The four of them took several jade scrolls to inspect their contents. What Wang Hao found was a jade scroll describing a cultivation method called the True Technique of Coarse Earth—a Earth-attribute cultivation method that can be practiced up to the Golden Core stage. Another jade scroll contained an unorthodox Spiritual Consciousness Attack technique called Spirit-Splitting Cone, which condenses spiritual consciousness into a cone to strike an opponent's soul. It is tremendously powerful—if it destroys a cultivator's spiritual consciousness, they become like a zombie, utterly at others' mercy. However, there is a caveat: your own spiritual consciousness must be stronger than your target's, or the attack not only fails but may backfire.
Yet this very technique can also strengthen and amplify part of the caster's spiritual consciousness. If two cultivators are of equal level, victory is nearly guaranteed. Wang Hao had already taken Spirit-Gathering Pills and used the Soul-Nourishing Flower to slowly boost his consciousness. If his spiritual consciousness surpassed that of his peers and he then mastered this Spirit-Splitting Cone, he could keep it as a trump card.
— "I also found some alchemical techniques here. This senior was an intermediate second-order alchemist, and there are multiple pill formulas!" Li Derong announced.
Chu He added, — "I discovered notes on the demon beasts of Mount Duan Yuan, but they're so old as to be meaningless now."
— "This senior really was extraordinary! Here are talisman-crafting techniques—by the records, he was at least a lower second-order talisman master," Chen Qing exclaimed.
Wang Hao then related the cultivation methods and techniques he had found.
The four exchanged delighted looks. They had not expected much from this chamber, yet this senior turned out to be quite wealthy—at least by the standards of independent Establishment-of-Foundation cultivators. A handful of spirit tools and a few thousand spirit stones might not be lavish by major sect comparisons, but it was ample for smaller families.
Moreover, the Spirit-Splitting Cone—an unpredictable trump card—was priceless. Even mid-tier sects might lack it.
— "Let's copy all these cultivation methods and experiences," Chu He said. "We'll split the spirit stones equally. As agreed, Brother Wang chooses first!"
Wang Hao eyed the alchemy furnace and said casually, — "No need to ask—everyone knows I'm an alchemist."
— "Very well, the alchemy furnace goes to Brother Wang!" Chu He turned to Li Derong: — "Sister Li, what do you wish?"
— "I'd like that spirit weapon—the flying sword!"
Chu He handed Li Derong the flying sword and gave the remaining defensive spirit tool to Chen Qing. He himself took the formation plate. With the spoils divided, they hurriedly buried the senior's bones and returned to Qingyuan City.
Over ten days later, they returned safely and parted at the city gate. Chu He arranged to reconvene once the materials were sold!
A little over a thousand spirit stones—Wang Hao cared little for the sum. His greatest gain from the trip was the Spirit-Splitting Cone, which could both enhance his consciousness and strike opponents unexpectedly.
Now Wang Hao had two new techniques to learn. His own Triple Flame Transformation was only partially mastered—far from proficient, let alone perfect. He also needed to grasp the newly acquired second-order talisman methods. He likely wouldn't venture out again for a long time.
Back at the Wang Family shop, Wang Hao sought out Wang Yanzhao:— "I snagged another Foundation-Establishing Pill formula on this trip. If we can master it, Old Wang, you'll never lack Foundation pills again!"
Wang Yanzhao replied gravely:— "Where did you run off to this time? Qingyuan City is dangerous—I have to be cautious, let alone you, who vanish for days!"
— "What are you saying? I lived alone for nearly thirty years; if I'd stayed home, I wouldn't have my current cultivation!" Wang Hao held up the jade scroll: — "Do you want it or not? If you don't, I'll keep it myself!"
— "Of course I want it. Your father's invested enough in you; it's time to pay him back a bit!" Wang Yanzhao took the scroll, studied it, and then sighed: — "Indeed, there are so many restrictions on using demon cores in Foundation pills!"
Compared to the Condensing Fruit, third-order demon cores contain far more complex components that the alchemist must separate and purge one by one. Any residue must be neutralized with auxiliary herbs—an extremely mana-intensive process. A good yield is only three or four pills per furnace. Even so, demon-core Foundation pills still don't match fruit-made ones in potency, and their success rate can be up to half a percent lower.
— "Even if we have the formula, third-order cores aren't easy to get," Wang Hao observed.
— "If they were easy, Establishment-of-Foundation cultivators would be everywhere!" Wang Yanzhao said. "Those cores cost at least fifty thousand spirit stones apiece. Right now your father is buying Nine-Transformation Spiritual Herb, so I can't spare the funds for demon cores."
— "No rush to buy now," Wang Hao laughed. "Besides, you'd need a high-grade second-order alchemist to refine—at least a senior second-order. You don't have that, do you?"
— "What kind of look is that? You're belittling your own father?" Wang Yanzhao snapped, furious at Wang Hao's mocking grin. — "Get out, get out—you're blocking me from refining!"
Unknown to Wang Hao, the Wang Family's current patriarch is indeed a senior second-order alchemist—he simply rarely refines pills after his injury. Even a centuries-old family retains some legacy!
Though Wang Yanzhao didn't mention it, Wang Hao would not wander off again. His time was too precious, and the gains from this journey were already ample.
Back in his room, he made no haste to practice the secret techniques. Instead, he drew out the Sky-Turning Seal. With its outer shell shattered, the Seal had shrunk slightly in size, but its appearance—two nested layers—remained. The lower layer was square, each side carved with white cloud patterns and studded with three gems. The upper layer tapered into a handle studded with one gem on each of its four sides. Yet Wang Hao noticed that some runic patterns were obscured by residual material, making them faint.
He tried heating it with flame and striking it with magical tools—nothing worked.
Injecting a trace of his mana also had no effect!
— "Hmm? Does it need to be re-registered to me?" Cultivators must imprint their Soul Seal onto any magic tool they intend to master. For first- and second-order items, it's usually straightforward: one need only infuse a Soul Seal to complete registration.
Wang Hao had already bonded with the Sky-Turning Seal. He wondered if the Seal's inner core still recognized its original owner, and if that bond had been lost when the outer shell was broken.
He attempted again and again to imprint a new Soul Seal—each effort ended in failure.
Something about this was very strange. Wang Hao's spiritual soul was now strong; he should easily register even a high-grade spirit tool.
— "Could this… actually be a true magic treasure?" he wondered. There is one more way to register a high-level magic treasure: by dripping the master's essence blood onto it. But of course, that requires the treasure to have no current owner…