The Phoenix Rebirth, though it had left Li Wei feverish and frail, had ignited a renewed fire in his spirit. The warmth in his dantian, pulsing with the density of his nascent Golden Core and the fledgling spark of his Nascent Soul, seemed to resonate with the hidden valley's mystical aura—its shimmering pool, ancient tree, and glowing blossoms a constant affirmation of his path. Azure Dragon, his scruffy spirit beast, remained a loyal companion, curled by the stone altar as Li Wei pored over the scroll, its worn bamboo slats a sacred map to immortality. The scroll's latest passage unveiled a new quest: "Seek the artifacts of the ancients, vessels of qi that amplify the cultivator's spirit. Find them in the earth's hidden places, but beware the trials of greed."
In the cultivation novels Li Wei had devoured in Beijing, artifacts were legendary treasures—jade pendants, spirit swords, or talismans imbued with the power of long-dead immortals. The scroll's description was less grandiose but equally compelling: "Objects touched by the Dao hold the essence of eternity. Seek them with purity, lest desire corrupt the path." Li Wei's jade slip, acquired from the black-market auction, had already proven its worth, its faint warmth amplifying his qi. The stolen booklet from the Dai Temple, though possibly mundane, had deepened his understanding. Now, the scroll urged him to find more, and Li Wei, emboldened by his trials—lightning, betrayal, and rebirth—saw this as a chance to strengthen his cultivation.
The hidden valley, with its spiritual energy, seemed a likely place for such artifacts. Li Wei imagined ancient cultivators hiding their treasures in its cliffs or beneath its roots, waiting for a worthy successor. His body, weakened by fasting, alchemical mishaps, and the recent fever, protested, but his spirit burned with purpose. He prepared with care, packing his tattered backpack with the scroll, jade slip, booklet, and a crude shovel crafted from a flat stone and a sturdy branch. Azure Dragon, sensing adventure, limped at his side, tail wagging despite his own weariness. Li Wei's notebook, filled with fervent entries, would record any finds, and he scribbled a hopeful note: "Artifact Hunt begins. The valley holds the Dao's treasures."
He started near the ancient tree, its gnarled roots twisting into the earth like dragons guarding secrets. The scroll mentioned "places where the earth's qi gathers," and the tree's radiant blossoms suggested such a spot. Li Wei dug carefully, his shovel scraping through dirt and roots, his hands blistered but determined. Hours passed, yielding only rocks, worms, and a rusted tin can—likely discarded by hikers. Disappointment crept in, but Li Wei reframed it as a test of patience, recalling the scroll's warning against greed. Azure Dragon sniffed the pile, unimpressed, and Li Wei laughed, patting his companion's head. "We'll find something," he promised.
Next, he explored the valley's cliffs, their jagged faces shrouded in mist. A narrow ledge led to a shallow cave, not the "Ancient Tomb" of his earlier adventure but a new hollow that felt charged with energy. Inside, the air was cool, the walls damp and etched with faint scratches—natural, perhaps, but Li Wei saw them as ancient runes. He dug at the cave's floor, unearthing shards of pottery, a broken arrowhead, and a small, tarnished bronze disc engraved with a spiral. His heart leapt—this was no ordinary junk. The disc, though corroded, felt warm in his hand, like the jade slip, and he convinced himself it was an artifact, a "Spirit Seal" imbued with qi.
Li Wei returned to his altar, the disc cradled in his hands. He meditated with it, pressing it alongside the jade slip, visualizing his qi flowing into its spiral pattern. The warmth in his dantian surged, and he swore he saw faint sparks dancing around the disc, like the visions from his sword forms. Was it truly an artifact, or just another relic of his imagination? The scroll promised that true artifacts resonated with the cultivator's spirit, and Li Wei chose to believe this was one. He scribbled in his notebook: "Spirit Seal found in cave. Qi amplified, sparks seen. Dao's treasures revealed."
During the next video call with the Order of the Jade Dawn, Li Wei displayed the disc, its spiral glinting in the campfire's light. Zhang Wei, ever enthusiastic, declared it a "lost talisman," urging him to infuse it with alchemical elixirs. Liu Mei, cautious as always, suggested cleansing it in the pool to ensure its purity. Chen Xiu saw it as a sign of divine favor, while Zhao Feng, pragmatic, questioned its authenticity but admired Li Wei's dedication. Their support bolstered him, though he hid the growing pain in his hands, the blisters now infected from digging. The sect's debates, still tinged with tension, reminded him to guard against further betrayal.
As night fell, Li Wei sat by the altar, Azure Dragon snoring softly, the scroll open before him. The Spirit Seal, real or not, was a victory, a tangible link to the ancients. The valley's whispers seemed to approve, their murmurs blending with his chants. The scroll warned of trials tied to artifacts—greed, deception—but Li Wei felt ready, his Golden Core pulsing with purpose. With his sect's faith and the valley's energy, he would seek more treasures, each one a step closer to immortality, no matter the cost to his weary body.