Storage rings on the Profound Sky Continent were treasures only capable of being refined by experts at the Foundation Establishment Realm or above.
The core material for forging one was the bone of a magic Beast—a creature usually at the 3-star or even 4-star level. They were exceedingly rare and notoriously difficult to hunt.
As a result, storage rings were incredibly scarce across the entire continent.
Within the Beast Taming Sect, only a handful of cultivators actually possessed one. Most were inherited from past generations or purchased for exorbitant prices, often costing upwards of millions of spirit stones.
Even though Tian Shen had just earned two hundred thousand spirit stones, it was far from enough to afford such a treasure.
Still, having a storage ring would make things far more convenient—especially when dealing with the transport of monster beast corpses, which now lay stacked like a small mountain beside him.
"Elder Mo, just how big is your storage ring?"
Tian Shen asked, watching in amazement as the elder effortlessly stored the mound of corpses they'd spent over an hour piling together.
"Not very big, only about a hundred cubic meters."
Elder Mo replied with humble words but a not-so-humble smile tugging at his lips. He couldn't help adding with some pride.
"These things are just too rare! Even mine is worth tens of millions of spirit stones. Got lucky back in the day—found a senior's hidden cave and picked it up there."
"Elder Mo really is blessed with fortune!"
Tian Shen played along, smiling politely.
But inside, he was stunned.
A hundred-cubic-meter ring worth tens of millions?
Was it because spirit stones weren't all that valuable—or because storage rings were simply that rare and precious?
As that thought sank in, a trace of unease crept into Tian Shen's mind.
Would Sect Master Feng Yan really be willing to gift him such a valuable item?
Maybe... he'd better start gathering spirit stones on his own.
Seems like he'd have to start treating spirit stones as more than just numbers.
---
Lost in thought, Tian Shen followed Elder Mo all the way back to the Beast Taming Sect.
As soon as they arrived, Elder Mo eagerly led him straight to meet Sect Master Feng Yan, but before they could—
"ROAR—!"
A thunderous roar split the air, echoing from deep within the Beast Taming Mountain—the same direction they'd just returned from.
"Not good!"
Elder Mo's expression darkened in an instant.
"It's that 3-star beast! Damn, I completely forgot there was still a 3-star monster left in that place!"
His voice turned sharp as he barked orders:
"Quick! Tian Shen, return at once and inform the Sect Master! Tell him to gather the elders—we need to prepare for battle. Take the disciples and evacuate from the sect immediately!"
A glint of resolve flashed in Elder Mo's eyes as he clenched his fists.
"We old fogeys will try to buy you time. If... if things go badly, take the others, hide, grow strong... and avenge us one day!"
He didn't wait for a reply. With a swift gesture, Elder Mo yanked off his storage ring, wiped his spiritual imprint, and pressed it into Tian Shen's hand.
"Inside, aside from the monster beast corpses, you'll find treasures and techniques I've collected over decades. When the time comes, pass them on. Keep our lineage alive."
Tian Shen was still stunned when—
"Swish, swish, swish!"
Several powerful figures streaked across the sky and landed nearby. Their auras surged, instantly recognizable.
It was Sect Master Feng Yan and the other elders.
"Elder Mo, what's happening?"
Feng Yan's eyes narrowed as he approached.
Elder Mo stepped forward, bowed slightly, and spoke apologetically:
"Sect Master, this was my oversight. I entered Beast Taming Mountain with Tian Shen and accidentally provoked a 3-star beast. I take full responsibility."
Tian Shen's heart stirred.
That... was his fault, Elder Mo is trying to shield HIM. He was clearly willing to bear the blame alone so Tian Shen wouldn't be punished.
"Tian Shen!"
Feng Yan ordered without hesitation.
"Feng Yin is at her cultivation cave. Take her and the disciples and evacuate immediately! We'll stay and buy you time."
Their instructions were clear.
The old generation would stand and fight.
The young would carry on their will.
"Tian Shen, take care of the younger disciples. I've left some things in my cave dwelling. Once this crisis passes, return with the others and retrieve them."
"Tian Shen, take this—my storage ring. It holds the treasures I've collected over my entire life."
...
And it wasn't just Feng Yan.
The other elders from the Beast Taming Sect who had come with him were also preparing to meet death head-on. Their expressions were calm, yet resolute—each one treating this as their final stand.
In less than a minute, Tian Shen found himself holding four more storage rings—one from the Sect Master, another three more from senior elders.
As for the rest, those who didn't possess storage rings solemnly entrusted Tian Shen with their final messages. They spoke of treasures hidden within their cave dwellings and urged him to return and retrieve them when the storm had passed.
"Let's move!"
Before Tian Shen could even respond, Feng Yan and the others had already turned, dashing toward the depths of the Beast Taming Mountain without a shred of hesitation—toward the threat they knew might claim their lives.
"Wait—!"
But just then, Tian Shen snapped out of his daze. His voice roared with urgency as he surged forward.
"Whoosh!"
In a blur, his figure transformed into a black shadow, so fast that even the 9th stage of Qi Refining Realm elders couldn't track him. In the blink of an eye, he stood before them, blocking their path.
"T-Tian Shen?"
"What are you doing, boy?"
"Get out of the way and take the younger ones to safety!"
"Every second we delay, more lives will be lost!"
But Tian Shen's eyes burned with fierce determination as he shouted:
"Sect Master! Elders! I believe it should be you—who lead the disciples to safety!"