Chapter 26: Heavenly Spirit Treasures

Chapter 26: Heavenly Spirit Treasures

The Substitute God Statue within Li Yan’s dantian stirred restlessly.

Narrowing his eyes, he scanned the area and quickly spotted his target.

Coiled atop the courtyard wall was an obsidian serpent, as thick as a man’s arm, hissing softly with a flickering green glow in its eyes. Its presence felt unnatural—enough to terrify any ordinary person.

Yet to Li Yan, it smelled irresistibly like a rare delicacy.

He remained still, feigning ignorance, but his left hand gripped the hilt of his Guanshan Saber while his right reached for the Trinity Demon-Subduing Coin in his robe.

The serpent slithered down silently, like a whisper of night wind, its gaze fixed on the room where the estate’s matriarch lay. It twisted impatiently toward her, its body gliding forward.

Every soul-guiding lantern along its path extinguished.

Li Yan’s mind sharpened.

This serpent was no ordinary beast—it was a spirit-forged entity. The matriarch’s living soul separation was likely tied to it.

No time to hesitate. Kill it first.

“Don’t move!”

Wang Daoxuan’s trembling voice halted him. The priest whispered urgently, “If it senses danger, it’ll vanish forever!”

As if hearing his words, the obsidian serpent stiffened. Its form dissolved like mist, disappearing as though it had never existed. The sweet aroma faded.

Li Yan felt a pang of regret but stayed calm. He trusted Wang Daoxuan’s warning had purpose.

“What was that?” he asked.

Wang Daoxuan swallowed hard, his voice low. “A Heavenly Spirit Treasure.”

Li Yan’s heart jolted. He recalled Wang Guaifu’s tale—how General Yang Yi, seeking victory over the Golden Horde, enlisted treasure-seekers to find a heavenly spirit treasure. They forged a pair of demonic blades, later melted by the imperial court to create 108 Trinity Demon-Subduing Coins.

Yet why did this treasure take the form of a serpent?

As if reading his thoughts, Wang Daoxuan explained, “Heavenly Spirit Treasures are diverse, born of cosmic fortune. They possess sentience, but claiming them is near impossible.”

“They hide themselves. Even if you see their true form, you’d recognize nothing. Worse, they’re volatile—if mishandled, their fortune dissipates instantly, turning pearls to rubble. Some even self-destruct, taking their captor with them.”

Li Yan frowned. “So treasure-seekers exist to solve this?”

Wang Daoxuan nodded. “Their methods vary. Some train from childhood—those with Yin-Yang Eyes locked in darkness, others, like you with your Nasal Spirit Roots, are abandoned in wilds, forced to rely on scent alone. Each specializes: mountain scouts, sea divers, grave infiltrators…”

Li Yan grimaced. “So I need one of them?”

“No,” Wang Daoxuan shook his head. “They’re reclusive and erratic. But their techniques? I know them. All Heavenly Spirit Treasures have a weakness. Find its essence, apply the Five Elements’ generation cycles and Bagua directions, and you can subdue it.”

Li Yan sighed. “Then what was that serpent’s essence?”

“A common object,” Wang Daoxuan muttered. “The trick is, it’s always deceptively mundane.”

---

The next morning, those barred from the estate due to zodiac clashes returned. They’d heard rumors of Wang Daoxuan battling spirits to reclaim the matriarch’s soul—a tale now wildly exaggerated. To the household, the priest’s mystique grew.

In the inner quarters, Wang Daoxuan examined the matriarch’s pulse, his brow furrowed. Though her soul had returned, her breath was shallow, her body frail.

“She’s beyond medicine,” he told Lord Lu outside. “Her life force is spent. At least her soul’s intact—bury her properly, and she’ll rest.”

Lord Lu sighed. “We’ve no ancestral tomb. Please, choose a burial site. No need for grandeur—just peace.”

“Of course.”

As Wang Daoxuan and Li Yan left, the latter glanced back, frustration gnawing at him. He’d scoured the estate all night. But Heavenly Spirit Treasures hid in plain sight, revealing themselves only when ready.

For now, he had to leave. The matriarch’s death could come any day, and his ailing grandfather waited in Li Village Fortress.

---

Back in the side courtyard, Steward Lu urged Wang Daoxuan to rest. The priest declined, insisting on scouting a burial site.

Sha Lifei, still bitter over missing the night’s events, joined them. Li Yan announced his departure, prompting Lord Lu to gift him coin and a horse—a gesture that made Sha Lifei envious.

At the stables, Li Yan chose a gentle black stallion. Sha Lifei, rummaging through tack, suddenly paused.

“What’s this?” He held up a weathered, blackened rod, faint dragon patterns etched on its surface.

Steward Lu frowned. “This land once held dozens of homes. The master bought them all, tearing them down. This belonged to the Xianyang Drum King.”

Sha Lifei snorted. “A Drum King? Did he look like a leather drum?”

Steward Lu scoffed. “Guanzhong’s drum arts are legendary—ten-faced drums, Jiaolong drums, old temple drums. The drum gatherings during the Lantern Festival are renowned. Few manage to claim the title of Drum King.”

Li Yan, curious, took the rod. The moment it touched his palm, his expression shifted.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end