Once he descended to the third level of the vault, Kael all he saw was a strange white mist covering this level.
However, unlike the previous two levels, it was much simpler, and more rustic, as if he were inside a cave.
Kael advanced through this level. As he did so, the fog that blocked much of his vision was disappearing, revealing multiple holes in the walls where he could see the different types of Zu, with their information and rank.
Zu Mining Bear Strength.
Rank: 8
When using this Zu, increases a person's strength like that of a Mining Bear permanently.
Zu Fireball.
Rank: 9
When using this Zu you can create and cast multiple fireballs, costing 5% mana essence each use.
Zu Water Sword.
Rank: 9
Using this Zu, you create a water sword with an edge superior to a sword imbued with a nine-star knight's aura.
...
Kael looked at the forms and information of the Zu in the holes in the walls calmly. Most were rank 9 and 8, so they were not impressive at all, and the descriptions of each were short and did not give much explanation.
He was a bit disappointed looking at the different types of Zu, which were mostly attack or assist types. He had expected a bit more being one of the grand duchies, that their vault would have all kinds of treasures.
However, he quickly understood that no family with a great history would leave their most valuable items in a vault known to a large part of its members.
Kael continued to look at the different types of Zu: Zu Turtle Breath, Zu Moonlight, Zu Wooden Sword, Zu Frost, Zu Explosive Force, and so on. These were all rank 8 and 9; there were none with a higher rank than this, which was understandable.
Seeing nothing that caught his attention, he decided to leave this level and descend to the last level, where the Zu whom Elder Rhett told him not to talk to him was located.
As he finished descending the stone stairs, he came across a very normal and ordinary chamber, there were shelves of books, as if it were some martial warehouse where techniques are kept.
It looked more like a library than a vault.
But the difference was that not only were there techniques, but there were also rank 7 and 8 Zu, but this was of little use to Kael, as he was only at rank 9, and taking a higher rank Zu was simply an expense, which he was not going to carry just because the Zu was good.
In addition, there were also all kinds of armor, weapons, techniques, and manuals. In the middle of the place was the Zu that Rhett had mentioned.
Its trunk, rough and silvery, twisted into almost human shapes. But most disturbing and yet fascinating are the two eyes resting in its bark: large, glowing, and liquid green, like wells of ancient sap. They blink slowly.
Beneath them, a toothless mouth curves into a serene smile, its wooden lips. The clear, almost translucent leaves tinkled like crystals, casting dancing shadows on the ground.
The Zu's eyes followed him silently. Kael ignored them. Sometimes, the wisest thing is not to listen, but to know when not to.
This place has many treasures, but with my current strength, they are useless in my hands. He thought, after going through several shelves.
Time passed quickly, as he went through the various shelves and completely avoided the Zu in the middle of the place.
After all this time, he finally found something he could use and it was a Zu. Taking it, he headed towards the exit, he had already chosen his three items: an aura cultivation technique, a manuscript, and a Zu.
As he approached towards the exit of the fourth level, already to ascend and exit the vault...
Ding!
[Quest #1. Talk to the Bloody Sage Zu of the Seventh Heaven]
...
Outside the vault, Elder Rhett was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, waiting for Kael to come out of the vault to close it again and place all the seals and symbols.
It had been about three hours since Kael had entered the vault.
Rhett wasn't worried about him taking more than three objects. The place was being monitored very strictly, and every minute he would get a report of where Kael was in real time.
This was all thanks to Video magic, which was developed by a genius wizard who died prematurely and was unable to leave his name in history.
Besides, Rhett was willing to turn a blind eye if Kael took more than three items to curry favor with him. An S-rank talent is not something that comes along very often.
After the leader of the Zephyr clan, it had taken forty years for an S rank to appear, but in this generation, two of them appeared. That meant that, if they developed well, the Medici Clan would reach new heights.
"I just hope young Kael doesn't talk to that 'Zu'." Rhett was somewhat concerned.
There were many reports that every person who talked to the 'Zu' who was on the fourth level ended up crazy, stupid, illiterate, and with other mental problems. And, within days, everyone who talked to that 'Zu' would end up committing suicide in strange ways.
Tap, tap, tap.
Footsteps echoed through the silent hallway, and little by little the footsteps grew louder. Through the large doorway appeared a young man of fifteen, with black hair that reached his neck. His face was quite ordinary, but his eyes as black as the abyss gave him a mysterious presence.
It was Kael Medici.
In his hand, he held two books and a Zu. Without a word, he extended the objects toward Rhett. His face was expressionless, but his eyes black as a bottomless pit seemed to say, "I saw what I needed to see."
After a quick check, Rhett was surprised to see what Kael had chosen, but asked no questions; instead, he closed the vault door, activating the seals and symbols again.
"Ready, young Kael, let's go."
With that said, the two began to leave the place.