Chapter 27: Homecoming and Spirit Cultivation

Chapter 27: Homecoming and Spirit Cultivation

This was a drumstick, crafted from ebony wood.

It felt weighty in hand, its surface carved with an intricate coiled dragon pattern. Though the craftsmanship was fine, such details held little value in this era. Yet Li Yan’s heart pounded with shock.

The moment he touched the drumstick, his dantian erupted in tremors. The substitute god statue within his core suddenly pulsed with a strange suction force. Simultaneously, the drumstick itself surged with energy—a warm, commanding presence that split into countless threads upon entering his body, slithering like spirit serpents through his meridians.

All paths led to his dantian, where the god statue devoured it hungrily.

Li Yan understood instantly: Heavenly Spirit Treasures!

Never had he imagined the artifact’s true form would be a drumstick hidden in a stable. Without fate’s intervention, he might have searched fruitlessly for years.

This treasure, capable of serpent transformation and hunting human souls, had clearly gained sentience. Its desperate struggle to escape manifested in waves of fortune-energy—vibrant, elusive, scattering like wildfire through his core. Even the drumstick itself quivered faintly.

Yet all resistance proved futile.

Soon, every trace of fortune-energy vanished into the god statue. Not a whisper of power leaked outward to alert others. No one could fathom that a heavenly spirit treasure had, in mere moments, been reduced to a lifeless husk in Li Yan’s grasp.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

He’d uncovered another function of the substitute god statue. Such treasures required elaborate rituals—esoteric techniques, elemental harmonies—to subdue. Yet for him, a mere touch sufficed.

The trinity demon-subduing coin’s raw material was also a heavenly spirit treasure, but the statue had shown no reaction. Only primal spirit treasures matter, he realized.

After absorbing the artifact, the god statue transformed. Its once-cracked surface smoothed, and a faint message echoed in his mind: Enhanced durability. Greater resilience.

Though the statue’s life flame remained unrepaired, hope surged within him. Countless heavenly spirit treasures existed—surely one could reignite it.

“Sir,” Steward Lu interrupted, noticing his fixation. “Do you share my passion for drums? Among pleasures, none match the grandeur of gongs and drums. While others favor Jiangnan melodies, I prefer the majestic rhythm of war drums.”

“They say this year’s drum king contest will be fierce. You should visit Chang’an on the fifteenth of January.”

“Indeed,” Li Yan replied, handing back the drumstick. “This one’s craftsmanship is commendable.”

Nearby, Sha Lifei finished fitting a new saddle onto the black stallion.

“Thank you, Uncle Sha,” Li Yan said, his mood buoyant. Fortune had favored him today.

With a wave, he mounted his horse. “Master Wang, farewell. I’ll await you at Li Village Fortress.”

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard. “Of course. I’ll follow shortly.”

His mind raced with plans. Partnering with Li Yan could secure the funds to acquire his long-coveted talismanic blade—and perhaps even renovate his ancestral altar.

Sha Lifei’s eyes gleamed. He’d earned a tidy sum today, far more than leading wheat reapers. These two strike gold, and I’ll strike silver.

“Rest easy, Brother Yan,” he declared. “The master’s safety is my duty.”

Li Yan arched a brow. “You?”

“Don’t underestimate me!” Sha Lifei retorted. “Ask anyone—”

“Enough,” Li Yan cut in, turning his horse. “Stay sharp.”

Sha Lifei’s skills were modest, but his knowledge of Jianghu’s undercurrents, paired with Wang Daoxuan’s experience, ensured survival.

As dust settled on the horizon, Wang Daoxuan turned to the hills. “Let’s proceed. Though this land lacks a dragon vein, we’ll find an auspicious site today.”

“Right!” Sha Lifei hefted his tools, trailing the priest uphill.

Back at the estate, Steward Lu returned to the inner courtyard. Lord Lu knelt before the main wife, tears streaking his face.

“Your Grace, they’ve gone,” Steward Lu announced.

“Leave us,” Lord Lu dismissed the attendants. Alone, he whispered, “My lady… was it truly unbearable? We escaped death once. Why provoke wolves in court? To live quietly, hidden… was that not enough?”

“You saved my life that year. I’ve served you faithfully, repaying your grace. But now, I must think of my own legacy. Forgive me…”

After a long murmur, he rose, dried his tears, and strode to the concubines’ quarters.

The two women flinched as he entered.

“Chose a suitor yet?” Lord Lu sipped tea, his tone sharp. “Hesitate, and I’ll send you to the Pestle Assembly.”

The red-clad concubine trembled. “That Li youth… he seems kind.”

“A Jianghu cultivator,” Lord Lu scoffed. “With a Dragon Eye? Trouble waits. Choose a wheat reaper instead—safety first.”

As he departed, the white-clad concubine leaned close. “Sister, what of Captain Zhao?(End of Chapter)

Chapter end