114 The Bronze Treasure Box

The two great Golden Core demons fled in panic. Countless other beasts abandoned their countless corpses scattered across the vast sea and retreated. Within a hundred-mile radius of Huo Tuo Island, the sea surface was stained a deep crimson.

This was the battle.

Six Golden Core demons from Ten Thousand Demons Island had fallen, and untold numbers of Qi-absorbing and Dao Origin beasts perished. Cao Jingzong alone slew three great demons in succession. With the aid of the Sect Protection Formation and the Big Dipper Seven Killing Sword Formation, Master Xiaoyue cut down two more. Pang Yue personally slew one.

After the battle, Pang Yue, Tiemuer, and others were invited to the Yingxian Pavilion of the Mingxin Sword Sect to recuperate.

The sky was heavy with dark clouds, rolling thunder rumbled endlessly, and a torrential downpour fell once more. Despite the rain, disciples of the Mingxin Sword Sect ventured out to the sea beyond the island to collect materials from the fallen beasts. Especially the Dao Origin-level beasts—just their luminous flesh could fetch a high price. Certain special parts from some beasts were even regarded as precious materials!

Pang Yue cultivated within the Yingxian Pavilion for three days and three nights, restoring his magical power and spirit to their peak.

On the third dawn, he stepped out of the pavilion. The rain had ceased, and the morning sun was rising. Birds with damp emerald feathers chirped melodiously from the branches. Across Huo Tuo Island, nearly a hundred peaks of varying sizes gleamed jade-green as if freshly washed, encircled by layers of dark blue shadows. New waterfalls whispered softly in the aftermath of the rain.

Nearby, lush green grasses flourished and spiritual flowers bloomed wildly, bathed in the morning light. The spring scenery was enchanting.

Beside the Yingxian Pavilion lay an ancient peach grove. A gentle breeze stirred, scattering withered petals like white snow and red rain, slowly drifting to the ground—a sight of rare beauty.

The Mingxin Sword Sect, with dozens of disciples, treated this island as their sacred ground, a place to cultivate the Dao and seek truth, truly enviable.

A flash of spiritual light appeared, and suddenly a figure stood before Pang Yue—it was Tiemuer from the Red Moon Peak.

“Junior Brother, I observe your bone age is only about thirty years, yet you have cultivated the Cloud Soaring Peak sword technique to such mastery. Truly admirable!” Tiemuer, youthful in appearance but speaking with an air of seasoned wisdom, said.

“Senior Brother, you flatter me,” Pang Yue replied modestly.

Tiemuer smiled. “Senior Brother Cao had to leave early; he asked me to convey a message to you. When you return to the Sword Sect, you must visit him at the Qixia Cave.”

Pang Yue nodded. Seeing his slight confusion, Tiemuer explained, “Senior Brother Cao is the right hand of our Sect’s Ten True Disciples’ Murong Shao. His asking you to meet him means you have caught his attention. He will introduce you into Murong Shao’s circle.”

Pang Yue cupped his hands. “Thank you for informing me, Senior Brother.”

Tiemuer’s eyes gleamed with longing. “Our sect’s Ten True Disciples are all promising souls with the potential for Nascent Spirit. If you befriend them, future troubles will no longer be troubles.”

...

Several days later, Pang Yue returned to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Though he had long known the sect’s layout from his astral projection memories, witnessing this premier East Sea sect in person still stirred his heart with awe.

Above the boundless blue sea floated seventy-two immortal mountains shrouded in white clouds. On these mountains, six golden-and-azure palatial halls rose majestically into the sky. The legendary Three Palaces, however, remained nowhere to be seen.

Standing in the void outside the sect, gazing at the mountains, Pang Yue felt their grandeur and overwhelming majesty more keenly.

Transforming into a streak of sword light, he soared directly to Cloud Soaring Peak.

The upper half of this peak was covered in gleaming white snow, shimmering like silver. Below the midpoint, dark cypress and maple leaves dyed crimson under the sunset, and the grass was deep green.

It was precisely sunset.

The slanting rays painted the sky with crimson clouds and embroidered silk hues, glowing like burning snow. The snowy summit reflected these lights, casting shimmering purple-gold radiance, a spectacle of countless wonders.

The peak was serene and ethereal; only the mountain spring’s flow, birdsong in the forest, and insects' chirps blended into a natural symphony.

Among the seventy-two peaks of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Cloud Soaring Peak was among the least populated.

Its master had taken only twenty-three disciples in his lifetime.

Pang Yue’s astral projection had been raised there since youth. Though his cultivation was not high, he ranked seventh among the disciples.

Five years prior, the master of Cloud Soaring Peak entered the Star Palace to cultivate, attempting to break through to Nascent Spirit, but failed and perished.

Now the peak was overseen by the eldest senior brother, Yang Su, while most other disciples were away gaining experience. Those remaining on the mountain were few, diligently cultivating.

Among the twenty-three disciples, Yang Su was the most advanced, having attained perfect Dao Origin thirty years ago and striving to break into the Golden Core realm. The others, except for the twenty-third junior sister—a mere child of about ten years—were all at Dao Origin level.

Pang Yue entered a cave dwelling and casually dispelled the defensive formations.

Though this cave was just a stone cavern, it contained more than ten chambers and was quite spacious.

The interior was arranged with formations that illuminated the cave like daylight.

He found a quiet chamber and sat down, taking out a jade bracelet obtained from the Golden Core demon that day. Using the spirit light of the Demon Refining Furnace, he ground away the demon energy seals on it.

Sure enough, the bracelet was a storage artifact!

Unfortunately, it contained nothing of great value.

Apart from over a hundred thousand spirit stones, there were some splendid, colorful women’s garments and jewelry.

Only one item caught Pang Yue’s attention: a square bronze treasure box. He took it out and examined it carefully for a long time.

The box’s four sides shone like mirrors, covered with countless runes flowing in random patterns.

After several attempts, Pang Yue realized these runes formed a highly complex miniaturized formation.

If he could decipher it, the box would open.

Immediately, he contacted his Demon Talisman astral projection and employed the Innate Infinite Stele to begin decoding.

Then, he focused his mind and devoted himself to cultivation.

This time, he cultivated a divine art recently acquired when the Demon Talisman projection and Luo Qingyuan explored a treasure—the Minor Cultivation Profound Origin Dao Fruit Scripture.

He channeled his magical power, following the script’s guidance, and soon discovered a profound inner realm within his body.

A celestial acupuncture point!

He surged his power inward, as if entering a new world.

His power flowed leisurely into this celestial point, transforming into a divine talisman seed that took root in the void, emitting a faint glow.

Pang Yue quietly entered meditation, motionless.

Over ten days passed.

Within the celestial point, the divine talisman seed quietly sprouted, slowly growing two tender leaves.

Pang Yue’s spirit remained calm. He patiently nurtured it with magical power, then withdrew his divine awareness from the celestial point.

He flipped his palm and took out the bronze treasure box.

During these days, the Innate Infinite Stele had deciphered the formation on the box.

He reached out, sending a pulse of magical power into the box, gently flicking some runes.

Instantly, the treasure box emitted a soft spiritual glow.

The runes ceased flowing, freezing in place.

Pang Yue’s eyes shone with curiosity as he sent more magical power, causing the runes to shift and the grand formation within to respond.

After dozens of attempts, a faint cracking sound echoed, and a narrow fissure appeared along the box’s surface.