Scripture Repository Pavilion.
As one of the most important places in the Mount Mao, there was practically no guard at all.
At least none that Zhong Bai could see with his naked eyes.
The Scripture Repository Pavilion had a total of three stories. Standing before the doors and looking at the gold-embossed characters inscribed above, Zhong Bai somehow felt an inexplicable sense of peace in his mind.
"Elder Ming, Qian Yuan of the Law Enforcement Hall requests an audience!"
At this time, without waiting for Zhong Bai to continue observing, True Immortal Qianyuan flickered his horsetail whisk and bowed in greeting.
With a squeak, the tightly shut doors of the Scripture Repository Pavilion slowly opened, and an aged voice rang out accordingly.
"Oh, so it's you, Qianyuan. You haven't come to the Scripture Repository Pavilion to see this old man in three years.
You never visit unless you want something; speak, why have you come this time?"
Hearing this, Zhong Bai could not help feeling alarmed. It was merely two sentences, yet they carried a heavy pressure full of weight, like a sledgehammer striking his heart.
Zhong Bai could seemingly understand why a place regarded as a restricted area like the Scripture Repository Pavilion had practically no one guarding it.
"Elder Ming, you jest. Qianyuan is not that kind of person. The world has been very unstable these past few years, and Qianyuan has been constantly busy with the affairs of the Law Enforcement Hall, which is why I haven't come to visit Elder Ming.
However...
Qianyuan has indeed come today to ask a favor of Elder Ming."
With that, True Immortal Qianyuan shifted his gaze toward Zhong Bai.
"Elder Ming, not to hide it from you, his name is Zhong Bai, a disciple Qianyuan took in a year ago.
Well, this brat Zhong Bai has cultivated the Body Forging Art to minor accomplishment, so Qianyuan brought him to the Scripture Repository Pavilion to select a primary cultivation technique.
At the same time, it is also to come and see you, Elder Ming."
"Hah, Qianyuan, it's only been a few years since we last met, yet you've become so glib-tongued. But...
It's not easy for you to take on a disciple, Qianyuan. Let him in."
"Zhong Bai, why aren't you thanking your Martial Great-Uncle Ming?"
True Immortal Qianyuan blinked, and Zhong Bai instantly understood.
With a thud.
"Disciple Zhong Bai kowtows in thanks to Martial Great-Uncle Ming!"
Seeing that Zhong Bai was quick on the uptake, True Immortal Qianyuan was quite satisfied. Although the Taoist Sects did not have that many messy troubles, still, people who were slick and worldly often managed to thrive.
"Hehe, little sly boots, come in!"
Before Zhong Bai could react, a powerful gravitational force sucked him straight into the Scripture Repository Pavilion.
Entering the Scripture Repository Pavilion, just as Zhong Bai regained his senses, he saw that what was before his eyes was a completely different world from what he had seen outside.
Viewed from the outside, the Scripture Repository Pavilion was not small, yet it was only a few dozen meters in length and width.
However, once inside, from what Zhong Bai could see, the scriptures and texts stretching a hundred meters ahead of him were boundless to the eye.
Well, Zhong Bai's horizons had certainly been broadened.
Tap, tap, tap...
Accompanied by a series of tapping sounds, when Zhong Bai realized the sound came from behind and turned around, he saw a long-haired old man with turbid eyes staring fixedly at him.
Gulp, gulp, Zhong Bai's hair almost stood on end, but he quickly calmed his state of mind.
"Little sly boots, what is the technique your master Qianyuan recommended to you?
Spit it out, and Martial Great-Uncle will help you find it. Otherwise, if you relied on reading it bit by bit, you wouldn't find it even after days and nights."
Uh...
Hearing this familiar voice, the mystery was solved; this was none other than his Martial Great-Uncle Ming.
"Martial Great-Uncle, the technique my master recommended is the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art!
It is indeed difficult for this disciple to search for it, so I can only trouble you, Martial Great-Uncle."
He should bow his head when required. Zhong Bai's smile was as warm as the breeze, carrying the unique charm of a youth, causing a slight ripple deep within Ming Wanqian's heart.
Every year youths enter, leaving only the relentless passage of time behind.
In the blink of an eye, Ming Wanqian could no longer remember how long he had served as the chief of the Scripture Repository Pavilion.
Was it sixty years or a hundred and twenty? Or perhaps even longer?
Hah, who still remembers anyway? He certainly didn't remember. When his lifespan finally came to an end one day, perhaps then he would know...
Sighing softly, Ming Wanqian quickly found the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art for Zhong Bai.
However, upon seeing that Zhong Bai's burning gaze remained fixed on the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art, he distinctly sensed that something was amiss.
What is this little sly boots so damn happy about?
Once one cultivates the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art, it is impossible to switch to another method before reaching the Nascent Soul Dao Lord stage.
It only has a slightly faster early stage, but once one reaches Foundation Establishment, every breakthrough of a major realm is like risking one's life.
Could it be that this fellow Qianyuan didn't...
Hisss!
At the thought of this possibility, a sharp gleam flashed through Ming Wanqian's originally turbid eyes.
Well, the mystery was solved. It was probably that old fellow Qianyuan who wanted to nurture a Foundation Establishment disciple within twenty years and thus kept it hidden from this little sly boots.
Sigh... It's hard to judge. Qianyuan probably had no other choice either.
Shaking his head, Ming Wanqian chose not to inform Zhong Bai of the specific situation. However, that gaze of looking at a pitiful person made Zhong Bai feel as uncomfortable as being pricked by needles.
"Ahem, little sly boots, the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art you wanted—tsk tsk, I must say, you really know how to choose.
Thinking back a thousand years ago, the Divine Firmament Sect's reputation spread far and wide. Relying on the Purple Firmament Divine Thunder cultivated through this Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art, it can be said that all demons and evil spirits in the world trembled in terror.
Even that bunch from Longhu Mountain who specialized in playing with lightning had to yield three points to it...
Well, Martial Great-Uncle is optimistic about you!"
As he spoke, he handed the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art in his hand to Zhong Bai while patting Zhong Bai's shoulder to show encouragement.
This left Zhong Bai somewhat bewildered while simultaneously feeling that something was not quite right...
"Uh, this disciple thanks Martial Great-Uncle for the encouragement. In the future, this disciple will work hard to make the Purple Firmament Divine Thunder manifest in the world once again!"
Zhong Bai also replied with diplomatic pleasantries.
This time, Ming Wanqian truly could not help rolling his eyes.
He vented wildly in his heart: This little sly boots sure knows how to brag. How did a steady and grounded fellow like Qianyuan end up taking in such a smooth-talking kid?
Clearly, Ming Wanqian did not believe a single word of the casual pleasantries Zhong Bai uttered.
After all, in this world, the most recent Dao Lord who cultivated the Purple Firmament Divine Thunder belonged to the Mount Mao!
Well, quite coincidentally, he was also the chief elder of the Law Enforcement Hall eight hundred years ago.
Actually, Zhong Bai did not think he could succeed either. Are you kidding? What kind of talent did he have? The Purple Firmament Divine Thunder, my foot! However, even if you lose the game, you can't lose face; your mouth must not admit defeat!
With each harboring their own thoughts, after obtaining what they wanted, Zhong Bai quickly left the Scripture Repository Pavilion.
When the doors of the Scripture Repository Pavilion opened once more, Zhong Bai stepped out with brisk and excited strides. He had come with high spirits and left with high spirits, happy enough to fly.
Meanwhile, Ming Wanqian, who had slowly followed behind, stood at the entrance without leaving the perimeter of the Scripture Repository Pavilion, his deep gaze looking toward the waiting Qianyuan.
True Immortal Qianyuan sensed it, and the moment his gaze met Ming Wanqian's, he understood the meaning of his own martial uncle, yet he could only lower his head in embarrassment...
"Master, the disciple has obtained it!"
Taking strides in one, Zhong Bai came before his master, True Immortal Qianyuan, displayed the unadorned cultivation manual in his hand, and then waited for his master's instructions.
"Good, as long as you got it...
A cultivation manual taken out of the Scripture Repository Pavilion only has three months for comprehension and memorization. Even if it's just a copied version, it must be returned to the Scripture Repository Pavilion.
So, for the next three months, you must apply yourself well."
"Rest assured, Master, the disciple understands!"
"Very well. Say goodbye to your Martial Great-Uncle Ming."
"Obey Master's decree!
Martial Great-Uncle Ming, this disciple takes his leave. May Martial Great-Uncle be blessed with peace and great fortune!"
With these farewells, True Immortal Qianyuan ultimately remained wordless and departed with Zhong Bai.
Ming Wanqian also chose not to interfere; with a nod, he returned to the Scripture Repository Pavilion.
Inside the small courtyard.
At this moment, True Immortal Qianyuan was exceptionally conflicted. He did not know whether everything he had done was right, but...
He had no intention of using this to deceive Zhong Bai or forcefully make Zhong Bai cultivate the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art.
Choosing the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art was merely giving him another option, and he would let Zhong Bai make his own decision!
Ahem, looking forward to the monthly votes, tips, comments, corrections, and continued reading support from all esteemed readers.
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