Chapter 125: The Gilded Dragon Key and the Manor Guardian Spirit Beast

Lying lazily, Ye Rong waited as his nearly cramped ten fingers gradually straightened and regained their ability to bend and move.

“That Jade Cauldron Bell Chime truly was a marvelous treasure. Had it shattered several hours later, maybe it could have propelled me straight to Level 50 or allowed me to complete the Qingcheng Sword Art cultivation.”

Within that short time afforded by the Jade Cauldron Bell Chime, Ye Rong had rocketed up three levels, simultaneously advancing the Qingcheng Sword Art to the seventeenth layer.

Achieving this through normal grinding would have taken at least five or six days. Finding gains this swift was simply unreal.

With the surge to Level 40, Ye Rong could now equip the Green Dragon Ornate Feather Robe. This offered tremendous convenience for movement within water zones.

At the very least, concerning Sword Flight Speed underwater, few across the entire Far Shore could likely match him.

“My luck truly seems excellent, stumbling upon such a rare item. Now, let’s see if the remaining dozen or so treasure bronze pillars hold anything else.”

Resting for a considerable time, Ye Rong finally got up. Those thirty-six Heavenly Apex Treasure Pillars weren’t finished yet.

Electric flashes, ice seals, and various rebounding damages triggered by touching restrictions resulted in repeated failures. None of this concerned him now. Having already secured a reward, returning empty-handed wasn’t a worry, leaving his mind much calmer.

Facing treasure bronze pillars with unknown requirements, largely testing factors concerning luck, failing to maintain a level head could easily lead to doubting one’s luck and spiraling into broader insecurities.

Upon feeling the third-to-last treasure bronze pillar, another anomaly emerged. As Ye Rong reached inside, a Gilded Dragon Key lying flat within emitted a desolate, ancient dragon roar, seemed to leap once, and landed right into his grasp.

“Even treasures willingly submit to my good fortune, see! My luck is that good!”

Ye Rong tested the final two treasure bronze pillars but returned empty-handed. His sole harvest was the Gilded Dragon Key in hand.

Gilded Dragon Key, Qiao Mountain’s Dragon Steed, the Yellow Emperor’s Tomb, the Dragon Key to unlock the Yellow Emperor’s Tomb.

The Yellow Emperor’s Tomb! This little item was actually connected to the Yellow Emperor’s Tomb!

Ye Rong turned the Gilded Dragon Key over repeatedly. He struggled to contain his overwhelming excitement; it was truly beyond his wildest expectations.

Within the Far Shore, several renowned treasure vaults captivated every player. The game company designated them as super-dungeons slated for the late-game phase.

Locations like the Moon Child Island Lianshan Treasury, Fantasy Wave Pool’s Sacred Maiden’s Hidden Relics, the Purple Cloud Palace’s Golden Court Jade Pillars, Guangchengzi’s Yuan River Golden Ship, and others, were only accessible to players well over Level 100. This design prolonged the game’s lifespan, adding new exploration thrills, while also providing a source for Ninth-Grade Flying Swords and Magic Treasures.

Ordinary quests or bosses rarely dropped such high-tier gear.

The Yellow Emperor’s Tomb ranked alongside these elite vaults as a super-large dungeon. Its fame hinted at countless treasures within, yet its exact location remained unknown.

Comparing it to the Wuhou Tomb almost wasn’t fair; the difference in difficulty was immense.

While a Level 50-60 elite party might attempt the Wuhou Tomb, exploring the Yellow Emperor’s Tomb required the full might of a mega-guild like the Shushan Sword Alliance. Furthermore, it was best reserved for when top-tier players reached Level 80+, or ideally, after successfully weathering their First Heavenly Tribulation.

Ye Rong swung the Gilded Dragon Key in his hand. Disappointingly, it possessed no stats. Likely a pure key prop for the Yellow Emperor’s Tomb, destined to play a significant role at some future point.

Exploring the Tomb wasn’t even a thought; without knowing its location, the concept was meaningless.

Moreover, such a place surely had layers of restrictions and myriad guarding monsters. A mere Gilded Dragon Key wouldn’t grant him unimpeded access, at most offering a slim advantage or functioning as a necessary key item at crucial treasure points. That seemed far more plausible.

Within the Golden Cabinet Water Manor’s grand golden hall, besides the thirty-six Heavenly Apex Treasure Pillars, six milky-white light globes served as entrances to other manor structures. However, until Ye Rong became the true master, these remained sealed.

Attempting to squeeze into these milky globes only resulted in him being repelled each time by an invisible force.

“Huh? What’s this?”

To his surprise, this time, Ye Rong wasn’t pushed away, but neither did he enter. Instead, a new prompt appeared.

“Challenge Manor Guardian Spirit Beast Green-Eyed Golden-Pupiled Beast now?”

No! No! No!

Ye Rong’s sharp eyes caught the countdown timer. If he didn’t choose, it would automatically accept the challenge and teleport him in ten seconds.

Green-Eyed Golden-Pupiled Beast! Even if its power was unknown, the name alone sounded incredibly imposing. Definitely not some weak fish. As the Minor Manor’s Guardian Spirit Beast designating some Level 30-40 trash monster wouldn’t fit its status. Why had this Manor Guardian Spirit Beast option appeared so abruptly? It wasn’t here last time.

Refusing to give up, Ye Rong pushed towards another milky alight globe. Sure enough, an identical prompt appeared.

“Challenge Manor Guardian Spirit Beast Twelve-Winged Soaring Snake now?”

“Challenge Manor Guardian Spirit Beast Nine-Headed Mysterious Turtle now?”

“Challenge Manor Guardian Spirit Beast Primeval Water Ape now?”

…

Every milky light globe hid a different Manor Guardian Spirit Beast awaiting his challenge. With no knowledge of these suddenly appearing beasts, Ye Rong naturally didn’t dare act recklessly.

These six Manor Guardian Spirit Beasts: Green-Eyed Golden-Pupiled Beast, Twelve-Winged Soaring Snake, Nine-Headed Mysterious Turtle, Primeval Water Ape, Auspicious Five Virtues Yellow Hornless Dragon, and Extreme Cold White Coiled Dragon – each probably rivaled the power of the three Pegasus Spirit Essences within the Heavenly Horse Stone Monument.

“Information regarding Manor Guardian Spirit Beasts… Ethereal Green Robe might be the only one who knows. But how can I get these insider details out of him?”

The sudden changes in the Golden Cabinet Water Manor felt like a positive for Ye Rong, likely an adaptation triggered by his level increase.

Previously, he’d been stuck powerless within the golden hall, unable to utilize the Water Mansion despite “owning” it. The emergence of the six Manor Guardian Spirit Beasts, at least, changed matters before he acquired the Ancient Cultivator’s Remains.

Perhaps defeating one would allow passage through the light globes into other areas? Or, similar to the Heavenly Horse Stone Monument, he could capture it like a Pegasus Spirit Essence, turning it into his Monster Pet?

Naturally, these were merely Ye Rong’s musings. Only by challenging one would he learn the truth.

Picking the weakest made sense, but judging by their majestic names offered no clues. He memorized all six names, planning to ask Dongliu Cangshui back at the Sect and search the Forum for information on these Spiritual Beasts.

“Heard Jiuyu Pavilion has started selling intelligence reports. Fees? Reliability? If the value-good, maybe I’ll buy info from them.”

Ideas stirred in Ye Rong’s mind. Once stronger, preparation could begin.

This trip to the Golden Cabinet Water Manor yielded incredible riches, far exceeding his wildest initial hopes.

Crucially, his understanding of the Water Manor deepened. Knowing of the six Manor Guardian Spirit Beasts was vital. Otherwise, even obtaining the Ancient Cultivator’s Remains from Ethereal Green Robe might not have allowed him to truly take control.

“Whose Flying Sword Message?”

As Ye Rong exited the Golden Cabinet Water Manor, he spotted a sword light orbiting outside the Five Elements Yin Fiery True Fire Restriction, unable to penetrate.

Barriers like this Water Manor blocked Flying Sword Messages, especially if the sender wasn’t on his Heavenly Horse Stone Monument’s access list. This message might have arrived earlier, undeliverable until now.

Him? Why would he seek me out…

Ye Rong waved a hand. The star-streaked sword light landed. Reading the message generated even more questions.

…

Before the Jade Void Cave, Kunlun.

As a Sect steeped in history and orthodoxy rivaling the Far Shore’s oldest, the Kunlun Sect naturally stood among the game’s premier major factions. Among Righteous Factions, its strength fell only slightly behind the dominant Emei. A constant stream of powerhouses ensured it commanded serious respect.

“Blood Colored, how many have you invited?”

“Seven. Eight including myself. Enough to succeed.”

Clad in white robes, with strikingly handsome, almost eerie features radiating confidence, a silver bell tied to his wrist jingled crisply as mountain breezes brushed past, producing a surprisingly merry tune.

“Let’s see… Several here seem rather average. Look at this one—since when do they invite Qingcheng Disciples? Name unknown.”

He waved a list of the seven names—Blood Colored’s invited helpers.

“Wouldn’t mobilizing people directly from our hall be easier? Just brush off big sister’s comments; you know how she can be.”

“No need. I have it under control. It’s only a Mechanism Blueprint.” Blood Colored paused. “As for that nobody you mentioned, Lao San? It’s Qingcheng’s Tournament Champion. Currently the top player among their Disciples.”

“Hah! When did Qingcheng ever produce any notable force? Their so-called ‘top player’ wouldn’t crack the top thirty within our Kunlun ranks.” Lao San chuckled dismissively at his companion’s words.