Chapter 80: The Treasure Pavilion

"You… you're not going to kill me?"

Seeing Lin Yun turn to leave, Zhang Hongze asked in a trembling voice.

"Kill you?" Lin Yun scoffed. "Heh, you don't even have the qualifications to be my opponent. What benefit would I possibly gain from killing you?"

After saying this, Lin Yun vanished completely.

Zhang Hongze leaned against a large tree, utterly crestfallen. How pathetic. He wasn't even worth a second glance from Lin Yun.

After returning to his residence, Lin Yun immediately inspected the Yuqili. As he suspected, Xiao Bai was in a deep slumber within it. He could only faintly sense a subtle change. This little one growing stronger was a good thing for him.

Early the next morning, Zhou Damao came looking for Lin Yun. He arrived at the gate to find Lin Yun already in the courtyard, practicing his swordplay.

"Junior Brother Lin, you're so diligent," Zhou Damao remarked with admiration. "In the entire Beast Taming Sect, you won't find many people as hardworking as you."

He was telling the truth. Given the sect's precarious situation, many disciples saw no hope for the future and had simply decided to "lie flat" and give up. Strive for greatness? What was the use? If you made a name for yourself in the Beast Taming Sect, you were guaranteed to be targeted by the geniuses of the Flowing Cloud Sect. At that point, losing an opportunity was a minor issue; losing your life was the real tragedy.

"Senior Brother Zhou, you're teasing me," Lin Yun said, stopping his practice. "Is there a reason you've come so early?"

Zhou Damao grinned his usual simple smile. "Did you forget? Master promised you yesterday that I would take you to the Treasure Pavilion today."

Lin Yun followed behind Zhou Damao to a floating island at the peak of the rear mountain.

It was less an island and more a massive rock suspended in the very heart of the sect, floating above a deep abyss. Thick, heavy chains connected it to the surrounding mountains. And on this central island sat the most crucial secret of the Beast Taming Sect.

The Treasure Pavilion.

It was said that the treasures within were coveted by countless powerful experts across the Hidden Dragon Continent. But the sect had placed the Pavilion here with the intention of mutual destruction. If a powerful expert ever truly tried to seize its treasures, the sect would rather destroy everything within than let it fall into another's hands.

There was only one path to the Treasure Pavilion: an iron chain bridge that swayed precariously with every step. Legend had it that in the abyss below flowed the Moli River, a waterway that nothing could cross. Thus, even the most powerful cultivators could not fly there; they had to take the bridge.

"Be careful, Junior Brother," Zhou Damao called from ahead. "If you fall, there's no coming back."

After a great deal of effort, the two finally arrived at the central island. The moment Lin Yun set foot on it, he felt a powerful aura lock onto him.

So strong!

The owner of the aura, however, showed no intention of revealing themselves.

When they arrived before the Treasure Pavilion, the tightly shut doors swung open on their own.

An ancient voice drifted out. "Enter. If you find anything you like, take it. However, you may only bring out three items."

Lin Yun was a little disappointed. Only three? That's a bit stingy.

"Boy, this Treasure Pavilion has not been opened for anyone in nearly six hundred years," the ancient guardian, seemingly having heard Lin Yun's thoughts, grumbled with dissatisfaction. "In all that time, no one before you has been permitted to take even three treasures. Even I do not understand why that little fellow would grant you such an outrageous condition!"

"Senior, it was a slip of the tongue. Please forgive this junior."

"Hmph. Hurry up and get in."

A force pushed Lin Yun from behind, propelling him directly into the Treasure Pavilion. Zhou Damao remained outside to wait.

The Treasure Pavilion was divided into three floors. The first floor housed offensive treasures, such as various weapons. The second floor contained items like armor. The third floor was filled with accessories and other small artifacts. But without exception, every single treasure was protected by a restrictive ward.

As he entered, he heard the old man's voice add one more instruction. "Divine weapons are obtained by those who are fated."

The Pavilion housed a great number of Treasure-tier, Dharma-tier, and True-tier items. But even rarer Saint-tier and Emperor-tier weapons could be found here. Whether one could find them, and then take them away, depended entirely on one's own ability.

Lin Yun had one day to choose. He could take any three items he found.

He did a lap around the weapons on the first floor but decided against taking one for now. His Coldflame Sword served him well enough.

As for armor, Lin Yun was indeed in need of a good piece. He carefully examined the second floor and finally settled on a seemingly ordinary set of silver silkworm armor. He chose it mainly because it could be worn close to the skin, making it difficult for others to notice. Since it was an item meant for saving his life, it was best to keep it hidden. Lin Yun had no desire to strut around in some flashy, domineering set of battle armor that basically screamed, "Come and hit me!" to everyone on the street.

On the third floor, Lin Yun began to choose more carefully. He had barely taken two steps when he felt the Yuqili bracelet stir. He frowned. What's going on?

Following the Yuqili's reaction, Lin Yun soon found himself before a shelf in the farthest corner, where he located a small box. Inside was a tiny, finger-sized pagoda. For some reason, it seemed unremarkable when Lin Yun picked it up. But when he set it down, the pagoda began to emit a faint glow and tremble incessantly, as if struggling to break free from its seal.

"Ahem, what is happening?" the guardian's voice echoed. Lin Yun felt a gaze sweep over him.

Whatever!

He snatched the wooden box, slapped the lid back on, and pretended as if nothing had happened. Fortunately, the old guardian didn't say anything more.

Only one item left.

Soon, Lin Yun's eyes fell upon an ancient scroll. He didn't know what it was, but he had a feeling it was something extraordinary.

When Lin Yun finally emerged, only half an hour had passed. Zhou Damao, who was standing at the entrance, was a little stunned. "Junior Brother Lin, aren't you going to choose more carefully?"

"No need. These are quite good," Lin Yun said with a smile.

The old guardian's voice sounded once more. "You have some decent luck, little one. That Mystic Heaven Silkworm Armor is a True-tier treasure. With your current strength, you cannot unleash its full power, but it will have no problem providing you with simple protection."

Lin Yun bowed. "Many thanks, Senior."

"I wonder if you know what these other two items are used for?"

The old man was silent for a moment. "There are so many treasures in this Pavilion. How could I possibly know about every single one? Fine, you have your things. Now, scram!"

The guardian shooed them away impatiently, and the doors to the Pavilion closed behind them.

Long after they had left, a youth with crane-white hair and the face of a child stepped out from within the Pavilion.

"How interesting," he murmured to himself. "It seems that little fellow really did bet on the right treasure. The Fiend-Binding Token and the Eight-Realms Pagoda."

After being sealed for so many years, they were taken away by a mere Origin Sea Realm boy.

The youth then raised his head and looked toward a distant point in the sky. "But… after all these years, I wonder how many old acquaintances are still left?"