Chapter 88: Countless Treasures

  The Hundred Flowers Palace was not just a small courtyard filled with flowers and grass as Hao Ren had imagined, but more like a large mountain slope. Xia Chengxiang carefully kept Hao Ren by his side, afraid that he would touch something he shouldn't.

  Hao Ren was also very clever and followed Xia Chengxiang's warning, only using his eyes to look, without making any reckless moves.

  Because it was really too big here, Xia Chengxiang took Hao Ren for a walk around the circle and then took him out again.

  As he walked out of the Hundred Flowers Palace, he casually plucked two small red fruits and handed them over to Hao Ren.

  "This is the most ordinary and common little fruit in the Hundred Flowers Palace," Xia Chengxiang smiled, "it doesn't have any special use, it just tastes good, can be eaten for fun."

  Hao Ren took the two cherry-sized fruits and, thinking that Xia Chengxiang wouldn't deceive him, casually put them in his mouth to chew. Upon finding no pit, he swallowed them in one gulp.

  A refreshing feeling spread from his abdomen to all the acupoints throughout his body, as if all the acupoints had been cleansed, and for a moment he felt extremely refreshed.

  A surging force burst outwards, instantly filling Hao Ren's body, and even the Tai Shan bracelet on his hand seemed to have lightened considerably.

  "Is it really just for fun and has no actual effect?" Hao Ren asked, somewhat puzzled and also a bit worried, as he followed him out of the Hundred Flowers Palace.

  The village elder nodded very affirmatively. "It's just sweet and tastes good. As for its effect, it's extremely minimal, one pill is equivalent to five years of cultivation for a top martial artist in the mortal world."

  He said it lightly and carelessly, but Hao Ren was stunned on the spot.

  In the Hundred Flowers Palace, the most common and ordinary fruit that grows on the roadside weeds is equivalent to five years of a martial arts master's cultivation?!

  Xingzhen Shang didn't give the good people more time to think, and continued excitedly. "Next to the Hundred Flowers Palace is the Yiling Palace. Although there are no Qilin or Feng Huang-like heavenly spirits inside, there are still many ancient beasts that have almost disappeared from the mortal world..."

  Hao Ren listened to his explanation, feeling that this was a wildlife reserve, where all kinds of creatures had their own territory, following the law of survival. Xia Chengxiang didn't dare take Hao Ren too deep in, pointing out a few beautiful rare beasts before leading him back out.

  Next is the "Mystic Merit Hall", which is different from the previous two palaces, with even stricter security measures. This seven-story palace in the shape of a delicate pagoda, from top to bottom, is red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, and each floor has warriors wearing golden armor patrolling the outer ring.

  Hao Ren had Xia Cheng's escort, so they passed through unimpeded and entered the pagoda-shaped "Xu Gong Temple" smoothly. The guards who guarded the temple learned of Hao Ren's identity and all bowed respectfully.

  Seeing this momentum, Hao Ren couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, and he hastily followed Xia Cheng into the palace.

  In this palace, there were no redundant decorations, only a layer of bookshelves built along the circular walls of the palace. And in each grid on these bookshelves, there was a book, each one shining with its own formation and protected by its own array.

  That is to say, even if an outsider manages to sneak into the palace, without the ability to break through the formation, they still won't be able to take these skills away.

  Seeing Hao Ren's puzzled expression, Xia Zhengyu explained, "Prince Consort, our dragon clan's power levels are divided into Qian, Kun, Xun, Dui, Gen, Zhen, Li, and Kan. After breaking through the basic Gong Fa Condensing Mind Decision and entering the Kan level, one can cultivate corresponding Gong Fa. The Gong Fa is also divided into good and bad, and further divided into red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet, placed on the first to seventh floors of this 'Mystic Gong Temple'. This floor with the widest space, of course, has the most ordinary red-level Gong Fa."

  He said as he led Hao Ren upstairs, "This is the second floor, where orange-grade cultivation methods are displayed..."

  Hao Ren followed him up floor by floor, taking a cursory glance around and discovering that the more they went up, the more exquisite and magnificent the formations protecting the books became. Presumably their defensive and offensive capabilities were also stronger. Of course, the number of floors decreased as they ascended, and there were fewer and fewer books.

  As they reached the fourth floor, Xia Chengxiang suddenly stopped in his tracks. "Your Highness, please stop here. My authority only allows me to reach the fourth floor, which means I can only access green-level techniques. Without the Dragon King's special permission, neither of us can go any further."

  Hao Ren nodded, not wanting to make Xia Chengxiang uncomfortable. He glanced at the fourth floor and turned around to go downstairs. Anyway, for him, he had yet to break through the third layer of Jing Shen Jue, let alone reach the Kan level, which was still far away. These techniques were something he could only look at but not touch, and at most, just take a glance.

  Xia Chengxiang saw that this imperial son-in-law was so understanding and reasonable, and his good impression of him doubled.

  Nor did he know what level of skill Su Huan had reached, who was already at the Qian level... As they went downstairs, Hao Ren suddenly thought.

  "Xia Chengxiang, theoretically, even if I were to take the lowest level of Chi-level Gongfa, as long as I practice diligently and bitterly, shouldn't I be able to reach Qian-level?" Hao Ren asked him as they walked out of the Xuan Gong Hall.

  "In theory?" Xia Cheng was taken aback for a moment, then replied, "That's true, but no one has ever reached the Qian level with just a single top-grade cultivation method. The better the cultivation method, the greater the difference, and of course, the faster the cultivation speed."

  Hao Ren looked back at the magnificent seven-story treasure tower palace, and indeed, the Dragon King's East Sea Dragon Palace had accumulated over a thousand years. Ordinary small sects would be lucky to have three or four manuals of skills, but it had collected hundreds of them. No wonder other small forces of the Dragon Kings would come to borrow manuals with thick faces.

  Xia Chengxiang took Hao Ren to the "Treasures Temple" again, a three-story palace displaying various magical treasures. These glittering golden treasures were also protected by their own array formations.

  As for the grade of Fa Bao, it is not as complicated as Gong Fa. It is roughly divided into three categories: upper, middle and lower. According to Xia Chengxiang's words, the most suitable one is the best.

  The treasures collected by Donghai Longwang are all of high quality, none of them are inferior.

  "If the Marquis likes it, he can just pick one at will. This treasure doesn't have to be as strictly managed as the martial arts techniques, our East Sea Dragon Palace has the best craftsmen, what kind of good treasure, as long as the materials are provided, they can be made." When it comes to treasures, Marquis Xia's back straightened a bit, no need to be proud.

  He was somewhat moved by his words, earlier those palaces could only be looked at but not touched, here the restrictions were lifted.

  The first thing he saw was a heart-shaped pendant, silver and very beautiful.

  Taking a treasure from Longwang Palace as a birthday gift for Zhao Ziyuan is a bit too much, isn't it... Hao Ren thought to himself.

  Seeing Hao Ren's gaze fixed on the pendant, Xia Cheng stepped forward and said, "This is a small-sized Xumi treasure that can hold objects under six feet in size. However, with the groom wearing it, the shape isn't quite right..."

  "This thing, isn't it easy to make?" Hao Ren asked him.

  "This kind of treasure is relatively simple and has low practical value. It's just more convenient to carry around. If the Prince Consort wants to choose, he might as well take this one..." Xia Chengxiang explained patiently.

  Should he give this thing to Su Han? Hao Ren was hesitant in his heart.

  She also helped a lot and guided me in my cultivation. Borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha, that is, the Dragon King gave it to her, pulling strings and building relationships...

  He thought to himself, taking two steps forward to grab the necklace.

  Ding!

  Suddenly a white light flashed, and Hao Ren's hands were pushed open.

  "Taishan ring......" Xia Chengxiang exclaimed in surprise, "The son-in-law actually brought the Taishan ring of the inspector, then there's no way, this Taishan ring is a binding ability, resisting all magical treasures."

  "Is the water-repelling pearl a treasure?" Hao Ren asked.

  "That's a bead with special abilities, not a treasure. Only when it needs to be paired with the operation of the law can it be called a treasure. Like this necklace in Haogongzi Bridge, it requires the law to open the small Xumi world inside." Xia Chengxiang explained.

  So that's how it is, Su Han. I was going to give you a gift with good intentions... Ah, never mind, just hurry up and advance to Kan level and get rid of this shackle.

  Hao Ren rubbed his sore wrist and withdrew the idea of taking the Fa Bao, walking out of the Shen Bao Hall.

  Xia Chengxiang hastily followed him out "Does the Prince still want to go for a walk? Otherwise, I'll take you to visit the 'Shen Dan Hall'?"

  "Why don't you go take a look at the ice house you mentioned earlier? It shouldn't be off-limits, right?" Hao Ren said, seeing Xia Chengxiang's enthusiasm and not wanting to dampen his spirits.

  "It doesn't matter, but it's very cold there, the Emperor will have to use his inner energy to keep warm." said Xia Chengxiang.

  "Hmm." Hao Ren nodded and followed Xia Chengxiang as he walked in another direction within the Dragon Palace.

  As they walked, Xia Chengxiang suddenly called out again, "Husband of the princess......"

  "Just call me Hao Ren, stop calling me Prince Consort, I'm not used to it." Hao Ren interrupted him and said.

  "I dare not overstep, then I... " Xia Cheng thought for a moment, "Then let's call you Mr. Hao?"

  "That's okay." Hao Ren felt a bit helpless, but it was better than him calling him "husband of the princess" which made him feel awkward.

  "Mr. Hao..." Xia Chengxiang called out cautiously, seeing that Hao Ren's face was fine, and then continued to ask carefully, "I heard that in the mortal realm nowadays, there are houses made of piled up stones everywhere, with some even tens of meters high?"

  Hao Ren was stunned for a moment, then reacted and knew he was talking about the high-rise buildings made of cement, couldn't help but laugh, "Right, people all live in those stone houses."

  "I also heard that nowadays, people in the mortal world no longer use sedan chairs and horse-drawn carriages, but rather iron cages made of steel that can move on their own?" Xia Chengxiang thought for a moment before asking cautiously.

  This time Hao Ren really couldn't help but laugh, "Right right right, people are eaten in, arrive at the place, and then spat out. (The picture may not be cut well, the line below is missing, I made it up...)")

  Xia Chengxiang raised his head and thought hard, "That should be some kind of monster, but with a bad stomach."

  Hao Ren almost spit it out...

  But thinking again, Xia Chengxiang has been working hard in the Dragon Palace all day. As for the information on land, it all comes from Lu Zhanglao and Sun Zhanglao, which is quite pitiful.

  "If Uncle Zhao, oh, I mean the Dragon King doesn't object, next time I'll take you to the 'human world' to take a look." Hao Ren said with a soft heart.

  "How dare I! How dare I! Your humble servant dares not to be remiss in his duties!" Minister Xia waved his hand repeatedly, but he was even more grateful to this young imperial son-in-law.

  The ice cellar turned a corner, and the son-in-law should have gone back too. The son-in-law was approachable and humble, which was truly rare... He felt a sense of nostalgia in his heart, and he couldn't help but feel reluctant to part with him.