Devour

Chapter 463 What Does He Prefer?

"Don't worry, these two Rejuvenation Fruits are definitely genuine!"

Li Tong said confidently, "I have studied it in depth. The Five Extreme Divine Fruits imitated by the Sun Chaser Clan can only be preserved for a few more years if a restriction is applied. Even if secret techniques such as preserving youth, consolidating essence, and sealing spirit are used, the limit is no more than a thousand years. The imitation will definitely decay and turn to ashes on its own."

Cheng Bai suddenly realized: "These two can actually last for more than a thousand cycles of reincarnation! It is clear that the genuine article contains some kind of immortality."

Li Tong corrected, "This incorruptibility is relative and depends on the storage conditions. After all, rare spiritual objects like the Rejuvenation Fruit will wither and petrify even after ten thousand years, losing all their efficacy and becoming inedible."

With no doubt about it, Cheng Bai firmly declared: "This is the Rejuvenation Fruit produced by the Five Extremes Treasure Tree, a fifth-grade source-grade spiritual essence, absolutely genuine! It should be priceless, and in terms of medicinal value, two fruits might be worth two thousand four hundred taels of green gold."

Lan Xinqi's eyes gleamed with a strange light, and she said with a half-smile, "The Holy Lord of the White Emperor has exceptional insight. After hearing your wise judgment, I feel much more at ease."

Cheng Bai glanced at her indifferently, thinking to himself, "Mr. Lan's words have a hidden meaning. Could it be that she is also eager to know the test results, and that's why she let us in just now?"

The Divine Fire Source, the most prized treasure, was surprisingly not matched with a single dedicated rune lantern in the No. 28 magic array.

The crimson flame, resembling a large firebird with outstretched wings, hovered and danced, with every feather made of blazing flames clearly visible.

It soars tirelessly through the air, radiating an awe-inspiring divine power that envelops the entire Treasure Hall. The warm yet heavy sense of oppression one feels upon first entering the hall originates from this.

This special rune array is definitely the largest and most dazzling one in the hall, evolving into eighty-four golden chain phantoms that trapped the firebird within the array.

An Yiren's eyes widened, and he opened his mouth, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Guo Xieke took a deep breath, trying to make his expression appear less surprised and flustered.

Bei Tingjun's face was as pale as paper, and he trembled slightly as he shrank back, his fear and unease impossible to hide.

Cheng Bai used the inherited Rubik's Cube to analyze the matter, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "The fifth-tier Venerable-grade Divine Fire Source, 'Southern Bright Fire.' This treasure is extremely powerful and is specifically designed to subdue Yin spirits and ghosts. This alone is enough to demonstrate its immense power, and the destructive force it contains is truly unimaginable!"

After a moment's hesitation, he added, "This treasure is currently within the magic array's restriction, yet it still exudes a powerful aura. If it were allowed to appear in the world, it could instantly turn the surrounding area into a fiery mountain, deterring both humans and ghosts from approaching. Its value is extremely difficult to measure, but if I had to estimate it, it would be worth approximately 108 million taels of green gold, just for your reference."

Guo Xieke was startled by the astonishing number and almost thought he had misheard. After regaining his senses, he hurriedly said, "This one item alone is worth far more than all the treasures mentioned before combined. Is this really true?"

“What the Holy Lord Baidi said is correct.” Lan Xinqi said with a serious expression, “On the surface, the Rejuvenation Fruit is of a higher grade, but in reality, it should be compared with the Southern Fire by the entire Five Extremes Treasure Tree! Therefore, this kind of divine fire source is the real grand treasure of the Immortal Gathering.”

Cheng Bai pondered for a moment and said, "The so-called 'rank' is actually a standard for judging the quality of a certain type of thing. It is neither equivalent to value, nor is it easy to make comparisons between different categories."

Lan Xinqi smiled and agreed: "Besides, considering only the price, the Southern Flame may not be comparable to the treasure held by the White Emperor."

"Hahaha... Is that so?" Cheng Bai masked his laughter with a hearty laugh, and with a slight thought, he stored the Inheritance Cube into the Golden Pagoda in his sea of ​​consciousness.

Bei Tingjun weighed the various treasures and said, "With such abundant natural resources, if used properly, it might be enough to allow a prodigy to reach the realm of a sage within a hundred years."

Lan Xinqi shook her head and said, "Don't overthink it. The academy is holding the Immortal Gathering, which is a resource feast carefully prepared for all twenty-eight geniuses, not just for one person."

She glanced at the corner of the hall and saw that the incense stick was about to burn out. She turned around and urged, "It's almost time. Now that you've finished watching, please go back."

Everyone looked up and saw that the magic array inside the hall had distorted space, and the scene in front of them was connected to the entrance. They took a few steps and found themselves back at the entrance of the Treasure Hall.

Lan Xinqi asked casually, "White Emperor Holy Lord, as one of the special guests invited to this grand event, have you already decided which treasure is most suitable for you?"

Cheng Bai thought for a moment and replied humbly, "Please allow me to consider it carefully."

Lan Xinqi's eyes flickered slightly as she slowly inquired of Guo Xieke, "In the heart of Holy Lord Guo, which one do you prefer?"

Guo Xieke hesitated and said, "Well... a high grade and a high price are not necessarily suitable. After all, this year's Immortal Gathering is full of talented people competing, so we must think carefully before making a decision. Besides, my disciple is the only invited guest, not me. I need to go back and discuss it with him."

After seeing the four off, Lan Xinqi returned to the Treasure Hall and respectfully bowed to the inside, saying, "Teacher, do you think this matter was handled satisfactorily?"

Master Li, whom Lan Xinqi referred to as "absent," was actually pacing around the hall with his back to her, lingering among the dazzling array of treasures.

Master Li went straight to the number twenty-seven magic array, made a hand seal to release the restriction and blockade, and summoned the magic treasure "Thorn Pattern Longevity Vessel" which swayed in the air and took away the two Rejuvenation Fruits.

"Thanks to this appraisal, it has been confirmed that the Rejuvenation Fruit is genuine, and I must keep it for my own use. However, taking it away like this will leave an empty slot in the treasure vault, which will need to be filled with something else."

After Master Li finished speaking, he took out a silk scroll of secret manual from the Sumeru Mustard Seed and gently placed it in the empty space of the magic array.

Lan Xinqi remained doubtful and said, "Teacher, the White Emperor's knowledge and experience far surpass any other human king from other realms I have ever seen. This person is definitely not ordinary! But I cannot discern whether what he holds in his hand is the 'Inheritance Cube'?"

Master Li restored the magic array's restrictions and turned back, saying, "I have seen it twice now. The first time was inside Queen Yao's spirit boat, and I had doubts at the time. Today I am finally convinced that it must be the legacy cube left by the late emperor who spared no effort to preserve it. Only its spirit can distinguish the authenticity of the Rejuvenation Cube."

Lan Xinqi asked, "Shouldn't we go and retrieve the immortal artifact for the Empress?"

Master Li waved his hand casually and instructed, "No need. He is already by the Empress's side, and this matter will be properly arranged. You just proceed with the Immortal Gathering as planned; everything is under control."

……

After leaving Yilan Terrace, Cheng Bai bid farewell to Guo Xieke and An Yiren, and led Bei Tingjun on a hurried journey to Tinghe Terrace to the west.

In the distance, the faint sounds of fierce clashing weapons could be heard, sounding particularly jarring in the tranquil and peaceful academy.

Bei Tingjun frowned slightly and said softly, "There are two people fighting ahead. They are agile and their moves are fierce, both approaching the mid-stage of the Formless Realm. One of them seems to be..."

As soon as he stepped out of the palace gate, Cheng Bai sensed the battle in the distance with his Phoenix Power. Without thinking twice, he interrupted, "She's fighting with someone! Go and see what's going on!"

Bei Tingjun pouted and snorted, "Your Majesty is truly biased; you've never cared about me like this before." Though her voice held a hint of resentment, she followed closely behind.

"Nonsense, nonsense..." Cheng Bai replied perfunctorily, but his mind was already wandering far away, and he quickened his pace.

The plaza at Tinghetai is no smaller than that at Zhumapo, with magnificent spirit boats moored in order and towering buildings standing all around.

In an open space, a group of people were watching two figures darting about, locked in a fierce battle.

Each clash of weapons would create visible ripples of spiritual energy that spread outwards, causing the trees at the edge of the square to tremble and rustle.

One of them, dressed in the Plain True Flying Armor, the silver-white plates reflecting a cold, sharp light in the sunlight, held a city-breaking cudgel and focused intently on defending himself; it was Ningxiang.

Her movements were as nimble as a wisp of smoke, and she used the Flying Sand Staff Technique with impenetrable force. Suddenly, the staff swept across, and the solidified power stirred up billowing sand and dust, creating terrifying afterimages.

Facing him was a handsome young man with arrogant eyes, clad in light blue armor and wielding a matching spear. His moves were wide and sweeping, each strike accompanied by a sharp whistle, exuding an overwhelming aura that seemed to tear through the sky and pierce the clouds.

The two sides clashed with spears and clubs, each exchange imbued with their own inner energy, sparking bursts of fire and the resounding clang of metal against metal, making it difficult to determine the victor for the time being.

After several rounds of fierce fighting, Ningxiang feinted an attack, then spun around and unleashed her ultimate technique, "Gathering Sand into a Tower." The sand surged and coalesced into a towering sand tower, crashing down upon her opponent.