Chapter 219: Wang She Speaking about Ancient Stories
Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
The so-called Ancient Treasure!
As the name suggested!
It was a magic weapon in ancient times!
Ancient times referred to the past. However, it was different from Junior Leopard’s previous life. This world had a clearer demarcation toward its ancient people. The period 100,000 years ago was referred to as the antiquity ages. Between 100,000 years and 10,000 years ago was referred to as the medieval period. From 10,000 to 1,000 years ago, it was referred to as the late antiquity ages. As for 1,000 years ago till now, heaven knew that in this world where the strong ruled, there might be someone from 1,000 years ago still living. How could they be considered ancient?
In this world, ancient treasures were referred to as magic weapons from the antiquity ages!
In the antiquity times, 100,000 years ago, it was a completely different world from now. In that world, the essence of the world was filled to the brim. There were treasures of heaven and earth everywhere. The mysterious objects now, and the rarely seen treasures, were all normal playthings in that era. Back then, something that you casually kicked away might be a mysterious metal gold essence that was now sought after with great difficulty and money. A Level One martial artist might become a Level Four expert after he accidentally fell into a river and went ashore. The water back then not only increased your power, it could even wash your body and strengthen the muscles and body. It was much better than the medicinal soups and baths now.
That was the antiquity times. The experts were numerous like cow hair. People in the Metaphysic Realm were everywhere. Higher level experts were numerous like dogs. From the eyes of people in the present world, that was a crazy era where endless imagination existed. A five-year-old could become an expert, and reach the Metaphysic Realm at just 10, and it was not something rarely seen.
However, compared to personal cultivation, what could stir up the imagination of the people was another object—magic weapons.
In the antiquity times, experts were numerous like cow hair, and people in the Metaphysic Realm were walking everywhere. Those with an even higher cultivation could be picked up in bunches. However, when they really fought, the decisive factor in winning the fight was magic weapons.
Magic weapons condensed the world’s mysterious objects and all sorts of Evil Qi and pneuma together. From within, there would be a treasure birthed forth with a miraculous function. In the antiquity times, a fellow who had not even reached Level One could easily finish off a Metaphysic Realm expert with a heaven-defying magic weapon. This was not a joke. This was a reality. This was the power of the magic weapons in the antiquity times.
In the antiquity times, the magic weapons were made from the most powerful Mysterious Objects that had existed when the earth was formed. That was why they could be called magic weapons. They originally had some laws of the heavens and earth within, as well as the law of the Tao. They had the effect of defying the heavens. For example, there was a magic weapon called Palm-leaf Fan. Its palm leaf was from a holy root that was birthed when the earth was created. Ever since the earth was created, the palm leaf had begun condensing a wind essence. After experiencing countless years of accumulation, at last it formed the Three Senses Divine Wind. When such an object was obtained, there was not any need to refine it. As long as you could hold it and wave it, there would be a wave of crazy wind rushing forth. If your cultivation was not bad and could activate the Three Senses Divine Wind, then congratulations. Even if you could only squeeze out a trace of the Three Senses Divine Wind, it would be earth-shaking and it would swat away everything in your path. Not speaking only about someone in the Metaphysic Realm, but even if it was a mountain in front of you, it would be shattered. If such a thing was refined into a magic weapon, how powerful would it be?
Even though such a heaven-defying thing was not commonly seen in the antiquity times, there were still many more than the mysterious objects existing now. After being harvested by ancient practitioners, there were quite a lot that were refined into magic weapons. How could such a magic weapon be resisted by normal people? Even if one had reached the Mysterious Realm, when faced with such an object, he could only run as far away as possible!
However, even though such heaven-defying materials were not few in the antiquity times, they could not withstand the harvesting by the ancient people. Hence, with the passage of time, they grew fewer and fewer. In the end, they faced extinction, leaving only their name behind.
Someone would inevitably ask, since these magic weapons were so powerful, then why would the ancient people need to practice? As long as they had a powerful magic weapon, they could be invincible!
Those were words from a perspective of strength. However, upon careful thinking, such words were false. Although these magic weapons were powerful, they could not make you immortal!
To be immortal was the ultimate objective of practice. As for power, it was merely an accessory.
Furthermore, the more powerful an ancient treasure was, the more difficult it would be to maximize its potential. Without unfathomable cultivation, one could not even lift it up. Then it was useless.
Besides, without cultivation, one could not refine the ancient treasure. Without refining, even though the ancient treasure was strong, others would be eyeing it!
An innocent man would get into trouble because of his wealth. This logic was known since ancient times!
In short, without cultivation, one would not be able to use the power of the ancient treasure. Without the ability to use the treasure, it would bring you disaster instead of benefits!
That was the simple truth.
However, the environment of the antiquity times was very good. It was much easier to practice then than now. In a world where the essence of the heaven and earth was filled to the brim, even comprehension and insight, which seemed like once in a lifetime opportunities now, were as common as eating candy sweets back then. As long as it was someone who did not have bad luck, one would have insight once or twice a year. All these were caused by the essence of heaven and earth. The denser the essence, the longer period of time the insight was, and one would thus grow closer to the laws of heaven and earth. The chances of insight were naturally much greater.
Hence, even if they did not have these ancient treasures, the practitioner in the antiquity times had powerful divine senses. They just had to raise their hands or lift their legs to cause the sky and earth to split. Their consciousness moved and they could steer the vast quantity of energy to use for themselves. Therefore, the ancient people focused on cultivation, and not on martial arts, as well as on using magic weapons to pressure people.
Special techniques also appeared at that time. During the ancient times, there existed all sorts of Evil Qi and pneuma. When the ancient people practiced, they had ample resources for them to use and experiment. That was why they managed to create all sorts of special techniques. However, these techniques had been passed down, while Evil Qi was hard to find. Thus, this world’s collection of special techniques was not much different from waste paper.
This kind of situation started to change 100,000 years ago.
That was because the essence of the world started to thin.
Practitioners could no longer be like the practitioners in the antiquity times, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth recklessly and treating Evil Qi as a plaything.
At the same time, the antique cultivation methods began to decline. That was because the cultivation method of recklessly absorbing the heaven and earth’s pnuema was no longer suitable for the conditions at that time. The antique cultivation methods had great power. However, it was just like a Hummer whose speed was fast, but it consumed a lot of fuel as well.
Without sufficient fuel, even if you brought an airplane home, it would just be a piece of scrap metal.
Furthermore, even if this kind of predatory cultivation method could successfully absorb the essence of the world, a sufficiently strong body was needed to carry it. In the medieval period, the magic drugs that could strengthen the body had long been completely plucked by the practitioners from the antiquity times.
Hence, starting from the medieval period, the practitioners’ cultivation methods changed. In other words, they had no choice but to change. The cultivation methods started to emphasize more on control of the essence of the world. More emphasis was placed on training one’s body. At the same time, they were also researching other ways to strengthen their body. The prescription of the elixir that Junior Leopard obtained was produced during that period of time. Meanwhile, all sorts of punching skills that strengthened the body were developed.
Simultaneously, due to the loss of the essence of the world, the practitioners in the medieval period were unable to be like the practitioners in the antiquity times, gaining insights into the essence of the world and insight into the laws of heaven and earth. The kind of power that allowed one to move heaven and earth could no longer be used. Hence, they turned to researching all sorts of strokes to curb their enemy and gain victory. They researched how to use limited power to unleash maximum potential. Then all sorts of martial arts appeared. All sorts of secret skills also started to appear.
“That is to say, ancient treasures and special techniques were formed by practitioners in the antiquity times, and secret skills and all sorts of martial arts were created by practitioners in the medieval period!”
Junior Leopard quietly listened to Wang She’s narrative. “However, due to the passage of time, apart from this bunch of people, very few people know about these matters!”
“Even if they know, it is of no use!” Wang She smiled bitterly. “All these can only be Jianghu’s interesting stories to tell. How the secret skills were produced, or when the special techniques appeared aren’t useful for the cultivators. If the Clear Jade Glass Bottle didn’t appear, I wouldn’t tell you all this!”
“Then, such a powerful ancient treasure has never appeared before? Why does it suddenly appear now?”
“Legend has it that they appeared in large numbers in the initial stage of the medieval period. But each’s appearance caused all sorts of power struggles and stirred up a bloody storm. Out of the 10 biggest schools, eight of them were exterminated because of the ancient treasure. They gradually lost in the long struggle. Some really are missing, while some are collected by some smart people and never show up again. Then, for hundreds of years, there would not be one!”
“Then what are the consequences of the reappearance of the ancient treasure at this time?”
“You care too much. Boy, are you very familiar with him? Ma Tianchang is a cunning bastard. Since he dares to flash out the Clear Glass Jade Bottle, that shows that he already has plans. You don’t need to fret over his matters!”
“I didn’t think of worrying about him. I’m just curious!” Junior Leopard smiled. “An ancient treasure that can suck a Metaphysic Realm expert in—that definitely causes one to be greedy!”
“Don’t tell me you are getting an idea about him?”
“Do you think I dare?”
“Alright, the matter of the ancient treasure stops here!” Wang She waved his hands. From his actions, it seemed that he was very feeble. “Did people from the Immortal Palace come to see you?”
“Yes, of course they did. If they hadn’t found me, I wouldn’t know that Chief had already sold me out!”
Junior Leopard smiled, but there was a tinge of complaint in his tone.
“Don’t blame me. For you, the Immortal Palace is a strong backing. It’s the same for me!” Wang She said.
“Backing?” Junior Leopard did not seem to understand. “You need backing?”
“Hmm, I don’t really need it. However, it’s better to have backing than not!” Wang She said, “Especially for you, boy. The Wu Family is really too small and it’s impossible for me to get you into Tian Long Taoism. Hence, you might as well join the Immortal Palace. It’s good for both you and the Immortal Palace!”
“Why can’t I join Tian Long Taoism?” Junior Leopard asked in curiosity. “I’m a Wu’s disciple. The Wu Family is Tian Long Taoism’s vassal. Even if I join Tian Long Taoism, the Wu’s won’t say anything, right?”
“You want to join Tian Long Taoism?”
“I’m just asking!”
“Alright. With your cultivation and background, it’s easy for you to join Tian Long Taoism. However, it’s hard to exit. Although Tian Long Taoism is one of the three greatest schools in the Jin, there are some matters which are not as simple as they look. Even I was somewhat helpless within the school before my cultivation reached Level Nine!”
“Now that you have entered Level Nine, you shouldn’t have so many scruples?”
“Hmph!” Wang She laughed grimly, without answering. He just said, “You shouldn’t care too much about my matters. With you current cultivation, you should be the number one figure within the Wu’s. What plans do you have?”
“Plans? What plans can I have?” Junior Leopard smiled. “Anyway, now I’m a Wu Elder and I don’t want to be the Family Head. I can only be like this!”
“It’s the best. With your strength, as long as you don’t irritate people, people wouldn’t look for trouble with you. However, if there’s really someone who doesn’t have eyes and comes to look for trouble, you don’t need to be polite!”
“What if your disciple comes to find trouble with me?” Junior Leopard smiled. “You are really unbefitting of a teacher. After accepting a disciple, you don’t even meet up with him for these few years, not to mention imparting martial arts!”
“You know quite a lot!”
“Don’t forget that I’m a Wu Elder. I have some position within the family. Your matters aren’t considered a secret. Now everybody is saying that you accepting the Second Young Master as a disciple is only a political transaction. It is to cause the relationship of the Wu’s and Tian Long Taoism to be closer. It isn’t to impart to him some high-level martial arts!”
“Bullshit, who said I didn’t teach him high-level martial arts? I already imparted the whole set of Nine Dragons Heavenly Fire Technique to him. I even pointed out many key points. I even taught him the essence of the 81 movements Wild Hammering Skill. Who could he blame when he can’t practice it?”
“That may be the case, but others don’t know the truth. It is normal that they have doubts!”
“I couldn’t care less about that useless guy. He used so many magic drugs to purify. And I taught him so many martial arts. His cultivation is still at Level Three. He didn’t even reach the Advanced Level of Level Three. Do I have to forcefully impart to him? Even if I did so, his body wouldn’t be able to take it!” Upon mentioning his own disciple, Wang She became somewhat furious.
“Hehe, that’s the case!” Junior Leopard said, “Let’s not talk about these unimportant matters. You said that there’s something for me to do, what is it?”
“It’s about the Immortal Palace. You know about my injuries. I need a long time to recuperate. Last time when I left I didn’t talk about it clearly to you. Since you’re already in touch with the Immortal Palace, it saved me a lot of saliva. During the time when I’m recuperating and nursing my injuries, my position in the palace will formally be transferred to you!” In between words, he retrieved a black metal ring from his arms. This ring was similar to the one that Golden Rooster was wearing. The only difference was that Golden Rooster’s ring had a flying chicken, while the one that Wang She passed to Junior Leopard had an engraving of a cobra that was ready to strike!
“Hehe, the Immortal Palace’s token. You really think highly of me!”
Junior Leopard smiled and received it. He did not wear it but instead placed it within his sleeves. “I can do this matter. Your injuries are not light, so rest well. If not, it would be troublesome sending a corpse back to Tian Long Taoism!”
“This guy…!” Wang She laughed and scolded. Then he closed his eyes and no longer spoke.
Junior Leopard lightly retreated. The moment he exited, he saw the two leaders of the Wu’s were waiting there.
“Junior Leopard, how was it?”
“Chief Wang’s injuries aren’t light. Now he’s resting!” Junior Leopard said, “We should hurry and send him back to Tian Long Taoism. His body needs huge amounts of magic drugs to recuperate. We don’t have such stuff. Only a big school like Tian Long Taoism can afford it!”
“You’re right!” Wu Yansheng nodded. “We set off tomorrow. We already contacted Tian Long Taoism. I believe there’ll be someone receiving him soon. It’s always wise to play it safe!”
“Right!” Junior Leopard responded, his expression somewhat grave.
It was always wise to play it safe!
The news that Wang She was heavily injured was spread out at the same time as the news of him returning from the prairie. That fellow had offended a lot of people in the past. When he was in his prime, nobody dared to provoke him. However, now he had suffered serious injuries. There would be some enemies that would have thoughts of harming him. And these enemies that did not die after forming an enmity with Wang She were renowned figures in Jianghu.
In case there was someone who wanted to find trouble, the Wu’s would not be able to receive it. If Wang She really met with a misfortune, the Wu’s would not be able to bear it. Hence, it was safer to contact someone from Tian Long Taoism to receive him.
“Oh right, Junior Leopard, what plans do you have after this matter?” Lyu Yiyue asked casually, “Are you going back to Marshal Li?”
“No, I’ll write a resignation letter to Marshal Li. I believe he’ll understand. Chief Wang has something for me to do. But it isn’t urgent. I plan to go back to Qinlingjun City to see my teacher and then closed-door train. During this period in the prairie, though I’ve become somewhat shabby, I managed to gain quite a lot. I need time to digest!”
Hearing that Junior Leopard wanted to do closed-door training, Lyu Yiyue’s gaze had a glint of bright light. “Hehe, no wonder your martial arts have improved so fast. No one is more diligent than you in our Wu Family!”
“Achievement is founded on diligence and wasted upon recklessness. In the path of martial arts, it is just like a boat going against the current. One either progresses or regresses. First Elder, don’t forget that in more than a year, I have a duel. Do you really think that the Ningzhou Meng Family is so easy to deal with?!”
“The Meng Family is a millennial family. It has deep foundations. It’s not easy to deal with. However, she’s just a girl. Your cultivation now has reached Level Five and your combat capability is even more astounding. A girl like her can’t play any tricks within these 3 years!”
“If it was before, I would also think likewise. However, what if the Meng Family has an ancient treasure?” Junior Leopard said, “Even Ba Siba in the Mysterious Realm fell to the ancient treasure. I only reached Level Five, how could I resist it?”
“Ancient treasure?”
Lyu Yiyue and Wu Yansheng were speechless instantly. Even though such a possibility was low, it could not be said to not exist. In case the brat from the Meng Family brings out an ancient treasure to battle, then Junior Leopard could not even find a place to cry!
“You have methods to deal with ancient treasures?”
“If I had them, I wouldn’t be so troubled. Now I can only raise my own capability and then pray that the Meng Family doesn’t have any powerful ancient treasure!” Junior Leopard smiled bitterly. “If they really have one, then I can only see how it goes!”
…
…
In Yunzhou, Qinlingjun City—
Now it was wartime. However, the victory on the frontlines took away the tense atmosphere in Qinlingjun City.
The big victory on the frontlines caused Qinlingjun City to be in a festive mood. Aside from being happy, numerous people from the countryside came rushing here to look for opportunities.
The victory over Northern Yuan was already a matter set in stone. The next thing was how to divide the spoils of war.
The soldiers from the frontlines brought back all kinds of spoils. How to divide them was a problem. The merchants were there to solve the problem!
Hence, within Qinlingjun City, the number of merchants that had come from all places to hurry northward had multiplied 5-6 times over. All the inns were exploding. Even the houses of the citizens were rented out.
Every day on the road, one would see the noisy crowd. All kinds of information flew in the air. There were business opportunities, military information, gossip, etc.
Walking on this chaotic pathway, a sense of familiarity invaded him.
“How is it, Junior Leopard, that this city is so boisterous now!” Wu Yasheng smiled while sitting in the carriage, looking at the squeezing crowd.
“It’s too boisterous!” Junior Leopard said, “It is a few times more boisterous than before!”
The Wu’s carriage had a very obvious symbol. There were very few people in Qinlingjun City who did not recognize the symbol. Hence, even though it was very crowded, people who saw the carriage knew they were the Wu’s, and they all took the initiative to make way for them. Thus, the carriage ran quickly.
“Oh right, Family Head, my Teacher hasn’t returned yet?”
“No, this time around the Li Family in Pingzhou has really obtained a treasure. The other time your teacher sent a letter saying that he needed another 3 months before he could come back. There’s also a letter for you. Since you hadn’t come back, it was kept with me. I’ll give it to you once we return!”
“Alright!” Junior Leopard said, “Then I’ll have to trouble the Family Head!”
“What trouble is there!” Wu Yansheng stroked his beard and laughed. In an instant, the carriage suddenly jerked and stopped. The groom steering the carriage shouted, “Who are you? How dare you to stop the Wu’s carriage!”