95: Real and fake treasures

At the zi hour, Qin Feng received new System intelligence.

[Daily Intelligence has been refreshed]

[White Intelligence: Ji Ruxue is persistently searching for the west lake treasure. Her true purpose is to raise funds to purchase the Earth Rank Medicinal Pill "Nine-Turn Soul-Returning Pill" to save her Senior Sister. A month ago, her Senior Sister was poisoned and suffered hidden injuries during a Sect mission, leaving her life hanging by a thread; only an Earth Rank Medicinal Pill can save her. Ji Ruxue's savings are insufficient, so she is taking a desperate risk to find the Treasure Trove and exchange it for medicine.]

[White Intelligence: The treasure map held by Ji Ruxue marks the entrance inside the Vice City Lord's Manor. It is actually a forgery, intentionally released by someone to lure treasure hunters for unknown reasons.]

[Red Intelligence: The real west lake treasure was secretly left by a former dynasty's power during their strategic retreat from West Lake City. The entrance is not fixed; one must enter through a brief whirlpool appearing in a specific area of West Lake (coordinates: 319, 741N) at the zi hour of a full moon night, using a water-attribute Cultivation Technique like the "Clear Water Art" for protection. The interior of the Treasure Trove is filled with many traps and Formations, making it exceptionally dangerous. Currently, the only person who knows this exact entry method is the Heavenly Demon Sect Grand Elder.]

Looking at these three pieces of intelligence, Qin Feng's eyes flickered. His mind cleared, but he also became more solemn.

So this girl Ji Ruxue is risking her life to save her Senior Sister; this sisterly bond is truly moving. An Earth Rank Medicinal Pill is indeed worth a fortune, no wonder she is so anxious.

And the map in her hand is indeed fake! It's a trap! Who is behind this scheme? Is it targeting treasure hunters, or is there another motive? The Vice City Lord's son is involved; is he in the know or also being used?

What shocked him most was the intelligence on the real Treasure Trove—Red again! And it's once again connected to the northern Demonic Sect, the Heavenly Demon Sect! A legacy of a former dynasty, a specific time and place, requiring a special Cultivation Technique, and filled with traps... all this indicates the extraordinary nature of the Treasure Trove, but also immense risk. Last time, the Red intelligence gave him the Earth Rank Advanced Finger Sword Among Flowers; what would it be this time? But since the Heavenly Demon Sect Grand Elder knows about this place, it means it's likely already being watched by the Demonic Sect or is inherently related to them.

"Clear Water Art..." Qin Feng searched his memory; he didn't know any such water-attribute Cultivation Technique. The Hundred Flowers Palace specialized in wood and earth attributes; water-attribute Cultivation Techniques were not their strength.

"Countless traps... sigh..." He rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache. With his current strength and means, exploring such a dangerous place alone was no different from seeking death.

"Should I tell Lord Su? Team up with her?" Qin Feng hesitated. Su Yuetang is at the Peak of the Mid-stage Martial King, possessing great strength. If they teamed up, safety would increase significantly, and the Hundred Flowers Palace could also benefit. But if he did that, a large portion of the Treasure Trove would surely have to be shared, and explaining the source of his intelligence would be a problem.

After much consideration, he temporarily suppressed the thought. He decided to see how things were with Ji Ruxue first.

The next day, Qin Feng went to the room where Ji Ruxue was recovering. Her complexion had improved quite a bit, and she could already get out of bed to walk slowly. At the moment, she was sitting by the table, frowning as she studied that yellowed "treasure map."

Qin Feng walked over, glanced at the map, and spoke bluntly, "Stop looking. This map is fake; it's a trap."

"What?!" Ji Ruxue suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with shock and disbelief. "How do you know? I paid a heavy price for this map..."

"How I know isn't important." Qin Feng interrupted her, his tone certain. "What's important is that if you go looking according to this map, forget the Treasure Trove, whether you can even leave the Vice City Lord's Manor alive will be a question."

Ji Ruxue's expression shifted. She wasn't a fool. Recalling the Martial King guards she encountered while tracking the Vice City Lord's son and the fact that they seemed prepared for her counterattack, she already believed him seventy to eighty percent. A surge of anger from being deceived and frustration over her failed plans welled up in her heart.

Seeing her despondent look, Qin Feng changed the subject. "However, I know where the real Treasure Trove entrance is."

Ji Ruxue suddenly looked up, staring intently at Qin Feng, her gaze as sharp as a blade. "You really know? What are the conditions?"

"As for the conditions, we can talk about them slowly." Qin Feng sat down leisurely. "First, I need to confirm if you have the ability to explore the Treasure Trove. You should... understand the Art of Traps, right?"

Ji Ruxue slightly raised her chin, carrying a hint of pride belonging to a Gold Medal Assassin. "Hmph, our training in the Blood-Filled Tower includes courses specifically on breaking through traps and mechanisms. Without knowing these, how could we infiltrate target locations to carry out missions?"

"Very good." Qin Feng nodded in satisfaction. "Then recover well and return to your Peak state. When the time is right, I'll take you to the real Treasure Trove location."

He didn't reveal more details, such as the full moon night, the whirlpool entrance, or the requirement for the Clear Water Art. This key information was his bargaining chip for maintaining the initiative.

Ji Ruxue looked deeply at Qin Feng, seemingly trying to read something from his face. This youth, who was two years younger than her, was not only progressing at a lightning-fast speed in strength but also had a terrifyingly deep mind. He had not only saved her but also saw through the fake map she held and even claimed to know the location of the real Treasure Trove... She took a deep breath, suppressed her many questions, and nodded. "Fine! I'll trust you this once. Once I've recovered, I will cooperate with you to explore the treasure. The gains... will be distributed according to contribution."

"It's a deal." Qin Feng extended his hand.

Ji Ruxue hesitated for a moment before extending her slightly cold hand and giving him a light shake.

The cooperation was initially established.

Qin Feng left the room, having already made his calculations. The priority now was to find the "Clear Water Art" or a similar water-attribute Cultivation Technique and increase his strength as quickly as possible. At the same time, he had to keep an eye on the Heavenly Demon Sect's movements. This west lake treasure was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Meanwhile, Ji Ruxue watched Qin Feng's departing figure and clenched her fists. Whether what lay ahead was a trap or an opportunity, she had to go on for her Senior Sister's sake. This mysterious Qin Feng might be her only hope right now.