This fleshy column is nauseating; judging by the severed end and appearance, it's clearly the mouth of some demon beast.

But since several black-clothed Profound Guards who haven't even reached Enlightenment could cut it off, it must not be too formidable.

The question is, how could there be a demon beast here in the Capital City, especially at the headquarters of the Astronomical Bureau known for National Guardian and Exorcism?

However, the official leading the way ahead was not surprised at all, instead shaking his head with a laugh, "Another unlucky fool, it seems this year's newcomers aren't too promising..."

Seeing Zhang Kui puzzled, the official quickly explained:

"There are several caves in the dense woods we just passed through, with winding paths leading who-knows-where, where strange demon beasts occasionally appear."

Zhang Kui squinted his eyes, "The National Guardian True Man doesn't intervene?"

"Taoist, you might not be aware..."

The official chuckled, "These demon caves appeared during the previous dynasty. The current Emperor Qianyuan has strictly ordered that no deep exploration is allowed, only to eliminate demons that venture out."

"Fortunately, these demon beasts are just slightly more formidable than ordinary fierce beasts. Though they are vicious, they lack intelligence, so it's simply seen as a training ground for the black-clothed Profound Guards of the Astronomical Bureau. Since the dynasty's inception, no incidents have occurred."

Saying this, he lowered his head and whispered mysteriously:

"There's actually a rumor that an unparalleled demon is sealed underground here. Once released, the world would be plunged into chaos."

"Is it really that formidable?"

Zhang Kui smiled and shook his head, but felt even more intrigued internally.

If there really is such a malevolent entity underground, why did Emperor Qianyuan choose to establish the capital in Haojing?

Moreover, there's the ominous Sealed Demon Cave, the mysterious shadow beneath Grand Profound Lake, the peculiar spirit lights on the island...

It seems there are quite a few secrets hidden within the Astronomical Bureau.

Zhang Kui nodded and said no more; whatever secrets were concealed here were beyond his current reach.

On both sides of the lake, the road was paved with bluestone, resembling parks from his previous life. The heaps of snow beside the road that had accumulated over the past two days hadn't melted, and today they were covered with a fresh layer.

The two arrived in front of a circular building resembling an earthen building, surrounded by thick bluestone walls. Overhead, corridors crisscrossed, with many spear-bearing guards patrolling back and forth.

"Taoist Zhang, this is the location of the Inner Treasury."

The official introduced as they walked: "The Merit Silver generally circulates within the Astronomical Bureau, but due to the recent epidemic, it has been opened up to outsiders for exchange."

As they spoke, they passed through the vermillion doors; Fatty Tiger was stopped by the guards outside, while the two entered the main hall and arrived at a side room.

Inside was only a small table, and a stocky man dressed in black official robes with a mustache was flipping through an ancient book.

Though he appeared to be just a typical obese official, Zhang Kui's Cave Abyss Skill revealed that the man had inner spiritual energy, clearly marking him as a cultivator in the Enlightenment Realm.

The official became visibly more reserved, bowing with hands clasped, "Lord Liu, this is Taoist Zhang Kui, here to exchange."

Once he finished speaking, he respectfully stepped down.

"Oh, please sit."

The man surnamed Liu earnestly put away the book.

Zhang Kui, with sharp eyes, saw the cover of the book was inscribed with "Ten Chronicles of Garden Lake," but caught a glimpse of a few lines:

"The scholar was terrified, only to see the female ghost's clothes gradually slip off, her jade hands lightly caressing..."

Reading erotic fiction during work hours, and ancient ones at that.

Hmm...this fat official has refined taste.

The fat official was unaware, maintaining a righteous smile:

"Taoist Zhang, I've heard of you for some time; how much Merit Silver do you have and what would you like to exchange?"

"I have one thousand taels; what can I exchange for it?"

Zhang Kui said, flipping his left hand, revealing a package of elongated ingots of silver. These silver ingots were quite special, surprisingly bearing naturally occurring star-like translucent markings.

The fat official's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but his face remained composed as he handed over a catalog from the table.

"Taoist Zhang can choose by yourself; once you've decided, someone will naturally deliver it."

"Thank you, Lord Liu..."

Zhang Kui nodded and took the catalog, beginning to flip through it.

The catalog was thick, categorized into materials, pills, talismans, and ancient textual resources, each further divided into subcategories. For instance, materials included herbs, minerals, and demon bones.

The millennium accumulation of the Qian Dynasty was indeed remarkable, with an array of dazzling items, many of which Zhang Kui had never even heard of. The Blood Jade Ginseng he needed to refine the Yellow Jade Pill was just ten taels per root.

Zhang Kui had already decided what he needed before coming: medicinal materials and materials for the Eight Trigrams Furnace.

Even a standard Eight Trigrams Furnace was not easy to refine; its outer shell required not only large amounts of brass but also the addition of Five Elements Strange Gold. The interior was even more precious, needing Copper Mother to arrange the Eight Trigrams Array.

It was troublesome but necessary.

His biggest issue now was insufficient cultivation.

The Guiding Skill was currently at level seven and needed twenty-seven skill points to reach level ten.

The next step, Grain Avoidance Skill, required eleven points for level one, and then Pill Manipulation Skill needed twenty-one points for level one—it was increasingly difficult.

After the chaos in Qingzhou, unless he contended with the "Three Mountains, Four Caves, and Five Water Mansions," it would be hard to have such an opportunity again; relying solely on finding civilian evil spirits might take years.

Fortunately, there's the Pill Manipulation method to help enhance one's abilities.

Zhang Kui calculated; after gathering materials needed for the Eight Trigrams Furnace, he could still exchange for ten roots of Blood Jade Ginseng, but he didn't rush to exchange, instead flipping through the catalog repeatedly to roughly memorize what was available.

The fat official Liu beside him didn't mind, leisurely sipping tea as he waited, smiling silently to himself.

Everyone who comes for the first time behaves this way, believing Merit Silver is easily earned and the Court's Inner Treasury is theirs.

If it were that easy, how could the Court accumulate such wealth?

An hour later, Zhang Kui closed the catalog.

"Lord Liu, I've made my selection. I want ten roots of Blood Jade Ginseng, two pounds of Copper Mother, one pound of Wind Cave Stone, and one pound of Iron Wood Essence..."

"Exchanging for so much?"

First looking surprised, Liu the fat official patiently advised, "Taoist Zhang, it's merely a suggestion, Merit Silver is hard to come by and shouldn't be squandered; don't regret it when it's spent."

Zhang Kui laughed heartily,

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord. As for silver, I can earn more later; let's just spend it quickly and be done with it."

"Alright, Taoist, feel free."

The fat official Liu was tongue-tied, simultaneously thinking: earning more later, and spending quickly to be done with it...

This person has such humor!

Although it seemed he exchanged for a pile of things, it was actually not much. Zhang Kui waved his hand, storing a bunch of small boxes into his Personal Space.

The fat official Liu wasn't surprised, only feeling envious, assuming Zhang Kui had lucked into acquiring a Jiezhi treasure.

"Taoist, you're welcome to come often."

Liu the fat official slightly bowed his hands with a smile.

As he spoke pleasantly, he internally predicted several years before seeing Zhang Kui again.

"Wait..."

Zhang Kui said, taking out Elder Huayan's emblem, "I still have an Ancient Artifact reward I haven't claimed."

The fat official Liu sucked in a cold breath, looking at Zhang Kui with uncertainty, respectfully bowing,

"Taoist Zhang, please follow me."

The two exited the side room and proceeded inward, passing through layers of guards and continuing down staircases, descending a hundred meters before finally reaching a cave.

The cave was blocked by a massive jet-black metal door with no visible seams, bearing the grotesque relief of a twisted beast with fangs exposed.

Zhang Kui reflexively activated his Cave Abyss Skill but was suddenly confronted by billowing black evil qi, with a pair of blood-red, icy eyes staring at him.

What is that?!

Zhang Kui was shocked, quickly stopping the Cave Abyss Skill, and after looking up, the strange metal door appeared ordinary, with no signs of any phenomena.

Liu the fat official ahead didn't notice, turning back with a serious expression.

"Taoist Zhang, as everyone knows, Ancient Artifacts choose their master; before revealing themselves, no one knows how powerful they are. The Court has explored for a millennium, finding quite a few, but to prevent them falling into the hands of demons or evil spirits, they're all stored in this treasury."

"Remember, keep everything you see here to yourself and don't speak carelessly."

Seeing Zhang Kui nod, Liu the fat official smiled immediately,

"Alright, it's just routine; many have entered, and keeping all secrecy is impossible."

"Speaking of which, there's no pattern in how Ancient Artifacts choose their master; some aren't suitable, while others are, but only one can be selected—it's down to your luck."

Zhang Kui nodded, following Liu the fat official's instructions to cut his finger and insert it into the relief beast's mouth.

Before long, the strange iron door seemed to become somewhat transparent, and amidst the black smoke rolling behind it, three shadows gradually became clear.

They were a cracked bronze small bell, a bundle of slowly writhing cloth strips, and a stone coffin...

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