Chapter 624 - 300: Each with Their Own Thoughts

Ke Dali nodded. "My Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor's main material is a Tier Eight Profound Water Turtle Shell. It's inlaid with the Four Symbols Peak's inherited Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Array and uses a Tier Eight Profound Water Turtle's Demon Core as its Array Spirit. That is how it was able to become a Yellow Tier Spiritual Artifact.

"As the Array Spirit, the Tier Eight Profound Water Turtle Demon Core has the properties of Water Control and Earth Manipulation. Guided by the Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Array, it can autonomously absorb Five Elements Gui Water Aura and Earth Element Aura.

"On Jishui Lake, the Gui Water Aura is dense, so the Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Array absorbs more of it and focuses on channeling the Gui Water Aura for its abilities.

"If it were in a place rich with Earth Element Aura, it would focus on unleashing the power of that aura, and its defensive capabilities would be far more formidable.

"Of course, as a Spiritual Artifact, its power isn't limited to defense; it has many other wonderful uses.

"When I channel the Xuanwu Lineage's Realm, it greatly enhances my Realm Power. Its Water Control and Earth Manipulation is also extremely practical."

As he spoke, he activated his Qi Blood Power. The aura of the Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Array immediately shifted, and its defensive power strengthened significantly.

The turtle shell slowly shrank until it was just large enough for two people to stand on. A shield of greenish-yellow light materialized over it.

Enveloped by the Gui Water Aura, the shield of light zipped across the surface of the lake, resembling a small, nimble boat.

"Whoa! This Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor is truly incredible," Chen Cheng exclaimed in admiration.

A pleased expression appeared on Ke Dali's plump face, and he chuckled.

"It's not bad. In mountain ranges and earth veins rich with Earth Element Aura, this Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor can also travel through them with ease. It can be a lifesaver in a critical moment."

"Senior Brother Ke, are there any other Spiritual Artifacts on Four Symbols Peak?" Chen Cheng's interest was piqued.

'As a True Disciple of Four Symbols Peak, Ke Dali was able to obtain a Spiritual Artifact like the Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor. When I become a True Disciple in the future, I should be equipped with one or two as well.'

Seeing what Chen Cheng was thinking, Ke Dali's eyelid twitched, and he said sheepishly,

"Spiritual Artifacts are all forged from top-tier Demon Beast Materials and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects, making them incredibly difficult to come by.

"My Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor was only made because my master, by a stroke of luck, killed a Tier Eight Profound Water Turtle back in the day and managed to gather just enough materials. It's the only Spiritual Artifact on the entire Four Symbols Peak."

"That's the only one?" Chen Cheng couldn't help but feel deeply disappointed.

'The only Spiritual Artifact was passed down to Ke Dali, so of course, there's no way it would be passed down to me.'

Fearing Chen Cheng would change his mind and join another Main Peak instead, Ke Dali hurriedly reassured him,

"Junior Brother Chen, there's no need to be so anxious. Four Symbols Peak still has many incomplete Spiritual Artifacts. Once you become a True Disciple, you can pick one or two to use for the time being.

"Although the power of an incomplete Spiritual Artifact can't compare to a complete one, it's still much more formidable than a Pseudo-Spiritual Artifact.

"Besides, when we explore the cave mansions of our predecessors, we might find Spiritual Artifacts they left behind.

"On this trip to the Fog Concealment Cave Mansion, we might just find one or two. If we do, you'll have first pick."

Chen Cheng was touched by Ke Dali's generosity. "Thank you, Senior Brother Ke!"

Ke Dali replied heartily, "We're martial brothers. No need to be so polite."

...

Before long, the two of them arrived before a tall, painted pleasure barge.

It was still raining heavily, and there was no one on the deck.

The first and second-floor halls, however, were quite lively. Young masters and ladies in fine clothes were gathered in small groups, eating and drinking while talking animatedly.

The third floor was much quieter. Most of the private rooms were empty. In a room on the southwest side, a young man and a young woman sat by the window, looking outside.

Seeing Chen Cheng and Ke Dali arrive, the pair turned their gazes toward them, sizing up Chen Cheng.

The first and second floors also gradually quieted down. Many people stood up and walked to the windows, staring in astonishment at Chen Cheng and Ke Dali.

"Junior Brother Chen, the two in the third-floor room are Xiao Yingluo and Qi Jianming," Ke Dali said. "Let's go straight up."

"Alright." Chen Cheng gave a slight nod. His figure shot up, and with a few leaps, he reached a height of dozens of feet, landing steadily on the third-floor deck.

Ke Dali, on the other hand, stomped hard on the Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor. His stout body shot upward like a heavy cannonball, landing with a THUD beside Chen Cheng.

He then beckoned with his hand, and the Mountain-Suppressing Xuanwu Armor quickly shrank, turning into a turtle shell that flew up and settled naturally onto his back.

The two walked into the private room. Ke Dali strode nonchalantly to the empty seat beside Qi Jianming and sat down, introducing them with a chuckle.

"Junior Sister Xiao, Junior Brother Qi, this is Junior Brother Chen Cheng.

"Junior Brother Chen, these two are True Disciple Xiao Yingluo of Xuanjian Peak and True Disciple Qi Jianming of Five Elements Peak."

Chen Cheng cupped his hands in greeting. "Senior Sister Xiao, Senior Brother Qi."

"Please, have a seat, Junior Brother Chen." Qi Jianming smiled faintly, pointing to the empty seat beside Xiao Yingluo.

The man was about thirty years old with a fair complexion. Although he was smiling, he gave off a faint sense of detachment.

Xiao Yingluo, meanwhile, watched Chen Cheng with a blank expression, remaining silent.

She wore simple green robes with a longsword at her waist. Her eyes and brows were strikingly similar to Xiao Nianci's—willow-like eyebrows, phoenix eyes, cherry-red lips, and fair, delicate skin. Her features were as exquisite as if they had been carved.

'Even though Xiao Yingluo is expressionless, she gives me the same feeling as when I first met Xiao Nianci. She faintly exudes the cold, arrogant, and harsh air of a young lady from a great clan. This is different from Shen Qingshuang. Shen Qingshuang is naturally aloof, whereas Xiao Yingluo's arrogance seems more like a deliberate act—she's intentionally putting on airs.'

Chen Cheng couldn't figure out why Xiao Yingluo was acting this way, nor could he be bothered to try. After sitting down nonchalantly, he adopted a detached expression and paid them no more mind.

Xiao Yingluo, however, continued to stare at Chen Cheng, while Qi Jianming picked up his teacup, took a sip, and turned to look out the window.