Chapter 1013: Ruin’s Loot

Zheng Yidao, seeing Fu Rong's injuries, abandoned his pursuit. The collapse of the formation revealed a cave entrance; its very appearance bespoke a cultivator's ruin. Zheng Yidao was immediately captivated, his excitement mirrored by Cheng Yugeng.

Fu Rong, sensing suspicion, declared, "I'll go in first. Follow me." He entered without awaiting a response; Zheng Yidao followed close behind. Cheng Yugeng, despite his heavy wounds, pressed onward, unwilling to forgo the potential treasure. Ye Mo, ever vigilant toward Fu Rong, brought up the rear.

The four found themselves in a small stone chamber. Fu Rong halted, their gazes drawn to a lifeless body. Though devoid of life force, the corpse remained intact.

"A low-grade dao artifact armor?" Cheng Yugeng exclaimed in astonishment. The clothing was decaying, but the armor remained pristine.

"It's indeed Yu Baisheng qianbei's ruin…" Zheng Yidao confirmed.

"This armor alone makes this trip worthwhile," Cheng Yugeng murmured. The value of a low-grade dao artifact armor was undeniable, even to someone like Yu Baisheng. The materials were costly, and even master forgers often failed, destroying the materials in the process.

"Brother Cheng was most injured," Fu Rong declared, "so the dao artifact armor is his. Objections?"

Ye Mo shook his head; he had no desire for a pre-owned artifact. Unlike the new rainbow plumage robe he'd purchased, this armor held an unsavory history.

Cheng Yugeng, expressing his gratitude, removed the armor. Showing consideration, he reclothed the corpse before removing the storage ring and presenting it to Fu Rong.

"The spirit sense mark is gone," Fu Rong stated. "I'll empty the ring; we'll examine the contents together. Objections?"

Ye Mo and Zheng Yidao voiced no dissent. Fu Rong proceeded to empty the ring's contents.

Ye Mo noticed a dust-covered, low-grade spirit artifact pill cauldron containing herb remnants, indicating the owner had been refining pills at the time of his death. This, Ye Mo mused, confirmed Yu Baisheng's exceptional talents, excelling not only in formations but also as a level three forgery master and alchemist—surpassing even Ye Mo's own multifaceted skills, attained through cultivation of the Three Birth Chant. Yu Baisheng’s mastery across three disciplines was a testament to his genius.

The scattered contents of the storage ring included numerous forgery materials, two additional low-grade dao artifacts, and approximately three million top-grade spirit stones. The paucity of spirit stones further suggested Yu Baisheng's identity, his resources likely depleted in acquiring materials. The absence of pills, likewise, indicated their consumption. A large quantity of formation flags lay haphazardly scattered.

Ye Mo, however, recognized the subtle arrangement, a concealed level three formation. This was not due to Fu Rong's skill, but the unusual nature of the flags. Unimpressed, Ye Mo dismissed the threat.

"Brother Zheng and I will each take a dao artifact," Fu Rong proposed. "Brother Ye, will you search for Huang Star Rock? If not, choose something else."

The unspoken threat of three-on-one combat hung in the air. Ye Mo smiled, accepting the offer to search for the rock and taking an alternative if unsuccessful. Zheng Yidao quickly clarified that any additional items in the box containing the Huang Star Rock would belong to Ye Mo as well.

Ye Mo selected a jade box, using his purple eye soul sever to detect its contents; it contained the Huang Star Rock and another item. He concealed his excitement and stored it.

While the others were surprised by his choice, they'd agreed to the terms.

Ye Mo claimed only ten percent of the remaining spirit stones and ores. He then appropriated the low-grade spirit artifact pill cauldron, its scent of herbs appealing to him.

Having secured his desired items, Ye Mo bid farewell. Fu Rong’s darkened expression betrayed his curiosity: "Brother Ye, what's in that jade box?"