A meeting gift? A spirit artifact?
Yun Ze stared at the mountain of spirit artifacts before him, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He couldn't help but rub his eyes, and only after confirming he wasn't mistaken did he gasp for air.
It felt like he had toiled for over a decade, finally earning a few slivers of silver, constantly on guard against anyone who might try to snatch them.
Then, he turned to see the person he was wary of was carrying a pile of gold, and was now tossing some out, telling him to take a couple!
The impact was overwhelming!
However, Yun Ze didn't reach out.
After a moment of shock, he looked at Yu Xian, "Brother Yu, I misunderstood you.
But I cannot accept rewards without merit. You should quickly put these things away, lest they cause unnecessary trouble."
Yun Ze knew the principle that an innocent man is often condemned for possessing treasures.
Let alone his family heirloom of immortal jade, even a first-tier spirit sword could make the previous immortal risk his life to snatch it.
Now, with so many spirit artifacts before him, if some powerful beings were to notice, the three of them would likely be in grave danger.
"Hey, what are you talking about, rewards without merit? Once I give a gift, there's no taking it back!"
Yu Xian waved his hand as if the pile of items meant nothing to him, "Besides, these things were all given to me by others. They aren't worth much in spirit stones.
Each of you pick one or two, consider it your reward for taking care of me all the way to the capital of the Tangshan Dynasty."
Taking care of him to the capital? That's like escorting a caravan!
I'm familiar with that!
But to use spirit artifacts as payment, his parents probably wouldn't earn as much in a lifetime of escorting as he would on this single trip.
Yun Ze looked at the pile of spirit artifacts. It was a lie to say he wasn't tempted.
Since Brother Yu had said so, if he didn't take anything, it would be disrespectful.
"Then... I shall accept your kind offer."
"That's more like it!"
Yu Xian smiled at the two of them, "Although most of these are first-tier spirit artifacts, there are still a few second-tier ones.
What you can pick in the end depends entirely on your eyesight and luck. Just remember to keep an eye on the fish while you pick, don't let them get burnt!"
"Got it, got it."
Yun Ze said, pulling Bu Bu along, and they began to pick.
Unlike Yun Ze, Bu Bu didn't show much interest in the pile of spirit artifacts.
She merely glanced at the pile, then her gaze fell upon Yu Xian's finger.
The silver-gray ring that had been there moments ago had vanished, as if it had never appeared.
Yun Ze searched for a bit, and after much thought, he picked out a pair of boots from the pile of spirit artifacts.
Since he already had Lan Feng, he didn't need another spirit sword for the time being.
At this moment, what he needed most was something to protect himself.
Armor was too bulky and conspicuous, and clothing was too obvious, immediately revealing itself as a spirit artifact.
In contrast, these boots.
Their color was dark gray, and their form was very ordinary. If they hadn't been in the pile of spirit artifacts and emitting a faint spiritual energy, Yun Ze would have thought they were just a pair of ordinary boots.
As for their grade...
That wasn't within his consideration. It was best to take a first-tier spirit artifact. If the grade was too high, this favor would be truly difficult to repay.
"Brother Yu, I'll pick these."
Yun Ze presented the boots to Yu Xian. It was only right and proper to inform him.
"Oh, young man, you have good taste."
Yu Xian glanced at them and praised, "These Shadow Chasing Boots are quite rare among second-tier spirit artifacts.
When infused with spiritual energy, they can grant the wearer the ability to fly before the Foundation Establishment stage, and their speed can even rival that of a Core Formation mid-stage cultivator.
Most importantly, these boots can also allow one to move stealthily, concealing one's aura, making them undetectable by anyone below the Core Formation stage!"
"This..."
Yun Ze had thought he was just picking an ordinary spirit artifact, but he hadn't expected to pick a second-tier one.
A first-tier spirit artifact corresponded to the Foundation Establishment realm, while this second-tier spirit artifact corresponded to the Core Formation realm!
The difference in value was naturally not small!
Yun Ze immediately had the thought of putting them back, but before he could speak, Yu Xian spoke first.
"Little Yun, since you've already taken it, putting it back now would be looking down on me, Yu."
"...Alright."
Yun Ze replied, and then cupped his fists in thanks, "Thank you, Brother Yu!"
"We're brothers, no need for such formalities!"
Yu Xian looked at Bu Bu, "Little girl, have you picked yours?"
"I don't want the items."
Bu Bu turned to look at Yu Xian, her eyes meeting his, "I want an answer. Can you enlighten me?"
"Heh, are you two really siblings? Your curiosity is cut from the same cloth, isn't it?"
Yun Ze scratched his head sheepishly at Yu Xian's teasing.
However, he didn't know what Bu Bu wanted to ask, that she was willing to give up a spirit artifact for an answer.
"Alright."
Yu Xian didn't seem to mind, and casually replied, "Ask whatever you want, as long as I can answer it."
"Where did the ring on your hand come from?"
"Hmm?" Yu Xian frowned, letting out a sound of confusion.
According to the customs of the cultivation world, unless they were very close, cultivators would generally not inquire about the origin of each other's treasures.
If they did ask, there was usually only one reason.
The treasure in question might belong to a deceased acquaintance, and the inquiry was to ascertain whether the acquaintance had perished or left behind a legacy.
If it was the latter, it would be fine, but if it was the former, a conflict might be unavoidable.
However...
This young girl before him was still young, so this situation was unlikely. Perhaps it was just curiosity.
Oh well, since there was nothing else to do, it would be good to tell them about the cultivation world.
"You mean this?"
Yu Xian said, and then revealed the ring on his hand again.
The ring shimmered with a silver-gray light under the firelight, not blinding, but extremely eye-catching.
"Yes."
"This is called a Sumeru Ring, from 'Sumeru contains the universe'."
Yu Xian introduced, "The grade of this ring varies, the lowest is second-tier, and the highest I've heard of is fifth-tier.
A second-tier Sumeru Ring can hold the contents of one mountain, a third-tier can hold ten mountains, and a fourth-tier can hold a hundred mountains!
And there is only one family in the entire cultivation world that manufactures these Sumeru Rings."
"Which family is it!"
Bu Bu showed unprecedented excitement and stepped forward to ask!
This was the first time Yun Ze had seen her display such an expression, and he felt a slight strangeness.
"The Xiu family."
A hint of envy appeared in Yu Xian's eyes, "They are one of the legendary immortal families. Manufacturing these Sumeru Rings is merely one of their abilities.
It is said that the people of the Xiu family can control spatial power, and even every generation has a prodigy with spatial spiritual roots born into it. The patriarch is rumored to be the closest to that legendary realm."
"The Xiu family..."
Bu Bu repeated in a low voice, then frowned and pondered, as if thinking about something, and remained silent.
It was Yun Ze who, out of curiosity, asked, "The legendary realm? Brother Yu, what realm are you referring to?"
"Ah, that cannot be spoken of, cannot be spoken of!"
Yu Xian said, waving his hand, "Beings who have reached that realm, no matter how far apart, will discover you if you think of them in your heart.
With your current cultivation, it's better not to know."
"Alright."
Yun Ze replied, then picked up the three strings of grilled fish from the fire. He first handed one to Yu Xian.
"Here, Brother Yu, the fish is cooked."