She now had a rough idea of why the Feng family sought her.

The name was so familiar—it was the Fourth Family’s Four Hells Prison!

Although there are no Hell Path or Asura Path in the Fourth Prison of the Fifth Family, the name itself suggests that the Four Prisons originally included six prisons, but two of them were separated by the two great Immortal Dao Ancestor.

“I’ve received news that when you passed through the Fourth Prison of the Fifth Family, the first two prisons were rated at the Celestial level, with astonishing results. However, for the latter two prisons, the results were concealed by the Fifth Family for some unknown reason.”

Qin Ruqing thought, “You know about this? The Fifth Family must have stationed quite a few spies from the Feng family.”

Feng Qinxue looked at Qin Ruqing with a hint of suggestion, clearly hoping that Qin Ruqing would reveal the results of the latter two prisons.

Curious about the results?

She couldn’t say that the mysterious figure in the Four Prisons recognized her as a descendant of the Azure Lutos and thus allowed her to pass with full marks, could she?

Certainly not.

Qin Ruqing blinked innocently and began to feign ignorance.

Feng Qinxue sighed inwardly, realizing that she wouldn’t get the answer.

She didn’t dwell on it and continued.

“You must be wondering why the trial grounds of the Fifth Family and the Feng family, the two great Immortal Dao lineage, have such similar names, as if they originated from the same source?”

Qin Ruqing nodded.

It wasn’t just “seemingly” from the same source; she was certain that it definitely came from the same origin!

Feng Qinxue intended to tease Qin Ruqing but found her to be exceptionally mature, not showing the slightest sign of being baited.

She marveled inwardly, wondering if this girl had been cultivating social skills since she was in the womb—she had become so astute!

Eventually, she spoke up.

It turns out that the Four Prisons of the Fifth Family and the other two prisons controlled by the Lu family are both types of magical artifacts, and these two artifacts originated from the same source, having been split from the same artifact.

Feng Qinxue said, “This original artifact was passed down from Dao Sovereign Fusheng, whose own master is the Owner of our current cultivation Inheritance.” Her tone carried a deep sense of admiration.

Qin Ruqing understood.

Oh, from the first generation.

Dao Sovereign Fushengis the second-generation disciple of Dao Ancestor, so his master must be from the first generation.

“I’ve heard that the lineage of the artifact goes even further back, to an era before the ancient times. The current world has no historical records, so we have no way to trace it.”

An era before the ancient times, going even further back.

Qin Ruqing mentally calculated, and the first generation backward… hiss, that must be the era of the Dao Ancestor!

Could it be that this mysterious artifact, split into six prisons, can be traced back to the Azure Lutos Dao Ancestor?

Qin Ruqing’s attitude immediately took a complete turn, becoming deeply serious.

If it involves the Dao Ancestor, then it concerns her as well.

Perhaps she could find clues about the Dao Ancestor from this event!

She now had the title of a successor but lacked the actual inheritance!

Feng Qinxue also noticed the change in Qin Ruqing’s attitude and felt relieved.

Earlier, Qin Ruqing remained unfazed and unperturbed, making Feng Qinxue think this girl had mastered the art of composure to perfection.

“Once the ancient artifact reached the hands of the Dao Sovereign Fusheng… you might not know, but Sovereign Fusheng was an exceptionally rare talent. Besides his own cultivation in the Origin Dao lineage, he had achievements in alchemy, formations, talismans, and artifacts. It was he, after discussions with the Dao Sovereign Yue Ming, who split the artifact into six prisons. Among them, the Four Prisons are used to cultivate the Origin Dao lineage, while the latter two prisons are for cultivating the Mysterious Underworld Dao.”

Qin Ruqing said with intentional curiosity, “It sounds like the Dao Sovereign Yue Ming got a bad deal.”

In terms of quantity, there were two fewer prisons.

Since the Feng family inherited the Mysterious Underworld Dao lineage, speaking this way about the ancestors of the Feng family would surely please Feng Qinxue.

Indeed, Feng Qinxue smiled kindly and nodded at Qin Ruqing, “You’re quite considerate. Can we really comment on the actions of the Dao Ancestor?”

Hey, your expression also seems quite concerned.

If there were real losses, the attitude wouldn’t be like this.

Indeed, Feng Qinxue shook her head, “The mysteries of the artifact are not determined by quantity. According to the information we have, the two split parts each have their own strengths and do not have a clear distinction of superiority.”

Qin Ruqing recalled her experiences in the Four Prisons and said, “The Fourth Prison of the Fifth Family should have spatial effects. Each prison is an independent space, each separate.”

She then looked up, curious, “So, what mysterious effects did the Asura Path and Hell Path inherit?”

Feng Qinxue pursed her lips and, after a long while, said solemnly:

“The Feng family has never mastered this artifact and does not know its extraordinary effects. However, it seems that this artifact has developed spiritual intelligence.”

What!

It has a spirit?!

An artifact of this level can develop a spirit??

That’s truly extraordinary!

Qin Ruqing was genuinely startled by this news.

She had traveled through ancient times with the Dao Sovereign and knew many ancient secrets.

In terms of knowledge, these Celestial-grade families might not be as well-informed as she was.

Yet, the Dao Sovereign Fusheng had never mentioned this artifact and its spirit to her.

Indeed, Feng Qinxue continued, “Although the artifact has a spirit, its intelligence is incomplete, making it difficult to communicate, and there is a risk of it falling into a dormant state.”

In other words, the artifact might have developed a “brain,” but it is not very developed, making it unable to communicate properly with people.

It might lose its “brain” if not handled carefully.

Qin Ruqing summarized this.

Feng Qinxue continued explaining, “The Lu family obtained the artifact by chance and controlled the spirit within it. According to them, the spirit has been raised and is unwilling to move, so they naturally cannot return it to the Feng family.” Her tone became sarcastic towards the end.

The idea that the spirit itself doesn’t want to move, so it can’t be returned to the Feng family, is just nonsense.

Qin Ruqing commented with a smile, “The Lu family is treating the Feng family as fools! They don’t even bother with a decent excuse.”

Feng Qinxue snorted angrily, “It’s just an excuse! The Lu family’s arrogance has grown!”

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she returned to the main topic: “Previously, because of the planned expedition to the Void Realm, the Feng family did not pursue the matter with them. Now that the expedition is complete and the beast race threat is imminent, we cannot let them brush this aside.”

“We’ve applied pressure on the Lu family and finally received a tentative assurance: the state of the artifact’s spirit is indeed ignorant and at risk of dissipating.

The Lu family dare not move it, so they have agreed to an arrangement where the Feng family can send a delegation to the Lu family’s territory to summon the spirit.

If our delegation can communicate with the spirit and convince it to return with us, the Lu family is willing to hand over the artifact to the Feng family in exchange for appropriate compensation.”

Qin Ruqing listened attentively and smiled, continuing, “If not…”

Feng Qinxue also smiled, but her smile was a bit grim, “If not, the artifact will naturally belong to the Lu family from then on.”

Such a huge appetite!

It’s obvious that the Lu family must have some sort of leverage.

After controlling the spirit for so many years, they should have some means of influencing it, even if not directly controlling it.

When the Feng family’s delegation arrives, they might use some tricks behind the scenes to make sure the spirit doesn’t respond.

Qin Ruqing pondered and furrowed her brows, realizing a problem:

“This treaty is so unequal. Aunt Feng must see the issue. Why agree to it?”

Does the Feng family have such confidence in awakening this mysterious spirit?

Feng Qinxue’s previously cold expression due to the Lu family softened, and her gaze intentionally fell on Qin Ruqing’s face.

She smiled and said meaningfully:

“For this issue, our Mingyue has previously consulted with Venerable Yue Ming when we accepted the inheritance.”

“Dao Sovereign Yue Ming said: If we want to break the deadlock, we might start with you.”

Ah?

Qin Ruqing pointed to herself in confusion.

So, after all the detours, it ultimately comes back to her, right?!