The apex of Hydra-kind—those fearsome nine-headed monsters—were terrifying existences capable of battling dragons. Each head could wield a different divine ability, and if they achieved their peak, they could master nine distinct Daos. The combination of those bizarre divine abilities could unleash power so fearsome it inspired dread. In the oceanic realms, encountering a Hydra was often met with swift retreat and coordinated efforts to avoid them altogether.
Each of their scales was a precious treasure, brimming with powerful Dao Rhyme. One might even say these scales were top-tier divine materials, born directly from the laws of the Dao itself.
"This is a real treasure," Yi Tianxing silently rejoiced."Just a single scale is more precious than most artifacts. If refined into a weapon, it would hold the potential to become a spirit treasure. Worth more than gold—truly priceless. Who knows which cultivator lost this… In any case, it's mine now."
He carefully stored the scale. Since it had significant benefits for snake-kind, it would make an excellent gift for the Serpent Empress. Even though her bloodline was already extremely noble, this could still offer a slight enhancement.
Next on the appraisal table was a jade-bound golden tome.
Etched with divine dragon patterns, its aura exuded a profound and mysterious texture.
"True Classic of Dragon Transformation, by the Supreme Sense"A cultivation method of the dragon race. Dragon-attribute cultivators may use it to enhance their chances of evolving into a True Dragon. Trains the body toward that of an ancestral dragon. Though designed for dragons, it can also be cultivated by humans. At the highest levels, the practitioner can manifest the body of a true dragon. Considered one of the dragon race's orthodox techniques—top-tier among all known methods.
Yi Tianxing's expression shifted slightly. Even he couldn't help but be awed.
This was a complete, unabridged cultivation manual—one of the dragon race's foundational techniques. Only those born of royal dragon bloodlines or individuals who had earned massive merits would be qualified to receive it.
"It must have come from Ao Qi. Only she would possess such a legacy. Never expected it would be carried on her… and then end up looted by Green Emperor and the others. What a marvelous technique—worthy of being labeled an imperial-level art."
A top-tier cultivation method—classical in structure and unrivaled in potential. In the Sutra Repository of Da Yi, few could rival it. Even mentioning it aloud might bring trouble. Still, that didn't stop Yi Tianxing from planning to add it to the repository.
His curiosity about the remaining items intensified.
The Treasure Appraisal Platform continued its swift work. An unending stream of treasures flashed by—many were ordinary, some were rare spiritual herbs and divine materials from the ocean depths.
Among the valuables:
Immortal Spirit Grass – grows in areas rich with spiritual qi. Each leaf takes 300 years to form, up to nine leaves in total. Glows with divine radiance. Excellent for healing, detoxification, and cultivation enhancement.Grade: Earth Tier, High Grade.
Purple Aster Grass – thrives in sunny, qi-rich regions. Absorbs eastern purple qi to grow. Purple, diamond-shaped leaves are premium alchemical ingredients. Can boost power, assist breakthroughs, reverse the postnatal into prenatal body, and temper one's physique.Grade: Profound Tier, Mid Grade.
Ten-Thousand-Year Blood Stalactite – formed in ancient caves from blood-essence-infused stone. Over millennia, it condenses into thick red liquid. Each drop brims with incomprehensible medicinal potency. Drinking it increases vitality and cultivation; bathing in it tempers the body, rendering one immune to blades.Grade: Heaven Tier, Supreme Grade.
And then—an exceptionally rare and eerie herb:
Demonic Lotus of the Heart – rumored to grow only in lands saturated with evil, yin, and demonic energy. Absorbs and purifies dark forces to grow. The lotus purifies surroundings; its seeds, however, contain terrifying demonic essence. Demon cultivators can refine them to enhance cultivation, form demonic hearts, and even open demonic heavens.Grade: Immortal Tier, Supreme Grade.
"Whoever lost this must truly hate Green Emperor and the others to their bones."Yi Tianxing chuckled when the Demonic Lotus appeared.
No doubt, countless cultivators were cursing Green Emperor and his crew, desperate to tear them apart.
Since some of the herbs still held vitality, he didn't hesitate—transferring them into his Life Aperture in the Dantian, where he cultivated spiritual plants. The arrival of the Demonic Lotus even caused the fields within to expand further, joyfully accepting each new addition.
Then, a peculiar treasure emerged—a structural-type exotic treasure.
"A spring?"Yi Tianxing's interest was instantly piqued.He would never complain about acquiring more architectural treasures.
Upon closer inspection, it was indeed a crystalline, radiant spring, radiating profound Dao Rhyme.
Woodsman's Spring A rare treasure born of heaven and earth. Within it dwells a Spring Goddess. Toss an item into the spring, and she'll return an improved version and ask, "Is this what you dropped?"You may choose to tell the truth or lie.She may also ask you a question.Answer truthfully or correctly, and you'll be richly rewarded.Usable once per year—regardless of success or failure.
Yi Tianxing's calm demeanor shifted into stunned disbelief.
"Woodsman's Spring? This actually exists? A divine treasure born from a myth?"
He recalled the ancient tale from Chinese folklore—the honest woodsman who dropped his axe into a spring, whereupon a goddess tested his honesty with gold and silver axes. His truthfulness earned him all three in reward.
This was a true myth-made-real. A miraculous treasure.
"This spring isn't ordinary water—it contains evolution essence. The goddess isn't merely a spirit—she is the spring's artifact soul. A treasure like this is practically inconceivable."
However, the rules were slightly altered from the myth. Now the Spring Goddess might pose riddles or test one's truthfulness in other ways. Success promised boundless reward; failure yielded nothing.
It wasn't infinite in its capabilities—there would be limits to what it could refine or upgrade.
"For example, the Primordial Heavenly Emperor Tower—my core treasure. I doubt even the Woodsman's Spring could enhance it. If it could, that would make it truly heaven-defying."
Still, there was no knowing its limits without testing it.
"Only one use per year. No reason to waste it, but it would be even worse not to use it at all. Can't use a top-tier treasure either—what if it's lost?"
After careful thought, he settled on an item.
He summoned a long banner of radiant five-colored glass. Mysterious talismans pulsed across its surface.
It was the Myriad Talisman Banner—his personally refined life-bound talisman weapon. Years of crafting talismans—thousands of them—had been poured into it. It held more than a hundred types of talismans, ranging from low to high grade. In Da Yi, few could rival his skill in the Talisman Dao.
"Let's see what you can do, Woodsman's Spring."
With a flick of his hand, the banner was cast into the sparkling spring.
Splash!
The test had begun.