The hidden chamber was filled with the remains of Spirit Beasts.
At first glance, it was obvious that these were not ordinary creatures. Every skeleton scattered across the ground belonged to a powerful Spirit Beast that had once roamed the world.
Years of accumulated blood essence and spirit power had seeped into the stone walls, forming layers of dark crimson crystal. The entire chamber seemed stained with blood, creating a scene that was both magnificent and horrifying.
Just from the countless remains alone, one could imagine how many Spirit Beasts had met their end in this place.
"This..."
The Grand Elder frowned deeply.
"Why are there so many Spirit Beast remains here?"
His confusion was understandable.
Logically speaking, if an immortal-grade herb had once grown in this cave, the surrounding Spirit Beasts would have consumed it long ago.
Once the herb disappeared, there would be no reason for more Spirit Beasts to continue gathering here.
As a result, such a massive accumulation of bones should have been impossible.
Yet the evidence was right before their eyes.
Yu Xiaogang narrowed his eyes.
"It's likely that whatever exists here isn't something that can be consumed so easily."
A serious expression appeared on his face.
To attract and ultimately kill so many Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Beasts...
What kind of treasure could possibly possess such terrifying attraction?
He searched through every record of immortal herbs and heavenly treasures he had ever studied.
None matched the scene before him.
Not a single one.
After a brief moment of thought, Yu Xiaogang turned toward the Grand Elder.
"Grand Elder, I'll go in first and investigate."
The Grand Elder immediately looked concerned.
Before he could object, Yu Xiaogang continued.
"This place has probably existed for countless years."
"If there were living Spirit Beasts inside, they would have appeared long ago."
"As for whatever treasure is hidden here, I won't consume it recklessly."
"I'll also hold my breath the entire time."
A confident smile appeared on his face.
"Besides, I have ways to protect myself."
The Grand Elder hesitated.
Eventually, he nodded.
"Fine."
"If you're going, then I'm going too."
The two entered the chamber together.
The moment they stepped inside, Yu Xiaogang immediately held his breath and summoned a sphere of light.
The glowing orb illuminated the darkness around them.
Countless bones appeared beneath the pale light.
Some were enormous.
Some were twisted.
Some were so ancient that they had already begun to crumble into dust.
The Grand Elder remained close behind him, never more than a few steps away.
His attention remained fixed on Yu Xiaogang.
If anything unusual happened, he would react immediately.
The only creature completely unconcerned was Little Dragon.
After entering the cave, the tiny dragon behaved as if it had discovered paradise.
It darted through the air excitedly.
The rich blood essence lingering within the chamber seemed incredibly attractive to it.
"Awoo~!"
The little fellow spun happily through the air.
Its golden eyes sparkled with excitement.
Then suddenly, it froze.
The dragon's nose twitched.
A moment later, it shot forward like an arrow.
"Awoo! Awoo!"
Little Dragon waved its claws excitedly and pointed toward a specific direction.
It looked as though it had discovered an incredible treasure.
Yu Xiaogang and the Grand Elder exchanged a glance.
Without hesitation, they followed behind the excited dragon.
The deeper they traveled into the cave, the more bones appeared beneath their feet.
Soon, the remains became so dense that they almost formed a carpet of white and gray.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang understood.
The source of everything was close.
He silently gathered his concentration.
Step by step, they advanced toward the center of the chamber.
Finally, they arrived.
What appeared before them was not an immortal herb.
Nor was it a divine fruit.
Instead, two pieces of crystal-clear amber rested upon a natural stone platform.
Each piece was roughly the size of a human palm.
Both radiated a deep crimson glow.
The color resembled blood frozen in time.
For a moment, the entire chamber fell silent.
Even the Grand Elder forgot to breathe.
"Xiaogang..."
His voice trembled slightly.
"What exactly are those things?"
The old man's eyes remained fixed upon the crimson amber.
"I don't know why, but the moment I saw them..."
"I had an overwhelming urge to obtain them."
The desire came not from greed.
Nor from curiosity.
It came directly from his Martial Soul.
Every instinct within him screamed that these objects were priceless treasures.
Yu Xiaogang experienced the same feeling.
His eyes remained locked on the two pieces of amber.
Finally, he spoke.
"Crimson Blood Amber."
The Grand Elder looked shocked.
"You recognize it?"
Yu Xiaogang nodded slowly.
"It's one of the rarest treasures recorded in Spirit Hall's archives."
"According to information provided by Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan, the formation of Crimson Blood Amber is even more difficult than cultivating an immortal herb."
The Grand Elder's eyes widened.
Yu Xiaogang continued.
"First, the environment must be perfect."
"Second, the blood of a Spirit Beast must become trapped inside special resin."
"Third, that resin must survive countless years of transformation."
"Only then can Crimson Blood Amber be born."
The Grand Elder remained stunned.
Even hearing the process sounded nearly impossible.
However, Yu Xiaogang wasn't finished.
"The rarity alone isn't what makes Crimson Blood Amber valuable."
"The true value depends entirely on the blood sealed within."
"If the amber contains blood from a ten-year Spirit Beast, then it's little more than a decoration."
"But..."
His gaze sharpened.
"If the blood belongs to a powerful Spirit Beast, then its value becomes immeasurable."
The two crimson crystals reflected within his eyes.
Everything around them suggested that these pieces belonged to the latter category.
Yu Xiaogang took a slow breath.
Then he revealed a secret hidden within the archives.
"Many years ago, a piece of Crimson Blood Amber formed from the blood of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Beast appeared on the continent."
"It was purchased by a wealthy merchant."
The Grand Elder listened carefully.
"That merchant had a son."
"His innate soul power was only Rank Two."
The Grand Elder frowned.
With such talent, reaching Spirit Elder would already be difficult.
Yet Yu Xiaogang smiled.
"After consuming the Crimson Blood Amber, his destiny completely changed."
"He eventually became a Titled Douluo."
Silence.
Complete silence.
The Grand Elder stared at him in disbelief.
"Impossible."
"Even the blood of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Spirit Beast shouldn't possess such power."
"If it were true, every major faction would hunt Spirit Beasts for their blood."
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"Normally, you'd be right."
"But Crimson Blood Amber isn't simply Spirit Beast blood."
He pointed toward the glowing crystal.
"By the time the amber forms, the blood has become something entirely different."
"The resin itself originates from plant-type Spirit Beasts."
"Over thousands of years, the blood and resin continuously transform each other."
"The spirit energy of heaven and earth joins the process."
"The blood ceases to be blood."
"The resin ceases to be resin."
"What remains is a perfect fusion of both."
A treasure born from countless miracles.
The Grand Elder finally understood.
"So it's similar to an immortal herb."
"Exactly."
Yu Xiaogang nodded.
"That's the easiest way to understand it."
However, his gaze remained fixed upon the two crimson crystals before him.
Because these weren't ordinary pieces of Crimson Blood Amber.
The countless Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Beasts that had died here proved that much.
Over the years, their blood essence had continuously nourished the amber.
Strengthened it.
Perfected it.
Even if the original blood trapped within came from an ordinary Spirit Beast, after receiving nourishment from so many powerful creatures, its value had already reached an unimaginable level.
Perhaps...
It had even surpassed the immortal herbs growing outside.
And that realization caused even Yu Xiaogang's heartbeat to accelerate.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)