**Chapter 48: The Dao Room**

As I stepped into the treasure room, my eyes were immediately drawn to a section that seemed to stand apart from the rest. The air around it seemed to shimmer with a mysterious energy. Above the entrance, carved elegantly in ancient script, were the words: "Dao." The phrase exuded a mystical vibe, promising secrets and knowledge that transcended mere physical treasures.

Intrigued, I moved closer. The entrance itself was framed by intricate crystal inlays that pulsed with a gentle light, creating a mesmerizing dance of colors. The doorway seemed to beckon, inviting those who were worthy to step into its depths. I glanced at Luo Bing, who gave me an encouraging nod, her eyes reflecting the same curiosity I felt.

I crossed the threshold, and immediately, the atmosphere changed. The room was vast, far larger than it appeared from the outside. The walls were lined with towering shelves made of polished wood and adorned with glowing runes. Each shelf held rows of crystal formations, each one unique in its structure and hue. The crystals emitted a soft, ethereal light, casting intricate patterns on the walls and floor.

At the center of the room was a large, circular dais made of smooth, black stone. Suspended above it was a massive crystal, easily the size of a small boulder. It hung in mid-air, rotating slowly, its facets catching and reflecting light in a dazzling display. This central crystal seemed to be the heart of the room, radiating a powerful but serene energy.

As I moved closer to the dais, I noticed inscriptions carved into the stone. They were ancient symbols, ones I recognized from my studies of formations and runes. The inscriptions formed a complex array, a diagram that spoke of balance, harmony, and the flow of energy. It was a formation, but one of such sophistication that it made the Sudoku puzzle we had solved earlier seem elementary by comparison.

My heart raced with excitement. This room was not just a repository of treasures; it was a place of profound learning. The crystals on the shelves were not mere decorations; they were repositories of knowledge, each one containing the essence of a different Dao, a different path of cultivation.

I reached out to touch the central crystal, feeling its cool surface under my fingers. As I did, a surge of information flooded my mind. Images, symbols, and concepts flashed before my eyes in rapid succession. It was overwhelming, but exhilarating. The crystal was imparting its wisdom, offering insights into the Dao of Crystals, a path that emphasized clarity, structure, and harmony with the natural world.

I pulled back, my mind buzzing with new knowledge. This room was a treasure trove, but it required time and dedication to unlock its secrets fully. Each crystal on the shelves represented a different aspect of the Dao, and studying them would undoubtedly enhance my understanding and abilities.

Luo Bing joined me at the dais, her eyes wide with wonder. "This place is incredible," she whispered, her voice filled with awe. "The energy here... it's unlike anything I've ever felt."

I nodded, unable to tear my gaze away from the central crystal. "It's a place of learning," I said, my voice hushed. "Each of these crystals contains knowledge, insights into the Dao. This room... it's a gift beyond measure."

We spent several minutes exploring the room, marveling at the diversity of crystals and the wealth of knowledge they promised. Each shelf held treasures that could enhance our cultivation, tools that could help us grow stronger and wiser.

But as much as I wanted to delve into the secrets of each crystal, I knew we had a limited time. We needed to choose our treasures wisely. I turned to Luo Bing, who was examining a particularly beautiful crystal with a deep blue hue.

"We can each choose two treasures," I reminded her. "Let's make sure we pick the ones that will help us the most."

She nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Agreed. But it's so hard to decide. Each of these crystals is unique, and the knowledge they hold could be invaluable."

I smiled, sharing her sentiment. "Let's trust our instincts. We've come this far together, and we've faced challenges that required us to rely on our intuition and teamwork. We'll make the right choices."

With that, we began our careful selection, each of us drawn to the crystals that resonated most with our individual paths and goals. The Dao with Crystals room had offered us a glimpse into a world of profound knowledge, and we were determined to make the most of this extraordinary opportunity.

"What?!!!" Luo Bing squealed with joy mixed with surprise.

I turned to her, startled by the uncharacteristic outburst. She was smiling like an idiot, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "What happened?" I asked, unable to mask my own surprise.

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"Look, Ning Feng," she said, practically bouncing on her feet. "There are even concepts in these crystals. I can't believe this." She pointed to a cluster of crystals, each one emitting a different color and intensity of light. "These aren't just about formations or energy manipulation. They contain concepts, profound insights into the nature of existence and cultivation."

I moved closer, examining the crystals she indicated. Each one pulsed with a distinct rhythm, resonating with an energy that felt both familiar and utterly alien. "Concepts?" I echoed, my curiosity piqued.

"Yes!!!" she replied, her enthusiasm infectious. "These crystals hold the essence of various Daos. It's like having a library of ancient wisdom at our fingertips. Look at this one." She pointed to a crystal glowing with a soft, golden light. "This one is imbued with the concept of karma . Imagine what we could learn from it."

Having access to such knowledge could accelerate our growth exponentially. "This is incredible," I said, my voice filled with awe. "We could potentially gain a new concept."

Luo Bing nodded eagerly. "And it's not just limited to one or two concepts. There are dozens here, each one offering a unique perspective. "

I couldn't help but smile at her excitement. It was rare to see her so openly joyful. "Well, it looks like we've found our treasures," I said, reaching out to gently touch one of the crystals. Its energy flowed through me, a warm and comforting presence. "Let's choose the ones that resonate most with us."

She agreed, her eyes still shining with excitement. "I can't wait to start studying these."

"Let's make the most of this opportunity and see where it takes us."

As we continued to explore the treasures within the Dao room, I couldn't help but remind her, "Although these crystals can help us gain insights, remember that it's not guaranteed we will definitely comprehend the concept. And we only have two chances, so don't waste them."

Luo Bing nodded, her expression sobering up a little bit. "You're right, Ning Feng. We'll have to choose wisely and make the most of this opportunity."

As we moved through the room, I felt a nagging curiosity. "I was wondering something. How come no one has ever found this Akasha Vault, and why has nobody mentioned that the dungeon takes a weird trial after entering the fourth floor?"

Luo Bing turned to me, her eyes thoughtful. "The fourth floor is known as a trial floor, but after the unsealing of the Jade Immortal's Abode, the sects deduced that the gate keys required to open the abode are here on this floor. We discovered that this sub-realm dungeon is inextricably linked to the Abode of the Jade Immortal. That's why only cultivators at the Qi Manifestation stage and lower have come here this time, in accordance with the rules of the abode."

She paused, her gaze drifting over the glowing crystals. "But as you know, the trial was completely different from what was expected, and the rewards are way too rich. I know without someone like you, who is proficient in both runes and formations, we wouldn't have been able to solve it. I also noticed you placing those barriers around the whole maze to get a bigger picture. I doubt any other team would have managed."

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks at her praise. "Well, without your interpretation of sound, it would have been impossible for me to cross it either," I said, trying to deflect some of the attention. "Probably."

Luo Bing laughed, the sound light and melodic. "What I meant was the level of difficulty was too high for a trial on this floor, which usually is a raid battle to kill a lava kraken. My guess is that after the meddling by the factions of the Lost Continent, which delayed the opening of the abode by four years, this situation resulted. I think all the people have been directly thrown into the Jade Immortal's trial, and some crazy changes must have also happened on the outside."

Her explanation made sense. The Jade Immortal's Abode was a legendary place, and the interference by powerful factions could easily disrupt the delicate balance of the sub-realm. The trials we faced were likely a reflection of this upheaval, transforming a standard dungeon raid into something far more complex and rewarding.

We continued to examine the crystals, our minds whirring with the possibilities they represented.

Though I had already mastered three concepts, the chance to gain insights into mid-level and even high level concepts was too enticing to ignore.

I had two choices, and I decided that I would gamble on at least one of them.

My eyes scanned the various crystals, each pulsing with a different kind of energy, each one a potential key to unlocking new levels of understanding. I reminded myself to choose wisely.

Although these crystals could offer profound insights, they required respect and wisdom to unlock their secrets.

I took a deep breath, focusing my thoughts. "Alright, Ning Feng, think this through," I muttered to myself. "You don't lack basic concepts, so let's aim higher."

My gaze landed on a particularly radiant crystal, its core glowing with a vibrant, shifting light. It was labeled "Spatial Manipulation." The idea of mastering the manipulation of space itself was incredibly appealing.

The potential applications in both combat and utility were vast. I could create spatial pockets for storage, manipulate the battlefield to my advantage, or even distort space to confuse opponents.

I couldn't find the anything related to time but even with all the knowledge I have, I have basically zero confidence in mastering something that abstract atleast at this level.

"Spatial Manipulation," I whispered, my fingers brushing the crystal's surface. The energy it radiated felt potent and dynamic, promising a wealth of knowledge. I decided to take the gamble. With a determined nod, I carefully picked up the crystal, feeling a slight warmth as it responded to my touch.

With one choice made, I turned my attention to the other crystals. I needed something that would complement my existing knowledge and enhance my understanding of Qi manipulation. As I moved through the room, another section caught my eye. The crystals here seemed subtler, their glow more subdued but no less significant.

I walked over and noticed one crystal in particular. Its light was soft and steady, exuding a sense of deep, foundational knowledge. The label read "Understanding the Flow of Qi in a Human Body and Its Applications."

This crystal seemed perfect. It promised insights into the intricate ways Qi moved within the human body and how to optimize its flow for various applications.

This knowledge could enhance my chances on completing my runic formations project, I feel like I am only one step away from achieving it.

"This is it," I thought. "Understanding the flow of Qi is fundamental. Mastering this will give me an edge in both cultivation and combat."

I reached out and picked up the crystal, feeling a gentle pulse of energy as it connected with me. The warmth of the crystal spread through my hand, and I sensed the profound knowledge it contained.

With both crystals in hand, I felt a mixture of excitement and anticipation. These choices, though risky, could elevate my understanding to new heights and offer advantages I couldn't even fully comprehend yet.

As I rejoined Luo Bing, I saw that she had made her selections as well. She held two crystals.

"I see you've made your choices," Luo Bing said with a smile, her eyes reflecting her own excitement and determination.

"Yes," I replied, holding up the crystals. "Spatial Manipulation and Understanding the Flow of Qi in a Human Body and Its Applications. I decided to gamble a bit."

As we were talking, suddenly the dungeon's voice echoed again, [“You have completed the trial of the fourth floor. You jave chosen your rewards, you can enter the seclusion room for 24 hours ].

I was a little surprised at this unexpected convenience. I turned to her asked, "By the way, what did you choose?"