Chapter 23: Chapter 23: The Hidden Treasures
After the intense days of the painting competition, Feng Yan finally found a moment of peace. The exhilaration of proving herself as the legendary artist Butterfly had settled, and now, she felt a pull—a yearning to retreat to a place that had become a sanctuary for her: the mystical space within her necklace.
Feng Yan knew that this space held secrets, knowledge, and power far beyond what she had explored so far. Since her victory, she had been too preoccupied with the competition to delve deeper, but now, with a clear mind, she was ready to return.
Closing her eyes, Feng Yan allowed herself to sink into the calming energy of the necklace. She felt the world around her dissolve as she was transported into the hidden dimension. When she opened her eyes, she was greeted by the serene, ethereal landscape of her space—a place that was both familiar and mysterious.
The first thing she noticed was the spring, shimmering with a soft, otherworldly light. The water was crystal clear, and as she approached, she could feel the spirit essence radiating from it, energizing her body with every step she took. Kneeling beside the spring, she cupped her hands and drank the water. It was cool, sweet, and invigorating, filling her with a rush of vitality. She could feel the spirit essence infusing her entire being, sharpening her senses and calming her mind.
She stood up and gazed around the small patch of land within the space. To her surprise, the herbs she had seen on her previous visit had grown significantly. The plants were lush and vibrant, pulsing with spirit energy. Feng Yan marveled at how quickly they had matured, realizing that time within this space must flow differently. The herbs were now brimming with medicinal properties, and she could identify most of them, recognizing their potential for healing and enhancing her physical and spiritual abilities.
However, there were a few herbs she couldn't identify. They were unlike anything she had encountered before, their leaves shimmering with strange patterns, their scents unfamiliar. Intrigued, Feng Yan made a mental note to study these herbs further using the ancient medicine scrolls she had discovered in the library during her last visit.
With the spring and herbs reinvigorating her, Feng Yan decided to explore more of the space. She walked across the courtyard, her footsteps echoing softly in the tranquil atmosphere. The last time she was here, she had only explored the library, but now she was determined to uncover every secret this space had to offer.
She ventured into the first room she found, which appeared to be a study. The walls were lined with shelves filled with scrolls, books, and ancient manuscripts. A large wooden desk stood in the center, with quills, ink, and parchment neatly arranged on top. Feng Yan felt a deep sense of respect for the knowledge contained within this room. She knew that the scrolls likely held wisdom on various subjects, from cultivation techniques to ancient history, and she promised herself to return here to study them in detail.
Next, she entered a bedroom. The room was simple but elegant, with a large bed draped in silken sheets and soft pillows. A wardrobe stood against the wall, and when Feng Yan opened it, she found robes made of fine, luxurious fabric, each embroidered with intricate designs. There was also a vanity with a mirror that reflected her image with an unusual clarity, almost as if it could see beyond the physical form. She could sense that this room was meant for rest and rejuvenation, a place where she could find solace when the outside world became too overwhelming.
But it was the next room that truly captivated her—a room filled with treasures. As Feng Yan stepped inside, her breath caught in her throat. The room was illuminated by the soft glow of various jewels and artifacts, each more exquisite than the last. There were chests overflowing with gold coins, glittering necklaces, and precious gemstones of every color. Delicate jade ornaments, intricately carved, were displayed on velvet-lined shelves. There were also talismans imbued with protective energies, rock crystals that sparkled with inner light, and ancient artifacts whose purposes were unknown to her.
As she moved deeper into the room, Feng Yan discovered bottles of medicines and poisons, each carefully labeled with their uses and instructions. She picked up one of the bottles, examining the contents closely. The liquid inside shimmered with a faint glow, and she could feel the potency of the concoction even through the glass. The poisons, she realized, could be used as a last resort, a weapon in her arsenal should she ever need them. The medicines, on the other hand, would be invaluable in her journey, both for healing herself and possibly others she might choose to help.
Feng Yan stood in the center of the room, turning slowly to take it all in. She was in awe of the wealth and power contained within these walls. This treasure trove was a testament to the strength and foresight of her ancestors, and now it was hers to command.
As she absorbed the magnitude of what she had discovered, Feng Yan began to contemplate her next steps. The first and foremost goal in her mind was revenge—revenge against the Feng family that had taken her in but treated her as an outcast, exploiting her talents and undermining her at every turn. But revenge alone would not be enough. She needed to establish her own power base, to sever ties with the Feng family and build her own legacy.
The first step, she decided, would be to move her household registration out of the Feng family. She was already 17 and legally an adult, which meant she could do this without their consent. It would be a symbolic and practical move, declaring her independence and severing the last official tie she had with them.
But to truly stand on her own, she needed more than just a change in paperwork. Feng Yan knew that she would need wealth and influence to execute her plans. The millions she had earned from auctioning her paintings were a start, but it wouldn't be enough to take down a family as powerful as the Fengs or to search for her true lineage. She needed an organization—one that could build wealth, gather intelligence, and expand her influence across the country.
With her vast knowledge, both from her upbringing and the teachings imparted by her great-grandmother through the necklace, Feng Yan knew she had the skills to establish such an organization. She would leverage her talents, her resources, and the treasures she had discovered to create a network that would rival even the most powerful families. Her organization would operate in the shadows, amassing wealth and information, while she remained its unseen leader.
In addition to her organization, Feng Yan also recognized the importance of physical strength. While her martial arts skills were formidable, she knew she needed to sharpen them further. The enemies she would face would not only be powerful in influence but also in martial prowess. She could not afford to be weak. The treasures in this space, including the talismans and martial scrolls, would aid her in this endeavor, but it would take discipline and dedication to master them.
As she stood in the treasure room, Feng Yan felt a surge of determination. The road ahead would not be easy, but she was prepared. She had the knowledge, the resources, and the drive to see her plans through. Her journey would be one of revenge, discovery, and self-empowerment.
Her heart filled with a resolve as hard as the jade around her, Feng Yan exited the treasure room and walked back to the courtyard. She gazed up at the sky above her space, feeling the weight of her destiny pressing upon her, but also the freedom that came with it. She had been reborn, not just in body but in spirit, and she would not rest until she uncovered the truth about her lineage and exacted her revenge.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone