Qin Yexuan stood before the cave entrance, his expression peculiar.
It held a touch of nostalgia, but more so regret.
"I truly didn't want to open this place. The world never needed what lies within."
The opening of the armory signaled the collapse of the human world, and the dawn of a chaotic one.
Others, however, were far from contemplating such matters. Excitement pulsed through them as they entered the cave.
They first traversed a sloping platform, which then gave way to cyan steps.
As they descended, the vista before them suddenly expanded.
This place, much like the Shituoling Club, was a vast space hollowed out from the heart of the mountain.
Opposite them, a small hill appeared, upon which an astonishing array of swords were plunged.
Swords of all kinds.
Long swords, short swords, Wu gou, broadswords, rapier, thin swords...
At the very apex of the hill stood a long sword, emanating a purple glow. Its hilt was inlaid with two jade stones, one black and one white, embodying the essence of yin and yang.
Beside the Zi Dian Sword was a rapier enshrouded in frost, eight chi in length. The sword was slender like a willow branch, with a cool mist swirling around it.
"This is the Sword Mound."
Qin Yexuan raised his hand and flicked the lowest broadsword. Its resonant hum echoed through the cave.
"Behind it lies the Blade Tomb, and further beyond that, the Spear Forest..."
All eighteen types of weapons were present here.
And behind the armory, stood two stone doors.
Qin Yexuan, with a reminiscent gesture, pointed to the stone doors. "Beyond these doors lie my three thousand collected Taoist scriptures. Those among you with the predestined affinity may enter and study them... Qinglu!"
Sun Qinglu hurried over, his face a mask of shock, rendering him speechless.
"What you learned in the Taoist sect was garbage. The true Taoist scriptures are here. You will enter first, but remember, if you wish to study the scriptures, you must not touch any of the weapons here."
Sun Qinglu's breathing quickened. He nodded repeatedly, then suddenly, with a hint of shyness, asked, "May I bring Anya with me?"
Qin Yexuan smiled. "That depends on Anya's wishes, and it must not interfere with her student union duties."
Sun Qinglu was overjoyed.
Qin Yexuan turned to the others. "You may choose any weapon you wish, but once you select a magical artifact, you cannot view the Taoist scriptures."
The brothers from the dormitory exchanged glances. Li Fuhao couldn't help but ask, "Why can't we have both?"
This was also the question on everyone else's mind.
Qin Yexuan stated calmly, "Weapons are instruments of war, and the Tao is the path to immortality. One may choose either the weapon or the Taoist path, this is my rule."
Li Fuhao scratched his head, deep in thought. He finally decided to take a gamble. "I want to study the Taoist scriptures. I don't want any magical artifacts."
Meanwhile, their leader, Zhao Xibei, had already impatiently drawn out a broadsword.
The great sword rumbled in his hands. Zhao Xibei gripped it with both hands and swung it powerfully, exclaiming with immense satisfaction, "I love these big ones, so satisfying for hacking at monsters!"
Behind the crowd, Di Xin's eyes began to gleam, his mouth agape, his body trembling.
"Brother, what's wrong?" Boss Zhang asked, concerned for his good friend.
Di Xin continued to tremble. "This is the ultimate armory, the ultimate armory! Tai Jia, look at these weapons! These weapons are magnificent. With this armory, the King can conquer the world. With but a single force, he could contend for dominion over the nine provinces!"
Qin Yexuan looked over. "The Black Xuan Giant Sword in your hand is superior to any weapon here, so you cannot touch them."
Di Xin grinned. "The King is merely jesting. He will not covet your armory."
He then turned and, in a hushed voice, instructed Tai Jia, "Note down any good weapons you see. We'll find a way to get them out later!"
Boss Zhang, stroking the "Xuan Niao An Yue Ge" that Di Xin had bestowed upon him, shook his head. "I don't need any more weapons. I haven't even figured out the one I have."
Li Tianxing had already ascended the hill. His gaze was fixed solely on the purple-lightning-wreathed sword.
However, the slender sword, enveloped in frost, automatically flew up and landed in An Ya's hand.
An Ya, who was about to follow Sun Qinglu to study the scriptures, looked a bit dazed. "Ah, then I can't go behind the stone doors anymore."
Li Fuhao chuckled and slapped Sun Qinglu on the back. "Looks like I'll be accompanying you. This is good, I didn't want to be a third wheel watching your sycophantic behavior."
Even Zhu Xiaoqing had obtained a Yuchang dagger, which pulsed with a dark aura, as if imbued with some kind of poison.
Among everyone, only Wang Jiaqian stood awkwardly before a bow. Despite using all her strength, she couldn't draw it.
"You have quite discerning taste. This is Bai Yu, a traditional horn bow in appearance..." Qin Yexuan plucked the bowstring. "But she is proud. She will not reveal her power to just anyone."
Wang Jiaqian looked somewhat chagrined. "I... in what way am I not worthy of being her master?"
As she spoke, a beam of emerald energy suddenly appeared and shot directly towards Wang Jiaqian.
Wang Jiaqian instinctively reached out and grasped it. It was a spear.
Its shaft was made of jade, the tassel blood-red, and the blade curved like a crescent moon.
Holding the spear, Wang Jiaqian stood frozen. "It... it came to me on its own? Haha, at least the magical artifacts have some discernment!"
Qin Yexuan's gaze became complex as he looked at the blood-red tassel on the spear.
Only he could see that the red tassels were actually tiny snakes. As Wang Jiaqian's hand trembled, the red snakes danced joyfully.
He was deeply shocked. "In the entire armory, the only weapon with a trace of Witch clan energy, the Blood-Tassel Serpent Spear! Why would it choose Wang Jiaqian?"
But Qin Yexuan said nothing.
The secrets surrounding Wang Jiaqian were growing.
"Teacher Wang, do you like it?"
Wang Jiaqian's mouth couldn't close. "Of course I do! This spear is so cool, but... but it's a bit hard to hold!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the spear suddenly shrunk, curved, and finally transformed into a bracelet, elegantly coiling around Wang Jiaqian's fair wrist.
The alluring Teacher Wang let out a clear laugh, hopping in place like a little girl who had received a new toy.
"Ahem, Teacher Wang, please come out with me for a moment." Qin Yexuan took her hand and walked out of the cave.
"Why is he only taking me out? Is it for some private time?" Wang Jiaqian's mind raced, her heart pounding.
But her hopes were soon dashed. Qin Yexuan said earnestly, "I'm taking you to meet a friend. It's too boring to go alone, and you have nothing else to do, so you might as well accompany me."
As he spoke, he looked up towards the giant rock guarding the cave entrance. Wang Jiaqian followed his gaze.
Above the giant rock, the human face formed from grass and bushes reappeared, smiling. "Boss Qin, I just woke up and you're already here? That was quick!"
Qin Yexuan also smiled. "Old Stone, for humans, it's been a very, very long time."
"Oh, really?" The stone spirit began to move, the giant rock shifting. With each step, half the mountain trembled.
The old stone looked down upon the mountains and then exclaimed in surprise, "Why so quiet? Where are my friends from Spirit Dream Mountain?"
Just then, the lion-cat darted out from the cave, shouting in astonishment as it ran, "Are you... are you Senior Shi Gandang? The first generation demon immortal of Spirit Dream Mountain?"