Chapter 139: Treasures in the Margin

Amidst cheerful banter, the distribution of numbers concluded. All cultivators holding numbered plaques scanned the surroundings with eager gazes, searching for Liu Junhuai.

Members of the Myriad Phenomena Sect had already unfurled a massive banner above the grand rostrum, and the cultivators clutching their numbered plaques surged toward the platform like a rising tide.

Liu Junhuai approached the scene, retrieved a jade slip inscribed with the assigned numbers, and handed it to Wu Yaohan. Wu Yaohan swept his divine sense inward, revealing over a thousand figures.

Among the cultivators Liu Junhuai had handpicked, those with superior single-spirit-root affinities predominated, while the few dual-spirit-root candidates bore special annotations—individuals toward whom Liu Junhuai harbored great expectations.

Fortunately, nearly all the cultivators listed in that jade slip had already made their way to the front of the rostrum, save for a single dual-spirit-root cultivator who remained rooted to the spot, glancing about in all directions as if searching for something.

A flicker of anxiety crossed Liu Junhuai’s mind. He stepped forward quickly, casting an indifferent, casual glance around him.

Some cultivators eagerly rushed up to converse with him, but upon learning that Liu Junhuai was occupied with observing the recruitment progress, they refrained from unduly disrupting his work.

As he drew near the young cultivator, the man evidently recognized him, gazing at Liu Junhuai with a somewhat agitated expression.

This young cultivator possessed a late Foundation Establishment cultivation base; his tall frame was topped with refined features, and his expression carried a hesitant panic.

"The recruitment for the Myriad Phenomena Sect has already begun. Why does this fellow Daoist still stand here? We are only accepting one thousand disciples!" Liu Junhuai probed gently.

The panic in the young cultivator's eyes deepened, and his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the rostrum.

Sensing something amiss, Liu Junhuai asked softly, "Is there something holding you back, making it difficult to decide?"

The young cultivator started visibly, only then remembering that the Sect Master of the Myriad Phenomena Sect was addressing him. "My sincerest apologies, Sect Master Liu. I was feeling somewhat nervous and my mind wandered just now. I yearn for the Myriad Phenomena Sect with all my heart, but I have a newly wedded wife whom I cannot simply leave behind."

Liu Junhuai said with a puzzled tone, "How does that conflict with joining the sect? You can easily bring her along to the sect, and you will still stay together. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"

The young cultivator's expression dimmed somewhat. "Sect Master Liu, my wife passionately yearns to cultivate. However, when I brought her to visit several sects previously, they all declared that she possessed no spirit roots and was incapable of cultivation; this has caused her immense anguish. She wishes to cultivate solely for my sake, because she knows my aptitude is quite good and it would be a pity if I did not pursue cultivation, yet I cannot bear to part with her!"

Inwardly, Liu Junhuai felt a surge of quiet delight. Crafting spirit roots was an impossible feat for others, but he himself possessed several methods to improve such a physical constitution.

Yet, while this young man was deeply affectionate and loyal, his temperament was hesitant and overly bound by convention. "Are you willing to join the Myriad Phenomena Sect? If you have this intention, I can help your wife cultivate spirit roots. However, the price to be paid for this is rather heavy; you may wish to consider it."

The young man was exceptionally surprised, a strange brilliance flashing repeatedly in his eyes, and a trace of moisture even vaguely blurring his vision. "Sect Master Liu, I am entirely willing to pay any price! As long as my wife can attain the path of cultivation, I, Soyang Fengxu, am willing to serve as a vanguard for the Myriad Phenomena Sect!"

"Soyang Fengxu? That is certainly an uncommon name. First, bring your wife here; I need to examine her specific condition. Once you find her, go to the rostrum and hand your numbered plaque to Sect Master Wu." Liu Junhuai had no inkling that the Soyang Fengxu he recruited today would eventually become one of his most vital assistants throughout his life.

Soyang Fengxu was clearly overwhelmed by this unexpected pleasant surprise. Without even having time to bid Liu Junhuai farewell, he dashed off in a rush.

Liu Junhuai shook his head with a smile and walked back to the recruitment area.

The atmosphere at the site remained fiery. Many applicants, upon seeing Liu Junhuai's arrival, flocked over from all directions, eagerly vying to showcase their respective talents.

Liu Junhuai smiled and said, "The primary condition for our Myriad Phenomena Sect to recruit disciples is the testing of spirit roots, and the quota is limited to one thousand. By crowding here like this, aren't you giving away the opportunity right in your hands? Hurry off to take the test! Once you join the Myriad Phenomena Sect, we will have plenty of opportunities to meet."

Hearing Liu Junhuai's words, the crowd surrounding him finally dispersed in all directions. Several female disciples cast reluctant glances back as they walked away.

On the rostrum, Mo Sitong was leading a few female disciples, busy recording the roster of admitted disciples. Liu Junhuai called out to Wu Bini to take Mo Sitong's place, relieving her from duty, and pulled her aside.

He recounted the situation regarding Soyang Fengxu just now. "I have two Gialan sea buckthorn plants here, which can be used to refine Earth Spirit Pills. I am just unsure what tier of alchemist is required to refine them. A single Earth Spirit Pill can cultivate earth-attribute spirit roots."

Mo Sitong smiled and said, "Let's go to the Myriad Phenomena Tower tonight; I can refine them! It has been so long since I last refined pills, my hands are starting to itch."

Liu Junhuai took Mo Sitong's hands in his. "There have been far too many matters lately, which has delayed your cultivation. Once we get through this busy period, we will go into secluded cultivation together! By the way, I also have Spirit Eye Wood here. Combined with Earth Spirit Wood as an ingredient, it can be used to refine Spirit Pupil Pills. Let's refine them together tonight!"

"Earth Spirit Wood?" Mo Sitong looked slightly puzzled. Liu Junhuai laughed, "That is Gialan sea buckthorn; Earth Spirit Wood is its true name. The Spirit Pupil Pill has miraculous effects on my Heavenly Eye Vision, but there are only two Gialan sea buckthorn plants, so we must have absolute certainty before refining."

Mo Sitong nodded. "Even if I cannot refine it right now, I am very close to advancing to a Tier Seven Alchemist. I won't have to wait much longer."

Liu Junhuai said, "There is no need to be in such a hurry. As for Soyang Fengxu's wife, I can impart techniques to her to repair her spirit roots, though that process will be somewhat slow and the results will not manifest quickly. This Soyang Fengxu possesses metal and wood dual spirit roots, and what is more, his spirit root aptitude is of the highest grade. He is close to you in age, yet he is already a late Foundation Establishment cultivator. Just think—for an independent cultivator with no backing to cultivate to the late Foundation Establishment stage at such an age is exceptionally commendable! Unlike you and me, who have countless heavenly treasures to assist us."

Mo Sitong retorted, "That is just you! I only came into contact with so many heavenly treasures after I met you; before that, I cultivated extremely hard."

"Alright, alright! Our Sitong is also a genius. Are you satisfied now?" Liu Junhuai affectionately stroked Mo Sitong's beautiful hair. It was rare for her to display such gentle petulance, and this demeanor was in no way inferior to her usual virtuous and dignified self, making Liu Junhuai's heart itch with fondness.

Mo Sitong quickly reined in that girlish state of mind and spoke with a serious expression, "Lately, I feel that you have somewhat neglected Big Brother Bian. His cultivation aptitude is also top-tier, yet to help you, his sworn brother, he has not seriously cultivated for even a few days since he found you. Shouldn't you also share some of your good things with him?"

Hearing Mo Sitong put it this way, Liu Junhuai felt that the situation was indeed as she described, and a wave of guilt instantly welled up in his heart. "I had thought about giving that suppression stone to Big Brother some time ago, but once things got busy, I forgot all about it. Sitong, thank you for reminding me in time; I'll go find him right now."

Mo Sitong nodded with intuitive understanding. "Go quickly, before you get busy and forget again!"

Liu Junhuai swept the area with his heavenly sense to locate Bian Jingzhong's exact position, then hurried over in a few strides.

At this moment, Bian Jingzhong was busy directing the cultivators who had come to apply. A procession of over ten thousand people was naturally a magnificent sight to behold, and this did not even include the other recruitment spot in front of the grand rostrum.

Liu Junhuai walked up to Bian Jingzhong, found someone to replace him, and said, "Big Brother, I obtained a fine item some time ago and originally intended to give it to you, but with so many things happening lately, it slipped my mind. It was only just now that Sitong reminded me. Come, Big Brother! Let's find an empty place!"

Bian Jingzhong wryly smiled and said, "I say, Second Brother, use those big eyes of yours to take a good look around. Is there any empty space left in the Myriad Phenomena Sect right now? Whatever business you have, let's talk about it after we get through this rush!"

Liu Junhuai summoned the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle. "Stop talking so much, hurry up! We'll be right back."

Within mere breaths, the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle had arrived at the deepest recesses of the Misty Peak.

Putting away the shuttle, Liu Junhuai produced the multicolored suppression stone, carefully removed the restrictions upon it, and handed it to Bian Jingzhong. "Big Brother, this stone is called a suppression stone. I won't explain what it is just yet—refine it quickly!"

Bian Jingzhong did not stand on ceremony. He snatched it up, crossed his legs, circulated his cultivation technique, and refined it strand by strand.

After the span of an incense stick, as a drop of his vital blood seeped into it and the final strand was refined, a terrifying momentum soared into the sky, forcing even Liu Junhuai, who stood nearby, to circulate his true elemental force to protect himself.

Feeling the earth-shattering coercive pressure contained within, Bian Jingzhong sprang to his feet in excitement, holding the suppression stone aloft as he flew toward a massive black bear dozens of zhang away. The bear was apparently hunting some prey, and upon seeing Bian Jingzhong flying toward it from afar, it roared repeatedly, baring its two huge tusks.

Yet, the moment it felt the terrifyingly powerful coercive pressure of the suppression stone bearing down upon it, the beast attempted to turn and flee, but its legs refused to budge even the slightest fraction.

They watched as Bian Jingzhong, suspended in mid-air, held the suppression stone high as it floated upward. Pausing slightly, it swept downward with a mighty, overwhelming pressure toward the black bear.

Before the suppression stone even reached the bear's body, that massive physique emitted a deafening bang, instantly crushed into a heap of minced meat by the sheer force of the pressure.

Bian Jingzhong clearly found it a bit taxing to control, so he quickly retrieved the suppression stone into his palm, infused it with more true elemental force, and hurled it into the sky.

The colorful suppression stone tumbled and spun in the air a few times, paused briefly, and then smashed down toward the forest below with the force of Mount Tai collapsing.

As the suppression stone continued its descent, every single tree, as thick as a waist, groaned and creaked under the immense pressure.

With a deafening roar, the forest below had been crushed into a layer of fine sawdust.

"Hahahahaha...!" Bian Jingzhong burst into wild, uproarious laughter of extreme elation, the greedy desire in his eyes laid completely bare.

"This is the suppression stone! A suppression-type magical treasure that can bind a person's divine sense and true elemental force, compressing the soul and consciousness within the body. Does Big Brother like it?" Liu Junhuai asked with a smile.

Bian Jingzhong looked at Liu Junhuai with a face full of gratitude. "Thank you truly, Second Brother! With this suppression stone, Big Brother has gained an extra skill, and the power of this skill is countless times greater than my Tiger-Shadow Saber. This magical treasure should count as an immortal artifact, right?"

Liu Junhuai explained, "Although it is merely an imitation, do not underestimate this replica; its power already surpasses that of ordinary immortal artifacts. A true suppression stone has already attained perfection; that is a divine artifact in the true sense of the word. The only thing this replica lacks compared to a divine artifact is the tempering erosion of time, and more importantly, this replica can be upgraded!"

Though Bian Jingzhong felt a slight pang of regret in his heart, upon second thought, an imitation that did not lose to an immortal artifact was already extremely rare. Even if it were a divine artifact, his current realm would prevent him from unleashing a divine artifact's true might.

Furthermore, it could be upgraded. Once his own cultivation realm improved, he could entirely raise its tier as well.

Thus, the suppression stone as it stood already left him immensely satisfied. "I love this magical treasure so much! Second Brother, do you think I should refine it as my natal magical treasure? If I do that, its power will double."

Liu Junhuai shook his head. "There is no rush to refine it just yet; who knows, perhaps the true suppression stone can still be found! Even if it cannot be found, we should wait until after it has been upgraded."

Bian Jingzhong stroked the suppression stone with eyes full of affection. "This magical treasure really suits Big Brother well. I naturally have a partiality for formidable power. Second Brother, thank you so much for helping me find such a wonderful treasure!"