Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil in the Cultivation World Chapter 1241 - 571: Gained Fragment of the Immortal Artifact Flag of Equality, Great Harvest (2)

Venturing into such a perilous undertaking, a single misstep guarantees not merely failure but utter annihilation, signaling the definitive end of one's cultivation journey.

As the saying goes, even those who frequently tread by the riverside will eventually have their boots soaked.

Despite possessing this combat prowess, they would never dare to act with such audacity.

"However, from an impartial perspective, this Talisman Daoist has undeniably rendered us a monumental service."

"By eradicating a Demon Cave and dispatching numerous demons, we have indeed managed to alleviate some of the pressure exerted upon the Demon Race."

"Nevertheless, it remains improbable that this will significantly alter the overarching conflict."

"The true might of the demon forces is beyond comprehension."

King Yue Xiumu tightly balled her fists, a glint of chilling resolve flashing in her exquisite eyes, her heart consumed by a tempest of boundless fury.

Her prior carelessness, falling prey to the demons' insidious trap, had unfortunately resulted in a debilitating affliction upon her person.

Yet, as the sovereign ruler of the Wanhu Demon Kingdom, she absolutely could not betray any hint of her deteriorating condition.

To do so would plunge the entire Demon Race Empire into peril, potentially provoking an all-out demonic onslaught.

She was compelled to resolve the affliction plagying her body in absolute secrecy.

Failure to do so would inevitably spell doom for the Wanhu Demon Kingdom.

Fortuitously, the recent obliteration of the Moon-Swallowing Demon Cave has granted her a crucial reprieve, buying her precious time.

In this regard, she harbors a measure of gratitude towards the enigmatic Talisman Daoist.

......

While the demon cultivators of the Wanhu Demon Kingdom were engulfed in elation and jubilation, the destruction of the Moon-Swallowing Demon Cave struck the other demons like a bolt from the blue, utterly stunning the high-ranking demonic figures.

They found it utterly inconceivable that such an event could transpire.

"It's happening again; that Talisman Daoist has made another appearance."

"Why does this accursed Talisman Daoist persist in annihilating our Demon Caves one after another? What is his ultimate objective?"

"I've been asserting for ages that this detestable human cultivator is the sworn enemy of us demons, yet none of you chose to heed my warnings."

"Even if we acknowledge this fact, where can we possibly locate this elusive Talisman Daoist? We are still ignorant of his very name."

"If this pattern continues, every single one of our Demon Caves will be systematically obliterated by this Talisman Daoist. Establishing a Demon Cave demands considerable effort and immense resources; we cannot permit this Talisman Daoist to wreak havoc unchecked."

A multitude of high-tier demons seethed with rage, overcome by profound frustration.

Had this occurred only once, they might have attributed it to sheer luck, perhaps a mere coincidence.

However, with two Demon Caves now destroyed, it transcended the realm of mere chance.

This Talisman Daoist undoubtedly possessed some arcane technique, enabling him to discern the precise locations of Demon Caves, thereby allowing him to target one defenseless stronghold after another, delivering devastating blows.

Although the demons currently commanded substantial resources and a formidable contingent of experts, they could not indefinitely withstand such relentless assaults and destructions. If this Talisman Daoist was not swiftly neutralized, widespread anxiety and unrest would grip the entire demon populace.

This situation posed a significant detriment to the Demon Race's impending strategic initiatives.

In the unfortunate event of further setbacks, their meticulously laid plans could falter.

The territories previously subjugated might be reclaimed, an outcome they found utterly intolerable.

"We must refrain from any hasty actions; every Demon Cave requires heightened vigilance, leaving absolutely no room for negligence."

"It's not merely a matter of enhancing surveillance; all other demon forces must remain on standby for immediate reinforcement."

"Perhaps we could devise a cunning trap to ensnare the Talisman Daoist."

"Is such a plan feasible? Currently, we remain ignorant of the full extent of this individual's abilities."

"Regardless of whether this strategy succeeds, we must first ascertain the identity of this human cultivator and comprehend his capabilities. Otherwise, we are merely flailing blindly, like bewildered insects."

Numerous high-ranking demons engaged in fervent deliberation.

Their fury was now palpable, as this marked the first instance they had experienced such profound humiliation at the hands of a human cultivator since their invasion of the Spirit Ruins Realm; they were resolute in their need for retribution.

...

One day elapsed.

Jiang Fan made his return to the Ten Thousand Treasures Spiritual Ruins, arriving within a secluded chamber located in the esteemed Ten Thousand Treasures Hall.

At this precise moment, he was assiduously cataloging the immense spoils he had acquired from the Moon-Swallowing Demon Cave during this recent expedition.

After all, he had secured the entirety of the Demon Cave's accumulated wealth, a fortune substantial enough to incite envy even in the most powerful Integration Realm cultivators, and certainly enough to make Mahayana cultivators exceedingly jealous.

"Tsk, tsk, they had amassed such a colossal quantity of Immortal Stones."

"When aggregated, the total should approximate three hundred thousand."

Jiang Fan whistled in admiration, a profound sense of satisfaction washing over him.

He had liberated a full three hundred thousand Immortal Stones from the Moon-Swallowing Demon Cave's treasury, a sum of considerable magnitude.

When combined with the Immortal Stones he had previously obtained, his total now reached between six and seven hundred thousand.

Even during the opulent Void Realm of the Primordial Era, such a lavish hoard of Immortal Stones would have certainly qualified an individual as exceedingly wealthy.

The accumulated wealth of a typical Mahayana cultivator rarely surpassed this amount."

An immense number of Immortal Stones, imbued with their contained Immortal Spirit Qi, could certainly propel him to a more advanced level.

"Hmm, wait... what is this thing?"

A peculiar sensation stirred within Jiang Fan, and his gaze was immediately drawn to a fragment amongst the spoils he had just acquired.

It was a shard of a crimson banner, its surface etched with enigmatic, shifting runes.

Though it appeared to be mere ordinary material, he perceived an undeniable uniqueness about it.

This fragment seemed to possess a mysterious resonance with a Magical Treasure he already possessed.

"Could it be... is this a missing piece of the Flag of Equality?"

A spark of realization flashed in Jiang Fan's eyes.

He promptly summoned the Immortal Artifact, the Flag of Equality, from his possession. The fragment quivered instantly, responding with a strange synchronicity to the Flag, radiating a deep crimson luminescence.

Boom!!

In the very next moment, the fragment seamlessly melded into the core of the Flag of Equality.

This integration bestowed a complete segment upon the Immortal Artifact, significantly bolstering its inherent power.

Faintly, yet undeniably, more intricate Immortal Patterns manifested across the flag's surface.

"To think it's a fragment of the Flag of Equality! This is truly marvelous," Jiang Fan exclaimed, his heart filled with elation.

He openly admitted that the Immortal Artifact Flag of Equality served as one of his ultimate trump cards.

It was precisely this Immortal Artifact’s might that had enabled him to obliterate the Cyan Stone Demon Cave previously.

Without its assistance, defeating the formidable Combined Demon guarding the cave would have been an insurmountable feat.

The artifact's power grants him the ability to contend against opponents of superior cultivation tiers.

Undoubtedly, channeling this Immortal Artifact’s power allows him to engage in battle with cultivators at the Mahayana stage.

Taking down a Mahayana cultivator, he mused, was not entirely beyond the realm of possibility.

However, a significant impediment existed: the artifact possessed a severely limited number of uses.

A single activation mandated a lengthy twenty-year cooldown period.

This limitation was not an inherent trait of the original Flag of Equality; rather, it stemmed from substantial damage, imposing this restrictive cooldown.

Even so, this Immortal Artifact remained a paramount trump card, capable of dramatically altering the course of any engagement.

It offered a means to turn the tide, even when confronted by the assault of a Mahayana cultivator.

Yet, he understood the folly of rashly engaging such powerful beings.

Overcoming the strong through the weak should only be a measure of last resort.

True strength lies in the unequivocal dominance of the weak by the strong.

"The cooldown duration has decreased; a single use now necessitates only a ten-year repose," Jiang Fan declared, clenching his fist.

He could distinctly feel that following the absorption of this fragment, the Immortal Artifact’s potency had been substantially restored.

The most impactful alteration was the reduction of the cooldown period to a mere decade.

This was a considerable improvement; deploying its power once every ten years could facilitate an astonishing array of accomplishments.

He theorized that if he could locate all the remaining fragments of the Flag of Equality, the cooldown might vanish entirely, permitting frequent utilization.

At this juncture, a profound sense of contentment washed over him, accompanied by an amplified feeling of security.

Even within the expanse of the Spirit Ruins Realm, Mahayana cultivators stood at the apex of power.

By harnessing the might of this Immortal Artifact, he possessed the capacity to repel a Mahayana cultivator’s onslaught, holding an invincible ace.

Furthermore, its deployment was now feasible every ten years.

"What a First-Grade Opportunity! I've truly struck gold this time," Jiang Fan remarked with a subtle smile.

The treasures procured from the Moon-Swallowing Demon Cave had indeed left him thoroughly satisfied. He mused that should another such opportunity arise, revisiting these Demon Caves would prove incredibly lucrative with minimal risk.

Nevertheless, such prospects were currently unavailable. He concluded that retreating to focus on his cultivation would be the most prudent course of action.

He sensed that after receiving the Heavenly Dao’s benediction and assimilating the recently acquired Origin Energy, reaching the Third-Layer Integration was imminent. Cultivation had become his paramount concern.

Boom~~

With these thoughts crystallizing in his mind, Jiang Fan assumed a cross-legged posture upon the ground, promptly immersing himself in secluded cultivation.