"Little friend, why not pick another treasure?" Qin Tianba looked at Nie Yuan, feeling a bit uneasy inside. It didn't sit well with him to send off his benefactor with just a trivial item; it wasn't something Qin Tianba would do.

"Thank you for your kindness, senior. Since I've already chosen a treasure, it wouldn't be right to take more," Nie Yuan replied with a humble smile.

Greed knows no bounds, and Nie Yuan had already taken a significant treasure. Taking more would be improper.

"Senior Shi Meng, have you seen any treasures you like?" Qin Tianba placed his last hope on Meng Xian.

Meng Xian remained silent, merely shaking her head slightly.

And just like that, his last hope was dashed.

It was a pity that the Qin family's treasure vault was too small, lacking any treasures that the seniors would find appealing.

Qin Tianba was filled with self-reproach.

In truth, it wasn't the fault of the Qin family's treasure vault. The treasure Nie Yuan had taken was already precious enough. Taking more would be inappropriate, and Meng Xian couldn't take anything either. If she did, it would inevitably entangle her in karmic ties—a losing proposition she wanted no part of.

"Senior Shi Meng, since you won't take any treasures, how about staying for a while at the Qin residence? Let our family host you two properly," Qin Tianba pleaded, his aged face full of earnestness.

"That could work," Meng Xian agreed. It was just as well, as she could use this body to linger in the capital a bit longer. Perhaps she might even find some previously overlooked treasures.

Seeing Meng Xian agree, Qin Tianba breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly took out a jade token and sent a message to his people outside to prepare everything promptly, fearing Meng Xian might change her mind at any moment.

After leaving the treasure vault, it took them another half-hour to return to the Qin family's main hall.

The Qin family's efficiency was remarkable. As they entered, they saw several long tables already set up in the main hall, laden with delicacies and fine wines. There was nothing Nie Yuan hadn't seen before, but the spread was more luxurious than even the feast Qin Shou had prepared for Nie Yuan and Luo Zhixue.

"Senior, today I, Qin Tianba, owe you a great debt of gratitude. Thanks to you, my old ailment has been cured. Here, I offer you a toast," Qin Tianba said solemnly, downing his cup of wine in one gulp.

He then turned to Nie Yuan, raising his cup again with a serious expression. "Young friend Xuan Chou, without you, my injury might never have been healed, even unto death. You saved my life. This cup, I offer to you." He drained his cup once more.

"Senior, you flatter me. It was just a small effort on my part," Nie Yuan replied modestly, finishing his own cup of wine.

Meng Xian didn't have to drink, as she was a senior, but Nie Yuan couldn't refuse.

Two hours later, the feast concluded.

Qin Tianba, filled with reluctance, escorted Meng Xian and Nie Yuan out of the Qin residence.

In contrast, Nie Yuan felt a sense of relief as he stepped out of the Qin family's estate. The Qin family's hospitality had been overwhelming, and even someone as thick-skinned as Nie Yuan found it hard to bear. The moment he left the Qin residence, Nie Yuan let out a long sigh of relief.

"Little Xianxian, what's the use of this small statue?" Nie Yuan asked, taking out the lion statue and playing with it in his hand.

"We'll talk about it after we leave the capital," Meng Xian replied indifferently.

"Are we leaving the capital now?" Nie Yuan looked back and asked.

"This body can no longer sustain my power. It won't be long before it disintegrates," Meng Xian said softly, extending her jade-like hand.

Nie Yuan's brows furrowed as he noticed several fine cracks appearing on her once flawless hand.

"Are we leaving now? Is there time for me to bid farewell to Zhixue?" Nie Yuan asked, looking at Meng Xian.

"There's no time. We have other matters to attend to," Meng Xian said, not giving Nie Yuan a chance to refuse. She grabbed the back of Nie Yuan's collar, and in an instant, they vanished from the spot.

Moreover, Meng Xian didn't use her usual teleportation ability, as the body of the Third War General was nearing its limit. If she were to use such a powerful technique now, the body might disintegrate mid-journey. If that happened, not only would they fail to leave any opportunities for the Third War General, but the Third War General might even die a second time.

"Little Shou," Qin Tianba instructed within the Qin residence, "We must not forget the great kindness shown by young friend Xuan Chou. Investigate quickly to find out who in the Sword Sect is plotting against him."

"Yes, Grandfather," Qin Shou replied.

Tens of thousands of miles away from the capital, on a mountain peak, Nie Yuan sat cross-legged on the ground, with Meng Xian standing before him.

The small lion statue was held in Meng Xian's hand.

With a light tap of her jade finger, a beam of light shot out from the statue.

Meng Xian quickly formed a seal with her hand, trapping the light in mid-air.

"This is..." Nie Yuan stared at the light suspended in the air, feeling a surge of shock. He could clearly sense the terrifying power emanating from the light, causing a tremor deep within his soul.

The power radiating from the light was all too familiar to Nie Yuan—it was soul power.

What Nie Yuan couldn't understand was how such a small statue could contain such a terrifying amount of soul power.

Meng Xian guided the light into her brow, and Nie Yuan vaguely sensed that her aura became slightly more solid, leaving him momentarily dazed.

Meng Xian's hands didn't stop moving. With a gentle squeeze, the statue crumbled into dust, and a seed fell out.

"Swallow it," Meng Xian said softly, tossing the seed to Nie Yuan.

As Nie Yuan caught the seed, an ancient aura washed over him. Upon closer inspection, he noticed several fine lines on the seed, not carved by human hands but seemingly natural.

Unable to discern anything, Nie Yuan activated his Heavenly Eye to peer into the seed's interior.

But to his surprise, the inside of the seed was a chaotic void, endless and unfathomable.

Just as Nie Yuan was about to delve deeper, a sudden buzzing filled his head, followed by a flash of white light so bright it was blinding.

His Heavenly Eye throbbed with pain, and a drop of blood fell.

"What is this thing?" Nie Yuan asked, clutching his Heavenly Eye in confusion.

"A seed," Meng Xian replied calmly.

"I know it's a seed, but what kind of seed is it? You can't just tell me to eat it without explaining," Nie Yuan said, holding the seed up to his other eye for a closer look, but still finding nothing.

"It's the seed of the Primordial Tree," Meng Xian said. "That's what we called it in my era. I don't know what it's called in this age."

"So, this seed is amazing?" Nie Yuan asked, looking at Meng Xian.

"Yes, very powerful," Meng Xian replied. "I was also surprised when I found it. Such a treasure shouldn't exist in this realm, not even in the vast expanse of the myriad heavens."

Meng Xian continued, "In my era, the seed of the Primordial Tree would have been mine without question. But now, without a physical body, I can only let you have it."

Hearing this, Nie Yuan's eyes lit up. If even Meng Xian coveted this treasure, it must be of an extraordinary level. He felt like he had stumbled upon an incredible stroke of luck.

"Little Xianxian, if I eat this seed, will my cultivation instantly reach the peak of the Shattering Heaven Realm, allowing me to defeat anyone in seconds?" Nie Yuan asked.

"No," Meng Xian said with a laugh. "What are you thinking about all day?"

"Ah?" Nie Yuan exclaimed in surprise. "It can't be. This thing is supposed to be a treasure, right?" He shook the seed vigorously in his hand.