229: Selecting treasures

The night was deep, and a blanket of silence lay over the Bamboo Rhyme Residence.

Qin Feng sat alone in the Quiet Room, his mind sinking into the System's light screen. The zi hour had passed, and the newly refreshed intelligence glowed with a unique shimmer, illuminating his deep eyes. Three new pieces of intelligence pointed clearly toward items of incredible value.

1. [Blue Intelligence]: Deep within the Medicine King Valley's core treasury, 'Myriad Medicine Hidden Cache', sealed in the third slot of the Cold Jade Platform in the 'Bing Fire Zone', is the 'Crimson Sun Dragon Blood Fruit'. Due to long-term nourishment from the earth vein's fire spirits and the treasury's spirit-gathering Formation, it has quietly aged for three thousand years. The fruit contains a trace of pure Dragon blood and a vast Origin of fire spirit. This fruit is a peerless Saint Grade for fire-attribute creatures. If given to the mutated Fire Qilin, it can greatly accelerate its growth during its infancy and has a ten percent chance of triggering a deep-level Bloodline Awakening, opening the prototype of its innate Divine Ability.

2. [Red Intelligence]: In the treasury's 'Yi Wood Zone', stored in a 'Ten-Thousand-Year Soul-Nurturing Wood' box, are 'Green Wood Ghost Cry Vine' seeds (only three). This vine is an ancient exotic species, nearly extinct. Its seeds are in a state of deep dormancy and require continuous nourishment from the 'Myriad Medicine Body' Origin's vitality for three days to be activated. Once activated, they can be bound to a Master and planted in specific containers or directly grown using true essence. The vines are incredibly tough and possess 'Paralysis' and 'Spirit-Eroding' poisons. They grow extremely fast and can be flexibly controlled according to the owner's will for trapping, ambushing, or protecting. An ordinary Martial King would stiffen upon contact, and even a Martial Emperor, if accidentally bound by the core vine, would find it difficult to escape easily. It is truly a miraculous item for control and auxiliary combat.

3. [Red Intelligence]: Within a hidden compartment in the treasury's 'Gui Water Zone' lies a Purple Gold Poison Box, divided into three sections. First section: three drops of 'Blood-Sealing Throat'; contact with blood results in death. Below the Martial Emperor Realm, without a specific detoxifying Saint Medicine or a supreme treasure for protection, death is certain within three breaths. Second section: a bottle of 'Half-Step to the West' powder, colorless and odorless, which can be mixed into food, drink, or Spiritual Qi. Initially, the victim feels no different, but after half a day, their cultivation stagnates, and their Divine Soul becomes muddled, like a Walking Corpse. If an antidote is not obtained within twelve watches, their cultivation will permanently drop by one major Realm, and their Divine Soul will be damaged. Third section: a page of ancient beast skin recording the 'emperor extermination powder' recipe, accompanied by a small jade bottle containing a small amount of pre-refined 'emperor extermination powder' (about three doses). This powder must be activated with a special technique to transform into an invisible poisonous miasma, specifically corroding the imperial true essence and Divine Soul of Martial Emperor Realm Cultivators. Although not lethal, it can cause the victim's strength to plummet and their true essence to stagnate for a short time, making it a sinister Sharp Weapon for the weak to overcome the strong or to create opportunities for escape or counterattack.

"Crimson Sun Dragon Blood Fruit... Green Wood Ghost Cry Vine... and this box of deadly poisons..."

emperor extermination powder—he had also obtained this recipe in the West Lake City Vice City Lord's treasury, but the Materials were scarce, and it was extremely difficult to refine, so he had to temporarily give up on it. Now, he had the finished product directly.

Even with Qin Feng's resilient mind, he couldn't help but feel a surge of alarm and excitement. Each of these three items could be called a rare treasure, and they were highly targeted, perfectly fitting their current needs and potential weaknesses. A growth accelerator for Little Fire, a powerful defensive and control weapon for Xiao Chun, and a sinister trump card for dealing with high-level enemies. The Medicine King Valley's core treasury truly lived up to its reputation!

He silently memorized the detailed locations and characteristics of these three items, his heart filled with unprecedented anticipation for tomorrow's trip to the treasury.

The next day, Hall of a Hundred Herbs.

The ceremony for the Named Disciple was solemn and simple. Under the witness of more than ten core inner Sect Elders, Xiao Chun respectfully served tea and bowed to Li Changqing and Sikong Ye, who sat above. The two Valley Lords looked solemn as they accepted the tea, offered a few words of encouragement, and bestowed a jade pendant representing the status of a Named Disciple and a set of treasured pharmacist robes. The ceremony was completed. The entire process was smooth; although the Elders had their thoughts, there was no further discussion.

After the ceremony, Li Changqing and Sikong Ye did not keep the other Elders. Once everyone had dispersed, they looked at the four of them with gentle smiles and said, "Follow us."

They did not go to the treasure pavilion that ordinary Disciples might imagine, but instead led the five of them through a hidden passage behind the Hall of a Hundred Herbs, deep into the mountain. At the end of the passage was a massive stone door that seemed naturally formed, almost merging with the mountain wall and covered in complex Spiritual Qi patterns. Li Changqing and Sikong Ye each took out a uniquely shaped key-like token and pressed them simultaneously into the indentations on the door.

"Buzz..."

Amidst a low rumbling, the stone door slowly opened inward, and a dense Spiritual Qi, mixed with the scents of countless rare Spirit Medicines, Spirit Ores, and treasures, rushed out like a physical wave, refreshing everyone's spirits.

Behind the door was not a warehouse filled with gold and silver, but a dark space that seemed to have been independently carved out. Overhead, starlight-like glimmers shone, illuminating the endless rows of jade platforms, stone shelves, and crystal covers arranged like a library. Each storage point was shrouded in a faint protective halo of varying attributes, isolating yet vaguely revealing the scents of various Heaven And Earth Treasures, Divine Weapons, ancient books, and Jade Slips. It was orderly yet as vast as a sea of smoke.

This was the true foundation of the Medicine King Valley—the Myriad Medicine Hidden Cache.

"This is the core area of the Hidden Cache," Li Changqing's voice echoed in the empty treasury. "Except for a few Legacy items at the very depths that concern the Sect's Luck, you may observe the rest of the areas. According to our agreement, you may choose any three treasures or an equivalent value of Materials here."

Sikong Ye added, "There is no need to rush; you can take your time to sense and choose what best suits your current and future paths."

Qin Feng suppressed his excitement and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you, Valley Lords (Master), for fulfilling this."

Everyone dispersed, each using their mind to sense the treasures. Xia Ya was attracted by the heavy luster of metals and strange Ores, while Ji Ruxue looked toward the shadowed areas and certain light Materials. Chu Tianhe was mostly browsing ancient books and special Spirit Medicines. Xiao Chun held Little Fire, looking around curiously. The northern darkness star essence pearl and mystic yellow mountain-suppressing mirror on her chest emitted a faint resonance, as if guiding her.

Qin Feng's goal was clear. Guided by the blue intelligence, he went straight to the 'Bing Fire Zone'. The temperature here was significantly higher than elsewhere, and the air was filled with pure fire spirit Qi. Soon, he found the Cold Jade Platform. In the third slot, a fruit the size of a fist, shaped like a coiled Dragon, blood-red all over with faint golden patterns flowing on its surface, lay quietly, emitting an alluring fragrance and vast fire-attribute energy fluctuations.

"Crimson Sun Dragon Blood Fruit!" Qin Feng carefully took it down and placed it in a specially made jade box. With this, Little Fire's growth would be greatly accelerated.

Next, he walked toward the 'Yi Wood Zone'. The vitality here was the most vibrant, with countless Spirit Medicines, Spirit Wood seeds, and even some living Spirit Plant seedlings properly preserved. Before a small box made of unremarkable grayish-brown soul-nurturing wood, Qin Feng stopped. Opening the box, inside were three seeds only the size of a fingernail, dark green with spiral patterns on the surface, seemingly in an eternal sleep—the Green Wood Ghost Cry Vine.

Qin Feng could feel that when Xiao Chun approached, the vitality of the Myriad Medicine Body within her seemed to fluctuate slightly, creating an extremely weak connection with this wooden box. He handed the box to Xiao Chun and whispered, "This item may have a destiny with you. Keep it carefully and study it when we return." Although Xiao Chun didn't understand why, she trusted Qin Feng and obediently took it.

Finally, Qin Feng came to the 'Gui Water Zone'. The atmosphere here leaned toward cold and quiet, mostly storing water-attribute treasures, cold-natured Spirit Medicines, and... some special items. Following the intelligence, he used his Mental Energy to carefully scan the back of a seemingly ordinary stone shelf, triggering an extremely hidden mechanism. After a slight 'click', a hidden compartment slid open on the side of the shelf, revealing a purple-gold box only about a foot square, covered in eerie patterns.

The Purple Gold Poison Box! Qin Feng's heart tightened, and he quickly took it out. He didn't open it on the spot, instead putting it directly into his Storage Ring. This item was too sinister to be shown here.

With the three main targets in hand, Qin Feng did not stop. Relying on his sharp perception and vague impressions of intelligence (the System hadn't given specific intel on other items, but years of experience in 'finding leaks' gave him a certain intuition for high-value items), he carefully searched the treasury again.

In the end, besides those three key items, he selected several additional things:

Three 'sovereign extremity pills', also sealed in cold jade boxes, their medicinal fragrance restrained yet appearing more profound. This Medicinal Pill was a top-tier pill for helping a Peak Martial King break through to the Martial Emperor Realm. Its value was several times more precious than a supreme pole pill, and the Medicine King Valley's stock would certainly not be large.

Two head-sized pieces of 'Void Silver Crystal' with naturally formed Formation patterns, which were core Materials for refining Advanced storage Magic Treasures or space-type Formations, and were extremely rare.

· A section of 'Nine-Tribulation Lightning-Struck Wood' core, glowing purple with faint lightning, which had miraculous effects on lightning-attribute Cultivation Techniques or refining evil-dispelling treasures.

· And several top-tier auxiliary Materials that could perfectly integrate into the white dragon armor and heavenly silkworm jade thread garment, further enhancing their protective and concealment characteristics.

Xia Ya chose a piece of incredibly heavy 'Wu Earth Divine Iron Essence' and a jar of 'Star Sand' to further nourish her giant shield and broadsword.

Ji Ruxue picked a small bottle of 'Shadow Essence' and a tattered leather scroll recording an eerie movement technique.

Chu Tianhe chose several rubbings of ancient prescriptions that were effective for recovering from old injuries and two rare 'Soul-Returning Grasses'.

Under Qin Feng's suggestion, Xiao Chun took some high-quality fire-attribute Spirit Stones and a piece of warm 'Soul-Nurturing Warm Jade' in addition to the Green Wood Ghost Cry Vine seeds. The former was for Little Fire as a snack, and the latter could assist in nourishing the Divine Soul.

Seeing that everyone had made their selections and had not touched the few strictly protected treasures of the treasury, Li Changqing and Sikong Ye nodded with satisfaction. They did not ask what Qin Feng and the others had taken; this trust and magnanimity were even more precious.

"Have you all finished choosing?" Li Changqing asked with a smile.

"We have, thank you, Valley Lords (Master)," everyone said in unison.

"Good, then let's go out. This place is not for staying long." Sikong Ye waved his hand, and everyone exited the treasury. The heavy stone door slowly closed behind them, hiding the endless treasures once again within the mountain.

Returning to the surface, the sunlight was just right.

Li Changqing looked at the five people (plus one small beast) before him, each with a different aura, and said with a smile, "The trip to the treasury is the last bit of preparation the Valley can provide for you. The road ahead is long and arduous; you must forge it yourselves."

Qin Feng bowed deeply. "The Junior and the others will keep the teachings of the two Seniors (Master) in our hearts. We will never forget the kindness of the Medicine King Valley."

Xiao Chun, Xia Ya, Ji Ruxue, and Chu Tianhe also bowed together.

Everything was understood without words.