Chapter 18 : Zhou Family Collection

The Zhou family's treasury was the most highly guarded secret of the Zhou family. Ordinary individuals had no qualifications to enter unless authorized by elders or higher-ranking figures. The treasury contained various treasures, including spiritual artifacts, elixirs, and even insights into the cultivation practices of Zhou family ancestors. Some Zhou family members would undertake missions specifically to earn the opportunity to access the treasury.

Situated in the central square of the mountain peak, the family treasury was awaited by the Grand Elder when Zhou Tong arrived.

"Buzz!"

At this moment, ripples suddenly appeared in the protective formation of the Zhou family's treasury, and an elderly man with white hair but robust vitality emerged. This person was none other than the family head, Zhou Cang.

"Greetings, Family Head." The Grand Elder and others respectfully saluted upon seeing the family head.

Zhou Cang nodded slightly, then gestured to someone beside him. That person immediately produced a black and white jade token and tossed it to Zhou Tong, saying, "This is the token to enter the family treasury. Keep it well. You'll need it to enter and return it to the guarding elder when you exit."

Zhou Tong received the jade token with both hands and said to the family head, "Grandson understands!"

Zhou Cang nodded and then said, "Remember, the family treasury is the core of our Zhou family's secrets. The contents, including spiritual treasures and techniques, are left by our Zhou family ancestors. You can only choose one thing."

Zhou Tong solemnly nodded and replied, "Grandfather, I understand."

Zhou Cang nodded slightly, then waved his hand, allowing the Grand Elder and others to leave.

After the others had left, Zhou Cang looked at Zhou Tong, his face displaying a kindly smile. "Truly my grandson, achieving the Heavenly Yuan Realm at such a young age. The future of the Zhou family will depend on you."

Hearing the family head's encouragement, Zhou Tong quickly cupped his hands and said, "Grandfather, your praise is too much. Grandson will work hard and not disappoint your expectations."

Zhou Cang looked at Zhou Tong and asked, "Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready!" Zhou Tong nodded seriously.

"Follow me then. Let's enter the family treasury and choose what you need!" Zhou Cang said. As he started to walk towards the family treasury, he suddenly stopped and turned back, saying, "If possible, try the item on the seventeenth."

With that, Zhou Cang's figure became ethereal, disappearing from Zhou Tong's sight.

Zhou Tong bowed respectfully, then took out the jade token and entered the family treasury.

---

On the distant back mountain,

Zhou Cang's figure gradually appeared at the mountaintop, where Zhou Yan had been waiting for a long time.

"Father, do you think Tong'er will succeed in communicating with it again?"

"It's hard to say. Since our ancestors, the Heavenly Abyss Mirror has been unclaimed. I hope Tong'er can succeed this time."

"Sigh, the heritage of my Zhou family is becoming increasingly difficult..." Zhou Yan shook his head with a sense of regret.

---

The structure of the Zhou family treasury was like a giant labyrinth, with various areas distributed inside. Each stone platform had special arrays to protect the items, and only Zhou Tong's jade token could unlock them.

As Zhou Tong explored the family treasury, he became increasingly excited, feeling that every item inside held immense wealth. Even he, at this moment, couldn't help but feel a bit eager.

When Zhou Tong was about to leave one area, he suddenly noticed a spiritual herb. His eyes lit up.

This spiritual herb had two leaves, one black and one green, elliptical in shape. It emitted a faint green mist, and there were faint red glows on its surface.

"What plant is this? It actually exudes a faint fire attribute energy!" Zhou Tong marveled at the spiritual herb.

Checking the inscription beneath the stone platform, he found the information: Blaze Grass, a seventh-grade spiritual herb, enhancing fire abilities, tempering the body, boosting elemental power, and soul refinement. It had significant benefits for Martial Practitioners at the Creation Three Realms level, capable of enhancing the power of fire-based martial arts. Minimum strength required for consumption: Creation Realm.

"This is Blaze Grass, and it requires the strength of the Creation Realm to consume. With my current strength, taking even one leaf would likely cause me to explode. If this herb were in an auction outside, it would probably be fought over." Zhou Tong sighed.

As Zhou Tong continued his exploration, he reached the deepest area of the treasury. In front of several stone platforms, he found a finger bone.

"What's this?" In front of the finger bone, there was a black wooden token inscribed with the words "Tortoise Finger."

"What is this Tortoise Finger?" Zhou Tong frowned. "It exudes a cold aura. Could it be a spiritual treasure? Yet, I can't sense any spiritual energy fluctuations. What is the function of this Tortoise Finger?"

Intrigued, Zhou Tong reached out to touch the Tortoise Finger.

Suddenly, his spiritual consciousness trembled violently, and an image appeared in his mind—a giant figure, entirely black and exuding a terrifying aura.

This giant, wielding a massive axe, cleaved through the void, causing frightening spiritual energy fluctuations.

Zhou Tong shuddered. "Who is this giant, so terrifying!"

At this moment, a sharp pain surged through Zhou Tong's mind, and information appeared:

"Tortoise Finger: Earth-grade spiritual treasure, formed after the sitting meditation of someone with the Tortoise bloodline. It contains a trace of the Tortoise bloodline and can condense the aura of the Tortoise to suppress enemies, making it difficult for them to move! Requires the strength of the Earth Realm to fully utilize."

"Earth-grade spiritual treasure?" Zhou Tong's eyes sparkled. "I can't currently activate such a treasure. Let's see what other treasures there are." Despite his reluctance, Zhou Tong eventually withdrew his gaze and continued exploring.

At this moment, he recalled his grandfather's words, "Seventeenth item. I don't know what it is. Let's check it out." With mixed emotions, Zhou Tong redirected his attention to finding the seventeenth stone platform.

Following the stone platforms, Zhou Tong finally arrived at the eighteenth. He looked expectantly towards the supposed seventeenth, only to find a room instead. The stone door had the number seventeen engraved on it, and it looked out of place compared to the other spiritual treasures' placements.

Unlike other areas for spiritual treasures, the seventeenth region seemed to be at the center of the entire family treasury.

Standing at the door of the seventeenth, Zhou Tong hesitated for a moment, then reached out and pushed the stone door open. Instead of the expected stone platform, a long corridor appeared. Zhou Tong cautiously stepped inside. The moment he entered, the stone door suddenly closed, and runes flickered, instantly sealing the seventeenth area. The space between the sixteenth and eighteenth platforms turned into an empty space, as if the seventeenth never existed in the first place.