113. Ominous Portents (Part 8)

This compartment was not large, measuring about eight feet square, and the air was filled with a pungent, corrosive odor, as if something had been left to rot here for centuries.

The vibrant display from moments ago—the miraculous plants and unknown flowers—had vanished in an instant, leaving behind only that lingering stench. Qi Fei looked at the pouches and boxes that had filled the room, realizing that everything he had seen was merely an illusion.

Although Tong He had not detailed his own encounter, the term "illusionary restriction" allowed Qi Fei to infer a great deal. If the barrier was not merely a trap to lure intruders, it must possess some specific, lethal offensive capability. Otherwise, Tong He would not have been in such a wretched state when he broke through it. The four white jade pouches, masked by the bewitching barrier, were the only treasures in this stone chamber besides the cave-abode's foundation stone. Of course, Qi Fei was not like an ordinary treasure hunter; he did not feel ecstatic upon discovering real loot.

On the contrary, Qi Fei cast a calm glance at the four white jade pouches before strolling over as if nothing were amiss. He slowly opened the first pouch on the right.

The contents were bizarre—so strange that Qi Fei could not discern what they were. To be precise, they looked like the nonsensical drawings used by alchemists to swindle the gullible. Qi Fei was right; it was indeed a sheet of paper. The pale paper bore vermillion ink, and everything about it resembled the crude tools of charlatans.

However, given Tong He’s words and what Qi Fei had witnessed since entering the cave-abode, he clearly would not equate this paper with cheap parlor tricks. After all, a person capable of standing at the peak of the Divine Province would not bother to carefully preserve garbage. Yet, even knowing it wasn't ordinary, Qi Fei’s own limited perspective prevented him from understanding its purpose or even determining whether it was a treasure or a curse.

The priority now was to wait for Tong He to refine the foundation stone. Returning the paper to its pouch and closing it, Qi Fei shook his head, feeling somewhat deflated. He knew his own ignorance was a limitation. Tong He, meanwhile, was too preoccupied to explain anything, as he himself was still coming to terms with many of these items. Watching Tong He pace back and forth, Qi Fei silently vowed to follow the elder and broaden his horizons. Otherwise, even if he ascended to the next realm—which would seem extraordinary to commoners—he would fundamentally remain nothing more than a frog at the bottom of a well.

With a turn of his thoughts, Qi Fei approached the middle pouch. Even if he couldn't identify the treasure, there was no harm in looking. After he gently opened the pouch, a smile spread across his face. He could recognize this: it was a bottle of pills! The pristine jade bottle stood quietly, and the characters inscribed upon it confirmed its nature. Qi Fei said happily, "It seems this is what Elder Tong He was looking for." He playfully turned the bottle in his hand, reading the characters "Phantom Transformation Pill."

Qi Fei recalled that upon entering the cave, Tong He had mentioned that cultivators at the Spirit Transformation stage usually kept a few of these pills as a precaution. Though Qi Fei didn't know exactly how precious they were, they clearly weren't common if even Tong He was searching for them. He set the bottle down, closed the pouch, and opened the one on the far right.

The moment he saw the contents, Qi Fei was stunned. In utter confusion, he took the item out and studied it for a long time, only to mutter, "How can this be a lantern mold? Can such a thing really be considered a treasure?" Indeed, what he held appeared to be a simple wooden structure, like a toy carved by a bored carpenter.

Qi Fei was baffled. This Yuhua Cave-Abode was supposedly the residence of an Immortal, yet the items found within were mundane. The final pouch containing such a common object was entirely unexpected. Clearly, he couldn't make sense of two out of the four pouches. Whether it was the paper or the lantern mold, they seemed like mere trinkets to him, yet they were part of the private collection of a man who stood at the zenith of the Divine Province.

Subconsciously, Qi Fei concluded that these items must be rare, peerless treasures that he simply lacked the insight to appreciate. With nothing else to do, he closed the pouch and turned to look at Tong He. Seeing the old man still refining the stone, he grumbled, "Elder Tong said it would only take a moment, but it’s been half an hour with no sign of success. It’s truly speechless."

Despite his complaints, Qi Fei found a spot to wait. About another half-hour passed, and just as he was becoming drowsy, the light in the chamber dimmed.

Qi Fei looked back to see Tong He letting out a long sigh. "Truly extraordinary. That little cultivator used a secret technique before his death to condense his entire spirit into a beam of soul-essence, carving it into this foundation stone, and even left behind a strand of his natal soul. Even I had to slowly erase his soul-essence before I could begin refining the stone."

After muttering to himself, Tong He turned to Qi Fei with a smile. "Stinky brat, getting impatient? I miscalculated, but fortunately, it was only the soul-essence of a Spirit Transformation cultivator. If it had been one or two levels higher, it might have taken days, or even weeks—perhaps even years—before I could fully refine it."

Qi Fei exclaimed, "Four or five years? That long!" He was stunned. If it had truly taken that long, it would have been a poor investment, as the cave-abode might not be worth such a sacrifice. Thankfully, the situation had turned out well.

After a moment of reflection, Qi Fei grinned. "Heh, so that means you’ve taken control of the place, Elder Tong? In that case, can you demonstrate its unique features? And perhaps show me what other treasures are hidden here besides those four pouches?"

"Oh, you’ve looked at the four pouches already?" Hearing this, Tong He realized he had been so focused on the foundation stone that he hadn't seen the treasures himself. Given his desperate need for certain items, he couldn't help but feel intrigued.

Qi Fei, knowing what was on his mind, replied with a smile, "Indeed. Aside from the Phantom Transformation Pill you mentioned, there’s a sheet of paper and a lantern mold. They seem incredibly ordinary, and I can't understand what’s so special about them." He spoke this way to show he had checked all the pouches while also disclosing the location of the pills.

Tong He, unbothered by Qi Fei’s calculated tone, jumped three feet high like a child upon hearing about the pills. He beckoned the middle pouch toward him and laughed loudly, "Ha! How many years has it been? I finally see hope for reshaping my form!" He took the jade bottle and handed it to Qi Fei. "Brat, keep this safe in the Spirit-Connecting Jade. Do not lose it! It means everything to me!"

Qi Fei chuckled, "Don't worry, Elder. Is there any chance of losing something inside the Spirit-Connecting Jade unless I die?" He tucked the bottle away beneath his Iron Poplar Needle, feeling a surge of satisfaction. He realized that since the item was vital to Tong He, the elder would naturally go to great lengths to ensure his safety. Qi Fei was no longer the naive boy he once was; he knew there were beings in the Divine Province beyond his current comprehension, yet he could now sigh with relief: the world was his to explore! After the sigh, he asked, "Elder Tong, will this pill allow you to regain a physical body like mine?"

Tong He nodded. "Correct!"

"And once you have a body, will you possess other abilities, like changing your form at will or flying through the sky?" If his previous questions were merely a precursor, this was what he truly cared about.

Tong He, sensing Qi Fei’s reliance, smiled. "Of course not. I am currently in a soul state, which is why I can change shapes and retain a tenth of my original power. Once I regain a physical body, those abilities will vanish for a time. I will become an ordinary person who couldn't even defeat a novice priest!"

"How can that be?" Qi Fei was stunned, unable to speak for a long time. The thought of losing Tong He’s protection made him feel incredibly lost.

However, seeing how urgently Tong He desired a physical form, he knew he couldn't stand in the way. He forced a smile. "An ordinary person is fine, too. When the time comes, you’ll follow me, and I will protect you. I’ll make sure you never go hungry or cold. At the very least, I can guarantee you a life of wealth."

Though he said this, Qi Fei sensed that Tong He would never remain just an "ordinary person." Tong He had once possessed immense power; he would never settle for being helpless. As if reading his thoughts, Tong He laughed. "Brat, you are too attached to worldly things. Wealth is fleeting; only power and eternal life are the pursuits of a cultivator. I will become ordinary for a time, but it won't last forever. Within a hundred years, I will return to my peak, and I will no longer be this half-dead, pathetic soul."

Qi Fei grinned. "I see! So it’s only temporary!" His heart finally settled.

Qi Fei tapped his forehead. "Let’s ignore those pouches for now. Show me the rest of this cave-abode."

As soon as he spoke, Tong He held up the foundation stone. With a gesture, the stone emitted a brilliant light, and a virtual map unfolded before them. It displayed the entire layout of the cave: the central stone chamber, the study, the forest, and the storage room where they currently stood.

Qi Fei felt as if the map had been burned into his mind, making the layout feel instantly familiar. Yet, he had no time to ponder this strange sensation, as something even more intriguing appeared on the map: the status of the barriers. Whether it was the Soul-Detention barrier in the library, the Yin Wind Blades in the storage room, or the Gravity Spirit-Connecting Jade in the Sword Room, every restriction was detailed, along with instructions on how to toggle them and their specific functions.

The Soul-Detention barrier was for trapping, and the Yin Wind Blades were for killing. However, it was the Sword Room that truly captured Qi Fei's interest.