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Chapter 25: A Treasure Brings Trouble
🕑 Added 2025-02-09 10:35:15 +0000 UTCThe bronze cauldron crashed to the ground, sending a powerful shockwave rippling through the courtyard, as if a massive hammer had struck everyone squarely in the chest. A violent gust of force erupted from the cauldron, sweeping through the crowd. The onlookers were instantly thrown into the air, hurtling backward and slamming into the walls before collapsing in a heap at the corners of the courtyard.
Chen Xiao, caught off guard like the rest of the workers, was also sent flying by the shockwave. Fortunately, their landing was cushioned by the pile of bodies behind them. Whether they hit the wall or the ground, the impact was softened enough that they remained unscathed.
Those who had stood closer to the cauldron or at the very edges of the courtyard weren’t as lucky. Some were crushed, others struck by debris, and many sustained injuries from the violent collisions.
After that single eruption, the bronze cauldron fell silent, standing motionless in the center of the courtyard. The intricate patterns of the treasure shimmered faintly, as if still imbued with residual power. Upon closer inspection, one would notice a subtle tremor running through it, accompanied by an inaudible hum.
Chen Xiao, regaining his breath, worried there might be another outburst. Ignoring the pain in his body, he scrambled to his feet and rushed toward the cauldron. Seeing that it had calmed, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
The courtyard was a mess, injured people groaned in pain, scattered across the ground like fallen leaves. Guilt welled up in Chen Xiao’s heart at the sight. It was his fault. He had underestimated this world and recklessly applied his past experiences, failing to recognize the sheer power of the cauldron. He had been too careless, and now innocent people had suffered for it.
But he didn’t dwell on his guilt for long. The immediate priority was to help the injured. The few who were lightly wounded, though shaken, stood frozen in shock. Chen Xiao quickly took charge, directing them to help the fallen, checking their injuries. He also ordered the unscathed workers to fetch a doctor from the nearest clinic.
Pulling Pang Hemu out from the pile of bodies, Chen Xiao asked, "Boss, are you all right?"
Pang Hemu looked utterly dazed, his expression blank as if he had yet to process what had just happened. He stared at Chen Xiao for a long moment before his senses returned. "Xiao Han... what happened?"
Glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping, Chen Xiao lowered his voice. "It was my mistake. I didn’t anticipate the cauldron’s energy field being so strong. The clash between opposing forces triggered this disaster."
Pang Hemu stared at him in disbelief. "That explosion... it was caused by the Treasure-Patterned Bronze Cauldron?"
Chen Xiao gave him an apologetic nod. To his surprise, Pang Hemu wasn’t angry. Instead, his eyes widened with excitement, his expression shifting from shock to utter elation. "This is real! It’s a real immortal artifact! A genuine relic from the immortals!"
His voice grew louder and louder until he finally shouted, "A true immortal artifact—this is an absolute treasure!"
Those who had been groaning moments ago suddenly forgot their pain. In an instant, they scrambled to their feet and crowded around Pang Hemu.
"What did you just say?" someone asked, skeptical. "You’re saying the cauldron did this?"
"Are you blind? Didn’t you see the shockwave blast everyone away just now?" another retorted. "This is definitely an immortal relic—no, a sacred treasure! A genuine magical artifact!"
"An immortal artifact!" gasped an elderly man. "It’s real! It truly exists! What an honor to witness such a treasure in my lifetime!"
Though some had been injured, none were gravely hurt. But at this moment, no one cared about their minor wounds. The reality of what they had witnessed—the cauldron unleashing an immense power—had them all trembling with excitement.
"It’s really true..." murmured Sheng Hui in disbelief. He stood there, disheveled, one hand gripping his fractured arm, his face pale with shock. He didn’t want to believe it.
Had this happened earlier, he might have been able to argue, to twist the truth and convince people that Pang Hemu had faked the cauldron’s power to deceive them. But now? No amount of silver tongue could overturn what so many had witnessed firsthand.
The moment the Hundred Beasts Treasure-Patterned Cauldron had displayed its might, Sheng Hui knew he had lost. Regardless of whether it was truly an immortal artifact, Pang Hemu’s shop was destined to rise to fame.
In an attempt to counteract Pang Hemu’s influence, Sheng Hui had colluded with other shops, spreading rumors to discredit him. He had hoped to use the debate to boost his own reputation instead. But now, his plans had backfired spectacularly. The cauldron’s display of power would soon spread far and wide, becoming legend. Meanwhile, he, Sheng Hui, would forever be remembered as the petty schemer who had tried and failed to defame Pang Hemu.
What a complete and utter disaster.
As the crowd swarmed around the cauldron, marveling at its grandeur, a voice rang out from above: "Who was fighting here just now?"
Heads turned skyward, and gasps of astonishment rippled through the gathering. "An Immortal Master!"
A middle-aged man, clad in a tight-fitting robe, his hair and beard streaked with gray, descended slowly from the sky. His sharp gaze swept over the courtyard as he repeated his question. "Who was engaged in battle here? Does anyone know?"
The crowd fell into a hushed confusion. No one understood what the Immortal Master meant.
Recognizing the man, Pang Hemu quickly stepped forward. As the owner of the shop, he took the initiative to greet him. "May I ask, esteemed Immortal Master, are you from the City Lord’s residence?"
The man’s eyes flickered toward him. "Indeed. Are you the owner of this place?"
Sweat trickled down Pang Hemu’s palm. Though he had always dreamed of interacting with Immortal Masters, those who resided within the city were powerful figures in their own right. One could not afford to slight them.
Bowing respectfully, Pang Hemu answered, "Yes, I am the owner. My name is Pang Hemu."
The Immortal Master let out a faint "hmm" before asking, "Do you know the cause of the disturbance just now? Did you see who was responsible?"
Pang Hemu’s expression flickered momentarily. It dawned on him that this Immortal Master had been drawn here by the cauldron’s outburst. He hurriedly recounted what had happened.
A glint of surprise flashed in the Immortal Master’s eyes. "I see. The City Lord sensed the disturbance from his garden and feared someone had violated the laws by engaging in combat within the city. He is currently entertaining guests and was most displeased by the disruption. He ordered me to investigate and apprehend the culprit."
Upon hearing that this matter had alarmed the city lord, Pang Hemu's legs instantly went weak. Although the city lord rarely intervened in affairs, he was an absolute authority in the county city. If he ever took a disliking to the Pang family, just a mere flick of his fingers could spell their doom.
Just as Pang Hemu was filled with fear, the middle-aged man strode forward. Seeing him approach, the surrounding crowd hurriedly stepped aside, revealing the bronze cauldron in the center.
Among the crowd, the unassuming Chen Xiao secretly observed this Immortal Master with curiosity. This was the fourth Immortal Master he had encountered since arriving here, and he was noticeably different from the three from the Chongxuan Sect. First of all, he was older—not only were his hair and beard graying, but even the corners of his eyes and lips bore fine wrinkles.
Chen Xiao had no way of determining this man's cultivation level, but he was certain that he was not as powerful as Xi Yunqing. At best, he was comparable to the other two disciples from the Chongxuan Sect. He based this judgment purely on the aura the man exuded, though he knew his assessment might not be entirely accurate.
The middle-aged man glanced at the bronze cauldron and remarked, "So it's an alchemy cauldron, a mid-grade one, no less. A rare find indeed." With that, he circled around it, carefully examining the intricate treasure patterns adorning its surface. After his inspection, a look of regret flashed across his face. "The formation lines on this cauldron have already been severed. It can no longer be used."
Then, he turned to Pang Hemu and asked, "Is this cauldron yours?"
Pang Hemu, trembling with fear, hastily replied, "I acquired this from a descendant of the Zheng Kingdom's royal family. It was said to have been passed down from his ancestors. Its provenance is clear and without fabrication. Please, Immortal Master, see for yourself."
The middle-aged man shook his head. "I am not questioning its origins. This cauldron, though now merely an ornament, is made of rare materials. If word of it spreads, encountering righteous cultivators might not be too dangerous they may simply negotiate a fair trade with you. But should it catch the eye of those with darker intentions, they could easily kill you to seize it."
Cold sweat broke out all over Pang Hemu's body. Trembling, he fell to his knees before the Immortal Master. "Immortal Master, what should I do? Please, guide me!"
The middle-aged man sighed. "Keeping this cauldron will only bring disaster upon you. I will give you some spirit pearls in exchange for it." With that, he retrieved a small pouch, took out a portion of spirit pearls, and tucked the rest away before tossing the pouch to Pang Hemu. Then, with effortless ease, he lifted the cauldron by its ear and gracefully ascended into the air, vanishing in an instant.
Pang Hemu could only watch helplessly as the city lord's offering master took the cauldron away. Though he had received a generous payment, he still felt an unbearable sense of loss. He sighed in resignation. The Immortal Master was right keeping the cauldron might have brought him great fame, but it would have been a curse rather than a blessing. The saying "a treasured item invites calamity" could not have been more fitting.
Pang Hemu was not someone who couldn't distinguish between fortune and misfortune. No matter how reluctant or sorrowful he felt, he could only accept the outcome. Perhaps it was simply fate that he and the cauldron were not meant to be.
The onlookers also witnessed the cauldron being taken away, but unlike Pang Hemu, they were not disheartened. Instead, they found the unfolding events even more extraordinary. They had seen a relic from the Immortal world exhibit strange phenomena, which in turn had drawn the attention of a real cultivator. In the end, that cultivator had not only acknowledged the cauldron’s value but had also compensated Pang Hemu handsomely before taking it away. No matter how one looked at it, this was a tale worthy of being passed down through the generations.
As they discussed the event excitedly, the people in the courtyard also received treatment from the physicians who had arrived. Soon, the legendary story spread from Taxue Xunxian Pavilion to the entire antique street, leaving those who had missed the spectacle filled with regret.
As the attendees of the appraisal gathering returned to their hometowns, the tale would undoubtedly ripple across the entire Dai Kingdom. Both Pang Hemu and Taxue Xunxian Pavilion would gain widespread fame from this.
In stark contrast, no one noticed the silent departure of Shopkeeper Sheng. Once one of the central figures of the day’s events, he had now faded into complete obscurity, reduced to nothing more than a forgotten background character.
Meanwhile, the middle-aged man who had taken the cauldron returned to the city lord’s side, reporting the details of the incident and how he had handled it.
The city lord was quite satisfied. After dismissing the man, he turned to his esteemed guest of the day, the Chongxuan Sect’s esteemed Golden Core cultivator, Xi Yunqing, and said with a smile, "Artifacts imbued with formation lines like these must never be left in the hands of mortals. Just look at today’s incident somehow, it was accidentally activated. Fortunately, no one lost their life."
Seated nearby, Xi Yunqing picked up a cup of fragrant spirit wine and lightly wetted her lips. She mused to herself, 'So, that person mentioned that Taxue Xunxian Pavilion was located here…'
