Chapter 40

This cave is where the disciples of the Shura Sect secluded themselves to break through to the Qi Refinement and Spirit Transformation stage. This means that his strength should be at the tenth level of the Reversion Realm, the final stage of Qi Refinement. Such a powerful expert, the things he left behind must not be simple.

The group followed the stone path in the poison pool, passed through the highly toxic water, and arrived at the final platform.

On the platform, a ghastly white skeleton lay on the table. Around the table, there were many shattered fragments of magical artifacts, clearly indicating that his magical artifacts had disintegrated before his death.

At the tenth level of the Reversion Realm, during the breakthrough, if one fails, it is highly likely to result in a mental breakdown, with heart fire burning and consuming oneself. Even the magical artifacts worn on the body would not be spared. Seeing the scattered fragments of magical artifacts, everyone sighed inwardly, all wasted. Otherwise, these magical artifacts should have been very powerful.

However, apart from these magical artifacts, there were other things. A jade box on the table had already been opened slightly, with six small holes inside, containing five pills. One of the holes was already empty. In addition, a black ring was still on a finger bone, looking very ordinary, and that was all.

"This is a storage ring, but it is a magical artifact-level item. We need to appraise it to open it. With our current abilities, we can't do it," Lu Yuling first took off the black ring from the finger bone, looked at it, and then shook her head with a mix of surprise and helplessness.

A magical artifact is an equipment that surpasses magical artifacts, the difference being as vast as the gap between ordinary Qi Refinement and Spirit Transformation cultivators. However, magical artifacts have their own spirits, and once they leave their owners, they will become defiled.

The term "spiritual objects become defiled, choosing a wise master" refers to the existence of magical artifacts. To obtain a magical artifact that does not belong to you, you need to appraise it, awakening the spirit of the magical artifact. Otherwise, the magical artifact will remain dormant, no better than a common item, even inferior to the lowest magical artifact.

The fact that this storage ring is a magical artifact-level item is indeed surprising, but the need for appraisal is frustrating.

A magical artifact? Zhuge Xiang was also very curious. This is a legendary item that surpasses the 12-star level of magical artifacts, truly something that can be called a "treasure." Curiously taking it from Lu Yuling's hand, Zhuge Xiang examined it.

Sumeru Treasure Ring (1-star Magical Artifact): Requires appraisal. Note: Obtain the初级鉴定师 (初级 appraisal master) title to appraise.

The appraisal of a magical artifact involves awakening its inherent abilities, making the spirit of the magical artifact sense and awaken. Zhuge Xiang thought that with his super game system, he might be able to see through its information like other things, but unexpectedly, he could only see that it was a 1-star magical artifact. As for its attributes and abilities, he could see nothing, and it still required appraisal.

As for the life skill system? Zhuge Xiang really didn't know when he could successfully activate it. It seems that this magical artifact ring, though good, is far from being useful at the moment.

Although it is a magical artifact, without appraisal, it can only make people envious. Unless they can encounter an appraiser in the future and successfully appraise it, it's uncertain whether this ring can be activated.

Since the magical artifact ring couldn't be opened, the group focused on the other jade box. There were six small holes, but only five pills remained, clearly indicating that one had already been used.

Zhuge Xiang picked up one of the pills first, examined it, and the data information naturally appeared.

Nine Apertures Mystic Pill (Special Consumable): Consuming it can change the meridians and marrow, transforming the body and enhancing one's cultivation potential, freeing one from the fate of being mediocre. Limited to one use. The lower the cultivation, the better the effect.

Sigh, what a good item. When Zhuge Xiang explained the effects of the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill, everyone present drew a sharp breath. They didn't expect that a mere disciple who hadn't yet comprehended the Spirit Transformation stage would possess such a miraculous pill.

To change the meridians and marrow, transform the body, and enhance one's potential? Such a pill is too powerful. It seems to be a type of pill that changes one's constitution, with better effects for those with lower cultivation. That makes sense; the higher one's cultivation, the further they have progressed on the path of cultivation, and the less effective it would be to return and enhance one's constitution.

The Nine Apertures Mystic Pill is indeed a good item, making everyone's hearts burn with excitement. Although everyone is a genius of this generation, with unquestionable talent, any improvement in talent is always a good thing. Even a small improvement means faster cultivation and a longer journey. Who wouldn't be envious?

However, there are six people present, and only five Nine Apertures Mystic Pills in the jade box. How to divide them? It's a pity that there were originally six pills, but one is missing for some reason.

"If I'm not mistaken, the six Nine Apertures Mystic Pills in here were probably eaten by that demon moth, which opened its spiritual intelligence and enhanced its talent," Lu Yuling sighed slightly, then looked at the five Nine Apertures Mystic Pills in the jade box and said, "Since the higher one's cultivation, the less effective the pill, and my cultivation is the highest, I don't need this pill."

"Senior Sister Lu..." Hearing Lu Yuling's words, Hua Nongying called out anxiously but didn't know what to say. With only five pills, someone was bound to miss out, and whoever it was would likely be dissatisfied.

"I contributed the least and didn't help much in the battle. I'll give it up," Niu Geng scratched his head awkwardly and said.

Lu Yuling's kindness and Niu Geng's loyalty, even in the face of such a good item as the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill, could still be abandoned. Zhuge Xiang shook his head, thinking they didn't seem like disciples of a demonic sect.

Shaking his head, Zhuge Xiang said, "Alright, stop arguing. I'll give up this Nine Apertures Mystic Pill."

"How can that be?" Even Ling Wufeng and Ji Wuxue, who had been silent, felt embarrassed. Zhuge Xiang's contributions in the battle were evident to all. Without him, everyone would have died. The Nine Apertures Mystic Pill is something no one can do without, especially him.

Seeing everyone's reactions, Zhuge Xiang was somewhat satisfied. Everyone wants good things, especially those that can enhance talent, which is understandable. However, their reactions showed that they still had principles, which was commendable, unlike Lei Potian, who would even kill fellow disciples for equipment.

"Alright, let's do it my way. You all know I'm a combat genius. Such items that enhance talent are not very meaningful to me. My growth is destined to be on the battlefield," Zhuge Xiang said firmly, then distributed the five extremely valuable Nine Apertures Mystic Pills to everyone.

Zhuge Xiang's words were indeed correct. Although his cultivation is now at the third level of Qi Refinement, he has tried and found that if he focuses solely on meditation, he gains only about 10 points of experience per day, totaling 3,600 points per year. This means it would take a year to barely reach the fourth level of Qi Refinement, which is too slow.

To grow quickly, he can only rely on gaining experience through battles. Therefore, the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill, which enhances cultivation potential, is not very useful to him, though it is very effective for most people.

"Alright, since you say so, we won't be pretentious. Since we've divided the Nine Apertures Mystic Pills, this magical artifact-level storage ring will go to you. Although we can't open it now, it can still fetch a good price when sold back at headquarters," Lu Yuling, who understood Zhuge Xiang's character, knew he wouldn't let himself suffer for no reason. If he said he didn't need it, he probably really didn't.

Lu Yuling's suggestion was met with nods of agreement from Hua Nongying and others. Everyone got a Nine Apertures Mystic Pill, and considering Zhuge Xiang's contributions in the battle, giving him the magical artifact-level ring was reasonable.

Without wasting time, the five people each took a Nine Apertures Mystic Pill, sat cross-legged, and absorbed the medicinal power. Zhuge Xiang watched Niu Geng, knowing that this was the key for Niu Geng to catch up with the geniuses. The ability to change the meridians and marrow, transform the body, and with only the first level of Qi Refinement, the Nine Apertures Mystic Pill would have the greatest effect on Niu Geng.

While the five people absorbed the medicinal power and enhanced their talent, Zhuge Xiang, with nothing to do, quietly inventoried his gains from this trip.

*Piercing Arrow*: Skill book, requires 1 skill point.

*Wolf Tooth Arrow Recipe*: Requires a 1-star blacksmith, cloud-refined steel, yin locust wood. *Wolf Tooth Arrow*: Attack +8, ignores 5 defense.

These were the two items the demon moth dropped besides the repair oil, both of which Zhuge Xiang needed. With the demon moth killed, Zhuge Xiang was only 1,000 experience points away from the fourth level of Qi Refinement. Once he leveled up, he could learn the Piercing Arrow skill. The attack power of the Wolf Tooth Arrow is clearly much better than ordinary arrows. With the addition of the 2-star magical artifact, the Hundred-Refined Bow, Zhuge Xiang's long-range attack capabilities would be formidable.

Next, Zhuge Xiang took out several items he had looted from Lei Potian. Lei Potian was killed by Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng working together, so his items were their spoils of war, not needing to be distributed.

Besides Lei Potian's 1-star magical artifact, a large broadaxe, and a Breath Concealment Jade, there were three other magical artifacts, likely obtained from his deceitful killings of fellow disciples. Now, they would benefit Zhuge Xiang. As Zhuge Xiang examined them, the information of the three magical artifacts automatically appeared.