Chapter-15

After organizing her memories, Ziyun learned some new things that only come with experience.

"Who would have thought that secret soul techniques can be that useful"

Secret soul techniques are special techniques that can be used with soul force. It doesn't matter what one's cultivation technique is anyone can use them.

The techniques vary from enhancing voice to overwhelming other's soul realm crippling them or even determining other's soul realm without soul crystal.

These techniques also increase control over soul force. There are various secret soul techniques, now with superior knowledge, Ziyun is aware of complex secret soul techniques too but she never thought they would be useful in cultivation. However, her experience proved her wrong.

"I will close off my soul realm first"

Demon spiritualists form or close their soul realm inside their dantian once they reach Silver rank to merge with a demon beast. That said, it doesn't do any harm to form the soul realm even before reaching silver rank. It just suggests the superior control one has over their soul.

Ziyun sat in a meditative position, a dense energy surrounded her forming a cyan Aura.

Inside Ziyun, The soul force began to condense into a spot as it got surrounded by a boundary.

The Blue sphere contains all her soul force. Ziyun went into deep concentration mode trying to condense the soul force making her soul realm stronger with passing time.

It took her a few hours before she cultivated back to her peak. Now that she has condensed her soul realm, she can feel her excellent control over her soul force.

"Now that I have some experience and powerful artifacts, It should take just ten days to reach the peak of bronze rank"

Ziyun noticed something foreign about herself after assimilating with memories.

"Is this what Intent feels like?"

Ziyun couldn't sense it but she could feel another power.

She released her aura with murderous intent. She could feel the air rushing into her surroundings from her.

"So, this is what killing intent means. I can feel its existence but I can't sense it. If I learn to harness this, I can do a lot of things. As I expected, Intent is a psychic ability"

"Maybe I should name this energy Psionic energy?"

After a quick thought, Ziyun decided to give up.

"No, I'm generalizing it. It may weaken the power. This power is tied to emotions and experience, If I generalize it, it will lose its philosophical significance. Maybe, I should also stop seeing it as a psychic ability"

With that Ziyun stored the remnant pages in Avalon and continued her journey to the Main treasury.

Once she's there, She stored everything in Avalon. She continued storing two more minor treasury rooms that were so small compared to the main one.

Ziyun arrived at the final one and looked for some important treasures, most of it is gold but she did find some valuables and stored them.

Ziyun took out a compass from her storage ring and activated it. She started following the needle and when it began to rotate in every direction. Ziyun closed it.

Hearing footsteps, Ziyun shouted, "Ning'er! is that you?"

"Yes, Thank heavens we finally met!" Ning'er exclaimed in surprise before hugging Ziyun coming from the dark.

"Let's getaway. I found the exit of this place"

Ning'er along with Ziyun left the underground palace and reached the city lord palace. It took them a day of continuous walking as Ziyun 'forget' the way and got 'confused' but as bronze rank experts, they have the stamina to walk for days.

They found the rest of the team and soon they began to dig the training grounds of the city lord palace.

***

Nie li began searching the underground palace of emperor Kong ming. He found the entrance to this place by pure luck but with his vast knowledge, he navigated through the place easily.

Soon he found a tomb with various Inscriptions on it but what surprised him the most is, that even he is not aware of what the inscriptions meant. He can say they are extremely high-level inscriptions that shouldn't be available in this world.

"So, This Emperor Kong Ming is not an ordinary cultivator"

Nie Li said with a hint of respect for such a strong cultivator as he examined the tomb. He opened it and found it empty.

Even the skeletons surrounding the tomb didn't have anything.

Soon, He reached an empty vault where there is nothing.

"The entrance looks like a secured place, maybe this is just a decoy vault room"

Once again, Nie li's search begins for days on.

***

Chen Linjian and the expedition group successfully dug through the ground and finally saw stairs leading to a door that looked secure.

"Everyone, please be careful. Be alert all the time"

As Linjian suggested, everyone got into a combat-oriented position getting ready to fight if they encountered any demon beasts.

They already suffered heavy losses, they lost at least 13 members, and others have severe wounds which were remedied for now and healed with costly elixirs but they are not at peak condition.

As they climbed down, finally they saw an empty large room.

As an experienced explorer, Chen Linjian felt immense disappointment.

"Someone already raided this place clean" His words made everyone shocked and most people feel disappointed and their morale is down.

'Chen Linjian ..is an expert. It seems he has talents outside of leadership' Ziyun assessed. She's surprised how accurate he is. There is no doubt in his voice when he announced his judgment.

Ziyun decided to intervene, If she wants to sell some of the treasures she obtained she needs an alibi.

"Brother Linjian, I don't think this is the only vault. This place seems vast. I and Ning'er escaped into the underground palace. Surely, there must be other vault rooms, we just have to search them. However, there are some lethal traps. So, we should watch where we are going "

Ziyun's words reignited hope in everyone present.

"Sister Ziyun, do you remember the way here and traps?" Chen Linjian asked, he knows how valuable even a little information is when it comes to exploration.

"I was confused a few times but if we are careful. We should be safe and we didn't reach here last time. So, we dont know the complete layout"

"It's fine, we will explore this place carefully"

Thus with rekindled hope, the group once again began their journey but they are very careful when they ventured into the underground palace.

In the middle of the journey, they met Nie li who shared valuable information. Together, they found a small vault.

The group cheered excluding three people.

Chen Linjian is severely disappointed, he knows not every tomb or ruin is worth the risk. However, knowing the rich history of this particular ruin, he expected more.

Nie Li on the other hand frantically searched for the shadow devil lamp but didn't find anything of that sort. The treasures here are practically worthless for him.

Ning'er didn't care that much, She is only here for an adventure with Ziyun. Besides, she didn't contribute much, and with the declining power of her clan. She will only be scorned if she dared to take anything here.

However

"Ning'er, take this dagger. I think you will be able to use it well. It has the wind attribute inscription" Ziyun took a dagger that looks like a short sword.

"Huh? No, it's fine. I can't take it besides, I didn't contribute anything here" Ning'er said with a smile, for her. Her spending time with Ziyun is more than enough.

"That's nonsense. You fought along just like us. You deserve it" Ziyun said with a smile as she handed the dagger to Ning'er.

At the same time, Chen Linjian said "Sister Ziyun, may I have a word with you?"

"Yes"

"That is...you know, I want to compensate you for the death of your family guards. I know they are valuable talents your family nurtured." Chen Linjian said carefully. He doesn't want to owe Snow wind's family, these small things will give him big troubles due to politics.

"Don't worry, I will manage it. I will take a few treasures and sell them. I think it is sufficient compensation. I will send some money to the families of the dead guards. My father won't pursue this matter if he knows they died protecting me"

Ziyun's words surprised Chen Linjian. 'She's surprisingly mature' He thought.

"Alright. You can take some treasures. Thank you for understanding"

Ziyun picked a few items and stored them.

The group quickly left the vault storing everything, it mainly belong to Chen Linjian as he organized it. The rest of the members are given treasures according to their contributions.

When Nie li revealed his encounter with members of the dark guild. Chen Linjian immediately ordered everyone to get back to Glory city as soon as possible.

There has already been an attack led by the dark guild while they are coming to the ruins. They don't want to face them again.

They took one night's rest. During this entire journey, Ziyun didn't slack off her sword and body cultivation, She cultivated daily.

During the return, Ziyun began using the myriad royal sword. With her perfect swings, instincts, and experience. She successfully defeated demon Beasts.

The group finally reached Glory city and parted their ways from there.