The Daoist, with a keen sense of intuition, picked the best-quality ones, holding one in each hand, while using his mouth to hold another.

Meanwhile, Sha Lifei was equally busy on the other side.

In the corridors filled with coral, he coaxed open the clam shells, extracting pearls the size of eggs, stuffing them into his mouth like a hamster.

In the Cave Heaven Secret Realm, everyone's presence was only spiritual; touching an object was akin to selecting a treasure, otherwise, they would have already brought a bag in…

...

The darkness before his eyes dissipated, and Li Yan awoke from the dream.

He looked down and indeed found the shrine in his hand.

This thing appeared to be a kind of sandstone, yet it was exceptionally tough, with a rough and bold carving style, likely left behind by ancient forebears.

Feeling the Daluo Dharma Body stirring eagerly, Li Yan grinned and quickly took out a red cloth to cover it carefully.

To expand Luo Feng Mountain, he needed to set up an array and imagine.

Now wasn't a good time.

Looking to the other side, Sha Lifei and Wang Daoxuan were also awake.

Wang Daoxuan held three jade-colored turtle shells, carefully rubbing them in his hands, his eyebrows shaking with delight.

"Daoist, what is this?"

Feeling the aura on it, the Daluo Dharma Body also trembled, and Li Yan couldn't resist asking curiously.

"This is a Mystic Turtle Shell."

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and smiled: "A turtle is a large turtle, a creature of spiritual communication, mentioned in the 'Zhou Li', where turtle handlers are in charge of six types of turtles, representing the four corners of the world, using the Mystic Turtle to divine the mountains and rivers."

"Turtle handler? What kind of spirit monster is that?"

"Not a spirit monster, historically, divination often used turtle shells. There were court officials dedicated to capturing and raising six types of prized turtles, known as turtle handlers."

"I read in the 'Youxuan Records' about an event where it was rumored that when Yu the Great dredged the Min River, he killed a calamity-causing Mystic Turtle spirit. Its shell was soaked in Earth Qi for years and had turned to jade, which is the Mystic Turtle Shell."

"This precious item can be used to make a compass, immune to the interference of Astra Bane Qi, which is the treasure all Earth Masters seek for their entire life."

"I see."

Li Yan laughed silently, "The Dragon Palace indeed holds countless treasures."

"Daoist, Daoist, look at this…"

Beside him, Sha Lifei also spat out pearls one by one with a face full of pride, letting Wang Daoxuan examine them.

Among the group, only Wang Daoxuan was well-read and knowledgeable, no less than the elder cleric skilled in appraising treasures.

"This is… a Dust Avoidance Pearl."

After Wang Daoxuan received it and examined it for a moment, the clue was apparent.

He then placed the pearl on the ground, casually scooped some dust and sprinkled it, causing the dust to disperse quickly to the surroundings.

"We're in luck, we're in luck."

Sha Lifei's face turned rosy with joy, "The Dust Avoidance Pearl, I've heard from the teahouse storytellers, is a priceless treasure."

Unexpectedly, Wang Daoxuan shook his head and laughed, "Indeed priceless, but this item can only avoid small bits of dust. Claims of whole house cleanliness are greatly exaggerated."

"Cultivators won't value it, common folks can't afford it, only those high-ranking officials and dignitaries fancy it, making it worth just some Silver."

"Ah?"

Sha Lifei was dumbfounded upon hearing this.

They entered the Water Mansion of the Dragon Palace to acquire treasures for exchange at the vault-opening assembly. If no cultivators want it, they'd incur a loss.

"No worries, Silver is important too."

Li Yan comforted him with a smile, "Whether it's Yan Jiuling or the Mo Family at the Ministry of Industry, there are many wealthy people we know; we can ask them to sell it. We're also running low on Silver Coin."

"That works, better than returning empty-handed."

Sha Lifei sighed, then turned his gaze aside.

"Hey, why hasn't Brother Lv San woken up yet?"

Just as he was speaking, a sudden gust of wind arose around them, causing thick fog to churn up and down.

Opposite them, Lv San lay face-up, his complexion iron-gray, breathing heavily, while beside him, a massive figure appeared.

It was an iron rhinoceros, half a man's height, with ancient lines and timeless age, gold lines across its back sketching what vaguely recognized as the 'Yu Gong' Mountain and River Map.

Its antiquity was unclear, and though covered in patina, it bore no rust; Li Yan could smell a rich aura of gold and iron, likely spirit iron steeped in Earth Qi.

Sha Lifei was stupefied, watching Lv San, now composed and teasing a little white fox, simply giving a thumbs up without a word.

"Brother Lv San is impressive."

Li Yan praised, turning to say, "Daoist, I've heard of the iron ox calming waters, but this iron rhinoceros is a first. Can you identify this treasure?"

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard and pondered, "The 'Hua Yang National Records' mentions that in the past, when Li Bing ruled Shu, he crafted five stone rhinoceri to ward off Water Spirits. This iron rhinoceros might be related."

"No matter, we'll ask about it when we go up the mountain."

Li Yan smiled slightly, turning his gaze to the Dragon Girl Temple.

At this moment, his Dao is profound, and his Divine Skills even stronger. With a slight movement of his ear, he could hear the faint chanting of a woman coming from the temple: "The vast Taixuan, the deep spirit abyss, the Jade Maiden holds the talisman, guarding the mighty river, the Kan Palace orders, sweeping away misfortune…"

Hou Xuan has become the temple priest of the Dragon Girl Temple, managing to establish himself in Chengdu, and normally recites this scripture, known as the "Dragon Girl Anlan Scripture".

The River God is two sides of the same coin with the Dragon Lady.

Now that the River God has fallen,

The Dragon Lady has become the Water God of Shu.

Perhaps, the future of Shu will endure the calamity.

The cold wind blew, Li Yan glanced at the cold, silent night sky.

This year, the weather in Shu is unusual, with heavy snow in winter, and still cold after the start of spring, with news from other places coming in that the weather everywhere is somewhat cold.

Wang Daoxuan witnessed the snow in Shu and believed there was a change in the heavenly phenomena.

He wasn't wrong, Li Yan also remembered what this was.

In a past life, during this time, there was a little ice age.

Back then, in Shu, "winter thunder rumbles, summer snows fly", the Chengdu Plain "spring rice is frozen, autumn harvest ceases", Jialing River "ice is three feet thick, boats cannot pass"…

Although history changed since the end of the Song, calamities still emerged.

Could it be, this is also part of a human Dao reform...

...

Below Qingcheng Mountain, the cold wind was biting.

As a famous mountain in the world, and a crucial place for the Mystical Sect, Qingcheng Mountain originally had flourishing incense offerings, with pilgrims coming all year round.

But this year's abnormal weather has left many mountain paths difficult to traverse, and coupled with the recent major events in Chengdu Prefecture, some incense burning teams have already canceled their plans.

Nevertheless, the mountain paths were still busy.

Cold mist enshrouded, the mountain and wilderness were a blend of black and white.

A caravan of mules and horses was struggling along the mountain path.

As snow and ice melted, the roads became muddy, the wheels of the carts creaked and groaned as they rolled over, leaving rows of ruts behind.

"Master, wasn't it said that Shu is warm?"

A young man shivered, wrapped in clothes, and complained.

"If heaven wants it cold, your master cannot control it."

An old Daoist sat on the shaft of the cart, wearing a blue coat and black robe, with the Eight Trigrams embroidered on his back, lifting his feet to avoid mud staining his brand-new cloth shoes.

He took down the gourd from his waist, gulped a few times, and after letting out a breath of relief, chuckled: "You insisted on coming along, staying in the sect is much more comfortable, yet now you're complaining about suffering."

"Well… The disciple wanted to gain some experience."

The young man smiled awkwardly, changing the topic: "Master, which people do you think will come this time?"

The old Daoist stroked his beard, nodded and said: "Though the journey is a hardship, it will not be in vain. A Daoist friend just mentioned that this year's Treasure Vault gathering might be the largest in twenty years, involving Mystical Sects from both north and south."

"Each institute of the Taixuan Orthodox Sect, Doumu, Beichen, Zhengyi, Pure Yang, Maoshan… all those you know will come."

"From every Magic Veins, Jade Emperor, Huaguang, Mei Mountain, Tongtian, Red Lotus Sect, Lushan… no matter north or south, you will surely recognize them all!"

"Really so many?"

The youth heard this, joyful yet somewhat shocked, "You said, past Treasure Vault gatherings weren't this lively."

"That was in the past."

The smile faded from the old Dao's face, he looked into the distance.

"This Treasure Vault under Qingcheng Mountain, even ordinary spirit wood has become a treasure since Song Feng stored it here, no one wants to miss out."

"Secondly… It's an era of turmoil now."

"The court opens maritime routes, new firearms, southwest rebellion, and the Nine Tripod appeared in Chengdu…"

Saying this, he quickly shut his mouth.

The old Daoist came from the Kunlun Sect, though once renowned, now lacked the grandeur where Immortal Gods gathered, reduced to just a few cats and dogs.

This time, he also sought to exchange sect jade for treasures.

What he wanted to discuss was a human Dao reform.

No doubt, this is the true reason for the Mystical Sect gatherings...

At that moment, his ear moved slightly, he jumped off the shaft, disregarding the mud ruining his shoes, raised his hand and commanded: "Stop, someone is fighting ahead, go see who it is!"

"Yes, Senior Uncle."

Upfront, a young Taoist immediately ran off.

The youth beside him, surprised, said: "Master, this is down Qingcheng Mountain, who dares make trouble?"

The old Dao shook his head: "Within the Mystical Sect, grudges abound, some are life and death feuds, such incidents are inevitable…"

Just as he spoke, the Taoist who went to inquire returned, saluted and reported:

"Reporting to Senior Uncle, it's people from the Netherworld Sect, heard the person's nickname 'Night Crying Man', currently dueling with someone from the Tongtian Sect…"

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