I woke up loudly, groaning dramatically as the various aches and pains reminded me of what I had been through. I saw Safi first, she was cultivating next to me. Without wanting to disturb her I immediately ceased my unnecessary moaning. I thought it might lighten the mood but there was no mood to be lightened.

Teteli came in to find me sitting, cultivating the little qi I had recovered to speed up my body’s recovery. “How are you feeling?” she asked, realising that I was not wholeheartedly cultivating like Safi she did not have any issue interrupting me.

“Much better, thank you.” I said truthfully. I had no confidence in my ability to stand quite yet which she realised so opted to sit alongside me. “Could you tell me what happened, exactly?” I asked, hoping she had worked it out.

She had, and she explained everything to me. I did not forget to thank her for disabling the array which allowed me to drain the spectre, without that we no doubt would have perished.

“I’m impressed you managed to hold her off as long as you did,” she said.

“It was not easy,” I admitted with a laugh and sure enough I had proof of the fact.

“Do you think Safi would mind if we woke her up, I have something to say to the both of you.” said Teteli, sheepishly after a pause.

“Sure, but, you should do it,” I said a little cryptically and there was a flash of recognition in Teteli’s eyes.

“Does she have an aversion to men?” she asked outright.

“I don’t think that’s my business to share with you, I’m afraid,” I said, making it clear she would not be getting any of Safi’s personal information from me.

“I didn’t want to pry, it’s just she looked very distressed when you were freed from the dimensional treasure but had made no attempt to help you,” she explained.

“We should wake her up,” I said after a pause. If Teteli had thought I did not want to talk about it, now she knew. Teteli got the message and gently touched Safi’s leg, speaking softly as to not startle her.

“I apologise to the both of you, for putting you through that. I neglected safety in my excitement, putting you in mortal danger.” said Teteli. She had her head hanging low and genuine regret filled her voice.

Safi and I looked at each other, this was plenty of an apology. For a sect elder to lower her head before us though, I had no doubt this apology was not going to stop there.

“Please take a couple of things from the crypt, it is the least I can offer for almost costing your lives,” she said. I nodded my head, that was about what I expected. “I have not taken anything, not even the cultivation technique that the Matriarch used, and the reason I came here. If you want it, it’s yours.”

I had no need for a cultivation technique and neither did Safi, I could churn out a cultivation technique in three days that could far surpass anything found on this backwater world. I could only hope there would be a treasure or two, something that could keep Safi safe for the time being preferably.

“Thank you, Teteli. We’ll accept your apology. We still hope that we can build a relationship despite this debacle,” I said as Safi nodded in agreement. Teteli sighed in relief as she lifted her head to see our smiling faces.

“I don’t know much about where you came from or what your plan is but I hope I can at least provide you with something to help you along the way,” she said. “Come, I’ll show you around. I managed to get through all the doors.”

Teteli led us through the rooms, but nothing caught my attention. There was plenty of wealth but we had no need for that. There was a deluge of both martial and array techniques but there was even less of a need for them.

Finally we came across the room I was hoping to find. Treasures hung from the walls and rested upon dusty shelves. I think Teteli saw the glimmer in my eyes as she felt the need to warn me about the treasures.

“I know they’re tempting but they aren’t able to grow with you. Eventually they become obsolete, a good technique however will stay with you forever.” I smiled at her good intentions.

I thanked her but began to sort through the treasures. I was looking for a dimensional treasure, similar to the one we were trapped in. It had myriad uses not to mention it would speed up our journey to Gutura considerably allowing us to throw all our bags and food inside it.

I eventually found one, it was a ring that looked simple but housed a beautiful blue gem. I quickly peeked inside, making sure it was big enough that it could last us a while. Teteli nodded in appreciation, I had an idea that dimensional treasures would be hard to come by, especially for a junior cultivator. “Okay, that won’t become obsolete,” she admitted with a laugh.

Then I stood back, wanting to allow Safi space to choose something for herself. Of course I would provide recommendations or explanations if requested but I wanted the choice to be entirely her own.

However, when I looked at her she already had her eyes fixed on something, seemingly in another room. I followed her gaze and eventually found what she was staring at. I could not help but release an impressed whistle as I realised what she was so enamoured by.

“I think we’re going to have to ask very nicely if you want to take that home,” I said with a chuckle.