Chapter 1220: Fishing Finally Yields Treasure
Daoist Baihua had come to report on her work to Li Ping.
Of course, her primary reason was to request more Source Power Essence.
After absorbing it several times and experiencing a meteoric rise in her strength, Baihua had developed an insatiable craving for it and could no longer do without.
In truth, the golden source power created through the You Clan's prayer rituals was still a step below true Source Power Essence.
However, for a Longevity cultivator of the ancient methods like Baihua, something that could push her cultivation even further was practically indistinguishable from the real thing.
As she greeted Li Ping, Baihua's gaze fell upon the two figures standing beside him: Qiaogong and Tianyang.
Though Tianyang appeared to be merely a teenager, the power contained within him sent a subtle chill through Baihua.
Qiaogong, on the other hand, exuded a familiar aura.
It was the unmistakable presence of a cultivator from beyond the Xuanhuang Realm.
The Great Qi Sacred Dynasty had attracted far too many peculiar individuals for her to count. By now, she was long past being surprised.
In fact, this was a welcome development for her.
After receiving the Source Power Essence from Li Ping, Baihua departed, thoroughly pleased.
"Fellow Daoist, who was that?" Qiaogong asked, a hint of caution in his voice.
"Daoist Baihua," Li Ping explained succinctly. "The former sect master of the Heavenly Lotus Sect from the Wansheng Realm."
The simple statement both startled Qiaogong and sent his mind reeling with possibilities.
Another survivor from a different cultivation world, just like him. It made him wonder: how many others were there in this small world?
Carrying this question with him, Qiaogong and Tianyang followed Li Ping on a general tour of the Great Qi Sacred Dynasty.
From the Immortal Spirit Towers that tirelessly released spiritual energy day and night to the Sky Patrolling Arrows that soared through the heavens on vigilant patrol, everything they saw left the pair in awe.
The inscrutable figures they occasionally encountered during their tour only reinforced a dawning realization: the Great Qi Sacred Dynasty was teeming with hidden masters, and beings like themselves...
...were far from the only ones.
Finally, they arrived within the chamber of the Sacred Throne.
Li Ping returned to his rightful place on the throne, looking down upon the two as his voice echoed through the vast, empty chamber.
"Fellow Daoist Qiaogong, I know you possess masterful skills in artifact refinement."
"I have some ideas for crafting a new type of puppet. I believe you may find them useful."
Qiaogong was immediately captivated by the plans Li Ping presented.
"Source Power Essence, combined with the Body Transformation Dao and the artifact refinement techniques of the Tianji Realm..."
"...to forge beings with their own consciousness, capable of rivaling immortal-grade puppets."
The more Qiaogong studied the plans, the more excited he became.
In his eyes, the plan was entirely feasible. Many of the concepts within even aligned perfectly with ideas he himself had long held.
"I will set aside a dedicated space within the Great Qi's small world for your research."
"Tianyang will assist you as well."
Li Ping continued, "First, you will craft some prototypes to test the process. Once you have perfected it, you will help modify Tianyang."
Hearing this, Qiaogong glanced at Tianyang, and understanding dawned on him.
"With Ink Flame as the foundation and Source Power Essence to fuel its sublimation..."
"Once completed, his power would be no less than that of a Longevity cultivator in the Xuanhuang Realm!"
The thought that he would soon be creating a true Longevity-level—and in a sense, immortal-level—being with his own hands filled Qiaogong with an irrepressible excitement.
Shortly after coordinating with the relevant personnel in the Great Qi, Qiaogong eagerly began his work, unable to wait a moment longer.
"Everything is in place," Li Ping thought. "Now, all that's left is to wait for the Medicine King Sect's return."
He had long since laid an inescapable net. The moment the Medicine King Cauldron returned to the Xuanhuang Realm, it would be drawn directly into the Great Qi's small world.
Pills would do little to enhance the overall strength of the Great Qi, but Li Ping had mastered numerous vicious formulas—recipes for pills that could severely weaken the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
The Faceless Sacred Emperor sat upon his throne, reviewing the recent affairs of the dynasty in his mind.
He didn't need to personally oversee every detail; all matters were proceeding in an orderly fashion, steadily improving.
Indeed, knowing that the Sacred Emperor's gaze was upon them at all times, no one dared to be negligent.
After reviewing these minor affairs, the Sacred Emperor's thoughts slowly settled.
His form flickered, and in the next instant, he appeared in a dark, secret chamber beneath the throne.
The chamber resembled an endless starry sky, where dozens of treasures floated silently like celestial bodies, each emitting a brilliant light.
The Sacred Dynasty's fishing tournament had never ceased for a moment.
The treasures reeled in from the Fishing Pool were innumerable.
And Li Ping had never broken the promise he made.
All these treasures belonged to the individual citizens of the Sacred Dynasty.
Of course, those who had no need for their prizes—either due to personal inclination or ignorance of the item's true purpose—could turn them in for other rewards.
This treasury housed the treasures from the Fishing Pool that remained unclaimed.
Most of them held little interest for Li Fan.
All except for one...
Li Ping extended his right hand, and a sliver of golden Source Power Essence materialized.
One of the orbs of light in the treasury reacted instantly. Before any of the others could move, it zipped to Li Ping's side.
It spun continuously, as if trying to curry favor.
Within the orb, the faint outline of a small kitten could be seen, its eyes fixed on Li Ping with an eager gaze.
Li Ping concentrated the Source Power Essence at the tip of his finger, and the kitten instantly understood his intent.
It drew near with a joyful purr and began to lick his finger.
"Neither beast nor artifact," Li Ping marveled internally. "The vast Star Sea is truly filled with wonders. To think such a creation even exists."
This little kitten looked utterly harmless.
In truth, however, the moment it drew near, the great web of golden source power within Li Fan's body had sensed danger and automatically erected its defenses.
Though it appeared to be a living creature, it possessed not the faintest trace of a life aura.
In fact, when it was first reeled in, it was merely a small, cat-shaped statue.
The lucky fisherman who caught it had tried every method imaginable to uncover its purpose, but to no avail. Disappointed, he eventually turned it over to the Sacred Dynasty in exchange for a different reward.
Initially, not even Li Ping had detected anything unusual about it.
That is, until the day he suddenly noticed that the number of treasures in the treasury had inexplicably dwindled. It was only after setting a little bait with some Source Power Essence that he managed to catch the culprit.
The cat, it turned out, was merely one of its forms.
After sating its hunger, it was lazily preparing to sleep when it sensed a thought from Li Ping.
Though somewhat reluctant, the kitten considered its future meals and let out a faint, listless growl.
With a flicker of eerie, cyan light, the kitten transformed into a small, square box.
Strange images were engraved on the box's four sides.
Falling stars descended upon an earth teeming with countless beasts.
Across the Star Sea, an endless fleet of colossal ships sailed in a mighty procession.
Two colossal figures stood in opposition, separated by a river of light and shadow.
...
Li Ping held the small, square box and aimed it at one of the other orbs of light in the treasury.
One end of the box instantly released an eerie, cyan glow.
The light enveloped the targeted orb.
Comments