Chapter 117: Entering the Treasury

"It is said that this treasury has a history of at least a thousand years. It was hidden deep within the mountains all this time, and even the Fire Dragon Valley failed to discover it. It was only recently, when the rocks concealing the site suddenly crumbled, that the treasury was revealed. The Fire Dragon Valley originally intended to keep it for themselves, but the news was leaked to the Taiyi Sect."

"The Fire Dragon Valley is clearly no match for the Taiyi Sect. Rather than letting the Taiyi Sect reap all the benefits for nothing, the Fire Dragon Valley chose to spread the news far and wide. Once every major sect learned of the matter, even the Taiyi Sect had to back down."

The two remained in hiding as Duanmu Meng'er explained the situation regarding the treasury. Chu Han nodded; he had already guessed as much.

The Fire Dragon Valley had made the most rational choice. If they hadn't spread the word, the treasury would surely have been monopolized by the Taiyi Sect, leaving them with nothing. By drawing a crowd, they created chaos in which they might at least secure a few items—a way to cut their losses.

Chu Han attempted to probe the contents of the treasury with his perception, but he was disappointed. The treasury seemed protected by some sort of barrier that his senses could not penetrate. Since that was the case, he stopped wasting his energy, instead closing his eyes to calm his mind and adjust his state to its peak.

Soon, the sun rose. The paper seal at the entrance of the cave peeled away, and the iron doors swung open. A swarm of people rushed inside. Chu Han did not move; instead, he held back Duanmu Meng'er, who had been about to dash in, leaving her looking at him in confusion.

"Don't be impatient. You must remember that this treasury has existed for a thousand years; how could it be devoid of traps? Obtaining treasures is not that simple. Let them go in first; we won't fight them for it."

Chu Han smiled faintly. If they went in first, they would inevitably clash with other factions. Although he did not fear them, his goal was to obtain a specific item and then safely enter the Yin-Yang Realm of the Taiyi Sect. He would not resort to violence unless absolutely necessary.

Duanmu Meng'er realized the wisdom in his words and patiently stood by his side. Only after the members of the surrounding sects had all rushed in did the two of them stroll slowly into the cave.

Upon entering, Chu Han discovered that the path behind them had been sealed off. With his current strength, he could not break through it. Suddenly, he felt a wave of weakness and discomfort, which took him by surprise.

"My cultivation has dropped to the Wheel Sea realm, specifically around the Divine Bridge stage. How about you?"

He realized that his strength had been suppressed. This place must contain something that dampens one's cultivation. If so, it was likely that everyone's realm had been suppressed.

Duanmu Meng'er checked her own body and nodded urgently. It was true—everyone's cultivation had been suppressed to the Divine Bridge stage. Chu Han, who had been worried about facing powerful experts, now felt completely at ease.

If every sect that entered was suppressed to the Divine Bridge stage, he was essentially invincible at this level. Even Duanmu Meng'er would not be his match; although her cultivation was suppressed, his physical strength remained at a staggering 160,000 jin.

At the Divine Bridge stage, 160,000 jin of force was practically peerless; no one could possibly be his opponent.

The two walked deeper into the cave, only to discover that it was vast and riddled with side paths. The major sects had already chosen their own routes. Even from a distance, Chu Han could hear their chatter, which was nothing more than complaints about their suppressed cultivation.

Finding his perception useless here, Chu Han chose a path at random and stepped inside.

However, they had barely begun when they found themselves surrounded. Three or four experts emerged from the shadows, looking at them with mocking smiles.

"Haha, look at this. Two pieces of trash have wandered in. No sect insignia—they're clearly rogue cultivators. And here, in the middle of nowhere."

One of them leered at Duanmu Meng'er, and the others closed in. Chu Han stared at them coldly, shielding Duanmu Meng'er behind him.

"Hand over your valuables, and we might spare your lives. Otherwise, I'll ensure not a single piece of you remains intact."

Hearing this, Chu Han's expression turned grim. These were not men of honorable sects, but members of minor ones who saw this as an opportunity because everyone's cultivation was suppressed.

In this isolated place, no signals could be sent out. To escape, one had to find the exit, which no one had yet discovered. If they wiped out a group and seized their treasures, no one on the outside would ever know.

Seeing that Chu Han and Duanmu Meng'er were alone and lacked sect insignias, they viewed them as easy targets.

Chu Han let out a cold snort and took a step forward. Even without the use of Qi, his aura remained formidable.

"Fine. Since you are determined to court death, don't blame us for being ruthless."

The man who had spoken earlier sneered, and the four surrounding men charged at once, attacking from all sides to seal off his path.

Duanmu Meng'er prepared to strike, but Chu Han stopped her. "No need. I can handle this alone."

As the words left his lips, the four attacks reached him. Without hesitation, he countered with a punch, striking the fist of one of the attackers. A sickening *crack* echoed through the chamber as bones shattered, followed by a chorus of agonizing screams.

Chu Han dodged the remaining attacks and stomped his right foot hard against the ground. The floor began to tremble, sending the three others stumbling and falling. Chu Han grabbed one of them by the throat, staring coldly at the group.

"Heh, you want to rob us? With trash like you? Hand over whatever valuables you have, or I'll kill you right now."

Terrified by Chu Han's overwhelming physical strength, the men hurriedly nodded and emptied their belongings.

As they were mere disciples of a minor sect, they didn't possess anything of great value—mostly just medicinal pills for recovery. However, one of them produced a palm-sized piece of lightning-struck wood. Chu Han was pleasantly surprised; he hadn't expected to find such a treasure among them.

After collecting their items, Chu Han knocked them all unconscious. They were nothing more than a rabble; there was no point in killing them.

"Duanmu Meng'er, do you have any need for this lightning-struck wood? If not, I'll take it; it happens to be useful to me."

He turned to her, keeping their partnership in mind. Distributing the spoils fairly was essential for a lasting alliance.

Duanmu Meng'er nodded blankly. She was still in shock from Chu Han's display of power. Even with everyone suppressed to the Divine Bridge stage, his ability to crush his opponents so effortlessly was incredible.

She imagined herself in their position; if Chu Han had punched her, the result would have been the same broken bones. With such terrifying physical strength, Chu Han was essentially an invincible existence in a place where everyone else was limited to the Divine Bridge stage.