Chapter 112: Rare Treasures and Secret Collections

As Blackbeard spoke, the pitch-black world within the gateway suddenly brightened. A vast luminous magic array was embedded in the ceiling, its soft, pure white light cascading down to illuminate the immense space before them.

The underground chamber was nearly a hundred meters high, with both length and width exceeding two hundred meters. Lin Qi looked around in astonishment; this space was colossal—far larger than any grand cathedral hall he had ever seen. It was unfathomable what power had carved out such an enormous cavern beneath the earth. Curious, Lin Qi turned to Blackbeard.

“Impressive, truly magnificent,” Blackbeard said solemnly, wiping his nose and furrowing his brow. “I don’t know how our ancestors managed to create such a vast place. Perhaps it was originally a natural underground cave. Hmm, this is just one of the largest sections of our family’s secret vault. There are three other corridors leading to smaller yet more important areas.”

Patting Lin Qi firmly on the shoulder, Blackbeard chuckled, “Go explore and see what you need. You’re eighteen now; it’s time to contribute to the family. But your old man won’t let you go empty-handed to expand our territories. Find what you need.”

Lin Qi clicked his tongue, greedily eyeing the enormous chamber ahead.

Neatly arranged on metal racks were countless strange objects. There were gold bricks, gold bars, silver ingots—all piled high like mountains of treasure, their golden and silver luster dazzling Lin Qi’s heart with excitement. Half of the vault’s space was filled with massive heaps of gold and silver: gold accounted for a tenth, silver for seven-tenths, and the remaining space held small pouches the size of human heads, each filled with various precious gemstones.

The other half of the vault contained peculiar artifacts—swords, armor, crossbows, and some grandiose, exquisite items that looked incredibly valuable. Among them were three large black coffins that resembled crystal in material but were inlaid with countless gold and silver threads. Complex magical arrays were embroidered with gold and silver silk, and the array’s focal points were densely studded with blood-red gems.

The three coffins lay in a corner of the vault, emanating an oppressive chill. Just a glance at them made Lin Qi feel as though his blood was freezing.

Blackbeard quickly tugged Lin Qi’s ear, pulling his gaze away from the black coffins. He spoke gravely, “Don’t even think about touching those. They’re the vault’s guardians. If anyone breaches this place without triggering the outer self-destruct arrays and lacks our family’s bloodline, these guardians will tear them to shreds.”

Lin Qi stared in horror. “How could anyone ever infiltrate here?”

Blackbeard shrugged. “It happened once. One of our family’s core members was captured outside; his blood was drained, and his memories extracted through dark magic. The one who killed him tried to sneak in here two months later.”

He let out a cold laugh and shook his head. “But that man didn’t realize there were three guardians. They tore him into pieces—and then devoured every fragment.”

Pointing solemnly at the coffins, Blackbeard whispered, “Don’t disturb them. They have guarded the family vault for many years, ever since its creation. Anyone without the family’s blood essence who enters here will be shredded.”

Lin Qi glanced at the coffins with a mix of awe and dread. Tonight’s revelations from Blackbeard had already shaken him deeply, but the presence of these three guardians unsettled him most. What kind of beings could survive underground for so long? Were they undead creatures, or something even darker? And why did they protect the Black Tiger family’s vault?

Seeing Blackbeard’s expression, it seemed even he did not know all the details. Lin Qi could only shake his head and turn his attention elsewhere.

The Black Tiger ancestors evidently took great care with this vault. Every treasure on the racks bore a plaque, indicating its origin and purpose.

For example, right before Lin Qi was a set of armor entirely coated in gold, adorned with magnificent patterns carved from an unknown blue metal. Though somewhat worn, its plaque revealed it belonged to a former captain of the Church’s infamous and brutal “Order of the Penitent Knights”—one of the most notorious sets of armor in the Church.

“No, Lin Qi, you can’t take this out into the light!” Blackbeard quickly dashed any ill-advised thoughts Lin Qi had. He bit his teeth and said firmly, “You don’t want the Church hunting you across the continent, do you? This armor can’t see the light of day. Although it offers incredible defense, our ancestors acquired it by unsavory means—taking advantage when that captain and a great demon were both mortally wounded, finishing them off.”

Shaking his head earnestly, Blackbeard warned, “Absolutely no exposure. Pick something else.”

There was the sword of the founding emperor of the Gaul Empire, an exquisitely sharp magic weapon capable of unleashing thunderous attacks. Blackbeard also discouraged Lin Qi from flaunting it outside. Named “Wrath of the Thunder God,” the Gaul Empire had long been tracking its whereabouts. If Lin Qi dared to parade it on the streets of Braley, the imperial forces would deploy an army to seize him immediately.

A secret trade agreement between the Vias Commercial Federation and the Five Great Island Tribes during the Hundred Years’ War caught Lin Qi’s eye, but he had no interest in it. Blackbeard was glad; this item was a critical bargaining chip the Vias Federation held, and he intended to use it for extortion when necessary.

There was also a personal seal gifted by a queen to her lover—a scandalous keepsake Lin Qi showed no interest in, and Blackbeard was equally adamant it remain hidden.

A royal princess’s pearl-studded undergarment surprised Lin Qi. He wondered how such an item came into the Black Tiger family’s possession. Though valuable, it too seemed unsuitable for public display.

Throughout the vault, Lin Qi noticed that many of the family’s treasured relics had questionable origins. None were items he could openly use or display.

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