News of Han Fei descending the mountain with Qi Xuanxuan immediately spread across Taihe Peak.
Du Kun: "Hey? Do you think the eldest miss has taken a liking to our little junior brother?"
Heran: "Are you jealous? Even if she has, I think it's perfectly normal. Beautiful women love heroes, after all. You've seen little junior brother's performance these past two days. If you could do the same, I guarantee more than half the female disciples of Tianyuan Divine Sect would be smitten with you."
Du Kun: "..."
Wei Ying: "Look at Second Senior Sister."
Du Kun and Heran followed Wei Ying's gaze and saw Qi Mengyu standing on the nearby steps, staring absentmindedly at Han Fei and Qi Xuanxuan's retreating backs with a melancholy expression.
Heran: "Could it be that Second Senior Sister has fallen for little junior brother too?"
As Qi Mengyu stood lost in thought, Daoist Sanyuan appeared beside her.
"Do you think Heaven is unfair?"
Daoist Sanyuan suddenly asked a question that only the two of them understood.
Qi Mengyu shook her head. "There's nothing fair or unfair about it. This world was never fair to begin with. I never intended to compete with her over anything."
Daoist Sanyuan: "But your status should be the same as hers. Why must you hide it? That is deeply unfair to you, and to the Sect Master as well."
Qi Mengyao closed her eyes and said painfully, "Even if I wanted to acknowledge him, he might not acknowledge me for the sake of his own status. People would only say that I was trying to cling to his position. Since that is the case, why should I make a fool of myself?"
Daoist Sanyuan sighed. "The Sect Master is not that sort of person. Besides, he is your father in the end. Don't you want to acknowledge him?"
Qi Mengyu shook her head. "Please continue keeping my identity secret, Teacher."
At Tongtian Peak, before the Treasure Pavilion, Han Fei looked at the enormous four-story pavilion. This was the Treasure Pavilion, one of Tianyuan Divine Sect's four great sacred grounds.
The entire pavilion exuded an ancient, rustic aura. The closer he came, the more tangible that mysterious and ancient feeling became.
Qi Xuanxuan said, "The Treasure Pavilion was built by the first Patriarch. It contains countless restrictions, and after every Sect Master and Elder of the sect falls, the weapons they used, as well as the weapons and treasures they once used excessively, are stored here. Thus, after hundreds of years of accumulation, the treasures inside have not diminished. Instead, they have only grown more numerous."
"After you enter, don't let the dazzling array of treasures distract you. Just find the weapon most suitable for you as quickly as possible. You only have one hour."
Han Fei asked doubtfully, "Aren't you coming in with me?"
Qi Xuanxuan smiled and shook her head. "I'm not qualified to enter, so you'll have to do your best on your own."
Han Fei took a deep breath and slowly walked toward the Treasure Pavilion's entrance. Two stone statues sat cross-legged on either side of the doors.
Though they looked remarkably like living people, Han Fei could not sense even a trace of spiritual energy or life from them.
Fuxi: "Your guess is correct. They really are two people, likely experts guarding the Treasure Pavilion. One of the sect's most important places would certainly be watched by powerful experts. It isn't just those two either. There are many powerful auras around you, far beyond your strength."
Han Fei nodded. Even after he pushed the door open and entered, the stone statues showed no reaction. Clearly, they had already been informed. Han Fei was qualified to enter.
The moment he entered, Han Fei found himself surrounded by darkness. The only source of light was the door behind him.
Within this dark space, numerous weapons emitting faint halos floated in the air. Judging from their luster, even the lowest-ranked among them were High-grade Treasure Artifacts.
There were all kinds of weapons, and Han Fei was dazzled. Forget the common varieties—even obscure weapons were present, such as hooks, Trident Halberds, and more.
"You may only enter the second floor. Your time limit is one hour."
The ethereal voice struck directly at Han Fei's heart.
Han Fei bowed, then stopped looking at the treasures on the first floor and headed up the stairs on the right toward the second floor.
As he stepped into the second-floor space, another expanse of darkness appeared before Han Fei. Unlike the first floor, where at least the weapons' glow allowed him to see them with the naked eye, the weapons on the second floor could not be seen at all.
At least, they could not be seen from a distance. Only when Han Fei came within roughly three meters of a weapon would the weapon floating in the air begin to shine.
Han Fei walked farther inside. "Spears, sabers, gauntlets, daggers, double blades, swords."
One weapon after another lit up, then slowly faded away.
The first sword he encountered was not Han Fei's preferred type. It was a weapon more suited for women, snow-white from end to end, beautiful and ornate. Yet Han Fei felt that it lacked the sharpness a sword should possess, so he did not choose it.
The second sword carried the heavy aura of metal. Han Fei frowned and still did not choose it. He felt that this sword did not suit him.
He continued onward and saw no fewer than ten swords, yet none matched Han Fei's wishes. Then, when he reached the eleventh sword, his attention was completely captured.
It was a broken sword, shorter than an ordinary sword by about an inch. Its blade was covered in rust, without the slightest gleam.
Han Fei had only noticed it because the light from a nearby weapon shone upon it.
He frowned. "Why is this sword so strange?"
Yellow Emperor: "What is so strange about a damaged sword?"
Han Fei said, "Why do I feel that this sword is different? It does not possess the slightest trace of spiritual energy, yet it gives off a sense of vitality. I can't quite describe the feeling. It is as if it is not a lifeless object, as if it has a life of its own."
Yellow Emperor: "Nonsense. It was originally a Houtian Spirit Treasure and already possessed its own intelligence. Naturally, you can sense life from it. Of course, not everyone can sense it. This sword has no master, which means you are fated with it."
Han Fei asked doubtfully, "A Houtian Spirit Treasure? Is it stronger than a top-grade Treasure Artifact?"
The Yellow Emperor explained, "A top-grade Treasure Artifact is nothing. So-called Treasure Artifacts are merely relatively high-grade treasures. A Houtian Spirit Treasure, however, is a weapon with a Weapon Spirit and independent consciousness. The two are not comparable at all."
"Above Houtian Spirit Treasures are Xiantian Spirit Treasures. Xiantian Spirit Treasures are much rarer. Such treasures are born with intelligence, unlike Houtian Spirit Treasures, whose intelligence forms later. Therefore, Xiantian Spirit Treasures stand a level above Houtian Spirit Treasures."
Han Fei nodded in understanding. He had gained a new understanding of weapon grades.
"Since this sword is a Houtian Spirit Treasure, then I'll choose it."
The Yellow Emperor laughed. "Are you sure?"
Han Fei nodded. The Yellow Emperor said approvingly, "Not bad. You can see beyond the surface. In my opinion, this broken sword is the best choice as well. And if we find the proper materials in the future, perhaps I can help you repair it."
Han Fei was immediately overjoyed when he heard this.
With a light tap of his feet against the ground, his body shot upward, and his right hand grabbed the broken sword's hilt.
Bang! The broken sword suddenly blazed with light and blasted Han Fei away.
Before Han Fei, who had fallen to the ground, could recover from his shock, he saw the floating broken sword fall and embed itself in the floor.
Whoosh! A burst of force spread outward, sweeping away the dust on the ground.
At that moment, the aged voice appeared once more. "This sword is a broken sword. It was stored on this floor because it holds commemorative value. You should choose another intact one. Any top-grade Treasure Artifact would have a stronger aura than it."
Han Fei shook his head, his face resolute. "Senior, since this sword has commemorative value, this disciple will still choose it. I do not want it to remain buried here in silence."
The aged voice fell silent for a moment, seemingly observing Han Fei's expression. Seeing that Han Fei was not joking, it sighed. "Not bad. I have seen countless gifted youths enter the Treasure Pavilion to select treasures suited to them, yet this is the first time anyone has chosen this broken sword. Since that is so, you must be fated with each other. Take the broken sword with you."
Han Fei slowly rose to his feet and bowed toward the darkness. Then he slowly pulled the broken sword from the ground.
As spiritual energy flowed into it, Han Fei's clothes began to flutter without wind, as though some sort of power surrounded him.
Yet before Han Fei could rejoice, a white object suddenly appeared above his head.
The object sparkled brilliantly, its radiance even stronger than that of the surrounding top-grade Treasure Artifacts.
Han Fei exclaimed in delight, "This is? A Magic Treasure? I actually triggered a second stroke of luck."
Before you continue