Chapter 390: Stealing Celestial Secret: Skyward Divine Fire

Wan Ze nodded, walked over to the safe, and crouched down. He followed the password Xiao Ya had given him…

“CLICK.”

The lock dial made a crisp sound.

The tumblers inside the safe moved quickly, emitting a low HUMMM of machinery. A moment later, the door abruptly popped open, but its speed was instantly and steadily controlled, creating a gap about five centimeters wide.

Wan Ze reached out, grabbed the handle of the door, and pulled it outward with force.

The door was heavy, weighing at least a hundred pounds, but with Wan Ze’s Strength, it opened as easily as an ordinary wooden door.

The space inside the safe was large and unobstructed, divided into three shelves.

Wan Ze’s gaze first fell upon the bottom shelf.

Stacks of cash, bundled in ten-thousand-yuan notes with white paper bands, were piled neatly. There had to be at least two or three million.

“Tsk, this is a pretty big haul,” Wan Ze said, turning his head to look at Zhai Yu.

Zhai Yu chuckled lightly. He picked up a gold bar from the middle shelf and weighed it in his hand…

“Brother Yu, it says five hundred grams on it,” Wan Ze suddenly said.

Zhai Yu’s expression stiffened, and he looked down.

‘It really is there…’

He coughed lightly and placed the gold bar back in its compartment. There were about thirty gold bars in total.

Wan Ze’s attention was focused more on the top shelf.

There were about a dozen calligraphy scrolls and paintings. The ends of the scrolls were made of smooth, polished white Hetian jade.

The brocade wrappings were also exquisite, made of top-grade cloud brocade with beautiful patterns and a soft touch.

Next to the scrolls were several small Weapons.

Zhai Yu lowered his voice. “Antiques?”

Wan Ze nodded and said softly, “Let me take a look first.”

He reached out to touch the scrolls.

His fingertips brushed against the brocade. The softness alone was enough to easily convince anyone that these were high-quality items.

The painting was a landscape of overlapping mountains shrouded in clouds and mist, with distant peaks and nearby waters.

Unfortunately, Stealing Celestial Secret didn’t activate.

Wan Ze furrowed his brow slightly, but it was hidden by his mask.

“How is it?” Zhai Yu asked in a low voice.

“Just an ordinary painting,” Wan Ze said. “I’ll try again.”

Zhai Yu nodded. “Take your time.”

Wan Ze continued to touch the items.

He went through the remaining ten-plus scrolls. Each bore the name of a master, was exquisitely mounted, and should have been priceless.

But alas, Stealing Celestial Secret didn’t activate for any of them.

They were just a pile of soulless paper and cloth.

Zhai Yu stood to the side without a word, watching Wan Ze’s every move.

He didn’t rush him or press him with questions; he even deliberately quieted his breathing.

Matters involving Qi Refiners were outside his area of expertise. Since he didn’t understand, there was no need to pretend he did.

The only thing Zhai Yu could do now was not to pressure Wan Ze, allowing him to focus on his task.

Wan Ze placed the last scroll back into the safe and took a deep breath. “These things are worthless.”

Zhai Yu patted his shoulder but said nothing else.

Wan Ze turned his gaze to the Weapons.

He reached out, grabbed the scabbard, and drew the short blade from its sheath.

The blade was about an arm’s length, two fingers wide, with a thick spine and a sharp edge. A shallow blood groove ran along the blade, extending from the guard nearly to the tip.

The guard was made of bronze, cast in the shape of a beast’s face.

The beast’s eyes were two gemstones. The hilt was wooden, wrapped with cord in a cross pattern. A small knot was tied at each intersection, likely to prevent the wrapping from coming loose.

The moment Wan Ze’s fingers made contact, a chilling sensation spread through them.

Stealing Celestial Secret successful!

[Tiger and Wolf Momentum +100%]

‘A shame it’s not related to Qi Refiners.’

‘Next!’

He put the short blade back and picked up the dagger beside it.

The dagger was much smaller than the short blade, only as long as his palm, but it wasn’t light. It had a heavy, sinking feeling in his hand.

The hilt was wooden and unwrapped, with an amber-colored patina on its surface. The sheath was covered in a thin layer of copper skin, engraved with simple geometric patterns.

A chilling sensation spread through him.

Stealing Celestial Secret successful!

[Stubborn Stone +100%]

‘This isn’t what I’m looking for either.’

‘Next!’

Wan Ze put the dagger back and picked up the small sword next to it.

The small sword was the most exquisite of the three Weapons. Its blade was slender, about two fingers wide, and measured around forty centimeters from guard to tip.

The surface of the blade had a layer of oxidation but no rust. The piece of turquoise inlaid on the hilt was especially cool and smooth to the touch, like a piece of ice.

Stealing Celestial Secret successful!

[Heaven-piercing Divine Fire Sword Momentum +100%]

Wan Ze felt a secret pang of regret.

‘Still not something for Qi Refiners.’

‘Next!’

He touched the last item, a Jade Pendant.

The Jade Pendant was not large, about the size of an adult’s thumb. It was carved with a Chi Hu pattern, its head held high, tail curled, and limbs tucked beneath its body. The overall shape was full and powerful.

This pale, greenish-white Jade was not the highest quality mutton-fat jade, but it could still be considered Top Grade.

The instant Wan Ze’s fingers touched the Jade Pendant, a familiar fluctuation traveled up from his fingertips.

Stealing Celestial Secret successful!

[Magic Sense +10%]

‘Magic Sense!!!!’

Wan Ze raised his eyebrows slightly.

“Found it!”

He took the Jade Pendant out of the safe.

Zhai Yu walked over and stood beside Wan Ze, looking down at the Jade Pendant in his palm. His gaze lingered on it for two seconds, but he didn’t reach out to touch it.

When it came to matters of Qi Refiners, he knew his limits and didn’t overstep.

Wan Ze, however, proactively offered the Jade Pendant to him, extending his cupped palm toward Zhai Yu. “This thing has something to do with Huangliang, but I’m not sure of the specific details.”

Zhai Yu reached out and took the Jade Pendant.

His movements were very gentle, as if he were afraid he might crush it with too much force. He raised the Jade Pendant to eye level and examined it over and over.