Chapter 724: The Smoking Relic
Chapter 724: The Smoking Relic
Chen Chuan took a look at the relic and noticed that the heating object was the long-unused Lynx Talisman.
This object was once used as a powerful move, but now, with his improved strength, it had become nothing more than a decorative item.
After all, with his current abilities, he could handle multiple opponents without the need for other means to alleviate the pressure. He was capable enough to take them all on by himself.
However, he had recently neglected the food requirements of the Lynx Legend, and according to their previous agreement, if he didn't provide food, the lynx would turn on its master.
The question was, what kind of master was it dealing with? With the power he currently possessed, the lynx didn't even dare to show any signs of rebellion, not even a single sound.
At that moment, he took out the talisman, and a thought seemed to emanate from it, expressing great interest in the relic he had just obtained. There was an intense desire within it.
He was slightly surprised, as low-level relics, while valuable, usually required one to discover the correct method of use before understanding their purpose.
Yang Yongcheng, after searching for twenty-five years without success, didn't believe he would figure it out immediately. So, after obtaining the relic, he didn't open it, planning to deal with it when he had more time.
However, he also noticed that during the short time he had been inside, the Lynx Legend hadn't shown any reaction. It was only after he opened the rift that this situation occurred.
Was it because the appearance of the rift had caused some change in the relic? With this thought, he took out the relic and examined it. He peeled away the thick cloth covering it layer by layer until, finally, he discovered it was an oval-shaped object with jagged, broken edges, resembling fragments of an eggshell. The shell wall was slightly thicker.
This appearance was incredibly inconspicuous. Without prior knowledge, one might mistake it for a fossilized eggshell.
But at that moment, as he held the object, under the illumination of the rift's light, a faint wisp of green smoke emerged, accompanied by a fragrant aroma. After taking a whiff, he felt a slight sense of fullness.
It wasn't a false sensation of fullness; it was as if he had consumed a substantial amount of nutrient-rich food, nourishing both his body and spirit. The more he inhaled, the more his depleted energy seemed to replenish.
A thought crossed his mind: could this object be used to replenish the body's deficiencies?
Would there be any harm? He examined the second self, and there were no visible abnormalities. The rift's opening would naturally cause an invasion, and the second self's signs of virtualization were almost identical to when the rift opened, with barely any discernible difference. This indicated that even if there was an effect, it was minimal.
At this moment, the Lynx Talisman in his pocket grew hotter, and a slight vibration could be felt within. It seemed like the Lynx Legend was jumping around inside, filled with urgency, occasionally sending him a sense of grievance.
He pondered for a moment and relaxed his control over the lynx. The next instant, a mournful cry emanated from the talisman, and a faint miniature cat shadow leaped out, rushing towards the light smoke emanating from the relic in his hand. It began tearing and biting at the smoke, and he could even hear the sound of the lynx's rapid chewing as it gnawed at the relic.
However, the Lynx Legend couldn't damage this shell-like object. After all, it was a relic, and even if it was possibly just the lowest fifth rank, it wasn't something a mere legend could compare to.
Although the light smoke was being torn and bitten by the lynx, it continued to emerge unwaveringly under the rift's light. During this process, the lynx shadow seemed to solidify slightly, and one could see a small-bodied, big-headed miniature lynx lying on the eggshell, baring its teeth and growling, as if ready to roar at the outside world.
But when Chen Chuan's gaze fell upon it, it immediately cowered, curling into a ball. It nibbled gently, appearing very well-behaved.
After a while, the lynx seemed to have had its fill and couldn't eat any more. It reluctantly returned to the talisman.
Chen Chuan observed and could clearly sense that after this period of satiation, the lynx had changed somewhat from before.
The most obvious change was that the talisman, which he had initially commissioned someone to carve, had become more exquisite. Although the craftsmanship was not bad, it was still just stone, and many areas were inevitably rough. But now, it appeared more refined. Holding it in his hand no longer gave the rough, cold, and hard sensation of stone; instead, it felt smooth and glossy, like jade.
Furthermore, he noticed that the windbreaker he wore and the items he carried seemed to have become slightly newer. Of course, these changes were extremely subtle, and without his level of spiritual power, they would be almost imperceptible. Moreover, these changes were also insignificant and practically useless.
But this indirectly proved the certain functions this relic possessed.
At this point, he opened his hand and moved the shell-like object slightly away from the rift. Indeed, as the distance increased, the light smoke emanating from it became thinner.
If that were the case, then this object would only exhibit these effects when approaching the world opposite, which is why Yang Yongcheng had been unable to figure out anything about it after keeping it by his side for over twenty years.
Even if one were to know, most people wouldn't possess the necessary conditions to utilize it. Only the government and companies that control the World Ring could probably harness its value.
He pondered for a moment, called out, and a flapping sound echoed as Chao Ming descended from above.
He sent this shell-like object over, allowing Chao Ming to test the faint smoke emanating from it. Chao Ming immediately became more alert, his eyes brightening considerably. He chirped at Yang Yongcheng, who nodded in response. Indeed, this object was useful for Chao Ming as well.
Moreover, this object could compensate for the depletion of one's spirit and body, allowing one to practice without fear of exhaustion.
Since there were invasions from the opposite world here, he instructed Chao Ming to return to the top while he seized the opportunity to cultivate.
Not long after, he heard the sound of rain outside—a loud pitter-patter. Fortunately, he had chosen a spot on a slope, and knowing it would rain, he had covered the tent with an additional layer of water-diverting cloth. The interior was almost sealed, preventing the rain from seeping in.
Starting in the afternoon, the rain fell intermittently, stopping and starting again. By evening, it had stopped, but the eerie rustling noises resumed, only to quickly subside as if the ancient creatures emerging from the rift had caused them to retreat.
Chen Chuan sat guarding the rift, employing a mental secret art. Whenever something tried to penetrate, he would slash it with the Snow Lady Sword. The last time, he had been unaware of the situation, and the underground space was too narrow for the Snow Lady Sword to be wielded freely. This time, he intentionally expanded his range, and the swordplay became much smoother.
The night passed.
He heard voices outside, so he swung his sword, instantly erasing the rift in front of him. With a clank, he sheathed the sword and stood up from where he was.
The overflowing light in his eyes gradually faded, as if he had prepared sufficiently, and this time, his harvest was greater than the last.
He glanced at the relic in his hand, thinking that this object might have played a role in his gains.
In a 6191 book bar, he found a version without a single mistake!
Aside from that, after each confrontation with the opposite world, the Snow Lady Sword would always incur some depletion. Normally, the altered organization within would feel fatigued, requiring rest during the day. But with this object nearby, recovery was quicker, and the efficiency of his cultivation was evidently enhanced.
He pondered for a moment, then rewrapped the object, tied it with a rope, and placed it in his pocket. Then, holding the Snow Lady Sword, he stepped out of the tent.
As soon as he exited, he smelled a medicinal scent. The camp was sprinkled with medicinal powder, which mixed with the dissolved insect corpse odor, creating an extremely pungent smell. Chao Ming followed him out and couldn't help but sneeze.
At that moment, he heard a cracking sound and turned to look. Near the campfire in the camp, there was a human-shaped mud sculpture. Cracks appeared on its surface, and the indigenous people inside began to rise, helping each other brush off the mud from their bodies. They had been sleeping inside all along.
Yang Yongcheng approached and, following his gaze, said, "Without a tent, this is how we avoid being infected at night. It's also quite useful in the wild, allowing us to dig and lie down anywhere."
Chen Chuan asked, "Does it require any special materials?"
Yang Yongcheng replied, "It requires the special mud from here, along with some unique drinks and medicines. If Manager Chen is interested, I can give you the formula. But this method can only be used in this region. If we go further, it's hard to say."
He gestured forward, "That's why they're reluctant to migrate elsewhere. They've lived here for a long time, becoming familiar with and adapted to everything here. If they go outside, they might still survive, but many will undoubtedly die."
Chen Chuan nodded, then after some thought, said, "According to my knowledge, some people from the former imperial court relied on worshipping a certain existence to travel through the convergence zone at night. Is this method something they learned from the indigenous people?"
Yang Yongcheng said, "There is such a method, but worshipping a certain existence requires offering a large number of sacrifices. The population in our settlement can't provide that many tributes or afford such a large population to consume. So, we used this method, and fortunately, we've managed to get by over the years."
Then, his voice turned solemn, "But ever since the corporate alliance arrived, everything changed almost overnight."
"Senior Yang, we'll trouble you to guide us later," said Chen Chuan.
Yang Yongcheng responded solemnly, "I'll go and prepare. Manager Chen, we'll set off in half an hour."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
