A First Glimpse of Secrets in the Library Pavilion

After becoming a Guest Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi immediately arranged for Ling Yun to reside in an independent, tranquil courtyard. It was located in the rear mountains of Glazed Mountain, near the Mimicry Training Ground, where spiritual energy was abundant and ideal for cultivation.

Ling Yun was not particular about his living conditions. Once he had settled in, the first place he went was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's Library Pavilion.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was wealthy beyond measure, and the scale of its Library Pavilion was equally astonishing. It was a seven-story tower containing countless books from across the continent: cultivation techniques, Soul Beast illustrations, geographical records, secret chronicles, and miscellaneous notes. It was truly a treasure trove of knowledge.

With his Guest Elder identity token, Ling Yun could freely enter the first six floors of the Library Pavilion. The seventh floor contained the sect's core secrets and required the Sect Master's special permission.

He skipped over the ordinary Soul Master cultivation techniques and basic theories on the lower floors. They were of no use to him. What interested him were records concerning continental history, ancient secrets, legends of gods, rare Martial Souls, and all manner of heavenly treasures.

Amid the vast sea of books, Ling Yun used his powerful Spiritual Sense to scan through them rapidly. Most of the contents were simple and ordinary, but he occasionally uncovered valuable information.

In a damaged ancient book titled Star Dou Secret Records, he found an account of the "Lake of Life" in the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest. It mentioned that the place was a holy land for Soul Beasts, inhabited by powerful Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts and perhaps even older beings guarding it. The book also vaguely suggested that the Lake of Life might be connected to the legendary gods.

"Lake of Life... gods..." Ling Yun committed the information to memory. Both the Chaos Dragon God and the Nine-Heart Begonia Emperor were related to the origin of life. Perhaps he could find the opportunity he needed there.

Another book, Martial Soul Strange Records, documented several rare and even legendary Martial Souls. Apart from his own twin god-grade Martial Souls—though the book contained no direct records of them, some descriptions were similar—he also found descriptions of top-tier Martial Souls such as the "Clear Sky Hammer," "Six-Winged Angel," "Sea God Martial Soul," and "Rakshasa Demon Scythe." There were even vague records of "Evil Martial Souls" and the "Holy Cult," though the details were unclear, as if they had been deliberately erased.

"Holy Cult..." Ling Yun recalled A Qing's prediction and what had happened in the Soul Hunting Forest. This force lurking in the shadows seemed to be plotting something major.

He also found several ancient legends concerning "Self-Condensing Soul Rings." Though they were dismissed as absurd nonsense, Ling Yun knew that this path was viable—it was simply subject to extremely harsh conditions.

Besides that, Ling Yun paid particular attention to records about the "Nine Heart Begonia." The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was renowned for its auxiliary Martial Souls and had researched healing-type Martial Souls throughout the world. In a book titled Compendium of Auxiliary Martial Souls, he found a detailed description of the Nine Heart Begonia, which called it "the world's number one healing-type Martial Soul." However, only two inheritors could exist in each generation, making it exceedingly rare. There was no record at all of the "Nine-Heart Begonia Emperor," clearly indicating that his Martial Soul was a one-of-a-kind evolved mutation.

By reading these books, Ling Yun gained a deeper understanding of Douluo Continent. He also faintly sensed that the waters of this continent ran far deeper than they appeared on the surface. Spirit Hall, the Two Great Empires, the Upper Three Sects, the Lower Four Sects, Sea God Island, the City of Slaughter, and the Holy Cult hidden in the shadows... the various powers were intricately entangled, with undercurrents raging beneath the surface.

"Strength. My strength is still insufficient." Ling Yun closed the ancient book in his hands, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes. Only by possessing absolute strength could he control his own fate and achieve his goals in this chaotic world.

After leaving the Library Pavilion, Ling Yun visited the sect's medicinal garden and storehouse. Using his Guest Elder privileges, he collected some precious medicinal herbs and rare metals to assist his cultivation and... make a few things.

He planned to forge a suitable weapon for himself. The Chaos Dragon God Martial Soul was incomparably tyrannical. Though fighting barehanded was certainly formidable, having a weapon that could fully unleash its power would raise his combat strength to another level. He already had a design in mind and needed some special materials to put it into practice.

Over the following days, Ling Yun entered a state of secluded cultivation. During the day, he tempered his body in the Mimicry Training Ground, comprehended laws, and attempted to condense his Second Origin Soul Ring for the Chaos Dragon God. At night, he studied the properties of medicinal herbs in the courtyard, polished metal, and experimented with forging weapons.

His life was simple yet fulfilling, and his strength steadily improved. Ning Fengzhi occasionally came to visit, discussing cultivation matters with him on equal terms, without the slightest trace of a Sect Master's airs. Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo also visited several times, marveling at Ling Yun's cultivation methods and unfathomable potential. Little Ning Rongrong became a frequent visitor to Ling Yun's courtyard as well, often running over to pester him for stories. Whenever he was in a good mood, Ling Yun would teach her some basic cultivation methods, benefiting the little girl greatly.

The members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect gradually grew accustomed to the presence of this young yet highly esteemed, mysterious, and powerful Guest Elder.

However, peaceful days were always short-lived. One day, Ning Fengzhi came to find Ling Yun with a grave expression.

"Elder Ling Yun, there is something I may need your help with," Ning Fengzhi said without preamble.

"What is it?" Ling Yun asked, setting down a piece of Mysterious Iron he had been polishing.

"It concerns the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament." Ning Fengzhi sighed. "The tournament is about to begin. The Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team supported by our sect is fairly strong this year, but against the Spirit Hall Team... I fear their chances of victory are slim. Those three children of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation are simply too powerful."

Ling Yun's gaze shifted slightly. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament—this was an important turning point in the original story. The Spirit Hall Team, the Golden Generation, Xie Yue, Yan, Hu Liena... and Bibi Dong's disciple, who possessed Twin Martial Souls.

"What does Sect Master Ning mean?" Ling Yun asked.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Ling Yun, anticipation in his eyes. "I would like to ask Elder Ling Yun to serve as the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team's... specially appointed coach. Train them intensively before the tournament! Perhaps we can create a miracle!"

A specially appointed coach? Train the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team?

Ling Yun pondered the matter. This was quite an interesting challenge. Moreover, the tournament would gather the greatest geniuses of the continent's younger generation. Perhaps he would encounter some interesting opponents, such as... Tang San.

"Alright." Ling Yun nodded. "However, however I train them, they must obey me completely."

Ning Fengzhi was delighted. "Naturally! Everything will be arranged according to Elder Ling Yun's wishes!"

And so, Ling Yun's life gained another new pursuit. The fate of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy Team also quietly began to shift because of his involvement.

The tournament stage was about to open. And what changes would Ling Yun, this mighty figure, bring to this grand gathering of the younger generation?