Chapter 669: Nine Cauldron Replica, Grandmasters Withering!

Chapter 669: Chapter 361: Nine Cauldron Replica, Grandmasters Withering!

“No wonder Su Xiaoyou, who could kill Gongyang Jue, has such extraordinary perception.”

After a few breaths, a figure slowly emerged from behind the tree. This person was none other than the Great Elder of the Cyan Fish Gang, Qiu Mountain.

At this moment Qiu Mountain’s face showed undisguised surprise. When he first heard that Gongyang Jue had been directly obliterated by Su Mu, he had some doubts. But now, being recognized by Su Mu, this youth, made Qiu Mountain feel enlightened.

To be able to battle and even defeat a Half-Step Great Cultivator at the Fourth Grade, such a being is extraordinary indeed.

“Great Elder.”

Su Mu greeted, surprise flashing in his eyes. It had only been a few days since they last met, yet Qiu Mountain’s decaying aura was more intense, the pillar of destiny belonging to a Martial Arts Grandmaster already completely scattered, his silver hair turning gray, his entire being exuding the aura of impending death.

“Su Xiaoyou, don’t worry. I came today to borrow something from you.”

“What might it be?”

Su Mu asked calmly, sensing no hostility in the four Martial Momentums within his sea of consciousness.

“Something from Gongyang Jue’s possession. In his Sumeru Ring, there should be an item given by someone behind him, containing a trace of a Grandmaster’s will. If you step outside the Cyan Fish Gang, it might bring disaster.”

“Is it this item that the Great Elder is referring to?”

As soon as his words fell, Su Mu didn’t hesitate to flip his hand and produce a palm-sized, crimson three-legged cauldron engraved with various flame patterns.

“Yes, that is the item.”

After Qiu Mountain nodded, Su Mu handed over the small cauldron, trusting that Qiu Mountain had no reason to deceive him and recalling the immense threat once sensed from Gongyang Jue, which turned out to be rooted in the crimson, flawed small cauldron.

Su Mu suspected that after Gongyang Jue emerged from retreat beyond the Fourth Grade, his confidence was immense, having not anticipated Baili Hong to have matching strength, and thus was caught off guard without a chance to use the cauldron.

Seeing Su Mu willingly hand over the cauldron, Qiu Mountain’s face showed surprise once more.

“This cauldron is called the Xuanyan Cauldron, a counterfeit of one of the legendary Nine Tripods collected by Emperor Qin, once the property of the Donglai Cao Bang. After the gang split in two, it fell into the hands of the White Whale Gang.”

The counterfeit of the Nine Tripods, belonging to the White Whale Gang.

Su Mu felt astonished, not expecting the small cauldron to have such significant origins and information. Was Qiu Mountain hinting that Gongyang Jue’s backing was the White Whale Gang, or perhaps the creators behind the scenes included the White Whale Gang?

“Though the Xuanyan Cauldron is a counterfeit of the Nine Tripods and is flawed, it possesses mysteries surpassing even some Third-Grade Spirit Treasures. To harness its true potential, one must possess the accompanying technique. With the Xuanyan Cauldron, the speed of cultivating any flame-related Martial Arts Technique or Secret Technique can be increased by at least thirty percent!”

Qiu Mountain glanced at the Xuanyan Cauldron and then focused back on Su Mu. “I can help erase the Grandmaster’s will inside it and return the cauldron.”

“Or we can make a deal, leaving the cauldron in the Cyan Fish Gang; you may put forth any conditions.”

With that said, Qiu Mountain allowed Su Mu time to contemplate. Previously, he might have hesitated if choosing between the Xuanyan Cauldron and Su Mu.

Now, after witnessing Su Mu reverse-slash Gongyang Jue at the Fourth Grade, Qiu Mountain would have no reservations; Su Mu weighed more heavily in his mind than the Xuanyan Cauldron.

Moreover, being at death’s door, his intention in trading for the Xuanyan Cauldron wasn’t for himself but for the future of the Cyan Fish Gang.

“Increase the speed by at least thirty percent for cultivating flame-related Martial Arts Techniques or Secret Techniques…”

Su Mu was genuinely surprised, encountering for the first time a weapon that could accelerate cultivation speed. Even a flawed counterfeit had such exceptional effects.

What kind of profound wonders must the genuine Nine Tripods possess?!

Double, or even increase the speed of cultivating fire-related Martial Arts Techniques or Secret Techniques by tenfold?

After a few moments of reflection, Su Mu shook his head. Although many of his Martial Arts were related to fire, the presence of such an item might not be as significant to him.

He had an unparalleled comprehension panel; the thirty percent increase in fire-related cultivation was trivial compared to it.

His thoughts raced as he could discern that Qiu Mountain practiced water-related Martial Arts from his aura, as did his elder brother Baili Feng.

Therefore, the Xuanyan Cauldron was sought not for Qiu Mountain himself. Moreover, Qiu Mountain had already passed his cultivation onto Baili Feng, a man nearing death.

The Great Elder’s earnest request could only be for Baili Hongtang, the one with extraordinary talent worthy of Qiu Mountain’s concern!

“The Xuanyan Cauldron cannot be of great use to me. Since it was once the property of the Donglai Cao Bang, let it return to its owner.”

Su Mu spoke solemnly, which resonated with a different meaning in Qiu Mountain’s ears. Qiu Mountain had heard from Hongtang about Su Mu’s many battles, knowing he possessed strong fire-related Martial Arts or Secret Techniques. His words now suggested he was enduring a painful loss.

The astute young man before him had even surmised Qiu Mountain’s real intentions.

“Great Elder, I do have one request.”

Qiu Mountain’s eyes flashed, assured that this youth saw through his intent, “Just say the word.”

“Does the Cyan Fish Gang possess pure Yang Evil Power?”

At these words, Qiu Mountain froze, feeling grateful as he understood Su Mu was symbolically asking to save his face; the worth of the Xuanyan Cauldron far surpassed ordinary Yin Sha strength.

However, Qiu Mountain misunderstood. Though Su Mu wished to honor Great Elder Qiu Mountain, he indeed needed Yang Sha strength.

The Fifth-Grade Martial Artist requires Yin Sha and Yang Sha strength to temper the organs, particularly Su Mu, who practices the ‘Three Profound Forging Lungs Technique,’ needing three rounds of tempering. So far, he had used pure Yin Sha strength to temper his organs, leading to a detected risk after battling Gongyang Jue with full force. If he delayed in subsequent Yang Sha tempering, the Yin Sha strength might go out of control and trigger risk.

“Donglai County has many rivers, and there are several excellent sources of Yin Sha strength.” Qiu Mountain paused, a flash of spiritual light in his hand producing an ancient token engraved with the words ‘Wanlin.’

“This is the token of the Wanlin Commerce Association. Liu Chengfeng, deputy director of Qingzhou’s Wanlin Commerce Association, owes me a favor. They have an exceptional source of Yang Sha strength; you can take this token to Qingzhou in the future.”

“Thank you, Great Elder!”

Su Mu knew well the value of this token. It was Great Elder Qiu Mountain’s favor as a Martial Arts Grandmaster; human favors are the hardest to repay. The Yang Sha strength exchanged with such favor is undoubtedly extraordinary.

Expressing gratitude, Su Mu accepted the Wanlin Order. After some casual chatting, Qiu Mountain rose to leave.

Su Mu’s eyes narrowed as he clearly saw the old man walking toward his death, with very little time left in this world. Even revered Great Cultivators in the eyes of the world, like Martial Arts Grandmaster Qiu Mountain, would succumb to death.

This evoked deep sorrow and reflection within Su Mu as his gaze became more resolute. At that moment, his fists clenched slightly as he profoundly grasped the weight of the words “immortal.”

Facing life and death, even Martial Arts Grandmasters are mere mortals, fragile as autumn leaves, perishing in an instant.

It was at this moment that a genuine longing for immortality arose in the youth’s heart, and the seeds of longevity began to truly sprout.