Chapter 155: Millennium Ice to Stir the Appetite, the Jade Cauldron Follows Behind

Everyone, including Yu Xian, immediately noticed the thick layer of black ice, nearly a zhang deep.

Tong Xue’s eyes lit up, bursting with joy: “This is—this is Millennium Cold Ice! And not the ordinary kind that’s been frozen for a thousand years—this is Yin Cold Ice! It qualifies as a fourth-grade material, excellent for refining tools, concocting pills, or nurturing cold- and Yin-loving spiritual entities!”

Hearing his words, even those unfamiliar with the substance, like Yu Xian, instantly recognized its incredible value.

This was an entire grand hall, more than three hundred meters across, filled with Millennium Yin-Cold Ice!

Everyone exchanged glances, greed flashing clearly in their eyes—until Jiang Xiaolong chuckled and said, “This is a fortuitous encounter. Fellow Daoists, feel free to take what you want!”

With that, he stepped to the side, drew out his magical treasure weapon, and began digging.

The others didn’t hesitate either. In a flash, everyone found their spot and began excavation at a furious pace.

Yu Xian also hurried to a section of the wall, drew out his Bi Ling Sword, and activated it. The sword light flickered—one slash, one scoop—and a three-zhang square chunk of the precious ice was collected and stored in his storage bag.

This was a treasure, useful in many places in the future.

He hadn’t expected to encounter such fortune right after entering the tomb—already collecting a fair number of fourth-grade materials.

A quick estimate suggested the ice in this hall alone was worth over a million spirit stones.

Yu Xian kept slashing, collecting slab after slab from the walls.

The others worked just as fast, like raging fire devouring a dry prairie—quick and relentless.

Within thirty breaths of time, the entire hall’s ice had been harvested by the seven of them.

Their haul varied, but all bore smiles.

After all, this was a windfall worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of spirit stones. How could they not be delighted?

Once even the tiniest ice shards in the corners were scraped away, the group gathered again.

“Fellow Daoists,” Qi Xuan spoke, shaking his head despite the visible joy on everyone’s faces. “Don’t be too happy just yet. The presence of Millennium Yin-Cold Ice means this place is steeped in Yin energy! Even ancient battlefields with millions of corpses can’t compare. This indicates something extremely unusual.”

Of course, no one needed him to say it—but his words still caused their smiles to fade into solemn expressions.

Tong Xue nodded, “Fellow Daoist Qi is right. Such intense Yin energy must originate from powerful Yin spirits or vengeful ghosts—not just one or two either.”

“But… we’ve seen no such spirits,” Su Mofeng frowned in confusion. “If they existed, why haven’t they shown up since we entered?”

“In this poor Daoist’s opinion…”

A voice interrupted—Kang Xinping, silent until now, lifted his head and looked at the thirteen blood-rune-covered stone pillars in the hall. He said in a low voice, “Those spirits… might be sealed within these pillars.”

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the thirteen pillars, brows furrowed.

Yu Xian said nothing. Partly because he didn’t want to, and partly because he had nothing to contribute. Compared to these late-stage and peak Foundation Establishment cultivators, his knowledge and experience were far inferior.

He only shared the same cultivation realm—thus addressed as a fellow Daoist. In truth, he was still just a junior in their eyes.

So he simply listened. And listening at the right moment often meant gaining insight.

The thirteen pillars remained unmoving, but even after so many years, the blood-colored runes and inscriptions on them still glowed faintly.

They definitely seemed to be some sort of seal, likely imprisoning some Yin entities.

As they stared, the chill and foreboding aura emanating from the pillars made everyone even more wary.

“If there are spirits, they’re sealed for now,” said Ge Xiyu. “No need to worry too much. Let’s focus on finding the tomb owner’s true legacy.”

The others nodded. If the seals had lasted thousands of years, they wouldn’t suddenly fail just because a few of them showed up.

They decided not to interfere with the pillars.

Instead, their eyes turned to the massive cauldron at the center.

Dust-covered and ancient-looking, it still exuded an aura of grandeur.

Jiang Xiaolong’s eyes gleamed with excitement as he circled the cauldron. He turned to the others and said, “Fellow Daoists, I’d like to examine this cauldron. If anything unusual happens, please be prepared.”

Everyone nodded, becoming cautious once again.

After all, this cauldron might be linked to some sort of restriction. If disturbed, it might trigger the release of those sealed spirits.

Still, no one could resist a treasure.

Even if Jiang Xiaolong didn’t act, others would.

Yu Xian squinted slightly, body tensing in preparation for either battle or retreat.

“Let’s see… what kind of cauldron you really are…”

Jiang Xiaolong inhaled deeply—then exhaled like a gust of wind!

Whoosh! Dust blew off in all directions, revealing the cauldron’s true form.

A soft jade-colored glow filled the hall.

The entire cauldron shimmered like carved suet jade, majestic and radiant—and faintly warm.

Everyone’s eyes lit up, even Yu Xian’s pupils contracted slightly.

This… this was the aura of a fifth-grade artifact!

And not just any artifact—it was a high-grade fifth-grade pill cauldron!

His own Spirit Shield bore a similar aura, but this cauldron was far more valuable.

Because it was a pill cauldron, a rare and precious kind among spiritual tools.

But Yu Xian quickly calmed down.

He had no chance of acquiring this. As the saying goes: “If one’s virtue does not match the treasure, calamity will follow.”

Even if he took it, he wouldn’t be able to escape with it.

Besides, his own Lian Grass Cauldron was still useful. He had vowed to upgrade it—whether he succeeded or not was secondary. What mattered was keeping his promise.

“Fellow Daoists, ahem…”

Jiang Xiaolong coughed on his own saliva, steadied himself, and chuckled, “Most of you aren’t alchemists, while I, your humble Daoist, am well-versed in the pill path. This cauldron clearly resonates with me. I ask your understanding in claiming it—I will certainly repay your kindness.”

The others’ expressions shifted subtly.

They all knew what this cauldron was worth—hundreds of thousands of spirit stones!

And now Jiang Xiaolong expected them to give it up with just words?

Su Mofeng and Ge Xiyu exchanged a glance and held back their desires.

They knew Jiang’s strength and had spent enough time with him. It was fine to let him have it.

But the remaining three showed signs of hesitation.

“Hah… Jiang Daoist, you’re not the only one here who knows alchemy.”

Qi Xuan suddenly chuckled and turned to Yu Xian. “This young fellow, Yu Xian, is a disciple of Senior Xiao. He can already refine fourth-grade pills. With this cauldron, he might be able to step into the fifth-grade! That would benefit all cultivators, not just beasts!”

Jiang Xiaolong’s smile froze slightly.

Yu Xian, however, remained calm, gazing at Qi Xuan’s overly warm expression and responded without hesitation, “You flatter me. How could I compare to Senior Brother Jiang? This cauldron is clearly meant for him!”

Qi Xuan’s smile faltered.

Jiang Xiaolong resumed smiling, looking at Yu Xian with deep appreciation. “Ah, Brother Yu, such words! But truly, this treasure only belongs to me because all of you are willing. I will repay you well in the future.”

Qi Xuan stopped pushing. Tong Xue and Kang Xinping said nothing either—accepting the decision.

For such a treasure, turning against each other wasn’t unthinkable.

But it was unwise to fall out so soon after entering the tomb.

Besides, now that Jiang had claimed this treasure, he’d have little right to fight over anything else they found later.

Jiang Xiaolong glanced again at Yu Xian, eyes full of approval, then stepped forward and placed his hand on the jade cauldron.

Even though no one opposed him, he remained cautious. Who knew what dangers the cauldron held?

Everyone watched closely.

As soon as his palm touched it, Jiang smiled, activated his spiritual energy, and poured it in!

The jade cauldron’s glow burst forth, flooding the entire hall with brilliance.

The artifact, long dormant without an owner, reawakened under his spiritual infusion.

“Haha! It’s ownerless!”

With that confirmation, Jiang laughed aloud, imbuing the cauldron with his spiritual imprint and refining it on the spot.

Light flared—the jade cauldron shrank and disappeared into his storage bag.

“Hahahaha!”

Jiang laughed joyously, this alone made the expedition worthwhile. He turned to the others and cupped his hands. “Thank you, fellow Daoists! I’ll be sure to repay you handsomely in the future!”

What else could they do? The matter was settled. They could only smile and nod.

Dong…

But before the pleasantries could continue, a dull thud echoed through the hall.

Jiang Xiaolong’s smile froze, and everyone looked around sharply.

Where had the sound come from?

“This cauldron… is definitely connected to some kind of restriction.”

A low voice rang out—it was Yu Xian, pointing to one of the thirteen stone pillars and exclaiming, “Look!”

Everyone turned their eyes.

That particular pillar was different. The runes upon it began to writhe, like blood serpents crawling upward.

Then—Dong!—another deep rumble echoed from within the pillar.