li Shuang quickly withdrew the Rebirth Art, then said with an expression of profound emotion, "The stone given by the Third Elder is really effective! If I hadn't absorbed the energy in time, I'm afraid the Millennium Silk Net threads would have gone on a rampage this time."