The Jieqing Sect's treasure vault was not the vulgar, jewel-bright spectacle one might have imagined.
It was more like an enormous karst cave hollowed out from the heart of a mountain.
Rows upon rows of black wooden racks, of unknown material, stood neatly arranged throughout the vast space.
Upon the racks were jade boxes, ancient scrolls, and artifacts glimmering faintly with light, all wrapped in layers of spiritual aura visible to the naked eye.
Jiang Yuechu swept her gaze across them.
At the end of the broad passage, several figures could vaguely be seen seated cross-legged upon meditation cushions.
Their auras were drawn inward, faint to the point of seeming nonexistent.
But that was hardly surprising... if a sect's sacred ground like this were guarded only by those young disciples outside, the Jieqing Sect would have been cleaned out long ago.
True Lord Linghan led Jiang Yuechu forward.
When they drew near, True Lord Linghan stopped and gave a slight bow to an elderly man sitting with his eyes closed.
"Martial Uncle Withered Wood."
The old man slowly opened his eyes. They were clouded, as though he were a withered tree on the verge of death.
His gaze passed over True Lord Linghan and lingered on Jiang Yuechu for a moment.
He said nothing, merely nodded slightly before closing his eyes again.
True Lord Linghan straightened and turned to Jiang Yuechu.
With a sweep of his broad sleeve, he pointed toward the endless rows of black racks on the right.
"Little Friend Jiang, this way."
The two strolled between the racks.
True Lord Linghan stroked his beard, a hint of pride in his tone.
"This is where the Jieqing Sect stores its magical treasures and spirit artifacts. The outer area mostly holds lower-grade spirit artifacts and magical treasures. The deeper