Chapter 292: Falling Treasure Copper Coin

Actually…

To prepare for this treasure hunt, Li Changshou had made far more arrangements than what was visible here.

At that moment, in various locations across Zhongshenzhou and Nanshanbuzhou, there were another seven or eight sites with terrain like "Wushou Shan—a great river—a mountain valley," each hiding a varying number of paper Daoists and immortal bean soldiers.

These places were all in remote, uninhabited areas, but Li Changshou had deliberately set them up to resemble the aftermath of a great battle, complete with traces suggesting sects had been wiped out.

These were all protective measures.

Li Changshou’s prior considerations had been quite thorough.

Whenever he went treasure hunting, he would leave traces behind, and attempting to take the Niu Yao clan's treasure without alerting the Niu Yao was an inherently difficult task.

The four great figures—Fuxi, Xuanyuan, Shennong, and Dayu—knew the route of the treasure hunt.

It was inevitable that there would be disturbances and that others would find out, so the risk of his true self being exposed would always linger.

Therefore, after weighing everything, Li Changshou had only two choices.

Either give up the treasure hunt and find other ways to enrich himself, like studying the profound techniques given by Xuanyuan;

Or make extensive arrangements, directly using his "Heavenly Court Sea God" identity to hunt for treasures in multiple areas, leaving misleading information to minimize the chance of his true origins being revealed.

In this way, those unaware of his treasure hunting path would only think it was the Heavenly Court Sea God causing trouble;

And even those who knew the path couldn't directly determine where Li Changshou's true self was when he entered Huoyun Cave.

Although he still had to consider factors like "Duxian Gate being under Renjiao's lineage," Li Changshou had plans for the Xiaoqiong Peak wandering scheme afterward.

It wasn't that he didn't trust these four retired human emperors; the key issue was that Huoyun Cave wasn't just home to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors—it also housed over three thousand of their consorts…

To align with his overall strategy, Li Changshou couldn't cause too many casualties among the demon clans in Zirou City and the Niu Yao mountain valley.

Even when he saw the Niu Yao treasury, he had already decided not to touch those treasures, weapons, or materials—he was only seeking the destined opportunity meant for him.

But now, all these meticulous arrangements and careful plans had been completely…

Wasted.

Why…

Li Changshou was repeatedly asking himself this question.

Why on earth?

He had mobilized so many resources, launched a full-scale feint attack, and even sacrificed a Golden Immortal realm paper Daoist, yet his only gain was…

Ding, you discovered the quirky habit of a Jie Jiao big shot.

Who could he even complain to about this?

In his previous life, Li Changshou had seen all sorts of bizarre behaviors under societal pressure and didn't think such things were embarrassing—after all, great figures were still living beings, and all living beings are imperfect, as per the natural Dao.

But say what you will, why did Duobao show up?

He was just trying to find a post-heavenly treasure—why was it so difficult? Did he have to defeat Duobao Daoist to succeed?

Li Changshou sighed lightly and realized he was getting a bit agitated, so he silently recited a heart-calming mantra to quickly cool his mind.

An accident had occurred, so there must be contingency plans.

He hadn't considered this before…

Well, truthfully, he really hadn't anticipated this situation at all!

Just then, the Zijin Boteng descended from above, sealing off a radius of a thousand li.

Li Changshou's paper Daoist looked up and immediately made the most rational decision.

At that moment, the army of immortal bean soldiers was still some distance from Zirou City.

The immortal bean soldiers were like a timer; their arrival at the outskirts of Zirou City's great array would mark the end of Li Changshou's "operation time."

But unfortunately, it was no longer needed.

Li Changshou issued a command for the immortal bean soldiers to remain still, and the twenty or so paper Daoists mixed among them performed a synchronized action—

They raised their hands to the sky!

Streams of Sanmei Zhenyan surged from their palms, transforming into fire dragons that rampaged through the surroundings. In an instant, they ignited tens of thousands of immortal bean soldiers!

This feint army was made of divine constructs anyway;

Now, eroded by the Zhenyan formed from Li Changshou's Golden Immortal realm immortal power, they were swiftly engulfed in flames, along with those twenty paper Daoists, turning into ashes scattered in the wind!

Li Changshou didn't feel too distressed about this loss.

Immortal bean soldiers could only last up to twelve hours before their immortal power dissipated and they self-destructed.

As for the non-Golden Immortal realm paper Daoists, they only cost some spiritual trees from Xiaoqiong Peak.

Seizing the opportunity while the Zijin Boteng was descending, and amid the confusion of the immortal bean soldiers, the demons in the city, and the panic of the three Golden Immortal realm great demons outside,

The three Golden Immortal realm paper Daoists entangled with the three Niu Yao leaders simultaneously erupted with immortal power, shaking off the three great demons!

These three paper Daoists turned and used Feng Dun, vanishing instantly from sight and immortal sense.

Li Changshou's paper Daoists had a notable trait: their combat strength was average, but their escape techniques were superior to those of the same realm…

In the wind, the "human woman" left behind a harsh remark:

"Count yourselves tough!"

The three Niu clan experts were all baffled.

What had they done to be tough?

They had barely exchanged a few blows and were still in the probing stage of the fight, weren't they?

Not just in Zirou City—in the Niu Yao mountain valley, the paper Daoists who hadn't revealed themselves immediately used Tu Dun, fleeing deep into the earth and merging into the earth veins.

The paper Daoists who had already appeared activated their self-destruction prohibitions in unison, turning into ashes, water stains, lightning, or flying feathers.

Thus, the Niu Yao fell into deep confusion.

One moment, Zirou City and the mountain valley treasury were on the brink of collapse, with human Qi refiners aggressively advancing;

The next, ashes filled the sky, the strong enemies vanished without a trace, and a Zijin Boteng covered a thousand li.

Was this a dream?

Or some kind of illusion array?

What kind of schemes were the humans plotting?!

Several "wise ones" among the Niu Yao couldn't help but clutch their foreheads, feeling as if their Niu brains were about to explode.

"Mother of heavens, what are these humans up to?"

"I get it! They sacrificed tens of thousands of humans to perform this evil divine ability!"

One old Niu pointed at the bowl-like prison and shouted loudly: "Our Niu clan is in grave danger! Zirou City is in grave danger!"

Once again, cries of despair echoed throughout the city…

Feeling the overwhelming pressure from the Zijin Boteng and sensing the vast immortal power within it that filled the demons with despair, all of Zirou City and the Niu Yao mountain valley plunged into a new wave of panic…

But this had nothing to do with Li Changshou anymore.

At that time, Li Changshou had gathered his five Golden Immortal realm paper Daoists together, with one of them storing the other four, and they hid deep underground.

There was no choice—his paper Daoists were also trapped within the Boteng.

Originally, Li Changshou had planned to destroy these five Golden Immortal realm paper Daoists as well;

But just as he was about to act, sensing the immortal sense locked onto him and glancing at the Boteng overhead…

If he just destroyed them, that would formally tie him to karma with Duobao Daoist.

Who was Duobao Daoist?

The eldest senior brother of Jie Jiao, a great Daoist figure who could drink with his own master at the same table.

If he had accidentally glimpsed something personal about him, how could he live in peace?

Moreover, this operation had used the full "Sea God package," so if Duobao Daoist did a slight calculation, he would be blocked by the Taiji Diagram, naturally locking onto the "Heavenly Court Sea God."

Think of a way, quickly think of a way.

If nothing else worked, he could make a Great Dao oath himself, guaranteeing not to spread the word.

No, that was too straightforward…

"Ah…"

Treasure hunting impoverishes three generations; seeking treasures ruins a lifetime.

From now on, he should stop entertaining thoughts of "enriching himself" and just focus on cultivating divine abilities, arrays, and pills.

What a profound lesson!

Later, he'd copy the "Stability Scripture" nine thousand times—no, three thousand times, and ask his junior sister to supervise, reflecting on why he suddenly craved such external treasures as spiritual items.

"Hmm! Um!"

Suddenly, Li Changshou's paper Daoist heard a voice transmission.

"Little Sea God, oh no, Sea God my friend, how about we meet again in the treasury?"

Li Changshou controlled his paper Daoist to bow in salute and glanced at the great array around the Niu Yao mountain valley.

As he hesitated, Duobao Daoist's voice transmission came again.

This time, it pointed out a hidden passage for him—the very path Duobao had dug for treasure hunting earlier.

A moment later, in the Niu Yao treasury.

Two figures faced each other from three zhang apart, as if the river of time had frozen once more.

On the left, a middle-aged Qi refiner in a dark Daoist robe stood tall—that was naturally Li Changshou's paper Daoist.

On the right, Duobao Daoist wore a light yellow Daoist robe and held a duster, his entire body radiating thick Daoist rhymes. His slightly plump face maintained a somewhat stiff smile…

They fell into that inexplicable awkwardness again.

And the certain Renjiao disciple, known for livening up the atmosphere, couldn't find a single fitting and casual remark.

Duobao Daoist: "Sea…"

Li Changshou: "Ai?"

With a slightly surprised expression, Li Changshou smiled and asked, "Senior, what are you doing here?"

"I… ahahaha!"

Duobao Daoist threw his head back in laughter, gently waving his duster as he said with a smile: "This poor Daoist was just passing by coincidentally. Sea God my friend, are you here treasure hunting?"

"Hahahaha… what a coincidence! Senior, you've also discovered treasures here?"

"By chance, I caught a whiff," Duobao Daoist said with a squinted smile, holding his duster and moving closer to Li Changshou.

Li Changshou instinctively wanted to step back half a step but forced himself to step forward instead. "Since Senior is interested in the treasures here, this junior will take his leave!"

"Ai!"

Duobao Daoist chuckled, reaching out to grasp Li Changshou's arm. "Today, our meeting is fate.

This poor Daoist is, after all, the eldest disciple of my teacher and the senior brother of Jie Jiao—how could I snatch treasures from Sea God my friend?

Come, come, let this poor Daoist help you out a bit, so you don't leave empty-handed!

Though this demon clan isn't famous, there are indeed a few good treasures hidden here!"

Li Changshou muttered to himself internally.

It seemed Duobao Daoist didn't plan to pursue what had happened earlier?

As Duobao Daoist spoke, he pointed his duster at the pile of treasures forming a small mountain, and those materials instantly turned into streams of light, flying back to their original spots in various corners of the treasury.

Without Li Changshou even needing to say more, Duobao Daoist took the initiative:

"Things like magical treasures and tools here, you probably wouldn't fancy. Come, take a look at this main treasure!"

Li Changshou perked up a bit and followed the direction of Duobao Daoist's duster, spotting…

A bronze statue of a cow, half a zhang tall.

The bronze cow was posed with its head raised, tail lifted, and four hooves stepping on cast bronze clouds, its eyes bulging to the sides.

This was precisely the supreme treasure of the Niu Yao clan—the Dianshi Weijin Qingniu Statue!

Duobao Daoist laughed and said: "In ancient times, there was a Yao expert, transformed from the Hongmong demon beast Zirou, whose greatest skill was swallowing ordinary materials into his belly and producing various refined metals.

Later, Zirou fell in the primordial era, but his demon pill was preserved within this bronze statue.

Thus, the statue gained this function.

Though it's not a treasure for combat or protection, it's still a rare item for generating wealth."

Li Changshou: …

This treasure was good, but taking it wouldn't allow him to bring it back to Xiaoqiong Peak, so it was useless to him.

"This one," Li Changshou pondered for a moment and asked, "Senior, are there any other treasures here? To be honest, this junior was guided by a great expert and learned that a treasure here is fated to me, which is why I went to such lengths to enter this place."

"Oh?"

Duobao Daoist blinked and perked up. "What kind of treasure are you seeking?

If it's about treasure hunting in the Five Parts Continent, below the Sheng people, this poor Daoist is quite skilled."

"This, this junior doesn't know," Li Changshou said, looking at the bronze cow statue, "but it should be a protective treasure."

"No rush, let this poor Daoist lend you a hand!"

Duobao Daoist reached into his sleeve and rummaged around, producing a series of clinking sounds. Soon, he pulled out several ice-blue jade butterflies.

"These are treasure-seeking spirit butterflies."

After a brief introduction, Duobao Daoist released the jade butterflies. One flew to the bronze cow statue, two to the corners on the left and right, landing on a treasure armor and a short bow.

The fourth jade butterfly, however, flew out of the cave…

Li Changshou glanced at the treasure armor and long bow and quickly said: "Senior!"

"Don't worry, this poor Daoist will first put the beings here to sleep," Duobao Daoist said, waving his duster. A faint blue ripple emerged from it.

The ripple slowly spread, and the entire Niu clan mountain valley fell silent in an instant.

Li Changshou extended his immortal sense and saw that all the demons, regardless of their cultivation, had collapsed and fallen asleep, leaving him speechless.

Eagerly, Duobao Daoist chased out of the cave, with Li Changshou following behind.

The jade butterfly ignored arrays and prohibitions, flying over the messy grounds in front of the treasury, past stone houses and towers, and toward a wooden hut at the edge of the mountain valley, where it finally entered.

When Li Changshou and Duobao arrived, they found the jade butterfly perched on a dirty cloth bundle. Li Changshou reached out, picked it up, and shook it out. A few wooden toys fell out, and two copper coins landed in his palm.

This was it!

It really was!

Li Changshou's Dao heart trembled, and he was full of admiration for Fuxi's divination techniques!

"Come, let this poor Daoist take a look!"

Duobao Daoist leaned in.

Li Changshou quickly thought through a few ideas and presented the copper coins with both hands. "Please, Senior, appraise them."

Duobao Daoist's expression turned very serious as he picked up the copper coins and examined them carefully, then praised:

"Good item, good item!

These are the first two copper coin prototypes made by your human race, used to establish trade and markets, and they contain a great deal of merit.

It's just that the treasure is covered in dust and not revealing itself now. Later, you can nurture it with your own merit, and it will show its true form!"

Duobao Daoist placed the copper coins back in Li Changshou's palm. "Congratulations, my friend! This treasure can be used for path protection!"

Li Changshou's heart immediately settled, and he bowed to Duobao Daoist: "It's all thanks to Senior's help— this junior is deeply grateful!"

"Ai, what help? Don't be so formal!"

Duobao Daoist smiled with squinted eyes. "This poor Daoist will be bold and call you Changgeng.

Changgeng, you've obtained a treasure today—such a joyous occasion! This poor Daoist must give a congratulatory gift!"

Li Changshou quickly said: "This junior has already received Senior's help—how could I accept another gift?"

Duobao Daoist's eyes widened. "What, are you looking down on this poor Daoist? This name 'Duobao' was given by my teacher!"

Li Changshou: …

It seemed he was dead set on giving sealing fees.

"Come, come!"

Duobao Daoist opened his sleeve. "Pick anything from these thousands of spiritual treasures inside. If you don't take something of equal value, you're not giving this poor Daoist face.

This poor Daoist can get angry, you know."