Treasure Retrieval

Treasure Retrieval

Standing outside the pavilion, Hu Gan saw that Xiao Ling and the others had already entered. He smiled at the two Gray-robed Men seated cross-legged on the ground. "Hehe, I'll have to trouble you two elders."

"Just a task." The two mysterious figures, completely wrapped in gray robes, did not move in the slightest as their hoarse, indifferent voices slowly sounded.

"You may enter the Library Pavilion yourselves now. Remember, no matter what you wish to obtain, do not force it. Everything inside has an energy barrier around it. If your hand can pass through the barrier without obstruction, then you may take the item within. Of course, no matter how many things you manage to pick up, you can only bring one item out of the Library Pavilion. Do not be greedy, or you will end up with nothing."

"If you cannot penetrate the energy barrier, then give up. With your strength, you cannot break them. Every year, people enter the Library Pavilion, yet quite a few still leave empty-handed. Therefore, everything depends on fate. Do not force what you cannot obtain." Pointing at the Library Pavilion, Hu Gan turned to Xiao Ling and the others.

Hearing this, Xiao Ling and the others nodded. They exchanged glances, then slowly stepped toward the Library Pavilion.

After climbing the bluestone steps and arriving before the doors of the Scripture Pavilion, they looked at the plaque above them, upon which the words "Scripture Pavilion" were written.

The plaque looked somewhat worn, yet it carried a soul-stirring force that unconsciously cast a desolate shade over everyone's hearts. Xiao Ling had expected this and was only slightly affected. After reminding the somewhat dazed group, he continued forward.

"Go in! The doors will only remain open for one hour. After an hour, whether you have obtained what you need or not, you must come out!" one of the Gray-robed Men said. At the same time, he flicked his sleeve, sending out an invisible ripple as the doors of the Scripture Pavilion slowly opened.

As the doors opened, an ancient and desolate aura rushed toward them, making Xiao Ling and the others quickly steady their minds, not daring to entertain even the slightest stray thought.

The wild-tempered Lin Yan took the lead and walked inside. The others followed him into the Library Pavilion one after another.

After all five entered the Library Pavilion, the open doors slowly creaked shut, finally closing tightly.

Watching this scene from the side, Hu Gan stroked his beard and chuckled. "I wonder whether that Beast Fire inside will be taken away by that kid Xiao Ling."

Hearing the doors close tightly behind them, everyone quickened their pace and headed deeper inside. Nearly five minutes later, pale yellow light appeared not far ahead. Their steps involuntarily grew faster. After a while, they finally passed through the dark passageway, and brilliant light shone directly at them, making them slightly turn their heads away.

Before them was an extremely spacious chamber. Along the walls were nearly a dozen energy barriers. At that moment, those barriers slowly pulsed with light, illuminating the room as brightly as day.

Xiao Ling stepped forward and said to the group, "The treasures here are hidden within the light clusters. You need to break the light source to obtain the treasures inside. The higher the treasure's grade, the stronger the light cluster will be, and the harder it will be to break. If you find any suitable Techniques and Dou Skills for one another, keep an eye out. If there are light clusters you cannot break, everyone can work together to deal with them."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded. They shared deep bonds, and helping one another would certainly yield better treasures than fighting alone.

Suddenly, a streak of light flashed past and shot toward Liu Qing. Xiao Ling, whose Soul Perception had remained focused, reminded him, "Liu Qing, a light cluster is heading your way. Bring it down and see what it is."

Hearing this, Liu Qing focused his attention and discovered a light cluster flying toward him. He leaped into the air and threw a charged punch, shattering the light cluster.

He picked up the item inside and examined it, muttering, "A Xuan Tier Intermediate technique, Profound Water Absolute. This is useless to me."

Xiao Ling said, "Unless they're rare types, just discard any Techniques and Dou Skills below Earth Tier. Show me if you find any medicinal ingredients. I plan to get a Beast Fire. Is there anything you all want?"

Han Yue spoke softly from the side. "Let's choose Techniques and Dou Skills, or high-quality medicinal pills. There's nothing else we particularly lack."

Hearing this, the others nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, more than a dozen light clusters flew out from within the pavilion. Xiao Ling left behind the words, "Choose the light clusters with more energy inside," before sprinting ahead.

The others also sharpened their focus and began selecting suitable treasures.

Xiao Ling did not blindly try to catch the light clusters. Instead, he watched every cluster that flew out, releasing his Soul Power and extending his Soul Perception to its limit to sense the clusters with stronger energy.

Suddenly, a light cluster containing Wind Attribute energy deeply caught Xiao Ling's attention. The energy within it was the strongest he had sensed since entering.

Without further hesitation, Xiao Ling rushed forward, leaped into the air, and reached out to seize the cyan light cluster firmly in his palm.

Though he was not very familiar with Wind Attribute Dou Qi, Xiao Ling still shattered the light cluster around it with his powerful physique and abundant Dou Qi, drawing out a pale cyan scroll.

Xiao Ling looked over it and read aloud what was recorded upon it. "Wind Attribute Earth-grade Intermediate Dou Technique, Gale Breath Severing Slash. This is pretty good. Lin Xiuyai, do you want it?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Lin Xiuyai. The Dou Qi Attribute he cultivated was precisely Wind Attribute, making this Dou Technique extremely suitable for him.

"Of course I want it. This technique looks perfectly suited for Wind Attribute Dou Qi like mine, and I happen to use a sword." Scratching his head, Lin Xiuyai answered somewhat sheepishly.

With a flick of his hand, the scroll flew into Lin Xiuyai's grasp. Xiao Ling smiled. "You got lucky, kid. When I need someone to fight with later, I'll call you. Don't chicken out then."

After receiving the scroll and carefully putting it away like a treasure, Lin Xiuyai answered seriously, "As long as it isn't a death mission, I'll accompany you. Brothers stay in the heart."

Shaking his head and no longer paying attention to him, Xiao Ling continued focusing on finding Beast Fire, inspecting those light clusters with stronger Fire Attribute energy.

Half an hour later, everyone had already chosen their treasures. Han Yue and Lin Yan had each selected an Earth-grade Intermediate technique, while Liu Qing had chosen an Earth-grade Intermediate Dou Technique, Intentional Bombardment Fist. Only Xiao Ling had yet to find the Seventh-grade Illusion Gold Fire that Han Xian had found in the original story.

Xiao Ling could not help muttering inwardly, Could it be that Beast Fire wasn't found in the Library Pavilion? If it comes down to it, getting some high-grade medicinal ingredient wouldn't be unacceptable.

Seeing that Xiao Ling seemed somewhat dissatisfied, Han Yue stepped forward and comforted him. "There's still half an hour left, so don't be too anxious. At worst, take that Sky Jade Fruit Lin Xiuyai found for you. It's the main ingredient for refining a Spirit Dou Pill, so it's quite good too."

Seeing his Senior Student comfort him like this, Xiao Ling no longer felt so anxious. He smiled and replied, "Let fate decide. If no suitable Beast Fire appears by the time runs out, then taking that Sky Jade Fruit will be fine too."

Before he could finish speaking, a blazing red ball of light suddenly shot out from within the pavilion and caught Xiao Ling's attention. Judging from the energy it emitted, it was even slightly stronger than the light cluster containing Gale Breath Severing Slash.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Ling rushed toward it. He stepped on the bookshelves and leaped into the air, fully activating the Absorption Palm. The light cluster fell into his hand.

Relying on his familiarity with Fire Attribute Dou Qi, Xiao Ling directly thrust his hand through the light cluster and retrieved a porcelain bottle from within. Looking closely, he saw that it contained a blazing golden Core Flame: the Seventh-grade Illusion Gold Fire.

Seeing this, everyone gathered around. When they saw that it really was a seventh-grade Beast Fire, they all sighed in admiration at Xiao Ling's good fortune. He had truly managed to wait out a high-grade Beast Fire.

Xiao Ling also let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had waited a little longer rather than leaving early.

I finally found you. Good thing I didn't give up.

Putting away the bottle of Beast Fire, Xiao Ling smiled at everyone. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Let's go out together." With that, he took the lead toward the doors.

The others said nothing more and followed closely behind him, leaving the Library Pavilion together.