Chapter 1396: Fallen Phoenix Jade

"I'm still completely in the dark. You all keep calling this a conflict between the two races, yet you inexplicably end up in a great battle with demon kings, and just as inexplicably a Mystic Heaven Palace traitor turns up, along with a precious treasure of the Mystic Heaven Palace. Just how much do you all know? Shouldn't you offer some explanation and clear up my confusion?" Qin Sang waved a hand to stop Island Master Shen, looked toward Master Feng, and asked in a cold voice.

The others traded a glance. Master Feng produced the explanation he had long since prepared. "We only just learned of the demon race's scheme ourselves, and hadn't yet had the chance to tell you, Daoist."

Qin Sang had gained the greatest share already, and had only meant to put on a show of his displeasure rather than press the matter. Hearing Master Feng out, his expression eased a little. "This man was first hunted by Mystic Heaven Palace, fled into Demon Realm, and was then hunted all the way here by the Rainbow Rat. What treasure did he carry out of Mystic Heaven Palace?"

Island Master Shen shook his head. "I couldn't eavesdrop on the particulars. The Rainbow Rat probably didn't know the truth at the time either, only that Mystic Heaven Palace prized this item greatly, sending several elders to hunt him deep into Demon Realm and nearly rousing the Great Heavenly Peng Saint before they relented."

The Great Heavenly Peng Saint was a late-stage Transformation Realm expert who, longing for the renown of the great saints of the ancient demon race, styled himself a saint, and whose fearsome name resounded throughout the North Sea.

No useful information had come of it. Qin Sang reflected that he would only learn what the treasure was once he opened the ice box himself.

At this point Madam Yue, who had held her silence all along, suddenly spoke, "Since the treasure has fallen into the demon race's hands, we might as well let the news out."

"Using someone else's hands to kill!" Island Master Shen clapped his hands together. "That was my very thought as well. Let's see whether they can hold on to their prize."

Master Feng, however, hesitated. "I've heard Mystic Heaven Palace has always acted with a heavy hand. I fear that once the news spreads, the ones in trouble won't only be them. A precious treasure of Mystic Heaven Palace appeared nearby, with all of us having taken part in the fight over it; even if we declare the treasure was carried off by the demon race, others may not believe it. I'm afraid it would draw too many people, leave us no peace, and end in defeating our own purpose. By then the situation would only grow more tangled."

As the overlord of these parts, he had no wish to give others a reason to meddle. Even one as strong as Master Feng had people and forces he was wary of.

The black-robed man added, "I still want to travel elsewhere, and I have no wish to be watched at every turn."

Madam Yue nodded her head. "I considered it too simply."

Master Feng shook his head. "Madam Yue's suggestion has its merit too. We certainly can't let Bifang off easily. The news can be released, but it must be weighed with care."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Next they took out the ice boxes each had seized. Including Qin Sang's Snow-Patterned Cold Jade, the human side had taken eight ice boxes in all. They held, for the most part, all manner of spiritual materials for artifact refinement, of varying worth, with nothing like a spiritual herb among them, most likely used up by the white-robed man as he fled for his life.

Qin Sang fixed his eyes at once on a piece of red jade within one of the ice boxes. With a whoosh, he drew the red jade straight into his hand and examined it closely. The interior bore patterns like wood grain, and held in the hand it gave off a gentle warmth.

Seeing Qin Sang's move, Island Master Shen and the others frowned slightly. Master Feng gave a faint shake of his head, then looked toward Qin Sang. "Oh? Have you taken a liking to that Fallen Phoenix Jade, Daoist?"

"You recognize this item too, Daoist Feng?" Qin Sang drew back his gaze and nodded. "I happen to be seeking a suitable spiritual material to enhance an astra, and the Fallen Phoenix Jade fits the requirement perfectly. I wonder whether you all might be willing to part with it?"

He paused, then took out the Snow-Patterned Cold Jade as well. "The Fallen Phoenix Jade is surely the most valuable of these spiritual materials. I'm willing to give up this Snow-Patterned Cold Jade and take only the Fallen Phoenix Jade."

The others exchanged a look. Master Feng said, "The Snow-Patterned Cold Jade was wrested from Bifang by you, Daoist Qin, so it ought to be yours to begin with. Since you put it that way, I have no objection."

Madam Yue said happily, "I happen to be wanting to forge an ice-attribute astra, and half a piece of Snow-Patterned Cold Jade will be enough. My thanks, Daoist Qin."

Qin Sang took the Fallen Phoenix Jade and withdrew to one side, watching Master Feng and the others divide the remaining spiritual materials. All were well pleased.

Master Feng prepared to counterattack the demon race. With speed prized above all in war, Island Master Shen and the others left at once to make arrangements. Before long, only Qin Sang and Master Feng remained in the great hall.

Master Feng said with an apologetic air, "I should have waited until the demon race withdrew, then kept my promise and taken you to Hundred Flowers Valley, Daoist. But the situation has changed, and I'm afraid I won't be free for some time. I could write a letter for you to carry on a visit to the valley master of Hundred Flowers Valley. Or you might stay as my guest a while longer, and once things here settle, I'll go with you?"

At this, Qin Sang fell silent in thought. Hearing that Master Feng and the others meant to spread the news, he had resolved to leave this place of strife as soon as possible.

His own strength was slight and his allies few. Should an expert of Mystic Heaven Palace or some other great force come knocking, it would not be easy to handle.

Yet in seeking an audience with the valley master of Hundred Flowers Valley, he meant not only to exchange insights. If the valley possessed some unique secret technique for controlling insects, he hoped to ask after it, and a single letter would do little to draw the relationship closer.

After some thought, Qin Sang said, "Then I'll wait a while longer. Having nothing else to do, I'm content to keep watch over Shouchen Island for you, Daoist Feng. And if there's a chance to hunt down Bifang and the other demons, I'd like to vent my own spleen as well."

Master Feng was overjoyed.

Taking his leave of Master Feng, Qin Sang flew back to Shouchen Island without pause. As before, he left the Spiritual Infant Talisman Puppet in his cave dwelling. He himself slipped away to a nearby reef, took out a set of array flags, and laid down barrier upon barrier before at last bringing out the mysterious ice box.

"What an intricate seal. I wonder what treasure it is..." Qin Sang picked up the ice box and studied it carefully.

The box was crystalline, but not transparent, the interior a pale white. Whether the white glow was the power of the seal or something emitted by the treasure, he could not tell. Even the Sky-Eyed Butterfly could see only a mass of white light, unable to make out what lay within.

"Gasp! The ice box seems to be made of ten-thousand-year mystic ice!" Qin Sang was secretly alarmed.

Mystic Heaven Palace really spared no expense, fashioning rare ten-thousand-year mystic ice into a mere ice box. The discovery made Qin Sang all the more eager.

Unexpectedly, an hour passed and Qin Sang remained without a clue, with a sense that there was nowhere to even begin.

He turned the ice box over and over in his examination, driving his spiritual consciousness and, with the Sky-Eyed Butterfly's cooperation, carefully analyzing the seal upon it. Before he knew it, a full day and night had slipped by.

The following day, as night fell, Qin Sang, his face full of weariness, settled into meditation for a time before picking up the ice box once more. His expression turned exceedingly grave.

"The seal is seamless and whole, but that isn't the hardest part. Within the ice box there seems to be an extremely violent power. I wonder whether it's only my imagination."

As the thought flashed through his mind, Qin Sang decided to make an attempt, and set the jade box on the ground. A gentle force then welled up from his palm and slowly drew near the box.

Time itself seemed to slow. Qin Sang's movements were exceedingly soft. At last, a faint light flickered across the surface of the box, and pale blue threads dimly surfaced in the ten-thousand-year mystic ice, the power of the seal made manifest.

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