C11 Obtaining More Treasures

"Who's there?!" Wei Xiaobao exclaimed with a tense expression, quickly stashing the vest under his covers and tucking the dagger into his boot to keep them hidden from prying eyes.

He made his way to the door and was met by a young eunuch.

"Eunuch Gu, the Emperor has been informed of your return and requests your presence in the imperial garden," the eunuch said, his head bowed in deference.

"Little Xuanzi sure has his ear to the ground. Lucky for me, I got back first and stashed my things," Wei Xiaobao mused to himself.

"Okay, I'm on my way," he replied. Glancing back at his bed, he stepped out and closed the door behind him, figuring he could always slip on the vest when he returned.

But shortly after Wei Xiaobao's departure, a glint of light flickered beneath the quilt on his bed. The plain vest that Wei Xiaobao cherished like a prized possession had vanished. In its place, almost instantly, another black vest materialized, noticeably different from the original.

"No, I need to check again. Maybe I didn't get a good look before," Huang Feng, who had been lost in thought on his bed, suddenly sat up, his voice tinged with frustration.

He pulled the storage box back over and lifted the lid, taking out each item to inspect them once more.

"Huh, what's with this vest? I never had one like this," Huang Feng noted, puzzled by the unfamiliar black vest that felt surprisingly comfortable in his hands.

Huang Feng knew his wardrobe like the back of his hand; he owned so few clothes that he could account for every piece. He had just sorted through the storage box not long ago, so he was certain this vest hadn't been there before.

He also noticed that one of his own black vests was missing. Both were black, yet the style and fabric of the two vests were distinctly different.

With trembling hands, Huang Feng held the vest up to his eyes. It was light as a feather, yet it felt as heavy as lead, for he realized that if this vest, like the leather shoes before it, bore words and unique properties, it would mark the beginning of a profound transformation in his life. And it wasn't just the vest that was significant—it was the storage box that held it that would be the catalyst for change.

"Golden Silk Soft Armor: This treasure was once hoarded by the formidable Chiu Bai. When Chiu Bai was finally subdued, Wei Xiaobao, upon raiding his home, secretly claimed it for himself. It's an exceptional find, capable of withstanding attacks from blades and firearms, while also being lightweight, flexible, and easy to clean."

Words appeared!

Huang Feng's excitement surged as he once again observed floating text on the vest, confirming its significance. His earlier hunch hadn't been off the mark—the storage box was indeed a marvel, a treasure that could generate even more treasures!

In that moment, Huang Feng envisioned a dramatic transformation in his future. Despite the vest's current lack of utility for him, it represented a beacon of hope.

If this chest could enhance ordinary footwear and apparel with special attributes, what might it do with other items? Could they too be transformed into treasures? Huang Feng surmised that the possibility was high.

The thought of amassing a variety of treasures in the future sent waves of excitement through him. Although the two items he had acquired so far weren't immediately useful, he was confident that, in time, he would come across treasures that would prove invaluable.

Besides, it wasn't as though the items he had were entirely without merit. Hadn't the leather shoes played a pivotal role in apprehending a thief that very day? And the golden silk soft armor promised to offer him protection.

Without hesitation, Huang Feng stood, fetched his knife, and slashed at the golden silk soft armor with force. As expected, it bore not a single mark—true to the description, it could fend off the onslaught of blades and spears. Whether it could resist modern firearms remained to be seen.

But for now, that concern was far from Huang Feng's mind. Having tested the golden silk soft armor's capabilities, he carefully laid it on his bed, wary of storing it in the box lest it be damaged—a loss he couldn't afford.

Subsequently, Huang Feng crouched down once more before the storage box, this time scrutinizing the oversized container with earnest attention.

The lid of the box was a striking blue, contrasting with its white body. Its thick walls rendered it opaque. Measuring over a meter in length and half a meter in width, the box was undeniably sizable. Huang Feng pondered the reasoning behind a Jiang Prefecture University student's decision to purchase such an expansive storage unit.

The box bore some scratches, likely from its previous use. It wasn't new, having been well-worn over time, so a bit of wear and tear was to be expected.

Upon closer inspection, Huang Feng noted nothing particularly remarkable about the storage box, aside from its larger size. It's no surprise then that the students from Jiang Prefecture University didn't think much of it and simply handed it over to him.

Huang Feng was uncertain whether the box's newfound function was an original feature or something that manifested only after coming into his possession. He suspected the latter. Had it been the former, the Jiang Prefecture University student who used it for so long would surely have noticed. Discovering such a feature would have made the box a prized possession, never to be parted with, let alone given away—even if Huang Feng had offered a substantial sum.

In Huang Feng's mind, the storage box was a keeper. No offer, no matter how lucrative, could persuade him to part with this treasure-producing container. It was, in his eyes, a hen that laid golden eggs, and only if he were out of his mind would he consider selling it.

"I wonder how that senior student would feel if they knew what this storage box could do," Huang Feng mused. But then again, the box's abilities had only come to light under his ownership. Had it remained with the previous owner, perhaps it would have retained its ordinary appearance.

The reason behind the transformation of a seemingly mundane storage box into a valuable treasure eluded Huang Feng, but that didn't bother him. Knowing its capabilities was enough. He realized that this serendipitous find was about to change his life forever.