Chapter 007 The Family Treasure Vault

Shun’an City remained calm, as if nothing had changed—seven days had passed almost without notice.

During this week, Mu Tianhen devoted himself entirely to cultivation, except for the necessities of eating, sleeping, and visiting the latrine. He sensed that something momentous was about to happen.

Mu Tianxue, his little sister, was remarkably sensible. Unlike other children who clamored for their elder brother’s company, she did her best to help with whatever tasks she could manage, minimizing any interruption to his training.

As long as her brother was nearby, that was all she needed.

In these seven days, Mu Tianhen had not only strengthened his cultivation in accordance with the Infinite Heart Technique, reaching the fifth stage of the Initiation Realm, but he had also practiced the Azure Lotus Sword Art by night, gaining an offensive skill that greatly enhanced his combat prowess.

Mu Qianyuan visited twice during this time—once to deliver supplies for the siblings, and once to inquire about Mu Tianhen’s departure date.

He was eager to rid himself of the Winter Poison that had plagued him for years, longing for relief from suffering and an extended life. He also wished to discover who had poisoned him, so he could exact a brutal revenge.

Mu Tianhen, however, was in no hurry to leave. He insisted on waiting until the patriarch’s birthday had passed.

This morning, Mu Qianyuan returned for a third visit, bringing with him a token, which he handed to Mu Tianhen. “This is the highest token of the Mu Family’s Treasure Pavilion. You may select three treasures from within.”

“As acting head of the family, you may spend three days in the Pavilion. Core members are allowed two days, and elite disciples, one day.”

Though the Mu Family was a formidable force in their fifth-tier city, compared to the true powers of the world, the gulf between them was vast.

Thus, the Treasure Pavilion would not possess truly rare treasures, whether weapons or other items. Nevertheless, Mu Tianhen did not refuse the token.

At present, he was empty-handed, unable to fully utilize his Azure Lotus Sword Art without a sword. Even an ordinary longsword would be better than none.

Moreover, he could choose a cultivation technique and weapon for his sister, helping her become a martial artist and gain the ability to protect herself.

Mu Qianyuan agreed to care for Mu Tianhen’s sister, freeing him to search for treasures in the pavilion.

Taking the token, Mu Tianhen made his way to the family’s Treasure Pavilion. He presented the token to the gatekeeper and stepped inside.

From the outside, the Treasure Pavilion appeared to be an ordinary hexagonal tower, about thirty feet tall, its floors indistinguishable from one another, as if it were a single entity.

But once inside, it was far from ordinary.

A stone tablet by the entrance recorded the Pavilion’s centuries-old history, marking it as the place most coveted by generations of Mu Family elites, home to countless treasures.

Weapons, techniques, and more—all were represented, the fruits of family masters’ exploits, brought back to benefit the descendants of the Mu clan.

The Pavilion was divided into three levels. The first level was accessible to elite disciples and above, lined with neat shelves filled with books, pleasing to the eye.

There were also special racks displaying weapons—blades, spears, swords, hooks—every sort imaginable. Yet none radiated spiritual energy; they were merely well-crafted ordinary weapons.

The second and third levels were arranged much like the first, but the items were fewer and of superior quality, far surpassing those below.

The third level, though sparsely furnished, contained items of exceptional rarity; anyone who reached it would never leave empty-handed.

Thus, the levels and access were strictly regulated.

Mu Tianhen could have gone directly to the third floor, but he did not neglect the first and second; after all, one could not assume there was nothing suitable for him among them.

Three days was more than enough to examine everything carefully.

Yet, after searching the first and second levels, he found nothing satisfactory and moved on to the third.

Unlike the second level, whose door was opened by an attendant, the third had no guardian. It was sealed by an iron door, seemingly impenetrable.

The door bore a small recess identical to the token Mu Tianhen held. Only by inserting the token could the door be opened.

Rumbling…

As Mu Tianhen placed the token in the recess, a deep sound echoed, and the iron door slowly slid open, dust drifting down from its long undisturbed frame.

When the door had opened to about three feet wide, Mu Tianhen retrieved the token and slipped upstairs. The door closed behind him, much faster than it had opened.

“So few?”

Mu Tianhen’s brows furrowed as he surveyed the items on the third level, finding it hard to believe.

He had expected there wouldn’t be much, but not so little.

The racks were the same as on the lower levels, but sparsely stocked—two or three items per shelf, each covered in dust.

Mu Tianhen moved slowly, carefully perusing the yellowed books.

Had he not inherited the legacy of the Azure Lotus Emperor, he would have been ecstatic to see these manuals, eager to take them all. These were the painstaking efforts of the family’s masters, precious beyond measure.

But now, to Mu Tianhen, they were no better than scrap paper, not even worth taking for his sister’s training.

Patiently, he examined every manual, replaced them meticulously, and then turned toward the weapon racks.

“Hm?”

As he approached the first rack, a strange aura caught his attention and drew his gaze.

In a shadowy corner lay an iron box, marked by the passage of years, resting quietly and seeming out of place.

That unusual fluctuation emanated from the box.

Mu Tianhen stepped forward, soon reaching the box and preparing to open it.

Buzz!

Suddenly, the box emitted a resonant hum, flashing with faint black light that circled Mu Tianhen once before vanishing without a trace.

“What is this…”

Mu Tianhen stared at the unlocked box, motionless for a long moment.

He sensed a force inside the box calling to him, strangely familiar, urging him to lift the lid. Yet this pull carried a hint of ominous hostility, making him hesitate.

After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Mu Tianhen made up his mind.

“Hoo…”

He took a long, deep breath, then slowly bent down, reaching for the iron ring on the lid, still wondering what might be inside, to exert such a force and feel so eerily familiar.

“No matter what it is, today I will see your true face!”

With this thought, Mu Tianhen gripped the ring and quickly lifted the lid.

Swish!

As the box opened, Mu Tianhen dodged to the side to avoid any hidden trap. At the same time, his gaze swept into the iron box…

PS: A new week begins. Xiao Zhe wishes everyone happiness and harmony!

Starting today, there will be two chapters daily—one at 8:10 AM and one at 8:10 PM.

Also, a little event: What’s inside the iron box? Guess correctly and win a ten-yuan red envelope, distributed directly in the group by Xiao Zhe. Group number: 1071946524. Deadline at least until Chapter Eight is published, maximum five winners (based on review timestamps, either book review or chapter review).