Chapter 723: 祖越完了

"Wow, so this is the unique aspect of the formation..."

"It's truly awe-inspiring."

Around Ji Yuan, Zaoniang and Jin Jia, due to their personalities, didn't say much. Wei Wuwei always remained calm. Only Hu Yun and Sun Yaya freely expressed their admiration, which made the Spirit Treasure Pavilion cultivators nearby feel a touch of pride. Constantly observing Ji Yuan's gaze, they naturally understood what he was looking at.

"These Ruyi Treasure Coins truly live up to their name, 'as-you-wish.' Their previous uses were varied and adaptable. Only a select few fortunate cultivators were able to acquire them. Unless there was a close relationship or urgent need, our Spirit Treasure Pavilion would not proactively mention the Ruyi Treasure Coins; we would instead seek alternative items. Furthermore, these coins are primarily reserved for internal use within our Spirit Treasure Pavilion."

The steward continued, his tone a mix of praise and lament.

"It's a pity that Immortal Ji only gave out two hundred Ruyi Treasure Coins back then. While not a small number for such treasures, they are incredibly difficult to obtain considering their utility. Nowadays, only a few strategically important Spirit Treasure Pavilions possess two or three Ruyi Treasure Coins, displayed to command respect, and brought out only when a highly skilled individual seeks a rare and otherwise unobtainable mystical item, to enhance our pavilion's reputation."

The Spirit Treasure Pavilion on Jade Spirit Peak was considered quite important, boasting three Ruyi coins on display.

"Sir, these Ruyi Treasure Coins couldn't possibly be from you, could they?"

Many around Ji Yuan had already grasped the steward's unspoken meaning. Hu Yun, quick to speak, asked first.

"Indeed, I gave them out back then. Of course, I simply called them 'Dharma Coins,' which isn't as elegant a name as the one the Spirit Treasure Pavilion fellow uses."

There was no need to hide it, so Ji Yuan readily admitted it. Moreover, compared to their initial state, the Dharma Coins had truly reached their peak after Ji Yuan's numerous improvements over the years.

At this point, the other people in the Spirit Treasure Pavilion gradually recovered from the shock of its transformation and began looking around with curious expressions. The sheer number of rare and precious items, considered extraordinary by many, was truly dazzling.

A man wearing a dignified dark blue robe and a small coronet adorned with a golden hairpin slowly approached Ji Yuan and his companions. Upon reaching them, he respectfully bowed.

"Bi Wen, the Grand Steward of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion on Jade Spirit Peak, greets Sir Ji and fellow cultivators!"

After Ji Yuan and his group returned the bow, the Grand Steward quickly stepped closer. He nodded to the steward who had been attending to Ji Yuan and his companions, then said with a wide smile:

"Sir Ji, your visit to our Spirit Treasure Pavilion is truly an honor, and I apologize for not greeting you sooner. All our treasure chambers are now open; please feel free to browse and see if anything catches your eye. I will accompany you all."

"Good, we'll take a look around."

Unsurprisingly, the group's primary direction was towards the innermost part of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion.

The treasures displayed, apart from some magical artifacts, were generally natural wonders: rare flowers and exotic herbs, as well as various pills and medicinal ingredients. Some even looked quite unassuming, either dull black or like ordinary stones, yet the faint aura emanating from them was extraordinary.

The surrounding cultivators also began to move through the various open treasure chambers. The Spirit Treasure Pavilion staff were very generous; since all chambers were open, they freely informed everyone that they could look at anything they wished. However, acquiring any desired treasure would depend on their own capabilities.

Aside from the fluttering paper cranes, Hu Yun and Sun Yaya were the most excited. They were the first to rush to the magical formation where the Ruyi Treasure Coins were displayed, with the previous Spirit Treasure Pavilion steward following them.

"Yaya, from what was just said, these Ruyi Treasure Coins seem to have been given by Sir Ji?"

"Yes, that's right!"

"Then does Sir Ji still have more of these coins on him?"

The Spirit Treasure Pavilion steward interjected at this point.

"This treasure was refined by Sir Ji; he undoubtedly still possesses some. You two appear to be Sir Ji's younger generation. Have you not heard of Sir Ji's Ruyi Treasure Coins?"

"Sir is often not at home, and how could we possibly know everything about him?" Hu Yun replied casually.

The Spirit Treasure Pavilion steward's eyes lit up slightly at Hu Yun's casual reply. This seemingly ordinary sentence revealed two pieces of information: the speaker could frequently visit Ji Yuan's home, and their tone was very relaxed and informal.

Nearby, an old and a young cultivator also arrived at the central treasure chamber. Anyone with discernment could tell that the items here were particularly precious. Even without an equivalent item to trade, it was still good to come and broaden one's horizons.

The arriving elder had kind eyes, a benevolent expression, and a thin build. Beside him was a girl who looked about eleven or twelve, dressed in simple everyday clothes, with a beaded flower in her hair.

"Ruyi Treasure Coins, Master, what kind of treasure is this? Is it a magical artifact?"

The elder, of course, didn't know, so he looked at the Spirit Treasure Pavilion steward, who, understanding his unspoken question, explained:

"This treasure is called a Ruyi Treasure Coin. Since it's a coin, it's naturally used for buying things. However, it doesn't purchase ordinary tangible items like clothes, food, or housing, but rather a form of assistance!"

"Oh? Could you elaborate, fellow cultivator?"

The steward glanced at Hu Yun and Sun Yaya nearby, then nodded.

"To put it plainly, these coins contain a magical power akin to 'Dao Intent.' As their name suggests, they can be used according to one's will. They can facilitate spellcasting, aid cultivation, help one resist inner demons and illusions, and even allow one to learn spells using their power. When used for spellcasting, Dao Intent spontaneously arises, helping one remember that feeling and ensuring rapid progress!"

"That's amazing?"

"Indeed. The Ruyi Treasure Coins still possess many undiscovered mystical properties, which is why they are extremely valuable."

The little girl was deeply moved and couldn't help but ask another question.

"Then how would your esteemed pavilion be willing to transfer these Ruyi Treasure Coins?"

The Spirit Treasure Pavilion steward looked the little girl up and down, then glanced at the elder beside her. After a quick calculation with his fingers, he shook his head and said:

"Sirs, the Ruyi Treasure Coins are among the most precious items in our Spirit Treasure Pavilion. They are reserved for emergencies and are only transferred to those who have a predestined connection. You both appear to be in good spirits and are not urgently seeking any treasures from our pavilion. If your intention is merely to acquire Ruyi Treasure Coins for potential future need, our pavilion will not part with them."

The way cultivators ran their shops differed somewhat from conventional commerce. The steward's words were overheard by Ji Yuan, who was examining a piece of jade nearby, and he fully approved.

"Sir, is this what you often refer to as 'fated connection'?"

Zaoniang, by Ji Yuan's side, asked softly. Ji Yuan turned to look at her and smiled.

"Yes, and no. The Spirit Treasure Pavilion's 'fated connection' does carry that meaning. But beyond that, selling precious items to those in urgent need makes them more grateful. This particular 'fated connection' benefits the Spirit Treasure Pavilion more."

The Grand Steward of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion on the side also nodded in agreement.

"Sir Ji is correct. This aligns with both parties' desires, and is indeed a type of fated connection."

Ji Yuan's smile did not wane. With his Dharma Eye fully open, he scanned the one hundred and eight treasure chambers of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion. More than the numerous treasures, what truly captivated Ji Yuan was the Spirit Treasure Pavilion's Tiangang Disha formation.

In fact, Ji Yuan possessed a very unique formation-type treasure: the "Sword Intent Calligraphy" from his sleeve. The calligraphy itself, combined with the word-spirits that had absorbed ink five times, could already form some extremely special formations. At this moment, the small characters were also meticulously observing the Spirit Treasure Pavilion's formation through Ji Yuan's sleeve.

After observing for a while, Ji Yuan suddenly took out the "Sword Intent Calligraphy" and a string of Dharma Coins, handing them both to Zaoniang beside him.

"I mentioned before that you could buy something you like. This will be the fund. You hold onto it; I need to step out for a moment."

"Understood."

Once Zaoniang accepted the Dharma Coins, Ji Yuan quickly departed, exiting the Spirit Treasure Pavilion. The nearby Spirit Treasure Pavilion cultivators had already fixed their attention entirely on Zaoniang's hand; a string of Ruyi Dharma Coins like that surely numbered in the dozens.

However, the Spirit Treasure Pavilion's Grand Steward and Wei Wuwei accompanied Ji Yuan as he left. As the three stepped out of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion's entrance, the vast and wondrous interior scene instantly vanished. Looking back, it was merely a reasonably tall pavilion.

"Sir Ji, your cultivation is boundless and your magic limitless; few things can trouble you. However, if there is anything at all that you need, please inform the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, and we will naturally assist with all our might."

"Many things can trouble me, Grand Steward Bi. Do those words represent the Spirit Treasure Pavilion or just you personally?"

"Hahaha, Sir, with your Spirit Treasure Jade Token, you naturally represent our entire Spirit Treasure Pavilion."

Ji Yuan nodded and then looked towards the sky. From that direction, Lian Baiping of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and several True Immortals from Jade Embrace Mountain, including Ju Yuanzi, were already flying over.

"Grand Steward Bi, I have a calligraphy scroll, and the word-spirits on it are currently observing the Spirit Treasure Pavilion's grand formation to learn about formations. It's with Zaoniang. Consider this the observation fee. If there's any issue, you can stop them."

Ji Yuan handed five Dharma Coins to Grand Steward Bi, who carefully accepted them without any objection. It was simply open observation, not theft of formation diagrams or destruction, and receiving Ruyi Coins for it was truly a bargain.

It was at this moment that Lian Baiping's voice carried over.

"Sir Ji, your junior has been waiting for quite some time!"

As he spoke, the several figures who had arrived on clouds landed outside the Spirit Treasure Pavilion and cupped their hands in salute to Ji Yuan. Wei Wuwei, on the side, quickly stepped away, not daring to accept the salutations from the elders of Jade Embrace Mountain. The True Immortals of Jade Embrace, meanwhile, found the plump Wei Wuwei even more pleasing to the eye.

Ji Yuan returned the salute, but his gaze was fixed on the northeastern sky. The True Immortals of Jade Embrace and even the Grand Steward of the Spirit Treasure Pavilion did the same. Not just them, but all cultivators on Jade Spirit Peak with sufficient cultivation or spiritual perception also looked. Jiang Xueling and Zhou Xian also stood on the back of the Heaven Devouring Beast, gazing into the distance.

The distant sky alternately brightened and darkened, and faint sounds of wind and thunder could be heard, as if an illusion. Yet, all cultivators capable of observing this scene knew it was no illusion.

"Zuyue Kingdom is finished!"

Lian Baiping stroked his long beard and stated calmly.

Two thousand li away, in the capital of Zuyue Kingdom, the Emperor of Zuyue knelt on a high platform in the square outside the imperial city, his gaze vacant and his hair dishevelled. He was surrounded by Da Zhen soldiers. Below the platform, numerous former Zuyue royalty and nobles, along with many citizens of the imperial city, watched with somewhat bewildered expressions.

A mere imperial bloodline, even that of a reigning emperor, would not ordinarily be enough to fully represent a nation's destiny. However, at this specific moment, it was an extremely unique situation, an apt convergence.

Dressed in full armor, Yin Zhong sat with two other generals in the inner section of the high platform. The old general in the middle threw out a command arrow.

"Execute!"