Chapter 298: Treasure Artifact, Seize the Treasure!

“Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu! The old bald monk actually brought this out!” Yang Ming Dao Ren stared in shock at the object Xuan Ming had summoned.

“Senior Brother Yang Ming, is this Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu truly formidable?” asked a young Daoist beside him.

“Of course it is! This is a Treasure Artifact—rumored to be an ancient relic from the previous cultivation era. Its power is immense, on par with Qing Yang Guan’s own Qing Lei Tao Jian!”

“On par with Qing Lei Tao Jian?” The young Daoist gasped. “Then this Lu family youth is in grave danger!”

The other Daoists exchanged horrified glances. After all, Qing Lei Tao Jian was one of Qing Yang Guan’s top three Treasure Artifacts—only the Abbot himself was permitted to wield it. For Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu to be of such caliber?

“Not necessarily,” Yang Ming Dao Ren said calmly. “Even a Treasure Artifact depends on who wields it. If it were Fang Zhang of Xuan Kong Shan, or one of those Tai Shang Elders, this youth would be dead already. But Xuan Ming here is only at the peak of Qi Cultivation. If he can activate even one percent of this weapon’s power, that’d be a miracle. If the boy retreats far enough, he still has a slim chance.”

Yang Ming Dao Ren’s words were not whispered—they were deliberately raised, ensuring everyone nearby heard them clearly, as if to subtly warn Lu Qing.

Yet Lu Qing remained utterly calm. His expression didn’t flicker.

Because in that moment, a new text appeared in his vision:

【Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu: Lower Grade Treasure Artifact — a relic of Xuan Kong Shan’s Heritage. Possesses formidable power, capable of subduing demons and taming evil spirits.】

【Left behind by the true Xuan Kong Shan when he broke through the boundary between realms in the last cultivation era.】

【Its golden light can freeze the soul, its physical form can shatter the body. Victims suffer either shattered cultivation and scattered spirit, or complete annihilation of body and soul.】

【Spiritual Artifact at the Treasure level requires spiritual force to activate, reaching its full potential only when properly invoked.】

【This artifact has already been refined. Anyone else using it can only access up to 70% of its power.】

…

“Lower Grade Treasure Artifact?” Lu Qing mused. “So the Four Secret Places aren’t as deep in hidden strength as I thought. No wonder they’re so eager for my Shen Hun Fu Lu.”

With Yang Ming Dao Ren’s earlier words in mind, Lu Qing now had a clearer picture of the Four Secret Places’ true standing. If even a Lower Grade Treasure Artifact could leave such a high-ranking Daoist so stunned, then their collection of such relics must be sparse.

Lu Qing remained composed—but the moment he heard Yang Ming Dao Ren’s revelation, Xuan Ming He Shang’s face darkened with fury. His hatred for Yang Ming Dao Ren now burned like wildfire.

This bald monk was clearly trying to provoke a reaction, revealing the artifact’s nature on purpose—trying to help Lu Qing by turning the weapon against him, using the old monk as a tool.

But even if Xuan Ming saw through the trap, he could do nothing. As Yang Ming Dao Ren had said, Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu was a weapon far beyond his current level. And since he wasn’t its true master, controlling it was even harder.

Even with his disciples forming a formation, they’d need time to gather power before unleashing the artifact’s true might.

If Lu Qing fled now, Xuan Ming would have to strike immediately—yet he couldn’t be certain he could finish the boy off.

Fearful of losing his prey, Xuan Ming wasted no time. With a sharp spiritual transmission, he bellowed: “All disciples, shift formation—surround the demon!”

“Yes!” The disciples responded in unison, their minds linked. At Xuan Ming’s command, the golden light that had once shielded them twisted violently—like a net snapping shut—now turning inward, enveloping Lu Qing in a golden cage.

But Lu Qing wasn’t so easily trapped.

Instead, seeing the monks abandon defense for offense, a sly smile crept across his face.

“Finally stopped playing turtle?” He no longer held back.

With a thunderous roar, he exploded forward. A figure of white mist remained behind, shrouded in golden light—while his true body instantly reappeared before one of the monks, blade already descending.

But just as the monk was about to fall beneath the strike, the Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu floating before Xuan Ming He Shang flared with blinding golden light.

The surge was instantaneous—within a breath, the light engulfed not only the monks but Lu Qing as well, catching him off guard.

The moment the golden light touched him, Lu Qing’s body stiffened. His blade froze mid-swing. His eyes widened in shock—his entire frame rigid, like a puppet with its strings severed.

“Too bad,” Yang Ming Dao Ren sighed. “The boy still fell for it.”

Even the most talented youth, despite his strength, lacked experience. Xuan Ming had merely feigned a weakness, and the boy had bitten.

Yet he hadn’t expected the rumors to be true. The Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu of Xuan Kong Shan—capable of freezing souls above, crushing bodies below. The legend had been real all along.

The onlookers gasped in disbelief. The boy who had just moments ago driven the monks to the brink of collapse was now utterly immobilized.

No wonder Xuan Kong Shan had such deep roots. One artifact, and they turned the tide.

“Danger, A Qing!” The crowd atop the platform cried out in panic.

Old Doctor nearly leapt from his perch, heart pounding. But just as he moved, a voice echoed in his mind.

“Master, don’t worry. I’m fine.”

“A Qing? You’re fine?” Old Doctor froze, eyes wide with surprise.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry. I was just bluffing.”

Hearing the truth, Old Doctor exhaled in relief.

But then, a deeper thought struck him: How far could A Qing’s spiritual transmission reach?

Ever since entering Zhong Zhou, their spiritual sensing had been severely suppressed. In Sheng Cheng, it had dropped to barely thirty meters. Yet the platform was half a li away from the courtyard.

“Looks like this cultivation trial truly changed A Qing. His strength has transformed beyond recognition.”

With that thought, Old Doctor’s tension eased.

But others weren’t so calm.

Ma Gu and the others stared in fury, fists clenched—helpless on the platform, unable to aid Lu Qing.

“Filthy beast! No matter how cunning you are, you’re nothing before Xuan Kong Shan’s Demon-Subduing Treasure Artifact!” Xuan Ming sneered, savoring Lu Qing’s trapped state.

The boy’s wide-eyed terror, his helplessness—Xuan Ming savored every second.

For days, they’d suffered humiliation at Lu Qing’s hands. One disciple dead, another maimed, and Xuan Ming himself mocked as “old bald monk” with every passing breath.

He’d kept his calm in front of disciples and elders—but inside, his rage burned like fire.

“Kill him!” one monk roared.

“Slice him in two—let him taste our pain!”

“Torture him slowly!”

The younger monks, especially those whose bodies had been severed, screamed for blood.

Even the elders watched Xuan Ming, awaiting his command.

But then, a new thought struck him.

“Wait—no. This demon may be deeply tainted with demon essence, but killing him won’t cleanse it. Better to bring him back, purify his demon Qi with Buddhist Law. That is the true path.”

The other elders nodded in understanding.

Xuan Ming wanted to convert Lu Qing—turn him into a puppet for Xuan Kong Shan.

And with Lu Qing’s astonishing talent and cultivation potential, the thought was intoxicating.

If Xuan Kong Shan had such a prodigy as their own, their strength would surge once more.

“Wise decision,” one elder said. “Xuan Ming Senior Brother truly embodies compassion.”

“Then help me, disciples. Seal his soul completely, then bring him back to the temple.”

“Yes!” The monks channeled their spiritual energy, linking with Xuan Ming. The golden light of the Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu flared brighter than ever.

The artifact slowly rose, hovering above Lu Qing’s head. With faint, echoing chants, streams of golden light descended, aiming to lock shut his Soul Orifice.

Once sealed, Lu Qing’s spiritual power would be useless. He’d become a living corpse—completely under their control.

And all his treasures… his secrets… would belong to Xuan Kong Shan.

Xuan Ming’s heart raced. If Lu Qing had reached such power at such a young age, there had to be secrets—great secrets—hidden within him.

If he could extract them, perhaps even his own cultivation could leap forward.

Even Xuan Ming He Shang, so composed, couldn’t hide the flicker of greed in his eyes.

The onlookers watched in silence, too afraid to speak.

Xuan Kong Shan was not someone they dared offend.

And the aura of Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu—terrifying, overwhelming—left no one confident they could withstand it.

Even Yang Ming Dao Ren hesitated. He regretted not asking the Abbot to bring Qing Lei Tao Jian.

If he had it, he wouldn’t fear these bald monks.

As the golden light slowly descended, Lu Qing’s eyes began to close.

Xuan Ming and the others smiled.

“It’s over.”

Yang Ming Dao Ren sighed. Even he knew—under the might of such a Treasure Artifact, Lu Qing had no chance.

No one could resist.

But just as all believed the boy was finished—crushed beyond recovery—

A hand suddenly appeared above Lu Qing’s head, gently grasping the Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu.

And the hand belonged to Lu Qing.

His eyes snapped open. A faint, eerie smile played on his lips as he stared at Xuan Ming He Shang.

“What?!” Xuan Ming’s mind reeled.

He poured all his spiritual force into the artifact, desperate to crush Lu Qing.

No more games. No more puppetry. Only death.

But then—something impossible happened.

The Jiang Mo Jin Gang Chu vanished.

Right from his grasp.

“Spit!” Xuan Ming choked, blood spraying from his mouth. His face twisted in horror.

The artifact was gone. Not just unseen—but erased. Not a trace remained. His spiritual sense, his soul-link, severed.

His soul flared in pain.

“What’s happening?!”

“The Treasure Artifact disappeared!”

“He wasn’t subdued!”

“He was faking it all along!”

The crowd erupted in shock. Even Yang Ming Dao Ren stared, stunned.

How could Lu Qing have resisted the golden light?

Xuan Ming’s disciples were paralyzed with terror. They nearly leapt from their skin.

“Boy! What have you done?!” Xuan Ming roared.

“Nothing. Just took back a trash item.” Lu Qing stretched, his body free and clear. His eyes were sharp, his mind lucid—no sign of being trapped.

“Give it back. That’s not something you’re allowed to touch.”

“Old monk,” Lu Qing scoffed, picking up his war blade, “are you even thinking straight? Now is not the time to ask for it.”

He smiled coldly. “You should be asking—how to survive my blade.”

With a flicker, he vanished.

And reappeared—before Xuan Ming.

One slash.

Down.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end