Is That A Wisp?

"At the ground level, only mortals and cultivators at the First Stage of Qi Condensation can roam freely. Cultivators at the Second Stage of Qi Condensation and beyond can never descend here. If they do so, they would incite tribulation lightning and be eradicated." The middle-aged lady shed tears as she continued to explain, "This particular group were made up of cultivators at the Seventh Stage of Qi Condensation. In order to obtain a certain treasure that was in the Captchua Forest, they had sealed their cultivation to the First Stage of Qi Condensation."

"It seemed they had obtained a certain pill to do so. By using it, they descended the Immortal Peak." The middle-aged lady wiped her tears as she let out a sigh. "The treasure wasn't something mortals or those at First Stage of Qi Condensation could hope to obtain. So, anyone stronger could never set foot here."

"In any case, they made such a plan and used their superior experience to eventually obtain this treasure. But in the end..." She snorted as she continued, "They had underestimated the power of this treasure. Even though they were able to bring it back with them, it caused the effect of their pills to eventually vanish."

She said with a solemn tone, "And when this happened, they were smack dab in the middle of our town. The moment their cultivation bases returned to their original levels, heavenly tribulation arrived, killing them and most of the residents in our town."

"After that, news of this treasure spread far and wide, causing numerous mortals and cultivators at First Stage of Qi Condensation to arrive and try their luck. But no matter what, they were unable to even grab hold of it." She let out a long sigh before adding on, "The first group had prepared designated tools to grab the treasure. But, all the tools were eradicated by the tribulation lightning. And it seems in the levels of the Immortal Peak where cultivators below the Foundation Establishment Realm could travel, there are no longer such tools anymore."

"The one brought by the first group was the one and only tool that was able to touch the treasure. After all, it seemed to be part of an inheritance. That's how they were able to know of this treasure in the first place." She gazed at Feifei and Zamuria after that, telling them, "After that, numerous groups of cultivators arrived after sealing their cultivation bases. But without any exception, all of them turned to dust the moment they approached the treasure and incited the tribulation lightning once their cultivation bases recovered."

"And every single time, our town was devasted more and more. Eventually, people stopped coming here anymore." The middle-aged lady glared at the two as she told them, "All our children, friends, and family were killed by the tribulation lightning. So, we naturally came to despise outsiders. Right now, all we're doing is to die of old age as this place holds all our precious memories."

"Of course, I don't wish for this to be the case forever." She held Feifei's hands as she continued, "More people might arrive in the future and destroy our town further. At least, we wish to rest in peace after our deaths. Since the two of you arrived here, please turn around if you don't have the confidence to pick up that treasure."

Everything the middle-aged lady said resounded in her mind as Feifei thought, comprehending all the information she received. 'So, Layer 1 is divided into numerous levels. Based on everything she said, all levels are restricted by cultivation. In a level meant for those at the Fourth Stage of Qi Condensation, only those at the Second, Third, and Fourth Stage of Qi Condensation can roam around. This is the same for every level.'

Feifei then asked, "Since you seem well aware of this treasure's abilities, why don't you become stronger and deal with it yourself?"

"Unfortunately, it's impossible for me since I lack the meridians necessary to cultivate Spiritual Energy." The middle-aged lady sighed. "Also, only after setting foot on the Immortal Peak can one begin their cultivation journey. Unfortunately, there's a formation preventing us from heading there naturally."

"Then…" Feifei frowned, watching the middle-aged lady speak further. 

"There are gates installed in the formation. But each gate only gives out thirty tokens every year. So, the competition to obtain the tokens create a bloodbath every single year. Even the toughest of fighters may die since the competition is becoming getting more and more fierce every year." The middle-aged lady shook her head. 

Eventually, she sighed, asking while making eye contact with Feifei, "So, what will you do? Have you really come here for the treasure?"

"Let me take a look at it first." Feifei replied, asking in return, "Is it in the center of the town?"

"It has been there all this goddamn time." The middle-aged lady grunted in irritation. She was then surprised when Feifei and Zamuria got up and exited the house, shouting, "Wait, what about my Spirit Stone?"

"We'll pay in kind." Feifei waved in return as her and Zamuria's figures flashed, disappearing from view. 

They quickly arrived at the center of the town, noticing the place was charred completely as even setting foot on the soil caused them to feel like they were being electrocuted. Situated in the center of the mess was a lone needle, gently hovering in the air. 

It spanned ten centimeters in length, barely a finger's width. Feifei carefully approached it, thinking as she muttered, "Will this treasure remove the restriction placed on us?"

"We can only see if it is possible." Zamuria nodded as the two of them cautiously arrived before the treasure, frowning when nothing happened. Thinking that it might take some time, they waited in place for half a day, sighing when nothing happened. 

Feifei then inched her hand cautiously, gently touching the treasure when she noticed her hand passing through it. Surprised, she flailed around, saying, "I can't touch it."

"Let me try," Zamuria said soon after, snorting when she too was unable to touch it. She even used her Neon Radiance to condense a claw to touch the needle, watching it pass through the treasure as if it didn't exist. 

"What the heck is this treasure?" Zamuria groaned. 

'I haven't seen something like this all my life..' Feifei frowned.