Chapter 648 - 387: Secret Vault

Chen Chuan pinched a handful of fish food between his fingertips and sprinkled it out over the water. Ripples spread across the pond as the golden-red shadows of fish below flicked their fins and tails, darting over to compete for the meal.

He said, "Someone told me about Pure Essence. Because the World Ring has been damaged recently, quite a bit of Pure Essence has leaked out. That’s why I was asked to run some tests with a few other people."

Cao Guiqi said in surprise, "Pure Essence has leaked?" He then shook his head. "It will be sealed up soon enough."

After sprinkling another handful of food, he handed the container to Uncle Ding. He then took a cloth from the older man, wiped his hands, and said, "Follow me." With that, he began to walk away.

Chen Chuan followed him to the pond’s outlet. A river meandered away from it, its banks lined with a row of lush, green weeping willows. Moored by the embankment was a small but exquisitely crafted painted barge.

Cao Guiqi walked across a wooden plank and entered the elegant cabin of the barge. He beckoned for Chen Chuan to join him and sat down. A servant, who had been waiting, immediately poured freshly boiled water into teacups.

Uncle Ding followed them aboard and instructed a servant to untie the thick mooring rope. The boatman at the stern took up a long, thick pole and pushed off, and the painted barge slowly drifted away from the bank.

The barge drifted with the current. After rounding a prominent sandbar, the river ahead gradually widened. The water, reflecting the lush green of both banks, stretched all the way to the inner lake of Motie Mountain. A few white egrets flew out from the woods, skimming across the water in a flash before disappearing.

Cao Guiqi said, "Powerful groups and factions exist everywhere. If you aren’t part of one, you can’t climb the ladder. There are only so many paths and opportunities, and they won’t willingly give them to an outsider."

As the boat drifted forward, the scenery on the banks slowly receded. He gazed at the distant, ink-dark mountains and the scattered patches of green, both near and far. "In truth, the new era is much better than the old one," he said. "Back in the Old Dynasty, you wouldn’t have even had a path to get this far."

"You probably don’t know this, but during the time of the Old Dynasty, unless you belonged to the Royal Family, a Noble Family, or one of the few great houses, you were required to pay a marrow tax and blood tribute every year. That was true even for those from families with generations of hereditary office."

Chen Chuan mulled over the words. "Marrow tax and blood tribute?"

Cao Guiqi said, "It means exactly what it sounds like. A Martial Artist’s Essence Blood and bone marrow can be used to concoct medicines, refine Elixir Pills, and feed and train beasts. Mutated Organizations can also be used to forge all sorts of weapons and artifacts. For these reasons, the Imperial Family designated them as a form of tribute tax."

"The Old Imperial Family did this not only for the aforementioned purposes, but primarily to suppress and weaken the powerful clans outside their own. When a Martial Artist went through this every year, their Primordial Qi was inevitably damaged. This prevented them from accumulating martial power, ensuring they could never threaten the Imperial Family and the various Noble Families."

"However, while this policy was very strict initially, it gradually became lax. The powerful clans found ways to submit the Essence Blood and marrow of commoner Martial Artists or those they sponsored themselves to meet the quotas, all while secretly amassing their own strength."

"Meanwhile, among the common people, legacies left over from several past Periods of Change allowed many great powers and major Schools to survive. These groups included many exceptionally talented individuals who had been exploited for ages and harbored deep resentment. After the Algae Fluid Revolution, these two forces—the powerful clans and the commoner Schools—became one of the main drivers in overthrowing the Old Imperial Family."

"When the new era began, the Dashun Government learned from these lessons. It gave the Fighters at the bottom a path for advancement. At the same time, it collected all the resources that had been scattered during the Periods of Change. Combined with technological progress and a shift in the global landscape, it managed to monopolize nearly all cultivation resources for Fighters."

"Now, if a Fighter wants to improve their strength, they might still be able to reach the Third Limit through their own hard work and effort. But to take the next step beyond that without aligning with a powerful faction is nearly impossible."

After hearing this, Chen Chuan asked, "In that case, if I am intent on continuing to advance, do you have any suggestions?"

Cao Guiqi replied, "I won’t comment on the two paths of government and corporations. Given your current position, you’ll figure them out sooner or later. But if you’re asking for my advice, I think you might try to join one of the Schools."

"A School?" Chen Chuan’s mind whirred. This actually aligned with his own recent thoughts.

Cao Guiqi continued, "The founding of the Grand Alliance didn’t just involve corporations and the government. Several major Schools also took part. They hold influence within both the corporate and government spheres and adhere to the same principles. Legally, they are also members of the Grand Alliance. Therefore, any resources they grant are recognized by both the corporations and the government. In fact, they have no choice but to recognize them."

He held out his hand. Uncle Ding immediately stepped forward and placed an object in it, which Cao Guiqi then handed to Chen Chuan. "If you really can’t find an opening, you can use this token to try your luck with the Refinement Sect."

"However, if you have other options, it would be best not to approach them. This is just a way to get your foot in the door; it’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to join. And even if you do get in, don’t be too quick to trust them. Just make sure you get what you need out of it."

Chen Chuan accepted it. It was an exquisite wooden token with a red tassel, surprisingly heavy in his hand. There was no visible writing on it, but when he ran his fingers over the surface, he could feel numerous inscribed characters. He didn’t examine it in detail, simply saying with sincerity, "Thank you."

Cao Guiqi added a solemn warning, "If you can’t get what you want there, or if they won’t let you in, you would be better off siding with the government. Do not take the corporate path."

Chen Chuan nodded.

Cao Guiqi picked up his teacup and took a sip. "After the World Ring was sealed off," he said wistfully, "the amount of Pure Essence didn’t actually decrease. The paths to obtaining it just became narrower. That alone has held back far too many people."

Just then, Uncle Ding suddenly spoke up. "Young Master, have you forgotten about the secret caches? Perhaps that is another path worth trying."

Cao Guiqi pondered this for a moment, then nodded. He looked at Chen Chuan. "As for the secret caches... you should indeed try to learn more about them."

He paused before continuing, "The Old Imperial Family plundered the world for resources. They couldn’t use everything they collected, so most of it was sealed away in the Inner Treasury. When they later retreated to the Merging Land, they took a portion of it with them."

"However, there wasn’t just one Inner Treasury. They had secret caches hidden in various places, even overseas. These were the escape routes the Imperial Family left for itself."

"In fact, it wasn’t just the Imperial Family. The Vassal Princes in various lands, and even Old Dynasties in other countries, established similar secret vaults. Even the Previous Dynasties throughout history did the same."

"That’s why, for decades, there have been rumors of these secret vaults being unearthed, both in countries around the world and here in Dashun."

"In the old era, the Court and various private organizations were always searching for these caches. Nowadays, the government and the corporations both encourage their exploration and discovery. If you can find one and hand it over, you, the discoverer, are legally entitled to a portion of the contents."

Chen Chuan looked thoughtful. "I believe I’ve heard similar rumors."

Cao Guiqi said, "Legends of secret treasures are everywhere; they’re really just an extension of these secret caches. Every year, various factions and groups, and even some Cults, keep a close watch on potential sites. The moment any concrete information surfaces, the government and corporations dispatch their own people to investigate."

"If you ever come across such a place, you can go take a look. But many eyes are on them, and they might still contain defensive measures from the old days. So even if you get an opportunity, you must be extremely careful."

Chen Chuan nodded.

They spoke no more of it. Instead, they drifted on the lake, drinking tea and enjoying the scenery. As evening approached, the boat returned to the manor, and Chen Chuan took his leave.

After seeing Chen Chuan off, Uncle Ding returned and said, "I thought you would tell Manager Chen about that particular secret cache, Young Master."

Cao Guiqi shook his head. "I don’t know its exact location, and the things inside are incredibly dangerous. Besides, it’s highly likely that *thing* is in there. The implications are just too great. Both the corporations and the government are watching. Telling him would only get him killed."

Uncle Ding said, "I hear *that* person has been searching for it all these years."

"Then let him search," Cao Guiqi said. "And what if he finds it? The towers of the old world have long since crumbled to ruins. They can never be pieced back together. Even if one were to haphazardly stack the stones, the whole thing would collapse at the slightest push."

He clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the evening clouds drifting in the distance. "You saw it yourself, Uncle Ding. After the Rift opened, the Old Dynasty’s General of Conquest and his Cavalry Army appeared. Yet they were held at bay by a single person, accomplishing nothing. The era has changed. What belongs to the past should be left in the past."

After returning from the Cao Manor, Chen Chuan contacted Weidong and Wu Han to arrange a meal together. In a couple of days, once Chaoming woke up and a few other loose ends were tied up, he would head back to Yangzhi.

Wu Han, hearing that Chen Chuan was treating, recommended a restaurant he frequented. He said the place was always lively and, since the owner was from Yangzhi, the food was guaranteed to be authentic.

Hearing this, Chen Chuan agreed to the plan.

The next day, he went without his usual car and security detail, driving to the restaurant alone. As he parked, he gave the area a quick scan.

A dense stream of information immediately flooded his view on the Realm Token.

Ever since he had connected with An Shield, all sorts of advertisements, including those pushed by major corporations like the Cyan Bag Jade Workshop, were automatically blocked. Furthermore, whenever he looked at a person, their detailed information would instantly appear in his vision, including any criminal record or outstanding warrants.

On this street, at least a third of the people had such records, with most of them belonging to the same gang.

But this was the norm in Central City, so he paid it no mind. He walked into the restaurant, pushed open the door, and scanned the room. Wu Han and Weidong were already there, sitting and chatting at a table by the window. When they saw him approach, they both started waving.

Chen Chuan looked them over. He saw Weidong fairly often, since he was still at Wuyi Academy.

He hadn’t seen Wu Han in several months, though they kept in touch via the Realm Token. He looked different now—his skin was darker, and he had a bit of a beard, which made him look more mature. Chen Chuan walked up to their table, they exchanged greetings, and he sat down.

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