Chapter 349: Entering

Step.

Step.

Step.

The narrow passageway echoed with the incessant sound of footsteps as Yi Chen continued to follow Feng Haoran’s figure.

The flight of stairs had started to look unending at one point, with only a dim yellow glimmer from luminous stones to light their path every five or so meters.

’Just how far down do we need to go now...’ Yi Chen complained in his mind while letting out a sigh which was clearly heard by Feng Haoran because of their proximity.

"Losing patience, huh?" Feng Haoran asked with an amused expression as he turned around to see Yi Chen’s expression.

"...A little." Yi Chen answered with a forced smile the next second, eliciting a chuckle from Feng Haoran.

"We are almost there, so don’t worry. I remember feeling the same when I was visiting a place for the first time as well. Each second felt like a torment as these stairs showed no signs of ending."

Feng Haoran turned back ahead and continued walking downwards.

"The reason the treasury has been built so deep in the ground is to ensure that elders below have enough time to prepare countermeasures if the gate outside is broken into.

So even if it gets a little annoying from time to time, we have to bear with it for it involves the treasury’s safety..." Feng Haoran explained as a bitter smile formed on his face.

"I see..." Yi Chen nodded as he heard those words and continued descending along with Feng Haoran.

Just like Feng Haoran had previously stated, a beam of light began to encompass the passage slowly as an end to this flight of stairs appeared closer and closer.

Finally, making his way out of the narrow passage, Yi Chen saw his surroundings expand into a huge hall as a subtle blow of fresh air gently ruffled past his face.

Taking in a deep breath, he looked up at the spherical ceiling before looking back at the polished floor that was made up of blue jade.

"Let’s go, the elders are waiting."

Feng Haoran reminded him, seeing his lost expression.

"Y-Yes."

Yi Chen nodded the next second and was soon guided towards the giant black door present on the other end of the hall.

Right next to the door, on both sides, red pillars engraved with blade-like patterns were erected, and on top of each one of them, a bright red flame was dancing relentlessly.

Just beneath the two pillars, two elderly men were sitting in a cross-legged position with their eyes firmly closed.

The long white beard hanging down from their chin gently swayed as Yi Chen’s eyes fell on the two of them.

’They must be the Gatekeeping Elders...’ Yi Chen thought while opening up their status panel.

========= STATUS =========

Name: Feng Weiguo

Age: 567

Strength: 570

Cultivation: Ninth Qi Absorption Stage (Peak)

Qi Nature: Fire

Remark: Has dedicated his entire life to the clan. [Regenerate: 10,000 EXP]

==========================

’Peak Ninth Qi Absorption Stage...’ Yi Chen inwardly muttered while checking the status of the other elder as well.

Not only were both of them more than five hundred and fifty years old, but they were also at the Peak Ninth Qi Absorption Stage.

’They barely have a few more years to live...’ Yi Chen thought, remembering that most Qi Absorption Stage cultivators perish by the time they are six hundred years old.

Therefore, to see the two of them spending the last years of their lives guarding the clan’s treasury instead of living on their own terms, Yi Chen’s respect for the two individuals immediately skyrocketed.

Sensing their movement, the two elders opened their eyes the next moment as their spiritual sense simultaneously scanned through Yi Chen’s entire body.

Feeling two sets of spiritual energy simultaneously invading his body, Yi Chen couldn’t help but tense up, but unlike what he had thought, their energies turned gentle as water the moment they entered his body.

"Already at the Ninth?! Admirable!"

"Absolutely. He’s a great seed without a doubt!"

They simultaneously stated the very next second before pulling out their spiritual energy.

"Greetings, Elders." Feng Haoran bowed at the two of them while gesturing to Yi Chen to do the same.

Glancing towards Feng Haoran, the spark in their eyes dimmed a little, which was clearly noticed by Yi Chen.

’Looks like they too don’t have a very good opinion of him...’

Yi Chen thought to himself before greeting the two elders in a similar manner.

"Mhm, the two of us have heard a lot about you from both Feng Haoran and the Second Elder," Feng Weiguo said and continued, "At that time, we had only heard that you were at the Fifth Meridian Refinement Stage..."

As he said those words, his eyes were directed towards Feng Haoran.

Seeing this, Feng Haoran immediately told Feng Weihuo about Yi Chen’s tomb exploration and the reason behind his sudden cultivation increase.

"...Impressive." Feng Weihuo couldn’t help but be impressed as he heard the entire story, and glancing towards Yi Chen, said the next second, "Junior, it seems you got a lot of luck on your side."

"...that indeed seems to be the case." Yi Chen answered with a forced smile, which made the two elders chuckle in amusement.

"Haha, alright. Your request of visiting the treasury and choosing any one of the treasures inside has long been accepted by the two of us. However, seeing that you have already reached the Ninth Meridian Refinement Stage..."

As Feng Weihuo said that, he met eyes with the other elder, who nodded in a knowing manner, already knowing what he was about to say.

Getting the confirmation, Feng Weihuo continued with a smile, "...the two of us have decided to make some changes to it."

’Changes?’ Yi Chen couldn’t help but frown subtly as he heard his words.

Meanwhile, after a brief pause, Feng Weihuo finished the rest of his words, "Instead of one, you’ll be allowed to choose any two treasures from inside the treasury."

"This...thank you for your generosity, Elders." Yi Chen’s eyes widened when he heard his words as he deeply bowed towards the two of them in gratitude.

Even though the Feng Clan’s treasury had lost most of its treasures because of the deal that was signed with the Huo Clan, it still held a respectable position in the hearts of all the Clan members.

While it may not be a match to the treasuries which the noble clans had, it was definitely one of the richest treasuries among the Major Clans.

Therefore, to be given such a chance by these elders, Yi Chen was naturally filled with delight.

’To think these two geezers could be this generous...’ Feng Haoran subtly narrowed his eyes, seeing their actions while thinking bitterly to himself, ’The last time they allowed me to take something apart from the spirit stones was almost half a decade ago...’

"Mhm." Feng Weihuo nodded, seeing Yi Chen’s bow, and said, "Alright, now hand over all the storage artefacts that you possess. Only then will you be granted access inside."

"Y-Yes." Yi Chen nodded after a brief second and handed over his storage ring to Feng Weihuo, who pulled the ring towards him using his spiritual energy.

The next second, Feng Weihuo glanced towards Feng Haoran with an unchanging expression as another storage ring landed on his palm a few moments later.

"Alright."

Both the elders nodded and closed their eyes to focus.

The very next second, the incessantly dancing flames on the pillars behind each of them intensified sharply and began to rise up in the air.

Just when Yi Chen was wondering what was going to happen next, he saw the two balls of flames rushing towards each other and coalescing into a ball of fire, which soon morphed itself to take the shape of an arm-sized key.

’Ah...’

Yi Chen opened his mouth in realisation as the intense light from the key revealed a keyhole in the middle of the giant door through which the key soon passed.

TUCK!

A distinct sound of a lock being opened after a long period echoed as the door was pushed open the next second.

"Take your time." Feng Weihuo said with a smile, glancing towards Feng Haoran, who nodded his head.

"Let’s go then, Yi Chen." Feng Haoran gestured Yi Chen to follow him inside as the two of them soon passed through the entrance.

The first thing that entered their eyes as they did so was a mountain of spirit stones which consisted mostly of the low-grade ones but still were a delight to one’s eyes.

"These are the reserve spirit stones that we store inside the treasury. As a clan’s rising star, it’s only natural that you’ll be able to get as many spirit stones as you need, so you need not worry about them."

Feng Haoran explained while taking him towards a separate room further inside.

’Ah, weapons.’ Yi Chen thought, seeing the several pieces of metal that were present inside this room.

"These are all the treasured weapons we possess. Look around a bit, as there are quite a few of them which you might find useful in your journey."

Feng Haoran nudged Yi Chen to patiently take a look.

Yi Chen nodded at those words and began going through the weapons one by one.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.