48: Secret Realm Harvest

The Imperial Family's treasury was located deep underground in the Imperial City.

It was protected by layers of Formations, making it impossible for ordinary people to approach.

Prince Dingqin personally led the way, and the two had no further communication along the journey.

After passing through a long underground tunnel, a colossal bronze door appeared before their eyes.

"This is the Great Feng Imperial Family's treasure vault."

Prince Dingqin took out a dragon-shaped token and pressed it into a groove on the door. The heavy bronze door slowly opened, and a unique scent, a mixture of Spirit Medicine and ancient Jade Slips, wafted out.

The vault's interior was vast, with rows of shelves made from ten-thousand-year ironwood reaching up to the ceiling, filled with a dazzling array of items.

Jade Slips, Magical Artifacts, Medicinal Pill bottles, and various Materials were neatly categorized and organized.

"As per our agreement, these are the Earth-Grade Low Grade Cultivation Techniques you requested."

Prince Dingqin walked to a bookshelf, took down three well-sealed Jade Boxes, and handed them to Chen Xu.

Chen Xu accepted them and swept his Divine Sense over them.

The first one, "Five Elements Movement Technique."

This was a rather profound flying and evasion Spell. When Cultivated to a high level, one's movements would be as swift as wind and lightning, making them extremely difficult to catch. Chen Xu could use this Cultivation Technique himself.

The second one, "Thousand Ice Flowing Cloud Art."

It was an ice-attribute Cultivation Technique, with complete methods from Qi Refining to Golden Core. The Cultivation Technique was upright and harmonious, most suitable for female Cultivators.

Chen Xu thought of Sun Xiaoyue; her Earth Path Foundation Establishment Foundation truly needed a superior Cultivation Technique to fully utilize her potential.

The third one, "Great Thousand Art."

This was not a combat Spell, but an extremely practical auxiliary secret art.

It could be used to search for Heaven And Earth Treasures, investigate the direction of Spiritual Veins, and even sense the Aura of some special Restrictions.

For a Family that intended to seek treasures and explore secrets, its value was immeasurable.

Chen Xu nodded in satisfaction and placed the three Cultivation Techniques into his Storage Ring.

"These are three Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts."

Prince Dingqin then retrieved a sword and a piece of armor.

"The Sea-Shaking Sword weighs three thousand six hundred catties. Crafted from deep-sea profound iron, it possesses an innate Spell-breaking attribute, proving remarkably effective against certain defensive Spells."

"The Earth Dragon Armor is refined from the inverse scales of a third-tier Yao Beast, the Silver-Armored Earth Dragon. Its defensive power is astonishing, and a tranquilizing Formation is inscribed within the armor, capable of resisting a portion of Divine Soul attacks."

"Cloud-Soaring Boots: Made from the silk spun by a third-tier Yao Beast, the Thousand-Thread Cicada. Wearing them allows one to move as swiftly as the wind. If paired with a flying evasion Spell, the speed can increase by several multiples!"

Chen Xu did not stand on ceremony and accepted these three Spiritual Artifacts directly!

Whether for the Family's descendants!

Or for Bu Yifan and the others for self-defense, they were excellent choices.

Next came the main event of this transaction.

Prince Dingqin led Chen Xu to another side of the treasury, where the Imperial Family's thousands of years of accumulated various skill Legacies were stored.

Artifact Refining methods, from the refining of common iron to the forging of Spiritual Artifacts, amounted to over a thousand Jade Slips.

Alchemy Pill Formulas, from Mortals' medicinal remedies to third-tier Spirit Pills, were densely packed and countless.

Talisman making Legacies, Formation diagrams... Looking at the mountain of Jade Slips before him, Chen Xu's heart rate subtly quickened.

This was what he truly desired; this was the cornerstone that could transform the Chen Family from an upstart into a true millennium-old aristocratic Family.

"All first to third-tier Legacies are here."

Prince Dingqin's tone was somewhat bitter.

Chen Xu waved his hand and unceremoniously placed all the Jade Slips.

All of them into his Storage Ring.

Looking at the large empty section of the bookshelf, Prince Dingqin's heart bled.

He suppressed his displeasure and took out an ancient bamboo scroll from his robes, handing it over.

"This is the Legacy of the Spirit Invocation Talisman you requested, but Madam Qin has commanded that this genuine article also be given to you."

Chen Xu took the bamboo scroll; it felt cool to the touch, and the runes engraved on it carried an ancient, weathered Aura.

"This is a genuine Talisman Dao artifact personally crafted by an ancient Cultivator, not a copied Jade Slip made by later generations."

"Comprehending this item will greatly benefit your own Talisman Dao Cultivation. This can be considered an additional token of sincerity from our Imperial Family."

Prince Dingqin said in a deep voice.

"Please convey my thanks to Madam Qin."

Chen Xu carefully put away the bamboo scroll.

"You've taken the items. When do you plan to start supplying Talismans? The front lines are tense and cannot wait too long."

Prince Dingqin asked, this being the question he was most concerned about.

Chen Xu pondered for a moment and said, "This Talisman is new to me, and I need time to comprehend and practice it. One month. After one month, I will be able to begin stable supply."

"Good! One month!"

Hearing this timeframe, Prince Dingqin's tense face finally relaxed.

This speed was much faster than they had anticipated.

With matters settled, Chen Xu had no intention of lingering in the Imperial Palace.

However, just as he was about to bid farewell, he inexplicably changed his mind.

He inquired about Princess Rouer's residence from Li Jing and went to find her alone.

The next afternoon, it was still that small pavilion on the lake.

Princess Rouer was already waiting there!

She had changed into a simple and elegant light blue dress. Without the deliberate adornment from their first meeting yesterday, she appeared even more refined and beautiful.

Seeing Chen Xu approach, she stood up, a genuine smile gracing her face.

"I thought you would leave today."

"The matter is settled, so I should have left."

Chen Xu sat down opposite her and poured himself a cup of tea: "But before leaving, I felt I should come and say goodbye to you."

There was no longer the probing and politeness of yesterday between them; the atmosphere was peaceful and natural.

"The marriage has been decided."

Chen Xu looked at her and said seriously, "But my Chen Family has many affairs, and I must return as soon as possible. Handing over those Cultivation Technique Legacies to my clansmen is the most important purpose of my trip."

Princess Rouer listened quietly and nodded: "I understand, Family matters are paramount."

"Therefore, our wedding may have to be postponed slightly."

Chen Xu looked into her eyes and made a promise: "Once I have arranged the Family's affairs and put the crafting of Spirit Invocation Talismans on the right track. At most, one month from now, I will return to formally marry you."

One month.

Princess Rouer's eyes lit up.

She had originally thought it would take at least a year or two.

She looked at Chen Xu's sincere gaze, and a warm current surged in her heart.

This man, even when discussing their marriage, always prioritized his Family's responsibilities.

But it was precisely this sense of responsibility that made her feel incredibly secure.

She stood up, curtsied to Chen Xu, and her voice was soft yet firm.

"Alright, I'll wait for you."

No extra words were needed; three words were enough.

Chen Xu nodded, drained the tea in his cup, and then stood up.

"Then, I shall take my leave."

"I'll see you off."

Princess Rouer accompanied him all the way to the palace gate.

Watching Chen Xu board the carriage, still pulled by Swift-Wind Horses, slowly disappear at the end of the Imperial City's streets.

Princess Rouer stood rooted to the spot, not leaving for a long time.

Inside the carriage, Chen Xu closed his eyes, his mind sinking into his Storage Ring.

Feeling the massive amount of Jade Slips and the three Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques!

A smile appeared on his face.

This trip was a fruitful one.

With this Foundation, the Chen Family's future truly had a solid base.

As for the so-called Devilish Battlefield and Madam Qin's true intentions... Chen Xu's eyes once again became profound.

No rush. Once he had thoroughly solidified the Chen Family's cornerstone!

He would have all the time and confidence to uncover all the secrets behind the Great Feng Imperial Family... Inside the Purple Cloud Palace, as Chen Xu departed, the tense negotiation atmosphere also dissipated.

"Madam Qin, this young man is too greedy; he's practically taking advantage of the situation!"

Prince Dingqin finally couldn't help but complain to Madam Qin on the throne: "Those Legacy diagrams are the accumulation of our Great Feng's thousands of years. Giving them to him like this is no different than raising a tiger to cause trouble!"

"Indeed, Madam Qin! Ten thousand Spirit Stones every month, that's one million two hundred thousand a year! Our Great Feng treasury cannot withstand such consumption!" another prince echoed, his face filled with heartache.

Madam Qin merely chuckled softly. She slowly rose from the throne, walked to the front of the hall, and looked in the direction where Chen Xu's carriage had disappeared, her gaze deep.

"Raising a tiger to cause trouble?"

She shook her head: "You only see what he took, but you don't see what we gained."

"A few Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques, a few Spiritual Artifacts, some first to third-tier Legacies that you don't even bother to look at, in exchange for a Talisman Dao Great Master who can stably craft third-tier Spirit Invocation Talismans, plus a favor from someone whose future achievements are immeasurable. This deal, we profited from it."

She turned around, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall: "You think, why did those Devil Cultivators from the Black Water Nation suddenly launch a national war against our Great Feng Dynasty?"

Prince Dingqin and the others exchanged glances, one of them hesitantly saying: "Didn't they say they coveted our Great Feng's Spiritual Vein resources?"

"Spiritual Vein resources are one aspect."

Madam Qin sneered: "More importantly, they also discovered the entrance to that ancient Devilish Battlefield! They want to seize that Secret Realm completely before us!"

"In that Secret Realm, there are not only the Legacies of ancient Great Powers, but also a giant Spiritual Ore vein we've prospected, enough to support a Sect for ten thousand years!"

"However, that Spiritual Ore vein has been contaminated by Devilish Qi for many years, making it impossible to mine by ordinary means. Only the Spirit Invocation Talisman can purify the Devilish Qi and allow our people to enter safely."

At these words, the entire hall was shocked.

"Therefore, the transaction with Chen Xu is imperative."

Madam Qin's tone was unequivocal: "As for the marriage alliance, Princess Rouer marrying him is both appeasement and surveillance, and even an investment. As long as the Chen Family is connected to our Imperial Family by Bloodline, he cannot escape."

"The stronger he becomes, the more benefits our Imperial Family will gain."

"One month from now, we must see the first batch of Spirit Invocation Talismans. We are determined to obtain that Spiritual Ore vein and can no longer wait."

...Several days later, the Swift-Wind carriage returned to Ninghai Town.

The news of Chen Xu's return!

It made the entire Chen Family boil with excitement.

In the study in the backyard, Chen Xu gathered Bu Yifan and Sun Xiaoyue and his other wives and concubines.

"Everything has been settled."

Chen Xu didn't beat around the bush and directly placed a Storage Ring on the table.

Bu Yifan's Divine Sense probed it, and her face immediately showed an expression of incredible shock.

"Husband, this... inside here is..."

"All the first to third-tier Artifact Refining, Alchemy, Talisman making, and Formation Legacies accumulated by the Imperial Family over thousands of years are all inside."

Chen Xu said calmly: "There are also three Earth-Grade Cultivation Techniques and three Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts."

Bu Yifan and Sun Xiaoyue gasped.

They knew their husband's trip was for the Family's future!

But they hadn't expected him to bring back such a grand gift, enough to lay the Foundation for a millennium-old aristocratic Family!

"With these, our Chen Family can truly be said to have a deep Foundation!"

Bu Yifan's eyes were a little red with excitement.

"There's one more thing."

Chen Xu looked at his wives and said in a deep voice, "I have agreed to a marriage alliance with the Imperial Family, and will be marrying Princess Rouer soon."

The study fell silent for a moment.

Bu Yifan was the first to react. She grabbed Chen Xu's hand, her face not showing displeasure, but rather beaming with joy: "Husband, this is wonderful news! I heard that Princess Rouer possesses a High Grade Earth-Grade Spiritual Root Aptitude. If she can bear offspring for our Chen Family, our Chen Family's future will have another layer of security!"

As the matriarch, she always considered the Family's interests. A highly talented descendant.

Its value was far beyond a few words of verbal affection.

Sun Xiaoyue also nodded, and said softly, "Sister is right, it's good for Husband to have another sister to take care of him."

"For our Chen Family to develop long-term, we need more in-laws like Husband who can bring help to the Family."

Seeing his wives' genuine joy and support, a warmth surged in Chen Xu's heart.

And he felt the burden on his shoulders grow heavier.

They only saw the benefits and hope, but did not know that behind this lay the danger of playing with fire.

He couldn't say these things, nor did he need to.

In the following days, Chen Xu secluded himself in the study, organizing the vast amount of Jade Slips.

He categorized these Legacies and re-copied them.

He planned to establish a true Legacy Hall and Scripture Pavilion within the Family.

One day, he called Sun Xiaoyue alone into the secret chamber.

"Xiaoyue, you are already at Earth Path Foundation Establishment, and your Foundation is stable, but the Cultivation Technique you Cultivate is only Earth-Grade, which restricts your development."

Chen Xu took out a Jade Slip and handed it over, "This is the 'Thousand Ice Flowing Cloud Art', a Low Grade Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique. It is quite compatible with your Cultivation method. Take it and comprehend it."

Sun Xiaoyue took the Jade Slip, looking at Chen Xu, her clear, cold eyes full of emotion.

She didn't say much, just nodded heavily!

She then turned and entered the seclusion chamber.

Just five days later, a cold Spiritual Pressure emanated from the seclusion chamber, then quickly receded.

Sun Xiaoyue walked out of the secret chamber, her Cultivation having broken through again.

Her Aura was several times more solid than before.

The effect of a High Grade Cultivation Technique was immediate.

After settling his wife, Chen Xu also began his own Cultivation.

He picked up the Earth-Grade auxiliary secret art called "Great Thousand Art."

This art was not for battle, but for detecting Spiritual Veins and finding Heaven And Earth Treasure.

It could even sense the Aura of some special Restrictions.

For the development of a Family, its value was immeasurable.

However, when he calmed his mind and began to comprehend it, he found that this secret art was far more obscure and difficult to understand than he had imagined.

Every Talisman in the Jade Slip, every path of Magical Power circulation, was extremely profound.

When combined, it made his head spin.

An hour later, Chen Xu rubbed his aching brows and smiled bitterly.

"My Comprehension Ability is still too poor after all."

"If it weren't for the System, I'm afraid I would have turned into a pile of yellow earth by now."

He sighed in his heart: "It seems I still have to rely on the feedback from high-Aptitude descendants to make up for my innate shortcomings."

This thought made him look forward to the upcoming marriage with Qin Rouer.

And to the future descendants of the Family, he felt even more anticipation... Just as Chen Xu was working hard for the future of the Family, in the Secret Realm of Qingyun Immortal Sect, his two sons.

Were experiencing a life-and-death chase.

"Roar!"

A Demonic Ape, three zhang tall, covered in black scales, and with three blood-colored vertical pupils, was madly chasing two figures in front.

Every step it took caused the ground to tremble, and the giant rocks and ancient trees in its path were easily crushed into powder.

The Spiritual Pressure of a Late Golden Core Stage Great Perfection Yao Beast was overwhelming.

"Brother, hurry! It's catching up!"

The younger Chen Daochu's face was pale.

While desperately flying, he looked back at the terrifying figure getting closer and closer.

"Don't panic!"

Chen Daoxuan, who was flying in front, seemed much calmer.

He suddenly pulled out a Talisman shimmering with Spiritual Light from his embrace.

It was an Invisibility Talisman personally drawn by Chen Xu.

"The Talisman Father gave us must be used!"

He grabbed his younger brother and injected Magical Power into the Talisman.

Buzz!

An invisible ripple spread out, and the two figures instantly disappeared from their original spot.

Even their Aura was completely concealed without a trace.

The Three-Eyed Demonic Ape chased to the front, lost its target, and furiously pounded its chest, letting out a series of angry roars.

It searched for a long time on the spot, but in the end, could only leave unwillingly.

In a nearby mountain wall depression, the figures of Chen Daoxuan and Chen Daochu slowly appeared.

Both were sweating profusely, still shaken.

"Phew... that was close."

Chen Daochu sat down on the ground: "That was Dragon Blood Ganoderma, an Earth-Grade Spirit Medicine. It's such a pity to give it up like that."

"Our lives were almost gone, what's there to regret?"

Chen Daoxuan glared at him and said helplessly!

"However, we didn't lose out on this trip! We brothers basically emptied out everything in the Black Mist Swamp. Even if we leave now!"

"Our Family will still make a huge profit!"

Chen Daoxuan felt a surge of joy in his heart whenever he thought of the Heaven And Earth Treasure in his Storage Pouch.

With these things, the Family's strength would surely ascend to a higher level.

"That's true..."

Chen Daochu nodded in agreement: "But Big Brother, where are we going next?"

At these words, Chen Daoxuan pondered for a moment: "Do you still remember what happened when we were at the edge of Tianduan Mountain, at the southernmost end of the Black Mist Swamp?"

Hearing this, Chen Daochu was slightly stunned: "Of course I remember, Big Brother. Deep in that valley, there seemed to be a damaged Restriction, and even the Vein-Seeking Talisman Father gave us reacted!"

However, at that time, their goal was to empty the entire Black Mist Swamp.

Therefore, they didn't delve into the reaction of the Vein-Seeking Talisman!

But now that they stopped to think about it, that place really was a bit eerie!

Chen Daoxuan nodded slightly and said, "My personal guess is that place very likely contains a Legacy Immortal Cave, and it must be at least a Nascent Soul Stage Legacy, and it's even possible that it's..."

"Soul... Soul Transformation?!"

"Exactly!"

Chen Daoxuan pondered for a moment.

"Since no one else knows about this place, we brothers might as well go take a look. If it's not feasible, we brothers will retreat quickly. Preserving ourselves is the most important thing!"

"If it is feasible, this would also be an Opportunity for our Chen Family!"

Hearing his elder brother say this.

Chen Daochu naturally had no objections.

"Alright! Big Brother, I'll listen to you!"

With that said, the two brothers no longer hesitated.

They temporarily gave up other Opportunities in the Secret Realm.

Taking out a map, after identifying the direction, they sped towards the Tianduan Mountain Range with all their might... Three days later, a dilapidated palace appeared before the two brothers.

Above the palace gate, on a broken plaque.

Two large characters were carved in a vigorous and elegant hand — Hidden Seclusion.

The two brothers exchanged glances and cautiously approached.

To their surprise, besides the time it took them to break the Restrictions on the palace's periphery!

There were no powerful Restrictions inside the palace as they had imagined!

They easily entered the palace.

Inside the palace, there was a deathly silence.

Passing through the overgrown plaza, the two arrived at the main hall.

In the center of the main hall, on a huge white jade throne, sat a dried-up skeleton.

The skeleton was complete, still maintaining the sitting posture from its life.

Exuding an Aura of majesty without anger.

"The remains of a Spirit Transformation Great Power..."

Chen Daochu murmured, his eyes full of reverence.

Chen Daoxuan's gaze, however, immediately locked onto the index finger of the skeleton's right hand.

There, a simple, unadorned black ring was worn.

Storage Ring!

The two brothers held their breath and slowly approached.

They were prepared for any sudden situation.

But even when Chen Daoxuan reached out and easily removed the Storage Ring from the skeleton.

No Restrictions were triggered.

It was unbelievably smooth.

The two retreated to the corner of the hall, and Chen Daoxuan eagerly extended his Divine Sense into the ring.

The next moment, his body trembled violently.

His face showed unprecedented shock and ecstasy.

With trembling hands, he took out a Jade Slip from the ring, which was entirely suffused with golden divine light.

"Brother, this is..."

Chen Daoxuan took a deep breath and transmitted the information in the Jade Slip to his younger brother with his Divine Sense.

"Heavenly Gang War God Art"!

A High Grade Heaven-Grade Body Refining Cultivation Technique!

Just these few words!

Made Chen Daochu's mind go blank.

And this was just the beginning.

Inside the ring, there were also several powerful Magic Treasures whose Spiritual Light soared to the sky, clearly of a grade far surpassing Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts.

Mountains of Top-Grade Spirit Stones!

And countless High Grade Medicinal Pills and Materials that had long been extinct in the outside world.

The two brothers stared at each other blankly.

Holding that small Storage Ring, they only felt that what they held in their hands.

Was a shocking fortune capable of overturning the entire Great Feng Cultivation world!

"Brother... I... I'm not dreaming, am I?"

A moment later, Chen Daochu's voice trembled.

He pinched his thigh hard, and the intense pain that came through.

Only then did he believe that everything in front of him was real.

Chen Daoxuan did not answer!

His mind was still immersed in that Storage Ring.

His face was a mixture of shock and ecstasy, and his body trembled slightly.

After all, besides this Cultivation Technique, every item in the ring was enough to drive the entire Great Feng Cultivation world mad.

"We're rich... Brother, we're rich!"

Chen Daochu could no longer suppress the ecstasy in his heart. He hugged Chen Daoxuan, excitedly speaking incoherently: "With these things, Father... he will definitely be able to form a Heavenly Dao Golden Core!"

: "Aunt Bu, Aunt Xiaoyue, and us! Our Chen Family is going to rise! A true rise!"

Chen Daoxuan also nodded heavily.

He tightly held the Storage Ring.

Feeling the heavy weight in his hand that could change the Family's destiny.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging emotions in his heart.