Chapter 554: I Also Have a Supreme Treasure

“You monks must be joking. I am just a penniless Daoist, wandering the world with nothing to my name. I don’t even have much money, let alone a collection of rare treasures. What treasure could I possibly have?”

Song You spoke with a smile, patting his worn-out Daoist robe.

It had been over ten years since he first put it on, and its age was obvious at a glance.

However, the monks were not convinced. Speaking in their strange accents, they continued to persuade him.

“Come on, friend, don't be so modest! We’ve already shown you our treasure—why don’t you show us yours?”

“You passed through that demon-infested mountain, clearly capable of taking riches, yet you only took a single gold coin. That means you must not care for those mundane treasures. There’s no need to hide!”

“Why deceive us, Daoist Master? If nothing else, even that bamboo staff of yours is quite a fine treasure! Surely, you must have something even more powerful—bring it out and let us admire it!”

“That’s right! Daoist Master, you come from Changjing of Great Yan. How could you not have at least one or two treasures? Besides, traveling through mountains and rivers, encountering countless demons along the way—surely you must have some magical artifact to protect yourself?”

***

Song You lowered his gaze and exchanged a glance with his cat.

Then he sighed, a look of helplessness appearing on his face.

These monks were rather perceptive.

They had provided him shelter from the rain, treated him with food and drink, and even generously demonstrated their own magical treasure. It would be rude to keep everything hidden from them.

“If you ask about treasures, I’m not sure if it qualifies as one, but as a magical artifact, it certainly counts,” Song You said, lifting his bamboo staff. “This staff has accompanied me on my travels for twelve years. Over time, it has somehow gained the ability to strike ghosts and demons. It won’t handle a great demon, but for minor spirits and small fiends, it’s quite effective.”

As he spoke, he glanced at the monks.

They all looked curious, showing no signs of alarm. Even the attendant monk standing in the corner only cast a curious glance at the bamboo staff, without any hint of fear.

“An object that has been used for years and developed the ability to fight demons and ghosts—that indeed qualifies as a magical artifact. It proves you’re truly skilled,” the head monk seated above him said with a chuckle.

He added, “But a weapon that can deal with minor spirits is not uncommon. Even the wooden mallet we use for striking the wooden fish drum[1], after being placed before the Blessed One[2]’s statue for long enough, absorbs some of his divine power and can frighten minor ghosts. Daoist Master, why don’t you show us your real treasure?”

“Indeed, we love seeing rare and extraordinary treasures,” another senior monk across the hall chimed in.

All eyes turned toward Song You.

The candlelight flickered, making their gazes seem even more intense.

“I roam the world with nothing but this bamboo staff,” Song You sighed, looking at them helplessly. “If you insist, the only other artifact I have is one that belongs to my cat.”

With that, he reached into his pouch and pulled out a small flag. “This flag.”

“This treasure definitely isn’t ordinary!”

“What kind of treasure is this?”

“Daoist Master, please, let us have a look!”

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

The monks spoke over one another, their excitement making them seem less and less like monks.

“This item was originally called the Wolf Banner. It contained hundreds of great wolves, and waving the flag could summon them at will,” Song You explained calmly. “Later, I added over a dozen fierce tigers—some already demons, others on the verge of becoming so—so it became the Tiger-Wolf Flag. And as time went on, dozens more demons with significant cultivation took residence within it. Thus, it was renamed the Demon Flag.”

“With a single wave, I can summon tigers, wolves, and great demons. The most powerful among them, when revealing its true form, is large enough to smash through the roof of this monastery.”

As he spoke, Song You raised the flag as if preparing to wave it.

“Wait, wait, wait!”

The head monk at the high seat immediately raised his hand to stop him. “No need, no need! We fear demons—and we also fear losing our roof!”

At that moment, the monks' eyes gleamed with curiosity.

“Very well.”

Song You smiled and lowered his hand.

“No wonder you dared to pass through that demon-infested mountain. So it was thanks to such a powerful artifact.”

“Indeed, I owe much to it.”

“Daoist Master, how do the demons inside your flag compare to the ones from that mountain?” a senior monk asked.

“The tigers and wolves aside, if we speak only of the demons with true cultivation, then the most formidable demon I encountered on my journey was only as strong as the weakest one in this flag.”

“That is truly an extraordinary treasure!”

The monks' eyes shone even brighter.

Even the calico cat sitting beside Song You, lapping up milk, seemed to puff up with pride. Her face was covered in tiny milk droplets, making her look utterly foolish.

“And where did you acquire such a treasure?”

“I obtained it on the battlefield in the northern frontier.”

“The northern frontier?”

“There was a Wolf King—a demon—who owned this artifact. Despite being of the demon race, he involved himself in human warfare. I slew him, and thus, the treasure came into my possession,” Song You said flatly. “I have since nourished it with spiritual energy for many years, making it as powerful as it is now.”

“I see...”

The heat in the monks' eyes dimmed slightly.

Then, the head monk at the high seat leaned forward with a smile. “Yet, despite its power, this treasure seems to lack the profound mystery and divine nature of our monastery’s Golden Awl.”

“It is certainly no match for your esteemed temple’s supreme treasure.”

Song You spoke as he placed the flag back into his pouch.

The calico cat turned to watch his hand, stretching out her paw to gently tap the flag—as if trying to help put it away, or perhaps expressing her displeasure at the monks’ words.

After all, this was her most cherished possession.

“Do you have a treasure comparable to our Golden Awl?”

The head monk at the high seat asked, “Daoist Master, do you possess any treasure that can compare to our monastery’s Golden Awl?”

“Perhaps, I do have one.”

As Song You responded, he picked up a handkerchief from the table, gently pulling his cat closer. He carefully wiped away the milk droplets that had splashed onto her face.

“Oh? And what might it be?”

“This.”

After setting down the handkerchief, Song You reached into his pouch and retrieved a dagger.

The monks were indeed no ordinary people—the moment the dagger was revealed, their sharp eyes immediately locked onto it. Some monks' gazes turned intense, while others even held their breath.

“This is...”

One of the monks instinctively reached out.

“This weapon is called the Water-Splitting Blade,” Song You explained patiently. “A thousand years ago, it was the sacred ritual tool of the most powerful River God in the heartland of Great Yan. It held the divine authority over all waters. But when the blade was lost, the River God was punished by the Heavenly Palace and was ultimately eradicated. Since then, Great Yan has never had a single deity capable of governing such vast waters.”

Song You paused, letting his words sink in before continuing, “With this blade in hand, even an ordinary person can be protected from water disasters—they will not drown if they fall into a river, nor will their boat ever capsize. And if the wielder possesses cultivation skills and spiritual power...”

He deliberately stopped mid-sentence.

His gaze swept across the monks.

As expected, whether it was the high-ranking monks or the attending novices, all of them looked eager—eyes filled with burning curiosity.

“What happens then?” someone couldn't help but ask.

“Depending on the wielder’s level of mastery and spiritual strength, they can command the waters of the world. They can redirect rivers, boil lakes, raise towering waves in the ocean, or even split the sea in half with a single stroke.”

“

Gasp...

!”

The monks' expressions turned even more fervent than when they saw the Demon Flag.

The calico cat sat primly in her spot, not even drinking her milk anymore. She listened intently as her Daoist spoke about her treasure, feeling a deep sense of pride. Though, she made sure not to show it on her face. But as she listened, something began to feel off. She raised her head and glanced warily at the monks, her expression turning cautious.

“

Ahem

...”

A senior monk leaned forward and asked, “Such a powerful treasure... How did you acquire it?”

“The River God lost his sacred artifact, was punished by the Heavenly Palace, and has long since perished. The treasure was left in the mortal realm, and I happened to come across it by chance,” Song You said casually. As he spoke, he slowly glanced over the monks, one by one, as if reading their thoughts.

He found their expressions amusing.

“I do not possess the ability to slay a great River God and seize its treasure,” he added with a chuckle.

“

Phew

...”

A subtle sigh of relief passed through the group.

Though their eyes still burned with curiosity, they continued pressing for more.

“If this blade was once a sacred artifact of the great River God of Great Yan, carrying divine authority over the waters, then it must surely rival our monastery’s greatest treasure, the Golden Awl,” the head monk at the high seat remarked with admiration. “Daoist Master, you’re indeed worthy of being called a great cultivator from Great Yan.”

“But,” he continued with a smile, “just now, I noticed that when you saw the power of our Golden Awl, you did not seem surprised at all. That must mean you possess something even greater than both the Golden Awl and the Water-Splitting Blade, correct?”

“There is nothing else,” Song You replied flatly.

“Eh? How could that be? Daoist Master, don't be stingy!”

“Just earlier, you said, ‘How many treasures in the world can create things out of thin air?’ That clearly means you've seen something more powerful than our Golden Awl!”

“Why do you refuse to share?”

“You may not know this,” said the senior monk seated next to Song You, turning slightly toward him, “but we monks spend our days in ceaseless practice. It is monotonous, you see. Other than chanting scriptures and worshipping the Buddha, we have little amusement. Our only hobby is discussing and collecting rare and wondrous treasures to admire.”

“Moreover,” he continued, “we live in the far reaches of the Western Regions, a land of barbarians, a country beyond civilization. We have long revered the culture of the Central Plains, but, alas, Changjing is too distant for us to visit. We can only hope to see treasures from the Celestial Empire and broaden our knowledge.”

Song You idly rolled a grape between his fingers. “Your monastery is grand and opulent, built with such magnificence that this very hall could rival the imperial palace of Great Yan itself. I do not know your monastery’s financial means, but I imagine you have wealth beyond measure.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And you already possess countless rare and wondrous treasures—why then be so greedy?”

“It’s only for a look, just a look,” the monks chimed in.

“

Sigh

...”

Song You exhaled softly. He peeled another grape and held it up for his cat. When the cat refused to eat, he casually popped it into his own mouth instead.

Then, with some reluctance, he said, “If you are truly asking about a treasure greater and more mysterious than both the Water-Splitting Blade and the Golden Awl... I do indeed have one with me.”

The monks’ eyes lit up.

“However,” Song You continued, “this treasure is not mine. It serves another purpose. That is why I did not bring it out for you all to see.”

“Oh?”

The monks were visibly stunned. Some even looked as though they could hardly believe it.

“Such a treasure truly exists?”

“What kind of treasure is it?”

“Can it really surpass the Water-Splitting Blade and Golden Awl?”

“Where is it?”

“Daoist Master, quickly, show us!”

“Please, we must see it!”

The monks' eager voices overlapped, their anticipation evident.

Song You took his time before finally saying, “It is in my saddlebags, on my horse.”

“How could you leave a treasure of such magnitude outside so carelessly? You should carry it with you at all times!” The head monk at the high seat was visibly anxious on Song You’s behalf. He quickly waved his hand, instructing the attending monks to retrieve the Daoist’s saddlebags from outside. “Be careful,” he reminded them.

The calico cat turned her head again, her wary gaze fixed toward the entrance, her ears twitching with unease.

Even when the Daoist reached out and gently stroked her head, she refused to relax her vigilance. She only narrowed her eyes slightly in response to his touch, but her gaze never wavered.

It wasn't long before two monks returned, carefully carrying the saddlebags inside.

They placed them neatly before Song You.

The calico cat immediately moved forward, eager to check whether any coins were missing—only to be pulled back by the Daoist.

She wasn’t wrong to be suspicious. Song You himself felt the same way. But to openly doubt their hosts before they had done anything inappropriate would be rude. Besides, they were still enjoying the monks’ hospitality—eating their chicken and fish, drinking their wine and milk, and even seeking shelter for the night.

Without hesitation, Song You reached into the bags.

The coin pouch was untouched.

The spiritual resonance of the four directions was still intact.

Satisfied, Song You withdrew a single piece of resonance.

The moment his hand emerged from the bag, it was as if he were holding a flowing sphere of red light.

Then, a strange thing happened.

The resonance had been sitting in the saddlebags all along, stored with everything else. But the instant it was brought out, a wave of heat seemed to radiate through the hall, pressing down on everyone present.

Even stranger still—though they all felt the heat, their bodies did not warm, and the air itself did not actually rise in temperature. It was a heat that existed only in sensation, burning into their minds rather than their flesh.

Yet there was more to it than just heat. The radiance pulsed with something deeper, something profound and ineffable.

The monks collectively held their breath. Eyes wide, they stared at the pulsing red glow in Song You’s hand. This was a treasure beyond anything they had ever seen.

“This is Heaven and Earth’s spiritual resonance,” Song You explained, his patience seemingly endless tonight. “There are five in total, born from the earth itself. They are also known as the Five-Directions Soil.” He paused, then continued, “I have already acquired four of them. This is one.”

He lifted the glowing fragment slightly, letting the monks take in its brilliance.

“This particular resonance governs heat, volatility, and raw power. By drawing upon its energy...” His tone remained calm, but his words carried weight.

“A little of its power can melt ice and snow. A moderate amount can turn winter into summer and bring drought across three thousand li. But should one wield it fully... it can shatter the heavens and erase the earth. It can slay gods and destroy Buddhas.”

The hall fell into absolute silence. The monks were stunned.

And yet, they had keen, discerning eyes. Not one of them turned away from the red glow in Song You’s hand.

They were utterly enthralled, their gazes locked onto the resonance, unable to pull away. Not even the Water-Splitting Blade, the divine artifact of the great River God, had commanded such attention.

Song You was not exaggerating.

This was indeed a treasure of the highest order—a crystallization of Dao itself.

Even the calico cat was momentarily stunned, as if she had never truly realized just how powerful this object was.

Only the swallow perched on the rooftop wore a peculiar expression.

By now, the sky had completely darkened. The earlier rainstorm had arrived abruptly and vanished just as quickly. The swallow, thoroughly drenched, stood on the roof preening his soaked feathers. He listened to the distant chanting of monks, the rustling of wind through the mountain grasses, and, of course, the conversation unfolding below.

Something about Song You felt unusual today, especially that sentence, “

It can melt ice and snow

.”

It was true that fire-element spiritual resonance possessed such a power. But the swallow knew something else.

Just a few days ago, deep in the mountains, Song You had casually strolled past a patch of ancient ice left behind by a powerful demon. It was a frost that had remained unthawed for a century, reinforced by lingering enchantments. Yet with nothing but his presence, he had melted it away, effortlessly dispelling even the residual magic.

And that had not been the work of the fire-element spiritual resonance.

But now, he spoke as if it were, as if the grand display in the mountains had been nothing more than a result of the resonance’s divine power, rather than his own abilities.

The swallow turned his head, eyes scanning the temple below.

Yet, no matter how carefully he looked, he could find nothing out of the ordinary.

1. The wooden fish drum (木鱼, Mùyú) is a percussion instrument commonly used in Buddhist rituals and traditional Chinese music. It is a hollow, wooden instrument carved in the shape of a fish, played by striking it with a wooden mallet. ☜

2. 世尊 (Shìzūn) is a Buddhist honorific title used to refer to the Buddha. It means "Blessed One" or "World-Honored One." ☜