The eight Hall Masters quickly arrived at the courtyard outside the Supreme Treasure Vault.
“Should we move all the treasures in this courtyard into the Supreme Treasure Vault for safekeeping?” the Li Hall Master asked.
The Dry Hall Master thought for a moment.
“Let’s not. Moving the courtyard’s treasures would waste time, and splitting the treasures between two locations means less loss even if something unexpected happens.”
“This is the Nine Palaces Chamber of Commerce! We can’t let that Blue Shadow take a single hair!” the Kan Hall Master said angrily.
“Of course. But this courtyard can also serve as a trap. The treasures here are already astonishing enough to lure Blue Shadow in,” the Dry Hall Master said.
“And since the courtyard is outside, we can get here quickly to catch the turtle in the jar… The Supreme Treasure Vault, with all its restrictions, is hard to reinforce in time. So, the courtyard is the most suitable place for a trap.”
“Dry Hall’s thinking is thorough,” the Kan Hall Master said, feeling ashamed.
“This is just standard procedure, nothing special,” the Dry Hall Master waved his hand, not accepting the flattery, and continued thinking calmly.
“Right, I think I understand what the new symbol on Blue Shadow’s ultimatum means… It’s likely Jiang Ke’er is involved this time too.”
“Jiang Ke’er?”
“Dragon claw plus fox claw—that’s Blue Shadow and Jiang Ke’er, isn’t it? There was already intelligence that they’ve been mixing together,” the Dry Hall Master said, cautiously scanning the surroundings.
“So, this might be a team operation. We can’t just guard against Blue Shadow’s methods; we must also prepare defenses against Jiang Ke’er.”
“How do we defend? Give the orders!”
“Jiang Ke’er possesses an Underworld Province Cauldron,” the Dry Hall Master said gravely.
“The Underworld Province Cauldron can hide people in the Boundary Between Life and Death, making them invisible to the naked eye. So, we need treasures that can peer through life and death to detect them… A high-grade Soul-Illuminating Mirror will do. I recall the Dui Hall Master has an eighth-grade Soul-Illuminating Mirror, correct?”
“That’s right,” the Dui Hall Master promptly took out a peculiarly styled large mirror, suspending it in the air to scan the area.
Only then did the Dry Hall Master let out a slight sigh of relief.
“This way, we can prevent them from hiding in the Underworld Province Cauldron to slip in unnoticed, following us into the Supreme Treasure Vault… Moreover, the Supreme Treasure Vault also has items that can see through life and death, leaving them nowhere to hide.”
“Truly steady,” the Hall Masters couldn’t help but marvel at the Dry Hall Master’s measures, feeling much more at ease.
Truly worthy of being the Security Captain of the Nine Palaces Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s not yet foolproof. We need to inspect the Supreme Treasure Vault as quickly as possible and then seal it shut.”
As the Dry Hall Master spoke, he took the lead into the underground passage.
First, the Yang Attribute Dragon Vein cultivation room.
They meticulously inspected it with the eighth-grade Soul-Illuminating Mirror.
Then, the Yin Attribute Dragon Vein cultivation room, which they inspected again.
Finally, they arrived at the entrance to the Supreme Treasure Vault.
The Dry Hall Master took a deep breath, nervously and vigilantly scrutinizing the seven other Hall Masters around him.
Everyone gripped their weapons tightly, warily watching each other to prevent any Blue Shadow hiding among them from launching a sudden attack.
Only then did the Dry Hall Master slowly open the restrictions on the Supreme Treasure Vault and push open the great door.
Inside the door, the treasures were properly placed, showing no signs of being moved, and there were no figures.
Fortunately, it seemed Blue Shadow hadn’t reached this place yet.
The Dry Hall Master let out a small sigh of relief.
“Everyone, quickly inspect all the treasures. Verify against the inventory list for any losses. Also, check every crevice and recess to prevent Blue Shadow from shrinking and hiding here with some special secret technique… Junior Brother Dui Hall, please maintain the eighth-grade Soul-Illuminating Mirror’s scanning state. Don’t stop for a moment!”
“Understood!”
The eight Hall Masters, including the Dry Hall Master, quickly sprang into action.
Although there were many treasures in the Supreme Treasure Vault, the eight Honored Ones were very familiar with the place.
As high-ranking members of the Chamber of Commerce who frequently entered and exited the vault, they knew it like the back of their hand, making the inventory process extremely efficient.
They meticulously inspected every corner of the Supreme Treasure Vault and every single treasure.
Only after confirming that no treasures were missing and there were no traces of tampering did they gather together.
“Activate all the restrictions,” the Dry Hall Master said.
“Perhaps I should stay here,” the Kan Hall Master spoke up.
“Staying here to guard it directly would be the most foolproof method, right?”
Screech—
The other Hall Masters immediately drew their swords, casting suspicious glances at the Kan Hall Master.
“Hey, what are you doing? Did I say something wrong?” The Kan Hall Master was dumbfounded.
“Stay here? How do we know who is Blue Shadow? How do we judge if you are Blue Shadow?” The Dry Hall Master narrowed his eyes at the Kan Hall Master.
“Your suggestion is too suspicious. We have reason to doubt your identity. I advise you not to make any rash moves.”
“Alright, alright, alright,” the Kan Hall Master helplessly raised his hands. “I won’t move. I won’t speak.”
“Under the circumstances where we cannot determine who Blue Shadow is, the best method is to seal this place and leave no one behind,” the Dry Hall Master stepped forward and bound the Kan Hall Master’s hands.
“As long as we activate all the restrictions and maintain surveillance here, we can ensure this place is impregnable.”
The other Hall Masters all expressed agreement.
“Begin the sealing.”
Under the Dui Hall Master’s continuous scanning, all the Hall Masters retreated from the Supreme Treasure Vault.
Rumble—
The Supreme Treasure Vault’s heavy, massive door was firmly closed.
The Dry Hall Master reached out and activated all the restrictions on the door, step by step.
This was undoubtedly the strongest restricted door in all of Shenzhou. Even an Immortal wouldn’t be able to open it.
As long as these restrictions were in place, the other party would never be able to enter the Supreme Treasure Vault. Even if they reached this door through some secret method, it would be useless.
The door and walls were forged from the hardest materials in the world, also preventing the possibility of breaking through the door or walls.
Only after activating all the seals on the door did the Dry Hall Master finally let out a huge sigh of relief, as if drained, and then led the other Hall Masters out of the Yin Dragon Vein room, activating the restriction on the door between the Yang and Yin rooms.
Double insurance.
Then, they activated the super restriction on the door leading into the Yang Attribute Dragon Vein room.
Triple insurance.
Phew—
Finally done.
The Hall Masters returned to the courtyard, finally left the courtyard, and activated the sealing barrier outside the courtyard.
This was a nation-level super barrier.
Without the special incantation command, even an Immortal couldn’t break through it.
The Dry Hall Master stroked his beard and reclined in a rocking chair.
Blue Shadow, Jiang Ke’er, huh. This time, I want to see how you’ll walk right into the trap.
If you can break through these restrictions, what would it matter if I gave you everything in the Supreme Treasure Vault? If you had that kind of ability, no amount of formation arts could stop you anyway.
As for other tricks.
The Dry Hall Master had every reason to believe that no trick could escape such meticulous screening.
Therefore, any scheme was impossible to succeed.
This was a foolproof situation.
Unless…
No, there is no unless.
Beep beep—
Suddenly, almost simultaneously, all the Hall Masters’ Communication Stones rang out!
[Hall Masters, please return immediately!]
The Dry Hall Master’s gaze sharpened.
Blue Shadow’s offensive had begun!