In the celestial domain of Luo Tian, the cultivation families adhered to a hierarchy veiled from outsiders, akin to the tiered nations within the Stellar Alliance, ranging from the first to ninth level of cultivation prowess. Within the Alliance, a seventh-level cultivation star represented the apex of visible power.

Eighth-level stars, such as Kui Xing, were exceedingly rare, with only three existing within the vast expanse of the Stellar Alliance.

As for the most enigmatic ninth-level cultivation star, but a single beacon shone within the entire Alliance!

The cultivation families of Luo Tian mirrored this structure, yet their focus lay in the lineage and endurance. Only families of ancient and unbroken lineage could hope for eternal existence within the sacred domain of Luo Tian.

Most common within Luo Tian were the principal families of the four cardinal directions, their strength relatively balanced, with three or four families often sharing dominion over a single cultivation star.

Families such as the Tang and Zhan stood as paragons of this level.

Ascending above these families were the four lineages tracing their ancestry back to the Immortal Realm itself. They stood as the most formidable forces within the visible hierarchy of Luo Tian.

Their roots lay in the era before the fragmentation of the Thunderous Immortal Realm, their progenitors having been Immortals of no common standing.

Above even these families stood two hidden lineages, families of immense power that walked a path of quiet influence within Luo Tian.

Older than even the Immortal Realm lineages were the families that weathered the calamities of the ancient era, enduring the fall of the Immortal Realm. Six such families, hailing from the ancient cultivation world, remained within Luo Tian.

The enigmatic Xiang family of Dong Lin Star, and the line of Li Yuan, were among these.

Yet, through the relentless march of ages, many of these ancient families had waned. The Li family served as a testament to this decline, along with three others that had faded into obscurity. Only two families of this ancient heritage survived to the present day!

Just as the Stellar Alliance boasted a single ninth-level nation, Luo Tian held an even more ancient presence: the families of the Primordial Era.

The Primordial families of Luo Tian were beings of immense power and deep mystery.

Their survival since the Primordial Era spoke of unfathomable foundations. These families had witnessed the transformations of the ancient era, the shattering of the Immortal Realm, the rise of the Thunderous Immortal Temple, and the myriad changes within Luo Tian.

It was even whispered that these ancient houses held secrets of the Primordial Immortal Domains. Their arts and techniques alone were enough to command respect across Luo Tian.

All this, Wang Lin knew—details gleaned from the eighth and ninth-level nations of the Stellar Alliance. Li Wu, during their journey, had shared all he knew of these powerful lineages.

Thus, Wang Lin faced the four families of Immortal heritage with a calm demeanor.

Above the shattered earth where the Pavilion of Treasures stood, two elders, locked in a battle against the fragments of a shattered seal, paused. One spoke, his voice laced with weariness. “Daoist friend, your mastery and treasures speak of a power that cannot be anonymous. We implore you, reveal your name!”

Wang Lin remained composed. “Xu Mu,” he declared.

The elder’s gaze sharpened. “Though Daoist Xu has not reached the stage of Void Nirvana, your strength is undeniable. We shall not impede your entry into the Pavilion of Treasures.”

As he spoke, the other elder regarded Wang Lin with sudden interest. “Daoist Xu, are you perhaps connected to the Xu family of Dong Lin Star?”

Wang Lin met his gaze without reaction.

The elder hesitated, his eyes gleaming. “If Daoist Xu is not of that lineage, then I, on behalf of the Chen family, extend an invitation for you to become an honorary elder of our house!”

A hint of a smile touched Wang Lin’s lips.

“The proposition is not without merit, but my current purpose is the Pavilion of Treasures. I trust the three of you will grant me passage?” His eyes swept over the spiritual form of the cultivator who had lost his physical body.

The spirit, stricken with a sense of loss, could only sigh. Hearing Wang Lin’s words, he knew with certainty that this newcomer held deep knowledge of the Pavilion.

The Pavilion of Treasures could only be opened through the combined efforts of at least two powerful families.

The events unfolded as expected. The three elders joined forces, unlocking the ancient structure. The quadrilateral edifice shuddered, and its four corners converged with a resounding clash.

A soft light bloomed, and where the corners met, an oval doorway of pure energy materialized.

“Daoist Xu, the members of my Chen family have entered this Pavilion countless times. Though the acquisition of immortal techniques relies on chance, and each person’s experience is unique, there are patterns to be found. The longer one persists within, the more precious the eventual reward. I wish you great fortune in your endeavors!” The elder who had previously offered Wang Lin a position within the family bowed, his voice sincere.

Wang Lin nodded slightly. From the memories of the Yao family elder, he knew the four families lacked the means to set traps within the Pavilion.

Moreover, everything unfolded as the Yao elder’s memories had described. Without hesitation, Wang Lin sheathed his treasures, and with a flick of his cloak, he stood before the doorway. He drew a deep breath and stepped through.

As Wang Lin vanished into the light, the spirit of the cultivator who had lost his body sighed. “Had we known his power, we could have simply granted him passage. His cultivation is the same as ours; he would only reach the fourth level.”

“Four levels is the limit, but who could foresee such formidable abilities and treasures? He is of our cultivation, yet he clearly held reserves of power. Had he not known that our combined strength was required to open the Pavilion, he would have slain both of us just now.”

“Indeed,” the spirit agreed bitterly. “His actions suggest he intended to kill us both. Had I not been quick-witted, my spirit would have shattered with my body.”
“Alas,” the elder of the Chen clan sighed, his voice like rustling leaves, “what use is dwelling on this now? He has entered, so let it be. The arcane arts within the fourth tier… his destiny will decide.”

The elder, a spirit adrift after the loss of his mortal coil, questioned, “Friend Chen, do you truly intend to invite this man as an Elder of your clan, though he bears not your blood?”

Elder Chen nodded, his voice resonant, “This one possesses formidable power. Such individuals are invaluable to the Chen clan. Friends, I implore you, do not vie with me for his allegiance! Should he become an Elder of the Chen clan, the unfortunate demise of our friend Yao will be… overlooked. As for friend Lu’s lost vessel, the Chen clan will provide recompense! And to you, friend Song, a share of prosperity shall flow from the Chen clan’s coffers! But this, of course, is contingent upon his joining our ranks!”

As the three elders bargained, Wang Lin found himself transported to a realm most peculiar. A swirling mist, grey and impenetrable, cloaked all around him, stifling his spiritual senses. Whispers, faint and ethereal, drifted on the unseen winds, eluding his grasp, their meaning lost in the swirling fog.

Suddenly, the mists surged, coalescing before Wang Lin with the speed of crashing waves. In a blink, they formed a figure.

The being was woven entirely of mist, its raiment indistinguishable, yet its features were discernible, albeit unremarkable. An aura, unlike anything Wang Lin had encountered in a mortal cultivator, enveloped it. The being stood motionless, palm outstretched.

Wang Lin’s gaze sharpened. From the memories he’d gleaned from the deceased Elder Yao, he knew that within this Vault of Curios, though the opportunities varied for each entrant, one aspect remained constant: the test of cultivation.

After a moment’s contemplation, Wang Lin advanced and pressed his palm against the mist-being’s.

An alien power surged through him, coursing through his veins before withdrawing as swiftly as it had come. A low, resonant voice echoed through the misty chamber.

“Eighth Grade Immortal Ascendant! Thou art worthy to seek arcane arts within the fourth tier, guided by fate!”

Wang Lin retracted his hand, his mind swirling with questions. “Eighth Grade Immortal… How are the ranks of Immortals defined? My cultivation has yet to reach the zenith of the Yang Solid Realm. If it were to, to what echelon of Immortals would I ascend?”

The mist-being began to dissipate, fading back into the swirling grey. Wang Lin understood that once the figure vanished entirely, he would be transported to the fourth tier, where his destiny would be determined by the capricious hand of fate.

Yet even with the most bountiful fate, he could only hope to acquire arts from the fourth tier. Clearly, this Vault of Curios held countless levels, and the higher one ascended, the more profound the arcane arts became.

Indeed, even a common art from the highest tier might surpass the most potent techniques of the lower realms. But the test of one’s cultivation was immutable, determined solely by one’s inherent power. This, too, was a facet of opportunity.

Only those of great cultivation could hope to grasp the most treasured arts. For the weak, such riches remained unattainable.

As the mist-being dwindled, Wang Lin’s eyes flickered with sudden inspiration. A daring idea, audacious in its scope, took root in his mind, sending a surge of adrenaline through him. His heart pounded, and his throat grew dry.

After a moment of hesitation, he steeled his resolve, reaching into his storage pouch. He drew forth a pagoda. A strange light flickered in his eyes as he summoned the white-robed corpse-maiden to his side.

He retreated, weaving arcane gestures with his hands, channeling his primal power to guide the maiden’s hand. He forced her hand forward, pressing it against the fading palm of the mist-being. Wang Lin’s heart pounded in his chest, his gaze fixed.

In that instant, the mist-being shuddered, verging on disintegration. A long pause followed before the deep, booming voice echoed once more.

“Ninth Grade Immortal Sovereign! Thou art permitted to peruse arcane arts within the ninth tier!”

Triumph blazed in Wang Lin’s eyes. He clenched his fist, swiftly returning the corpse-maiden to her sanctuary within the pagoda, then back into his storage pouch. His heart hammered within his chest; rarely had he experienced such profound elation.

“To acquire an art by fate… versus to peruse an art… The difference in those two phrases… is immeasurable!”