Scripture Pavilion (Part 1)

Qingyun Sect's Scripture Pavilion stood on the northern side of the sect, a full ten li away from Artifact Refining Peak.

It was an ancient yet grand stone structure, its entire form seeming to have grown from within the mountain itself. The building exuded a weathered air—its stones were covered in the marks left by time, as though every inch bore the sect's accumulated knowledge of several centuries.

Layer upon layer of Forbidden Arrays enveloped the entire Scripture Pavilion. Beneath the sunlight, these arrays gave off a translucent blue radiance, like an invisible barrier protecting the whole building within. Even ordinary disciples could feel that oppressive, weighty pulse of energy when they approached.

But these Forbidden Arrays had no effect whatsoever on Yan Kui.

He openly strode toward the gates of the Scripture Pavilion. In his hand, he held the jade token engraved with the character "Luo," its surface gleaming with a gentle light beneath the sun.

Two disciples stood before the gates of the Scripture Pavilion. They wore identical blue-green robes, with badges at their waists marking them as stewards. The two were chatting idly, looking rather bored—clearly, not many people came to enter the Scripture Pavilion.

When they saw Yan Kui, a flicker of shock crossed their eyes.

It was not because of Yan Kui's strength or aura, but because of his appearance. A dark crimson giant body standing 2.8 meters tall, bizarre patterns where ice and fire intertwined, and those mismatched eyes—blue on the left, red on the right—such an existence was absolutely rare within a Cultivation Sect.

"Y-you are?" one of the disciples asked.

Yan Kui did not waste words. He directly displayed Luo Yue's elder token.

"I am Elder Luo's man. The elder sent me to the Scripture Pavilion to collect a Body Refining Technique." Yan Kui's voice was low, as though it had risen from the abyss.

The two disciples exchanged a glance. One of them took the token and inspected it carefully for a moment. Elder tokens were difficult to forge in the cultivation world—the token bore Luo Yue's unique Spiritual Sense imprint, something even ordinary disciples could easily identify.

"The token is indeed Elder Luo's." The disciple nodded, returning it to Yan Kui. "However... Elder Luo did not notify us beforehand."

"It was a temporary decision," Yan Kui said.

The other disciple frowned. "The elder's rules are... only disciples who have received explicit authorization may enter the Scripture Pavilion. Though you possess the elder token, we still need to confirm..."

"Then send Elder Luo a Message Talisman." There was no emotion in Yan Kui's tone, as though he were simply stating a fact.

The two disciples immediately sent a message to Elder Luo and swiftly received an affirmative reply.

The gatekeeping disciple handed back the elder token.

"Go in," the disciple said. "But remember—the first floor contains only techniques for the Foundation Establishment Realm and below. Elder Luo should have already told you. And one book. You may only take one."

The disciple placed special emphasis on "one book."

Yan Kui nodded without saying anything.

The interior of the Scripture Pavilion was far larger than it appeared from the outside.

This was the application of some spatial spell—the interior space had been expanded through magic, and the entire first floor resembled a massive library. The ceiling rose dozens of meters high, while densely packed shelves of technique jade slips filled every direction.

These jade slips were no ordinary jade—they were materials unique to the cultivation world, crafted through a special process. Each jade slip was engraved with information such as the technique's name, its author, and its cultivation level.

Most importantly, however, every one of these jade slips was wrapped in some invisible "restriction."

Such restrictions were a standard measure in the cultivation world. Their purpose was to prevent unauthorized individuals from copying or spreading cultivation techniques. Even if one could understand the contents of a jade slip, one could not record them or transcribe them for others—the restriction would immediately activate and sound an alarm the moment one attempted it.

But to Yan Kui, these restrictions were as fragile as paper.

When he entered the Scripture Pavilion, the Crimson Modifier automatically issued a prompt.

[System Prompt]: Upon touching a technique jade slip, restrictions can be automatically cracked and technique information recorded.

[Warning]: This ability requires no Origin Power expenditure, but do not let others notice.

Yan Kui slowly walked toward the shelves of techniques.

He did not rush to search for his target technique. Instead, he observed first. His gaze swept across row after row of jade slips, carefully examining the labels on every one.

The techniques here were varied and numerous—from Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivation Methods, to all kinds of spell manuals, to quite a few auxiliary techniques.

However, Qingyun Sect had pitifully few Body Refining Techniques for Body Cultivators, so he would have to search carefully himself.

Some jade slips looked ancient and weathered, while others were relatively new. Yan Kui walked over and began examining them one by one.

Yan Kui eliminated unsuitable techniques one after another. His criteria were clear—he needed a technique that could fuse with his current Crimson Extreme Golden Body Second Stage, while maintaining a good balance between strength, physique, and agility.

After passing more than a dozen shelves, Yan Kui finally came to a stop.

He saw a jade slip that gave off a metallic gleam—Profound Iron Body.

The jade slip was engraved with the intricate Runes for "Profound" and "Iron." Merely from its appearance, one could sense the weight of this technique—it was a Foundation Establishment Realm Body Refining Technique focused on "strength" and "physique."

Yan Kui reached out and gently touched the jade slip.

The moment he made contact, the system activated.

The process was soundless and instantaneous. The restriction wrapped around the jade slip... shattered beneath some invisible force. Not truly shattered, but forcibly "opened" by some power. Throughout the process, there was no alarm and no anomaly, as though the restriction had never existed at all.

[Restriction Cracked Successfully]

[Profound Iron Body - Foundation Establishment Realm Body Refining Secret Art]

[Rapid Scanning...]

[Technique information has been entered into the system database]

The entire process took less than a second.

Yan Kui did not pause and continued onward.

His search became more targeted. He knew exactly what he was looking for—Foundation Establishment Realm techniques that could merge with the Crimson Extreme Golden Body and enhance his physique and strength.

The second book—Indestructible Diamond Body.

It was a heavy black jade slip, seemingly carved from some special kind of black stone. This technique focused on strengthening "defense" and "physique."

Touch, crack, record.

The third book—Blood Fiend True Body.

A blood-red jade slip, as though it still retained some lingering bloody aura. This technique involved the fusion of "strength" and "physique," but its method was more aggressive—strengthening oneself by absorbing an enemy's blood.

Touch, crack, record.

The fourth book—Blazing Flame Body.

This jade slip glimmered with a fiery red light and even emitted a faint warmth. It was a Body Refining Technique focused on "strength," incorporating the element of fire.

Touch, crack, record.

The fifth book—Wind Walk Technique.

Faint drifting-cloud patterns could be seen on the azure jade slip, making it appear light and nimble. This was not a purely body-refining technique, but a movement-art secret technique meant to enhance "agility."

Touch, crack, record.

About half an hour had passed from the time he entered the Scripture Pavilion to the completion of recording these five techniques. Yan Kui wandered among the many jade-slip shelves, observing and selecting. Every step he took seemed perfectly natural—like an Outer Disciple earnestly choosing cultivation techniques.

No one would notice that, in the process, the information from five techniques had been silently "stolen."

After recording the five techniques, Yan Kui started toward the exit.

But before leaving, he took one final step—he picked up one of the jade slips. He chose Profound Iron Body.

The jade slip looked somewhat tiny in his hand—his 2.8-meter giant frame held a jade slip no bigger than an adult's fist, creating an oddly disproportionate sight. But that was precisely the effect he wanted.

As he walked toward the door, a subtle change suddenly occurred within the Scripture Pavilion. At that moment, Yan Kui halted.

His gaze fell upon another area deep within the Scripture Pavilion—there stood a staircase leading upward, toward the second floor.

Yan Kui lingered at the exit for a moment.

He held Profound Iron Body in one hand, while his other hand lightly rested at his waist—where the token Luo Yue had given him was kept.

He turned back and looked at the staircase leading to the second floor deep within the Scripture Pavilion.

A voice whispered in his heart.

These five techniques... were indeed good. Profound Iron Body, Indestructible Diamond Body, Blood Fiend True Body, Blazing Flame Body—all of them were Foundation Establishment Realm body-refining techniques, enough to greatly strengthen his physical body. With the movement-art enhancement of Wind Walk Technique, his overall combat power would certainly rise significantly.

But...

Luo Yue's fanatical gaze flashed through Yan Kui's mind, along with those words—"The Sect Master has already agreed to this plan."

Luo Yue was a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator. And the Sect Master... that Elder who controlled the Qingyun Sect was surely a Golden Core Stage powerhouse.

Could Foundation Establishment Realm techniques from the first floor alone truly be enough to stand against them?

Yan Kui looked at the jade slip in his hand, and a cold glint flashed through his eyes.

Luo Yue had given him three days. Three days for him to cultivate these techniques. Luo Yue believed that even Foundation Establishment Realm techniques could not stir up any great waves in three days.

But Luo Yue did not know one thing—Yan Kui's system ability was far more powerful than Luo Yue imagined.

The techniques on the first floor... had indeed already been recorded by him. But that was only preparation. If he truly wanted to turn the tables completely, if he wanted to face the threats of Luo Yue and even the Sect Master during the battle puppet ritual...

What he needed was stronger techniques.

Yan Kui's gaze turned once more toward the staircase.

The second floor. That was the true core area. What was stored there would surely be higher-grade techniques—Golden Core Stage, perhaps even stronger secret manuals.

The gatekeeping disciple had said, "You may only take techniques from the first floor."

But Yan Kui had already made his decision.

He slowly turned around. Instead of heading for the exit, he walked toward the staircase leading to the second floor.

At that moment, a certain unwavering, deadly resolve gleamed in his eyes.

Luo Yue, you thought giving me three days was giving me an opportunity... but in truth, you were giving me a window to strike back. The five techniques on the first floor were merely preparation. My true trump card lies on the second floor.

If the gatekeeper notices, I'll force my way through. No matter what, I will not give up on the techniques of the second floor.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you won't have trouble finding it next time.