https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-143-Sword-Qi-Dispelled-the-Banquet/13688309/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-145-Middle-Grade-Spirit-Artifact-Lihuo-Ding/13688313/
Chapter 144: The Fire Element Cave Chamber – The Giant Cauldron That Grows
"Observing a treasure?" Old Doctor was genuinely surprised. He hadn’t expected Wei Shanhai to extend such an invitation.
"Yes," Wei Shanhai said. "The artifact I obtained carries a unique spiritual essence—capable of cleansing the mind and awakening the spirit. It offers profound benefits for cultivation, especially for Xian Tian Jing cultivators. The first time they witness it, the effect is exceptionally powerful. It might even aid you, Chen Laodaifu, in your future cultivation."
"Still, this is your Wei Family’s treasure," Old Doctor replied. "An old man like me, an outsider, shouldn’t be involved."
He wasn’t particularly interested in treasures. His help to the Wei Family had come purely from the heart, not out of greed.
"Such thoughts are mistaken, Chen Laodaifu," Wei Shanhai said earnestly. "Your kindness to our family is akin to rebirth. We have nothing of great value to repay you—so we offer this artifact’s extraordinary essence as a token of gratitude."
Moved by his sincerity, Old Doctor eventually agreed. After the banquet, he would go to observe the treasure—just to see what kind of marvel it truly was.
But he had one condition: he wanted Lu Qing and Ma Gu to accompany him.
Wei Shanhai had no objection.
He already knew that Lu Qing and Ma Gu had been the ones who had done the most to ensure Wei Fu Ren and her son returned safely.
Besides, the spiritual essence within the artifact would activate regardless of how many observers were present. Whether one or several—there would be no difference in effect.
Thus, after the banquet, the group rested briefly before following Wei Shanhai toward the back courtyard.
They finally arrived at a towering, imposing structure at the heart of the Wei Family Residence.
"Please, Chen Laodaifu," Wei Shanhai said, opening a hidden door. A dry, hot breeze escaped from within.
"Your family’s treasure is buried underground?" Old Doctor asked, eyeing the staircase descending into darkness.
Lu Qing, meanwhile, quietly activated his abilities, peering into the hidden door.
A thick, crimson glow pulsed from within the entrance.
【Hidden Door: A portal leading to a mysterious underground realm.】
【Beyond lies a world apart—perhaps even a hidden treasure.】
【Contains protective mechanisms, currently inactive.】
Seeing the information, Lu Qing relaxed slightly.
This was indeed the Wei Family’s treasure vault. Wei Shanhai hadn’t lied.
As for the traps—well, it made perfect sense. A place housing such priceless treasures wouldn’t be left defenseless.
Still, Lu Qing didn’t let his guard down completely. Not out of distrust, but because caution was a cultivator’s necessity. One could never be too careful.
The hidden door creaked open, and Wei Shanhai stepped inside first.
He knew full well that inviting others into a sealed tunnel could easily stir suspicion. That’s why he led the way, placing Wei Xinghe and Lu Qing close together—demonstrating that the Wei Family had no ill intent.
After all, Old Doctor was a formidable man. If anything went wrong, capturing Wei Xinghe would be as simple as snapping a finger.
The group descended the tunnel, lit by oil lamps on either side. Though dim, the light was sufficient—no darkness to fear.
As they walked, Lu Qing’s expression subtly shifted.
The air grew increasingly hot, and the Heavenly and Earthly Qi thickened noticeably.
Though he had awakened his Spirit Soul Power, his Qi Cavity remained closed. He couldn’t yet discern the nature of the Qi—only sense its overwhelming presence.
But Old Doctor let out a low, impressed whistle.
"Such dense Fire Element Qi! I never imagined there was such a place beneath this county town. Your family truly possesses deep roots."
Now he understood why Wei Shanhai had chosen to cultivate fire-based techniques.
With this abundance of pure Fire Element Qi, training in fire arts would be like planting seeds in fertile soil—effortless and rapid.
"Frankly speaking," Wei Shanhai admitted, rubbing the back of his head, "this place wasn’t built by our family. Our ancestors discovered it long ago—how long, no one can say. We merely inherit the blessings of the past."
As they spoke, the staircase abruptly leveled out. After walking another few dozen paces, the tunnel opened into a vast, breathtaking chamber.
Before them stood a spacious cavern.
The walls glowed a soft red, their texture a strange blend of stone and jade, etched with intricate, ancient runes.
In the center stood a stone pedestal, upon which rested a massive, half-human-height cauldron—wide enough for several people to embrace. Its faint red hue pulsed with a subtle, otherworldly aura.
The sight stunned Old Doctor and the others.
Even Ma Gu, who had seen many wonders in his life, stood frozen, mouth agape.
Only Lu Qing felt a jolt in his chest.
The layout of the chamber—those runes on the walls—was eerily familiar.
He recognized them instantly.
It was a Seal Array, a formation tied to the fire element.
And the way it was constructed… he knew that technique.
Could this chamber be connected to the Divine Seal Sect?
A thought flashed through his mind.
"Old Man Wei," Old Doctor murmured, staring at the red cauldron. "Is that… the artifact?"
"Yes," Wei Shanhai confirmed, his voice filled with reverence. "This red cauldron is one of the treasures we discovered during our time in a mysterious place. It is, without a doubt, the most precious among all."
"Wang Cangyi went to great lengths to obtain it," he added.
"But how could Wang Cangyi possibly allow you to take it?" Ma Gu asked, baffled. "This cauldron looks nothing short of miraculous."
Lu Qing shared the same confusion.
More importantly—how had Wei Shanhai even brought such a massive, heavy object back?
It had to weigh tens of thousands of jin. The journey alone would have drawn countless bandits and enemies.
"Strange as it may sound," Wei Shanhai said, "when we first found it, the cauldron was no bigger than a thumb. Rusty, dull, utterly unremarkable. We both thought it was just a small trinket."
He chuckled. "Otherwise, with Wang Cangyi’s miserly nature, he’d never have let me take it."
"A thumb?" Ma Gu gasped, eyes wide. He stared at the giant cauldron, utterly unable to imagine it ever being that small.
Even Lu Qing and Old Doctor exchanged stunned glances.
"Believe it or not," Wei Shanhai continued, "after I claimed it, I carried it with me for years—through countless battles and travels. It showed no sign of magic or power. Nothing at all."
"Until, after years of wandering, I reached a cultivation bottleneck. I returned to the ancestral underground chamber within the Wei Family Residence and began training in the pure Fire Element Qi here."
"Only then did the cauldron begin to awaken."
"I placed it on this pedestal, and watched as it slowly grew—year by year."
"From thumb-sized… to fist-sized… then as large as a bowl, then a water barrel… and now, after nearly a century, it has become this."
"…A cauldron that grows?" Ma Gu’s jaw dropped.
The words were beyond comprehension. His mind reeled.
Lu Qing felt the same shock.
He focused, silently activating his abilities, and fixed his gaze upon the crimson Giant Cauldron.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
