Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1414 - 896: Joining the Ten Thousand Treasures Store (2)

In Zhongli Xiayi’s estimation, Yang Zhenshan was an alchemical prodigy.

Consequently, her regard for him deepened considerably.

"There's truly no moment like the present. How about you grace the Ten Thousand Treasures Store with your presence today, my esteemed friend?"

"I couldn't possibly ask for anything more!" Yang Zhenshan responded with a grin.

"Excellent! Then I shall personally escort you to finalize the necessary procedures, my friend!"

With those words, Zhongli Xiayi rose and led Yang Zhenshan towards the third floor of the sprawling Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

The Ten Thousand Treasures Store in White Cloud Immortal City is a vast establishment, far exceeding the simple definition of a shop. It operates as a colossal commercial hub, encompassing not only more than ten street-level storefronts but also numerous other structures, including venues for auctions, workshops for alchemy and artifact refining, dedicated gardens for spirit beasts and plants, and even cultivation caves.

While the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion may claim the title of the tallest structure in White Cloud Immortal City, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store stands as its most expansive complex, eclipsing even the renowned Dao Field of the White Cloud True Monarch in sheer size.

Yet, the immensity of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store is far less noticeable than the imposing height of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Because of this, most people focus their attention on the pavilion’s elevation, inadvertently overlooking the true scale of the store.

"Our Ten Thousand Treasures Store here in White Cloud Immortal City currently hosts thirty-two guest elders; you, my friend, will be our thirty-third! Among them, four hold the esteemed rank of Seventh-Rank guest elder, including two who are skilled alchemists, one formidable array master, and one exceptional artifact refiner!"

Zhongli Xiayi elaborated on the Ten Thousand Treasures Store’s esteemed roster as they proceeded.

"There isn't a single talisman master among them?" Yang Zhenshan inquired, a touch of surprise in his voice.

It seemed peculiar for an establishment prioritizing pills, artifacts, and formations to lack a dedicated talisman master.

"It is indeed quite difficult for a talisman master to achieve the rank of Seventh-Rank guest elder; they must demonstrate the ability to draw third-order talismans to attain such a position!" Zhongli Xiayi explained.

Yang Zhenshan offered a slight nod, conveying his understanding.

The requirement of drawing third-order talismans to become a Seventh-Rank guest elder certainly indicated that the Ten Thousand Treasures Store held exceptionally high standards for the advancement of its guest elders.

"Does this mean that any guest elder above Seventh-Rank must possess the cultivation of the Golden Core Realm?"

He suddenly recalled that the ranking of guest elders within the Ten Thousand Treasures Store was indeed intrinsically linked to their cultivation level.

"Precisely! To ascend to the Sixth-Rank, one must have achieved the Golden Core Stage cultivation! Currently, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store in White Cloud Immortal City boasts only one Sixth-Rank guest elder!" Zhongli Xiayi remarked, her gaze meeting Yang Zhenshan’s with a knowing glint.

Yang Zhenshan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a question forming on his lips, "And who might that be?"

"None other than the White Cloud True Monarch!" Zhongli Xiayi replied, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing on her lips as she looked at Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan's expression shifted subtly, and a flicker of undeniable shock crossed his features.

He had harbored this suspicion previously, but he had hesitated to fully embrace it.

"The White Cloud True Monarch is actually serving as a guest elder of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store!"

Zhongli Xiayi was visibly pleased by Yang Zhenshan's astonished reaction and chuckled, "Indeed, it's a standard practice for the Ten Thousand Treasures Store. Wherever we establish a presence, we invariably extend an invitation to the most formidable cultivator in the vicinity to join our ranks!"

"As the White Cloud True Monarch is the undisputed master of this Immortal City, it is only natural that, with the Ten Thousand Treasures Store conducting business within its bounds, we would require the White Cloud True Monarch's support!"

Yang Zhenshan paused for a moment, then voiced his curiosity, "Does the Ten Thousand Treasures Store perhaps have a more potent power backing it? Could you perhaps disclose its identity?"

Zhongli Xiayi gave a slight shake of her head. "While there is indeed a significant power that supports the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, our primary objective in establishing business here is to foster an environment of peace for the sake of profit."

"As for the true identity of the power behind the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, you shall discover it when you reach the Golden Core Realm, my friend!"

"Golden Core!" Yang Zhenshan sighed, shaking his head in a gesture of resignation. "Then I shall forgo such knowledge for now!"

He did not press the matter further, deeming it unnecessary.

For the time being, his interactions would be confined to the Ten Thousand Treasures Store within White Cloud Immortal City, as the true strength behind it was far beyond his current capabilities.

Therefore, whether he knew its identity or not held little practical difference.

A short while later, they arrived at the Wanxiang Building, the central hub for the Ten Thousand Treasures Store's internal operations.

Under Zhongli Xiayi's guidance, Yang Zhenshan was issued his very own identity token.

These identity tokens for the Ten Thousand Treasures Store are issued in pairs: one is retained within the guest elder's hall at the Wanxiang Building, while the other is entrusted to the guest elder, in this case, Yang Zhenshan.

The token, crafted from turquoise and white jade, not only bore Yang Zhenshan's name but also permanently held a resonance of his unique aura.

The token bestowed could showcase Yang Zhenshan’s achievements and list the missions he accomplished, alongside certain personal details.

Furthermore, the token preserved within the guest elder’s chamber held the power to broadcast Yang Zhenshan’s standing; should he meet his end, the token would instantly shatter.

As a matter of fact, tokens that contained one's aura were typically not handed over to others, seeing as certain forbidden techniques could exploit the aura for tracking purposes.

Nevertheless, complying with the Ten Thousand Treasures Store’s regulations was unavoidable, and Yang Zhenshan had no choice but to entrust his aura.

Upon receiving the identification token, Yang Zhenshan was officially appointed as a Ninth-Rank guest elder of the esteemed Ten Thousand Treasures Store.

Following this, Zhongli Xiayi proceeded to escort Yang Zhenshan in acquiring several incidental items, including the guest elder’s ceremonial robe and a cave dwelling token.

Indeed, the Ten Thousand Treasures Store was known to allocate a dedicated cave dwelling to each of its guest elders.

Although it was merely a rank C cave dwelling, its quality far surpassed the humble abode he was currently renting.

The cave dwelling itself was modest in size, consisting of little more than a simple courtyard.

Once all the procedural tasks were concluded, Zhongli Xiayi then led him toward a pavilion under stringent security protocols.

"This structure houses our Ten Thousand Treasures Store’s formidable treasure vault, an repository brimming with countless precious spiritual materials!"

"As I pledged, you are entitled to a selection of third-rank spiritual materials, and you may enter to choose one type!"

She then presented Yang Zhenshan with a dark Mystic Iron Order, stating, "Proceed inside! An attendant will accompany you."

"You are not accompanying me?" Yang Zhenshan inquired, gesturing towards the imposing pavilion.

"Only a solitary individual may enter accompanied by a Mystic Iron Order!" Zhongli Xiayi clarified.

Yang Zhenshan acknowledged this with a slight nod; a place safeguarding such treasures would undoubtedly be subject to rigorous security and strict regulations.

"Kindly await a moment, Immortal!"

With that, he stepped into the treasure vault.

The instant he crossed the threshold into the vault, a formidable pressure immediately enveloped and suppressed his Divine Soul.

While it did not imprison his Divine Soul, it effectively restrained the outward projection of his spiritual power.

After a brief assessment and finding no cause for alarm, he felt at ease.

The treasure vault was not as vast as he had envisioned; rather than being crammed with dazzling riches, it was a serene and spacious chamber.

Within this tranquil chamber sat an aged man, his hair completely white, cross-legged upon a simple reed mat. Before him rested a polished black stone table, devoid of any items.

"Ninth-Rank Guest Elder Yang Zhenshan offers his respects to the honored senior!" Yang Zhenshan addressed the old man, inclining his head.

"Hmm, take a seat!" the old man responded, his eyes only partially open, his gaze not lifting.

To all outward appearances, he resembled an ordinary elder, yet how could a truly common old man be found seated in such a place?

With his spiritual senses hampered, Yang Zhenshan was unable to ascertain the old man’s cultivation level, and thus, he respectfully took a seat opposite him.

"Present the token!" the old man commanded.

Yang Zhenshan complied, handing over the token.

The old man’s eyelids lifted slightly, revealing a pair of deep, shadowed eyes.

He lightly tapped the Mystic Iron Order and declared, "You are permitted to select one third-rank spiritual material from this place. What specific type do you seek?"

"This junior requires spiritual materials of the wood and thunder attributes to refine a lifebound magical treasure!" Yang Zhenshan stated.

The old man gestured with his sleeve, causing lines of text to materialize instantly upon the stone table before him.

"These encompass all available third-rank spiritual materials possessing wood and thunder attributes. You may make your selection from this list!"

Yang Zhenshan perused the displayed text and extended a hand to touch it; the table's display immediately shifted.

Truly, it functioned like a touch-sensitive screen!

Yang Zhenshan was not taken aback, recognizing this as a conventional method for interacting with magical artifacts.

Qinglan Wood, a third-rank inferior grade material, characterized by its light and translucent nature, naturally imprinted with "Mist Patterns," it serves as an ideal base component for crafting flying artifacts.

Rongxin Wood, a third-rank top-grade material, originating from the heart crystal of a thousand-year-old rejuvenation purple banyan, possesses a texture as smooth as jade and contains the "essence of the banyan tree," yielding exceptional results in nurturing artifact spirits, making it suitable for the refinement of spiritual artifacts.

Purple Sandalwood Heart Wood, a third-rank top-grade material, sourced from the heartwood core of a millennium-old purple sandalwood tree, its patterns imbued with wood elemental spiritual energy, it can be utilized for the creation of wood talismans and offers the benefit of soothing Divine Sense when worn consistently.

Thunder Pattern Locust Wood, a third-rank middle grade material, this Yin Locust wood flourishes within the Thunder Swamp, undergoes an attribute transformation after being struck by lightning, dispels yin energy, attracts lightning energy, and inherently forms an attracting lightning talisman array, making it highly suitable for refining thunder attribute spiritual artifacts.

The Heart-Eroding Vine Root, a treasure of the third-rank top-grade, originates from the root system of a vine that parasitizes an ancient millennium spirit tree. It contains corrosive wood element spiritual energy, making it suitable for extracting the potent Heart-Eroding Poison. Furthermore, this remarkable root can be utilized in the creation of puppets and other creations.