Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Secret Treasury and Its Far-Reaching Implications

“That’s not entirely impossible, but considering how cunning the old patriarch is, do you really think he’d entrust such crucial power to an outsider? And not just any outsider—a ruthless and merciless one, at that. Let’s not forget that he could even coldly betray and plot against the benefactor who raised him for years. In this world, is there anyone he’d pledge undying loyalty to? I believe the only person he’d never betray is himself. Since we can see this, there’s no way the old patriarch hasn’t thought of it as well,” Yu Shang mused quietly, his thoughts lingering on the mysterious connection between Ye Wuchen and the Nightshade Clan. Still, he couldn’t understand why such a tattoo had been branded on Ye Wuchen’s face—an enigma that defied all logic.

“But what direct connection is there between his origins and your ability to defeat him?” Meng Youyuan asked, puzzled. Yu Shang always seemed to indulge in endless speculation, yet in the end, he was often proven right. Still, she couldn’t grasp why he was wasting time pondering Ye Wuchen’s lineage instead of focusing on finding his weakness in the arena. Wasn’t he just making things harder for himself?

“Could it be that Brother Yu suspects Ye Wuchen is practicing a top-secret technique from a certain family, making it impossible for outsiders to spot flaws? But if we trace his roots, perhaps we can uncover the path of his cultivation, and then we could bring him down in one fell swoop!” Yu Xiaoran suddenly exclaimed, realization dawning on him. He couldn’t help but admire Yu Shang’s wisdom, which far surpassed his own.

“But even if you discover which family his secret technique comes from, what good will it do? What clan would display such a precious secret to outsiders? Moreover, everyone suspects he has some hidden tie to the Nightshade Clan, but that family’s been silent for centuries—let alone any news about their secret techniques. You have no way of accessing that knowledge, so stop dreaming you can unravel its mysteries,” Lan Wu’s words fell like cold water, but they failed to douse the group’s burning determination. Clearly, they already had a backup plan, though it would be difficult to implement.

“That may not be true. I’ve heard there’s a mysterious treasury within Misty Orchid Academy, where the founder collected scrolls from various families. Surely those scrolls mention secret techniques, even if only in passing!” Xiao Yin, no fool himself, understood exactly why Yu Shang had been circling the subject. Lacking patience, he laid the matter bare for the group.

“I’ve heard rumors of that as well, but isn’t it just a legend? If Misty Orchid Academy truly had such a vault, wouldn’t it have become the greatest academy under heaven, ruling over all the powerful clans?” Lan Wu scoffed. If the place was so formidable, why did they need outsiders to fight in their stead? Why not simply send out a few of their own young talents? She failed to notice the embarrassed and uneasy expressions of the academy disciples nearby.

After a long silence, Leng Huaiyi finally furrowed his brow and spoke slowly, “Since everything is out in the open, I won’t keep this from you any longer. Misty Orchid Academy does indeed have a place dedicated to the chronicles of the rise and fall of every clan. But only our successive heads and their appointed heirs are allowed to enter. No one else can even find the entrance!” As he spoke, it was clear that entering such a place would not be easy, though Yu Shang’s instincts told him Leng Huaiyi was still withholding something.

“Heaven help us—just the thought is staggering! A place that holds scrolls about every clan under the sky. If someone mastered everything in there, wouldn’t that be the same as seizing control of all the clans and ruling the world?” Yan Xuesu gasped in disbelief. So, this seemingly peaceful, unassuming academy actually possessed the power to sway the fate of the world. No wonder it had stood unshaken for thousands of years.

“That’s exactly why Misty Orchid Academy has maintained neutrality for so many years, never coming under the rule of any side. Only by upholding this balance could it survive. Of course, other clans fear we’ll leak their secrets, so they once joined forces to attack the academy and demand those scrolls. But then, a deity from another realm descended, causing them to abandon their plan. Still, we were forced to establish a rule: only the head and the appointed successor may enter. Anyone else who dares intrude will be executed without mercy,” Lan Bingxian added. In truth, despite being trained as the heir by the old head, he had never even glimpsed the legendary treasury’s entrance.

“So, apart from the Master, no one else knows where this mysterious place is. Even if we found the entrance, we couldn’t get in without the incantation. There’s also an unwritten rule: only when the old head is on his deathbed or when the successor is about to take over is the incantation passed on, and no third party may be present. If someone else is there, they are punished according to academy law. So don’t get your hopes up; that place is little more than a fantasy,” Yin Boxuan explained, resigned. Even if the Master intended to pass the position to him, and he was willing to risk betraying the academy to take them there, it would take years. The decisive duel, however, was only days away—they had no time to wait.

“Besides, that place is riddled with deadly traps, far more terrifying than Ye Wuchen himself. You might get in, but you won’t get out alive. Why take such a risk?” Meng Youyuan, who had been silent for a long while, couldn’t help but add. In her mind, that place was a hundred times more dreadful than the underworld—though she couldn’t say how she knew.

“Is there truly no other way into the treasury, Brother Leng?” Yu Shang pressed on, unwilling to give up. He could tell Leng Huaiyi was distracted and sensed the inner turmoil he was hiding. Clearly, Leng Huaiyi knew something he hadn’t shared—perhaps even how to enter the treasury and escape unscathed.

“As far as I know, the old head always treated you like an heir, and there was a time he really was going to hand the academy over to you and retire. But you gave up that chance. Since he valued you so highly, it makes no sense for him to keep everything from you. Or maybe you’ve already been there and just want to keep it from us,” Xiao Yin said bluntly, lacking Yu Shang’s patience for subtlety. Time was precious, and there was no room for beating around the bush.

“I… I really shouldn’t hide anything from you anymore. Years ago, I did follow my master into the secret treasury, and I still remember its location and the way to clear every barrier inside. But I can’t betray the academy by sneaking you in!” Leng Huaiyi struggled for a long time before finally making up his mind.

“How can you call that betrayal? You’d be saving a brother from peril! Are you really going to watch him throw his life away? We’ll slip in and out, only looking for the Nightshade Clan’s scroll and nothing more. No one will ever know we were there!” Xiao Yin continued to urge him, determined to make Leng Huaiyi yield, even if it meant risking their friendship—for the sake of his brother, nothing else mattered.

“No one remains undetected forever. I won’t risk the existence of Misty Orchid Academy just to indulge your madness!” Leng Huaiyi’s stance was unyielding; he would not agree.

“What are you so afraid of? We’re trying to save a life, not conquer the world! Must you stand by and watch your brother die?” Xiao Yin was nearly beside himself with frustration—how could Leng Huaiyi be so hard-hearted?

“He’s my sworn brother—I don’t want to see him die either! But secrets never last. No matter how careful you are, traces remain. I can’t let my moment of weakness, my urge to help my brother, bring death to hundreds in the academy. If outsiders learn others entered the treasury, they’d have an excuse to destroy us, and then blood would flow—there’d be no turning back!” For the first time, everyone saw Leng Huaiyi so close to breaking, caught between loyalty to his brother and duty to the academy.

“Stop pressuring Brother Leng. This is far more complicated than you think. Do you know how many spies from outside families are hidden within Misty Orchid Academy? How many eyes are watching us, ready to devour the academy whole? Leaving no trace is a fantasy—only the head and a few elders can escape their scrutiny, not us,” Meng Youyuan interjected. She, more than anyone, knew the constant fear and restraint of living under such surveillance. She didn’t want to bring harm to the academy, her home, the place where her only blood relative lived. No matter how unhappy she was here or how unloved she felt, she would not let this place or its people suffer.

“That’s enough, Xiao Yin. Don’t push Brother Leng any further. He’s caught between me and the academy, and it’s hard for him. This is my own private matter; I won’t drag anyone else into it. If winning a single match could bring disaster to the academy, I’d never forgive myself,” Yu Shang said, unwilling to force others. Without the scroll, he would still find a way to defeat Ye Wuchen himself. If others had to pay for his struggle, he’d rather face it alone.