"In the future, you cannot stand against the Clark family." Tony Clark stared at Da Vinci with a serious look.

This time, the old man became silent for much longer. As Academy Master of Nine Lotus Academy, remaining neutral was extremely important.

Supporting any major family openly could destroy the academy’s position and his reputation. More than anything,

Still...

After looking at Tony carefully... After thinking about his monstrous growth...

Da Vinci finally answered.

"You are really pushing me to the limits, brat. But, I can only promise this after you bring me the treasure."

"Fair enough." Tony smiled slightly. "And after you use the lifespan treasure, you must show me the method personally. I also want to understand how it works."

Da Vinci stared at him for a moment before suddenly laughing loudly.

"Hahaha!!! You little fox... you truly plan to squeeze every drop of profit from this old man."

"And you are desperate enough to accept it." Tony smiled back calmly.

For the next several hours, the two continued discussing world politics, hidden family conflicts, Supreme Warriors, and major powers operating in the shadows.

The more Tony spoke, the more shocked Da Vinci became.

The boy before him was frighteningly mature and has clear plans to lead the Clark family to peak dominance.

Tony’s understanding of politics, manipulation, family feuds, and martial power structures was far beyond his age.

At one point, Da Vinci even forgot he was speaking with a junior. Slowly, he got convinced on his decision to take Tony’s support over Mark Smith.

The sky outside slowly brightened.

Morning sunlight finally spread across the snowy mountain peaks.

Da Vinci stood up slowly with a heavy sigh.

"Come. Since we reached an agreement, let me fulfill my part first. I will take you to the Academy Treasury."

Tony’s eyes immediately brightened. The Academy Treasury...!

The two left the wooden hut and descended toward the hidden underground vault beneath the sword peak.

Da Vinci created a fog like screen while using his floating ability. Tony couldn’t tell where they were actually going.

After some time, they both stood before a long dome shaped vault. It appeared like a train cave. They continued to float forward.

Along the way, Da Vinci activated countless ancient formations hidden beneath the stone paths. Massive barriers opened silently while ancient mechanisms rotated deep underground.

Finally, they arrived before a gigantic metallic gate covered in ancient runes.

Da Vinci pressed his palm against the surface. Several fingerprint formations activated simultaneously.

After finally opening the modern safety alarms and metal doors, they passed through small rooms of regular rank treasures. Tony didn’t even take a proper look at them.

After walking to the end, the real old treasury appeared in sight.

As Da Vinci placed 7 different shaped locks in the heads of 7 serpents, the Ancient locks rotated.

Energy rippled through the circular lock which began making creaking noises.

Then— The gate slowly opened.

The moment Tony stepped inside, even he could not hide his surprise.

"This place is more secure than my Clark family vault..." Tony muttered in appreciating tone.

The treasury stretched endlessly like an underground train passage.

Long metallic halls spread into different sections, each separated according to resource category.

Weapons... Ancient manuals... Elemental treasures... Formation artifacts... Beast materials... Alchemy resources... Movement treasures.

Everything was perfectly organized behind crystal barriers.

Tony’s eyes immediately began shining.

Da Vinci suddenly felt uneasy... Very uneasy.

Without hesitation, Tony directly began collecting items.

"This one."

He casually swept dozens of high-grade life-energy pills into his storage ring.

Da Vinci’s eyelids twitched violently.

"Boy... at least leave some for future disciples. Your Clark family also has many of these things."

Tony ignored him completely.

Soon, he arrived before a section filled with movement treasures.

A pair of black boots floated in the air while wind energy continuously circulated around them.

Tony immediately read the description.

"Flying Cloud Boots... increases aerial movement speed by thirty percent for Grandmasters."

"I’m taking this."

Before Da Vinci could react, the boots disappeared into Tony’s ring.

The old man took a deep breath.

Then Tony moved toward another section.

Several crimson crystals burned softly like living flames.

Tony’s eyes lit up. "Fire affinity crystals?"

Da Vinci nodded reluctantly. "Those help improve elemental compatibility over long periods."

"Good."

Tony immediately took all six.

Da Vinci’s heart almost stopped. "You greedy little bandit!!!"

Tony pretended not to hear him.

Further ahead, he discovered a strange silver spear floating in isolation while lightning crackled around it.

Beside it rested a sky-rank chain weapon covered in ancient black runes.

Tony even found several ancient mechanical treasures resembling lost gong-jia engineering techniques.

One metallic arm caught his attention immediately.

The fingers moved slightly on their own.

"What is this?"

Da Vinci reluctantly answered.

"An ancient puppet weapon recovered from ruins. Once activated, it can release Grandmaster-level attacks automatically."

Tony’s eyes widened slightly. "Interesting."

He immediately stored it away.

Da Vinci nearly coughed blood. "This is robbery... complete robbery..."

Tony finally stopped before a section containing cultivation manuals.

Ancient jade scrolls floated quietly behind crystal barriers. One of them immediately caught his attention.

"Burning Heaven Mirage shadows."

Tony opened it slightly and smiled.

"Camoflauge type martial art... pseudo sky-rank."

He took it.

Another manual soon followed. "Nine Pulse Explosion Art."

Then another. "Void Tracing Eyes."

Da Vinci watched silently while his face darkened further and further.

At this point, Tony no longer resembled a disciple. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

He looked exactly like a victorious warlord emptying an enemy treasury after conquest.

Hours passed.

Tony continued wandering happily while Da Vinci followed behind him like an old man watching his life savings disappear one item at a time.

"Why are you taking so many manuals? You can’t use these many! You will lose focus...!" Da Vinci said in a warning tone.

"All these are not for me, Elder. I have a beautiful wife and loyal servants." Tony replied with a glowing smile as he tossed another manual.

Finally— Tony stopped abruptly at one end.

At the very end of the treasury.

Inside a separate black compartment rested a single dark cube surrounded by ancient chains.

The moment Tony looked at it— His instincts trembled.

"What is this?" he asked slowly.

Da Vinci’s expression changed slightly.

For the first time since entering the treasury— The old man looked serious again.

"That is something even I cannot fully understand."

-

Tq guys for the power stones!