Cultivation is just so scientific!

"Little junior brother, did Zhao Lingyu's Mustard Seed Ring fall into your hands?" Zhong Qiang glanced at Li Shiming and asked.

If Zhong Qiang were still at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, Li Shiming might have worried about his impure motives for asking this question.

But considering Zhong Qiang was only at the Golden Core Early Stage, even if he harbored thoughts about Qiu Hengyi's treasure, it wouldn't justify such a direct question.

"Yes, Zhao Lingyu's Mustard Seed Ring is indeed energy-based. After killing his Nascent Soul, it fell into my hands!" Li Shiming nodded and replied.

He hadn't opened the Mustard Seed Ring yet. After returning to the sect, he learned about Zhao Lingyu's background, worrying that some traps might be left in the ring. So he planned to wait until his master, Grandmaster Hu, returned to open it.

Even if any trouble arose then, having Grandmaster Hu nearby would mean nothing to worry about.

As for any treasure in Zhao Lingyu's Mustard Seed Ring that might interest Grandmaster Hu, that's overthinking things. Grandmaster Hu shares the resources of the Ten Thousand Beast Sect with several other Great Cultivators, so he wouldn't be interested in Zhao Lingyu's Mustard Seed Ring.

Zhao Lingyu's master is a Great Cultivator from the Sun Concealing Sect, but fortunately, after Li Shiming killed Zhao Lingyu, he also killed the two Nascent Soul Cultivators who accompanied him, leaving no traces.

Furthermore, Zhao Lingyu seemed to secretly head to Guangyang State without informing other cultivators. Besides two Nascent Soul subordinates, not even his master was informed.

It made sense, as Zhao Lingyu aimed for Qiu Hengyi's treasure. He wouldn't reveal the news until the treasure was secured under his name.

The Sun Concealing Sect is not a kind place; competition among cultivators is fiercer.

Recently, Li Shiming hasn't left the sect, wanting to see the aftermath of Zhao Lingyu's death, but there's no intel from the sect regarding this matter.

For Nascent Soul Cultivators, not returning to the sect for several years or even decades is normal.

Only being without any news for over a hundred years will draw attention. Once a cultivator's fall is confirmed, their Grotto Heaven is reclaimed by the sect, impacting only those closest to them.

So, regarding Zhao Lingyu's death, as long as there's no news soon, there shouldn't be any issues for decades.

Provided that Li Shiming doesn't leak the news, which he isn't too worried about. Only Zhong Qiang and Grandmaster Hu know about Zhao Lingyu's death, and he trusts both dearly.

"See if there's a jade piece of a broken map in Zhao Lingyu's Mustard Seed Ring?" Zhong Qiang asked with a hint of excitement.

"I haven't checked inside the Mustard Seed Ring yet, intending to wait for my master's return to look into it!" Li Shiming explained.

"You're cautious. That Mustard Seed Ring is made with Space Soul Crystal, nothing unexpected will happen during the recognition process. If you're not at ease, you can recognize it inside Four Symbols Cave Heaven!" Zhong Qiang, familiar with energy-based Mustard Seed Rings, smiled and explained to Li Shiming.

Li Shiming nodded, having forgotten about the Four Symbols Cave Heaven. Entering Great Power Zhai Ge's Grotto Heaven would yield the same result.

But with Zhong Qiang present, he could only enter the Four Symbols Cave Heaven.

He brought Zhong Qiang to the Four Symbols Cave Heaven, casting a Master Recognition Technique on the Mustard Seed Ring, whereupon a black rune appeared on it.

The black rune 'looked' at Li Shiming briefly before flying away into the distance.

"Quickly destroy that rune!" Zhong Qiang shouted upon seeing it.

Upon hearing his reminder, Li Shiming pointed a finger, striking the black rune with a bolt of lightning. With a 'crack,' the black rune was hit.

He faintly heard a scream as the black rune vanished into smoke.

"Fortunately, your caution prevented trouble when this rune could deliver a message later!" Zhong Qiang breathed a sigh of relief.

He explained the situation with the black rune, letting Li Shiming understand this rare technique.

This was a rune from the Demon Sect called the 'Soul Chasing Revenge Talisman.' Once the original owner of the Mustard Seed Ring fell, the 'Soul Chasing Revenge Talisman' was activated.

If the Mustard Seed Ring underwent re-recognition, the talisman would record and transmit the new owner's aura and appearance.

Since they were within the Four Symbols Cave Heaven, the talisman couldn't escape its spatial confines; otherwise, Li Shiming might not have destroyed it so easily with a Thunder Skill.

Li Shiming secretly felt lucky, his Spirit was immensely strong, allowing him to sense unknown dangers.

Just like with the Mustard Seed Ring, upon obtaining it, he sensed an inexplicable feeling, so he delayed recognizing it.

If Zhong Qiang hadn't known some tricks, Li Shiming wouldn't have recognized it now.

Li Shiming glanced at the Mustard Seed Ring again; it had its own name. Ordinary Space Rings or Mustard Seed Rings typically don't have names, being standard space items for cultivators.

However, this Mustard Seed Ring had a name, suggesting it wasn't a standard space item.

The name 'soul crystal ring' came from its use of Space Soul Crystal.

With a slight mental shift, the soul crystal ring disappeared from his hand, appearing on the Fire Infant's finger.