Chapter 4 Key

Nolan turned toward the source of the voice and was taken aback by the sight before him.

A lovely young woman, dressed entirely in white, seemed to have stepped straight out of a novel, like a fairy descended into the mortal world.

Her long, raven-black hair cascaded down her back in silky waves, contrasting strikingly with her pristine, ethereal attire.

The dress, delicate and exquisitely crafted, hugged her figure in a way that was both modest and alluring, showcasing her voluptuous, graceful curves.

Her presence was mesmerizing, exuding an otherworldly charm that could captivate any man of any age. She stood there, radiant and serene, embodying an almost mythical beauty that left him almost momentarily speechless.

It was natural, of course, since this woman was the most beautiful in Silver Cloud City.

"It's always a joyous day when I encounter the most enchanting sight that captures every man's gaze. However, I'm afraid I have no intention of parting with it, young miss Sydney," Nolan shook his head.

"100,000 spirit stones!" the young miss offered once more. The substantial increase in her second offer alone indicated to everyone present that this stone was far from ordinary.

"I'm not selling. Look elsewhere for your fortune," Nolan remained resolute. He intended to use this treasure to carve out a name for himself in the xianxia world. No longer satisfied with being labeled a useless young master, he could easily reveal his true immortal cultivation base, but that would be too mundane. Nolan sought excitement and challenge, refusing to grow bored so easily.

"One million spirit stones!" Young Miss Sydney's latest offer was extravagant, leaving the old senior who originally owned the stone regretful and frustrated. She could have easily ascended to the next realm with such wealth.

"Even if you offered me the entire treasure vault of the Frost Clan, it wouldn't sway me. I'm sorry, young Miss Sydney, but this stone is fated to remain with me," Nolan replied firmly, his fingers caressing the stone thoughtfully.

"Surely there must be something you desire in exchange for the stone, Young Master Nolan. Speak, and perhaps I can fulfill your request," Sydney finally spoke up.

"Hmm... If you put it that way, there is indeed one thing I desire. If you agree, I'll gladly relinquish ownership of this treasure," Nolan paused for effect, admiring Sydney's beauty before continuing.

"I want you to be my woman, young Miss Sydney. If you accept, the stone is yours," Nolan smiled confidently. Around him, whispers spread, and even without using his divine senses, Nolan sensed the ridicule from those around him. How could someone like him, considered trash by many, dare to pursue the hand of the city's most beautiful woman and a cultivation genius? It was simply a preposterous request!

"I acc…" Sydney began to respond hastily but caught herself just in time. She possessed a keen intuition that could assess the true value of things, and it urged her to claim ownership of the stone at any cost. This was her greatest secret and the reason why she frequently went to the marketplace to hunt for treasures left and right. However, selling herself into servitude was not an option she would entertain. Reluctantly, she conceded defeat.

"Hmph! I'll remember this, Young Master Nolan," Sydney retorted, her frustration and anger evident on her otherwise beautiful face. She turned away, striding purposefully.

Nolan chuckled softly at Sydney's parting words. "Well, I don't think it's a bad thing to be remembered at all," he teased, knowing full well Sydney could hear him. She paused briefly, considering a retort, but ultimately decided against dignifying Nolan's comment with a response.

"What is that treasure, young master Nolan? Is it really that great as young miss Sydney believed?" Mara could not help but be curious about the small stone.

"You heard it earlier, Mara. It's really is an immortal treasure like the senior said." Nolan laughed at his find.

"Let's go back. I got what I wanted in this place." Nolan said and the group returned home.

* * *

In the quiet confines of his chamber, Nolan sat cross-legged, the mysterious stone cradled in his hands. It pulsed faintly with ancient energy, resonating with power long forgotten by the world but still vibrant within its core.

Nolan studied the intricate patterns etched into its surface, symbols that hinted at a lineage of profound secrets and abilities.

With a solemn reverence, Nolan murmured an incantation in a language that had not been spoken aloud in eons. 

The words flowed from his lips like a whispered prayer, invoking the essence of the stone's ancient magic.

"Ding!" In response to his command, the stone leapt from his grasp and shot towards Nolan's outstretched finger.

In a shimmering cascade of ethereal light, it transformed into a formidable suit of metallic black armor. The armor encased Nolan from head to toe, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly sheen.

His eyes, once human and serene, now glowed with an intense, deep red that imbued him with an aura of battle-hardened resolve—a sight that would strike fear into the hearts of adversaries.

However, as Nolan examined the armor, a small but noticeable crack marred the chest area, where the stone had integrated into the armor's design.

Concern flashed across Nolan's face as he realized the potential implications of this flaw.

Still, he realized that this was how the original owner of this immortal treasure had met their end. The armor, though seemingly invincible, had a fatal flaw.

"This immortal armor can only be broken by a true immortal. Does that mean there's another true immortal besides me here?" Nolan asked himself. The thought was unsettling.

He used his divine sense to scour the entire universe, stretching his consciousness across the vast expanse of stars and galaxies. He found Earth, a small blue planet teeming with life, but detected no other true immortals besides himself in this universe.

He focused on Earth for three breaths, reminiscing about the world he once knew. Technology, skyscrapers, bustling cities—memories of a past life he had long left behind.

Being an orphan, he felt no strong ties to return. The world of mortals, with its transient pleasures and endless struggles, held little appeal for him now.

Maybe someday, if he grew bored of the boundless possibilities in this xianxia world, he might consider visiting. But not now, not when so many mysteries awaited his discovery.

"If not here, then what about the other universes?" Nolan muttered to himself. Curiosity and caution waged a silent battle within him.

Expanding his divine senses to its limit, he began to peel back the fabric of reality itself. It was an arduous task, requiring immense concentration and power.

As he did so, an almost infinite number of universes revealed themselves to him, each one a unique tapestry of existence.

He chose one universe at random, an act that seemed almost whimsical given the magnitude of what he was doing. Instantly, he was targeted by a divine sense as powerful and ancient as his own.

This sense was not welcoming; it was hostile, brimming with malicious intent, and it sought to expel him from its domain.

Nolan was no novice in wielding his powers. The past day alone had seen him practice with relentless determination, honing his abilities to a razor's edge.

He stood firm against the assault, his will unyielding. Through the clash of divine senses, he caught sight of his attacker. It was a man with long azure hair, his presence commanding and awe-inspiring.

Six immortal swords, each radiating a terrifying aura, circled around him like sentinels.

What was most astonishing was their size—both the man and his swords were gigantic, perhaps as colossal as the sun itself!

"Is this a declaration of war?" the man demanded in an alien language, his voice reverberating with power. Yet, despite the unfamiliar tongue, Nolan understood him perfectly.

"Hold your horses, fellow Daoist. I was merely looking. Farewell now." Nolan replied calmly, injecting a note of respect into his words.

With a measured retreat, he withdrew his divine sense, severing the connection. The encounter had been brief, but it left an indelible mark on his consciousness.

Reflecting on the experience, Nolan considered the implications. He had inherited the life memories of the a true immortal , yet there was no recollection of any battles against other true immortals.

The broken armor and its previous owner's demise were stark reminders of the dangers that lay ahead. He knew better than to seek conflict with beings of similar power.

An advocate of peace, Nolan believed in the value of life and the pursuit of knowledge.

He still had many aspirations, many paths to explore, and he was determined not to meet a premature end due to reckless decisions.

For now, he would tread carefully, focusing on mastering his abilities and unraveling the secrets of his own universe.

The vast multiverse was a place of endless wonders and terrors, and he intended to navigate it with wisdom and prudence.

He then focused on the task at hand: repairing this immortal treasure and restoring it to a perfect artifact once more. Nolan closed his eyes and focused his mind. Drawing upon his deep reservoir of divine essence and understanding of ancient arts, he extended his hand towards the crack.

A surge of power flowed from him, enveloping the damaged area in a gentle, pulsating glow.

The crack responded to Nolan's touch, shimmering with renewed vitality as the armor began to repair itself.

Ancient glyphs and runes glowed softly along the surface, weaving intricate patterns of energy that restored the armor's structural integrity.

Piece by piece, the flaw vanished, leaving the chest area as flawless as the rest of the armor. Opening his eyes, Nolan exhaled slowly, satisfaction evident on his face.

The repaired armor now radiated with a newfound strength, a testament to Nolan's mastery over the powers and skills that he now possess.

"Perfect," Nolan murmured with a nod, his gaze lingering on the armor. He knew that this moment marked a crucial step in his journey.

With renewed confidence and the armor restored to its pristine state, Nolan prepared himself for the joys and triumphs that awaited him in the realm of cultivation.

He could only imagine the surprise of his family when he would announce this op power in his hands. With that thought, Nolan could only smile.

"Young master, you have guests outside!" Mara's voice called from beyond the doors.