Chapter Eighty-Five: The Five-Color Banner of the Backrest

Ling Xiaohan, Qin Qi, Bai Qi, and Lei Ming all stared in astonishment at Song Yue.

When they first arrived outside the Treasure Pavilion Square, they immediately sensed something was amiss. It seemed someone had already activated the spatial field here, trapping everyone in the square within the laws of time. Normally, outsiders would find it difficult to notice such a change, but because of their past experiences, they could recognize it instantly.

They worried that whoever activated the field would sweep up all the treasures inside—a scenario that had occurred before. First come, first served; no one could complain unless someone was willing to kill for the loot. Otherwise, they could only watch helplessly as the lucky one left fully laden.

Therefore, they immediately stepped into this time-frozen domain, used the power of the Stele of Heaven's Ascent, and entered the Treasure Pavilion. Yet, to their surprise, they found Song Yue inside!

"Did you activate the field here?"

As Song Yue spoke, Ling Xiaohan looked at him in surprise and posed the question. In this mental space, they could speak via a special psychic resonance, almost the same as in the real world.

Then both of them laughed, but for different reasons.

Song Yue laughed, finding it all too coincidental! First, they met in the virtual world, where he had defeated the reckless Ling Xiaohan fifty times. Then, both chose to eat at the iconic "Stall Alley" in Food City and ended up at the same table. Now, they met again in a place like this!

Ling Xiaohan laughed for a single reason—this person was a fellow warrior! In these ancient underground palaces, at least eighty percent were highly accessible to those bearing the Stele of Heaven's Ascent. In other words, what was difficult for others was nothing for a Stele-bearer. The Stele was like a "cheat code" for warriors—so long as the underground palace wasn't emptied, any warrior venturing in would almost always gain something. Especially for new palaces, once word got out, warriors would flock over for the chance.

Of course, even warriors could only open doors freely; it didn't mean they could claim every opportunity inside.

As Ling Xiaohan laughed, Qin Qi, Bai Qi, and Lei Ming also exchanged knowing smiles. They instantly recognized Song Yue's identity and assumed he would, too.

Unfortunately, Song Yue did not.

He hadn't had the Stele for long and, apart from learning how to use it to curse people, had only been playing solo. Watching Ling Xiaohan and the others, he asked again, "How did you all get in?"

Ling Xiaohan paused. "Aren’t you… a warrior?"

Song Yue looked shocked. "You are too?"

The group fell silent, exchanging helpless glances. Bai Qi, Lei Ming, and Qin Qi looked at Ling Xiaohan—she had been just like this before.

Ling Xiaohan retorted, "Why are you all looking at me like that? It’s normal that Song Yue doesn’t get it."

Ignoring the others’ laughter, she explained to Song Yue, "People without the Stele might stumble across some opportunities here, but being able to walk in and choose like this? That’s nearly impossible."

Qin Qi added, "These ancient palaces and ruins are very friendly to warriors. They're virtually private grounds for us."

Bai Qi nodded. "You can find all sorts of opportunities here, and quickly grow in strength. The Battlefield of Nine Gates has been calm for years, but that's only on a large scale. Small skirmishes happen daily. Without power, you can't survive there."

Ling Xiaohan eyed the attentive Song Yue. "Don’t tell me… you’ve never been to the Battlefield of Nine Gates?"

It was like everyone talking excitedly about a game while you, unfamiliar with it, could only listen blankly and awkwardly—until someone suddenly asks, "Wait, you never played?"

That was exactly how Song Yue felt now. But he didn’t want to mention his master—who knew which faction these people belonged to? If they were from the Ancient Pine Sect, that would blow his cover.

So he shook his head, "I know nothing about that place."

Ling Xiaohan replied, "No worries, we can take you in the future!"

Song Yue answered, "Thank you very much!"

Ling Xiaohan was delighted—she’d finally found a rookie less experienced than herself! She instantly felt like a veteran with a heavy responsibility to train this new recruit.

At this moment, Qin Qi noticed the five little flags in front of Song Yue and exclaimed, "Are those the Five-Colored Backing Flags?"

Ling Xiaohan, Bai Qi, and Lei Ming crowded over, studied them seriously for a while, then all shook their heads.

Ling Xiaohan said, "Never seen them."

Bai Qi and Lei Ming echoed, "No idea!"

Qin Qi sighed and looked at the three—why stare so long if you don’t recognize them? She told Song Yue, "If these are the Five-Colored Backing Flags from ancient records, you’re in luck. Each flag has different abilities, both offensive and defensive—a true heavyweight among top artifacts. Used in formations, they can suppress, sever, and once fully refined, have a truly formidable power."

Everyone looked at her.

Qin Qi continued, "When fully refined, they can withstand the sealing and suppression from those many realms above you! But you have to fully refine them first."

Withstand sealing and suppression?

A flash of lightning seemed to streak through Song Yue’s mind. He tried to remain calm. "How could such a treasure be in a palace like this?"

Ling Xiaohan replied, "Why not? I once went to Master Guangcheng’s dojo and saw the Revolving Heaven Seal!"

Song Yue looked envious. "And then?"

Ling Xiaohan looked a bit crestfallen. "Then someone snatched it away. I had no fate with it."

Why mention it if you lost it?

But Ling Xiaohan was unfazed. "There are countless powerful treasures from ancient times. Even if you see one, you might not obtain it. Just take it easy."

Lei Ming nodded approvingly. "Exactly, there are endless treasures in the world; we can’t expect to get them all."

Qin Qi looked at Song Yue. "Since you arrived first, you should try to claim it. For top-tier treasures, there’s usually an artifact spirit. If you have no fate with it, you can't force it."

Ling Xiaohan suddenly remembered something. "By the way, why were so many people chasing you outside?"

Song Yue didn’t hide much and briefly recounted the events. They were all indignant.

Ling Xiaohan said, "Among the practitioners from old noble families, there are plenty of outstanding ones—and plenty of scum too!"

Qin Qi added, "It takes all sorts. Luckily, you’re strong and even killed two grandmasters. But there are a lot of people after you. Be careful when you go out."

Ling Xiaohan said, "We’ll help you!"

Bai Qi nodded. "We’d already decided to help when we heard about your situation. Now that you’re also a warrior, it’s settled."

Lei Ming grinned. "Let’s show them what a warrior really is."

Song Yue was moved and thanked them sincerely. He wasn’t that afraid of those outside—he’d fight if he could, and if not, he’d just leave. He believed the Lin family wouldn’t blame him for that. But if possible, he wanted to return to the Sutra Pavilion and find some scriptures as a gift in thanks—the Lin family had treated him well.

As for the physical arts, he couldn’t pass them on—not out of unwillingness, but because when the White-Clad Man taught him, he had left a direct warning: "This method is not to be transmitted to outsiders."

With these people’s help, things would be easier, and he’d have more time to seek treasures for the Lin family.

The group then spread out, each searching for artifacts that caught their eye and responded to them.

Song Yue stayed where he was.

He was determined to claim the Five-Colored Backing Flags—not just to try, but to take them away no matter what! Qin Qi’s words had given him a glimmer of hope.

Since childhood, his teacher—who shared no blood with him—had cared for him silently, never expecting anything in return. But Song Yue thought differently. After learning his teacher’s predicament, he swore to accomplish two things: break his master’s seal and avenge him!

Having heard the Five-Colored Backing Flags could resist sealing, Song Yue was thrilled inside, though he tried not to show it.

So, no matter what, he had to take these five flags today.

Unlike the lazy ancient divine tree, these flags were either aloof or ferocious! Just as Ling Xiaohan and the others had experienced, Song Yue’s spiritual energy was immediately shredded by the black flag with the demon image as soon as he reached out. This happened repeatedly. The other four flags were less aggressive but ignored him altogether.

At that moment, Ling Xiaohan cheered from across the room, "Fantastic! Violet-Gold Gourd—mine at last!"

Song Yue glanced over and saw her cradling a violet-gold gourd about twenty centimeters tall, looking blissful.

Bai Qi was conversing with a war halberd inscribed with runes from handle to blade, equally excited. "This palace is a true treasure trove—so friendly to martial cultivators!"

Ling Xiaohan said, "But this gourd is a cultivator’s treasure!"

Qin Qi, negotiating with a crimson sash, laughed, "Alright, we all know you’re skilled in both magic and martial arts. No need to show off!"

Ling Xiaohan boasted, "Not just magic and martial arts—one day I’ll be a master mecha-warrior too!"

She turned to Song Yue. "Hey, how’s it going? If it doesn’t want to follow you, don’t force it. Forcing a treasure is pointless. By the way, Song Yue, I’ll teach you mecha piloting later—take you flying!"

She shot a warning look at the others.

Lei Ming grinned guilelessly, Bai Qi turned away, and Qin Qi could only smile helplessly.

Song Yue was a bit helpless too. "Alright, you can teach me when you have time."

Ling Xiaohan put away her gourd and puffed out her chest. "Leave it to me!"

Song Yue kept trying.

When Qin Qi had claimed her crimson sash, Lei Ming had obtained an ancient bronze lamp, and everyone else had found nothing more, they returned to Song Yue.

Qin Qi advised, "The Five-Colored Backing Flags are legendary treasures, but what isn’t yours simply can’t be taken."

Song Yue smiled. "Let me try a bit longer. Why don’t you go outside and wait nearby? If I’m not done in an hour, I’ll leave."

"You’re stubborn!"

Ling Xiaohan muttered, shaking her head and walking out, hands behind her back like an old scholar.

Am I as stubborn as you?

Song Yue watched them go. He then took out the ever-pulsating Jade Void Stele of Heaven’s Ascent and tossed it onto the five little flags. "You keep prompting me—let’s see you do it!"

Clang!

The stele landed on the black flag. Instantly, the portal opened, and all five flags streamed inside.

Song Yue: "..."

Was this thing messing with him? So he couldn’t do it, but the stele could?

Song Yue was annoyed at his artifact, even wanted to hit it—but realized he might not win, which was awkward.

After calming down, he entered the stele, stretched out his spirit again—

And was promptly shredded.

He was speechless now.

Forget it. He was destined to have no fate with these; better to let his master worry about them! Just being able to take away the bronze divine tree was a huge harvest.

He looked at the other artifacts—just as Qin Qi and the others had said, those not fated simply wouldn’t respond, no matter what he did. Even the stele was quiet now.

It seemed the bronze divine tree and the Five-Colored Backing Flags were the greatest treasures here. That was enough. There would be plenty of chances in the future; many palaces and treasures remained.

After another round, Song Yue returned to the square and saw Ling Xiaohan and the others chatting. Qin Qi asked, "Did you succeed?"

Song Yue nodded, "At last, I… managed to take them!"

They all laughed, clearly not believing him. Just as the Stele chose the warrior, so too did top artifacts choose their masters—never the other way around. Some ancient powers’ treasures would even kill outsiders who tried to force them.

As Song Yue’s spirit returned, the Treasure Pavilion Square returned to normal. No one but their group noticed anything—except they were puzzled how several new people had suddenly appeared with Song Yue. When had they arrived?

Just then, a large group rounded the corner—forty or fifty strong! At their head were members of the Ou family faction.

Someone had spotted Song Yue from afar and raised the alarm. Everyone hurried over. In their ranks, Song Yue even saw some people invited by the Lin family. From another direction, several Lin family disciples rushed over, but looked confused—wasn’t the Ou family targeting Song Yue? Why so many people? And their own people among them? What were they trying to do?

The Ou scion at the lead stared coldly at Song Yue. "Song Yue, let’s see how you escape this time!"

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