Chapter 440 - 438: Immortal Moon Mei

In that instant, Li Qiye rushed over and scooped the Ghost Algae Box into his hand. SPLASH! A scorpion-like skeleton burst out of the Ghost River and charged forward, its incredibly sharp stinger stabbing toward Li Qiye like a bolt of lightning.

Li Qiye smiled and met the skeleton’s charge. His hands shot out and grabbed the skeleton. CRACK! Before its stinger could even touch him, Li Qiye had forcefully torn the skeleton in two.

"Such immense strength—" Many of the young cultivators at the ferry crossing were stunned to see Li Qiye tear the skeleton apart so easily.

Li Qiye nonchalantly tossed the remains of the skeleton back into the Ghost River. He then landed back on the ferry crossing, paid the Ghost Envoy his Night Sun Fish, and handed the Ghost Algae Box to Qiu Rong Wanxue.

"This is for you," Li Qiye said with a smile. "It’s a perfect fit for you. It’s just a shame I didn’t find what I was waiting for."

Qiu Rong Wanxue took the Ghost Algae Box, stunned for a moment. Judging by Li Qiye’s expression, it seemed like there was an incredible treasure inside.

"Open it and see what’s inside," a curious young cultivator nearby blurted out. For anyone, opening a Treasure Box was a great joy. Many young cultivators, upon getting a Ghost Algae Box, would impatiently open it right away to see if they had struck it rich.

Of course, Qiu Rong Wanxue understood the principle of not flaunting one’s wealth, so she looked toward Li Qiye for his opinion.

Li Qiye gave a gentle smile and said, "Go on, open it. It’ll be fun to see." He certainly wasn’t afraid of others coveting his treasures.

Since Li Qiye had said so, Qiu Rong Wanxue hurriedly cleaned off the densely packed ghost algae. Once all of it was gone, an Ancient Box was revealed.

This was a rare occurrence, as most Ghost Algae Boxes didn’t contain a box inside. When this one was opened, waves of moonlight radiated outward. As the moonlight drifted down, it was like fireworks landing on the ground, bursting into a myriad of dazzling lights.

"A treasure—" Before they even saw the item itself, everyone cried out in amazement just from watching the moonlight burst into brilliant colors as it fell.

Only then did Qiu Rong Wanxue see a Crescent Moon inside the box. This Crescent Moon, shaped like an eyebrow, was only the size of her palm. However, the moonlight it emitted was as brilliant as a Bright Moon hanging high in the sky. What was even more astonishing was the faint shadow within the crescent, an ethereal and otherworldly figure that looked like an Immortal.

Before anyone could get a clear look, Qiu Rong Wanxue immediately snapped the Ancient Box shut. Her heart pounded in her chest. ’Although I don’t know what this is, I’m certain it’s an absolutely incredible treasure.’

"That must be a decent treasure." Although the others hadn’t gotten a clear look inside the Ancient Box, they could guess it was some kind of treasure just from the moonlight it emitted.

"Such good luck, finding a treasure on the first try. That’s practically hitting the jackpot," another young cultivator said enviously.

"Let’s go." In stark contrast to the cautious Qiu Rong Wanxue, Li Qiye was completely casual, offering a simple smile as he spoke.

Without another word, Qiu Rong Wanxue followed behind Li Qiye, and they left the ferry crossing.

After they left the ferry crossing, Qiu Rong Wanxue couldn’t help but ask, "Aren’t you going to fish for a Ghost Algae Box for yourself?" Li Qiye had obtained a treasure on his very first try. This made her realize that, just like with the Night Sun Fish, he must know some of Fengdu City’s secrets. Otherwise, his attempt wouldn’t have been so precise.

"There won’t be any more," Li Qiye said, gently shaking his head. "The Ghost River is a very special place. Once a World-shocking Treasure appears, you can forget about anything else good showing up for several years, or even several decades. Besides, I’m certain the key to the First Evil Tomb isn’t in the Ghost River."

"A World-shocking Treasure!" Hearing Li Qiye’s words, Qiu Rong Wanxue froze. Her heart pounded and her Divine Soul wavered. ’A World-shocking Treasure... that’s something I wouldn’t even dare to dream of!’ But now that Li Qiye had said it, she knew the crescent moon she had received was something incredible.

At first, she had only thought this crescent moon was a decent treasure. She never imagined it would turn out to be a World-shocking Treasure.

"Y-you... you’re saying this... this crescent moon is a World-shocking Treasure?" Qiu Rong Wanxue finally managed to compose herself, but she was completely aghast, her heart pounding in her chest.

"The Half Moon Immortal," Li Qiye said with a nod. "This item appeared once, a very long time ago. Unfortunately, it later vanished. I never expected it to end up in the Ghost River."

"The Half Moon Immortal?" Qiu Rong Wanxue repeated, dazed. "Is... is it a living thing?"

"It’s the Half Moon Immortal, an Extraordinary Treasure with a grand origin. You can also call it the Immortal Moon Mei," Li Qiye said with a smile. "The last time it appeared, it caused a veritable bloodbath. Unfortunately, its owner managed to escape with it, and it’s been missing ever since. I never thought we’d be lucky enough to fish it out this time."

A chill ran through Qiu Rong Wanxue’s heart. Treasures were alluring, but they could indeed bring fatal disaster. Any World-shocking Treasure would make people drool with greed.

Qiu Rong Wanxue took a deep breath to calm her turbulent emotions. "This... this Immortal Moon Mei," she asked, "what kind of treasure is it, exactly?"

"That depends on you." Li Qiye looked at the still-frightened Qiu Rong Wanxue and said with a gentle smile, "This Extraordinary Treasure is an item left behind from the Mythical Era. The heights it can reach will be decided by you; it all depends on your own potential. As long as you work hard, one day it will be no weaker than an Immortal Emperor’s Treasure! You will benefit immensely from it."

Qiu Rong Wanxue had already mentally prepared herself. Since Li Qiye called it a World-shocking Treasure, it was bound to be extraordinary. However, upon hearing the words "Immortal Emperor’s Treasure," she was still startled, and a chill ran through her heart.

An Immortal Emperor’s Treasure! For her Snow Shadow Ghost Clan, such an item was completely unattainable. Even Great Teaching Territories didn’t necessarily have one, let alone a small clan like theirs. An Immortal Emperor’s Treasure could be described as an unparalleled, priceless treasure!

"This... this is far too valuable." Qiu Rong Wanxue didn’t dare accept such a precious treasure. One had to understand, a single Immortal Emperor’s Treasure was enough to make brothers turn on each other, enough to make a master and disciple slaughter one another!

"Just take it," Li Qiye said with a carefree smile. "We’ll say the Night Sun Fish was your treat." ’I’d give away a real Immortal Emperor’s Treasure without a second thought, let alone this Half Moon Immortal.’

Qiu Rong Wanxue stood there, completely dazed. ’What kind of person could treat something on the level of an Immortal Emperor’s Treasure so casually?’ It wasn’t just her; even the successors of Emperor Immortal Gates, even those geniuses with terrifying backgrounds, could never be so nonchalant about an Immortal Emperor’s Treasure.

Anyone, be they a young genius or an old expert, would place immense value on an Immortal Emperor’s Treasure, even treating it as dearly as their own life. Yet Li Qiye remained completely unfazed, giving away a World-shocking Treasure as if it were nothing more than a piece of scrap metal.

When Qiu Rong Wanxue finally came to her senses, a warmth spread through her heart, and she was moved beyond words. As a Clan Leader, she had always been calm and cautious, but right now, her nose began to sting, and she had the sudden urge to lean on Li Qiye’s shoulder and have a good cry.

Li Qiye and Qiu Rong Wanxue hadn’t gone far from the Ghost Fortune Sect when suddenly, the mist ahead of them coalesced, and a figure appeared in a flash, blocking their path.

"Ye Sha—" Qiu Rong Wanxue’s expression changed drastically upon seeing the sudden arrival, and she couldn’t help but take a step back. She immediately had a bad feeling.

"I hear you two obtained a rather nice treasure." Ye Sha stared at Li Qiye and Qiu Rong Wanxue as if they were lambs for the slaughter.

In contrast to Qiu Rong Wanxue’s panicked expression, Li Qiye appeared perfectly calm. He said slowly, "Looks like you’re quite well-informed."

As it turned out, Ye Sha had just returned to the ferry crossing, hoping to try his luck again. The moment he arrived, he heard the news about Li Qiye obtaining a treasure, so he had immediately rushed over.

"Heh, it seems this treasure and I are fated to be together," Ye Sha said with a sinister laugh. "I’ll offer you three Night Sun Fish for that treasure you’re holding."

Qiu Rong Wanxue’s face fell at his words. ’This isn’t an offer, it’s blatant robbery!’

"And what if I don’t want to sell?" Li Qiye asked, unperturbed, a wide smile on his face.

Ye Sha’s eyes turned cold. "Human Race brat," he said, "you might not know who I am, but take my advice: sell it if you know what’s good for you. At least then you’ll get three Night Sun Fish. Otherwise, it won’t be long before someone finds your corpses rotting in the wild!"

"You’re right about one thing," Li Qiye said with a nod. "There will definitely be a corpse rotting in the wild. I’m just afraid it won’t be one of ours. It’ll be yours."

"You court death! You had to do this the hard way!" Ye Sha’s eyes turned icy, brimming with killing intent. "Fine by me," he said grimly. "This way, I get to save myself three Night Sun Fish. Three isn’t a small amount, after all."

"Is that so?" Li Qiye replied leisurely. "If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be the one handing over all your treasures. Otherwise, I’ll carve the flesh from your bones, piece by piece."

"You’re seeking death!" Ye Sha flew into a rage. To be so thoroughly humiliated by a junior of the Human Race was infuriating. His killing intent billowed out, and a cruel light shone in his eyes.

"Amitabha, my Buddha is merciful." Just as Ye Sha was about to strike, a Buddhist chant echoed through the air. A monk descended from the sky, saying, "No wonder the killing intent is so thick. Patron Ye Sha, this humble monk has come."

The moment Ye Sha saw the monk, his face fell. With a flicker of mist, he turned and fled for his life.

"Patron Ye Sha, you can run from the monk, but you can’t run from the temple," the monk called out with a smile, not bothering to give chase.

But Ye Sha didn’t dare to pause for even a moment. As if he had met his nemesis, he fled far, far away.