CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: BRONZE RULER, CYAN LOTUS FLYING LIGHT TECHNIQUE

"This is a mirage of the sect’s treasured Shennong Ruler."

The Spiritual Mechanism Vine didn’t offer much explanation, merely gesturing for Li Ye to step forward: "Go ahead and touch it."

Li Ye took a deep breath — Shennong Ruler, isn’t that the treasure of the Shennong Clan? Earlier he speculated whether Flint Fire was created by the Suiren Clan, and now it seems that it indeed was.

Since the mirage of the Shennong Ruler is here, doesn’t that mean the Four Seasons Sect is related to Shennong?

It seems this sect is more terrifying than he initially thought.

With these thoughts in mind, he continued forward, stepping in front of the Shennong Ruler, gave a slight bow, and reached out to touch the bronze-colored ruler.

There was no transfer of knowledge from an Artifact Spirit as he imagined, only some characters surging directly into his mind.

This was a spell called the "Cyan Lotus Flying Light Technique."

It could transform one’s Spiritual Power into fluttering cyan lotus petals, resonate with one’s own Spiritual Power perception, and then through the vitality-filled lotus petals, alleviate the pain of Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts.

— Like the previously learned Xiguang Seed Nurturing Technique and Earth Emotions Technique, one must first understand where the pain originates before alleviating it.

After Li Ye received the technique, the Shennong Ruler in front of him emitted a faint glow, and a crystalline, jade-like lotus seed appeared before him.

[Name]: Flying Light Cyan Lotus Seed

[Mood]: None

[Status]: Forged by Spiritual Power

[Bindable]: Compatible with "Wood" attribute Spirit Beasts.

Along with the lotus seed, there was a piece of information — this lotus seed is a Primordial Spirit Plant, such Spirit Plants are formed from Primordial Qi and spirituality, needing no conventional planting, only enough Spiritual Qi and the ability to wield it to blossom into a sea of continuous flowers.

Li Ye grasped the lotus seed firmly, and once again bowed to the Shennong Ruler: "Thank you, Ancestor, for the gift."

The Shennong Ruler continued to gently rotate, shining with dazzling Spiritual Light.

Seeing Li Ye successfully obtain the treasure, the Spiritual Mechanism Vine felt relieved — it had previously worried whether Li Ye’s lack of a sect jade disk would pose a problem, but this treasure proved to be much more perceptive.

It spoke with a relaxed tone: "Let’s go, kid."

"Ah, alright."

Li Ye hurriedly followed it away. After one person and one vine left, the luminous bronze ruler suddenly vanished as if it had never existed.

...

When the Spiritual Mechanism Vine led Li Ye into a room upstairs, a few cultivators with varying appearances were already waiting inside, emanating unmistakably strong Spiritual Power.

Such Spiritual Power... without a doubt, they were in the Golden Core Period.

Among them was an elderly lady spirited and somewhat resembling Zhou Qiumai. She offered Li Ye a kind smile upon seeing him.

The other clan leaders also treated Li Ye with friendliness and warmth.

The Spiritual Mechanism Vine went straight to the second chair from the head seat, leaving the topmost chair empty, with Li Ye and Qian Fang standing below.

It spoke: "These individuals are esteemed clan leaders from around the Huiya Marketplace, and now I have a task to entrust to you.

An Earth Demon Ginseng has appeared in the vein jointly guarded by the Mo Family and our Four Seasons Sect. Such malignant entities awaken the earth’s buried pain, transforming into demonic entities.

I intend to corner it in one location, after which the sect disciples will deal with it.

Let’s see who among you is willing to contribute your Spirit Land; without sufficient Spiritual Qi, that entity might resist."

As soon as its words fell, several voices spoke up:

"Our Zhou Family is willing!"

"The Jiang Family is also willing!"

"Leave it to our Jiang Family!"

The present clan leaders were surprisingly eager, with none unwilling; it seemed that were it not for the Spiritual Mechanism Vine, they might have even come to blows.

For them, this was a rare chance to contribute. Wasn’t it precisely because the Zhou Family made contributions a century ago that they received the Four Seasons Sect’s Celestial Sound Thunder God’s blessing?

Otherwise, why else would they plant so much Spring Thunder Wheat every year?

The Spiritual Mechanism Vine glanced over the eager patriarchs and pondered for a moment:

"There might be more than one Earth Demon Ginseng, let the Zhou Family offer a piece of Spirit Land first, then it will be the Jiang Family’s, the Liu Family’s... and you will take turns."

Though mentioned, letting the Zhou Family take the lead still left the clan leaders displeased.

"Our Zhou Family will do our utmost to cooperate and complete the task of eradicating the demon!"

The Zhou Family’s elder lady accepted the task solemnly, indifferent to others’ opinions.

The Spiritual Mechanism Vine nodded.

"Aside from the Zhou Family, the others may leave now. I will notify you when needed."

"Farewell, senior!" The other clan leaders saluted the Spiritual Mechanism Vine and left one after another.

After everyone departed, she thanked the Spiritual Mechanism Vine and then said to Li Ye:

"I saw you once at the banquet, and once we reach our Zhou Family, I’ll have Qiumai cooperate with you."

"Feel free to ask for anything you need, and..."

Her words were interrupted by the Spiritual Mechanism Vine: "There’s no need for treasures, just manpower and Spiritual Power. Earth Spiritual Power is vast, and grievances are unending.

If you use some powerful magic to destroy that Earth Demon Ginseng directly, more terrifying entities will undoubtedly emerge in the future.

Take this back as you prepare, and get ready to activate the Teleportation Array."

The Spiritual Mechanism Vine tossed out a Jade Pendant dismissively, sending the Zhou Family’s elder lady off without ceremony.

Though the words were blunt, the elder lady wore a joyful smile as she left, even putting away her cane.

Once she left, the Spiritual Mechanism Vine spoke: "The reason I chose the Zhou Family indeed reflects your influence. It’s better than selecting a clan you’re unfamiliar with.

The first step is the hardest; as long as you can resolve the Zhou Family’s issue, the other Earth Demon Ginsengs shouldn’t be a problem either.

But remember, you are merely executing a sect task.

Refuse any bribes from the Zhou Family. We don’t lack those trifles; the benefits are plenty if the task is completed."

Its tone became uncharacteristically stern at the end, its voice etched into Li Ye’s mind.

The latter promptly nodded: "Disciple obeys!"

"Qian Fang, you teach Li Ye well."

"Understood!" Qian Fang nodded.

"Go on, go."

After sending the two away, only the Spiritual Mechanism Vine remained in the room.

It raised its head to look at the topmost chair: "Senior Sister, the Southern Domain Sword Cultivator’s situation, Junior Brother Shu’s message, and this Earth Demon Ginseng..."

Heaven help me, it merely sought a leisurely place to take on some tasks.

How did it continuously end up facing such matters, doesn’t such taxing issues usually involve fellow cultivators?

A lady cultivator in white appeared on the previously empty chair, sipping on a bottle of Peach Blossom Wine.

"According to those shamans of Qiongguan Mountain in the Central Domain, it’s the golden age of cultivation, inevitably not solely for our Righteous Path.

Much like the interplay of yin and yang, where yang prospers, yin follows, achieving balance. Perhaps some little mice infiltrated the Eastern Domain, intending to challenge our Four Seasons Sect’s prestige.

Previously there were also many such incidents, but I, along with several brother disciples, planted them into the Demon Suppression Valley. There’s nothing to worry about while I’m here.

Let the juniors test their mettle freely.

Though it may prove challenging for Li Ye, he’s nonetheless the senior brother’s disciple; the more resources accrued, the greater the responsibility.

We’ve all walked this path.

My only concern is whether this young man overly weighs the opportunities from the Temple of All Gods.

Life and death hinge on a moment, decisiveness a rare quality — particularly when tasked with sect duties. No matter how, it’s ultimately his."

She gently lifted her palm, where a small sphere hovered in the snow-like whiteness, containing mountains and rivers, with a closer look revealing the terrain of Huiya Marketplace.

It seemed as if all of Huiya Marketplace and its surroundings were held in her palm.