Chapter 56 - 52: High-grade Earth-level Treasure: Clear Sound Spring Stone

"Losing... doesn’t matter?!"

Yi Yunya’s words left Orchid utterly stunned and filled with confusion.

"How could losing not have an impact? If the bet fails, you’ll be abandoned by the family."

In response, Yi Yunya tapped Orchid’s head with her fan.

"This is why I say you haven’t grasped the true nature of the situation. The family rules are indeed important, but what’s more important are the people."

"As long as Zhong Ming continues to grow stronger and I maintain a good relationship with him, what does it matter if I lose this bet?"

"If he becomes a True Inheritance disciple of Longxi Peak, the family will take the initiative to give me everything I deserve."

"If Zhong Ming were to become the Peak Master of Longxi Peak, even if I did nothing, the Yi Family would have to save the position of Steward at the Golden Jade Tower for me."

"And if Zhong Ming becomes the Sect Leader of the Seven Profound Sect, a place as Vice Tower Lord will certainly be mine. I could even contend for the position of Tower Lord."

Orchid was left speechless by this declaration.

But after careful consideration, she had to admit that her lady was right.

As long as Zhong Ming continued to grow stronger and the Yi Family’s Patriarch wasn’t a fool, her lady, with her close ties to Zhong Ming, would inevitably be given great responsibility.

At the same time, she also understood something else from her lady’s words.

"So, My Lady, your jade-shattering bet wasn’t to compete for the Steward position, but to get closer to Zhong Ming."

"You’re not completely hopeless."

At this, Yi Yunya sighed with a hint of melancholy. "Because at the time, I didn’t expect Zhong Ming to have such Talent. The first impression I made on him wasn’t very good."

"If I had only given him an Earth-level Low-grade Treasure, he would have been grateful and would have helped me."

"But because I held back, and only changed my attitude toward him after seeing his Talent, his attitude toward me would have just been that of a collaborator."

"Normally, a relationship like that would be enough. But Senior Brother Zhong Ming’s Talent is too immense. As he continues to reveal it, there will inevitably be many vixens flocking to him."

As she thought of this, a chill flashed in Yi Yunya’s eyes.

"To keep Senior Brother’s heart, I must leave a deep impression on him before they arrive."

And no impression is more unforgettable than that of a woman who risks everything for a man.

Furthermore, Yi Yunya knew that after betting everything, the more miserable her situation became, the deeper Zhong Ming’s guilt toward her would grow. And at that point, their bond and affection would become that much stronger.

This was the kind of bond forged through shared hardship in times of poverty and weakness.

Therefore, she sincerely hoped that Zhong Ming would lose the jade-shattering assessment, causing her to lose the bet and suffer for a while.

...

Zhong Ming was completely unaware of Yi Yunya’s scheme.

In his previous life and this one, he had been born into an ordinary family. When it came to scheming, he was no match for the scions of wealthy clans who had to fight for their inheritance.

Besides, he had no interest in delving too deeply into conspiracies and mind games.

’No matter the plot or scheme, as long as I am strong enough, I can shatter anything with the sword in my hand.’

With this philosophy, Zhong Ming focused all his attention on cultivation.

And the results of his efforts were excellent.

Although Yi Yunya had plotted a great deal and succeeded...

...the final outcome also benefited Zhong Ming, and he was the one who gained the most.

The successful schemer, Yi Yunya, had truly wagered all her resources on him.

She had even wagered herself.

Zhong Ming had never schemed against Yi Yunya, but in the future, he would be the one on top, able to put her in any position he desired.

In the end, it just goes to show that schemes and plots are ultimately no match for strength that surpasses all else.

...

’Exotic Treasures... these items are certainly worthy of the name. Whether it’s how they’re created or what they do, they’re all quite wondrous...’

Browsing the Treasure Map, Zhong Ming discovered that this world was truly magnificent and mysterious. He couldn’t have imagined the ways many of these treasures came into being.

And many of the treasures listed within would indeed be of great use to him.

[Thirteen-Year Cicada]

[Grade: Earth-Level High Grade]

[Description: A Thirteen-Year Cicada sealed within Spiritual Amber. After a million years, the cicada inside mutated. Every thirteen years, it lets out a crisp chirp that can make a person’s mind experience one hundred and thirty days in a single instant, like A Dream of Millet Porridge.]

[Note: It will chirp again in one year and thirty-three days.]

[Additional Note: The Thirteen-Year Cicada is said to contain the mysteries of time, which is why it is rated as Earth-Level High Grade.]

’The Power of Time... it’s very strong, but it’s too advanced. It’s not something I can comprehend right now.’

’As for the effect of A Dream of Millet Porridge, it would be great if I could use it now, but a year from now is too long.’

Shaking his head, Zhong Ming continued reading, and another interesting item appeared.

[Tragic Actor Mask]

[Grade: Earth-Level High Grade]

[Description: The mask of an actor buried in a tomb. For unknown reasons, the mask mutated. Wearing it allows one to feel the ultimate sorrow. If activated with Magical Power, it can also fill those nearby with grief. Ordinary people may even die from excessive sadness.]

[Note: It is of great help to emotion-based Cultivation Techniques.]

’It’s interesting, but unfortunately, the Cultivation Technique I practice is currently unrelated to emotions.’

The first two treasures were useful but not a good fit for Zhong Ming. The third Exotic Treasure, however, made his eyes light up.

[Ancient Sea Conch]

[Grade: Earth-Level High Grade]

[Description: A special, empty conch shell salvaged from the Ancient Sea. Placing this conch to one’s ear, one can hear the inexplicable sounds of wind, rain, and crashing waves. Sometimes, there is also the roar of Thunderbolt and raging storms.]

[If the conch is placed by the ear during sleep, there is a chance of having a dream related to a storm.]

[Note: This conch is of great help to the cultivation of Water Techniques and Thunder Skills. It can also assist one in controlling the Power of Water, even to the point of being able to Call the Wind and Summon the Rain.]

’This is something I can actually use.’

’But let’s keep looking...’

Continuing to browse, Zhong Ming saw a few more items that suited him, such as the Profound Ice Jade Pearl. This was a naturally formed Ice Jade. Wearing it had the effect of calming one’s Heart Spirit, but its negative side effect was that the Power of Ice within the pearl would affect one’s emotions, making them apathetic.

’This is almost the same as Xue Yao’s Ice Heart... But if I really wanted the Ice Heart Spell, I could just ask Xue Yao to cast it on me. There’s no need to waste resources to get this.’

After ruling out the Profound Ice Jade Pearl, there were three items in the Golden Jade Tower’s Treasure Vault that made Zhong Ming’s mouth water.

One was the Ancient Sea Conch, another was the Heart Book, and the last was the Clear Sound Spring Stone.

The Ancient Sea Conch allowed one to listen to the sound of the Great Sea, dream of raging storms, and even helped a Cultivator Call the Wind and Summon the Rain. It would be of great benefit to Zhong Ming’s Water Technique.

The Heart Book, on the other hand, was related to Reading.

’It can automatically record a person’s thoughts in its pages, and sometimes even adds extra things... I have a feeling it would be a huge benefit to my Reading Skill.’

However, as good as the Heart Book was, in the end, Zhong Ming chose the Clear Sound Spring Stone.

[Clear Sound Spring Stone]

[Grade: Earth-Level High Grade]

[Description: There is a saying that dripping water wears away stone. A pebble in a subterranean cavern, subjected to dripping water for millennia, transformed into a special stone with nine hollows. Because the cavern was narrow, the sound of the dripping water refracted through the layers of the cavern. After thousands of years of this unique mutation, the spring stone became a treasure.]

[Effect: After Refinement, every twelve hours, it will emit the sound of a single drop of water in the Sea of Consciousness. This sound will cleanse one’s Divine Soul, making one feel as if their Divine Soul is being washed by a stream. After being washed by this current, all fatigue, abnormalities, and discomfort in the refiner’s Divine Soul will be swept away, and their Power of the Divine Soul will be fully replenished.]

[Note: It is only effective for Cultivators below the Foundation Establishment stage.]

’This is the one.’

The moment he saw its description on the Treasure Map, Zhong Ming made his choice.

’I can only use Mind Reading three or four times a day because my Power of the Divine Soul is insufficient. But if the Clear Sound Spring Stone can cleanse the Divine Soul and restore my spirit, things will be different.’

’Moreover, the sound of dripping water, cleansing the Divine Soul, washing it... I might be able to comprehend and learn the ability of this Exotic Treasure!’

’If I can turn it into one of my Divine Techniques, even the restriction of it only being effective on those in the Qi Cultivation stage might be removed...’

The more he thought about it, the brighter Zhong Ming’s eyes became.