<h4>Chapter 289 Chapter288-The Peculiar Stone</h4>


    John nodded in understanding, then led his team slowly into the heart of the treasury.


    [System Notification: You have entered the 1st floor of the Northern Myst Empire Treasury (Uncharted Area).]


    The dispassionate mechanical voice echoed in John''s ears. When he lifted his gaze, he was instantly taken aback, gasping in astonishment.


    Good heavens, where have I found myself?


    It was nothing short of paradise!


    Spread before him was an expansive space.


    Row upon row of wooden shelves were meticulously arranged, with countless equipment and items, each shimmering faintly, ced in designated sections.


    The sheer variety was overwhelming, dazzling to the eye.


    Even the most unassuming of these treasures would be considered invaluable on the Godyer Continent.


    Even with the memories he inherited from Azazel, John found his breath hitching.


    Those from his team trailing behind him were utterly breathless.


    Their eyes widened in sheer wonder, looking very much like country bumpkins entering the big city for the first time.


    Though these individuals were renowned NPC powerhouses of the Northern Myst Empire, they had never before been granted the privilege to step into this treasure trove.


    After all, this was the most heavily guarded sanctuary of the Empire, essible only to those with monumental achievements.


    "Everyone, feel free to explore and choose something to your liking," John said with a light chuckle, proceeding deeper into the treasury on his own ord.


    His team, after a brief moment of stunned silence, scattered in all directions, rushing towards the treasures that caught their fancy.


    Though the Imperial Treasury was filled with invaluable items, there was no sense of chaos or clutter.


    Everything was systematically arranged, categorized by type, and clearlybeled.


    Given the plethora of treasures around, the team decided it best to directly seek out their desired equipment or item, guided by the clearbeling.


    As for John, there wasn''t anything specific he coveted.


    So, he simply strolled leisurely, taking in the splendor around him.


    Everywhere John looked, each piece disyed on the shelves was a priceless treasure, any of which could incite frenzied scrambles and battles if taken out.


    Epic-grade equipment and items here were asmon as cabbages in a marketce.


    Some exuded a faint orange glow, clearly marking them as legendary equipment or items.


    They weren''t rare in this treasury.


    However, after a leisurely stroll, John did not spot any of the highest-ranked Divine Equipment or items.


    Pensively, he cast his gaze towards a winding staircase not too far away.


    It seemed the treasures of that caliber would be on the second floor or above.


    By the stairs, a subtle barrier shimmered into view.


    Although the barrier wasn''t particrly bright, the dangerous energy fluctuations it emitted could be felt by everyone.


    Casually probing it with his divine power, the barrier responded, sending ripples across its surface.


    It had obviously detected John''s divine essence.


    This was intriguing.


    A hint of curiosity sparkled in John''s eyes.


    For a human empire to possess the capability to set up such a powerful defense barrier that even his divine power couldn''t go unnoticed was surprising.


    Could it be that a god-tier being was lurking within this pce?


    Pondering this, John shook his head slowly.


    He found it hard to believe that the Northern Myst Empire had such high-caliber experts backing it.


    Deities were always aloof, looking down upon the mortal realm from their Divine Realms.


    They would never manifest directly on the Godyer Continent.


    Thus, the only usible exnation was that this defense barrier wasn''t set up by the Northern Myst Empire itself...


    As John stood silent at the entrance to the second floor, Saphir, who happened to walk by, approached with a curious look on his face.


    "Galewind, what are you doing here? Didn''t the Prime Minister tell us that we aren''t allowed on the second floor? You might as well give up on that idea."


    Turning to face Saphir, John saw him holding a fiery-red energy gem, beaming contentedly.


    "You''re overthinking it. I''m not trying to ascend to the second floor; I''m just curious about this defense barrier," John rified.


    Saphir blinked, his face breaking into a sly smile. "This defense barrier you''re talking about? I''ve heard a thing or two. Rumor has it that when the empire established this treasury, the reigning emperor personally set up this defense mechanism. And with each subsequent coronation, every new emperor woulde to reinforce the barrier."


    "You have to understand, each emperor of the empire is a Demigod Level powerhouse. Over the decades, countless demigods have infused their power into this shield. This has led to the barrier''s energy growing exponentially, undergoing a metamorphosis... now equating to the touch of a deity!"


    John nodded in realization.


    It was the cumtive result of countless demigod energies.


    Such a phenomenon made sense.


    While a single demigod might pale inparison to a deity in terms of energy levels, there''s strength in numbers.


    The convergence of energies from multiple Demigod Level beings could indeed morph into an entity resembling a deity''s order.


    "It seems you''ve already chosen what you wanted?" John''s gaze shifted to the gem in Saphir''s hand, a yful smile forming on his lips.


    Saphirughed heartily, spreading his hand open to reveal the fiery-red energy gem cradled in his palm. "Indeed! I''ve been searching for an energy gem to embed in my wand. Despite looking for a long while in the market, I found nothing."


    "And yet, here in the Imperial Treasury, it caught my eye immediately!"


    John cast his eyes downward and examined the details:


    [Heart of me (legendary item): Legends speak of an eternal me, deep within the bowels of the earth, a fire that has zed for countless eons. Drawing its might from the core''s energy, this me has the power to reduce all to nothingness. Surrounding this me,mon stones, under the relentless and unyielding heat of time, eventually transform into miraculous objects pulsating with rich elemental energy. asionally, these objects are ejected to the surface during volcanic eruptions. These naturally-formed marvels often serve as coveted energy gems for embedding...]


    [Enhancement Attributes: +300 Attack power, +800 Mana, +50% fire magic damage, +20% affinity with fire elements...]


    [Additional Skill: Fire Roar (Passive Skill): Grants the equipment''s user an additional 120 points of fire burn true damage with each attack, bypassing resistances. Duration: 10 seconds...]


    John''s eyebrows quirked in surprise.


    He hadn''t expected the energy gem named "Heart of me" to possess such top-tier attributes.


    While the enhancement properties themselves weren''t particrly unique, the attached passive skill, Fire Roar, was a different story.


    An extra 120 points of fire burn as true damage,pletely ignoring resistances, catapulted the gem''s value several times over.


    Whether for yers or native NPCs like Saphir, the most elusive damage to deal in regrbat was true damage.


    After all, an opponent''s defenses and resistances typically diminish the impact of attacks.


    However, true damage stands apart.


    Itpletely disregards defense and resistances.


    This means, regardless of how much an adversary bolsters their defenses, it bears no effect on the value of true damage inflicted.


    Consequently, any equipment or item in markets and auction houses that can add true damage often fetches astronomical prices.


    John gave Saphir a reassuring pat on the shoulder, remarking gently, "It seems luck is on your side to stumble upon such a prized item here."


    The rugged face of Saphir lit up with a ceaseless grin, though his voice bore an unsettling chill, "Of course. The heavens took what was most precious to me; it owes me some form ofpensation."


    Detecting the destion in Saphir''s tone, John sighed in sympathy.


    Saphir slowly shook his head, a steely glint shimmering in his gaze, "It''s okay. The day of my revenge wille. I believe it won''t be too far away."


    John nodded slightly. Saphir''s mood soon settled, and his radiant smile returned.


    "Hey, Captain," Saphir jested, "If you can''t find something you fancy, why not pass the opportunity to me? I''ve been drooling over other treasures here. It''d be a shame to let it go to waste."


    John yfully rolled his eyes, quipping, "Why don''t you take a nap? You can have anything you want in your dreams."


    Saphir burst into heartyughter.


    Turning back, John resumed his stroll amongst the wooden racks, perusing the assorted treasures.


    Each item''s attributes disyed before him.


    Even though the equipment and items boasted impressive traits, none truly captivated him.


    Just as he decided to randomly pick a piece, a peculiar object caught his eye.


    It looked like a nondescript stone, intricately carved into the shape of a leaf with clear, delicate patterns etched onto its surface.


    The wooden que next to the stone bore a brief description: "Extraterrestrial. Contains a unique power..."


    The mystery surrounding the stone was not its origin, but the fact that John couldn''t discern its attributes!


    And that was most intriguing.


    With his Eye of Artemis activated, even Divine items'' properties would be crystal clear to him.


    Could this stone possibly surpass even the Divine tier?