Chapter 6: Surprise and Gain

«Purple Orchid Leaf, White Spirit Ginseng Fruit, Snow Lotus Seed, Blood Lotus Essence…»

Standing before the flowerbed, Wei Yang meticulously identified the precious spiritual herbs, recognizing some while many remained unfamiliar.

These seemingly casually planted flowers and grasses were, in reality, far more valuable than the piles of gold coins they outshone.

At this moment, Wei Yang's eyes sparkled with amazement as he muttered the names of these rare, high-level herbs.

Finally, his gaze landed on the central position of the flowerbed, where a white-and-red alternating leaf plant stood.

«Ice Flame Grass!»

This plant had white and red sections. The white stems were covered with tiny crystal-like particles, while the fiery red crown seemed to blaze like a flame.

Two completely opposite colors and attributes grew on the same plant, truly a marvel.

A faint mist surrounded the plant, giving it a celestial aura.

«Just this flowerbed with dozens of herbs, if exchanged with Medicine Elder, would at least fetch a ground-level skill book,» Wei Yang couldn't help but smile.

These were treasures anyone would envy.

Smelling the unique fragrance of the herbs, he felt elated.

…

After a long while, Wei Yang finally exhaled deeply, calming himself.

Eventually, his gaze shifted to the three locked stone boxes on the bluestone platform.

He stepped forward, bent down, and touched the metal locks on the stone boxes, feeling a slight warmth.

Even after countless years, these locks retained their warmth, indicating they were no ordinary metals.

Wei Yang glanced at the skeletal remains seated behind the stone table, noting the three black keys hanging from its bony hand.

«Forgive me, senior,» Wei Yang bowed respectfully.

He then carefully took the keys, placing them on the stone table, and gently lifted the skeletal arm.

With a light squeeze, a crack sounded as the arm bone broke.

Through the fracture, he could vaguely see a small scroll hidden within the bone.

«One of the four fragments of the Nether Lotus Demon Fire Map!»

Wei Yang cautiously extracted the scroll from the arm bone.

«The three boxes and precious herbs openly displayed to attract attention, while secretly hiding this scroll within the arm bone. This senior clearly didn't want future generations to know of this scroll's existence,» Wei Yang thought.

Typically, those who enter ancient ruins and obtain their fortunes rarely disturb the remains.

After all, intruding on someone's resting place and taking their possessions already shows a lack of respect; destroying the bones would be even more disrespectful.

If it weren't for Xiao Yan accidentally breaking the arm bone while retrieving the keys, he wouldn't have discovered the scroll either.

Placing the arm bone back, Wei Yang apologized once more before returning to the stone table, examining the small scroll in his hand.

It was an ancient-looking scroll, its color slightly yellowed with age.

Unrolling it slowly, he found a piece of parchment with seemingly random lines drawn on it.

This was the greatest opportunity here.

One of the four fragments of the Nether Lotus Demon Fire Map.

The Nether Lotus Demon Fire, ranked third on the Flame Rankings, was unique in the world.

This map fragment contained a residual will left by the semi-emperor Nether Lotus Demon Saint.

Of course, one needed to collect all four fragments to reveal its true form, which would aid in subduing the Nether Lotus Demon Fire.

«Nether Lotus Demon Fire…»

Wei Yang's eyes filled with longing.

Then he laughed, shaking his head, «Too far-fetched, considering it's a high-level Dou Saint's fire!»

«However, even if I don't plan to seek the Nether Lotus Demon Fire, this fragment alone can be traded for significant benefits in the future. Exchanging it for a heavenly skill or technique wouldn't be unreasonable,» Wei Yang mused.

«And there's also the famous investor, Ice Emperor Haibodong, who possesses another fragment. Should I try to obtain it?»

Wei Yang carefully rolled up the scroll and tucked it securely into his chest.

With two fragments in hand, they would be worth at least two heavenly skills when the space sealing the Nether Lotus Demon Fire opens.

«Let's see. The opportunity might not be great, given there's only about five years left, and I don't practice alchemy,» he thought.

Finally, Wei Yang shook his head. One shouldn't be too greedy.

It's important to be cautious.

Collecting his thoughts, Wei Yang picked up the three black keys and began unlocking the stone boxes.

The first box, he selected a key randomly from the three, inserted it into the warm metal lock, and turned it gently.

«Not this one.»

The key only went in partially before stopping.

Undeterred, Wei Yang tried another key.

With a light click, the metal lock opened.

Inside was a colorful scroll.

«Seven-Colored Poison Manual.»

Wei Yang took out the scroll, glanced through it briefly, and set it aside.

Next, he unlocked the second box.

Inside was a black scroll.

Opening it, he found a line of small characters: Advanced Profound Level Flying Skill: Eagle Wings!

Rare flying skills, and advanced profound level at that.

Wei Yang admired the black scroll, satisfied.

On the Dou Qi Continent, only Dou Kings and above could fly using Dou Qi to form wings.

Dou Spirit experts could manage short-distance flights.

But below Dou Spirit?

They had to rely on their legs.

Flying skills allowed one to fly without reaching Dou King, making them incredibly valuable.

This advanced profound level flying skill was worth as much as a low-level earth skill.

It's the favorite of those who love to kite enemies.

Wei Yang placed the scroll aside and opened the last box.

Inside were two scrolls.

The first scroll read: Advanced Profound Level Dou Skill, Lion's Roar.

A Dou skill combining Dou Qi and sound waves, dealing both physical and sonic damage.

«Advanced Profound Level Dou Skill, not bad,» Wei Yang thought, setting it down and picking up the second scroll.

Advanced Profound Level Technique, Lion's Blaze Technique.

«Advanced Profound Level Technique, fire attribute!» Wei Yang grinned silently.

Surprise!

Excitement!

This technique was an unexpected gain!

In the original story, this third box was taken by the Wolf Head Mercenary Group from Qingshan Town.

Their leader, Mu She, used the advanced profound level Dou Skill: Lion's Roar.

Although the original didn't mention the technique, the owner of this place clearly intended to leave a legacy, not just a skill without its corresponding technique.

Typically, techniques and skills are paired to maximize their effectiveness.

So finding both here proved his theory correct.

Not only did the third box contain the advanced profound level Dou Skill Lion's Roar, but also its corresponding technique Lion's Blaze Technique.

Most importantly, it's a fire attribute technique!

What did Wei Yang need most?

Without a doubt, a technique!

Wei Yang perused the scroll, feeling both surprised and not.

This senior, capable of crafting a flying skill, was likely fire attribute too, making it unsurprising his technique was also fire attribute.

(End of Chapter)