Xuefeng stepped out of the meeting room, flanked by two striking women, their presence as sharp and unavoidable as the tension simmering between them. Elder Ming awaited them, his face unreadable save for the faint flicker of surprise that crossed it when he noticed Princess Shan among the group. He said nothing, though the silence felt heavy.
"Elder Ming, we've finished the meeting. You can lead the way," Xuefeng said, his voice steady despite the unease that clung to the air around them.
"Of course, Young Master," Elder Ming replied with a polite nod, turning to guide them. His posture was composed, but there was a faint stiffness in his movements, as if the presence of these women added a weight he wasn't accustomed to carrying.
The walk to the Spirit Treasury wound through courtyards bathed in the fading light of the afternoon, the shadows lengthening like watchful sentinels. The Treasury itself was located within a side building of the Spirit Awakening Hall, protected by layers of formations so intricate they seemed alive, humming faintly with latent power. Shadow Guards patrolled the perimeter, their movements swift and silent, their eyes keen.
As they walked, Elder Ming began his explanation, his voice calm but tinged with an undercurrent of reverence. "There are a few things you need to know before entering. First, while the Clan Leader has granted you unlimited tries, you may only take one Spirit Artifact at a time. The Guardian Spirit within ensures this. Attempting to take more is... pointless."
"What exactly is a Guardian Spirit?" Xuefeng asked, curiosity flickering in his tone.
"It's a Spirit Artifact that has gained consciousness," Elder Ming explained, his words measured as though recounting an old legend. "The Spirit Treasury itself is a rank 6 Spatial Artifact—a treasure used by powerful clans to store rare Spirit Artifacts. While most cultivators store their artifacts in their dantian, those with an abundance use Spatial Artifacts to house the rest. These artifacts maintain the stored items, converting Essence from the air into Qi."
Xuefeng's brows furrowed. He could grasp the concept, but it still felt surreal. "Do either of you have a Spatial Artifact?" he asked, glancing at the women beside him.
Princess Shan lifted her hand, displaying a delicate purple bracelet that shimmered faintly in the light. "I have a Storage Bracelet with two cubic meters of space," she said, her tone casual but carrying a hint of pride.
"I also have one," Wuying added, revealing her white bracelet. "It's a rank 1 Spatial Artifact, also two cubic meters."
Elder Ming cleared his throat, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. Despite his years of service, he had never owned such an artifact himself. The faintest shadow of embarrassment crossed his face before he continued. "Cough... Our Spirit Treasury is far beyond these. A rank 6 Spatial Artifact is vast, and the Guardian Spirit will ensure its treasures remain protected. When you enter, your Spirit Qi will naturally attract Spirit Artifacts suited to you. Given your Black talent, the results should be exceptional."
"What should I aim for?" Xuefeng asked, turning to Wuying.
She met his gaze with calm precision, her teacherly demeanor surfacing. "Focus on quality over quantity. Get a high-ranked sword, a Spatial storage artifact, Spirit Armor, and an Aura Spirit to enhance your abilities. The higher the rank, the better. The Clan Leader can provide additional artifacts if needed, but these will set your foundation."
"Understood," Xuefeng nodded, her words settling in his mind.
As they approached the Treasury, the courtyard buzzed with quiet energy. Groups of clansmen, mostly young cultivators, lingered in hopeful anticipation. Many were Master and Grandmaster Stages, freshly advanced from the Purple Heaven Phenomenon, their eyes gleaming with the promise of their first Spirit Artifact.
Xuefeng's arrival, flanked by the two beauties and led by Elder Ming, was like a stone dropping into a still pond. Conversations faltered. Heads turned. Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Who's that with Elder Ming? And why are two stunning women with him?" someone asked, his voice low but audible.
"You don't know? That's Liu Xuefeng, the Clan Leader's son," another whispered, his eyes lingering on the veiled Princess Shan. "The one on his right is Wuying, his servant. I don't recognize the other one."
"Could that be Princess Shan?" a third speculated, their tone tinged with awe. "She attended the ceremony with the Emperor's children, and she was veiled... It has to be her."
A Spirit Grandmaster standing nearby sneered. "Even if it is, why would she follow someone like Liu Xuefeng? She could have anyone. What's so special about him?"
"You idiot," his friend hissed. "Don't you know? He's a Black talent now. He'll surpass us soon enough. If he hears you talking like this, you'll regret it."
"It's because he ate some legendary flower," the Grandmaster scoffed. "Without it, he'd still be trash—a red talent, useless forever."
The words carried, sharp and cutting, but their owner barely had time to relish his insult before two Shadow Guards appeared behind him, silent as wraiths. Without ceremony, they whisked him away, his protests dying in his throat.
The onlookers breathed collective sighs of relief. "Good thing we didn't join in," one muttered, his voice low.
Wuying, walking beside Xuefeng, had heard every word. Her jaw tightened, her eyes flashing with a cold fury. A mere glance was enough to summon the guards to act. No one insults my Xuefeng, she thought, her gaze softening only when it landed on him. For a fleeting moment, her expression carried a warmth she dared not let anyone else see.
At the Treasury entrance, a pair of Shadow Guards stood vigilant, their presence imposing. Behind a counter sat a slim, elderly woman, her sharp eyes scanning the area like a hawk.
"Elder Xiu," Elder Ming greeted with a respectful bow. "I've brought Young Master Xuefeng to claim his Spirit Artifacts."
"Ah, Elder Ming," she replied, her tone unexpectedly gentle. "I've been expecting you. Normally, there's a queue, but for you, we can make an exception." She handed over several tokens with practiced ease.
Xuefeng noted the faint warmth in her tone and the slight upward curve of her lips. He suppressed a smirk. Even Elder Ming has his admirers.
"Here you go, Young Master." Elder Ming handed over the tokens. "Enter inside with them, and the Guardian Spirit will transport you into its space."
Xuefeng nodded, his grip tightening around the tokens. "Okay, I'll be right back." He stepped forward, the faint hum of the Spirit Treasury's formations growing louder in his ears, a sound both mechanical and alive.
As he crossed the threshold, the tokens in his hand flared to life, their light bathing his surroundings in an otherworldly glow. The next moment, the world tilted, and he vanished.
When he reappeared, the space around him was utterly alien. It resembled the Fate Fragment space he'd glimpsed within his Spirit, but here the black expanse stretched endlessly, studded with countless white lights that hovered like distant stars. The silence was oppressive, a vacuum that made every breath feel heavier, more deliberate.
Ling, can you help me find the best Spirit Artifacts here? he asked in his mind.
Of course, Ling replied, her voice calm and composed. Even without my help, your Black Spirit Qi will attract many artifacts. But we can do better than just "many." Let's focus on quality.
Xuefeng's lips quirked upward. Good. Let's see what rare treasures this place has to offer. He stepped forward, releasing his Spirit Qi in uneven pulses, crude and wild with inexperience. The black expanse responded almost immediately. Points of light trembled, shifting from their places and streaking toward him with surprising speed.