Wait a minute, where is my master?

Zhao Mansion, bookroom entrance.

Zhao Dabao came over with Jin Xu and others.

"Dad, I've brought Taoist Jin Xu here," Zhao Dabao called out from a distance.

The bookroom was silent, no one responded.

Zhao Dabao and his group entered the room.

The last one through the door, Little White, suddenly sniffed and turned to look at a corner of the room.

"Temple master, there's someone there."

The Husky spoke up to alert them.

Jin Xu, hearing this, looked toward the corner.

An elderly figure with a kindly face emerged from the corner of the bookroom. He first complimented, "This young lady has quite the sharp observation skills."

Then he continued, "The servant Zhao Qian at your service. I am used to hiding on a daily basis. I didn't expect to startle Taoist Jin Xu and the two young ladies, please forgive me."

Upon seeing this, Fatty Zhao hurriedly spoke up to introduce everyone.

"This is Grandpa Qian. I grew up following him around. Although he's not my biological grandfather, he is like one to me."

"This is Taoist Jin Xu. Thanks to him, I was able to obtain the Enlightenment Pill."

"These two young ladies are..."

Fatty Zhao had indeed seen Little White transform, but he was also puzzled about what exactly the relationship between these two people and the Taoist was.

"They are cultivators at my Taoist temple."

Seeing Zhao Dabao's hesitation, Jin Xu spoke up.

The group exchanged greetings.

After Jin Xu finished speaking, Zhao Dabao asked.

"Grandpa Qian, where is my dad?"

"Young master, the head of the family had some urgent matters to attend to. He left the city last night. However, he instructed that since he knew you would invite Taoist Jin Xu to the mansion today, he specially left these twenty-four Mystic Treasure Pearls behind."

Zhao Qian said, pulling out a string of pearls from his bosom.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Grandpa Qian."

Fatty Zhao had a Spirit Root but hadn't had the chance to start cultivating, so naturally, he couldn't activate the twenty-four Mystic Treasure Pearls.

Then Jin Xu saw the old man called Zhao Qian making hand seals. The twenty-four Mystic Treasure Pearls flew up into the air, connecting end to end, and emitted a gentle white light that grew larger and larger.

Eventually, they formed a vertical circle of light that hovered in the center of the bookroom.

The young Taoist looked at Zhao Dabao, puzzled, "Elder Zhao, what is this?"

Fatty Zhao squinted his eyes and said with a smile, "Taoist Jin Xu, this is the Zhao family's treasury."

He then explained, "These twenty-four Mystic Treasure Pearls were replicated by my father based on our Zhao family ancestors' life-bound magical treasures. Their internal space is vast, not only for storage but also capable of accommodating no more than three people at the same time. Ever since they were crafted, it has replaced the previous treasury."

After finishing, Zhao Dabao requested Uncle Qian to guard outside.

Then he turned and gestured for Jin Xu to come in with him.

Hearing it could accommodate up to three people at once, the young Taoist instructed Yu Yaoer and Little White to wait there and not to wander off.

He then stepped into the circle of light.

Inside the bookroom, Zhao Qian looked at Little White and Yu Yaoer.

"Ladies, why not rest in the drawing-room for a moment? When the young master and Taoist Jin Xu come out, I will send someone to inform you."

Little White, not sensing any dangerous aura from the old man, nodded and asked.

"Are there any chicken legs in the drawing-room?"

"Ahem... there are."

"Great, then we'll wait in the drawing-room."

Yu Yaoer was planning to wait here for her young master to come out, but the Husky dragged her away to the drawing-room.

After the two left the bookroom, Uncle Qian fell into thought.

A young Taoist who doesn't show any spiritual power unless he acts, accompanied by two Nascent Soul Realm great demons.

What kind of friends has his young master made?

...

Within the twenty-four Mystic Treasure Pearls,

as Jin Xu entered, he discovered the place was blanketed in white.

The first thing that caught his eye was a series of wooden racks on the ground.

He looked around and found that the racks held either bells, cauldrons, kettles, pagodas; or bottles, stones, mirrors, seals, along with some uniquely shaped objects.

He didn't find any books or jade slips, so it seemed his plan to find the Flying Escape Skill was a bust.

"Taoist Jin Xu, these are the treasures my Zhao family has collected over the years, see if there's anything you fancy."

Zhao Dabao, who had entered just before him, came out from behind a wooden rack.

Since he was there, Jin Xu didn't plan on being overly polite with Elder Zhao.

He strode over to a rack, where one item in particular drew his gaze.

It was a large basin, completely golden, with motifs of ingots, Ruyis, Golden Toads, and Copper Coins etched on it; its body was also inset with numerous sparkling gemstones.

"Elder Zhao, what is this?"

"This is a Treasure Gathering Basin."

Zhao Dabao explained when Jin Xu inquired.

A Treasure Gathering Basin!

The name alone was enough to satisfy the childhood fantasies of the young Taoist.

"This magical artifact was found by a member of our family by chance. You just have to place an item inside the basin, inject Spiritual Power, and whatever you put in will fill the entire basin."

After hearing the explanation, Jin Xu thought, if he had this thing,

it would save so much hassle, especially during New Year's.

You wrap a dumpling with one filling, place it in the basin, inject Spiritual Power, and voilà, a basin full of dumplings.

"However, the drawback is too significant. The item placed inside cannot carry any Spiritual Power or life, and it can only be used once a year. I wouldn't really recommend it."

Zhao Dabao added.

In truth, the only reason this basin was on display was because Elder Zhao thought it looked festive.

"Then forget it."

The Taoist shook his head; he thought he had come across the mythical Treasure Gathering Basin from the comedy routines of his past life.

Something that could only be used once a year was even less practical than honestly selling lucky charms for a living.

Next, wherever Jin Xu's gaze fell, Zhao Dabao would introduce that item to him.

A stick of incense burned down.

The Taoist learned about a small green bottle that could encourage plant growth but had no effect on Spirit Plants; an Outer Heaven Meteorite that could heal one's own injuries but only worked for those below the Foundation Establishment Stage; and a ring that could store items but housed a remnant soul that would continuously absorb his Spiritual Power.

"Elder Zhao, the magical treasures in your family's treasury... they're... quite amusing."

The Taoist commented with an indescribable expression.

Fatty Zhao wiped the sweat beads trickling down his forehead. He had initially wanted Jin Xu to browse on his own.

Who would have thought that he'd manage to pick out these four lackluster magical artifacts right away.

"Ahem... The things outside are just fillers. Taoist, please follow me."

With that, Zhao Dabao led Jin Xu further inside.

"These few rows contain High-Grade magical treasures and materials extremely valuable in the Cultivation World. Whatever catches your eye, I'll introduce you to it."

Having interacted more with Jin Xu, Zhao Dabao discovered that this high and noble person, in his eyes, was not difficult to get along with.

Fatty Zhao had also become much more relaxed.

Hearing Elder Zhao's words, the Taoist nodded his head and moved forward to take a closer look.

He noticed that the wooden racks had been replaced with stone ones.

The first row held a fiery red sword, earthy yellow inner armor, a jade pagoda, and a seal exuding a metallic luster, among other items.

The second row displayed materials, like water-blue amber, and silver ore speckled with starlight.

Hmm?

There was also something he found very familiar.