Chapter 293: The Perfect Stool

Under the cover of night, above the Xingli Sect, the lingering scent of blood could not dampen the excitement brought by this great victory. Whether it was the Guhuan Sect or the Xingli Sect, this was a decisive win that swept away months of hardship and brought tremendous benefits. Once the Ningji Sect was destroyed, minerals, spiritual artifacts, treasures—anything that could ward off the covets of other sects would be enough for the Xingli Sect to recover within twenty years. As for the Guhuan Sect, even without the help of the Lin’s Inn or talented individuals capable of elevating it to a major sect on their own, it could still rise to become a mid-tier sect within twenty years.

According to the deal between Xiao Tianchi and You Beide, the spiritual techniques and crafting methods of the Ningji Sect would be shared by both parties, while the minerals would belong to the Xingli Sect, with tangible benefits like spiritual artifacts going to the Guhuan Sect. Comparatively, the Guhuan Sect reaped substantial benefits, almost getting everything it wanted. As for minerals, Xiao Tianchi and the elders had no expectations in the first place—this was Qingmei Mountain, and the Guhuan Sect’s stronghold was there. While moving the entire sect here wasn’t impossible, Manager Lin would never agree.

In the eyes of You Beide and several elders of the Xingli Sect, they also hadn’t suffered much loss. Not to mention that they had been saved by the traitor from destruction; aside from the formidable Ningji Sect, this was already a huge advantage for the Xingli Sect. Moreover, merely assisting in the attack and gaining access to the Ningji Sect’s minerals was also a significant gain.

After accounting for both sides’ losses, the disciples of the Guhuan Sect and Xingli Sect gathered outside the sect gates. Per the agreement, the Guhuan Sect, as the main force, would break through the defenses at the main gate to attack the Ningji Sect, while the Xingli Sect’s disciples would surround the Ningji Sect, launching feints at the spiritual arrays to distract part of the enemy force.

At Xiao Tianchi and You Beide’s command, fueled by the excitement of their great victory, all disciples except those injured and tasked with defense charged straight at the Ningji Sect. Among the Guhuan Sect’s forces were Yun Lan and the battered Lin Donghe.

Just like the Xingli Sect, the numerous spiritual arrays surrounding the Ningji Sect were all activated. Although Fang Shijin, who had returned to the Ningji Sect with only a hundred disciples after their crushing defeat, along with the Ningji Sect’s original hundred disciples, were far weaker than the Guhuan Sect, they still had to pay a heavy price. With Yun Lan, a high-level spiritual array master, responsible for breaking the arrays, the Ningji Sect lost its strongest defensive force. Caught off guard, the Guhuan Sect’s losses could be reduced by at least 90%.

Without encountering any ambushes along the way, the group arrived at Ningjizong. At You Beide’s command, he led the disciples of Xinglizong to begin surrounding them. When the disciples of Xinglizong launched their attack, Xiao Tianchi couldn’t help but look at Yun Lan and bowed, saying, “Miss Yun, thank you for your efforts.” With so many people around, it was difficult to use the Tianjian Jue. Yun Lan nodded slowly and walked side by side with Lin Dong. Behind them, aside from Xiao Tianchi who was in charge of command, Huo Yuan led all the elders to follow up. Everyone entered the spiritual array together. Arrows flew everywhere as they attacked. Yun Lan moved lightly, and everyone followed her instructions, continuously repelling the disciples of Ningjizong who were defending the array, advancing rapidly toward its core. Lan Chen thrust his sword forward with a loud noise. A hundred meters away, Xiao Tianchi and his disciples saw Yun Lan and the others reappear. “One!” Xiao Tianchi muttered. Not long after, about half aquarter of an hour later, the missing group appeared in sight again. After two more such occurrences, Xiao Tianchi raised his spiritual sword high above his head, pointing it toward the sky. “Kill!” More than four hundred disciples of Guhuanzong, ready to strike, rushed forward like tigers and wolves, their momentum unstoppable. Outside Ningjizong, Fang Shijin led his men over, intending to arrange for his disciples to enter the spiritual array to strengthen its defenses. Suddenly, Lin Dong and the others appeared dozens of meters away, while the massive forces of Guhuanzong could also be seen in the distance. For a moment, everyone in Ningjizong, including Fang Shijin and several elders, was stunned. They couldn’t understand how the array, which their disciples had reported being breached by a large force just moments earlier, could have been broken so quickly. No matter how many people there were, even with the help of spiritual array masters, it should have taken time to break the array completely. Fang Shijin and the elders were shocked as they suddenly remembered the theft from the Treasure Pavilion months ago. That array had also been broken in a very short time—thanks to the help of advanced spiritual array masters! Just as they realized the most likely explanation, Huo Yuan and the others rushed forward, and the main forces of Guhuanzong were now less than a hundred meters away. “Retreat!” With the array broken, it was impossible to defend Ningjizong. Fang Shijin made an immediate decision: it was better to survive to fight another day. They would first try to break through from another direction and plan further actions later. “Trying to escape? Fang Shijin, stay right here!” Huo Yuan’s gaze was fierce. Along with the elders, they ignored the disciples of Ningjizong and divided into groups of three, each chasing after one of the Ningjizong elders.

“We, Ningjizong and Guizong, have no grudges against each other. If you’re willing to help Ningjizong fight back against Xinglizong,” Fang Shijin said in a low voice, clinging to a glimmer of hope, “I’m willing to give up all the benefits of Xinglizong and hand over half of Ningjizong’s treasures.”

“No grudges?” Huo Yuan didn’t bother to say more and attacked together with the other two elders.

Not far away, seeing that Gu Huanzong had already taken control of the situation, Lin Dong raised an eyebrow at Yun Lan and said, “Let’s grab the benefits first.”

Yun Lan nodded, grabbed Lin Dong, and swiftly dashed toward Ningjizong’s treasure hall with practiced ease.

Having experienced it once before, they moved smoothly on their second visit to Ningjizong’s treasure hall and quickly entered the first floor.

The dazzling array of worldly treasures made Lin Dong’s eyes light up as he rushed forward.

After clearing the first floor, the two left the treasure hall to find a scene filled with swords and blades, brimming with murderous intent.

With Lin Dong and Yun Lan joining in, Ningjizong’s downfall accelerated even further.

Ding: Congratulations on completing the task “Save Xinglizong”! You have received the Reward: Wish Bench.

As they searched for Ningjizong’s disciples, the sudden system notification made Lin Dong freeze for a moment before he was overjoyed. The task was finally complete. As expected, as long as Fang Shijin and Ningjizong’s powerful elders were eliminated, the task would be done.

“What’s wrong?” Yun Lan asked from beside him.

Lin Dong grinned, clapped his hands, and said, “It’s hard to explain. Something came up. Let’s go back to Xinglizong.”

Yun Lan remained silent and nodded slowly.

Leaving Gu Huanzong and the Xinglizong disciples dealing with the aftermath, the two rushed back to Xinglizong.

Upon returning to their room, Lin Dong immediately silently requested the reward.

With a bang, a brand-new bench appeared out of thin air.

Lin Dong picked it up and found that its material and craftsmanship were no different from ordinary benches. He silently checked its attributes.

Wish Bench:
Functions:
1. Enhances the appetite and digestion of those who sit on it. The greater the duration and intensity, the more spiritual energy is consumed.
2. Can be repaired after destruction.
3. Can be changed in size, shape, and material at will. The more spiritual energy used, the more significant the changes.

Lin Dong was amused. Saving a medium-sized sect indeed brought a remarkable reward—three attributes in total.

This Wish Bench was second only to the upgradable Colorful Bed.

What was more important was that its attributes were excellent, especially the last one.

The first attribute of the Wish Bench was already quite good, but as a bench, it could accommodate at most two or three customers—too few. Unless special circumstances arose, such as a dignitary with anorexia or a competitive eating contest, the Wish Bench could only prove useful in such cases. Under normal circumstances, even if placed in a private room, it would only bring in a few taels or even a dozen taels worth of business per day.

The second attribute had no practical use. Without the other two attributes, the Wish Bench was essentially just an extra bench in the inn that didn’t require consideration for wear and tear—of little significance at all. But when combined with the other two attributes, it became far more valuable.

The third attribute was the one Lin Dong cared about the most.

The ability to freely change size and shape made it an ideal weapon for the Sky Controlling Art. Having fully mastered the Realization Realm, Lin Dong could wield any weapon with ease in close combat. With the Wish Bench, he could switch to any weapon he desired during battles.

The ability to change material was equally valuable. From recent battles, Lin Dong had realized most acutely that he lacked a suitable weapon. There were plenty of benches in the mobile counter, but they were all fragile. Using a spiritual sword didn’t allow him to fully utilize the power of the Realization Realm, and the ancient Guan Clan’s crafting skills weren’t enough to create a spiritual weapon as versatile as a bench—capable of slashing, cutting, and thrusting. Thus, Lin Dong had no choice but to settle for placing a thousand or eight hundred benches in the mobile counter.

The ability to change material meant that, with ample spiritual energy, the Wish Bench could rival a ninth-tier spiritual weapon, or even surpass it.

Suppressing his excitement, Lin Dong thought for a moment before deciding to equip it himself. If it were part of the inn’s system, even with abundant spiritual energy, the bench couldn’t change its form outside the inn. But by equipping it himself, it might not yet possess the sharpness and hardness of high-tier spiritual weapons, but it would be highly adaptable.

Biting his finger, Lin Dong dropped a drop of blood onto the bench’s surface.

Ding: Congratulations on successful equipping.

Eagerly, Lin Dong picked up the bench. Spiritual energy flowed into it, and with a thought, the bench rapidly shrank, becoming as small as a fingernail. What once required holding could now be held lightly between two fingers.

Not much spiritual energy was consumed.

Lin Dong smacked his lips. At such a tiny size, it could even be put in his ear like Sun Wukong’s.

Hesitating for a moment, Lin Dong applied slight pressure with his fingers, and with a crack, the miniature bench shattered instantly.

Carefully, he placed the wood shavings from between his fingers on the table. Spiritual energy surged from his dantian, and at his will, a miniature bench appeared between his fingers in an instant.
Lin Dong looked up and saw that the wood shavings on the table had vanished. The miniature bench in his fingers also looked exactly as it had before. With another thought, the bench rapidly expanded. After returning to its original size, it transformed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, a wooden long sword appeared in Lin Dong’s hands. The original bench was nowhere to be found.
Swords, spears, axes… even strange and unheard-of weapons. After testing the amount of spiritual energy consumed by shape changes, Lin Dong tried altering the material as well. The variations grew even more diverse: electrical devices with chaotic internal structures, genuine high-powered telescopes, blue robes embroidered with two large red flowers…
In the quiet room, a magical bench transformed endlessly in Lin Dong’s hands.