ASER - Chapter 69
Chapter 69: Stealing the Treasure
Song Ling was also quick and immediately did as instructed.
After a while, she returned, bringing back the Level 2 lizard spirit cores and the Petrification Lizards' eyes from outside.
A'Diao took a sip of water and, unexpectedly, directly distributed the spoils of war.
Currently, there were a total of 343 Level 1 spirit cores and 6 Level 2 spirit cores.
Distributed according to contribution: Song Ling received 45 Level 1 spirit cores + 2 Level 2 spirit cores + one Spiritual Vessel (this Spiritual Vessel came from the bandit Song Ling had eliminated). Tian Zhongxiang received 35 Level 1 spirit cores + one Level 2 spirit core (her damage output was high). Tian Zhongye and Rao Xueya each received 25 Level 1 spirit cores.
Excluding these, all remaining spoils belonged to A'Diao.
No one objected, as her combat power and damage output were indeed overwhelmingly superior. Moreover, according to the distribution rules for killing bandits, the pouch was on the Scarred Man, and A'Diao, who had single-handedly defeated him, could have chosen not to share those spirit cores at all.
However, the equipment could be sold or kept for personal use. A'Diao and Song Ling didn't think much of it, so they gave it all to the other three, as their equipment was too poor.
Rao Xueya and the other two didn't even have time to marvel at how much others had received; a single thought dominated their minds: Holy crap, so much! Did I get too much? Do I deserve this?
We're just rookies below Spirit Power G4.
Song Ling had a faint feeling—after A'Diao dealt with the Scarred Man and his four companions, she seemed to have exhausted her Spirit Power and lacked the strength to fight again. But if she still had talismans on her... it was possible she could have eliminated all eight bandits by herself.
The four of them felt like they had just coasted to victory.
However, A'Diao, who seemed sharp-tongued and harsh, was actually astute and perceptive. Since she was willing to treat them generously, it meant she had her own principles and valued their worth.
Very good.
Choosing this team leader was very reassuring.
A'Diao indeed hadn't thought that much, not even about the intricacies of distribution. Time was tight, and she didn't like to fuss over such trivial matters; whatever her mind calculated, that's how it was decided.
Once the spoils were distributed, they actually disappeared when she pretended to put them into her backpack.
213 Level 1 spirit cores (one core = 1 energy point) + 3 Level 2 spirit cores (one core = 20 energy points) + two Spiritual Vessels (energy points 35 + 30 respectively).
These Spiritual Vessels were likely obtained by the Scarred Man from killing others; otherwise, it would be difficult for a bandit in the early stages to obtain two Spiritual Vessels purely by luck.
Thus, he grew stronger and stronger.
This was inherently a dog-eat-dog world.
Now, he had essentially been "eaten" by A'Diao.
However, regarding the two Spiritual Vessels, A'Diao was considering how to deal with them.
This was an unexpected windfall amidst misfortune. Other bandits wouldn't have gained so much. But because they survived, all benefits could only be attributed to human effort and fate.
"Three Spiritual Vessels, and this Scarred Man had two of them on him. Both were purely Spiritual Energy-releasing Spiritual Vessels, not special offensive or auxiliary ones. It's clear this person killed many people, accumulated resources, and equipped these two Spiritual Vessels. No wonder his Spirit Power intensity far surpassed others."
Although the other seven weren't weak, for those who interacted daily with academy experts and were themselves rapidly improving, they were hardly formidable figures.
Only this Scarred Man was excessively dangerous.
But now they all belonged to A'Diao, yet she looked troubled about how to handle them. Song Ling, seemingly thoughtful, suddenly said, "Ordinary quality Spiritual Vessels will occupy a contract slot. It doesn't matter if your cultivation is high, but in the early stages, it's best not to refine too many inferior Spiritual Vessels onto yourself, especially Spiritual Energy-releasing Spiritual Vessels, which are the most mentally taxing. Your spirit will be divided too much, harming your cultivation foundation. For you, it's actually better to exchange them for cultivation resources."
Her words struck a chord with A'Diao. The two Spiritual Vessels were indeed not very high-grade, totaling only 65 energy points. If this had been a month ago when Spiritual Energy had just revived, she would have been ecstatic, as a Spiritual Energy-releasing Spiritual Vessel of this energy level was considered decent in the early stages. But now, she really didn't want to contract them. The "toilet" was too mysterious; she wasn't sure how much of her spiritual essence it would occupy after binding to her core, and then contracting other Spiritual Vessels. However, directly absorbing them would be too wasteful.
So...
A'Diao looked at Tian Zhongxiang and the other two.
The three of them finally reacted, their initial suspicion turning into pleasant surprise.
Tian Zhongxiang pondered and said, "My brother and I have a combined 60 Level 1 spirit cores. Can we exchange them for one?"
In fact, 60 spirit cores could be exchanged for one cultivation session at a "Small Spirit Gate." The total amount of Spiritual Energy obtained in a short time would definitely be higher than from a single Spiritual Vessel, which would take a considerable amount of time to release an equivalent amount to one hour at a Small Spirit Gate. However, Tian Zhongxiang knew that for cultivators, a Spiritual Vessel that could be integrated into the body and carried around was true sustainable development.
Long-term cultivation and recovery depended on it. She also guessed that A'Diao and Song Ling definitely had them; otherwise, no matter how high their aptitude, they couldn't have cultivated so quickly.
This was essential equipment for all cultivators.
A'Diao didn't waste words. She took 50 cores and casually tossed the slightly inferior Spiritual Vessel to Rao Xueya. "Consider it priced at 40. Give me 25, you still owe me 15. Pay me back later."
Rao Xueya: "..."
Overall, both sides benefited. Very good.
A'Diao directly absorbed all the spirit cores.
Toilet: "Energy +368. Currently upgradeable to Level 4. Upgrade results as follows."
Level: 4 (Current Energy 169/1000, 831 more energy points needed for Level 5. Note: Level 4 provides a 1 cubic meter storage space for all material objects.)
Mental Strength: 112410.
Synchronized Spiritual Energy Release: 15 wisps.
Exchangeable Skills:
1: Talisman Proficiency (Innate proficiency secret art. If one has talent in this, awaken it to master talismans—engraving + wielding. Exchange requires 300,000 Mental Strength. Level can be increased, each increase costs 200,000 Mental Strength.)
2: D-Grade Aptitude Marrow Cleansing Formula (Auxiliary medicinal supplement formula. Exchange requires 500,000 Mental Strength. PS: Recommended for use when body impurity cleansing and muscle/bone realignment have reached maximum effect for optimal results.)
This time, there were few gimmicks, only two, but they shocked A'Diao to her core!
So expensive, but also so powerful.
Her first reaction was to want to blow up all the toilets in Jinling City.
So much Mental Strength! She couldn't afford either of them in the short term. After all, her current Mental Strength had to be maintained for regular cultivation, and once in combat, Mental Strength flowed like water...
Too difficult.
Originally, A'Diao had thought of quickly boosting her strength after obtaining resources, perhaps by acquiring some stronger offensive skills. But unexpectedly, what she got were non-offensive abilities, yet they were even more impressive than offensive skills. Unfortunately, she couldn't use or exchange for them in the short term.
Helpless, A'Diao contemplated their next move. Two options lay before them.
1. After this windfall, head back.
2. Continue exploring downwards; this catacomb hadn't reached its end.
A'Diao's choice was to use Rao Xueya's phone to notify Lao Wang to come over, because if she and Song Ling turned on their signals, they would likely be tracked by the Cui Clan and others.
But as soon as the message was sent, A'Diao turned off her signal. Lao Wang should understand.
"He should arrive in about an hour. You can choose to go outside and find a safe place to hide."
Hearing this, she was going down?
Song Ling and the other three realized. But Tian Zhongxiang was decisive, "Our Spirit Power is depleted now. If we follow you down, we might drag you down. It's better for us to go out and hide. But Song Ling should be fine. You two go together?"
Song Ling nodded. She was at Spirit Power G5, and she absorbed Spiritual Energy from spirit cores faster than others. She had indeed recovered some, and her equipment was good; at least her flight device could be useful.
A'Diao didn't waste words, made an "OK" gesture. Let's go!
As they descended towards the end of the catacomb, they encountered no remaining Petrification Lizards along the way. The journey was smooth, but gradually, they felt a change in temperature.
"There's a heat source below?" Song Ling was somewhat surprised.
A'Diao mused, "From the few demonic spirits I've encountered, it seems the generation of each type is closely related to its environment. The Petrification Lizard's petrification ability might align with the characteristics of 'rock scorching carbonization.' I previously saw that when its venom touched those grasses, they petrified, but it was a state of organic carbonization. High-temperature scorching mutation might fit this characteristic."
Her scores might not rank high in class for now, but when it came to applying knowledge in critical situations, she was stronger than anyone.
Song Ling agreed with her assessment. "But the geology here is unlikely to support a magma body. So, there might be a related special treasure below. I remember official records mentioning that some catacombs have birthed special treasures for nurturing demonic spirits, possibly magma released by a Spiritual Vessel."
The two exchanged a glance and quickened their pace.
Soon, amidst the scorching red glow, the two saw... a gem resembling an eyeball, suspended in a five-meter-diameter pool of magma.
Fiery red.
It was indeed releasing magma.
This thing was definitely a treasure, at least for their current level, its value was very high.
But A'Diao and Song Ling suddenly dodged to the side walls. Just as they moved, the sound of gushing magma flowing and tumbling came from the magma pool five or six meters below.
Its body was too large, so its movements as it surfaced and submerged were also significant. Only just now had the two been able to detect something below from the rippling magma, prompting them to hide.
It was exhaling. Scalding air currents surged upwards, carrying a strong, fiery, acrid smell.
It was a lizard.
Song Ling, on the other side, showed her the data on her wristwatch.
Damn! Energy intensity F7!
This was equivalent to a top-tier Level 3 demonic spirit. Even at their peak, the two of them combined couldn't defeat it, let alone now when both had little Spirit Power remaining.
But just retreat like this?
A'Diao thought that even if the Spiritual Vessel below wasn't suitable for her, it could probably be sold for tens of millions.
How could she give up such a huge sum?
Song Ling didn't move, because she knew that when it came to on-the-spot decision-making, this person was better than her. So, she waited for A'Diao's choice.
And A'Diao... after thinking for three minutes, made a throat-slitting gesture to Song Ling.
You actually dare, and you actually have a way?!
Song Ling was astonished, but a glimmer appeared in her eyes, waiting for A'Diao to pull some trick—er, no, to come up with a plan.
Could it be to lure it away? That was probably unlikely to succeed. This large lizard clearly relied heavily on this Spiritual Vessel. Failing to lure it away might instead expose their presence.
One had to know that the intelligence of a Level 3 demonic spirit was generally not low, comparable to an adult human.
A'Diao typed out the plan on her wristwatch to tell Song Ling.
After understanding, Song Ling contacted No. 7, had No. 7 relay the information to Tian Zhongxiang and the other two outside, and then No. 7 crawled back into the cave.
Watching this agile and stealthy pangolin move freely, A'Diao felt a surge of envy, then silently cursed Chen Ran, that rich dog, for being useless!
After No. 7 came in, A'Diao quietly tied a dead knot at one end of a two-meter-long spare survival rope (made of heat-insulating material), then poured glue all over the knot.
The glue, upon contact with air, began to set. She handed the unglued end of the rope to No. 7's claws. In its realistic form, it held the rope obediently and cutely. Song Ling flicked her finger, and the silver-shelled, flying fish-shaped flight device silently lowered its altitude. No. 7 climbed onto it. Then, under Song Ling's control, the flight device, positioned directly above the center of the magma, slowly descended... When it was about two meters high, it couldn't get any closer, or the large lizard would sense it.
Under Song Ling's control, No. 7 aimed the knotted end of the rope at the round, crimson gemstone.
Upon contact, the glue adhered.
At this moment, Song Ling didn't rush to pull it up. Instead, she waited for the glue to set more firmly, then controlled the flight device to slowly pull upwards.
The gemstone also slowly left the magma...
It's coming up, it's coming up, it's coming up!
When the gemstone was only two meters away from A'Diao and Song Ling, a drop of magma adhering to its bottom suddenly fell.
A'Diao had been on edge the whole time. Seeing it drip, her expression changed slightly, and she immediately grabbed No. 7!
Song Ling also reacted.
Drip.
Just like that, the giant Petrification Lizard resting beneath the pool suddenly churned the roiling magma, raised its head to look up. With just one glance, it became enraged. With a roar, fiery anger billowed in the depths of the oval catacomb, and its eyes suddenly shot out terrifying, fiery red venom.
Its speed was several times faster than other lizards, and its power...
In that instant, Song Ling had already jumped onto the flight device, carrying A'Diao who was holding No. 7, and sped out. The venom just barely shot past A'Diao's back...
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