Chapter 42: Spiritual Treasure

Bang!

Tang Shan turned his hand, and a fiery red Talisman Paper instantly appeared. Without a second thought, he hurled it straight at Tang Yilin.

Bang!

After the fiery Talisman Paper flew out, it exploded with a loud bang, transforming into a basketball-sized ball of flame. The heat radiating from it seemed hot enough to melt metal and shatter stone in an instant.

“Hmph, Insignificant skills! Tang Shan, if these are still your only tricks, I won’t hold back!”

Seeing that Tang Shan was still testing the waters even at this stage, using only low-tier flame Talisman Papers, Tang Yilin felt slight annoyance. She snorted coldly, her sharp voice piercing the air.

As she spoke, Tang Yilin drifted slightly upwards into the air. With a backhanded wave, she sent a streak of black light shooting directly towards Tang Shan on the ground.

But it wasn’t a mere black streak at all—it was a Tiny Sword, small, dark, and sinister, covered densely with sharp barbs that resembled two rows of small teeth. The chilling, sickening aura it emitted made one’s scalp crawl.

If Tang Jinbiao could have seen the viciousness hidden beneath Tang Yilin’s smiling face at this moment, he would have exclaimed in relief. When he was beaten before, Tang Yilin had merely worn an angry expression, inflicting only flesh wounds.

“Haha, what’s the rush, Yilin? The good stuff is still coming!”

Seeing the black streak, Tang Shan’s eyelids twitched, but he rapidly dodged to the side. Simultaneously, he flicked his hand, another Talisman Paper, this one earth-yellow, appearing instantly. He threw it towards the black streak, refusing to back down verbally. “You’re one to talk about toughness! Block my Black Iron Sword’s strike first!”

Bang!

The earth-yellow Talisman Paper flew out and exploded with a bang, instantly forming a golden shield as large as a washbasin, seemingly forged from solid gold. Clearly, it intended to block the black Tiny Sword’s attack.

Seeing Tang Shan didn’t treat the black streak seriously, a mocking smile touched Tang Yilin’s lips.

Tsk!

Tang Yilin formed a sword gesture with her fingers, shouted sharply, and swiftly swept her hand towards Tang Shan’s direction. With a shriek, the black Tiny Sword instantly changed course, swerving away from the shield formed by the earth-yellow Talisman Paper to shoot directly at Tang Shan’s face.

“So fast!”

Realizing the black Tiny Sword had evaded his shield, Tang Shan was momentarily startled. His vigilance surged. He dared hold nothing back.

He stomped violently against the ground, retreating at top speed while fiercely clasping his hands together with a loud clap!

“Invoke… Spiritual Treasure!”

Hands pressed tightly together, Tang Shan shut his eyes at this critical life-or-death moment and bellowed the command.

Hum… hum… hum!

The moment the words “Invoke Spiritual Treasure!” left Tang Shan’s mouth, the sword on his back began to vibrate strangely, emitting a soft, continuous humming, as if straining to fly out of its sheath by itself.

“What? A Spiritual Treasure!”

Hearing Tang Shan’s shout, Tang Yilin’s face abruptly changed color. She was shocked he’d resort to such a powerful move so quickly upon facing setback. Yet she reacted almost instantly.

She threw her Bronze Mirror high into the air. Biting the tip of her tongue sharply, she sprayed a mouthful of blood towards it. Her hands then flew in a frantic blur, directing bursts of Spiritual Energy one after another at the Bronze Mirror.

Shiu… shiu… shiu!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

In an instant, countless streams of Spiritual Energy solidified into visible, sword-like streaks of force, striking the Bronze Mirror and ringing out repeatedly. The blood rapidly coalesced into a thick, crimson mist that enveloped the Bronze Mirror. Strangely, the mirror itself seemed to come alive, starting to devour both the blood mist and the Spiritual Energy hungrily.

“Heavens!”

“A Spiritual Treasure! It really is a Spiritual Treasure!”

“How terrifying!”

Those spectating below were amazed to see that in only a quarter of an hour of fighting, the two actually deployed Spiritual Treasures one after another, and they started exclaiming in shock and shouting loudly.

“Huh? That kid!”

“That youngster is too impulsive!”

Those Elders on the Elders’ Podium, watching Tang Shan use his flying sword Spiritual Treasure so quickly, shook their heads and sighed one after another, seemingly finding it unwise.

“Fuck! Damn Huang Biaozi, you actually dared to screw me over!”

While everyone was stunned by the Spiritual Treasure on the stage, Tang Jinbiao had snuck in from somewhere. At this moment, he looked disheveled, his clothes torn in several places. He seemed not to have washed his face, his hair was a mess, as he secretly blended into the crowd. In his heart, though, he had cursed Huang Biaozi a thousand times. Clearly, he had spent the entire night searching for that black stone bead.

“Hmm? What’s that?”

Yet, only moments later, his gaze was instantly drawn to the Spiritual Treasure Tang Shan wielded on the stage.

“A Spiritual Treasure! It really is a Spiritual Treasure!”

Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi were also amidst the crowd. Seeing Tang Shan’s flying sword Spiritual Treasure, an intense longing surged in their eyes, mingled with envy.

Because they clearly understood what a Spiritual Treasure represented. Luckily, they were within the Tang Family. If news that a mere Foundation Establishment Cultivator possessed a Spiritual Treasure got out, it could mean imminent death. Powerful Core Formation Cultivators and Nascent Soul Cultivators would surely come seeking it, perhaps even Tribulation Transcendent Cultivators might pursue it. For some mighty Spiritual Treasures were rare treasures, even invaluable to Tribulation Transcendent Cultivators.

One must begin with the classification of cultivators’ treasures. The artifacts typically used by Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment Cultivators are called Spirit Artifacts. They can be used simply by channeling Spiritual Energy into them; there’s no ritual like blood essence binding needed. If lost or stolen by others, as long as Spiritual Energy is channeled in, anyone can use them. This is not much different from weapons in the Mortal world. Of course, such Spirit Artifacts are the lowest tier, even though there are distinctions between low, mid, high and top grades, they remain common artifacts.

Once cultivators reach the Core Formation stage, they forge their true treasures. The power of such treasures naturally far surpasses that of Spirit Artifacts—the difference is incomparable. These treasures are called Core Treasures, requiring prior binding and tempering. If lost, they can still be used if found again unless too much time has passed or someone else has erased the original imprint. Even if seized by others, they couldn’t be used immediately.

After reaching the Nascent Soul Stage, cultivators have two paths: refining their own Nascent Treasures or searching for so-called Spiritual Treasures. Yet Spiritual Treasures are scarce in the world, long gathered by major sects and powerful cultivators; almost none remain unclaimed. Therefore, most cultivators in the Nascent Soul Stage still opt to refine their own treasures.

Spiritual Treasures are divided into innate and acquired. The power of Innate Spiritual Treasures varies greatly, but as creations of nature, they invariably possess inexplicable, mystical functions. Some possess little offensive power, weaker even than common artifacts, but can turn invisible, impossible to detect unless actually struck. Others might lack special abilities, focusing solely on sharpness or immense destructive power, unleashing unstoppable force the moment they are used. Of course, the reason they are called ‘innate’ is mainly that no one knows their origin; they seem like phenomena born of heaven.

Acquired Spiritual Treasures, on the other hand, are relics from ancient times or treasures refined by Tribulation Transcendent Cultivators. Hence, an acquired Spiritual Treasure has another name: Tribulation Treasure! However, as the ages pass—time being the most merciless force that erodes all things—the power of many such treasures has faded, often becoming weaker than the treasures wielded by ordinary Core Formation Cultivators.

So, in summary: Spirit Artifacts are not as good as Core Treasures; Core Treasures are not as good as Nascent Treasures; Nascent Treasures are not as good as Tribulation Treasures; Tribulation Treasures are not as good as Innate Spiritual Treasures!

Tang Huaxi and Tang Xingchi naturally understood the significance of a Spiritual Treasure. Similarly, most people present at the gathering comprehended its meaning. And the treasure behind Tang Shan was precisely an acquired Spiritual Treasure!

Swoosh!

Suddenly, the sword on Tang Shan’s back broke free and flew out. However, the blade itself remained unseen, as the entire object—sheath included—shot forth.

Clang!

Ting-ding-dang!

With a crisp sound, the black iron sword was cleanly severed into two pieces. The fragments fell onto the Platform Stage, clattering and ringing as they bounced.

Swoosh!

The flying sword Spiritual Treasure, still within its sheath, circled back unscathed, hovering constantly above Tang Shan’s head. It seemed to be gathering energy, preparing to unleash a fatal strike.

“Little Sister Yilin, do you still insist on fighting?”

Standing there, Tang Shan wore an expression of utter serenity and confidence. It was evident he believed the outcome of the match was predetermined as he spoke softly.

Clang-clang-clang!

But Tang Yilin paid him no mind. Her hands never stopped, continuously sending streams of Spiritual Energy towards the bronze mirror suspending in the air.

The mirror had undergone a dramatic transformation. It had grown from its original basin-sized form to about a meter in diameter—like a large winnowing basket. Its color had completely changed as well. After absorbing Tang Yilin’s drop of vital blood essence, instead of turning crimson, it took on a jade-like hue. It now emanated pulses of bone-chilling cold; a mere glance at it sent shivers through spectators from head to toe.

Therefore, those looking up from below saw a large, winnowing basket-sized disk resembling a white jade plate, ceaselessly radiating freezing cold.

“What?! Yours is a Spiritual Treasure too?”

Sensing the transformation of the bronze mirror, Tang Shan’s expression abruptly changed, revealing that he had underestimated Tang Yilin’s capabilities.

Pop!

As Tang Yilin released her final surge of Spiritual Energy, the bronze mirror suspended high above began to whirl violently. Its speed intensified rapidly, becoming so fast in the blink of an eye that it seemed to cause visual distortion. Strangely though, it appeared utterly motionless, as if frozen in place.

“Hehe, Brother Shan, apologies!” Tang Yilin’s slender figure gracefully leaped onto the slowly descending mirror, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Your little sister also happens to possess a Spiritual Treasure. An Innate Spiritual Treasure at that. Pray tell, Brother Shan, what other tricks do you have up your sleeve?”

But the moment Tang Yilin landed on the mirror, something bizarre happened. Her figure atop the mirror began to blur, as if beginning to merge with the void itself, giving the distinct impression she was about to vanish from Tang Shan’s view.

“What?!”

Witnessing this, Tang Shan’s face contorted in a massive display of astonishment.

“What?!”

“The Art of Soul Merging!”

“An Innate Spiritual Treasure!”

It wasn’t just Tang Shan. Down on the ground, those Elders bounced to their feet one after another, faces etched with shared shock…