Legacy of the Spirit Stone

Chapter 53 – Greed

Upon noticing the change in tone, Zhao Qi immediately stepped aside, and Yang Lingrui stood up, alert.

"What do you mean by this, Senior?"

"That Resurrection Grass of yours, I quite fancy it. Hand it over, and we'll part ways. How about it?"

As Zheng Huaming spoke, his imposing aura became evident, clearly threatening.

"So that's it. I've been wondering why a senior with such profound cultivation would travel with us. Now it all makes sense," Yang Lingrui sneered. "Senior, you have quite the patience, waiting until we left Fengling to show your true colors."

Zheng Huaming shrugged indifferently. To him, Yang Lingrui and Zhao Qi were easy to manipulate. He had only waited this long to avoid being discovered by the Li Clan.

"I advise you two to be sensible. Otherwise, you might lose not only your opportunity but also your lives."

"Sensible?" Yang Lingrui scoffed. "At this point, there's no need for pretense, Senior. I suspect you never intended for us to leave alive from the start!"

Hearing this, Zheng Huaming's expression darkened. Since Yang Lingrui had seen through his intentions, he no longer felt the need to pretend.

"Fine, then you can die!"

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Zheng Huaming threw a punch aimed at Yang Lingrui, confident that it would be fatal.

Boom!

But in the next moment, his fist was blocked by a Gale Wind swirling around Yang Lingrui.

Zheng Huaming was shocked.

"How is this possible? How can he block my attack?"

"No, this aura... this kid isn't at the third level; he's at the fourth!"

As the two clashed, Zhao Qi had already dashed into the forest, running for his life. He remembered Elder Yu's advice: if he couldn't help in a fight, he should escape at the first sign of danger.

"Damn it!"

Zheng Huaming wanted to intercept him but was blocked by two Gale Winds.

"Don't be hasty, Senior. Why not have a chat with me instead?"

With the facade dropped, Yang Lingrui had no intention of holding back, aiming every move at Zheng Huaming's vital points.

Zheng Huaming dispelled several Gale Winds, but his arm was already aching from the impact.

Yang Lingrui's strength made him realize the situation was dire, so he quickly retrieved a bell from his pocket. He had studied it and knew it could directly attack the mind without harming the body, making it difficult for Qi Condensation cultivators without true essence protection to defend against.

Seeing the bell, Yang Lingrui frowned and tried to knock it away with a wind blade. Unfortunately, Zheng Huaming acted faster.

Ding—

The bell rang, sending an invisible sound wave through Yang Lingrui's body, targeting his consciousness.

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced Yang Lingrui's mind, causing his face to twitch. For a moment, his spiritual power became chaotic, nearly failing to maintain his protective Gale Wind.

Seeing his attack succeed, Zheng Huaming laughed arrogantly.

"Hahaha! Yang Lingrui, I must admit, you're exceptionally talented, but today, I'm the better one!"

With that, he prepared to counterattack.

However, as he moved forward, he was stunned to find Yang Lingrui's expression had returned to normal. The three wind blades, which had slowed down, suddenly regained their momentum and charged at him fiercely.

Zheng Huaming was completely bewildered, hurriedly defending against Yang Lingrui's assault. He couldn't understand how Yang Lingrui had resisted the bell's mental attack.

"This is a Mid Qi Condensation Spiritual Treasure! Even a sixth-level cultivator couldn't shake off its effects so quickly! Does he have some protective treasure?"

Zheng Huaming wasn't entirely wrong. Though Yang Lingrui had no treasure, his consciousness was guarded by an imprint left by Chen Yang, who was at the Late Qi Condensation stage.

Even Yang Lingrui himself was unclear about what had happened. He only felt a force spreading through his consciousness, expelling the bell's sound wave, allowing him to regain his composure.

"Haah!"

The two resumed their fierce battle, exchanging blows for nearly half an hour.

Under the relentless bombardment of Yang Lingrui's wind blades, Zheng Huaming finally failed to defend himself and took a hit. His body wavered, eyes filled with disbelief.

He had been cultivating at the fourth level for years, yet he was losing to a junior. Moreover, despite the prolonged fight, Yang Lingrui's attacks showed no signs of slowing.

"Is his spiritual power inexhaustible?"

Zheng Huaming couldn't comprehend it, nor did he have time to ponder, as Yang Lingrui's long-prepared killing move was upon him.

Since the start of their fight, Yang Lingrui had been quietly gathering a wind cone, waiting for the right moment. Now, with Zheng Huaming exhausted and a flaw exposed, the opportunity had come.

"Break!"

The wind cone whistled forward, aiming straight for Zheng Huaming's head. He raised his hands to block, but the cone's power was immense, piercing through his palms and leaving bloody holes.

Slash!

The wind cone grazed past, taking half of Zheng Huaming's face with it.

"Ugh..."

Zheng Huaming spat out blood, collapsing to the ground.

"Wait, plea—"

Slash!

Yang Lingrui was always decisive in killing, giving Zheng Huaming no chance to speak. He stepped forward and beheaded him.

He quickly searched Zheng Huaming's body, finding his storage bag. Then he dismembered the body, scattering the parts in the forest, knowing that by morning, wild beasts would have devoured them.

At dawn, he found Zhao Qi hiding in a bear's cave. Without delay, they hurried home, traveling day and night.

Five days later, while meditating, Chen Yang sensed the presence of Yang Lingrui and Zhao Qi from afar. Realizing the consciousness guard he left in Yang Lingrui had been triggered, he knew they had encountered trouble.

Seeing the two return safely, Elder Yu and Yang Lingqing breathed a sigh of relief. After resting, the two recounted every detail of their journey.

Yang Lingrui led the narration, with Zhao Qi adding details. When they mentioned Li Cheng's sister, Elder Yu and Yang Lingqing couldn't help but chuckle.

Upon learning they had found a complete talisman inheritance, they applauded with joy. But when they heard about Zheng Huaming's greed and murderous intent, they were filled with tension and concern.

"You two have worked hard on this journey. Zhao Qi, finding the complete talisman inheritance is a great achievement. This inheritance is crucial for the Yang Clan's development," Yang Lingqing said, handing him the Mid Qi Condensation bell and Zheng Huaming's storage bag.

"Elder Yu has already removed the marks from these items. They are yours now."

Knowing the bell's value, Zhao Qi quickly stood up. "Senior Sister Lingqing, such a generous reward is more than I deserve."

Yang Lingqing waved her hand, insisting he accept the items. "The Yang Clan has always been clear in rewards and punishments, as it was during the Ancestor's time, and so it is now."

Elder Yu also smiled and urged, "Zhao Qi, just accept it."

Seeing this, Zhao Qi no longer refused, accepting the items and expressing his gratitude before returning to his quarters.

Though the bell and storage bag weren't heavy, they felt weighty in his hands. To him, this was more than a reward; it was a sign of trust and recognition of his worth, deeply moving him.