Fang Han bent to retrieve the fallen swords, his thoughts racing.
I didn't expect the Nine Apertures Golden Elixir to have the power to dispel demonic poison. He glanced at Red Yi Junzhu, who was now conscious again after consuming his blood. No wonder it was said to be forged by the Yellow Springs Emperor himself... but what about the others? Should I save them too?
According to The Compendium of All Realms, the Nine Apertures Golden Elixir was one of the greatest creations of the Yellow Springs Sect—a supreme pill that not only strengthened the body but also resisted demonic corruption. It was ranked alongside the Feathered Gate's own Yin-Yang Longevity Pill.
The brutal battle had ended at last—with a single strike of the Heavenly Wolf's Seven Fiend Smoke devouring the Red Dust Prince's soul. Even though Fang Han had only captured one fragment of that treasure, its power was overwhelming. Against the prince's spiritual robe, it had been more than enough—especially when the prince had already been grievously wounded and unable to react. One strike, one kill.
Now, seven spirit swords lay scattered across the blood-stained sand—each worth a fortune beyond measure. Fang Han knew that any one of them could be traded for an entire city. This wasn't a metaphor; it was literal, glittering wealth.
Red Yi Junzhu, too, stared at the swords, unable to hide her desire. Among them were the Red Desire Sword of the fallen prince, the Silver Snake Sword once wielded by Yuan Jiankong, Mo Shijie's True Blue Sword, and four others belonging to the slain inner disciples.
Of the five disciples, only one—Zuo, whose Spirit Wind Sword Fang Han had already claimed—had fallen without leaving a weapon behind.
"These are fine swords," Fang Han murmured, his eyes catching the gleam of silver. He reached first for the Silver Snake Sword, sensing its superior spirit and refined power.
His time in the Feathered Gate had taught him to recognize craftsmanship, and this sword radiated vitality. The silver blade seemed alive—smooth, flawless, and faintly twisting in his grasp like a serpent ready to strike.
Red Yi Junzhu watched, her voice low. "That sword has a story. Yuan Jiankong found it while gathering herbs in a forbidden valley. He witnessed a silver serpent battling a sacred crane. The serpent killed over a hundred spirit cranes before it was captured, exhausted, and given to the elders. They forged its essence into this sword. The elder said that had the serpent lived a little longer, it could've ascended into the Divine Transformation stage—if they'd refined it then, this sword would've become a true artifact, not just a spirit weapon."
Fang Han's eyebrows rose. "It killed a hundred spirit cranes?"
The Feathered Gate's spirit cranes weren't ordinary birds—they were massive, majestic beasts, capable of lifting tigers and bears in their talons. For a single serpent to slaughter a hundred of them spoke of terrifying strength.
"This sword's reputation in the sect is well known," Red Yi Junzhu added softly. "Even if you take it, the elders may reclaim it."
Fang Han smiled faintly. "Then I simply won't show it. Wealth concealed is wealth preserved. The Silver Snake Sword is mine now, and I've no reason to give it back. Choose a few for yourself."
He gathered all seven swords and laid them together.
"Then I'll take Mo Shijie's True Blue Sword," Red Yi Junzhu decided. The blue blade shimmered like frozen light as she turned it in her hand. "A fine spirit weapon—but we can't use any of these yet. The Six Desires Yin Thunder tainted them all. We'll need pure yang potion to purge the poison and a cultivator in the Divine Transformation realm to erase their former masters' soul marks." She glanced at Fang Han. "Tell me—how did you cleanse your Spirit Wind Sword? Was it Fang Qingxue's doing?"
"Something like that," Fang Han replied casually. He could never reveal the truth of the Yellow Springs Diagram. Though he and Red Yi Junzhu had saved each other's lives, the relic of the Yellow Springs Emperor was too immense, too dangerous a secret. One whisper of its existence could ignite a war between the immortal and demonic realms alike.
"Still," Red Yi Junzhu continued, her tone softening, "thank you for saving me. If not for your blood, I'd still be lost to the poison. The Six Desires Yin Thunder destroys body and soul alike." She paused, then handed the True Blue Sword back to him. "Could you ask Fang Qingxue to cleanse this one for me? I don't know any Divine Transformation experts I can trust—and this sword isn't exactly something I can show in public."
"No problem." Fang Han nodded, bundling all seven spirit swords together and securing them in his sword pouch. Then, without hesitation, he stripped the robe from the Red Dust Prince's corpse.
It was a fine garment, shimmering pink silk embroidered with glowing runes.
"That's the Blood-Cotton Demon Robe," Red Yi Junzhu said, watching him. "Another high-grade spirit item."
"Blood-Cotton Demon Robe…" Fang Han repeated, eyes narrowing. "The prince's body alone could earn us an Yin-Yang Longevity Pill if we offered it to the elders."
Red Yi Junzhu's lips curved slightly. "True—but if we turn it in, the elders will question us. We'll lose the swords, and the pill might never reach our hands. Better we keep the corpse hidden and have Fang Qingxue present it instead. Only she can handle it safely."
Fang Han nodded slowly. "Agreed. Too many eyes are watching the reward. Let her handle the politics."
But inwardly, he grimaced. If only she knew… these swords came from the Yellow Springs Diagram, not her help. If she ever finds out, I'll be the first she kills.
Red Yi Junzhu's voice suddenly sharpened. "Wait—there's still one more treasure. The Heavenly Rooster's Sun Binding Rope! That's a true artifact. And it's still binding ten Flying Yasha!"
Both of them turned their gaze toward the rope lying on the sand.
The ten winged demons it ensnared still twitched faintly, their black forms bound tight in golden light. The Heavenly Rooster's Sun Rope pulsed with divine power—radiant, deadly, and waiting for its next master.