Chapter 11: The Underground Chamber, The Supreme Path

In the courtyard, the ancient Bodhi tree stood silently. Bathed in moonlight, each leaf shimmered with a luminous emerald glow. Though it had endured for more than two thousand years, its branches remained vigorous, brimming with life. If one stared long enough, one could sense a certain mystical aura flowing through it. Yet aside from this, there was nothing particularly remarkable about the tree.

The global metamorphosis seemed to be quietly unfolding, but its scope was so limited that outsiders perceived it as nothing more than ordinary natural phenomena. However, once that fateful day arrived just over a month later, everything would change. All anomalies would erupt across the world in a dramatic surge.

As Lu Yuan strolled toward the villa’s grand hall, his mind was deep in thought. Most divine artifacts showed no abnormality at this stage. Thus, even if someone stumbled upon them, they would take little notice, or simply ignore them altogether. But after that day, everything would be different.

Of course, there were some items that possessed marvelous uses even before the metamorphosis began, but most of these had already been collected in advance by mysterious organizations, chief among them the Wu Zhou Group. Lu Yuan’s advantage lay in the fact that he had survived ten full years in the new era, with a wealth of firsthand experience. This was something no one else in the world could claim, and the fundamental reason he knew precisely how to lay the groundwork for the future and stay ahead of everyone.

Returning to the main hall, Lu Yuan headed straight for the basement. After entering a sequence of codes before a door, the alloy barrier opened and the lights inside came on automatically.

There was little within. Only three items: a bead, a tattered Daoist robe, and a bow. Each appeared utterly ordinary, with nothing outwardly special.

Lu Yuan entered, placed the Ghost Seal he’d obtained from Treasure Pavilion on the pedestal, and first picked up the bead, gently caressing it. This bead was not smooth, its surface speckled with impurities—something no one would pay attention to if they saw it on the street. But in truth, only Lu Yuan knew that it was a relic left behind after the passing of a high monk, commonly known as a sarira, discovered in an ancient tomb in the snowy regions. Within it was sealed a terrifying supreme Buddhist power. Of course, even if an ordinary person possessed it, they would have no idea how to unlock its secrets.

Only after the global metamorphosis, when the Bodhi tree was used for consecration, would its true supernatural qualities be revealed.

The second item, the patched and timeworn Daoist robe, was the Innate Qi Garment. When worn, it would automatically absorb the energies of heaven and earth, not only refining the body and warding off all poisons, but also rendering one impervious to water and fire. Most importantly, its defensive power was astonishing—it could withstand lightning itself.

The last item, the Heaven-Shaking Bow, was said to be crafted in imitation of the legendary Divine Bow that shot down the suns in ancient times. Drawing it would automatically gather the energy of heaven and earth, forming arrows capable of striking down enemies from ten thousand miles away. Though not as powerful as the original, even now it was a veritable divine artifact.

Lu Yuan once witnessed a formidable expert wield this Heaven-Shaking Bow, shooting down a star from beyond the skies, an awe-inspiring feat.

He had acquired these three items after his rebirth, relying on his memories to purchase them at great expense—whether from antique markets or domestic auctions. As ancient relics, they were fine collectibles and came at a steep price. The Heaven-Shaking Bow alone, superbly preserved, had cost over fifty million.

Yet for Lu Yuan, their true worth could not be measured in money. Some might see this as squandering wealth, but what did they know of his true purpose?

The Bodhi tree would awaken innate spirit, bestowing divine wisdom and talents multiplied a hundred millionfold. The sarira concealed the supreme Buddhist powers. The Innate Qi Garment would refine the flesh, render one immune to water, fire, and lightning. The Heaven-Shaking Bow could gather the energies of the world, slaying foes across great distances. The complete Dao De Jing contained the Cosmic Visualization Diagram, lauded as the premier visualization method under heaven. The Ghost Seal and the heirloom cauldron from the Chen family were the two most crucial keys to entering the First Emperor’s Mausoleum.

Lu Yuan calculated inwardly: aside from the last two items, each of the others would grant him immense advantages—arming him to the teeth and making him ready to face any calamity after the global metamorphosis, paving the way for an invincible path.

“It’s not enough. Not yet. The wordless stele of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the Celestial Sword Embryo, the Eleven-Level Blood Pagoda, Elder Ge’s Meridian-Heaven Furnace…”

“If I want to reach the summit, I must obtain these as well—none of them can be omitted.”

Ten years of struggle at the bottom in his previous life had taught Lu Yuan the meaning of cruelty. He had no wish to endure it again.

Thus, after settling his immediate affairs, he planned to leave Shanghai and set everything in motion before the metamorphosis descended in full force.

After checking through the items in his possession that would transform into divine artifacts, Lu Yuan left the basement. The underground chamber had been specially constructed—no one but himself could enter.

In the days that followed, Lu Yuan continued his preparations. While seeking further opportunities, he also trained his body. Whenever he had time, he would visit Elder Ge’s home to see if any assistance was needed.

During this period, he received the complete Dao De Jing shipped from overseas, and met with Chen Song to acquire the family cauldron. The treasures in his basement grew richer still.

One morning, having just finished his training and ablutions, Lu Yuan sat down to breakfast, pondering his plans.

“Ordinary training can only strengthen the body to a limited extent. To truly possess a superhuman physique, special methods are required. That’s why I must get my hands on Elder Ge’s Meridian-Heaven Furnace.”

He considered how to speed up the process. After all, it was one of the few items useful even before the global metamorphosis. It would lay a solid foundation for him and provide all manner of unexpected benefits later on.

At that moment, the phone rang. Lu Yuan glanced at the caller ID, his eyes lighting up. “Hello, Manager Lin? How did it go?”

It was Manager Lin from the sixth floor of Treasure Pavilion.

“Mr. Lu, it’s done. He’ll be here at ten o’clock. But… whether the deal goes through, I can’t say,” Manager Lin said over the phone. “You’ll have to negotiate with him yourself.”

They were referring to the Eleven-Level Blood Pagoda—another treasure Lu Yuan was determined to obtain.

Hearing this, Lu Yuan smiled. “Don’t worry. As long as he’s coming, it’ll be fine. I’ll head over right away.”

He hung up, tidied himself, and drove away from the villa.

The fact that the man was coming meant he was at least somewhat interested. All Lu Yuan needed to do was nurture that interest until the deal was sealed. In this, he was confident.