Alright, that's a great excuse, it just makes the Ancient One seem even more unreliable.
"Anyway, this Altos failed at the very last step. Even though he had power greater than some Dimensional Demon Gods, he fell short at the final hurdle.
He wanted to use runes to unify magic and technology, but his ultimate failure created a spatial storm and temporal turbulence, leading to distortions and ruptures in space-time. The entire Antuakh Dimension collapsed because of it, carved up by various Dimensional Demon Gods. Only a final dimensional fragment remained, evolving into a miniature dimensional world called the Altos Dimension, drifting through the endless multiverse.
That Book of Altos might be a work no less significant than the Book of Vishanti or the Darkhold. Oshtur, one of the Vishanti Trinity, once prophesied that the Book of Altos would be found within that miniature dimension."
"So the treasure you're telling me about is this?"
Qingshui rubbed his chin.
As soon as there was a benefit, his address for the Ancient One changed from 'old man' to the more respectful 'you'.
A treatise on runic magic written by a grand archmage who almost became a multiversal deity.
Its value indeed approached that of top-tier knowledge artifacts like the Book of Vishanti. The knowledge it contained was immeasurable.
"Yes, that book might be very suitable for you. The Antuakh people once used runes to perfectly combine magic and technology. You understand magic and science, so it's a good fit. Just get that book, and as long as you don't try to unify science and magic like Altos did and break space-time, the knowledge contained within that book will be enough for you to become a preeminent archmage."
"Then how do I get to that dimension?"
"You don't need to rush about that. As long as you're prepared, you just need to pay the Vishanti enough to cover a round trip between the two universes."
The Ancient One said straightforwardly.
"Alright, so what's next for us..."
"I know, I know. We already agreed, you can only take two pieces at most!"
The Ancient One emphasized again.
"Okay, okay, I get it."
The Ancient One opened a golden portal.
Qingshui stepped through it, arriving before a metal gate.
In front of the gate stood a bronze censer, and an old man in a monk's robe, missing both hands, sat cross-legged on a futon before the gate, opening his closed eyes.
"Master Hamir, so you're on duty today."
The Ancient One clasped his hands together and bowed slightly to Hamir.
Hamir was a Tibetan Buddhist devotee.
"Master Ancient One."
Hamir stood up from the ground.
"I'm here to help Watt choose magical artifacts."
Hamir glanced at Qingshui, who also performed a Buddhist salute to him, nodded slightly, and stepped aside.
With a wave of the Ancient One's hand, the metal gate rumbled open, revealing the true appearance of the temple's storage room.
A hall filled with multiple glass display cases, and countless artifacts hanging on the walls and placed on tables and shelves.
As soon as Qingshui stepped inside, several artifacts within the glass cases began to sway. Some even started to forcefully hit the glass cases, but when they touched the glass, they were stopped by the arcane array that lit up on the surface.
Many artifacts on the surrounding walls, tables, and shelves also began to glow at that moment.
In just an instant, the entire artifact storage room became lively.
"Sigh... this is why I didn't want you to come here in the first place."
The Ancient One's expression looking at Qingshui was filled with envy.
"Oh, wow... so I'm as popular among artifacts as I am among people."
Qingshui immediately broke into a smile.
He was popular among people because he was rich and willing to spend money.
So why were these artifacts so restless as soon as they saw him?
"Of course, it's because of the energy within you. Other sorcerers borrow it from outside, and they don't even have enough for themselves, let alone for nourishing artifacts. While the quality of the energy in your body isn't as high as that of a Dimensional Demon God, it's abundant and can be stably produced. Regular nourishment can make artifacts stronger, which is why these artifacts are interested in you.
You don't seriously think it's because of your face, which is, at best, a ninety out of a hundred, do you?"
The Ancient One spat at Qingshui.
"Ninety out of a hundred? My face's attractiveness score is still pretty high, then. It's normal for these superficial artifacts to be interested in me because I'm handsome and have high charm."
"Normal, my foot! If even your ninety-point face can't gain favor from so many artifacts, why can't my hundred-point face? It just proves these artifacts don't pick based on looks."
The Ancient One argued.
"If it really were about looks... it's normal for you to be less popular than me among the artifacts."
Qingshui scrutinized the Ancient One's old face and offered his assessment.
The Ancient One: ╬▔皿▔╯!!!
"No artifacts for you. Absolutely none."
"After all, the value of these artifacts alone doesn't match your perfectly handsome, hundred-point face. Perhaps only an artifact like the Eye of Agamotto, which only successive Sorcerers Supreme can wield, is barely worthy."
"Ahem, keep it down, keep it down. Which one are you looking at? I'll pick two good ones for you."
"Can't I pick one more?"
"No."
All that flattery was for nothing.
I take back everything I just said praising the Ancient One, and automatically transfer it all to myself.
"Then how about an introduction?"
Qingshui wasn't sure which ones would suit him.
"Wait a moment, let me see which ones are right for you."
The Ancient One took off the Eye of Agamotto hanging around his neck and began to look into the future with the Time Stone, his mind twitching and darting around.
"Let me introduce a few to you."
A few minutes later, the Ancient One scratched his ear and walked towards the wall.
"You're not going to pick the worst ones, are you?"
"Why would I?"
The Ancient One paused, then very naturally moved his hand from a bamboo armor set in front of him to a necklace hanging nearby.
"I've chosen the ones most suitable for you. You have great potential in wind and lightning elements, so the treasures I've picked are very compatible with your abilities. For example, this Gareth's Wind Necklace can convert energy into incredibly docile wind, providing you with the power to fly and create wind blades."
"How fast can I fly?"
"For a normal adult, probably about as fast as a motorcycle?"
"That's a bit ordinary."
Qingshui shook his head.
He could fly much faster with his battle armor, so this boost was useless. As for wind blades, he could already do that with his own Wind Release.
"Strom's Arc, an ancient magical artifact, can summon large-scale lightning storms and amplify lightning manipulation abilities for long-range attacks and defense…"
"Sounds decent, but let's look at others. I'm not lacking in offensive means."
Amplifying lightning manipulation abilities should also amplify Lightning Release.
"Not lacking offensive means? The Mechanical Soul Box, a core created by Sir Newton in his youth to control magical puppets, can imbue unconscious objects with a certain level of intelligence. I suggest you take this along with this Storm Amber. The Storm Amber contains powerful energy and can both amplify all wind-related spells and power puppets."
"No need, I have AI and other energy sources. I don't need that."
"Stavros's Disk…"
"And this Eye of Secrecy…"
The Ancient One introduced seven or eight more items, his expression visibly growing impatient.
Through the Ancient One's introductions, Qingshui also silently rated the pros and cons of these magical artifacts in his mind.
The artifacts hanging on the wall varied in quality, but those in the glass cases were definitely masterpieces.
Because these artifacts had very high spiritual awareness.
Like the Cloak of Levitation.
This thing curiously clung to the glass, as if it had eyes, watching Qingshui and the Ancient One walk past.
This item provided immense assistance to Strange, and if he had the choice, Qingshui would certainly want it too.
However, the Cloak of Levitation was one of the rare artifacts that was indifferent to Qingshui, likely looking down on the quality of the Chakra within him.
Being confined in this cabinet was probably also a concern that these artifacts might run off on their own one day.
Like the Cloak of Levitation, those that looked down on Qingshui were generally among the best of the best.
But that didn't mean that artifacts that took a liking to Qingshui were of ordinary quality.
"Zoroaster's Net, a magical artifact refined from spoils of war in the sixth century BC by the then Sorcerer Supreme Zoroaster after he defeated the Master Weaver.
This net has the function of absorbing and storing energy. Its texture is tough, and it can be used for protection or to capture spiritual entities, elemental spirits, and other energy-based beings. When spread out, the lines of Zoroaster's Net can reach up to a hundred kilometers away and can passively sense energy fluctuations within a hundred kilometers.
It also has some minor functions, such as attaching and strengthening the user's perception to the lines, and automatically helping injured users repair wounds."
A net pouch the size of a handkerchief floated in a glass display case, extending a few threads, trying desperately to squeeze out of the cracks in the glass case.
And a few threads had already snuck out, even escaping the detection magic set up inside the cabinet.
Qingshui immediately took a liking to this item.
He was a Puppet Master, and this type of thread or net artifact was very suitable for him.
This little thing has good taste.
Coming from Zoroaster, it was certainly no ordinary item.
This individual was also a famous figure in history, as he was the founder of Zoroastrianism.
The function was good, and it could enhance his perception.
The Transparent World's perception range and strength were related to his mental power and could potentially be blocked.
For example, the Vapors of Valtorr that Mordo used earlier successfully suppressed his perception.
The threads of this net could enhance one's perception, extending it up to a hundred kilometers away, practically serving as a Kagura's Mind Eye.
Meanwhile, Qingshui's Transparent World only had a perception range of just over a thousand meters.
Although Qingshui's perception range had continuously expanded with the improvement of his spiritual power, he estimated that without any special encounters in this regard, his main body, relying on the Puppet Master legacy, would likely only be able to double its spiritual power at most as he aged, probably reaching a level similar to Chiyo.
This was pretty much the upper limit for traditional Puppet Masters in the Naruto World, and it would take a considerable amount of time to reach it.
Coupled with additional abilities like close-range protection, capturing spirits, and healing wounds, it was truly a top-tier defensive and auxiliary magical artifact.
"This is it."
Qingshui extended a finger and lightly touched a few threads floating out, releasing a bit of Chakra.
Those threads immediately wrapped around his finger, beginning to draw Chakra from it.
"For the other one, I'll choose the Eye of All Things."
Qingshui pointed to a simple monocle hanging on the wall.
The fact that it wasn't kept in a glass display case likely meant the artifact didn't possess very high sentience.
However, its function was what Qingshui considered to be the most suitable for him among all the artifacts.
Once worn, this monocle allowed one to clearly see the flow of energy and possessed the ability to see through almost all Genjutsu.
Combined with the Transparent World, Qingshui could, like those Uchiha, not only clearly see the enemy's physical movements but also discern the Ninjutsu or spells the enemy intended to cast, allowing for direct, on-the-spot replication.
As for Stavros's Disk and others, they would have to be set aside for now.
These items could, to some extent, enhance his output limit, but his current combat strength was already largely sufficient to handle most threats on Earth.
And for those he couldn't handle, there was no need to worry excessively in the coming years.
With Ancient One and Odin, two Skyfather-level powerhouses, watching over Earth, anything he couldn't handle wouldn't fall to him.
As for a few years from now…
Maybe this entire artifact vault will be mine?
I am not strong yet, but when I am, things will change!
Old man Ancient One, just you wait! One day, all the artifacts here will be…
"I feel like you're thinking something rather offensive."
Ancient One suddenly turned his head and looked at Qingshui, who was in the process of putting on the Eye of All Things.
"Ah, no, no, no, you're overthinking it, Master Ancient One. I was just thinking about how to solve the task you assigned earlier."
"Do you think I believe you?"
"Ahem, well, I'll be going now!"
Qingshui feigned a couple of coughs and was about to open a portal.
However, only sparks appeared, and the portal didn't open.
"Go out through the door. To prevent anyone from stealing artifacts here, there's a spatial seal set up."
A spatial seal?
"Master Ancient One, could you explain how this spatial seal works?"
Qingshui asked curiously.
If it could suppress space, could it also restrict Flying Thunder God, Kamui Dimension, and the like?
If he could master it…
"Next door is the Sanctum Sanctorum, which monitors Earth's spacetime. The Orb of Agamotto, which can monitor dimensional rifts, is kept there. This is a side effect of that item."
Figures, it's achieved with an artifact. Looks like I can't learn this one.
"If there's nothing else, hurry up and get out."
"Alrighty!"
Qingshui quickly walked to the door, clasped his hands together, and bowed once more to Master Hamir, who was waiting outside, then opened a portal and left directly.
Ancient One gazed deeply at Qingshui as he left through the door, his brows furrowed.
"The future has changed again."
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