Wang Qi had to admit that Zhen Chanzi made total sense.

Putting aside being a ten millennia ring shut-in, the old fossil was still a wealth of ancient experience. His two lives’ forty something couldn’t hold a candle to his.

“However, like you said, “Wang Qi shrugged, “it’s easier said than done.”

“Eh?” Zhen Chanzi’s tone rose. “You’re going to avoid it? Where’s your pride gone? Your ambition?”

Wang Qi turned to watch the skies. The valley only allowed a line to be seen, but it was somewhat wide enough. The youth showed a carefree smile as he said. “I told you, I want eternal life. I got all the time in the world to handle any inner demon.”

“How long will it take?”

“Who knows?” Wang Qi said, “Thirty, or maybe eighty years, but certainly not now.”

“In these decades, meeting an expert in illusions will be the death of you.”

Wang Qi was indifferent. “Rushing won’t help. That’s just who I am.”

Zhen Chanzi chuckled from his ring. “Let me give you a piece of advice. Don’t spend New Year’s Eve alone.”

Wang Qi frowned. “Old man, it sounds more like ‘get a girlfriend.'”

Zhen Chanzi was perky. “‘Wealth, connections, arts, and locations,’ isn’t having a Dao companion great? Speaking of, what do you think about the cat demonborn? You certainly have a peculiar interested in her ears.”

[You’re already pegging me as having a cat-ear fetish?]

Wang Qi said, “Fine, let’s go back. Tomorrow’s the martial examination. Old man, how do we handle the memories of your youth?”

“Take the jar. Raw Mountain is yours.”

The perfect instrument didn’t bring Wang Qi any joy, he shunned it in fact. “This thing has no bloody use anyway.”

Zhen Chanzi’s reply was instant. “What’s that supposed to mean? A perfect instrument would be valued even by a Nascent Soul cultivator!”

A certain bookworm’s face scrunched up. “Ignoring the fact that it doesn’t fit in modern cultivation, this toy has low spiritual power efficiency. I’m better off using a symbol. The only upside, if I can call it that, is its special material and that it won’t break from constant use of Grand Ripple Enigma. As for its precious ‘stealing a land’s dragon vein to strengthen itself’ feature, times changed old man. The minute I use anything to damage nature, enforcers or peacekeeper will swarm me. I’m not so stupid to become wanted by a developing organization over a developing magic item.”

Zhen Chanzi had no retort, made to sigh. “You’re just like me, old friend, outdated.”

Wang Qi took the jar. “Let’s go.”

“Kid, you did forget one thing. Raw Mountain might not have any use, but what about its concealing skill? It had guarded the jar for ten thousand years with none the wiser. Thanks to it, I convinced you.”

Wang Qi made a face, pointing at the rocks that held the jar. “Old man, look closer.”

Zhen Chanzi’s spiritual sense washed over them and his voice came out strained. “Ha. Ha.”

The jar had been placed on a piece of paper and wasn’t visible until he took it. The paper held well, even better than the talisman on the jar that turned to dust upon contact.

It wrote:

‘To the one destined to open Relic Site No. 765:

This site was discovered by Landscape Metropolis cultivators in the year 235 of the Immortal Alliance calendar. However, out of respect for senior’s remnant—and given the difficulty of preservation—along with the fact that forcibly breaking the seals yielded incomplete results and was deemed unsatisfactory, we dared not take it.

Yet, as this place was originally established by ancient cultivators, it is meant for the fated one to come and retrieve it. Thus, we leave this message, in hopes you will heed it.

The legacy of ancient cultivation may be of little use for modern cultivation. However, in matters of history, the path of life, and the path of humanity, what lies within remains of great value. We hope you will lend it to the Immortal Alliance for research. It will provide compensation in return.’

Wang Qi and Zhen Chanzi stared at each other.

[Coming here hoping you’re first, only to find you came second sure sucks.]

In ancient times, cultivators had a popular activity, exploring remnants and ruins to rob them for all their worth, especially legacies. Though such a hobby had wanned over the ages until it was no longer practiced today.

For two good reasons.

Firstly, the stuff that could become a remnant had to belong to ancient cultivation. And ancient cultivation meant the pills, magic items, and other stuff in these remnants became illegal legacies. The gains weren’t worth the risks.

Secondly, Immortal Alliance stated an unequivocal ban on such actions. Modern cultivation saw remnants as nothing more than research materials to study humanity’s evolution and development. While the modern system blew ancient cultivation out of the water in regards to theories, in regards to applications, the modern system had a lot to learn from it. Letting some amateurs go relic hunting was an affront to all of humanity’s sacred history!

Nowadays, when a cultivator discovered a remnant, they’d report it. Digging it out yourself would mostly yield some outdated magic items or items, while reporting came with a rich reward. Now which do you think was worth more?

As for the Raw Mountain, a scattered remnant, the Immortal Alliance had its uses.

By the time Wang Qi finished the formalities at the Jiongli branch’s office, it was already night.

Wang Qi left Raw Mountain with them. Experts in their fields would date it and examine its features, turning it into a colorful addition in the refining history of Divine Province.

Not for free, of course. The Immortal Alliance vowed to only borrow it, and would return it to the owner three months to half a year later. The lease they paid was mighty generous too. Wang Qi would earn merits without doing anything. If the sword’s refining art or design inspired the Immortal Alliance’s cultivators, then he’d get an added bonus as well. Finally, there would also be a modern refiner who would work on his behalf to remold Raw Mountain to adhere to the modern age.

If any damage would come to the sword within this period, the Immortal Alliance would compensate Wang Qi with a perfect instrument.

Immortal Alliance, which could refine immortal items, saw little value in an instrument, but cared a great deal more about its historical and research worth. As for Wang Qi, giving a useless magic item for the chance of getting a much more fitting item, and free merits to boot, was a no-brainer decision. He was over the moon, appreciating Immortal Alliance’s system even more.

Positive-sum was better than zero-sum.

Seeing himself wielding an instrument longsword like a badass got Wang Qi to hasten his steps. Although Math was an immortal item, it was too particular to showcase it, unlike the Raw Mountain instrument.

Absorbed in his thoughts, Wang Qi didn’t notice he was the target of all eyes. As he finally came to, he found himself surrounded by tearful Argent Apex disciples.

This bookworm turned awkward on the spot. “Uh, what’s up?”

“Senior Brother Wang! You’re finally here!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read