Chapter 390: Choosing Treasures

Placed in the outside world, these magic treasures would be enough to trigger a bloody scramble among Golden Core Cultivators.

Yet now, they were casually laid out before the two of them, available for their picking.

"Is this the heritage of the Xu Family?"

An unconcealable ripple of astonishment stirred within Mei Yun's usually tranquil eyes.

Although he acknowledged Xu Chuan as his Honored Master, his unique circumstances meant he had never formally integrated into the core of the Xu Family.

He naturally suspected that the family's heritage was profoundly deep.

But he had never imagined it reaching such unfathomable depths. To casually bring out so many Mid-Grade Magic Treasures was simply staggering.

The value of a few among them could even rival ordinary High-Grade Magic Treasures.

Soon, Mei Yun's gaze was firmly drawn to a specific magic treasure.

The body of the seal was a dark, subdued gold. Forged from materials that were neither metal nor jade, its texture was warm and smooth, radiating an indescribable sense of immense weight.

Unlike common seals adorned with auspicious beasts like dragons or lions, the handle of this seal was intricately carved with undulating mountain ranges and winding rivers.

The sheer majesty of the mountains and the dynamic flow of the rivers were captured with a lifelike brilliance, a display of exquisite craftsmanship.

It was as if a magnificent, sprawling landscape had been perfectly miniaturized and condensed into a mere few inches.

The bottom of the seal was engraved with four ancient, vigorous characters—Eternally Suppressing Mountains and Rivers!

As the seal hovered quietly in the air, it lacked the dazzling aura typical of other magic treasures. Instead, it possessed a unique charm—heavy as a mountain and vast as the sea.

"This magic treasure seems perfectly suited for gathering Providence. It would make an excellent Natal Magic Treasure."

Noticing Mei Yun's intense gaze, Xu Deling smiled faintly. With a light tap of her finger, the Mountains and Rivers Seal slowly drifted over to him, its profound aura becoming far more distinct.

"This treasure is known as the Mountains and Rivers Seal. It was primarily forged from North Sea Sinking Gold and Earth Vein Black Jade, supplemented by a variety of earth and water-attribute materials.

Because it shrinks mountains and rivers into a small space, it was named the Mountains and Rivers Seal."

Xu Deling introduced it with a warm smile, "This seal integrates offense and defense.

When facing an enemy, it can manifest the phantom of a towering mountain to suppress them with the weight of tens of thousands of tons. It can also channel the energy of water veins to trap and overwhelm opponents.

On the defensive side, it can project a phantom landscape to envelop you, forming a remarkably stable barrier.

In terms of defensive capabilities alone, it easily ranks in the top three among all these magic treasures!

The four characters at its base—'Eternally Suppressing Mountains and Rivers'—possess a powerful sealing force. They were actually forged using the leftover scraps from my grandfather's Heavy Profound Seal.

As a result, it naturally restrains sinister energies and demonic qi.

It even carries a slight chance to trigger a soul-shocking effect upon impact."

Mei Yun's eyes sparkled as he listened, his satisfaction growing with every word.

Without any further hesitation, he reached out to cradle the Mountains and Rivers Seal in his palm. Feeling its smooth texture and immense weight, he solemnly declared, "I will choose this seal."

"An excellent choice. Here are the hand seals required to control it."

Xu Deling gave a slight nod before transmitting the incantations directly into his mind via divine sense.

"Thank you, Deling!" Mei Yun cupped his fists in gratitude.

Xu Deling then turned her attention to Xu Mingxuan. "Third Uncle, has anything caught your eye?"

Xu Mingxuan's gaze drifted slowly across the remaining array of magic treasures.

Eventually, his eyes locked onto the Seven-Storied Glazed Treasure Pagoda.

The pagoda's body was exquisitely translucent, appearing less like a physical object and more like a construct of flowing, iridescent light. From the eaves of each of its seven tiers hung faint, dust-sized phantoms of tiny bells.

They swayed without any wind, yet produced absolutely no sound.

Unlike the other items that radiated fierce offensive or robust defensive auras, this pagoda possessed a profound Dao Rhyme—one that was entirely all-encompassing and felt as if it contained the universe within.

"Third Uncle favors this Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda?"

Xu Deling asked upon noticing his lingering gaze.

With a graceful wave of her fair, slender fingers, the glazed pagoda floated delicately over to him.

Its brilliance retracted slightly, making its structure appear even more crystal-clear.

"This treasure is rather unique," Xu Deling explained. "It also integrates offense and defense, but its raw offensive might and sheer defensive strength pale in comparison to the Mountains and Rivers Seal.

Its true marvel lies in its internal structure—the Seven-Layered Storage Space.

Your niece named it the Seven Treasures Chamber."

"Each level of this Seven Treasures Chamber can house a single item. As long as the object is inanimate, anything works—even a Spirit Stone or a stalk of Spirit Grass.

The stronger the treasure stored within, the higher its grade, and the better its elemental affinity aligns...

...the greater the overall power this Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda can unleash.

At its peak, it can rival the full might of a Six-Pattern High-Grade Magic Treasure.

The Seven Treasures Chamber functions much like a harmonizer. It passively converts a portion of the stored items' innate energy, channeling it directly into the pagoda to enhance its capabilities."

Hearing this, both Xu Mingxuan and Mei Yun exchanged looks of sheer astonishment.

Such an unorthodox approach to artifact refining was entirely unheard of.

"A magic treasure with such... peculiar effects actually exists?"

Xu Mingxuan raised a brow, genuinely intrigued by the novelty of it.

Mei Yun couldn't help but glance at the glazed pagoda a few more times, musing internally, 'To possess an imagination as bold as a heavenly steed soaring across the skies... What a remarkably unconstrained mind it takes to conceptualize such a unique magic treasure.'

Xu Deling chuckled. "This was just something I tinkered together on a whim.

If it doesn't suit your tastes, Third Uncle, or if you find the conditions too cumbersome, you are more than welcome to peruse the other items.

The Heavenly Void Tripod and Beast Emperor Bell over there are in no way inferior to the Mountains and Rivers Seal."

Xu Mingxuan didn't answer right away. Instead, he stared intently at the radiant, shimmering pagoda hovering before him.

After a brief silence, he finally made his decision. "There's no need for that. I'll take this one.

I trust my intuition, and I have complete faith in your Artifact Dao Attainment."

With that said, he extended his hand, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda gently descended into his palm.

Seeing that his mind was made up, Xu Deling did not attempt to dissuade him.

She immediately used her divine consciousness to transmit the detailed control incantations for the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda.

She paid particular attention to explaining the mechanics of opening and stabilizing the internal Seven-Layered Storage Space.

As Xu Mingxuan digested the information, he quickly realized how exquisite the mechanics were. It was vastly superior to the refinement methods of ordinary magic treasures.

With the treasure selection complete, the two men did not overstay their welcome.

Xu Mingxuan carefully stored away his newly acquired Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda. Along with Mei Yun, he bid Xu Deling farewell and departed from her tranquil courtyard.

Xu Mingxuan naturally intended to return to his own quarters to begin refining his new magic treasure.

He was eager to gather seven suitable items to place inside, curious to see just how much the pagoda's power could be amplified.

As for Mei Yun, following Xu Chuan's previous instructions, he needed to head back to the Jade Cold Pool to enter secluded cultivation once more.

His most pressing priority was to master the Secret Method recorded within the "Nine Heavens Qi-Guiding Calamity Dao Chapter" to gain full control over his unique physique.

He needed to suppress the innate instinct that caused his body to automatically siphon the Providence of his surroundings.

This matter concerned his future path in the Great Dao and was crucial for avoiding unnecessary trouble. There was simply not a moment to be lost.

"You have returned."

The moment Mei Yun alighted near the Jade Cold Pool, Xu Chuan's steady voice greeted him.

He stepped forward, respectfully cupping his hands. "Yes, Honored Master. This disciple acquired the Mountains and Rivers Seal from Deling. It is exceptionally well-suited to serve as a Fortune Secret Treasure."

"Mm." Xu Chuan gave a slight nod of approval.

"Then this disciple shall enter seclusion to practice the Secret Method. I will not disturb your quiet cultivation any further."

With those parting words, he retreated to his bamboo hut.

Meanwhile, at the Immortal Martial Alliance Headquarters.

The assembly of elders had waited anxiously for half an incense stick of time.

Finally, Xu Deheng's reply arrived.

"The Xu Clan Head has stated there is no need to fret over the tripartite alliance between Great Wei, Great Jin, and Great Liang. As long as the Xu Family stands, they will not dare launch an assault on the Immortal Martial Alliance.

Furthermore, they won't have the spare time to bother with our side in the short term."

"Is that all?" A gold-robed elder of the Alliance frowned, clearly unconvinced.

"The Xu Clan Head added that if we are still uneasy, he will dispatch Elder Mingxian to the headquarters in the near future to construct a set of Tier 3 Formations."

"Tier 3 Formations?!"

Many of the elders in the great hall cried out in sheer astonishment, their faces instantly beaming with joy.

One elder openly cheered, "With a Tier 3 Formation in place, our headquarters will be completely secure!"

"Indeed! Even if it is only a Tier 3 Low-Grade array, anyone below the Late-Stage Golden Core would find it impossible to breach on their own. Even a Late-Stage Golden Core Cultivator would need to bombard it relentlessly for weeks to bring it down.

And if they try to lay siege? The combined forces of Great Wei, Great Jin, and Great Liang only amount to two Early-Stage Golden Cores and one Mid-Stage Golden Core. They simply lack the power to tear through such a grand array.

Unless..."

Another elder chimed in, "Elder Gu, are you saying unless their elite forces turn out in full force?"

"But the odds of that happening are virtually nonexistent."

The rising panic within the Immortal Martial Alliance gradually subsided.

In fact, the general consensus swiftly shifted. It was now believed that those three families should be the ones losing sleep over a potential counterattack from the Xu Family and the Alliance.

Great Wei Imperial City.

Lei Clan Main Hall.

Tendrils of fragrant sandalwood smoke curled through the air, yet they did nothing to dispel the suffocatingly heavy atmosphere within the room.

The Lei Clan Head, Lei Yunchao, sat firmly at the head of the hall, his expression dark and solemn.

Seated below him to his left and right were Jiang Huarong, head of the Jiang Clan, and Lin Zhaofeng, head of the Lin family.

Both men boasted cultivation bases at Foundation Establishment Perfection.

At this moment, their brows were tightly locked together, their eyes brimming with confusion and deep-seated anxiety.

"Brother Lei,"

Jiang Huarong spoke up first, a note of frantic impatience clipping his words. "The Cao Clan abruptly forms an alliance with Great Jin and Great Liang...

What on earth is the meaning behind this move?

They've been bitter rivals for a thousand years, yet they decide to ally on a whim, even willingly handing over the territorial borders of our Great Wei to Great Liang?

This is outright destroying their own defense! Are they planning to throw us to the wolves?"

Lin Zhaofeng's face remained impassive. Slowly rotating a thumb ring of deep green jade, he waved a placating hand. "Calm down, Brother Jiang.

The Cao Clan Ancestor is no fool. He must have made this move in preparation for the Thousand-Year Great Tribulation.

However... acting to such extremes, could it be the Cao Clan believes that relying solely on the Great Wei Imperial City and our families isn't enough to weather the coming storm?"

Lei Yunchao slowly raised his eyelids, his piercing gaze sweeping over the two of them.

His voice was heavy as he spoke, "What Brother Lin points out is indeed one of the key factors.

I fear the upcoming tribulation will be infinitely more tragic and devastating than the last."

"One of?" Both Lin Zhaofeng and Jiang Huarong frowned. Jiang Huarong pressed, "Are you saying there is another reason?"

"Just look at whose estate has been the center of attention lately, and you will understand."

Realization dawned on Lin Zhaofeng. "Brother Lei, are you suggesting the Cao Clan Ancestor fears the Xu Clan? He's terrified they will take advantage of the chaos of the Great Tribulation to settle old scores?"

"Over the last six months, they have produced three new Golden Core Perfected Beings in rapid succession. The sheer number of Golden Core cultivators within the Dongxi Xu Clan now surpasses the combined total of all other major factions.

How could his old enemies not sit in terror of such growth?

And among all the factions in play, the blood feud between the Cao Clan and the Xu Family runs the deepest.

Neither side has any intention of letting the other off.

Unfortunately for them, the Xu Family's explosive rise has far eclipsed the Cao Clan's wildest nightmares.

That is precisely why Cao Jiyi rushed to form an alliance with the Sima Family and the Liu Family.

Beyond seeking strength in numbers to resist the incoming tribulation, he intends to use the other two families to help draw the Xu Family's deadly ire. It is highly likely they even harbor ambitions of a three-way coalition to annihilate the Xu Family and carve up their remains."

"Your analysis makes perfect sense, Brother Lei," Lin Zhaofeng nodded in profound agreement.

"But Brother Lei," Jiang Huarong asked curiously, "do you actually believe they can pull it off?"

Lei Yunchao fell into a brooding silence before shaking his head with a soft sigh. "Whether it comes to weathering the Thousand-Year Great Tribulation or orchestrating the downfall of the Xu Family, it is impossible to predict.

I'd say their chances are fifty-fifty at best."

The other two men fell into a grim silence.

A suffocating quiet washed over the hall.

Several tense moments passed.

"Then what are we supposed to do?" Jiang Huarong finally burst out, unable to contain himself. "If the Cao Clan turns out in full force to relocate, doesn't the Great Wei Imperial City just become an empty shell?

When the Great Tribulation descends, can our remaining forces, the loose cultivators, and the tier 3 grand array realistically repel it?"

"Most likely not," Lei Yunchao replied bluntly.

Lin Zhaofeng looked squarely at Lei Yunchao. "Brother Lei, this matter dictates the very survival of our three clans. We need you to confront the Cao Clan Ancestor in person and find out exactly what he plans for us.

Not long ago, he was still urging us to make all necessary preparations to defend against the Great Tribulation.

Now, he turns right around, allies with our greatest enemies, and defects to Great Liang. I feel as though we are being played for absolute fools."

"Very well." Lei Yunchao nodded heavily, exhaling a long sigh. "I will seek an audience with Daoist Friend Cao and ask him directly. Wait for me here."

Lei Yunchao immediately set off for the Great Wei Imperial Palace.

Upon arrival, he was escorted into a quiet side hall.

A short time later, Cao Jiyi strolled into the room, bearing a remarkably rare and enthusiastic smile.

"Daoist Friend Lei, it is quite rare for you to grace my halls with your presence."

He confidently took the head seat and dismissed the serving maids, leaving only the two of them within the sprawling hall.

"I trust Daoist Friend Cao has been well."

Dispensing with further pleasantries, Lei Yunchao cut straight to the core of the issue. "I have come today because your sudden alliance with the Liu and Sima families was far too abrupt. It caught my Lei family completely off guard.

And while an alliance might be understandable under extreme circumstances, why go so far as to cede our territorial borders to Great Liang?

It is thoroughly baffling."

The warm smile on Cao Jiyi's face cooled slightly, replaced by a weary sigh. "Since Daoist Friend Lei has sought me out in person, I shall not try to hide the truth.

When it comes to the incoming Great Tribulation, my Cao Clan feels we have absolutely zero chance of surviving it alone."

He closely monitored Lei Yunchao's reaction as he continued. "Allying with the Liu and Sima families, and temporarily submitting to Great Liang, is genuinely a desperate strategy for survival.

Only by pooling the combined might and ancient heritage of all three families, and relying on Great Liang's resources, do we possess even a fraction of a chance."

A tremor of shock rippled through Lei Yunchao's heart, followed by a heavy sigh. "It seems we have all drastically underestimated the severity of this incoming tribulation. Does this mean the Cao Clan plans to uproot and migrate your entire lineage to Great Liang?"

"Essentially, yes. The first vanguard of our elites will be departing within a few days."

Cao Jiyi gave a firm nod, his eyes gleaming as they locked onto Lei Yunchao. "Daoist Friend Lei, the Lei Clan is closely related to the Jiang and Lin families. Would you be willing to uproot and travel alongside my Cao Clan?

If the three of you throw your weight behind this alliance, our collective odds of surviving the Great Tribulation will rise significantly."

Throughout his entire pitch, Cao Jiyi conveniently sidestepped any mention of the Dongxi Xu Clan, choosing instead to emphasize the impending doom of the Great Tribulation.

This glaring omission only confirmed Lei Yunchao's suspicions: the Cao Clan was utterly terrified of the Xu Family. They were fleeing to Great Liang to avoid destruction.

Lei Yunchao maintained a heavy silence before speaking in a measured tone. "This matter is of monumental importance; I cannot possibly make this decision on my own. I must discuss it in depth with Daoist Friends Jiang and Lin."

Seemingly anticipating this response, Cao Jiyi did not press the issue. He merely smiled faintly. "That is only natural. I shall patiently await your response.

If you ultimately choose not to, no offense will be taken.

After all, everyone has their own ambitions."

Lei Yunchao cupped his hands in parting. His figure blurred into a streak of light as he shot back toward the Lei Clan estate.

The entire round trip had barely taken half an incense stick of time.

Back at the Lei Clan Main Hall.

The moment Lei Yunchao crossed the threshold, Jiang Huarong shot to his feet. "Brother Lei, how did it go?"

"There wasn't much useful information to be gleaned," Lei Yunchao admitted with a sigh as he reclaimed his seat. "It is exactly as we feared. Our choices are either to migrate with the Cao Clan or remain behind in the imperial city."

"Are those really choices?"

Jiang Huarong collapsed back into his chair, his face entirely ashen. "Even if we choose to remain, without anyone of their caliber to man the imperial city's formations, our defenses will crumble even faster when the time comes."

Lin Zhaofeng rubbed his chin in deep thought before speaking. "We do have another choice."

His gaze swept between his two comrades. "As things stand today, the Cao Clan, Sima Family, and Liu Family possess a genuine chance of surviving the Thousand-Year Great Tribulation by joining forces.

But... the Dongxi Xu Clan holds an equally viable chance of survival.

Do they not?

Otherwise, why would the Cao Clan Ancestor be so terrified of them, resorting to extreme measures to forge this tripartite alliance?"

Jiang Huarong's eyes widened. "Brother Lin... are you suggesting we defect and swear allegiance to the Xu Family?"

Lei Yunchao instantly recalled the unfathomable, heaven-defying means Xu Chuan had displayed upon emerging from seclusion. He nodded slowly. "If the Xu Family is willing to accept us... then yes, this is absolutely our best path forward."

"Why wouldn't they be willing?"

Jiang Huarong let out a confident laugh. "The combined heritage of our three clans isn't that far off from the Cao Clan's. If we commit ourselves to bolstering the Xu Family against the Thousand-Year Great Tribulation, our combined forces will undoubtedly skyrocket their chances of success."