The golden light pouring from the dimensional gate continued to illuminate the deepest region of the Imperial Palace.
Ancient spiritual energy flowed outward like an endless river.
Every breath taken near the gate felt different.
Purified.
Ancient.
Powerful.
Lin Shuan stood before the entrance, unable to look away.
For the first time since arriving at the Imperial Palace, he could feel it clearly.
Something inside that realm was calling him.
Not a voice.
Not a sound.
Just a strange feeling buried deep within his soul.
Behind him, Qin Yue and Zu Lin were equally amazed.
Neither of them had expected the legendary Imperial Treasury Realm to be this extraordinary.
The two guardian elders slowly stepped aside.
The white-haired elder looked toward Lin Shuan.
"Come forward."
Lin Shuan immediately obeyed.
As he approached the gate, the pressure around him increased dramatically.
The golden light brushed against his body.
For a moment, he felt as though countless eyes were examining him.
The elder nodded slightly.
Then he spoke.
"Lin Shuan—"
The moment those words left his mouth, Qin Yue and Zu Lin froze.
Protector Yi remained expressionless.
The Arena Elder merely smiled.
Lin Shuan himself became speechless.
The elder continued calmly.
"There is no need to hide it."
"The Imperial Treasury recognizes only the individual who received the contract."
"The identity used outside does not matter here."
Zu Lin's mouth slowly opened.
"So... they knew all along..."
Qin Yue sighed helplessly.
"Of course they knew."
Lin Shuan scratched his head awkwardly.
Fortunately, neither elder seemed interested in discussing it further.
Instead, the golden-eyed elder pointed toward the gate.
"Listen carefully."
"The realm you are about to enter is divided into three regions."
Immediately, everyone's attention focused on him.
"The first region..."
"The Treasure Region."
Images appeared in the air as he spoke.
Countless weapons.
Ancient pills.
Rare ores.
Spirit herbs.
Treasures gathered throughout countless generations.
"Most cultivators would already consider this region a heaven-defying opportunity."
The elder's voice remained calm.
"The second region..."
"The Ancient Inheritance Region."
The illusion changed.
Ancient ruins appeared.
Broken temples.
Colossal statues.
Forgotten scriptures floating beneath endless stars.
"This region contains inheritances left behind by powerful experts."
"Cultivation techniques."
"Battle arts."
"Ancient understandings."
"What you obtain depends entirely upon your own ability."
Lin Shuan listened carefully.
Then the elder became slightly more serious.
"The third region..."
"The Lost Divine Region."
Silence appeared.
Even the Arena Elder became solemn.
The golden-eyed elder slowly continued.
"Very few people have ever entered it."
"Even fewer have returned from it."
Lin Shuan narrowed his eyes.
The elder continued.
"It is the oldest area of the Treasury Realm."
"Many of the empire's records regarding that place have already been lost."
"No one truly knows what remains inside."
The white-haired elder added:
"Some people find nothing."
"Some obtain unimaginable opportunities."
"And some never return."
The atmosphere immediately became heavier.
Even Zu Lin swallowed nervously.
Qin Yue looked toward Lin Shuan.
"Then don't go there."
Lin Shuan laughed.
"You say that like I'll have a choice."
Qin Yue sighed.
Because he knew Lin Shuan was right.
Someone like him would never turn away from opportunity.
Especially not a mysterious one.
Nearby—
Protector Yi silently watched the conversation.
Her crimson eyes rested on Lin Shuan.
There was a trace of concern hidden deep within them.
But she said nothing.
The white-haired elder raised a hand.
"The contract allows only one participant."
"Therefore..."
His gaze moved toward Qin Yue and Zu Lin.
"You cannot enter."
Neither seemed surprised.
They had already guessed as much.
The elder continued.
"The Treasury Realm recognizes only Lin Shuan."
"Any unauthorized individual attempting to enter will be rejected by the formation."
Zu Lin scratched his head.
"Looks like we're staying outside."
Qin Yue nodded.
"We'll wait."
Then he looked toward Lin Shuan.
"Don't take too long."
A smile appeared on his face.
"We still have a journey to make."
For a moment—
Lin Shuan became slightly emotional.
These people had become true friends.
Something he had never expected.
He nodded seriously.
"I'll return."
Zu Lin laughed loudly.
"Of course you will."
Then he lowered his voice.
"Besides..."
"If you die in there, who will pay for our drinks later?"
Lin Shuan almost kicked him.
The tension in the atmosphere immediately eased.
Even Protector Yi's lips twitched slightly.
The Arena Elder laughed openly.
For a brief moment—
everything felt peaceful.
Unfortunately—
far away from the Imperial Palace—
other forces were already moving.
Within a hidden underground hall.
Darkness covered everything.
Only a few green flames burned quietly.
Several black-robed figures knelt respectfully.
Before them sat a mysterious person hidden beneath shadows.
No face could be seen.
No aura leaked outward.
Only silence.
One black-robed cultivator spoke.
"Leader."
"The Imperial Treasury has opened."
The mysterious figure remained silent.
The cultivator continued.
"The target will enter shortly."
Several moments passed.
Then a calm voice echoed through the darkness.
"Good."
The kneeling figures lowered their heads further.
The mysterious man slowly tapped his finger against the armrest.
His thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Toward another realm.
A realm connected to the Imperial Treasury.
Years ago—
a hidden passage had been discovered.
One connected to the secret realm used during the Imperial Tournament.
The same ruined world where countless geniuses had competed.
The same ancient ruins where high-ranking cultivation techniques had been found.
The same place Qin Yue and the others had once explored.
Most people believed that realm was separate.
They were wrong.
A hidden route existed.
One that eventually connected to the deeper areas of the Treasury Realm.
That information had originally come from Yu Long Sect.
And after careful verification—
it had proven true.
The mysterious figure slowly smiled beneath the darkness.
Soon.
Very soon.
The game would truly begin.
"Proceed according to plan."
The black-robed cultivators immediately bowed.
"Yes, Leader."
Moments later—
they disappeared.
One after another.
Like shadows melting into darkness.
Back at the Imperial Palace.
The guardian elders began activating the entrance completely.
Ancient runes lit up around Lin Shuan.
Golden streams of energy surrounded him.
The pressure from the gate intensified.
The white-haired elder spoke.
"Remember."
"The Treasury Realm chooses as much as it rewards."
"What you obtain depends on yourself."
The Arena Elder nodded.
"And don't become blinded by treasures."
The golden-eyed elder added:
"If danger exceeds your ability, retreat immediately."
Lin Shuan nodded seriously.
He understood.
This was not a gift.
It was a test.
A dangerous one.
At that moment—
Protector Yi finally stepped forward.
The surrounding elders immediately became silent.
She stood before Lin Shuan.
Their eyes met.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then she raised her hand.
A crimson feather slowly appeared in her palm.
The feather seemed to be carved from living fire.
Ancient phoenix runes flickered across its surface.
A terrifying yet gentle aura quietly spread through the surroundings.
Lin Shuan's eyes widened slightly.
"What is this?"
Protector Yi answered calmly:
"A Crimson Phoenix Feather."
"If your life truly reaches the brink of death, crush it."
"It will protect you once."
Yet Protector Yi had handed it over without hesitation.
Lin Shuan looked up.
Their eyes met again.
This time—
he could clearly see the concern hidden behind her calm expression.
"Thank you."
Protector Yi turned away immediately.
As though she disliked being thanked.
"You should focus on returning alive."
Zu Lin immediately whispered to Qin Yue.
"I knew it."
Qin Yue sighed.
"Be quiet."
Before Zu Lin could continue—
Protector Yi glanced toward him.
The young man instantly shut his mouth.
Everyone pretended nothing happened.
Meanwhile—
inside the pendant—
Tian Wuchen finally spoke.
"Interesting."
Lin Shuan replied mentally.
"What?"
The old man chuckled.
"You've somehow managed to make one of the most terrifying women in the empire worry about you."
Lin Shuan nearly rolled his eyes.
"Master..."
Before he could continue—
the gate suddenly trembled.
BOOOOOOM!
The golden light intensified.
Ancient symbols appeared everywhere.
The entrance had fully stabilized.
The white-haired elder raised his hand.
"It is time."
Silence followed.
Lin Shuan inhaled deeply.
His heart beat rapidly.
Treasures.
Ancient inheritances.
Lost secrets.
Everything awaited him beyond this gate.
He turned toward Qin Yue.
Toward Zu Lin.
Toward Protector Yi.
Toward the elders.
Then he smiled.
"I'll be back."
Zu Lin immediately shouted.
"You better be!"
Qin Yue nodded firmly.
"We'll wait."
Protector Yi remained silent.
Yet her crimson eyes never left him.
Lin Shuan took one final breath.
Then—
he stepped forward.
The golden light swallowed him instantly.
WHOOSH!
His figure disappeared.
The gate trembled violently.
The runes flashed.
And then—
silence returned.
Lin Shuan had officially entered the Imperial Treasury Realm.
None of those standing outside knew that, at that very moment, multiple hidden forces were already moving toward the same destination through a completely different route.
And none of them knew that somewhere deep within the Treasury Realm—
an ancient secret that had remained dormant for countless years—
had just sensed the arrival of a new visitor.