Zhou Hong continued to concentrate, searching for the needle-like object.
Finally, after five years of persistent effort, Zhou Hong found it.
As Zhou Hong arrived deep underground, his immortal mansion suddenly emitted a wave of energy. It felt like two wild beasts encountering each other in a forest; regardless of whether they intended to fight, they would both exude a warning aura, releasing faint energy fluctuations.
"Hahaha, found it!" Zhou Hong's grandfather exclaimed with laughter.
"Indeed, it took 105 years, but we finally found it. I hope this immortal artifact doesn't disappoint me," Zhou Hong nodded excitedly.
"I've already located it. Hurry up and retrieve it."
Zhou Hong charged rapidly in a certain direction and, as expected, discovered something resembling an embroidery needle before him. This embroidery needle was about two centimeters long.
"Grandpa, what's this for?" Zhou Hong picked up the embroidery needle-like object, immediately doubting if it was truly an immortal artifact. He feared it would only be useful for sewing clothes if brought home.
"Foolish child, don't be fooled by its ordinary appearance. This is just its shrunken form. I recognize this item; it's called a Vajra Pestle." Zhou Hong's grandfather's voice was filled with excitement. He recognized it, which meant it had some renown and wasn't just some worthless item.
"Vajra Pestle? Grandpa, how do you know this thing?"
"I'm guessing. Back then, I heard a demon path elder forged a Vajra Pestle as his weapon. Later, that demon sect was purged, and the Vajra Pestle disappeared. If I'm not mistaken, this needle-like object is the Vajra Pestle."
"Oh, so you mean this thing was used by the demon sect?"
"Correct."
Zhou Hong let out a wry smile, unsure if there would be any negative consequences.
Zhou Hong no longer pondered and asked, "Grandpa, what grade is this Vajra Pestle?"
"It can barely be considered a third-grade immortal artifact."
"Is third grade very strong?" Zhou Hong inquired.
"Immortal artifacts are divided into nine grades, with first grade being the weakest and ninth grade the strongest. Judge for yourself."
"Oh, then it's decent. By the way, what grade is my immortal mansion?"
"Around second grade."
"Ah, it's even weaker."
"Yes, but although your immortal mansion isn't strong in grade, its defense is exceptionally potent. Even a third-grade immortal artifact might not be able to breach its defenses."
Zhou Hong nodded, examining the embroidery needle. "How do I use it?"
"This Vajra Pestle can change its size. Although it currently resembles an embroidery needle, once you claim it as your own, you can enlarge it to become your most formidable weapon. Alternatively, you can use it in its embroidery needle form, like a hidden projectile. From a thousand miles away, an embroidery needle can still blow off an enemy's head."
"It can change size? Isn't that like the Ruyi Jingu Bang? The Ruyi Jingu Bang is just a rod, but my Vajra Pestle is pointed at one end, making it even more lethal. It can also change size, ha!" Zhou Hong grew more pleased the more he looked at it.
Zhou Hong asked no further questions and immediately resolved to subdue the Vajra Pestle.
Zhou Hong dripped a drop of his blood onto it.
However, the Vajra Pestle seemed to possess strong demonic resistance and did not absorb the blood at all.
"Oh, what's going on here?" Zhou Hong's brow furrowed. Normally, an ownerless item would be recognized instantly upon contact with blood.
"Demonic artifacts are somewhat different from immortal artifacts. It's understandable," Zhou Hong's grandfather explained.
"So, what do we do now? How can I claim it?" Zhou Hong felt a bit troubled.
"This is a bit difficult, as your current strength is insufficient to wield it. You can only use it when it willingly submits to you."
"So, you mean I have to wait until my strength is sufficient to use this artifact?"
"Yes. If it were an immortal artifact, I might be able to find a way to help, but this is a demonic artifact, and I'm not particularly skilled with them. Why don't you put it into your immortal mansion first? Let the two artifacts contend, perhaps to weaken its demonic nature."
"Alright." Zhou Hong was resigned. Although he was pleased with the Vajra Pestle, it seemed the artifact wasn't pleased with him and refused to accept his blood.
Zhou Hong promptly stored the Vajra Pestle in his immortal mansion.
As expected, the Vajra Pestle immediately rampaged within the immortal mansion, shifting between large and small sizes, causing a cacophony of bangs and crashes throughout the entire dwelling.
Fortunately, the immortal mansion's defenses were robust. Whether inside or out, the Vajra Pestle couldn't escape.
Zhou Hong decided to temporarily leave the Vajra Pestle be and soon returned to the Taigu Academy.
"Zhou Hong, where have you been? You've only returned after over 100 years; I thought you had ascended." Upon arriving back at Taigu Academy, Zhou Hong coincidentally encountered Long Xuan and Lu Qianqian. The moment Lu Qianqian saw Zhou Hong, she rushed forward, her eyes red, and asked him, "You've truly been gone for over 100 years. Do you know how Lu Qianqian has spent this time? She thought you had ascended and abandoned her."
"I'm truly sorry. For the past 100 years, I've been wandering everywhere."
Long Xuan quickly interjected, "Zhou Hong, it's really not right to return after being gone for over 100 years. Do you know how Lu Qianqian has been? She thought you had ascended and left her."
Zhou Hong now realized the gravity of the situation. He wished he had taken Lu Qianqian into his private world earlier.
"I'm sorry, Qianqian, I didn't consider these things."
"You've been gone for over 100 years with no word. You owe me an explanation," Lu Qianqian said tearfully.
"Alright, since you are both not outsiders, I won't hide it from you. Remember those two quasi-immortals who descended to search for that needle-like object? That's right, for the past 105 years, I've been searching for this item across the entire Deep Space Continent. I didn't expect that while searching, I lost track of time, and over 100 years just slipped away."
Lu Qianqian and Long Xuan were both surprised, not expecting Zhou Hong to have been searching for that item.
"Did you find it?" Lu Qianqian asked.
"Hehe, since you are both my wives, I won't keep it from you. I've already found it," Zhou Hong said with a smile.
Upon hearing Zhou Hong say "since you are both my wives," Long Xuan blushed instantly and quickly asked, "Zhou Hong, did you just say I am also your wife?"
Zhou Hong sighed. In truth, Zhou Hong had already considered Long Xuan as his woman. Although Long Xuan had previously rejected Zhou Hong's pursuit due to her admiration for immortal sect disciples, after those two from Wu Tianda descended last time, Long Xuan, by rejecting Wu Tianda because Zhou Hong didn't like him, had managed to pull back from the brink.
"Yes," Zhou Hong nodded.
"But I rejected you before!"
"It's alright. After all, you met that Wu Tianda first. When that Wu Tianda descended last time, you disliked him because I didn't like him. Since that's the case, I will re-admit you into my harem."
Long Xuan's face flushed, and she couldn't help but glare at Zhou Hong, but inwardly, she was ecstatic.