Disappointment and Fully Equipped Armies

As the two doors slowly swung open, everyone grew increasingly disappointed...

"It's so ordinary. Is there really any treasure here?" one of the Eighteen Riders couldn't help but say in disappointment.

Serena Feng nodded in agreement. "It really is ordinary."

This Ninefold Heaven was no different from a palace. When the two doors opened, there was a plaza paved with bluestone, a central avenue of white jade, and gravel paths on either side—just like the inner court of the imperial palace.

The central road was the Emperor's path; the side roads were for officials. At the end of the avenues were more steps—likely ninety-nine of them—with bronze dragon and phoenix statues flanking either side.

This was just a scaled-down version of the imperial palace. Why call it Ninefold Heaven?

"Ahem..." Prince Nolan cleared his throat to bring everyone back to focus. They weren't here to sightsee, but to search for treasure.

"Go in."

The Eighteen Riders said no more, quickly moving ahead to clear the way for Prince Nolan and Serena Feng. Snow Wolf obediently padded at Serena's feet, glancing here and there with wide-eyed curiosity.

The group soon entered the main hall. It was still empty, but in the rooms at the back, the Eighteen Riders discovered several large chests. Inside were not jewels or gold, but books—crates and crates of books.

"Interesting." Serena Feng was genuinely intrigued by these books. Every single one was an ancient text, each with significant historical value, and yet all were impeccably preserved. The paper was a bit dry, but there wasn't a single tear or blemish. Serena picked one up at random, and as soon as she opened it, she was utterly astonished by what she found.

"Prince Nolan, come here—quick!" Serena called out, waving the book in her hand.

Prince Nolan and Sean Xuan came over at once. Serena hurriedly handed the book to them, pointing out, "Look, this book records all sorts of techniques for iron-smelting, sword-forging, and even refining high-grade steel."

Serena was no stranger to the saying, "Knowledge is power." Thanks to her Phoenixfield heritage, she knew a thing or two about weapon-making and iron-smelting. When she tried to forge a military shovel, she wanted to use refined steel, but after countless failed attempts, she had to settle for ordinary iron in the end.

The smelting methods described in this ancient book not only purify iron but also help identify the right materials and even produce steel.

"This is incredible. How did the Former Dynasty come up with such advanced ancient techniques?" The more Serena read, the more amazed she became. Not only did the books cover iron-smelting, but also weapon improvements. Any one of these discoveries would be enough to shock the world.

But...

If the Former Dynasty's weapons and iron-smelting techniques were so advanced, why did the Four Kingdoms regress after seizing power?

The soldiers of the Four Kingdoms use weapons forged from the most basic iron—their blades are nowhere near as sharp as those described in these books.

Beyond weapons, there were also books on agriculture: the promotion of farming tools, increasing crop yields, matching crops to soil types, timing fertilization, and managing fields...

Industry, agriculture, commerce, hydraulics—there were books covering every field. The knowledge inside could benefit both the nation and the common people. If the Former Dynasty’s methods were followed, no one would ever go hungry, and the military’s combat power would rise by at least a whole level.

Yet none of these things, which could have transformed the country and improved people’s lives, were passed down. The Four Kingdoms’ emperors inherited nothing.

"The Four Kingdoms’ emperors destroyed not only the Former Dynasty’s throne, but also its civilization." According to the books, aside from weapons, the Former Dynasty promoted agricultural reforms as well, but the core technologies were known only to a select few, with backup copies kept in the emperor’s hands—no one else was allowed to see them.

The Four Kingdoms toppled the Former Dynasty and destroyed all related books—including those that would have benefited the people.

"Is it just books? You can’t win back the world for the Lan clan with these alone." Sean Xuan circled the first level, seeing only books, and was puzzled.

If these books were spread, they could indeed create an era of prosperity. But the Former Dynasty’s emperor didn’t leave this place just to teach future generations how to govern—he wanted them to use it to reclaim the throne.

"There’s a second level." Prince Nolan knew full well the value of these books. If he had time to follow their methods, he could forge weapons and warships stronger than any in the Nine Provinces, and build a nation both powerful and rich.

Of course, he wanted more than just knowledge. What he lacked most now was time. Turning the books’ wisdom into reality required gathering the best craftsmen from across the realm—and plenty of time.

"Pack up all these books—we’re taking everything." No matter what gold or silver lay ahead, Serena Feng wasn’t about to leave these behind.

These weren’t exam texts or philosophical essays—they were the crystallized wisdom of a thousand years. Civilization couldn’t be allowed to break off here.

Prince Nolan had no objections. Of course he wanted to take the books. He was an ambitious man—after unifying the Nine Provinces, he wanted his nation to be prosperous and strong, able to pass its legacy down through the generations...

Leaving the first level’s books behind, Prince Nolan and Serena Feng moved on to the second. The door to the second level was tightly shut, with an hourglass device just like the one below. It was still dirty, proof that others had been here before. In fact, the Ninefold Heaven treasure was likely the result of generations of Former Dynasty emperors slowly accumulating it.

"Time for another blood sacrifice," Serena said sympathetically. Without hesitation, Prince Nolan picked up a knife and made the cut...

Once the hourglass filled with blood and flipped, only after it emptied did the second-level door open. This floor was different from the one below: the huge space was divided into rooms, each packed with piles and piles of weapons.

Sabers, swords, spears, bows, armor—every weapon an army might need was here, and in massive quantities. Each type had at least ten thousand pieces. The Eighteen Riders were especially mesmerized by the bows, unable to tear themselves away.

The bows they used were considered the best in the Nine Provinces, but compared to these Former Dynasty bows, theirs were nothing.

"The steel used to forge these weapons was refined using the methods from the books." The gleaming, rust-free blades had lasted so long not just because of the special environment, but also thanks to the superior materials.

"With this arsenal, Eastlyn could instantly crush Southlyn or Lyndaria." Sean Xuan picked up a steel saber—lightweight, but exceptionally sharp.

Serena nodded and added, "Once you find iron mines and rearm the whole army, even Northlyn’s soldiers won’t be a threat."

"This armor is so light, yet nearly weapon-proof—top quality." Men were naturally obsessed with weapons; seeing all these rooms packed to the brim, Sean Xuan and the Eighteen Riders were fired up, itching to take them to the battlefield and see what they could do.

At last, they’d found supplies that could be put to immediate use. Prince Nolan’s usually stoic face softened.

It’s not that the books from the first level were useless, but putting their knowledge into practice would take time. And time was exactly what Nolan lacked. He needed books, weapons, gold, manpower, and provisions—all of it.

He was truly looking forward to what the other seven levels might hold...