Treasure Pavilion (Seeking recommendations, seeking follow-ups)

Looking at the jade bottle containing the Ice Soul Pill in his hand, Xu Haoyu nodded in satisfaction. He could now call himself a Fifth-Rank Alchemist.

After putting away the jade bottle, Xu Haoyu lowered his head to glance at the medicine cauldron he had used earlier. It was now covered in cracks; any further energy impact would shatter it into pieces.

With a wave of his hand, he stored the medicine cauldron in his Storage Ring. Then Xu Haoyu said, "The higher the grade of a medicine cauldron, the rarer it is. It seems I'll need to keep an eye out for information on High-Level Medicine Cauldrons, or someone capable of forging one."

As he spoke, Xu Haoyu walked toward the door. He opened it—and even he was startled.

Outside stood a group of people, including Fire Elder. Their gazes burned as they stared at the doorway—or rather, at Xu Haoyu.

Fire Elder stepped forward, unable to hide the excitement in his voice as he said, "Haoyu, we're all alchemists, and we sensed the unusual energy fluctuations coming from your room just now. Tell us, did you refine some Rank 5 Pill? Did you succeed, or fail?"

Xu Haoyu had no intention of hiding it. Smiling, he nodded and said, "Yes. I refined an Ice Soul Pill just now, and I succeeded on the first try."

Gasp!

A chorus of sharp breaths rang out around him. Even Fire Elder wore an expression of shock.

Of course he knew of the Ice Soul Pill, a peak Rank 5 Pill. As a peak Fifth-Rank Alchemist himself, he was not even one hundred percent certain of succeeding when refining such a pill.

He truly had not expected Xu Haoyu to succeed in a single attempt. What kind of terrifying monstrous talent was that?

A Fourth-Rank Alchemist refining a Rank 5 Pill for the first time—a peak Rank 5 Pill, no less—and succeeding on the first attempt.

Seeing their reactions, Xu Haoyu merely chuckled. Then, suddenly recalling his medicine cauldron, he said, "Fire Elder, the medicine cauldron I used just now is on the verge of collapsing. While it wouldn't be difficult to find a replacement, I'd like to find a truly rare cauldron that I can use for a long time. Or perhaps a senior capable of forging such a rare medicine cauldron. If you have any information, please let me know."

After hearing Xu Haoyu's thoughts, Fire Elder quickly fell into contemplation. In his view, with Xu Haoyu's talent in alchemy, he would likely become a Rank 6 Alchemist even faster than Fire Elder himself. He truly needed a rare High-Level Medicine Cauldron that could last him for a long time.

He immediately said, "I'll keep an eye out for you. High-Level Medicine Cauldrons are generally priceless and rarely available. Of course, if you gather enough precious ores, you can ask Elder Zhou Quan of the Inner Courtyard for help. He is a top-tier forger who has created many divine weapons and artifacts—weaponry, armor, Storage Rings... Forging a High-Level Medicine Cauldron would be no challenge for him."

Xu Haoyu's heart stirred. He committed Elder Zhou Quan of the Inner Courtyard to memory, then said to Fire Elder, "Thank you for the guidance, Fire Elder. I'll head back first. Refining a Rank 5 Pill took quite a toll on my mind and spirit, so I'd like to go back and rest."

Fire Elder smiled and waved his hand, signaling those around him to make way. Then he said, "Go back, then. Rest well. In a few days, you'll be heading to the Treasure Pavilion to choose a treasure."

Xu Haoyu nodded. Under the gazes of envy and shock from the crowd, he left the Alchemy Department and returned to his residence.

He was indeed rather exhausted. After returning, he freshened up a little and slept like the dead. Only after a full day and night had passed did he awaken, refreshed and energized.

After getting up, he checked the sky outside and went to the dining hall for breakfast. Before long, an instructor came to tell him to visit the Vice-Dean and enter the Treasure Pavilion with the others.

Upon receiving the news, Xu Haoyu naturally went gladly.

Library!

This was where the academy stored its books. It contained a vast range of materials: cultivation manuals, the development of various elemental Dou Qi attributes, alchemy, forging... all kinds of miscellaneous records and books.

Though there was nothing overly profound inside, it was open to every student of Jia Nan Academy. Whether one was at the Dou Qi stage, or the Dou Zhe, Dou Shi, or Da Dou Shi stages, they could come to read or borrow books.

At this moment, on the second floor of the library!

Xu Haoyu was the last to arrive. The other four among the top five of this Inner Courtyard Selection Competition—Zhang Kaidi, Yu Huo, Jiang Miaomiao, and Lie Feng—had all arrived already. Their faces carried traces of nervousness and anticipation. There was surely nothing ordinary among the treasures within the academy's Treasure Pavilion.

After seeing that everyone had arrived, Vice-Dean Hu Qian touched some mechanism on a bookshelf. The bookshelf then split apart to either side, revealing a dark passage whose end could not be seen.

Standing beside the passage, Hu Qian said with a smile, "Come with me. I'll take you to the true Treasure Pavilion. That place is one of Jia Nan Academy's most important locations."

After speaking, Hu Qian took the lead and strode into the passage.

Xu Haoyu and the other four immediately followed him into the passage.

As Xu Haoyu walked, he surveyed his surroundings. Suddenly, he felt the world spin, and the scene around him immediately changed completely. They had apparently entered a hidden space.

This hidden space exuded an ancient aura everywhere. Looking ahead, a towering building stood erect. It seemed to have weathered many years, having been built at least a century ago—perhaps even several centuries ago.

A plaque hung above the building, bearing three bold, flowing characters: Treasure Pavilion.

This was the true Treasure Pavilion. The library outside was merely an entrance.

Suddenly, two seated figures appeared outside the Treasure Pavilion. They wore gray robes, their faces covered in wrinkles, their expressions carrying an air of indifference.

The moment Xu Haoyu saw them, he thought of their identities—the hidden guardians of Jia Nan Academy, Bai Lie and Qian Mu. They were two Dou Zong Peak experts, even stronger than his grandfather.

As Xu Haoyu looked at the two of them, they also looked at him. As Dou Zong Peak experts, they could see some peculiarities about Xu Haoyu.

There seemed to be not merely one Dou Qi attribute within him, but a fusion of multiple Dou Qi attributes. Rather than conflicting with one another, they coexisted within him in perfect harmony.

"Interesting..."

This was the judgment they both shared. After all, the Dou Qi Continent was vast. Special constitutions, special bloodlines, and hidden mysterious races had all left behind legends upon the continent. Even if Xu Haoyu possessed some special traits, it was hardly surprising.

At this moment, Vice-Dean Hu Qian respectfully said, "Honored Guardians, please open a passage. I have brought the top five of this Inner Courtyard Selection Competition to choose a treasure."

Bai Lie and Qian Mu spoke in unison:

"Alright!"

Then, the two formed hand seals, and a strange fluctuation spread outward. Immediately afterward, ripples suddenly appeared around the Treasure Pavilion, as though a transparent energy barrier had emerged. This was the Space Lock.

When that strange fluctuation came into contact with the transparent energy barrier, it tore open a crack in the middle, which slowly widened into an entrance.

At that moment, Hu Qian hurriedly said:

"Get inside quickly. You only have half an hour. The Treasure Pavilion contains everything imaginable, with all kinds of treasures inside. However, every treasure is covered by a seal. Only by breaking that seal can you obtain the treasure within. Do not be greedy. You must choose the treasure most suitable for you according to your own abilities..."

After Hu Qian finished his long-winded instructions, Xu Haoyu and the other four finally could not wait any longer and stepped forward.