Chapter 469: The Royal Secret Vault (8k7)

Chapter 469: The Royal Secret Vault (8k7)



The ancient and rustic blue bricks formed a staircase, descending layer by layer from above.

Tap, tap, tap,

Chen Mu walked at a leisurely pace, slowly making his way down the blue brick staircase until he reached the bottom, where a vast underground palace came into view.

Instead of burning torches or candles, dozens of white pearls emitting a radiant glow were embedded in the walls, revealing that the walls themselves seemed to be made of white jade, giving the entire underground palace an air of grandeur.

This was the Inner Court Treasury of the Great Xuan Empire.

The Great Xuan Treasury was divided into two sections: the Outer Court Treasury, which served as the national treasury of the court and was the lifeblood of the economy, and the Inner Court Treasury, which was the private treasury of the royal family. Over the years, all kinds of rare and precious items collected by the Great Xuan court would be sent here through various channels, either as tributes or offerings.

Compared to the Outer Court Treasury, the Inner Court Treasury was undoubtedly the true repository of countless treasures and curiosities, and it was also the foundation of the Great Xuan court and the royal family. Therefore, the location of this treasury was unique, situated directly beneath the Jade Square and on the eastern side, where it was suppressed by the Heaven and Earth Cauldron.

This position was covered by the entire earth pulse and the formation structure centered around the Heaven and Earth Cauldron, making it nearly impossible to forcefully break in from underground or any other direction. Even a Heaven Person powerhouse would create a huge disturbance if they attempted to force their way in, making it impossible to do so silently. Any commotion would instantly alert the Ji family members guarding the cauldron above.

"Your Excellency, this is the 'Eastern Treasury,' the private treasury used by the royal family. Only the Emperor Xuan Di and eunuchs with the imperial seal can enter. Others are not allowed to approach."

Following Chen Mu was a cautious eunuch, also possessing the aura of a Bone Marrow Washing Master. However, in front of Chen Mu, he was extremely respectful, his voice trembling as he spoke.

Although Chen Mu was not a member of the royal family and could be considered a 'rebel' who had committed treason, after he conquered the Jade Capital, crushed the Imperial City, and executed Emperor Xuan Di Ji Xuan Fei in the court, Chen Mu was no longer a rebel. Instead, he became the Martial Saint who dominated the world, with all under heaven submitting to his might!

History is always written by the victors.

When personal martial power can surpass all worldly authority and even imperial power, the so-called imperial authority and the Supreme Sovereign status become insignificant.

Future history books will likely record: "Emperor Xuan Di of the Great Xuan Empire, Ji Xuan Fei, committed heinous acts, causing the empire to fracture into nine parts, and the people to suffer. Martial Saint Chen Mu arrived in the Jade Capital, rectified the chaos, deposed and executed Ji Xuan Fei, and restored order to the world."

Emperor Ji Xuan Fei, who had reigned for less than two years, would undoubtedly receive negative evaluations in history books. However, his name would also be remembered alongside Chen Mu for generations to come, as it was under Ji Xuan Fei that personal martial power finally surpassed authority in the development of martial arts.

"If there's an Eastern Treasury, there must also be a Western Treasury?" Chen Mu asked casually as he glanced forward.

The eunuch Grandmaster immediately replied, "Your Excellency, the Ji family's treasury is also here, located on the western side of the Heaven and Earth Cauldron. Only with the permission of the Ji family's leader can one enter."

"Hmm..." Chen Mu nodded slightly upon hearing this.

It was no surprise to him that the court's treasury and the Ji family's treasury were both located beneath the Jade Square, as they were the foundation of the Ji family and the court. As such, they required the highest level of protection. Throughout the entire Imperial City, the most heavily guarded area was undoubtedly the rear of the Imperial City, where the Heaven and Earth Cauldron was located.

Aside from Chen Mu, even a Heaven Person powerhouse would face certain death if they dared to intrude. The power of the earth's pulse within a few hundred li would activate the might of the Heaven and Earth Cauldron. In this era, perhaps only Chen Mu could withstand its power, and even he would find it extremely challenging.

Although Chen Mu appeared relaxed and unharmed during the previous battle, his powerful life force and self-healing ability allowed him to recover from the internal injuries he sustained in an instant. However, if he did not possess such a robust life force and recovery ability, he would have coughed up blood due to the displacement of his internal organs, even if they did not rupture.

Even the most powerful Heaven Person would be unable to harness the power of the earth's pulse within a few hundred li. Being able to control the power of heaven and earth within a ten li radius was already the limit. Only a supreme artifact like the Heaven and Earth Cauldron could bear such power.

"I still need to improve further," Chen Mu muttered to himself.

The Heaven and Earth Cauldron alone was already a significant challenge for him, and if there were ten or eight such cauldrons, even the current Chen Mu would be unable to withstand them. Although there was only one such cauldron in the world, there were still things that could threaten him.

After clearing out the treasuries of the Great Xuan court and the Ji family, gathering enough heavenly treasures to further refine his Heaven and Earth Physique would bring him to the 'Blood Refinement' level. At that point, even artifacts like the Heaven and Earth Cauldron would no longer pose a threat.

Furthermore, Chen Mu believed that if his martial body reached the Blood Refinement level, it might even be able to withstand the tears in the void! Currently, the black void tears, filled with chaotic void tearing power, could still injure his body and tear his flesh. But with further advancement, he might be able to ignore the void tears and charge forward fearlessly!

With this thought in mind, Chen Mu's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he looked ahead.

He hoped that the court's and the Ji family's treasuries would meet his expectations.

Tap, tap, tap,

Chen Mu stood at the bottom of the green stone staircase, taking steps forward. His footsteps echoed in the quiet underground palace, and the palace floor was also made of white jade, untouched by the previous battle above. The jade stones were pristine, free from dust or any signs of damage.

As Chen Mu's gaze swept across the area, the first thing that caught his eye was a collection of jade boxes, each crafted from various types of jade stones. Among them, the most abundant was the thousand-year-old Cold Jade, known for its cold nature. These boxes, meticulously forged from Cold Jade, were made almost exclusively from the finest quality of this rare material!

The sheer volume of this top-grade Cold Jade was already impressive, and its rarity was such that it would attract attention in both Yu County and the provincial capitals of Yu State. While its effects might be minimal for Bone Marrow Washing Masters, it held great value for martial practitioners seeking to temper their muscles and bones, as it was highly effective for refining their blood and energy.

Chen Mu even spotted a box crafted from top-grade Flame Jade.

The Flame Jade used in this box was no less exquisite than the Flame Jade bed he possessed. In terms of quantity, it was even larger, yet here it was merely used to create a box for storing some fire-attributed heavenly treasures.

Taking a few steps forward, Chen Mu's gaze fell upon the nearest box made of thousand-year-old Cold Jade. He gently opened it to reveal a jade rack, also crafted from Cold Jade, neatly holding various heavenly treasures.

"Nine Skies Flowers, Dragon Scale Grass, Silver Kirin Fruit..." Chen Mu quickly scanned the contents, recognizing most of the treasures in the box. These were all rare and precious items typically used by Bone Marrow Washing Masters.

Some treasures were for refining bone marrow and tempering the martial body, while others were for strengthening one's foundation and increasing the chances of breaking through to the Bone Marrow Washing Realm. Each item was incredibly valuable and could spark fierce competition among Grandmasters.

But here, they were neatly arranged in layers within the box, with over a dozen boxes filled to the brim.

Chen Mu opened another box, revealing more rare and precious treasures. These were not the type used for refining internal organs or nurturing the body, which were typically required for the Five Viscera and Six Bowels Realm. Instead, they were even rarer and more valuable items, such as an eight-grade Five Elements Lotus Platform!

The legendary nine-grade Lotus Platform was just one grade higher, making it the pinnacle of refinement for heavenly treasures. According to Qin Mengjun's description, the nine-grade Lotus Platform could help refine one's internal organs to an incredible eleven times. While the eight-grade Lotus Platform fell short of that, when combined with other precious treasures, it might still achieve similar results.

With a swift motion, Chen Mu waved his right hand, summoning the Heaven and Earth Bottle, which he then used to store the boxes made of thousand-year-old Cold Jade.

These rare and precious treasures for refining internal organs and nurturing the body, as well as the abundant Bone Marrow Washing treasures, held little value for Chen Mu himself, but they were exactly what Xu Hongyu, Chen Yue, and others needed. They would also be essential for Chen Yao's future cultivation.

Additionally, his senior martial sister, Meng Danyun, was still striving to break through the Bone Marrow Washing Realm, and Chu Jingsu had already become a Bone Marrow Washing Master and was currently tempering her martial body, requiring such treasures to aid her cultivation and strengthen her foundation.

Each of these treasures was incredibly rare and valuable, and their presence in the royal treasury was a testament to their significance. They were typically used to reward meritorious officials or gifted to talented members of the royal bloodline.

Within the White Jade Palace's treasury, there were a full one hundred similar jade boxes. While some were empty, and others not completely filled, the sheer collection was enough to drive any sect to madness.

The resources and accumulation of the Seven Extremes Sect, a major sect that once dominated an entire state, paled in comparison to what was stored here. It barely accounted for even one percent!

The Seven Extremes Sect was not a minor sect; it had once been a powerful sect ruling over a state. However, in the vast Great Xuan Empire, and at Chen Mu's level, it seemed insignificant. In reality, the Seven Extremes Sect was already the aspiration and pursuit of countless martial practitioners, and being accepted as a disciple was considered a fortunate occurrence.

Merely becoming an outer disciple of the Seven Extremes Sect guaranteed that upon leaving the sect, one would have at least reached the Tempering Bones Realm, allowing them to become a local powerhouse and establish a small force.

However, in the Great Xuan Empire, even the Tempering Bones Realm and the Five Viscera and Six Bowels Realm were not considered exceptional. Only Bone Marrow Washing Masters received a certain level of respect and could hold important positions within the imperial court.

Standing by Chen Mu's side, the eunuch disciple from the Seven Extremes Sect kept his head lowered, daring not to harbor any thoughts as he witnessed Chen Mu effortlessly collect the heavenly treasures from the palace treasury.

Chen Mu continued his collection, emptying the White Jade Palace of its heavenly treasures, and then proceeded deeper into the palace.

Here, a grand door stood tall, forged from green jade. Its ancient and solemn appearance was adorned with intricate patterns, and one could faintly sense the flow of earth pulse power within, sealing off its interior.

Chen Mu gave it a brief glance before stepping forward and placing his hand on the door, gently pushing it open.

In an instant, light radiated from his palm, spreading across the green jade door, covering its entire surface. From the center, a straight crack appeared, slowly widening as the door opened to reveal a smaller palace within. The walls were still made of white jade, but instead of boxes, the palace now held iron racks forged from mystic iron.

At a glance, one could see various weapons neatly arranged on the shelves.

Swords, spears, halberds, axes, hammers, hooks, forks, cudgels, spears, whips, maces, and claws... all eighteen types of weapons were on display, even though some emanated spiritual light while others appeared dull. Undoubtedly, every weapon here was a Spirit Armament!

Not even low-grade Spirit Armaments were present here; they weren't worthy of being displayed and were stored in large quantities in the court's external warehouses. The armaments on these shelves were all of medium grade and above, with at least several thousand pieces!

Medium-grade Spirit Armaments were considered handy weapons for Grandmasters. Some less fortunate Grandmasters might have to collect them for years, even decades, to find a suitable one. But here, with various types and qualities, there was an abundance to choose from.

Chen Mu also noticed that on the innermost row, the shelves with a deeper, more subdued color, held Spirit Armaments that occasionally emitted faint spiritual lights. These were undoubtedly top-grade creations, and there were at all the collection!

"No wonder it's the court's thousand-year-old foundation..."

Even Chen Mu, with his extensive experience, couldn't help but sigh.

Compared to consumable spirit items like nurturing and bone-marrow-washing materials, Spirit Armaments had a lower consumption rate. Even medium-grade Spirit Armaments weren't easily damaged, let alone top-grade ones.

After a thousand years of accumulation, it was no wonder that such a vast treasury existed. Compared to the meager treasury of the Seven Stars Sect, the court's resources in terms of Spirit Armaments were hundreds of times greater.

Aside from these finished Spirit Armaments, Chen Mu also saw a large number of heavenly spirit materials neatly stacked on the other side. These various treasures were dazzling, and many were unfamiliar even to him.

However, Chen Mu wasn't particularly interested in the collection of Spirit Armaments. After all, the true power lay in the warriors themselves, and he didn't hold medium-grade Spirit Armaments in high regard. After a brief contemplation, he took a few of each type of medium-grade Spirit Armament and collected all the top-grade ones.

He didn't need many of these Spirit Armaments, and neither did the Seven Stars Sect. Therefore, he didn't plan to add them to the sect's treasury. He was merely taking temporary possession, ensuring they wouldn't be left behind, and would consider their placement later.

After collecting numerous Spirit Armaments, Chen Mu continued forward.

Although the harvest from the two palaces was already immense, enough to drive any power in the world crazy, it wasn't of much use to Chen Mu himself. He knew the court's treasury held more, including even rarer items.

Taking a few steps forward, Chen Mu glanced at the white jade walls, and his gaze soon fixed on a particular spot. He narrowed his eyes slightly, then strode forward and placed his hand on that section of the white jade wall.

A low hum filled the air as Chen Mu gently pushed forward, and the entire white jade wall lit up with a radiant glow. Hidden patterns emerged and then split open, revealing a hall within.

A rich aura of heaven and earth essence flooded the hall, making Chen Mu feel a sense of comfort in his body.

He examined the interior closely.

The hall, also made of white jade, differed from the outside. Threads of soft, silver-colored jade were woven into the white jade, creating intricate patterns that transformed the turbid earth pulse power into pure heaven and earth essence, filling the hall with a denser concentration than the outside.

Rare and precious items were immediately visible inside this white jade hall.

The first thing that caught Chen Mu's eye was a huge jade bottle, forged from a thousand-year-old mystical jade, containing a large amount of verdant green liquid.

Chen Mu was very familiar with this liquid.

It was Xun Mu Ling Quan, the Seek Wood Spirit Dew!

There were about two to three hundred pounds of Xun Mu Ling Quan here!

Although he had obtained nearly ten thousand pounds of Xun Mu Ling Quan in the Xun Mu Cave Heaven by conquering the Spirit Race's ancestral land and making a pact with Xun Mu, it was a risky endeavor. Typically, obtaining even a dozen pounds of Xun Mu Ling Quan was no easy feat, yet here, there were over two hundred pounds! He estimated that some were acquired from the Xun Mu Cave Heaven, while others were obtained through trade with Tingchao Cliff. Otherwise, it would be impossible to have such a large quantity, which was also a result of continuous consumption and accumulation over the years.

"Very good."

A smile appeared on Chen Mu's face.

Two to three hundred pounds of Xun Mu Ling Quan was not a small amount, especially as it was his first harvest upon entering the royal secret treasury. The Great Xuan Dynasty's thousand-year-old foundation had accumulated far more than this.

He stepped forward, entering the secret treasury, and first collected the two to three hundred pounds of Xun Mu Ling Quan, storing it in the Heaven and Earth Cauldron. Then, he turned his attention to the objects placed at the back.

The first thing that caught his eye was a container that resembled both pottery and jade.

Chen Mu picked up the container and saw about twenty brown leaves inside, looking ancient and ordinary without any remarkable features.

"What is this?"

Chen Mu examined it carefully but couldn't identify it, so he asked the Grandmaster Eunuch who was following him.

The Grandmaster Eunuch cautiously glanced at the leaves, furrowing his brows before speaking after a moment of thought, "If I'm not mistaken, these should be 'Wu Dao Gu Ya Ye,' ancient tea leaves obtained by the Emperor from the Great Wilderness. There should have been many, but now only a few remain."

In the 169th chapter of the book, Chen Mu perused the error-free version.

As he spoke, he carefully examined the Imperial Secret Treasury.

As a court eunuch and a Bone-Washing Realm Grand Supervisor Eunuch, he held some authority, but he only had a vague understanding of the imperial treasury. This hidden royal treasury, however, was completely unknown to him.

Being an attendant eunuch, he was still privy to some matters that ordinary people were not.

"Enlightenment Ancient Tea Leaves?"

Chen Mu's expression turned pensive as he gathered all twenty pieces of the Enlightenment Tea Leaves.

Since it came from the Great Wilderness, it should be valuable. After easily eliminating Yang Qingshan, whose Soul Core was damaged and mind was unclear, he obtained the Divine Soul Orb. He took a cursory glance at it, finding its structure incredibly intricate. Even with his current realm, he couldn't comprehend it at a glance and would need to study it carefully.

Moving forward, he saw a black lotus platform on the jade platform, presenting three lotus platforms intersecting with each other.

Three-Grade Dark Soul Lotus!

Chen Mu had previously obtained a complete and a damaged Dark Soul Lotus in the Ice State's Earth Abyss. However, the Dark Soul Lotus before him was not only intact but also of higher quality!

"Three-Grade Dark Soul Lotus? I wonder if it's still useful to me now."

Chen Mu's expression became thoughtful.

The previous Dark Soul Lotus had significantly enhanced his Soul Core power, but after being refined by the Crimson Life Fruit and tempered by Heaven and Earth, his current state was far superior to his past self.

Even though this Dark Soul Lotus was of the third grade and higher quality, it might not have a significant effect on him. Nonetheless, it was an extremely rare and precious spiritual object. Even if it didn't benefit him, he could still give it to those around him.

Swish!

Chen Mu waved his hand and collected the Dark Soul Lotus.

As he continued forward, he saw various types of Heaven and Earth spiritual objects on the white jade platform, many of which he recognized. However, as he moved further, some were even beyond his recognition.

The accompanying Grandmaster Eunuch beside him also shook his head in confusion, guessing that these objects were likely obtained from the Great Wilderness, but he didn't know their specific effects or purposes.

Dragon Phoenix Flower,

Yin Autumn Divine Water,

Crimson Jade Return Origin Fruit,

Tricolor Essence Spirit Grass,

Chen Mu collected all the recognizable and unfamiliar treasures, including the Heaven and Earth Nourishing Dew, a longevity-enhancing spiritual object, with over thirty drops, more than what he had obtained from the Earth Abyss. He accepted them all without hesitation.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial City, news of the events within the Imperial Palace spread like a tidal wave, shocking the entire capital city. The entire Jade Capital City, from high-ranking officials to wealthy merchants, was in awe and disbelief.

The Xuan Court had ruled the world for over a thousand years. Who could have imagined that someone would single-handedly subjugate it?

Now, with Chen Mu's overwhelming martial might and his dominance over the Imperial Authority, what would become of the Jade Capital and the world?

No one knew the answer, and it would take a long time for this news to be digested. All factions maintained a cautious stance, preferring to do nothing rather than make a mistake. They issued orders for everyone to stay indoors, awaiting the outcome of the events in the Imperial City before deciding on their next move.

...

In the southwest corner of the Imperial City stood a magnificent architectural complex outside the court's jurisdiction. It was one of the few remaining royal palaces not reclaimed after Prince Hanzhao's accession.

This was the Liang Wang Mansion!

Deep within the mansion, in a secluded courtyard, a tall figure stood on the edge of the roof, gazing towards the palace. She wore elegant clothing, and her breath exuded a thick inner energy, revealing her status as a Grandmaster, and not just any Grandmaster, but one ranked among the top hundred in the Grandmaster Records.

She was Liang Wang's concubine, Wan Qingxuan, granddaughter of Elder Liu Wan Zheng of the Seven Sects. Liu Wan Zheng had betrayed the Seven Sects and plotted against Qin Mengjun, and all of this was due to her relationship with Liang Wang, becoming his concubine.

As Wan Qingxuan gazed towards the palace with a slightly furrowed brow, a figure suddenly rushed into the courtyard.

"Qingxuan, quickly change your clothes and follow me!"

The newcomer's face was filled with urgency, and his expression was extremely serious. It was none other than Liang Wang, Ji Xuanzhen! He had changed into a simple set of plain clothes and spoke in a deep voice.

Seeing Liang Wang's actions, expressions, and hearing his words, Wan Qingxuan's face changed several times. She descended from the roof and said, "Even the arrangements in the palace couldn't stop him?"

"They're all dead."

Liang Wang spoke concisely, and his eyes still held a hint of deep fear. "We can't stay in the Jade Capital any longer! We must leave immediately, or it might be too late!"

Chen Mu had swept through the Imperial City, killing his way into the palace. Even with many forces gathered, Ji Xuanfei couldn't stop him. Both Ji Xuanfei and Chen Mu had old grudges. The assassination attempt at the sea bore Chen Mu's mark, and this recent one also had his involvement. With Chen Mu's peerless martial might and invincible strength, he would never let them go.

If even the Imperial City couldn't stop Chen Mu, then nowhere in the world could. No place was safe. The only option was to leave the Jade Capital quietly, hide, and find a secluded mountain retreat. Perhaps they could avoid Chen Mu's pursuit and escape his wrath. Staying in the Jade Capital would only lead to certain death!

Chen Mu's visit to the Imperial Treasury gave them a glimmer of hope for survival.

As she looks at Ji Xuanzhen, a glimmer of moisture-like radiance appears in her eyes.

Even the Imperial City can't stop Chen Mu, who is likely the undisputed ruler of the Nine Regions. In this situation, every moment spent lingering in the Jade Capital is extremely dangerous. Instead of immediately fleeing alone, Ji Xuanzhen chooses to leave with her, and even only calls for her, showing their deep bond. If not for Ji Xuanzhen being betrothed to the Emperor Ji Yongzhao's Empress, and that Empress' family supporting Ji Xuanzhen, Ji Xuanzhen would have already helped her secure the position of Empress.

She knows that Ji Xuanzhen's greatest desire is the Nine Five Supreme Honor, so she has spared no effort in assisting him with various matters. In the end, she still couldn't help him ascend the throne, and Ji Xuanfei became the Emperor instead, leaving her with deep regret. Now, even without realizing it, they've reached the brink of a dire situation, something she never anticipated in the past.

But this is also good.

She never cared much for power anyway, and now, far from the Jade Capital, far from imperial authority, and far from this place of right and wrong, perhaps it's a good thing. They can go to a remote place, and Ji Xuanzhen can live a life of sunrise to sunset, which is also her desire.

"Where are we going?"

Wan Qingxuan quietly asks Ji Xuanzhen.

Ji Xuanzhen and Wan Qingxuan quietly leave the royal manor, concealing their presence, and swiftly move through the streets, aiming to escape the Jade Capital. Simultaneously, they transmit: "We can't stay in the Jade Capital or the Nine Regions anymore. The world is vast, and we can easily find a remote place to hide our identities. Even with Chen Mu's extraordinary abilities, he may not be able to find us."

"In that case, let's go to the outer seas. The outer seas are even more vast and expansive than the Nine Regions."

Wan Qingxuan's eyes glimmer with a suggestion: "I was born and raised in the outer seas. Finding an uninhabited island with Ji Xuanzhen to hide would fulfill my life's wish. I only regret not being able to fulfill your wish."

Chen Mu...

As she thinks of Chen Mu, a glimmer of resentment appears in her eyes. At this point, there's no doubt that her grandfather, Liu Wan Zheng, and his group were killed by Chen Mu. Now, Ji Xuanzhen, one of the Eight Princes, has to abandon everything and flee in panic. Even the heavyweights of the court, who once obeyed Ji Xuanfei and Ji Xuanzhen's commands, now turn against them after Chen Mu's invasion of the Imperial City. Seeing Ji Xuanzhen's mix of anger and shock, Zhao Lie sighs: "I'm here to give Your Highness some dignity. You may not know, but many are waiting for you to step out of the Jade Capital."

Initially, when Ji Xuanfei ascended the throne, Ji Xuanzhen, as the one who fully supported Ji Xuanfei, was one of the Eight Princes, and his power once shook the court. Now, after Chen Mu's invasion and the change in the Imperial City, these past forces, who once suffered under Ji Xuanzhen, naturally turn against him.

Although Chen Mu doesn't care about Ji Xuanzhen, one of the Eight Princes, many are waiting for him to step out of the Jade Capital. Escaping the city at this moment is almost like dreaming. Some even want to take Ji Xuanzhen's head to present to Chen Mu as a token of loyalty.

Zhao Lie's appearance isn't to stop Ji Xuanzhen from leaving, but to ensure Ji Xuanzhen maintains some dignity at this moment.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end