"Condense!"
As the mist dissipated, Liu Zixuan suddenly made the Ghost Gate Needle stop.
Looking at the heavily injured fake 'Luo Xi,' he asked, "You just mentioned something about Shennong's descendants and said my Ghost Gate Needle is from some ancient period?"
The creatures or people surviving within the relics mostly come from the ancient times. Liu Zixuan couldn't fathom how they managed to live until now, but the knowledge ancient beings possess far exceeds anything Liu Zixuan and his peers can imagine.
Like the fairy Bai Lin from earlier, and now the Gui Xu Mermaid. They might not have many treasures, or even none, but what they understand is far more valuable than some treasures, and more useful to martial artists like Liu Zixuan and his contemporaries.
Therefore, at this moment, he wanted to ask more questions.
"Don't you know Shennong?" The mermaid seemed injured by Liu Zixuan but wasn't angry, nor was she furious. Her tone was even more indifferent than before.
"Of course, I know Shennong; he is the ancestor of the Medical Dao." Liu Zixuan replied.
"Then you should know that the Shennong clan possesses two supreme treasures, right?" the Gui Xu Mermaid asked.
Liu Zixuan scratched his head, "The Blazing Dragon Eye?"
"Correct, the Blazing Dragon Eye is his treasure for identifying herbs, piercing skin and bones. It was made by merging the pupils of the Ancient Roasted Dragon into his eyes, and the remaining one is the Ancient Thirteen Spirit Needles."
The mermaid pointed to its body, "It's the very ones you've inserted into me. But I can sense that their power seems incomplete."
Liu Zixuan squinted. The Blazing Dragon Eye was actually his X-ray Vision. He was aware of this when he obtained those eyes in Lingxiu Village, but it was his first time hearing about Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles being referred to as Ancient Thirteen Spirit Needles.
His beautiful master once said that Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles are treasures in the Medical Dao, but she never mentioned their origin.
Clearly, this is something one could ponder. The Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles, each with unique properties, when combined, can resurrect the dead, such extraordinary objects couldn't possibly have emerged recently, and must come from the hands of some mighty figure.
Yet, Liu Zixuan was currently unclear whether Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles are indeed the so-called Ancient Thirteen Spirit Needles or related to them.
"I can choose not to kill you," Liu Zixuan said, raising his head.
The mermaid's slightly grimy face revealed a faint smile, "You actually can't kill me; my true form perished back in ancient times. What you're conversing with now is nothing more than my master forcefully placing my consciousness here. Otherwise, with your Life and Death Realm skills, you can't even scratch a scale of mine!"
No wonder the mermaid wasn't angry despite being injured by Liu Zixuan. It seems it was merely a guardian and a challenge within this labyrinth.
Liu Zixuan bowed slightly, summoned the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles with his intent, but didn't hold them immediately, instead using the Holy Medical Scripture to aid the mermaid in healing the surface wounds.
The mermaid gave Liu Zixuan a strange look, "What, you aren't afraid I'll kill you?"
"Seniors like yourself guarding the Qiankun Palace uphold our Star Sea treasures and should be respected. My earlier actions were an affront; I hope you won't mind."
Listening to Liu Zixuan's humble words, the mermaid laughed, "You're a little fellow with quite a decent disposition, unlike those that came before and died."
"Someone's been here before?" Liu Zixuan frowned.
"Of course, some died, and a few have already entered." The mermaid smiled.
"That... the person you just transformed into, have they gone inside?" The mermaid shook its head, pointing in the direction Liu Zixuan's group came from, "Not yet, but they should be here in a few minutes!"
Liu Zixuan glanced at Qiqi, "Then let's wait here for a bit, and meanwhile ask the senior some questions."
"Did I say I'd answer your questions?" The mermaid teased.
Liu Zixuan waved his hand, "If you didn't want to answer my questions, you wouldn't have spoken with me like this, right!"
"Hahaha, quite interesting!"
The mermaid lightly waved its scaled hand, and the others intending to attack Liu Zixuan suddenly turned into mist and vanished.
Then began speaking, "You must be wanting to ask about the Ancient Thirteen Spirit Needles."
"Yes, I hope the senior can enlighten me on these."
"There's no need to call me senior. Back in front of my master, I was just someone who facilitated. You can call me Tessie." The mermaid laughed.
"Elder Tessie." Liu Zixuan nodded, "Please have a look at my Ghost Gate Needle; is it the Ancient Thirteen Spirit Needles you mentioned?"
He handed the Silver Needle over.
However, Tessie didn't take it, instead retreating a few steps, "Treasures from such mighty figures, even after countless transformations over thousands of years, their power far exceeds what I can touch. I can certainly say yours are the Ancient Thirteen Spirit Needles; it's just their power and aura seem diminished. I don't know the reason, but you should find the answer within the relic."
Watching Liu Zixuan retrieve the Ghost Gate Needle, Tessie stepped forward, speaking solemnly, "Regardless of how you acquired these treasures, I hope you treat them well. I've seen your sword, and your needle; these are existences that once shone bright in ancient times."
"You mustn't use them for filthy deeds, nor tarnish their renown!"
Liu Zixuan's eyes flashed, and he took out the Nameless Sword again, "You recognize this sword too?"
"I've had the fortune to see it once."
"What's its name?" Liu Zixuan asked nervously.
Truth be told, he knew his Nameless Sword was extraordinary from the start but it was always called nameless, just like the Ghost Gate Needle, not knowing their origins.
Tessie squinted, "Sorry, I can't answer you on that. This sword holds so many taboos, far beyond what I dare mention. Same as before, if you truly want to know, the relic should provide you the answers."
Liu Zixuan bowed, "Thank you, Elder Tessie, for resolving these doubts."
"Don't see me as a good person; I'm merely not troubling you because I noticed these treasures you possess and felt your disposition was decent. If you were like those martial artists from before, failing to meet my standards, you wouldn't step out alive from within." Tessie spoke solemnly.
"I feel there should still be several circles inside, right?" Liu Zixuan inquired tentatively.
"Indeed, but there's nothing alive inside to hinder you anymore. Anyone entering through me can reach the attic, but what you gain there depends on yourself." Tessie smiled meaningfully, "Your friend has arrived. Out of a bond with you, I won't trouble you, hurry on..."