"Huh?"
Qin Feng was somewhat surprised, not expecting to find such an item.
Could it be some sort of magical artifact?
His heart began to beat faster.
As a novice who had just stepped into cultivation, he was very curious about everything in the cultivation world.
Moments ago, his father had given him a low-level storage bag, and he was already overjoyed. If he could get his hands on a magic artifact, he would be even more thrilled.
Of course, if this copper pot were a spiritual artifact, that would be a great fortune.
After all, the entire Qin Family didn't have many spiritual artifacts.
Although there were several Foundation Establishment cultivators in the family, being vassals of the Beast Taming Sect meant that from the Old Family Master to his father, they all considered spiritual beasts as their main strength. Therefore, having or not having spiritual artifacts wasn't a big concern.
Because they focused most of their efforts and finances on nurturing spiritual beasts, they certainly didn't have extra resources to exchange for spiritual artifacts.
As a result, the Qin Family, through generations, had only a few spiritual artifacts passed down.
With an excited heart, Qin Feng reached out and picked up the ancient-looking copper pot, examined it closely, and immediately felt a bit disappointed.
Although the copper pot had an unusual shape and was engraved with many fantastical demon beast patterns, the whole pot lacked any spirit light and was even a bit damaged.
There were several fine cracks on the pot. Even if it was once a spiritual artifact, it probably couldn't be used now.
Still, he held onto a sliver of hope and tentatively poured his internal spiritual power into the pot, thinking that perhaps it retained some power.
Yet as he infused it with his bit of spiritual power, it was like sinking a bull into the sea, with no reaction whatsoever.
Qin Feng was somewhat unwilling and injected his divine sense into the pot, only to find an endless darkness, unable to see anything.
However, this made him realize that the copper pot was unusual. If it were an ordinary item, his divine sense would have penetrated it instantly, not giving him such a feeling. But now, as his divine sense entered, it felt like an endless dark and dead space, elusive and ungraspable.
Never mind, better put it away for now and deal with it later.
Qin Feng flipped his hand, placing the copper pot into his storage bag, and continued happily rummaging through the chaotic altar ruins, finding a dozen pieces of various spiritual materials containing Yin evil.
This made him quite pleased, as all of these could be exchanged for spirit stones.
At this moment, the sounds of battle in the distance ceased.
Qin Feng and Qin Yang grew a bit nervous.
Although Li Tianchou had the upper hand, fiercely chasing down the black-robed evil cultivator, battles were perilous, prone to sudden reversals.
Who knew if that evil cultivator had some life-saving method? If he turned the tables and killed Li Tianchou, they would be in great danger.
Fortunately, Qin Long soon said, "Don't worry, Li Tianchou won."
After all, he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and had more than just the Green-Eyed Spirit Snake. Although his other spiritual beasts hadn't reached the Foundation Establishment Stage and weren't unleashed in the fight.
Earlier, as Li Tianchou and the evil cultivator fought farther away, Qin Long released another spiritual beast, the Skylark, to monitor their battle, fearing an unexpected situation and to ensure they could escape in time.
Although the Skylark only had early Qi Refining strength, its flying speed was very fast, ideal for scouting the battle's progress.
Qin Feng and Qin Yang breathed sighs of relief.
Sure enough, in no time, Li Tianchou's figure flew over from the distance.
However, he was not unscathed, his face pale as snow, and he had two wounds, showing that the evil cultivator's desperate counterattack had not been easy to deal with.
Despite this, his eyes didn't show any anxiety, instead, they held a trace of joy.
Because after killing the evil cultivator, he not only obtained the treasures on the enemy but also saved Zhao Jinglei and others. After returning to the Commandery, he surely would receive additional benefits.
"Congratulations, Lord Li, for slaying the malevolent evil cultivator."
Qin Long cupped his hands towards Li Tianchou, "On behalf of the women of Kun City who were harmed by the evil cultivator, thank you, Lord Li."
"No need to be so polite, Brother Qin."
Li Tianchou coughed lightly twice, indicating his internal organs and meridians were also severely injured, or he wouldn't be in this state.
"All evil beings deserve to be exterminated by everyone. Besides, killing that villain was originally my task here in Kun City."
He walked forward, crouched down to examine Zhao Jinglei, and frowned, looking at Qin Long.
Qin Long shook his head, saying, "If injured by demon beasts, I could treat it, but I am not proficient in dealing with such Yin Ghost objects."
Li Tianchou felt helpless.
As a Sword Cultivator, killing was no problem for him, but saving lives was beyond his expertise.
Moreover, although the Yin Evil Ghost Object within Zhao Jinglei and others' bodies was temporarily suppressed by Qin Long's spell, this was not a long-term solution.
If the Yin Evil Qi was not expelled, the fierce ghosts entrenched within them would continuously sap their Primordial Qi and erode their vitality. Prolonged exposure would cause severe damage to their health.
The current issue was how to take these Zhao Family members away.
Thinking for a while, Li Tianchou hesitated before turning to Qin Long, "Brother Qin, could you help by using your spiritual beast to take these youngsters back to the Commandery with me?"
"Alright."
Qin Long nodded without rejecting.
There was no reason to refuse. Although traveling to the Commandery would take some time, having saved Zhao Jinglei and others, the Zhao Family should show some gratitude.
Otherwise, if Zhao Family members found themselves in trouble in the future, who would care to help?
In fact, if Li Tianchou had a large flying escape magical artifact, he wouldn't have wanted Qin Long to accompany him to the Zhao Family to share in the rewards.
But no matter how fast his sword-controlling speed was, he could only take one person with him at most. He couldn't just leave the rest of the Zhao Family disciples behind. Reluctantly, he had to ask Qin Long to go along.
The Yin Evil Qi and fierce ghosts in Zhao Jinglei must be quickly dealt with, as the fierce ghost being merely at the early Foundation Establishment Stage gave no room to delay. This urgency prevented Li Tianchou from considering alternative, slower means of return.
Not lingering, Qin Long released the Green-Eyed Spirit Snake, placing Zhao Jinglei and the others on its back, using mana to secure them in place.
After preparing, Qin Long instructed Qin Feng and Qin Yang, "Gather everyone and leave immediately."
"It's late at night. The previous battle's noise might attract other demon beasts. If I'm not here, you might not be able to fend them off."
Qin Yang quickly responded, "Don't worry, Uncle Seven, I will gather everyone and return to the city now."
Even without Qin Long's orders, he wouldn't dare to stay much longer.
After all, with only peak Qi Refining Six Layer strength, and of the Inspection Department's soldiers, only three team leaders were Innate martial artists. The rest were Acquired martial artists, who would easily suffer against powerful demon beasts.
Seeing their compliance, Qin Long nodded without further words, ascended to the spirit snake's back, and, controlling it, flew toward the Commandery with Li Tianchou.
Watching their figures fade into the night sky, Qin Yang wasted no time, drawing a bamboo whistle from his robe and blowing it sharply.
The whistle was to gather all the soldiers of the Inspection Department here.
Amplified by his spiritual power, the sound traveled far.
Soon, there were hurried footsteps, and scattered groups converged.
Qin Yang counted them, ensuring everyone was present, then sighed in relief.
"Brother Yang, what happened to Chen Hu and the others?"
One close team leader, seeing Chen Hu and others on the ground, was alarmed.
Those were his subordinates, so he was most concerned about their safety.
"It's fine, just some Yin Evil entering their bodies, clouding their minds."
Qin Yang instructed, "Some of you help carry them back. I will drive out the Yin Evil when we return."
Hearing this, the others relaxed.
As long as they were fine.
A few soldiers cut branches to make simple stretchers and carried Chen Hu and the others.
"By the way, where did Lord Qin go? Earlier, I saw Lord Qin's spirit snake flying overhead."
Another large, robust middle-aged man asked.
He was Zhao Meng, the strongest of the three Innate martial artists in the Inspection Department.
"Uncle Seven and Lord Li are heading to the Commandery."
Qin Yang briefly explained the situation, then said, "Now that the evil cultivator is dead, Kun City will soon be peaceful. This forest is not safe, let's leave quickly."
"Right, let's go."
Zhao Meng and the others realized staying was unwise. The battle's spiritual energy waves could attract demon beasts, leading to another arduous fight.
They hurried back along the way they came.
Upon exiting the forest and reaching the Chaotic Burial Mound road, they felt relieved.
The forest was uneven and without proper paths, filled with lurking poison insects and serpents, risky to traverse.
Using the Chaotic Burial Mound's path, they moved ahead. Once past it, the way would be smooth.
At that moment, soldiers at the front suddenly exclaimed, "Why has the big locust tree guarding the Chaotic Burial Mound fallen?"
Qin Feng looked ahead and saw the hollow ghost locust, which several people had to embrace, fallen on the road, blocking their way.