69: The Azure Sun Demonic Art! A Mysterious Wooden Box!

Chapter Sixty-Nine: Qingyang Demonic Art! Mysterious Wooden Box!

Chixiao Cave, main meditation room.

Lu Qiu sat cross-legged, adjusting his breath for about half an hour before his pale face regained its color and the slightly fluctuating mana in his body from the fierce battle gradually settled down.

Although he won the battle against Ye Jin and the process seemed smooth, it actually consumed a huge amount of energy, especially firing four Spirit Shocking Thorn at once and fully activating the Chixiao Heavenly Fire Array, which put a significant burden on both his Divine Sense and mana.

After recovering most of his state, he took out the Storage Pouch he had obtained from Ye Jin and placed it in front of him.

He wiped away the last faint trace left by the original owner and probed his Divine Sense inside.

The first thing that caught his "eye" was a small mountain of Spirit Stones.

A rough scan showed about four to five thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones and more than ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, with a total value close to six thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

For a lurking spy, this wealth wasn't particularly abundant, but it was above the average level for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Beside the Spirit Stones lay several Magical Artifacts.

The most eye-catching were two objects radiating spiritual light: one was the small black banner Ye Jin used for protection, whose spiritual nature was ultimately destroyed by the Chixiao Heavenly Fire and was now damaged, though the Materials might still be recyclable; the other was a narrow, dark green Flying Sword emitting a cold, sharp aura, and a palm-sized bronze round shield with an ancient pattern.

Both were Top-Grade Magical Artifacts of impressive quality, especially that Flying Sword, which had obvious characteristics of a Demonic Path Magical Artifact, with Evil Qi faintly appearing.

Additionally, there were several ordinary High Grade and Medium Grade Magical Artifacts, likely used by Ye Jin for his daily disguise.

Lu Qiu didn't have much of an emotional reaction to these artifacts; his qingming sword, golden origin bell, and others were not inferior to these, and using Demonic Path artifacts was inappropriate.

He was more concerned about Cultivation Technique manuals and other special items.

Soon, he found several Jade Slips and scrolls.

The first Jade Slip recorded a complete Cultivation Technique called the "Qingyang Demonic Art."

Lu Qiu scanned the introductory summary with his Divine Sense and knew this was one of the true inheritances of the Devil Flame Sect. Its core lay in condensing "Qingyang Demonic Fire," using this fire to temper mana, the Physical Body, and even the Divine Soul. The technique's power was overbearing and treacherous; when cultivated to a high level, the Qingyang Demonic Fire could melt gold and iron, corrode bones and wither souls, and break many Restrictions and Spells.

However, the cultivation process required a large amount of blood essence from living beings or special cold resources as assistance, making it extremely sinister.

"A top-tier technique of the Devil Flame Sect... unfortunately, its attributes clash with my Crimson Sky Burning Heaven Technique, and the cultivation method is of the Evil Path, making it useless to me." Lu Qiu shook his head and set it aside.

However, the records regarding the fire control methods for "Qingyang Demonic Fire" and some Demonic Path Spells could be used for reference to broaden his horizons.

The second Jade Slip did not record a technique, but rather an exquisite breath-concealment secret technique—the "Myriad Transformations Hidden Origin Art"!

Lu Qiu read it carefully, and his eyes couldn't help but show amazement.

The ingenuity of this art far exceeded any breath-concealment method he had encountered before, and in some aspects, it was even more outstanding than his own "Formless Qi Concealment Art"!

The "Myriad Transformations Hidden Origin Art" could not only perfectly conceal one's aura and reduce one's presence but also had a Heaven-Defying ability—it could temporarily transform one's mana attributes to mimic the spiritual energy characteristics of other specific techniques!

As long as one had enough understanding of the spiritual energy characteristics of the target technique, after performing this art, it would be extremely difficult to find any flaws unless the cultivation Realm far exceeded the caster's or a special investigative Divine Ability was used!

"No wonder... no wonder this Ye Jin could hide in Yellow Maple Valley for so many years without being noticed by the fellow Disciples he interacted with daily, or even the Core Formation Cultivators who might have occasionally passed by!" Lu Qiu suddenly realized.

With this secret technique, Ye Jin could completely simulate the peaceful aura of Yellow Maple Valley's basic techniques, hiding the sinister and bloody nature of his own Blood Soul Demonic Art without a trace!

"What a treasure!"

Lu Qiu was delighted. This secret technique was of immense value to him!

In the future, when going out for experience, exploring dangerous places, or even in situations where he needed to hide his identity or frame someone else, it could play an unexpectedly wonderful role.

He decided to start comprehending it shortly.

Besides the Jade Slips, there were several scrolls recording Demonic Path secrets, the distribution of forces in the Tiannan region, as well as some niche Pill Formulas and Materials. Lu Qiu put them all away; this information might be useful in the future.

Finally, his attention was drawn to an item in the corner of the Storage Pouch.

It was an ancient wooden box, about a foot long, half a foot wide, and three inches thick.

The box was dark purple throughout, made of some unknown spiritual wood. It felt heavy and cold to the touch, with no decorations on the surface, only some natural wood grain.

However, at the opening of the box, there was a layer of extremely complex Restriction runes shimmering with a faint black light, faintly emitting an aura of isolation from investigation and indestructible strength.

Lu Qiu tried to touch it with his Divine Sense, but was immediately bounced back by a soft yet incredibly tough force.

He tried injecting mana, and the Restriction runes lit up slightly, swallowing and neutralizing the mana without moving an inch.

Even when he used a trace of Crimson Heaven Mana, it only made the runes glow slightly brighter, far from enough to break it open.

"What a powerful Restriction!" Lu Qiu's eyebrows rose slightly.

With his current cultivation and understanding of Formations, he couldn't see through the depth of this Restriction at all, let alone crack it.

The strength of this Restriction was likely such that it would be difficult for anyone below a Core Formation Cultivator to open it by force.

"What could be inside? To be sealed with such a strong Restriction so solemnly, it must be no ordinary item. A technique Secret Manual? A Magic Treasure? Or some extremely rare material or spiritual object?" Lu Qiu speculated, his curiosity piqued.

This mysterious wooden box might be the true treasure in Ye Jin's Storage Pouch!

Carefully putting the wooden box into the safest place within the gray spatial bead, Lu Qiu began to think about the follow-up matters.

"Ye Jin's death will be noticed by the Sect sooner or later. The disappearance of a Foundation Establishment Stage Deacon is no small matter. The General Affairs Hall will report it soon, and the Sect will definitely investigate..."

Although he had cleaned up the battlefield, the cultivation world had many methods, and there was no guarantee that they wouldn't find some clues through scene reconstruction, divination, or special tracking techniques.

Especially since Ye Jin was a Demonic Path spy, the Sect would only pay more attention to such incidents.

"Instead of waiting passively for an investigation, it's better to... take the initiative and explain!" A sharp light flashed in Lu Qiu's eyes, and he made a decision instantly.

Of course, he couldn't tell the whole truth.

For example, Ye Jin's true cultivation at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage and how he accurately found his hiding place and set up the Formation in advance—these all needed to be modified.

"A reasonable explanation that can highlight my own contribution and strength..."

A moment later, Lu Qiu stood up, left Chixiao Cave, and once again steered his flying shuttle toward Huayuan Peak.

---

Huayuan Peak, the hall of the Immortal Cave behind the waterfall.

Li Huayuan sat in the main seat. After listening to Lu Qiu's report, he tapped the armrest lightly with his fingers. His face didn't show much emotion, but his eyes held a hint of scrutiny.

"Your cultivation has already broken through to the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment? Your Foundation is stable and your mana is condensed. Not bad."

He first acknowledged Lu Qiu's progress in cultivation, then changed the subject: "You say you discovered that the General Affairs Hall Deacon Ye Jin was acting mysteriously, followed him in secret, and found him cultivating a Demonic Technique. You were then noticed by him, and he tried to silence you. You fought back with all your might and finally managed to kill him by luck?"

"Exactly, Revered Master."

Lu Qiu's expression was respectful, his tone carrying a hint of lingering fear and relief: "Disciple also accidentally noticed that Deacon Ye... no, that Devil Head's movements were unusual, and followed him on a whim, not expecting to catch him practicing an evil method. That Devil Head saw the matter was exposed and became ferocious. Disciple had no choice but to fight to the death. Thanks to Revered Master's past teachings, and because Disciple recently broke through, plus that Devil Head seemed to have already suffered significant injuries from practicing the Demonic Technique, Disciple was able to kill him by a narrow margin. This is that Devil Head's Storage Pouch, please take a look, Revered Master."

As Lu Qiu spoke, he presented Ye Jin's Storage Pouch with both hands, but he had already removed the "Myriad Transformations Hidden Origin Art" Jade Slip and the mysterious wooden box, leaving only the Spirit Stones, Magical Artifacts, the "Qingyang Demonic Art" Jade Slip, and other miscellaneous items.

As for the contents of the "Qingyang Demonic Art," they had already been copied by Lu Qiu.

Li Huayuan took the Storage Pouch, scanned it with his Divine Sense, and after a moment, took out the Jade Slip recording the "Qingyang Demonic Art." After a brief investigation, his face darkened slightly.

"Qingyang Demonic Art... it really is a technique of the Devil Flame Sect! This Ye Jin hidden himself quite deeply!"

He snorted coldly, put away the Jade Slip, and looked back at Lu Qiu with a meaningful gaze: "To be able to kill a ruthless Middle Stage Foundation Establishment demonic Cultivator while being a newly advanced Middle Stage Foundation Establishment yourself, even if the opponent was injured, shows that your strength and resourcefulness are extraordinary. You haven't tarnished your teacher's reputation."

Although he praised him verbally, he couldn't help but have some doubts in his heart.

A newly advanced Middle Stage Foundation Establishment killing an old-timer Middle Stage Foundation Establishment who practiced a Demonic Technique—even with the injury factor—was a bit too smooth.

However, he did not delve into the details.

Regardless, the result was that his Disciple, Li Huayuan's Disciple, had eliminated a lurking Demonic Path spy. This was a solid achievement that brought great honor.

As for whether the Disciple had some secrets and methods of his own, as long as it didn't harm the Sect or the Revered Master's lineage, he didn't want to interfere too much. In the world of cultivation, who doesn't have their own Opportunities?

"You have done very well in this matter."

Li Huayuan finally nodded: "Killing a demonic spy is a great merit. Not only is there no fault, but the Sect will also reward you. Go back and Cultivate in peace; I will handle this matter, and no one will trouble you because of it."

"Thank you, Revered Master!"

A weight was lifted from Lu Qiu's heart, and he quickly bowed in thanks.

With Li Huayuan's words, it was equivalent to receiving a protective talisman.

"Mm, go now. Cultivate well and do not be slack." Li Huayuan waved his hand.

Lu Qiu respectfully withdrew.

Watching Lu Qiu's departing back, Li Huayuan stroked his beard and instructed Yu Kun, who was standing by: "Go and inform the Sect Head that my Disciple Lu Qiu accidentally discovered and killed the lurking Demonic Path spy Ye Jin, and the evidence is conclusive. Let him handle the follow-up according to the Sect's rules and reward him as he deserves."

"Yes, Revered Master!" Yu Kun took the order, feeling even more admiration for this Junior Brother Lu. He had just reached the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment and already accomplished something big!

---

A few days later.

The Formation outside Chixiao Cave moved slightly, and a Sound Transmission Talisman flew in.

Lu Qiu took it; it was a message from Sect Head Zhong Lingdao, stating that he had arrived outside the Immortal Cave.

Lu Qiu quickly opened the Formation and welcomed Zhong Lingdao into the simple guest room.

"Junior Brother Lu, congratulations!"

As soon as they met, Zhong Lingdao was all smiles and cupped his hands, "Grandmaster Li has already informed me of the details. After the Sect's verification, it is certain that Ye Jin was indeed a spy planted by the Devil Flame Sect, and traces of him practicing a Demonic Technique were also found in his Immortal Cave. Junior Brother was able to discern his treachery and decisively eliminate him; it is truly a great merit! You are indeed a worthy Disciple of Grandmaster Li, with extraordinary strength and courage!"

"Sect Head Senior Brother overpraises me. I was just lucky. If that Devil Head hadn't already been seriously injured, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to escape." Lu Qiu said modestly.

"Eh, Junior Brother doesn't need to be too modest." Zhong Lingdao waved his hand and said seriously: "Eliminating a spy and maintaining the Sect's purity is a great merit. According to the Sect rules, this is the reward the Sect is giving you."

Saying that, he took out a jade bottle and a small cloth bag.

"In the bottle are 'peiyuan pills,' five in total, which are very beneficial for Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the early and Middle Stages to improve their cultivation. In this bag are eight Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, which are a small token of the Sect's appreciation. I hope Junior Brother will accept them."

peiyuan pills!

This kind of Medicinal Pill that could directly increase the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment Stage was quite valuable.

Eight Mid-Grade Spirit Stones were also equivalent to eight hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones, which was not a small amount.

This reward was quite generous for killing a Middle Stage Foundation Establishment spy.

Lu Qiu took them and thanked him again: "Thank you, Sect Head Senior Brother, and thank you to the Sect for the reward."

Zhong Lingdao nodded with a smile, and his tone changed seemingly casually: "Since the demonic Cultivator Ye Jin's Storage Pouch is your trophy, it naturally belongs to you. However, if there are any important pieces of information or items related to the Demonic Path inside, you should pay attention and not get into trouble because of them."

These words were subtle, but the meaning was clear: the things in the Storage Pouch are yours, we won't investigate, but clean them up yourself and don't leave any evidence.

"I understand, thank you for the reminder, Sect Head Senior Brother." Lu Qiu understood perfectly.

This was the benefit of having a backer. If he were just an ordinary Foundation Establishment Disciple, even if he had made a contribution, this Storage Pouch would likely have been carefully inspected by the Sect, or even have most of its contents taken away.

But since he was Li Huayuan's Disciple, Zhong Lingdao was naturally willing to make things convenient and do him a favor.

After a few more pleasantries, Zhong Lingdao took his leave.

After seeing off Zhong Lingdao and closing the Immortal Cave Formation again, Lu Qiu looked at the peiyuan pills and Spirit Stones in his hand with a smile on his face.

This operation, although somewhat risky and resulting in the loss of some Formation Materials, yielded far more than it cost.

The "Myriad Transformations Hidden Origin Art," the mysterious wooden box, a Top-Grade Demonic Path Magical Artifact, the "Qingyang Demonic Art" and other miscellaneous Jade Slips, several thousand Spirit Stones, plus the peiyuan pills and Spirit Stones rewarded by the Sect... more importantly, he had left an impression of being "strong, decisive, and loyal" with his Revered Master and the Sect Head, which would make things easier for him in the Sect in the future.

"Next, I will properly Cultivate the Great Evolution Art and the Myriad Transformations Hidden Origin Art, while also collecting Materials for refining Puppets. My cultivation cannot fall behind either. With these peiyuan pills, pushing towards the peak of the Middle Stage Foundation Establishment should be quite a bit faster."

Lu Qiu's gaze was calm as he had a clear plan for his cultivation in the coming period.