The second shelf held rare materials and components of all shapes and sizes. There was everything from a fist-sized chunk of so kind of tallic ore that pulsed with silver light, to a blood-red crystal the size of an apple that seed to contain swirling liquid inside it, to preserved beast parts and processed spiritual woods. These were clearly valuable crafting materials.
The third shelf had the fewest total items but potentially the most precious ones. It consisted primarily of several jade bottles that were each approximately one inch in height. These bottles presumably contained refined dicinal pills of extraordinary quality.
Vogue maintained his expressionless deanor as he calmly swept his gaze across all the displayed treasures. He made ntal notes about which items appeared most valuable while carefully keeping his face neutral and uninterested.
None of this actually matters to , Vogue thought coldly. Let them get excited about trinkets and pills. What I truly need is information about restoring cultivation foundations and thods for rapid advancent. Material treasures are secondary.
Although the other cultivators similarly maintained outwardly calm appearances, Vogue could see the barely suppressed excitent in many of their eyes. Their spiritual senses were actively probing the treasures, ntally appraising values and imagining how each item might benefit their personal cultivation.
However, despite this intense interest, absolutely no one dared to simply reach out and start handling the items carelessly. They maintained their discipline and simply observed from a respectful distance.
After several minutes of this careful examination, Family Head Marcus stepped forward to take charge of the situation. He cleared his throat and addressed the group in an authoritative tone:
"I will now catalog these treasures on behalf of our expedition so that we may proceed with fair distribution. Please observe but do not touch anything until we’ve completed a full inventory."
Marcus began walking along the shelves, carefully identifying each item using his extensive knowledge of cultivation artifacts and materials. As he examined the treasures, he spoke aloud to inform the entire group:
"Alright everyone, let clarify what we’ve discovered here. There are six ancient-grade treasures that can be used imdiately at full power without requiring refinent. Additionally, there are ten magic-grade treasures that will need so personal refinent before reaching maximum effectiveness, but these were clearly powerful implents owned by formidable cultivators who fell to Master Cang Kun during his lifeti."
He continued his assessnt: "Finally, there are eight shares of rare materials and dicinal pills, which I’ve organized into groups of roughly equivalent total value. Of course, what everyone desires most are undoubtedly the ancient-grade treasures, since those items can display their full combat strength imdiately without any preparation. However, I should point out that these magic-grade implents are far from common either—they were all claid from Master Cang Kun’s defeated opponents and rivals. Their inherent quality is quite high."
Marcus paused to let this information sink in before continuing: "Even if you can only manifest seventy percent of a magic treasure’s full capabilities after spending ti to refine and attune it to your personal energy, the investnt will certainly prove worthwhile. These are genuinely powerful artifacts."
He then addressed a specific concern: "As for the two lowest-ranking mbers of our expedition—Sean and Madam Violet’s assistant—you will each be allocated a single share from among the materials and pills rather than competing for the weapons and artifacts. Is this arrangent understood and accepted?"
Sean nodded without complaint, clearly having expected this limitation. The young woman also indicated her acceptance with a quiet gesture of acknowledgnt.
Madam Violet, apparently unable to resist taking advantage of her seniority and the goodwill she’d earned by attempting to break the barrier, spoke up with blunt directness:
"As old as I am, how much ti do I honestly have remaining to spend on the lengthy process of refining and attuning a magic-grade treasure to my spiritual energy? It would take years of dedicated effort! I’ll be selecting one of the ancient-grade implents that can be wielded imdiately, thank you very much!"
The others present didn’t verbally respond to her straightforward declaration, but several of them smiled wryly or rolled their eyes slightly. Everyone knew perfectly well that Madam Violet’s claim about her advanced age limiting her options was sowhat disingenuous—Luminous Realm cultivators typically had centuries of lifespan remaining. But no one felt inclined to challenge her publicly over the matter.
At that mont, Sir Collins stepped forward and addressed Marcus and Mr. Yun with a serious, heavy tone:
"Will you two Fellow Cultivators not be exercising your priority selection rights now while we’re distributing these items? I feel compelled to point out that there may not be anything on the second floor that interests you specifically. It seems unwise to pass up guaranteed valuable treasures in favor of complete uncertainty."
Marcus’s expression imdiately beca darker and colder. His eyes narrowed as he responded with anger:
"Fellow Cultivator Collins, what exactly are you implying with that statent? Are you suggesting that Mr. Yun and I are planning so kind of deception?"
Mr. Yun similarly stared at Sir Collins with an unfriendly expression, clearly offended.
Sir Collins realized his words had been taken as an insult, and he backpedaled quickly. He forced a conciliatory chuckle and raised both hands in a placating gesture:
"No, no—nothing! I rely felt it would be regrettable if you decided against taking advantage of your earned priority with these treasures, only to discover nothing suitable on the upper floor. My concern was purely practical, not accusatory. Please don’t misunderstand my intentions."
Marcus studied the dwarf’s face for a long mont, trying to determine if this explanation was genuine or if Collins was probing for weaknesses. Finally, his expression softened slightly and he responded in a more asured tone:
"There’s no need for excessive worry, Fellow Cultivator. Mr. Yun and I have specific items we’re hoping to locate in this inheritance, and we have strong reason to believe those particular treasures are more likely to be on the second floor rather than displayed down here. As for Fellow Cultivator Vogue, he retains the option to use his priority selection privilege now or save it for later—the choice is entirely his."
He turned to address Vogue directly: "What would you prefer, Fellow Cultivator Vogue? Would you like to make your selection from these items, or would you rather wait and see what the upper floor contains?"
Vogue rubbed his chin thoughtfully, appearing to genuinely consider the options. After a brief pause, he replied in a casual, unconcerned tone:
"I’ll reserve my selection privilege for the second floor as well. Nothing on these shelves particularly calls to at the mont."
Besides, Vogue thought privately, I have absolutely no intention of taking anything that these people know I’ve claid. The mont we leave this ruin, they’ll just kill and reclaim whatever I selected. Better to appear cooperative while preparing my actual escape.
Sir Collins accepted this decision with a philosophical shrug. "Since that’s settled, I propose we proceed with an equitable division thod for the rest of us. If you want to claim an ancient-grade treasure, you must renounce your right to select any magic-grade implents afterward. This ensures fairness. Do all of you Fellow Cultivators agree to this approach?"
"That thod seems perfectly reasonable. I agree!" Madam Violet quickly endorsed the proposal.
"Acceptable to as well," another cultivator chid in.
One by one, the other expedition mbers voiced their agreent with the distribution system Collins had outlined. It struck everyone as a fair compromise that balanced individual preferences with group equity.
The actual selection process proceeded smoothly from that point. Of course, Vogue made the deliberate choice to renounce any claim to the magic-grade treasures, maintaining consistency with his stated intention to wait for the second floor.
As for Mr. Yun and Sir Collins, they each decided to forgo the ancient-grade implents entirely. Instead, they each selected two magic-grade treasures plus one share of the materials and dicinal pills. Apparently they had calculated that the total value of multiple items outweighed acquiring a single more powerful artifact.
The remaining cultivators each took one ancient-grade treasure according to their personal preferences and combat styles.
Vogue himself acquired a bamboo tube that was approximately one foot in length and sealed at both ends with jade caps. When he had examined it briefly with his spiritual sense, the tube had shown interesting properties, though he couldn’t imdiately determine its specific function or the level of power it contained.
Although Vogue didn’t actually know what abilities the bamboo tube possessed or how it was ant to be activated, he calmly placed the item into his storage space without showing any particular care or interest. He gave the appearance of soone going through motions to maintain appearances rather than soone genuinely excited about acquiring a treasure.
It doesn’t matter, Vogue thought dismissively. I’ll never actually use this thing. It’s just a prop to avoid looking suspicious.
In addition to the bamboo tube artifact, Vogue also selected one share of the dicinal pills and rare materials. These he examined more carefully since pills at least had obvious uses regardless of other circumstances.
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