Taking advantage of the moment, Song Changsheng returned once again to the formation core. With a wave of his hand, a set of formation flags and a dark yellow bronze bell emerged from the ground.
After storing the formation flags, he finally had the chance to properly examine the high-grade spiritual artifact that had served as the array's core.
Now reduced in size, the bell looked more like a small handbell. Etched on its surface was a strange beast with a human face, tiger claws, the body of a ferocious feline, and nine tails fanned out behind it majestic and awe-inspiring.
It was the image of the ancient divine beast Lu Wu.
"Lu Wu Bell, from now on, you'll follow me, alright?"
Song Changsheng gently stroked the bronze bell as he spoke in a low voice.
A faint glow appeared on the bell's surface, and the carved image of Lu Wu seemed to come alive, radiating a sense of joy.
"So you agree. I promise I won't let you down," Song Changsheng said with a slight smile, placing the bell into his storage pouch. The value of a high-grade spiritual artifact was no less than the legacy of the cave dwelling's owner.
However, something puzzled him. All signs indicated that the cave's owner had been a sword cultivator skilled in both formations and artifact crafting. The three inheritances in the storage pouch supported that theory.
But then… why would a sword cultivator's life-bound spiritual weapon be a bronze bell? That didn't make sense. The Lu Wu Bell seemed more like a component used in formations rather than a primary weapon.
So here was the real question: Where was the cultivator's life-bound spiritual sword? Or rather who had taken it?
Song Changsheng suddenly remembered the stone chamber he hadn't entered. His gaze drifted subconsciously toward Xu Yunhe in the distance.
Could it be… that he had found it?
The possibility seemed quite high.
But such thoughts would have to stay buried in his heart. If that chamber truly held something stronger than the Lu Wu Bell, then it simply meant he was not fated to obtain it.
As he fell into contemplation, Zhu Yiqun came stomping over, grumbling,
"These blood fiends are ridiculous. I searched through everything they're cleaner than my cooking pot! Nothing in their storage pouches but demonic gear."
"That Foundation Establishment stage demon cultivator didn't even have a pouch on him. Either he didn't carry one, or that big guy took it," Zhu continued.
"You sure you didn't quietly pocket anything?" Song Changsheng teased with a laugh.
"How could you smear my good name like that? Do I look like that kind of guy?" Zhu Yiqun cried out with an exaggerated expression, making the two of them burst into laughter.
Once the laughter faded, Zhu tossed a pile of bloodstained demonic gear onto the ground.
"Total haul thirty-one demonic artifacts. Let's split them."
"These won't be easy to offload," Song Changsheng frowned. Though they were all low-grade, first-tier demonic artifacts, they were still worth a decent sum of spirit stones.
The issue was how difficult it was to legally sell such items. He still hadn't found a buyer for the ones he seized last time. Melting them down might be the only option.
But Zhu Yiqun puffed up his chest confidently and said,
"Small matter. I've got channels. If you trust me, let me handle it. I'll sell them and split the profits with you two."
"I trust Zhu Daoist's character," Xu Yunhe was the first to respond.
Song Changsheng nodded as well,
"Even better. Honestly, with this many demonic artifacts, we'd struggle to deal with them ourselves."
"Don't worry. Old Zhu will take care of everything," Zhu said with a grin, collecting the demonic artifacts.
"These blood fiends were organized. There's no way they were this poor. Their hideout must be nearby, but with no survivors left, it's a real shame."
Song Changsheng sighed. The area was full of hills and dense forests trying to locate a deliberately concealed demonic base would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
"If fate allows it, we'll find it. We've already gained plenty," Zhu Yiqun said optimistically.
Song Changsheng relaxed a bit and nodded. Suddenly, a thought struck him.
"Right we can't just leave that senior's remains here, can we?"
"We benefited from his legacy. We must handle his remains properly to prevent them from being defiled by evil cultivators. And we should also take care of the remains and belongings of our fellow cultivators who died alongside us," said Zhu Yiqun solemnly. His eyes turned red as he spoke of their fallen comrades.
"I'll handle the senior's remains," Xu Yunhe suddenly spoke up for the first time in a while.
Song Changsheng and Zhu Yiqun exchanged a glance, then nodded in agreement.
Xu Yunhe entered the cave to collect the remains. Watching him go, Zhu Yiqun muttered enviously,
"Xu Daoist got the biggest haul this time. Lost an arm, sure, but his sword aura is much more refined. Once he breaks through to the Foundation Establishment stage, he'll make a name for himself."
"We all have our fortunes. We've gained plenty and should be satisfied."
"True… Huh? Someone's coming again?" Zhu pointed toward the distant horizon.
Song Changsheng looked into the distance and saw a small black dot gradually growing larger. As it came into focus, he recognized Wang Wanzhou approaching, riding his flying sword.
Wang Wanzhou scanned the battle-worn surroundings, his expression slightly grave. He could sense that two cultivators, each no weaker than himself, had fought fiercely here. He had most likely arrived a step too late.
His aged eyes swept across the chaotic scene until they landed on Song Changsheng. Seeing him safe, he let out a quiet sigh of relief. Descending on his sword, he landed in front of Song Changsheng and said,
"I'm afraid I came too late. Thankfully, you're unharmed. Otherwise, your grandfather might have stormed the city guard headquarters himself."
Song Changsheng quickly cupped his fists and bowed.
"You're too kind, Granduncle. I'm already immensely grateful you came at all. I'll be sure to report this to my grandfather and remember your timely assistance."
"Hahaha, no need to be so formal. By the way, were you attacked by demonic cultivators? I can sense the lingering aura of blood demons," Wang Wanzhou said seriously as he looked around again.
Song Changsheng then recounted everything that had happened omitting only the gains from the cave-dwelling, but leaving out no other detail.
"I see," Wang Wanzhou said, nodding. "There's a saying 'Heaven watches over the righteous.' It couldn't be more fitting in your case."
Song Changsheng hesitated for a moment, then made up his mind and asked,
"Granduncle, you and my grandfather are lifelong friends. Do you know if there's any kind of grudge between our family and Luoxia City?"
Wang Wanzhou looked at him for a while before sighing.
"I had a feeling you'd ask that. But I'm not the right person to tell you. If you get the chance, ask your grandfather yourself."
"It involves Grandpa?" Song Changsheng frowned slightly. Why had his grandfather never mentioned it?
"Ah, let's not dwell on that for now. If you're done here, come back to the market with me. The Earth Fire Sect was causing trouble when I left," Wang Wanzhou said, glancing at the setting sun before turning to Song Changsheng.
Song Changsheng looked over to Zhu Yiqun and asked,
"Brother Zhu, are you coming with us or…?"
Zhu Yiqun shrugged.
"I already contacted my old man he's coming to pick me up. If he doesn't see me, he'll blow a fuse. You go on ahead with this senior. Yunhe and I will head out together."
Seeing this, Song Changsheng didn't press the matter. With a final bow, he leaped onto Wang Wanzhou's flying sword and began the journey back…
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