Inner Pavilion

Inside the Hidden Book Pavilion.

Looking at the pitch-black corridor before her, Xun'er's fingertips moved slightly, and strands of golden flame emerged, illuminating the entire passage.

Gu Qingyang was not with her. It was likely one of the Hidden Book Pavilion's little tricks.

"This seems to be another space. If I'm not mistaken, it should have been artificially created," Yun Xi, who had remained silent for a long while, finally said.

Hearing the voice suddenly ring out in her heart, Xun'er was secretly delighted, but she still put on a cold expression and said, "I thought you'd left if you weren't going to say anything."

Yun Xi: "There were several spiritual senses scanning outside. I was afraid of being exposed, so I didn't speak much."

At that, Xun'er gave a soft snort and said nothing more.

Yun Xi: _?

A faint glimmer appeared ahead. At first, it was only a tiny speck of light, but as Xun'er quickened her pace, it grew larger and larger. Finally, a dazzling radiance shone forth. Xun'er slightly closed her eyes, only slowly opening them after they had adjusted to the intense light.

Before Xun'er stood a small circular room. In its center was a small altar, atop which sat a tiny meditation cushion for cultivation. The room's walls were lined with numerous ancient books.

"How am I supposed to find a cultivation method here?" Looking around at the densely packed books, Xun'er's expression turned slightly bitter.

Just as Xun'er was troubled, the altar activated. A formation slowly lifted the cushion, and its faint, gentle glow drew Xun'er's gaze.

"Why don't you sit on it and give it a try?" Yun Xi asked tentatively as he looked at the cushion before them. "Maybe you can only come into contact with cultivation methods after going up there?"

Xun'er looked at the cushion skeptically, nodded slightly, and then sat down.

A strange sensation instantly enveloped Xun'er. After a spell of dizziness, she opened her eyes to find that the room had vanished, replaced by an endless starry sky.

She sat amid the stars, watching meteors streak past before her one after another.

"Xun'er, look inside those meteors!"

Yun Xi's voice entered Xun'er's mind. She looked up at a meteor flying overhead, waved her small hand, and drew it into her palm.

As the light faded, Xun'er discovered that it contained a Dou Skill scroll glowing with a purple sheen.

"This is... a Mystic High-Rank Dou Skill, Thunderclap Burst?" Xun'er softly read the name on the Dou Skill.

Xun'er understood now. The Dou Skills were distributed randomly in this manner, confirming the Elder's earlier words: "Everything depends on fate."

Looking up at the meteor shower filling the sky, a hint of delight appeared on Xun'er's face.

Half an hour passed, and the delight on Xun'er's face had already vanished, replaced by a trace of disappointment. So much time had passed, and she had found many things, yet not a single one suited her.

Seeing Xun'er frowning in worry, Yun Xi also sighed softly. A thread of spiritual power slowly drifted around her.

Suddenly, he detected a faint, barely perceptible aura. This aura belonged to no one, because it contained no life force.

His spiritual power drew that thread of aura over, and Yun Xi turned his palm. As hand seals formed, the meteors seemed to freeze in midair. Time instantly came to a halt, while space began trembling without end.

Noticing the changes around her, Xun'er was still astonished when Yun Xi's excited voice entered her mind. "Xun'er! Close your eyes, release your spiritual power, and follow me!"

Hearing the excitement in Yun Xi's tone, Xun'er had no time to think and immediately did as he said.

The two streams of spiritual power traveled through the river of stars. After several minutes, just as Xun'er was growing confused, Yun Xi stopped.

Yun Xi stared at a corner of the starry sky and exclaimed joyfully, "Found it. It's here."

Tilting her head toward the empty corner, Xun'er was utterly baffled. Just as she could no longer resist asking, the corner Yun Xi had been staring at erupted with brilliant light, followed by the appearance of an ancient, weathered gate.

"Isn't that the Hidden Book Pavilion's gate? How could it appear here?" Xun'er asked in confusion.

"Hahaha, this should be the Hidden Book Pavilion's Inner Pavilion. The moment we entered this space, I sensed a trace of an unfamiliar aura. It must have been the Hidden Book Pavilion's aura. All right, there's no time. Hurry inside and look for a cultivation method." With a light laugh, Yun Xi had no time to explain further and urged Xun'er on.

The ancient gate opened, revealing clusters of light quietly floating inside. Xun'er was overjoyed. Her spiritual power swept over them, but she could not penetrate them.

"Because your strength is insufficient, you can only choose from the few books at the outermost edge," Yun Xi explained with a faint smile.

"Hmph~" Xun'er snorted softly and did not dwell on it. She moved to the outer edge and, after probing with her spiritual power, finally found a suitable Dou Skill and cultivation method.

"Mystic High-Rank Cultivation Method: Starry Radiance Art."

"Mystic High-Rank Dou Skill: Swallow Reversal Strike. It can reflect an opponent's attack back at them proportionally. Once mastered, it can reflect all attacks received."

Looking at the two Mystic High-Rank Dou Qi cultivation methods before her, Xun'er's eyes grew exceptionally fervent, and she could not bear to put them down.

"Xun'er, why do you suddenly want to become stronger?" Yun Xi was puzzled. Though she had previously said she wanted to find her mother, in his view, Xun'er was still young and had a long road of cultivation ahead of her. Her sudden desire for strength must have had some reason behind it.

Waving her tiny pink fists, Xun'er said sweetly, "When I become stronger, I'll protect you! Protect Father! You said your existence would bring disaster to us, so your enemies must be beings beyond Dou Saints. I want to become stronger quickly, so I can protect you."

Hearing this, Yun Xi's heart warmed. Just as he was about to say a few sweet words, he noticed the shifty look in Xun'er's eyes and asked, "Tell me the truth."

"Ah, fine, fine. The clan competition is coming up in a few days. If I don't get a good ranking, I'll embarrass Father... All right, all right, let's go."

Yun Xi: -_-||

So that was the reason? Good grief, it was completely different from what she'd just said.

After leaving the Hidden Book Pavilion, Xun'er touched the cultivation method and Dou Skill in her arms, raised the corner of her lips, and prepared to head home.

However, before she could even set off, someone blocked her path.

"Miss Xun'er..."

"Gu Yao? What is it?" Xun'er asked in surprise as she looked at the fidgeting Gu Yao before her.

"I was wondering whether Miss Xun'er has the time. I would like to spar with you," Gu Yao said, his face slightly red.

"I can... no. I've been rather busy lately. If you want to spar, you can go find Gu Qingyang or Gu Zhen. They're both stronger than me. Hahaha, I have something to do, so I'll be leaving first. Bye-bye." Xun'er had been about to agree, but after hearing Yun Xi cough lightly, she instantly changed her mind. As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and left.

Watching Xun'er's retreating figure, Gu Yao sighed softly.

Along the way, Xun'er teased, "What happened to Yun Xi just now? Why did you cough? Are you feeling unwell?"

Wasn't that because I was afraid someone would snatch you away?

"No, my throat just hurt a little."

Hearing Yun Xi's clumsy explanation, Xun'er laughed so hard she could not close her mouth. A Soul Body with a sore throat—it was rather funny when she thought about it.

Amid their playful banter, they returned to the Bamboo House before they knew it.

Seeing Xun'er flop onto the bed and fall fast asleep the moment she entered the room, Yun Xi sighed helplessly. He carefully tucked her in, then returned to her body.

Moonlight shone upon the sleeping Xun'er. The corners of her lips curled up slightly, as though she were having some sweet dream...