Shen Yuan’s lips twitched slightly at the spirit’s explanation. “Mastery over Saber Law… Interesting. It seems the treasures here are indeed worthy of their grades.”
The spirit floated beside him, nodding. “Master, the Ancestral Treasury is not merely a storage of treasures; it is a place of trial and growth. The requirements for each item are designed to refine the inheritor further.”
Shen Yuan swept his gaze across the shimmering landscape of floating islands, each radiating unique auras. “I see. For now, I won’t take anything. Let’s continue exploring.”
The spirit bowed lightly. “As you wish, Master. Allow me to guide you.”
The small figure floated ahead, leading Shen Yuan deeper into the realm.
They passed islands overflowing with towering stacks of refining materials, their auras vibrant and enticing. Shen Yuan spotted glowing crystals, rare metals, and even raw Essence Stones of various grades. His fingers itched at the sight, but he held back, knowing it wasn’t the time to be hasty.
“Those materials,” Shen Yuan asked, pointing at a cluster of crystalline ores glowing with faint golden light, “what are they?”
The spirit glanced at the ores and replied, “Those are Heaven’s Lament Crystals, a rare material used in forging Emperor-Grade artifacts. One of their basic functions is to enhance an artifact’s ability to absorb and channel Qi.”
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow. “Heaven’s Lament Crystals? That’s a material even sect masters would covet. And they’re just sitting here?”
The spirit chuckled softly. “Master, this treasury is beyond mortal comprehension. What seems rare in your world is but the foundation of what the Ancestral Pagoda contains.”
Shen Yuan nodded calmly. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised anymore.”
They continued onward, passing islands filled with ancient scrolls and tomes. Shen Yuan could feel the pulsating energy of long-forgotten techniques and cultivation manuals, each radiating an overwhelming aura of mystery and power.
The spirit stopped beside a hovering platform stacked with golden scrolls. “These are cultivation techniques that range from Mortal Grade to Sovereign Grade. However, some of these scrolls are incomplete and must be comprehended by oneself to restore their full potential.”
Shen Yuan’s gaze lingered on the scrolls, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Incomplete techniques? That makes them even more intriguing.”
The spirit nodded. “Indeed. Many treasures here require not just strength but intelligence, perseverance, and understanding. Only those who meet the criteria can unlock their true potential.”
Shen Yuan’s expression softened into a thoughtful smile. “This place truly tests more than just power.”
They moved to another island, where towering plants thrived in fields of fertilized soil. The air was fragrant with the scent of rare herbs, their auras potent enough to make Shen Yuan’s heart race.
“These herbs,” the spirit said, gesturing at a patch of radiant flowers, “are Starblaze Lotuses. They are Sovereign Grade herbs used in concocting elixirs to refine the body and soul for ascension.”
Shen Yuan knelt beside one of the flowers, observing its delicate petals glowing faintly under an ethereal light. “A Starblaze Lotus… An alchemist’s dream. Just one of these could revolutionize a sect’s medicinal knowledge.”
He straightened and turned to the spirit. “I assume taking even one would trigger a trial?”
The spirit nodded. “Yes, Master. Each herb here has its guardian trial. Attempting to take it without preparation would lead to unnecessary risk.”
Shen Yuan chuckled. “Risk has never been an issue, but I’ll save it for another time. Let’s continue.”
The exploration led them to a floating platform that housed a massive cauldron. Its surface was inscribed with ancient runes, each glowing faintly with suppressed power. Its aura was suffused with an overwhelming presence of alchemical mastery.
“This is the Sovereign-Grade Cauldron of Eternal Flames,” the spirit explained reverently. “An alchemist’s dream that grants absolute control over temperature and Essence integration. However, it requires mastery over Flame Laws and Alchemy Law to claim.”
Shen Yuan’s eyes narrowed as he examined the cauldron. “Two Laws… Another hurdle to overcome. This place truly spares no one.”
He turned to the spirit. “Are there artifacts or treasures here that don’t require such stringent conditions?”
The spirit smiled lightly. “There are, Master. But the higher the grade, the more demanding the requirements. The Ancestral Treasury is designed to challenge and mold its inheritor.”
Shen Yuan crossed his arms, a smirk playing on his lips. “Good. Challenges only mean more opportunities to grow.”
As they continued, Shen Yuan felt his understanding of the Mystique Realm deepening. This place was not merely a storage of treasures—it was a training ground, a crucible meant to refine the inheritor into someone capable of wielding the immense wealth it offered.
He paused atop a floating platform, gazing at the endless expanse of the realm. “This treasury holds enough wealth to shake the foundations of the Mortal World.”
The spirit floated beside him. “And it is all yours, Master, provided you are willing to earn it.”
Shen Yuan’s smirk widened. “Oh, I will. Just not today. For now, I have a particular treasure in mind. Take me to the place where blacksmithing manuals are placed.”
The spirit tilted its head slightly, a faint smile forming on its glowing face. “As you wish, Master. I will guide you to the section where blacksmithing techniques and manuals are stored.”
With a wave of its hand, the surroundings flashed and shifted. Shen Yuan found himself standing before a massive floating island brimming with towering bookshelves made of glowing crystal. The shelves were filled with old scrolls, memory crystals, bound tomes, and glowing tablets, each radiating an aura of knowledge.
“This island contains blacksmithing techniques, ranging from Mortal Grade to Sovereign Grade,” the spirit explained. “The techniques here cover weapon forging, artifact refinement, and even specialized fields such as soul-infused creations and elemental forges.”
Shen Yuan stepped forward, his eyes scanning the rows of shelves. “Show me the Sovereign and Emperor Grade techniques first. I want to see what the pinnacle of blacksmithing in the mortal world looks like.”
The spirit floated ahead, guiding him to a section where the energy was almost suffocatingly dense. The scrolls and tablets here shimmered with golden and deep crimson auras, exuding an oppressive weight of boundless knowledge.
The spirit gestured toward a glowing tablet. “This is the Eternal Flame Forging Method, a Sovereign Grade technique. It enables the user to forge weapons that grow with their wielder, evolving in strength as the user’s cultivation progresses. However, claiming this requires mastery over Flame Laws and Blacksmithing Law.”
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow, impressed. “A forging technique that creates evolving weapons… This alone could revolutionize the art of blacksmithing in my world.”
The spirit then moved to another tablet, this one exuding an even more potent aura. “This is the World Shaper’s Codex, another Sovereign Grade technique. It allows the smith to weave fragments of World Laws into their creations, producing artifacts that can influence the laws of the world itself.”
“To claim it, one must master at least one Law and pass the trial, which includes forging an artifact under immense pressure from multiple world fragments.”
Shen Yuan’s lips twitched. “As expected, Sovereign Grade techniques are on another level. But I’m not prepared for these trials yet.”