Chapter 284 - 156: A Splendor of Treasures, the Moon in the Well of Du Xu Palace

Chapter 284: Chapter 156: A Splendor of Treasures, the Moon in the Well of Du Xu Palace

For a Magical Artifact to evolve into a Magical Treasure, it must first birth a spiritual nature. This step, while perhaps not as difficult as a cultivator forging their Primordial Spirit, is an ethereal and illusory process, mysterious beyond comprehension. The difficulty of artificially replicating this transformation is precisely why Magical Treasures are so cherished throughout the world.

Furthermore, before a Magical Treasure forges its true form, it requires constant refinement by a cultivator. If left unattended for long, its spiritual restrictions will degrade and its consciousness will dim. Thus, even within the Tai Su Orthodox Sect, most Magical Treasures likely have owners. The number of unclaimed treasures available for Xuzhuang to choose from would probably be quite small.

Even so, this reward was immensely precious. After all, any Magical Treasure deemed worthy of the Tai Su Orthodox Sect’s collection was bound to be of exceptional quality. If it also happened to be compatible with the sect’s Daoist techniques, its value would be simply immeasurable.

Upon hearing Daochen Zhenren promise a Magical Treasure as a reward, the other two men in the hall revealed looks of envy. However, Daochen Zhenren’s reward was by no means excessive.

After all, regardless of the white carp’s origins, it was technically Xuzhuang’s spoil of war. While handing it over to the sect was the proper course of action, it wasn’t the Tai Su Orthodox Sect’s way to do so without compensation. Besides, thwarting the Demon Sect’s plot was a great merit in its own right. In that light, a single Magical Treasure might not even be enough to offset his contributions.

Xuzhuang had no qualms about handing the white carp over to the sect, but he certainly wasn’t going to refuse such an offer. He cupped his hands and replied, "Thank you for the reward, Master."

Daochen Zhenren nodded. With a wave of his sleeve, he stored the white carp away in some unknown space. He then softly uttered a command that carried outside the hall, before turning to Xuzhuang. "Please wait a moment, Junior Brother."

Xuzhuang, in no hurry, gave a sound of assent and waited respectfully with his hands at his sides.

Seeing the situation, Elder Zhang cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Master, since the official business is concluded, I will take my leave."

He had been observing from the side, theoretically in a supervisory capacity. But for a matter handled personally by the Master, there was no need for an elder to raise questions. His presence was merely a formality. As for what kind of Magical Treasure Xuzhuang might receive, he was curious, but it wasn’t his place to probe.

Daochen Zhenren wasn’t surprised. He inclined his head and said, "Very well."

Seeing this, Cui Daoist also stepped forward to ask for leave. Once Daochen Zhenren granted it, he withdrew from the hall with Elder Zhang.

After the two left, only Daochen Zhenren and Xuzhuang remained in the hall. However, it wasn’t long before the young Daoist Child who served outside the hall led a procession of other Daoist Children inside.

There were seven Daoist Children in this procession, all dressed in the robes of the Upper Dharma Hall. Each held a glazed platter, on which various objects rested atop fine silk. Though sealed by restrictive formations, multicolored spiritual light still shimmered from them, a clear sign that these were no ordinary treasures.

A thought struck Xuzhuang, and he asked, "Sect Leader, are all the sect’s Magical Treasures kept in the Upper Dharma Hall?"

Daochen Zhenren replied serenely, "All of the sect’s magical items are managed by the Upper Dharma Hall, so Magical Treasures naturally fall under its purview. They are supposed to be under the charge of the Upper Law Hall Master. Even if I wished to bestow a Magical Treasure, I would still have to consult with the Upper Law Hall Master."

He suddenly smiled and added, "However, since I became Sect Leader, both the Upper Dharma Hall and the Upper Affairs Hall have been without a Hall Master. I see you’re quite interested, Junior Brother. If you manage to attain the Primordial Spirit realm one day, you could become the Upper Law Hall Master."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. ’So the Hall Masters for the Upper Dharma and Upper Affairs Halls must be Primordial Spirit True Men. That makes sense. No matter their background, a Nascent Soul Cultivator wouldn’t be strong enough for such an important role, nor would they be able to command the respect of the sect.’

However, the joke about becoming the Upper Law Hall Master was a matter for the distant future. Xuzhuang simply smiled, cupped his hands, and said, "I can only hope your auspicious words come true, Sect Leader."

Daochen Zhenren nodded. He gestured to the various Magical Treasures held by the Daoist Children from the Upper Dharma Hall. "The Magical Treasures that the sect can currently bestow are all here. Please, Junior Brother, make your selection."

Xuzhuang glanced at the treasures and asked, "I am unfamiliar with any of these Magical Treasures. Might I ask for your guidance, Senior Brother?"

Daochen Zhenren pondered for a moment. "Very well. I shall introduce them to you myself. Child, present the Magical Treasures, one by one."

At his word, one of the Daoist Children stepped forward and presented the Magical Treasure on his platter. It was an object resembling a brush holder, fashioned entirely from stone. It held a pool of Treasure Spring that gave off a rippling, dream-like purple glow.

Daochen Zhenren pointed to the item. "This treasure is named Moon in the Well. The well holds a type of Qimen Primordial Truth capable of storing an infinite amount of Magical Power. When you draw from it, the power is converted naturally with almost no loss. It should be quite useful for a cultivator of any realm."

"I see." Xuzhuang nodded in understanding. ’In short, it was an item for storing and retrieving Magical Power. Such a function wasn’t uncommon, but for it to have been refined into a full-fledged Magical Treasure was extraordinary. The amount of Magical Power it could hold was likely limitless.’

Though Xuzhuang himself possessed a sea of Magical Power and the marvels of the Three-Element Elephant Body, the item would still be useful to him. It just wasn’t a compelling enough choice to decide on immediately. So, Xuzhuang listened patiently for Daochen Zhenren’s next introduction.

The second Magical Treasure was called the Plain Cloud Gauze, an item of endless wondrous uses, possessing the functions of defense, entrapment, laying restrictions, Flying Escape, and truth-refinement.

’This treasure was also something of a pity. If it had been a purely defensive item, I might have made my decision on the spot. Up until now, my only defensive treasures have been my rather ordinary Magical Robe and the Purple Qi Xiaoyi.’

’It wasn’t that the Purple Qi Xiaoyi was lacking. But it relied entirely on my Magical Power to generate the purple qi; it was more like a Daoist technique than a Magical Treasure, a far cry from a pure defensive treasure.’

’If, with my level of Magical Power and Divine Techniques, I also had a defensive Magical Treasure protecting my body, I could unleash my Daoist arts with impunity. My combat prowess would likely jump another level, and few would be able to challenge me.’