The atmosphere was thick with energy, yet despite his arrival, no one seemed to notice him.
Shen Yuan allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. These were the very same individuals he had subdued and brought under his command. Their discipline and effort reflected his expectations of their loyalty and potential.
A soft hum echoed beside him as the spirit of the pagoda materialized. The ethereal figure, a serene-looking woman dressed in ancient robes adorned with glowing runes, inclined her head respectfully.
[Master, welcome,]
the pagoda spirit greeted, her voice calm and melodic.
[The inhabitants of this floor remain unaware of your presence, as per your instructions. Is there something specific you seek today?]
Shen Yuan’s eyes twitched as he ignored the spirit’s new form and gave a nod. “Once again, I’m here to look for treasures. I’m looking for a King-grade cultivation technique to fill my sixth Dantian.”
The pagoda spirit bowed slightly, her rune-adorned robes fluttering as though caught in an unseen breeze.
[A King-grade cultivation technique for your sixth Dantian…]
She paused, her tone turning thoughtful.
[Master, such a technique can easily be found in the Treasury—the portion linked to the pagoda’s tenth floor. However, as you know, the entrance to that realm lies beyond the ninth floor.]
Shen Yuan glanced around at the floor’s swirling Qi. “I know this already, that’s why I came here. Take me there directly. Time is precious.”
The spirit inclined her head obediently, raising a hand wreathed in faint, shimmering runes. A ripple expanded from her palm, enveloping Shen Yuan in a circular band of light.
In a blink, the atmosphere changed. Gone was the bustling first-floor chamber. Instead, Shen Yuan found himself standing on the ninth floor of the Ancestral Pagoda—dark, foreboding, and filled with an ominous aura that seemed to test the will of any intruder, which he had created previously for the trial.
At the far side of the hall stood colossal double doors carved from jade and gold—the portal to the Tenth Floor’s Mystique Realm, where the true Treasury awaited.
The pagoda spirit slowly said,
[The door stands ready, Master. Shall we proceed?]
Shen Yuan nodded, stepping toward the golden door.
…
The transition was instantaneous. One moment, he was in the pagoda’s ninth level; the next, he stepped out onto a floating marble platform with an endless sky of gold and silver swirling overhead.
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Crystalline paths extended in various directions, each leading to clusters of hovering islands laden with treasures.
Rivers of liquid Qi meandered through the air in shimmering arcs, feeding into glimmering lakes. Dozens of luminous orbs—some weapon-like, others exuding medicinal scents—drifted gently, each waiting to be claimed by a worthy inheritor.
[Pagoda Spirit]:
[Welcome once again to the Treasury Realm, Master. Here you may find King-grade, Emperor-grade, and even Sovereign-grade treasures—though the latter ones often demand trials. For King-grade items, you may claim them freely.]
Shen Yuan gave a faint smirk at that reminder. “No need to remind me about this again and again. I’m not going to challenge any of the trials for now. Lead me to the cultivation techniques; I want a King-grade Wind Elemental Cultivation technique.”
The spirit nodded and floated ahead, translucent feet gliding just above a path of glowing runes.
Shen Yuan followed, his eyes scanning the breathtaking horizon of suspended islands. Even after multiple visits, he couldn’t help but marvel at the scope of this place.
Their path led them onto an expansive platform ringed with towering shelves. Each shelf was fashioned of crystal that refracted the ambient light, forming tiny rainbows across the floor.
Countless jade slips and ancient scrolls were meticulously arranged, each exuding a unique Qi signature.
The pagoda spirit drifted soundlessly past the towering crystal shelves, her faint glow illuminating row after row of jade slips and neatly rolled scrolls.
Each contained knowledge that could alter the fate of entire sects—but in the expansive Mystique Realm, such treasures felt almost commonplace.
[Pagoda Spirit]:
[Master, the wind—]
She paused, correcting herself smoothly.
[—the wind elemental cultivation techniques of King grade are primarily located on these three shelves. Shall I offer some recommendations?]
Shen Yuan stepped closer, scanning the neatly arranged slips. His spiritual sense brushed over them, revealing faint Qi pulses—some rippling with gentle breezes, others howling like storms.
He nodded curtly. “Show me anything that can maximize wind affinity without clashing with my existing Qi.”
The spirit raised her arms, delicate runes dancing across her sleeves. A soft glow spread over the shelves in question, selecting a handful of jade slips. One by one, they floated into view, forming a small semicircle in front of Shen Yuan.
Azure Cyclone Meridian Art
Focus: Graceful, swirling Qi flows that boost agility and enhance movement techniques.
Meridian Emphasis: Upper body circulation, lightening the user’s steps and granting fleeting bursts of speed.
Drawback: Moderate physical strain; recommended for those with strong constitutions.
Tempest Feather Scripture
Focus: Sharp, cutting gales that slice through defenses.
Meridian Emphasis: Dantian fortification, enabling continuous wind-based attacks.
Drawback: Qi drain can be high, requiring a deep reservoir for extended combat.
Whispering Gale Sutra
Focus: Subtle, controlled wind manipulation with illusions and stealth.
Meridian Emphasis: Balanced distribution, blending wind Qi seamlessly with other elements.
Drawback: Slightly weaker offensive power compared to more specialized wind techniques.
Stormchaser’s Pulse
Focus: Rapid buildup of volatile wind Qi, explosive bursts of speed or power.
Meridian Emphasis: Compresses wind Qi in the core, releasing short, intense surges.
Drawback: If not carefully managed, Qi backlash can strain internal organs.
[Pagoda Spirit]:
[These four are among the most popular King-grade wind techniques. Each has unique traits. However, from what I sense of your aura, Master, you utilize multiple elemental Intents. Hence, you may prefer one that doesn’t destabilize your existing Qi flows.]
Shen Yuan eyed them all, his thoughts flicking across his existing cultivation. He already juggled several elemental Intents, plus the monstrous vitality gleaned from his physiques.
Something too specialized might create friction. Something too subtle might not offer enough growth.
He lifted the Tempest Feather Scripture slip, letting his spiritual sense probe deeper.
A faint whistle of wind emanated from within the jade slip, almost like an invisible blade slashing the air. The technique’s strong offensive leaning appealed to him, yet it also seemed it would guzzle Qi at an alarming rate, which he had no problem with due to his 366 Dantians.
The one thing he was least lacking in was Qi.
Next, he examined the Azure Cyclone Meridian Art more carefully. Unlike the Tempest Feather Scripture, it emphasized swirling, graceful flows that could meld well with multiple elemental currents.
However, the advantage it provided lay mainly in mobility and agility. Would that be enough to bolster his sixth Dantian’s capacity?
He frowned slightly, setting it aside to skim the Whispering Gale Sutra. Its illusions and stealth intrigued him—particularly for someone who often found himself in… not speakable situations. But it sacrificed direct combat strength for subtlety.
Lastly, he lingered on Stormchaser’s Pulse, sensing the raging surge of potential locked within. A surge-based system that built up wind Qi for devastating bursts.
If harnessed properly, it could mesh nicely with his thunder-based energies, possibly enabling powerful combined attacks.
Yet the risk of backlash was notable—his false chaos physique might handle it, but any slip in control would be painful.