The morning sun rose.
Early the next morning.
Jiang Dao mounted a fast horse and rushed to the Blazing Flame Sect headquarters. Led by Guo Dutian, he came upon an enormous pavilion.
Martial Repository Pavilion!
The entire structure covered a vast area, towering and imposing, five stories high. Experts stood packed tightly around it on all sides, forming an impenetrable encirclement.
"Chief, this lowly one will not be going in. My contribution points are limited, and I cannot enter."
Guo Dutian said.
"Mm."
Jiang Dao nodded lightly and headed toward the Martial Repository Pavilion.
When they saw him approach, no one dared stop him. He passed through without hindrance and soon entered the first floor.
The first floor of the Martial Repository Pavilion was roughly two hundred square meters. More than a dozen bookshelves stood densely throughout the room, each piled with many books.
Jiang Dao swept his gaze across them, examining them one by one.
After roughly looking over the martial arts on the first floor, he went directly to the second and third floors.
As expected, there were far fewer martial arts manuals on the second and third floors.
It seemed that the higher one went, the higher the grade of the martial arts—and the fewer manuals there were.
After Jiang Dao reached the third floor, he casually picked up a secret manual.
Wind Thunder Palm!
"Is this Fei Bin's ultimate art?"
Jiang Dao flipped through it carefully.
Wind Thunder Palm had seven times seven, forty-nine forms. Upon reaching Grand Completion, each palm strike would thunder like lightning, smashing through everything in its path and shattering stone. It was said that once cultivated to the utmost limit, one could even generate a trace of wind and thunder power within one's palms.
Yet from the art's creation until now, not a single person had achieved it.
Not even its creator had done so, for this was merely a realm he had theorized. He had pursued and refined it throughout his life, but before he could cultivate it himself, his lifespan ran dry and he passed away in meditation.
Jiang Dao read it carefully, then turned to the other martial arts.
Gale Wind Saber Technique!
Long Rainbow Swordplay!
Sunset Halberd Art!
Golden Bell Body Protection Divine Art!
He picked up one martial art manual after another.
Every martial art manual had at least a dozen pages, with some having over twenty. Their contents were detailed.
With unlimited time unavailable to him, he could not read through them all one by one. He could only select names that interested him and study them in detail.
A full day passed swiftly.
Jiang Dao was ravenous for knowledge, with nothing else in his heart. He completely immersed himself in the ocean of martial arts.
In total, he carefully studied three cultivation arts.
Wind Thunder Palm, Gale Wind Saber Technique, and Golden Bell Body Protection Divine Art!
Without exception, after he had read through them once carefully, all three arts appeared on his panel.
Just as he was about to pick up a fourth cultivation art, a sect member suddenly ran in from outside. Cupping his fists, he said, "Hall Master Jiang, the Chief has ordered you to go over at once!"
Jiang Dao frowned and turned to look at the sect member. "Why is the Chief looking for me?"
"This subordinate does not know. Please set out quickly, Hall Master Jiang!"
The sect member said.
"Fine."
Jiang Dao was somewhat reluctant. He casually set down the cultivation art in his hand and headed outside.
Only after leaving the Martial Repository Pavilion did Jiang Dao realize that it was already afternoon without his noticing.
The sun had drifted westward from noon.
The moment Guo Dutian saw Jiang Dao emerge, he hurried forward and cupped his fists. "Hall Master, the Chief just issued an order for you to go over."
"I know."
Jiang Dao nodded. He had Guo Dutian wait there while he strode toward the great hall in the distance.
The magnificent great hall was solemn and imposing.
Its two heavy bronze doors were studded with thick, massive nails.
Inside the hall, the light was somewhat dim and the atmosphere oppressive.
The Chief, Deputy Chief, Left and Right Guardians, and all the hall masters had already gathered.
Behind them stood other core experts, each with bright, piercing eyes.
"Greetings, Chief!"
The moment Jiang Dao entered, he cupped his fists.
"Mm, sit."
Fang Tianba nodded slightly. Looking at the crowd, he sighed. "Since nearly everyone is here, let us discuss the matter at hand. We received word the night before last that more people from the sect have gone missing. Two stewards and sixty-two sect members—neither living nor dead bodies have been found. The location was still Greenstone Town. We can now say with eighty percent certainty that this was another mysterious incident. Everyone, who is willing to investigate?"
They looked at one another, and all fell silent.
A mysterious incident!
Those short words made everyone's hearts sink.
No matter how strong their martial arts were, how much use could they be against such inhuman things?
Had too few hall masters and stewards died at the hands of those things?
For a time, the hall fell silent.
Seeing that no one spoke, Fang Tianba's brows furrowed slightly as he prepared to speak again.
But at that moment!
Left Guardian Guo Linyu suddenly rose and said, "Chief, I recommend someone who can shoulder this important task!"
"Who?"
Fang Tianba looked at Guo Linyu.
"Hall Master Jiang's strength runs deep, and his Eagle Claw Art has reached a marvelous level. This subordinate believes he can be put to great use. Moreover, he has only just joined our sect, yet he holds the lofty position of hall master without having established a single merit. This is the perfect opportunity for Hall Master Jiang to prove himself. First, he can uncover the truth behind this mysterious incident. Second, he can silence the murmurs of the masses and convince everyone wholeheartedly!"
Guo Linyu said.
Jiang Dao's gaze turned cold as he looked at Guo Linyu.
Old bastard, he was already trying to retaliate?
He clearly wanted to send me to my death!
Fang Tianba also frowned. "Hall Master Jiang is indeed strong, but he has only just arrived and lacks experience. Would this not still be somewhat dangerous?"
"Rest assured, Chief. This subordinate would never dare send Hall Master Jiang alone. We can dispatch other hall masters to accompany him, so they can watch each other's backs. With their strength, even if they discover something unusual, they will surely be able to react and withdraw safely."
Guo Linyu said.
"If other experts accompany him, the danger should indeed be greatly reduced."
Fang Tianba suddenly looked at Jiang Dao. "Hall Master Jiang, what do you think? Are you willing to accept this task?"
Guo Linyu also looked toward Jiang Dao, smiling without quite smiling. "Hall Master Jiang, you became a hall master the moment you arrived, and you used thunderous methods to kill so many brothers of Flying Eagle Hall. Surely you have not become afraid now?"
Jiang Dao replied coldly, "Guardian Guo, how about you come with me? The two of us will bring no one else and investigate this mysterious incident together. Whoever dies is the unlucky one. Do you dare?"
Guo Linyu laughed soundlessly and shook his head lightly. "Why would this matter require me to act personally? It is the duty of the hall masters. When the hall masters cannot resolve it, I will naturally take action."
"Left Guardian, let us give it a try together. I have long heard of your strength. They say you rank second within the sect. Why not investigate alongside me? It will surely be far more efficient than sending others."
Jiang Dao stared at Guo Linyu.
"Hall Master Jiang, you are overstepping in your tone."
Guo Linyu's voice was calm. "As a Guardian, whether I go or not is not something you need concern yourself with. You need only do your own duty."
"Hall Master Jiang, after all that talk, you still simply do not dare go, do you?"
A tall, thin hall master suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice.
"And who are you?"
Jiang Dao turned to look at the tall, thin hall master.
"My name is Hu Biao, Hall Master of Flying Leopard Hall!"
The tall, thin man sneered hoarsely.
"Enough. Stop talking."
Chief Fang Tianba suddenly waved a hand lightly. Looking at Jiang Dao, he said evenly, "Hall Master Jiang, Left Guardian's words do make some sense. You have only just arrived, yet you occupy a high position, so it is indeed easy for criticism to arise. Do not worry. Other hall masters will go with you. With your combined strength, nothing should happen."
Jiang Dao's heart sank. Cupping his fists, he said, "Yes, Chief!"
"Which hall masters are willing to investigate alongside Hall Master Jiang?"
Fang Tianba looked at the crowd.
"This subordinate is willing!"
Two figures suddenly stepped out from the crowd and spoke while cupping their fists.
One was tall and the other short. One wore a coarse linen robe, while the other wore a broad black robe. Their breaths were fine and controlled, and thick calluses could be seen on their palms.
One of them was Hu Biao, who had just spoken. His eyes were sunken like those of a hawk as he coldly swept Jiang Dao a glance.
"Hall Master Hu, Hall Master Fan, in that case, you will depart with Hall Master Jiang."
Fang Tianba said.
"This subordinate obeys!"
The two cupped their fists and answered.
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