**The Dao-Repository Palace as a Trope** A “sect treasury” scene is a staple of the progression fantasy genre, serving two narrative purposes: it establishes the sect’s power by dangling legendary treasures, and it forces the protagonist to make agonizing economic choices. Ji Ning’s dilemma—which Divine Ability to sacrifice for a better spell, or whether to spend on a spirit-beast—perfectly mirrors a classic RPG character-building screen. Western readers familiar with loot systems will instantly grasp the tension.
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Definition
**The Dao-Repository Palace as a Trope** A “sect treasury” scene is a staple of the progression fantasy genre, serving two narrative purposes: it establishes the sect’s power by dangling legendary treasures, and it forces the protagonist to make agonizing economic choices. Ji Ning’s dilemma—which Divine Ability to sacrifice for a better spell, or whether to spend on a spirit-beast—perfectly mirrors a classic RPG character-building screen. Western readers familiar with loot systems will instantly grasp the tension.
Story context
Welcome back, fellow Daoists, to the *Dao-Repository Palace Shopping Spree*! Chapter 164 is a milestone for any Xianxia fan—the chapter where our protagonist finally gets access to the sect's premium loot table. Ji Ning has officially graduated from a starving tribal disciple to a Black-White College elite with six thousand Black-White Pearls burning a hole in his pocket. But as he quickly discovers, the gap between *being* a genius and *affording* the tools of a genius is depressingly vast. This chapter is a deep dive into the economics of cultivation: from Immortal-ranked techniques that cost more than a small tribe’s net worth, to the five Divine Abilities that will make any reader’s wallet (and heart) ache. It’s also a perfect showcase of classic Xianxia worldbuilding—the strict hierarchy of techniques, the brutal rarity of Divine Abilities, and the ever-present shadow of the Celestial Immortal bottleneck. Get ready for a chapter about lists, prices, and the crushing weight of the Heavenly Dao’s paywall.
Why it matters
**Xianxia Economics 101**: Pay close attention to the prices. 6,000 Black-White Pearls sounds like a fortune until you realize a single Immortal-ranked technique costs 3,000 (for you and your beast), a single Divine Ability costs 500–5,000, and a Heaven-ranked magic treasure costs 10,000. Ji Ning is already *broke* after buying just one technique and one Divine Ability. This sets up a delicious narrative tension: he will *have* to earn more through missions, trials, or treasure-hunting. The *Soul-Shattering Art* being placed next to Divine Abilities all but confirms it will be the next major hurdle.
Quick facts
Source novel
Desolate Era
First appearance
The Treasure Vault of the Black-White College
Chapter references
1
Type hints
black-white college, dao-repository palace, ji ning
Guide tags
resource management, worldbuilding, power system
Appears in chapters
Jump back into the novel from the exact chapter references used to build this glossary page.