Chapter 453 (2)
"Palace Master, you overestimate me. I'll just take this Fire Spirit Pearl," Lu Qing said with a smile.
Han Lingshuang frowned. "Does the esteemed one believe that I’m being overly generous as a show of humility? There’s no need for such thoughts. What I said is entirely sincere. If there are other treasures you find valuable, please take them as well."
"I understand your sincerity, Palace Master. However, apart from this Fire Spirit Pearl, the rest of the treasures here are of little use to me. So there’s no need for your sect to part with them," Lu Qing replied.
Han Lingshuang froze for a moment.
Recalling Lu Qing's unfathomable strength, she realized he was speaking the truth.
Although the treasure vault held many valuables, they were of little utility to someone of Lu Qing's caliber, a man capable of easily slaying Golden Core cultivators. It was a level of power she found hard to believe even as she acknowledged it.
Realizing this, she relaxed her brow, though a hint of regret remained. "It seems that the foundation of Cold Water Palace is too shallow. The treasures we’ve collected are unworthy of your attention."
Seeing her genuine regret, Lu Qing thought for a moment and said, "Palace Master, you are far too polite. However, apart from this Fire Spirit Pearl, I do have one request."
Han Lingshuang's spirits lifted. "There’s no need for formality, esteemed one. What is your request? As long as Cold Water Palace can accomplish it, we will spare no effort."
"I wish to borrow your sect's legacy cultivation manual. Would that be possible?" Lu Qing asked.
"You wish to borrow the legacy cultivation manual of Cold Water Palace?" Han Lingshuang was momentarily stunned.
"Indeed. I believe you can see that my younger sister possesses a unique constitution, one particularly attuned to the Dao of Ice. I hope to study your sect's legacy manual to find inspiration for creating a technique suited to her. Naturally, I will offer adequate compensation in exchange."
Han Lingshuang glanced at Xiao Yan standing nearby. Indeed, she could sense a strange aura emanating from the girl, one that bore a resemblance to the energy cultivated through the techniques of Cold Water Palace.
This explained the immediate sense of closeness she had felt when meeting Xiao Yan. Initially, she thought the girl had cultivated techniques similar to those of their sect. However, it now appeared that Xiao Yan had a special constitution.
After some consideration, Han Lingshuang nodded. "It is an honor for our sect’s techniques to catch your attention. However, the original copy of our legacy manual is not here but in the Manual Hall. Once we leave this treasure vault, I’ll retrieve it for you. As for any exchange, there’s no need to discuss compensation. With your life-saving grace to Cold Water Palace, how could we possibly accept anything in return?"
Seeing that further argument would be futile with someone as passionate as Han Lingshuang, Lu Qing did not press the matter.
He stepped forward and took the Fire Spirit Pearl from its stand. Unlike the Earth Spirit Pearl, the Fire Spirit Pearl was not heavy in the hand. Instead, a gentle warmth emanated from it.
When Lu Qing probed it with his spiritual sense, he found its internal fire-elemental energy almost entirely depleted. No wonder Cold Water Palace had regarded it as merely a decorative gem. Moreover, this secret realm, dominated by water and ice-based energies, offered no opportunity for the Fire Spirit Pearl to replenish its power.
If not for Lu Qing's discovery, the pearl would likely have remained dormant in the depths of this treasure vault, forever unable to awaken. Even now, he would need to find a fire-elemental environment to nurture it for some time before it could regain its potency.
After inspecting the pearl for a moment, Lu Qing stored it away. A peculiar thought crossed his mind—he had now acquired two of the Five Elements Spirit Pearls. He wondered if he would have the chance to collect all five in the future. However, he quickly dismissed the notion. The conditions for the creation of these pearls were exceedingly rare. Even if they had existed in the past, they might have long since been lost, taken by other cultivators, or vanished in the previous Immortal Era.
Leaving the treasure vault, Han Lingshuang instructed Lu Qing to wait while she retrieved the sect's legacy manual. Before long, she returned with a jade scroll in hand.
"Esteemed one, this [Frost Ice True Record] is the most profound legacy of our sect. Nearly all our techniques derive from this manual," Han Lingshuang said, offering the jade scroll to Lu Qing.
Lu Qing raised an eyebrow, surprised once again by her generosity. To offer the core legacy of her sect so readily was beyond his expectations. He accepted the scroll and opened it, appearing to study its contents. In truth, he had already activated his spiritual abilities.
[Legacy Jade Scroll: Contains the core legacy of Cold Water Palace.]
[This jade scroll is crafted from precious jade materials.]
[Legacy detected. Initiating download simulation. Progress: 1%, 2%, 3%… 100% complete.]
[Simulation complete. Begin learning?]
Lu Qing immediately selected "yes." Moments later, a torrent of comprehension surged through his mind.
Closing his eyes, he quietly absorbed the information.
To Han Lingshuang, it appeared as though Lu Qing was closing his eyes to comprehend the manual’s profound truths. Respecting his focus, she remained silently by his side, while Xiao Yan, accustomed to her brother's demeanor, stood quietly as well.
After about a quarter of an hour, Lu Qing opened his eyes, his gaze tinged with admiration. "As expected of a legacy from an ancient Immortal Sect, this [Frost Ice True Record] offers profound insights into the Dao of Ice. I have gained much from it."
He handed the jade scroll back to Han Lingshuang. "Many thanks, Palace Master."
Han Lingshuang accepted the scroll in a daze. "Esteemed one, you no longer require this legacy scroll?"
"No, I have already comprehended its essence. I also have some ideas for developing a technique for Xiao Yan," Lu Qing replied with satisfaction.
This legacy scroll, capable of guiding cultivation up to the Nascent Soul Realm, had greatly broadened his understanding. It even provided inspiration for refining the subsequent stages of his [Perfect Golden Core Technique]. Unlike the fire-centric techniques of the Li Huo Sect, the [Frost Ice True Record] was a water-based legacy with insights that complemented his understanding.
Reflecting on the journey, Lu Qing couldn’t help but feel gratified. Taking Xiao Yan on this trip had not only expanded their horizons but also secured significant gains—a Fire Spirit Pearl and a Nascent Soul-level legacy technique.
Indeed, the rewards had been immense.
Han Lingshuang, hearing his words, remained in a state of shock.