Chapter 265: Chapter 161: First Treasure Hunt

Ever since Yu Ziyu and Zhou Cang arrived here, they had expressed their hopes of using the rich resources beneath the swamp to rapidly strengthen themselves.

After all, the battles in the Southern Domain were in a stalemate, and the final outcome was still unpredictable; they might need to return at any moment.

Improving one’s cultivation realm cannot be achieved overnight, especially upon reaching the Core Formation Stage, where every minor advancement requires significant effort.

To achieve a rapid enhancement in strength, one can only rely on magical weapons and secret techniques.

As for talismans, puppets, and other artisanal and consumable external forces, they are not quite suitable for those who are not craftsmen. High-tier ones are unaffordable, and low-tier ones cannot greatly enhance strength.

Therefore, Yu Ziyu’s greatest hope was to obtain high-tier weapons or extraordinary treasures and divine abilities beneath the swamp.

Of course, this was also the hope of most treasure-hunting cultivators in the swamp. However, most were only barely able to obtain resources to satisfy their cultivation needs, while people like Guzhu True Monarch with such deep fortunes were exceedingly rare.

“Hahaha, this is fate, Master Huang. Since you have already gained the recognition of all team members, please wait a moment,” said Master Duobao, calling out the other eleven people.

“Ladies and gentlemen, these two are Master Qiu and Master Fang. Master Qiu has a Middle Stage of Golden Core cultivation and possesses a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact. His strength is formidable and will undoubtedly help our Hongtian team reach a new level.

As for Master Fang, though he only has a Fake Pill cultivation, he possesses a Middle Grade Spiritual Artifact and has considerable experience in fighting and technique…”

“Hold on! Fake Pill? Ha~ Have we Hongtian fallen to this state? There’s no room for discussion on this matter!” the yellow-faced female cultivator immediately interrupted Master Duobao.

Nie Jinghong frowned deeply, stepped forward, and resolutely said, “Friend Duobao, I, Nie Jinghong, have been with the team for sixty years to repay the kindness of the former captain, being loyal and devoted. If you act this way, don’t blame me for disregarding the sentiments of the former captain and leaving!”

“No, absolutely not!” Other team members chimed in.

“Don’t be hasty, don’t be hasty. Everyone, don’t just focus on cultivation level; maybe this Master Fang has some unique divine ability?” Master Tongshan quickly interjected upon seeing this.

He then turned to the disguised Zhou Cang: “Master Fang, do you have any treasure-seeking divine abilities, or something particularly useful for treasure hunting, exploration, or acquisition?”

Zhou Cang looked embarrassed and glanced at Yu Ziyu.

He was able to be brought here by Master Duobao today because Yu Ziyu made it a condition with her Middle Stage of Golden Core strength; if she were to join the Hongtian team, Zhou Cang must be brought along.

Master Duobao valued not only Yu Ziyu’s Middle Stage of Golden Core strength but also her recommendation from Fairy Liuli, making him very agreeable.

However, he also knew the other team members might not be so easily convinced, but he didn’t expect such a firm stance.

This is understandable as treasure hunting involves distribution; adding one more person means sharing more, and if this person’s strength is considerably different from the others, no one would be willing.

“In that case, I bid farewell!” Yu Ziyu, seeing the stance of the Hongtian team members, glanced at Master Duobao and turned to leave.

Zhou Cang, his old face slightly flushed, followed closely behind.

Master Duobao wanted to stop them, but seeing the attitude of the team members, he could only helplessly sigh.

Li Jizhou, watching the departing backs of Yu Ziyu and Zhou Cang, also subtly shook his head.

Yu Ziyu wants to seize opportunities, but she alone can’t possibly do it. She might spend decades in the swamp and not encounter a single high-tier treasure or material.

Even if luck leads her to one, she might not be able to acquire it, as high-tier treasures are often occupied by Demon Beasts.

Therefore, she could only join an experienced team with effective treasure-hunting methods like Li Jizhou.

The reason for choosing Hongtian was likely aligned with Li Jizhou’s thought—because Hongtian has a Tier Three treasure-seeking Spirit Beast.

This is much more efficient than other Immortal Seeking Teams relying solely on treasure-hunting experience.

However, Yu Ziyu cannot easily trust others, so Zhou Cang must accompany her.

This limitation was in place.

Now, she might only be able to look for an even smaller Immortal Seeking Team than Hongtian.

After Yu Ziyu and Zhou Cang left, Master Huangshi, witnessed by all team members, made a Great Heart Demon Oath and smoothly completed the ritual of joining the team.

This coincided with the end of the Hongtian team’s three-month rest period since their last treasure hunt, and in half a month, they would start their next operation.

During this time, Master Huangshi temporarily stayed here, with Master Tongshan explaining all the intricacies of treasure hunting to him.

That evening, Yu Ziyu and Zhou Cang returned to Fairy Liuli’s residence, with Zhou Cang carrying Spirit Wine to find Li Jizhou.

Seeing Zhou Cang’s somewhat dejected yet indignant appearance, Li Jizhou knew that he had suffered a blow today at the Hongtian team.

Faced with a courtyard full of Middle Stage of Core Formation experts, he, a Fake Pill cultivator, indeed felt out of place.

Compared to his time in the Yan Kingdom, where no matter how many high-tier cultivators there were at the top, there were still many under him who were less than him.

Thus, there wasn’t too much of a gap.

However, here, the circle he engaged with was entirely different.

In the Yan Kingdom and Qingyin Valley, he was considered a Fake Pill Master with some status, but here he seemed like the bottom rung.

“I’ve decided to reform and refine my Pill!” Zhou Cang said resolutely.

Li Jizhou remained silent, his expression calm.

“I must reform and refine my Pill!” Perhaps seeing Li Jizhou’s lack of response, Zhou Cang raised his voice again to express his determination.

“Hmm!” This time, Li Jizhou nodded.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep