Chapter 122, Dazzling Harvest and High Tower Selection

Translator: Raznick

 

Somewhere within the forest, a pair of eyes had been watching the two fight.

 

At this moment, as Zhou Chun’s gaze swept over, the person in the shadows was startled and realized they had been discovered.

 

Then, he lowered his head slightly, his face shifting through a series of moods before he quickly retreated from his location.

 

Although he arrived late, only witnessing Zhou Chun’s final kill of the hunchbacked elder, the Silver Thunder Python and Rock Turtle, these two superior first-grade demon beasts clearly demonstrated substantial combat power.

 

Even if he was certain that Zhou Chun’s spiritual power was greatly depleted now, he didn’t feel he could defeat Zhou Chun under the siege of these two spirit pets.

 

If that were the case, retreating far from this place was the best choice.

 

After confirming that the person spying retreated, Zhou Chun stepped forward to collect the hunchbacked elder’s belongings, destroyed the corpse, and left the scene.

 

This time, Zhou Chun ran for over thirty miles in the direction furthest from the high tower before stopping in a mountain valley.

 

The valley had only one entrance, and the trees inside towered into the sky, making it a perfect place to hide.

 

After stopping there, Zhou Chun released the two spirit pets to stand guard and then fed healing pills to himself and the two spirit pets, who were also injured.

 

The hunchbacked elder’s strength was undoubtedly the strongest Qi Refining cultivator Zhou Chun had ever seen to date.

 

His individual strength was enough to kill another cultivator at the same Twelfth Layer of the Qi Refining Stage.

 

If he hadn’t encountered someone traveling with two spirit pets and possessing a wealth of treasures like Zhou Chun, a single person would likely have no chance against anyone in this trial ground.

 

Despite winning, both Zhou Chun and his two spirit pets had paid a considerable price.

 

He noticed that the Rock Turtle’s carapace had lost most of its jagged spikes, and cracks appeared all over its shell, with several spots charred.

 

These injuries were even more severe than those Zhou Chun had sustained during his earlier duel with that rogue cultivator, a Foundation Establishment cultivator named Shen Han.

 

It was only due to its naturally thick skin and tenacious vitality that it seemed to have escaped with relatively minor damage.

 

Only Zhou Chun knew that with these injuries, full recovery would be impossible without several months of recuperation.

 

In contrast, Whitey, though appearing injured, was genuinely less harmed and possessed a stronger recovery ability than the Rock Turtle.

 

After all, it had a Flood Dragon bloodline and was not comparable to ordinary demon beasts.

 

After administering the healing pills, Zhou Chun allowed the two spirit pets to digest the medicine’s potency while simultaneously standing guard.

 

Then, he seized the opportunity to meditate and heal himself.

 

About a day passed in this manner, and Zhou Chun’s injuries improved considerably, and his spiritual power recovered.

 

Only then did he have time to assess his gains.

 

The battle with the hunchbacked old man had cost Zhou Chun significantly.

 

The Golden Scale Shield that Zhou Daoyi had arranged to have crafted for him was shattered. Then, his Shooting Moon Edge, which he had used for many years, was also severely damaged and could no longer be used.

 

He also consumed a second-grade defensive talisman and several superior first-grade talismans.

 

But compared to the gains, these losses were undoubtedly acceptable.

 

The three artifacts used by the hunchbacked old man were each more valuable than the next.

 

Even the worst brass cane was no worse than the Two-pronged Flying Pole.

 

The copper ball and the brass tripod were both profoundly mysterious, more precious and rare than any artifact in Zhou Chun’s hand.

 

Especially the brass tripod, which could absorb various mystical arts, rendering any mystical art directed at him ineffective.

 

Such ability was simply unheard of.

 

“What a wonderful treasure!

 

“It’s a pity that it’s only a first-rank artifact. After I reach Foundation Establishment, this thing might be useless!”

 

In the forest, Zhou Chun was carrying the brass tripod in one hand and holding the crimson copper ball in the other, his face full of joy and regret.

 

He was delighted that these two artifacts were exquisitely crafted and would undoubtedly greatly increase his strength after binding.

 

He regretted that he likely wouldn’t be able to use these two artifacts many times before he would have to discard them!

 

But this regret came and went quickly.

 

Zhou Chun soon shook his head and did not dwell on it.

 

When he opened the hunchbacked old man’s storage bag, Zhou Chun felt his eyes widen.

 

Four Heaven Spirit Order!

 

There were also many artifacts, some intact and some broken, a large quantity of newly harvested herbs, and many talismans and healing pills.

 

From the quantity of these items, it seemed the hunchbacked old man had killed at least two or more competitors before encountering Zhou Chun.

 

Such a record was indeed quite impressive.

 

No wonder he was so arrogant when he saw Zhou Chun, never taking him seriously.

 

After counting everything, Zhou Chun estimated that excluding the crimson copper ball and brass tripod he prepared for his own use, the remaining gains would amount to at least three or four thousand spirit coins.

 

If he added the two hundred grams of spiritual musk, the harvest wouldn’t be much less than what he had obtained previously in the extreme yin area.

 

Not to mention the Musk Spirit Stag in his spirit beast pouch!

 

“This is great; I now have enough Heaven Spirit Order to enter the tower, and even two extra!

 

“Then, let’s proceed according to plan; wait until the last day, and then go to the tower to retrieve treasure!”

 

With a flash of brilliance in his eyes, Zhou Chun looked at the several storage bags hanging around his waist and quickly decided to call it a day.

 

One should exert moderation with anything in life.

 

The gains he had from this Heaven Spirit Trial had already far exceeded his initial estimates.

 

What he needed to do now was not to continue killing and looting but to protect his gains and safely return to the clan.

 

The hunchbacked old man had already pushed him to nearly use all his strength, and both he and his two spirit pets were injured.

 

Who knew whether there were people like that remaining among the other competitors?

 

Who knew whether people like that would team up with others to hunt down competitors?

 

Having already secured a sufficient harvest, Zhou Chun wasn’t willing to gamble on such a possibility.

 

After making this decision, for the next few days, Zhou Chun focused on binding the newly acquired artifact and meditating to heal his injuries.

 

As the end of the trial drew nearer, the survivors, in a bid to obtain the seven Heaven Spirit Order, were fighting more fiercely.

 

Even from thirty miles away, Zhou Chun could sometimes hear the rumbling explosions echoing in the distance.

 

He waited until the final day, instructing Whitey to knock out the Musk Spirit Stag again and store it within the spirit beast pouch, before setting off towards the high tower.

 

By this time, several competitors had already successfully entered the tower and claimed their rewards.

 

They had taken the first step, leaving this tower area and waiting in the safe rest area for the trial to conclude.

 

Those cultivators who had not yet obtained the seven Heaven Spirit Order had all gathered around the perimeter of the tower, lurking and hidden, still unwilling to give up.

 

That’s when Zhou Chun arrived!

 

He was already wearing the artifact that could conceal his appearance, a bamboo hat, to prevent anyone from knowing that he had entered the tower to collect treasures.

 

Thanks to the clever application of the Cicada Forest Blending Breath, he was not discovered by those lurking outside until he approached the stone plaza near the tower.

 

However, at this point, anyone who wanted to stop him would undoubtedly be too late.

 

Despite not receiving any attacks, Zhou Chun still sensed the malicious gazes emanating from the surrounding mountains and forests.

 

He sprinted forward, quickly reaching the edge of the intangible barrier around the tower.

 

Then, facing the array that existed but was invisible behind him, he raised a hand and patted his waist, instantly retrieving nine Heaven Spirit Orders.

 

He could distinctly feel that when he took out these Heaven Spirit Orders, the malicious gazes permeating the forest diminished considerably.

 

They were clearly frightened.

 

After all, they couldn’t even gather seven Heaven Spirit Orders, while Zhou Chun could produce nine.

 

This already sufficiently demonstrated how powerful Zhou Chun’s strength was.

 

Facing the powerful, who would dare to rashly reveal their malice?

 

Zhou Chun then spoke in a hoarse voice, “As you can see, I have two extra Heaven Spirit Orders. Now, who is willing to bid for them? Artifacts and herbs can be used to exchange.”

 

Could there be such a good thing?

 

Those who heard Zhou Chun’s words in the forest were all stunned, some unable to believe it was true.

 

But considering that a person could only enter the tower once, they also knew that Zhou Chun didn’t necessarily have to lie about this matter.

 

Soon, a voice loudly called out, “How about two intact superior first-grade artifacts?”

 

As soon as this statement fell, another voice called out, “I offer two superior first-grade artifacts plus a ginseng that is two hundred years old.”

 

However, these two voices were simply shouted from within the forest.

 

But one person appeared directly from the forest after Zhou Chun finished speaking.

 

A yellow-robed old man, a long sword at his waist, swept out of the forest, his wide sleeves billowing as he landed gracefully on the bluestone plaza.

 

Then, glancing at Zhou Chun, he waved his sleeves and announced, “I offer four superior first-grade artifacts and a four-hundred-year herb!”

 

At this declaration, the cultivators within the forest were startled, and for a moment, no one bid higher.

 

Zhou Chun, however, was unwilling to prolong the process any further and immediately nodded in agreement, “Very well, these two Heaven Spirit Orders belong to Fellow Daoist.”

 

Hearing his words, those cultivators who hadn’t bid were filled with regret, lamenting why they had hesitated.

 

In contrast, the yellow-robed old man immediately produced the artifacts and herb he had mentioned, tossing them one by one to Zhou Chun.

 

Zhou Chun, not wanting to delay, promptly separated two Heaven Spirit Orders and gave them to the other man, then secured the artifact and herb before holding seven Heaven Spirit Orders and lunging toward the invisible barrier.

 

It detected that he had the seven Heaven Spirit Order required for entry.

 

Zhou Chun felt as if a gentle breeze had swept across his body before effortlessly entering the area, walking toward the tall tower amidst the envious gazes of the cultivators within the forest.

 

At the same time, the yellow-robed old man, who had received two Heaven Spirit Orders from Zhou Chun, also retrieved five more Heaven Spirit Orders from his storage bag, entering them as well.

 

He was merely short two Heaven Spirit Orders to be qualified; no wonder he was so bold to offer a high price to secure it.

 

Noticing the movement behind him, Zhou Chun simply glanced back before pushing open the tightly closed door of the tower and walking inside with long strides.

 

The first floor of the tower was empty, with nothing but a towering stone tablet, twenty meters tall, which roughly recorded the treasure-retrieval process.

 

“So that’s how it is. I never thought the senior cultivators of the Heaven Spirit Sect would be so clever!”

 

After reading the process of retrieving treasures on the stone tablet, Zhou Chun couldn’t help but chuckle.

 

It turned out, according to the stone tablet, as long as seven Heaven Spirit Orders were inserted into the seven recesses behind the stone tablet, a layer of protective shield could be activated.

 

Whoever broke the shield the fastest would receive more valuable treasures.

 

However, this attack on the shield only allowed the cultivator to attack alone, and they were not allowed to seek help from any talisman or spirit pet.

 

Zhou Chun did not know whether this rule would still be valid without the supervision of a high-level cultivator from Heaven Spirit Sect. However, he felt that he had no need to challenge such a rule.

 

Moreover, in terms of pure attack power, he was now confident that he was no worse than anyone.

 

He proceeded according to the steps, inserting the seven Heaven Spirit Orders one by one into the recesses behind the stone tablet.

 

Instantly, a seven-colored aura erupted from the stone tablet, quickly forming a protective shield encompassing the stone tablet.

 

Upon seeing this, Zhou Chun immediately summoned his crimson copper ball, urging it to transform into a giant fireball and hurl it towards the protective shield.

 

A tremendous boom echoed as the seven-colored shield violently trembled upon being struck, but there was no sign of it shattering.

 

Zhou Chun then did not bother with his exhausted crimson copper ball and directly invoked the Thousand Hills Seal and hurled it towards the protective shield.

 

After this attack, fine cracks suddenly appeared on the seven-colored shield, but it still needed a lot more power to shatter.

 

Zhou Chun wasted no time continuing to charge Thousand Hills Seal and directly summoned a Two-pronged Flying Pole to thrust towards the seven-colored shield, simultaneously flicking his hand to release the remaining Hard Gold Sword Energy.

 

Boom!

 

Under the final arrival of the white golden sword energy attack, the seven-colored protective shield finally could not withstand the impact and shattered.

 

Zhou Chun calculated the time and believed he should have taken less than seven breaths.

 

Perhaps someone could do better than him, but Zhou Chun believed that his speed was at least among the top few cultivators in this trial.

 

He also looked forward to what treasures he would obtain.

 

Not long after the rainbow shield shattered, a wide jade box, three feet wide and seven feet long, appeared before him.

 

The jade box was inscribed with many exquisite runes, shimmering with a faint spiritual light, as if the jade box itself were an extraordinary treasure.

 

But what exactly was inside such a large jade box?

 

Filled with intense curiosity, Zhou Chun gently pushed open the lock on the jade box and opened the lid.