Dusk nearly fell as Qiu Ji alighted from the sedan chair, hurriedly clutching a brocaded box as he paced towards the national treasury.

Upon having his identity verified by the guards outside the first gate, he quickened his steps, entered the inner chamber, and from afar, began to apologize, "Lord Jiang, I truly regret the inconvenience, keeping you waiting for so long! I was in the palace, requesting a mandate and documentation, which took a considerable amount of time, hence my delayed arrival!"

He was one of the eight Writing Eunuchs of the Ministry of Rites, with a standing in the palace that was no less than the other eight Eunuchs in Attendance. Only thereby could he qualify to carry the keys to the national treasury.

Although incomparable with the Chief Eunuch Han Ling, he stood among the higher echelons of the internal officers.

He apologized immediately upon meeting, giving a forthright explanation for his tardiness, showing a very proper style of conduct.

In principle, internal officers had no dealings with external officials, and he didn’t really have to be so polite to a Grade-4 blue-badge holder. However, with the title "Nation’s Proud Prodigy", one couldn’t easily predict the heights he might reach in the future. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

The treasury guards found nothing surprising; they kept their thoughts to themselves.

Jiang Wang emerged from contemplation of the Fire Realm Art, devoid of irritability despite waiting all afternoon, and smiled, "It’s no trouble at all. I understand that certain procedures can be very time-consuming."

The internal officer before him was somewhat slender, but his features were gentle, and his complexion rosy. His cultivation must be remarkable, as must be his status in the palace.

Jiang Wang did not inspect the man rudely but met his gaze directly after a glance.

"If you understand, then that’s excellent," Qiu Ji said with a smile, "Let us proceed inside then, without delaying your cultivation any further."

"After you, please," Jiang Wang said politely.

After all, Qiu Ji had seen his share of high officials and noble scions, but rarely someone as composed and unassuming as Jiang Wang.

He could tell that the other party was not feigning civility out of a lack of noble birth. On the contrary, he possessed a steady confidence, as if always ready to face anything, which accounted for his calm demeanor.

As a Writing Eunuch of the Ministry of Rites, Qiu Ji had numerous opportunities to handle matters outside the palace. Among those he encountered, some were of humble origins yet had risen to fame, often more eager than the rest to prove themselves, especially intolerant of any delay.

Jiang Qingyang really was different.

These thoughts, too, remained in Qiu Ji’s heart.

Qiu Ji arrived at this location, presented the imperial seal, verified his identity, and only then could the treasury’s second door be opened. No guardian was in sight, their whereabouts unknown.

Following Qiu Ji, they entered to see a wall of iron, embossed with all manner of unnameable Foreign Beasts. There were passages on either side, each with its turns.

They took the left path.

Encased within the brocaded box Qiu Ji held was half of a seal; the other half lay in the hands of the "Treasure Library" Guardian, requiring documentation issued by the Ministry of Rites to mobilize—an explanation for the time-consuming process of ’requesting a mandate and documentation’ mentioned by Qiu Ji.

Jiang Wang followed behind the Writing Eunuch, letting him handle various inspections.

After a bewildering route, they finally arrived at the destined library door.

Only after the halves of the seals held by Qiu Ji and the library guardian were united did the door gently swing open.

There was no vast and magnificent sight as one might expect.

There were merely rows of stone shelves, housing books of various sizes and materials, including some jade tokens, jade scrolls, bamboo slips, and the like.

Sorted and neatly arranged by category.

Naturally, there was no dust; the items were regularly maintained, replaced, and supplemented, and the numerous protective arrays were enough to preserve them indefinitely.

"This is where the Inner Mansion Realm library is," Qiu Ji spoke up to introduce, "You may choose freely from within."

The library guardian, wrapped in armor revealing only a pair of eyes, was silent, merely following quietly behind Qiu Ji and Jiang Wang as though simply overseeing.

Having the freedom to choose was nice, but the overwhelming options could dazzle anyone...

Jiang Wang looked around for a while but did not see the type of secret technique he desired.

Standing to the side, Qiu Ji suddenly smiled and said, "Before arriving, I familiarized myself with the techniques here a little. If Lord Jiang trusts my word, you may tell me your requirements."

"That would be most appreciated! I certainly trust your judgment," Jiang Wang replied earnestly, "I am looking for an eye technique."

Qiu Ji smiled, not hesitating for a moment as he strode forward, stopping before the twenty-seventh row of bookshelves, declaring, "These are all Inner Mansion Realm pupil techniques."

Jiang Wang followed along to see that this row indeed held various scriptures and records for Pupil Skills.

Naturally, one was not permitted to directly peruse the books or jade tokens. For many cultivators, to see was to learn.

However, next to each Pupil Skill stood a wooden plaque, briefly detailing the origin and general effects of the secret technique.

For instance, the bamboo slip before Jiang Wang had a plaque that read, "Acquired from Yang Country, Yang Family’s Blood Burning Red Pupil Inner Mansion volume, an offensive technique."

What a curious twist of fate...

Having participated in the battle to exterminate Yang Country and gained noble rank for military merit, he was now in Qi Country’s treasury, looking at the Pupil Skill scriptures of the Yang royal family. It felt as if some entwined destiny lingered in the background.

Of course, this Pupil Skill was not to his liking.

The secret techniques of the Yang royal family would undoubtedly be strong, but Jiang Wang’s current priority was to choose a pupil technique akin to Li Longchuan’s Candle micronotice, to pair with the Voice Broadcast Immortal State, completing the ’Knowledge’ part.