Among the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Tianji Region, aside from those of her own sect, Mo Tiange was not familiar with many.
She had not been at the Nascent Soul stage for long and had yet to establish her network. The Nascent Soul cultivators from various sects, out of respect for the Xuanqing Sect, treated her amiably enough. However, as Nascent Soul cultivators, they inevitably carried a hint of pride, maintaining a certain distance in their words and actions. Yet, this Fellow Daoist Huo from the Spirit Beast Sect was quite different—talkative and witty.
Hearing Huo Ziqi's words, Qin Xi smiled slightly. "Our Xuanqing Sect is also part of the Immortal Alliance. Lending a hand is only natural."
Huo Ziqi blinked, then laughed. "Excellent, excellent."
"Speaking of this matter, it actually has some connection to the Xuanqing Sect," Huo Ziqi began slowly. "Not long ago, Fellow Daoist Xuanyin from your esteemed sect, Fellow Daoist Lu from the Tiandao Sect, and Fellow Daoist Qinglan from the Biyun Sect ventured deep into the Demon Beast Forest and slew a Demon Cultivator. From that demon cultivator, they obtained an item. The three of them returned to Kunzhong City and submitted it. After examination by the council of elders, it was determined to be an artifact from the Ancient Era, seemingly a map to the treasury of an Ancient Great Sect."
"A treasury map?" Qin Xi was surprised, and Mo Tiange's attention was also caught.
They had been to the treasury of the Ice Palace and knew what a treasury of an Ancient Great Sect was like. If they could truly locate such a treasury, it would be excellent news for the current Immortal Alliance—fighting against demon and demonic cultivators consumed vast resources.
Thinking this, Mo Tiange grew suspicious. Discovering an ancient treasury was a major event; such news should be highly confidential. Why was Huo Ziqi speaking of it so casually? Even stranger, the Immortal Alliance had only dispatched two early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators to investigate, as if they didn't place much importance on it.
Huo Ziqi waved his hand, as if sensing her doubt, and explained, "No need for surprise. This map is incomplete, only vaguely pointing to the Extreme West. That's why the Immortal Alliance sent Fellow Daoist Zong and me to investigate. In truth, the map is so severely damaged that the Alliance holds little hope."
"So that's how it is," Qin Xi nodded in understanding. "That means your assignment isn't easy."
"Exactly," Huo Ziqi said with a bitter smile. "All we have is a fragmentary map, without even detailed clues. According to the markings, the treasury is roughly in the Extreme West, but the Extreme West is so vast. Where do we even start looking? We entered the desert, wandered around, found nothing, and came to Wind-Sand City to try our luck."
Mo Tiange glanced at Wind-Sand City not far away and asked, "Could the Extreme West have had a major Spirit Vein in the Ancient Era? Otherwise, why would that Ancient Great Sect build its treasury here?"
A sect's treasury was of utmost importance. What made a major sect major wasn't just its high-level cultivators and number of disciples; its accumulated resources were also a crucial factor.
Major sects had accumulations spanning tens of thousands of years, rich in resources. If needed, they could cultivate a large number of outstanding disciples in a short time, unleashing formidable power in times of crisis. This was the so-called foundation of a major sect.
Therefore, sect treasuries were always built within the sect's main compound, heavily restricted and strictly guarded. Unless one was part of the core leadership, even getting a glimpse was difficult. Additionally, many major sects established branch treasuries, usually located in their major branch compounds. For example, the Zhengfa Sect's main sect was in the Extreme North, but they also had a significant branch in Kunwu with its own treasury. And where there was a branch compound, there was bound to be a Spirit Vein.
Huo Ziqi shook his head. "We are also quite unfamiliar with the Extreme West. But from our recent travels, the Extreme West doesn't seem to have any major Spirit Veins."
Mo Tiange and Qin Xi exchanged a glance. Qin Xi said, "If there are no Spirit Veins, how could there be a treasury?"
Huo Ziqi replied, "To be frank, the historical records of the Tianji Region never mention any major sects in the Extreme West. Several elders believe this treasury is likely a secret treasure vault of some Ancient Great Sect."
"Oh..." The two understood. A so-called secret treasure vault was essentially a hidden branch treasury. Many major sects had such secret vaults, but aside from the true leaders, no one knew their locations.
The world was unpredictable; even major sects could face catastrophic crises. In such times, the value of a secret vault became apparent. Using its resources, they could seek a chance to rise again. Even if they couldn't restore their former glory, at least their lineage wouldn't be extinguished.
Such secret vaults often held extremely rich accumulations, second only to the main treasury within the sect. Moreover, their location wasn't constrained; the presence of a Spirit Vein didn't matter. In fact, the more remote, the better. In that sense, the Extreme West was indeed a good choice—harsh conditions, sparse population. Establishing a secret vault here meant no one would know of its existence unless it was used.
More importantly, for them, the secret vault of an Ancient Great Sect was even more meaningful than its main treasury. Because the main treasury was located within the sect compound, backed by a Spirit Vein, its restrictions would retain their power over time, making them extremely difficult or even impossible to break. A secret vault, however, was usually in a desolate place without a Spirit Vein. Over the long ages, its restriction arrays would gradually lose their potency. If found, all the treasures within could be retrieved.
"So, you two Fellow Daoists plan to enter Wind-Sand City?" Qin Xi asked.
"Exactly," Huo Ziqi said, shaking his head with a sigh. "We analyzed it—treasure can't just be buried randomly in the desert, right? So, we focused on the desert's edge. Wind-Sand City is listed as one of the three great danger zones of the Extreme West—a perfect place to hide treasure."
Having said that, he looked at Qin Xi and Mo Tiange. "What about you two Fellow Daoists? Are you also heading to Wind-Sand City?"
Qin Xi nodded. "Yes, Wind-Sand City is precisely our destination. Aside from the three great danger zones, what other place in the Extreme West could make a Nascent Soul cultivator never return?"
"What a coincidence," Huo Ziqi said, beaming. "Since our goals align, would you two Fellow Daoists be willing to travel with us?"
Qin Xi glanced at Mo Tiange and smiled slightly. "Since Fellow Daoist Huo has extended the invitation, why not?"
After reaching an agreement with Huo and Zong, the four arranged a time and went their separate ways for now.
Huo and Zong headed to the surrounding small tribes to inquire about Wind-Sand City. Mo Tiange and Qin Xi temporarily settled in the small town.
"Senior Brother," Mo Tiange said, setting up a soundproof barrier, her voice tinged with worry. "How credible do you think Fellow Daoist Huo's words are?"
Instead of answering, Qin Xi asked, "You think his words aren't credible?"
Mo Tiange pondered. "I don't know this Fellow Daoist Huo or his character. But discovering the treasure vault of an Ancient Great Sect is a major event. How could he casually reveal his mission? His explanation that the Immortal Alliance holds little hope seems somewhat flimsy."
A secret vault, even without confirmed information, wasn't something to be casually disclosed. Although the Tianji Region had now formed the Immortal Alliance, the various sects were still competitors. Moreover, among those who discovered the map was someone from their own Xuanqing Sect. Hadn't he considered that they might be here secretly to investigate the treasure's location?
"You have a point," Qin Xi didn't disagree, but his next words were, "However, I believe he just has some minor ulterior motives."
"Oh?"
Qin Xi said, "Senior Brother Zhenyang is on the council of elders. For our Xuanqing Sect, this matter isn't a secret. Whether we came for this purpose or not, him frankly stating his mission isn't strange—first, we could easily find out anyway, so he had no need to hide it; second, he's probably deliberately trying to curry favor with us."
Mo Tiange was puzzled. "Why would he curry favor with us? In terms of status, he's a Supreme Elder of the Spirit Beast Sect, one of the Seven Great Sects—no less than us. In terms of cultivation, you're only one minor stage higher. There's no need to curry favor, is there?"
"Not for that reason," Qin Xi shook his head. "Based on my speculation, his words are not only unreliable but also heavily watered down."
"Ah?" Mo Tiange was even more confused. "Then why did you say he just has some minor ulterior motives?"
Qin Xi smiled and said, "The Extreme West is so vast. How is it such a coincidence that they came to Wind-Sand City? It's not easy to bury treasure randomly in the desert, but the Western Ridge mountain range is long. Since Wind-Sand City is a danger zone, shouldn't it be investigated last?"
"...You mean they're certain the secret vault is in Wind-Sand City?"
"Even if not certain, they probably have more concrete clues." Qin Xi looked at her meaningfully. "Now do you understand?"
Mo Tiange thought for a moment and grasped his meaning. "I see. Since we happened to come to Wind-Sand City at this time, there's a good chance we might discover this secret vault. In that case, why not pull us in—when treasure is involved, everyone develops some minor ulterior motives."
"Exactly," Qin Xi smiled slightly. "By inviting us to travel together and openly stating his mission, he wants to leverage our strength while also agreeing to give us a share of the spoils."
"..." Mo Tiange shook her head. The minds of these Nascent Soul cultivators were truly complex. On the surface, Huo Ziqi seemed forthright, witty, and direct. Who would have thought those few short sentences contained so many layers of meaning?
"Then what's your intention, Senior Brother?"
"Since I agreed, naturally I accept his proposal," Qin Xi said lightly. "If this secret vault is found, it belongs to the Immortal Alliance anyway. If there's an advantage to be gained, why not take it?"
"...Alright." After a pause, she suddenly laughed.
Qin Xi raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"
Mo Tiange stopped laughing and asked, "Do you remember when we left the Yunwu Sect, you once took me back there?"
"Of course I remember," Qin Xi said, a touch of emotion on his face. "Back then, you were just a little girl. In the blink of an eye, over a hundred years have passed!"
"Yes!" Mo Tiange sighed, then laughed again. "At that time, I wasn't close to you. I only thought you were aloof, steady in your actions, quite the gentleman. I never expected that right before leaving, you looted the Yunwu Sect..."
Hearing her mention this, Qin Xi also laughed, rubbing his nose as if slightly embarrassed. "Some advantages, if you don't take them, they're wasted. The Yunwu Sect had done such things; I'd long intended to teach them a lesson—by the way, back then you clearly held hatred in your heart. Why have you never mentioned seeking revenge all these years?"
Mo Tiange looked at him meaningfully. "When we left, you had already severely injured the two Core Formation cultivators of the Jiang Family. Did you think I didn't know?"
Qin Xi was taken aback. "You knew?"
"Yes, I later met that Senior Brother Liu!" Mo Tiange sighed softly, her voice faint. "Jiang Chengxian was killed by Senior Brother Jiang. The two Core Formation cultivators of the Jiang Family were severely injured by you. What revenge was left? Those who wronged me were from the Jiang Family; those who saved me were also from the Jiang Family. It balances out. As for Second Uncle's grudge, by the time I had the ability to return, those two Core Formation cultivators of the Jiang Family had probably already perished. Was I supposed to go back and exterminate the entire Jiang Family?"