Chapter 15: The Treasure Pavilion

Chapter 15: The Treasure Pavilion

Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Secret Realm

"Hahaha, so you're a descendant of the Xiao Clan, an imperial family. Your strength is quite impressive," Huang Jiuji remarked with a chuckle.

"You flatter me, Senior. My meager strength is as insignificant as a firefly compared to the sun and moon when compared to yours," Xiao Tiance replied with a polite bow and a smile.

Seeing Xiao Tiance's flattery, Huang Jiuji laughed, then sneered, "I didn't expect a young member of the Xiao Clan to be so adept at flattery. But if you think sweet words are enough to get past me, you're far too naive."

Hearing this, Xiao Tiance maintained his smile but gradually let it fade, replacing it with a serious expression. "Senior, if entering the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Secret Realm displeases you, how should we proceed?"

"Oh? You're quite bold, little one. Do you realize you're standing before an Eight Star Dou Sheng? What if I decide to kill you here and now?" Huang Jiuji's face turned stern, his deep set wrinkles accentuating his intimidating aura.

Despite the lack of overt killing intent, the bloodthirst that lingered on Huang Jiuji's aura spoke of countless lives taken in his prime. Xiao Tiance felt no illusions about their precarious position.

Bowing slightly, Xiao Tiance spoke with resolve, "If Senior wishes to kill us, we will not go down without a fight. Please, make your move. Whatever the outcome, I, Xiao Tiance, will bear it alone."

As he spoke, his Dou Qi surged, signaling his readiness for battle.

Instead of reacting with hostility, Huang Jiuji's gaze softened with a hint of admiration. With a casual wave of his hand, he chuckled, "The Xiao Clan hasn't lost its dignity, it seems. But you're still young and impulsive."

"Huh?" Xiao Tiance was puzzled by the change in tone.

"What do you mean, Senior?" Xiao Tiance asked cautiously.

"Hahaha, don't be so hasty. It's been ages since I've had a conversation. Today is a rare opportunity to chat. You're lucky, you know. If this had been during the peak of the Heavenly Phoenix Clan, not even a Nine Star Dou Sheng would have left this place alive after barging in." Huang Jiuji smiled, his tone carrying a mixture of nostalgia and pride.

Xiao Tiance didn't doubt this statement. At their zenith, the Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Clan was a force on par with the Xiao Clan, if not stronger. Coupled with their unique innate talents, they could indeed overpower even the strongest opponents.

After a brief silence, Huang Jiuji continued, "Alright, you've come here, so it must be fate. Follow me; I'll take you to the Treasure Pavilion."

With a wave of his hand, the space before the Treasure Pavilion rippled as its restrictions dissipated. Huang Jiuji then leisurely strode inside.

Inside the Treasure Pavilion

"Third Uncle?" Xiao Qing whispered hesitantly, concerned about the risks.

"Don't worry. If Senior Huang wanted to harm us, we wouldn't still be standing here," Xiao Tiance reassured him with a smile, his words carrying a dual purpose to comfort Xiao Qing and subtly signal Huang Jiuji.

Huang Jiuji chuckled without turning around. "No need for such dramatics, boy. I'm not so despicable as to lure you inside just to kill you. If I wanted you dead, it would've happened already."

Exchanging a glance, Xiao Tiance and Xiao Qing followed him into the pavilion.

The first floor was filled with numerous orbs of light, each encasing an artifact or scroll. Though their contents were obscured, their protective spatial energy indicated immense value.

"This pavilion has three levels," Huang Jiuji began, gesturing at the glowing spheres. "What you see here are the battle techniques and cultivation methods our Heavenly Phoenix Clan amassed over thousands of years. The weakest among them are of the Mystic Tier, capable of rivaling Earth Tier techniques when mastered. There are even a dozen Heaven Tier techniques here. Each could plunge the Central Plains into chaos if revealed."

Xiao Tiance and Xiao Qing couldn't help but marvel at the vast collection.

As they ascended to the second floor, Huang Jiuji explained, "This floor houses magical cores, high grade elixirs, and rare medicinal ingredients. The herbs you took from the garden earlier? Only those over ten thousand years old were deemed worthy of this collection."

Xiao Tiance was left speechless. The sheer wealth of resources surpassed even the Xiao Clan's reserves. "The Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Clan's foundation is truly unparalleled."

Huang Jiuji laughed heartily. "Come, the third floor awaits. The most precious treasures lie ahead."

The third floor, however, held a surprise. Unlike the first two levels, it was nearly empty, containing only two glowing spheres.

Huang Jiuji's demeanor shifted as he approached the orbs, his eyes filled with excitement and reverence. After a moment, he finally addressed the two. "I imagine you're curious about what's inside."

Nodding, Xiao Tiance and Xiao Qing watched intently as Huang Jiuji waved his hand, dispelling the light around the orbs.

The left orb revealed two large eggs, while the right held a golden flame.

"What?! That's the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, ranked fourth on the Heavenly Flame List! Isn't it the Ancient Flame of the Gu Clan?" Xiao Tiance and Xiao Qing exclaimed in unison.

The Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, though less mysterious than the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame, was no less fearsome. Known for its ability to burn even Dou Qi, its first wielder had incinerated an entire Dou Sheng created space into nothingness.

Seeing their astonishment, Huang Jiuji smiled. "Indeed, this is the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame. Three thousand years ago, our clan leader obtained a fragment of this flame from the Gu Clan after much negotiation. After two millennia of careful nurturing, this flame now rivals the Gu Clan's version in strength."

"What an incredible legacy. The Ancient Heavenly Phoenix Clan's strength truly leaves one awestruck," Xiao Tiance said, still reeling from the revelation.

"Haha, this is nothing," Huang Jiuji said with pride. "Our clan's history spans tens of thousands of years. Given such time, even the weakest can grow mighty. Take the Green Lotus Core Flame on your shoulder. Two thousand years ago, we retrieved it from a magma chamber. Over centuries, I personally nurtured it in our medicinal garden, creating the perfect conditions for its growth. That's why it's now accompanied by a Ten Thousand Year Green Lotus and has developed its own spirit."

"So that's the secret," Xiao Tiance mused. "I had suspected as much but didn't expect the environment to be artificially created. Your methods are truly admirable, Senior."

With a respectful bow, Xiao Tiance expressed his genuine awe.

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