The Book Pavilion

The library on Yuntai Peak was indeed filled with 'books'—bamboo slips, cloth, silk, and mostly paper books—but there wasn't a single jade slip for transmitting cultivation techniques. This was understandable; the Xuanmen lineage emphasized that techniques should not be lightly passed on and valued their own lineage most. Compared to those old fogies, Lou Guan Temple's practice of transmitting techniques to various independent sects was considered 'very enlightened'.

However, this does not mean that the Xuanmen (Daoist sects) monopolize knowledge and keep their secrets to themselves. In fact, only their core skills and cultivation Cultivation Method are passed down in secret within the Inner Sect, but the knowledge of the five traditional arts—alchemy, weapon crafting, divination, formations, and talismans—is frequently exchanged and jointly developed among different sects.

After all, if each school follows its own Cultivation Method and speaks its own version, without a unified academic 'standard' to distinguish superiority or inferiority, how can one determine who is the Winner in the debate over the Xuan Girl Heavenly Book?

Yes, the Xuanmen Heavenly Book Conference is an academic seminar, not the world's number one martial arts tournament. If everyone relied on martial arts to fight and snatch books, wouldn't the Xuanmen have already wiped out its members by suicide?

The Beichen Sword Sect has never relied on force to steal the book. In fact, in a sense, the Nine Yin Mountain lineage, as the backbone of the Xuanmen's martial power, originally bore the heavy responsibility of protecting the Heavenly Book and the order of the Xuanmen. It was because the most powerful sword sect guarded the Heavenly Book that the other sects of the Xuanmen were able to abandon the idea of stealing the book and sit down at Nine Yin Mountain to discuss the Dao.

This is the root of the grudge that arose when the Divine Lord broke the rules and stole the Heavenly Book, and the Beichen Sword Sect was determined to retrieve it.

In short, what originated from the Daoist debate over the Xuan Girl Heavenly Book has been popularized and promoted by the Xuanmen (Daoist sect) and has become the Xuanmen tradition we know today. It is the most loved by elders and the most feared by disciples: the 'Xuanmen Comprehensive Five Arts Unified Examination', or simply the Unified Examination.

The unified examinations hosted by the Nine Great Xuan Sects are divided into three levels: High-Level, Grandmaster, and Grandmaster. Participants must be at least at the True Person realm. Those who pass the exams will receive an officially certified title from the Mystic Sects on their Daoist certificates. For example, those who pass the High-Level Alchemy exam can be called Alchemy Cultivators, those who pass the Grandmaster exam can be called Alchemy Masters, and those who pass the Grandmaster exam can be called Grandmasters of Alchemy. Only those who reach the Grandmaster level can participate in the Heavenly Book Daoist Debate. And the winner who surpasses all others in skill and can comprehend the Heavenly Book at the Heavenly Book Daoist Debate is the so-called Grandmaster.

Generally speaking, the life pursuit of every legitimate disciple of the Xuanmen sect is first to comprehend the Heavenly Book and become a Grandmaster, and only then to become the sect leader or something similar.

Therefore, the Xuanmen Unified Examination has always been of paramount importance. Even starting with the selection of the Inner Sect disciples from the Outer Sect, each sect of Xuanmen has its own 'middle examination'. Having aptitude and cultivation is not enough; you must have matching basic knowledge. Only by passing the middle examination can you enter the sect.

For a top sect like Emei, a Golden Core alone is not enough. In fact, one must pass three out of five subjects in Emei's internal entrance exams to be accepted as an Inner Sect disciple. Moreover, Emei's entrance exams are notoriously difficult, with many questions set by the Grandmasters themselves. Some Grandmasters are even stricter, requiring a passing grade in all five subjects before accepting a disciple. Even so, the number of Golden Core cultivators applying to Emei from the Outer Sect is still countless, after all, it is the number one sect in the Xuanmen (mystical arts).

Similarly, to become a core disciple of the Xuanmen sect, achieving the Nascent Soul Stage is not enough; one must also pass at least one of the Five Arts examinations to reach the advanced level. Moreover, some top sects have their own specific requirements. For example, Emei sect disciples generally need to pass three of the Five Arts examinations to reach the advanced level before they can be accepted into the inner circle. For those being groomed as candidates for sect leader, 'mastering all Five Arts' is the minimum standard.

If you don't cultivate the Five Arts, even if you reach the Nascent Soul Stage or Divine Transformation realm, you can only be Outer Sect guest elder, unable to participate in the core management of the sect, unable to learn some of the most advanced Inner Sect secret techniques, and far from being qualified to read the Heavenly Book. Just like some people, that jellyfish head, cough cough, right?

Ahem, let's get back on track.

The Yuntai Peak Library contains a wealth of basic knowledge on the Five Arts, specifically for cultivators from various sects of the Xuanmen to study. It also contains various latest versions of question banks and practice questions for cultivators preparing for the unified examination. After all, studying behind closed doors will definitely not keep up with the times. Even the most stubborn and conservative old man has to visit the library from time to time to keep up with the most cutting-edge technology of the Five Arts.

The main task of the young disciples on Yuntai Peak is to transcribe and preserve the daily academic research and experimental reports of various masters and grandmasters, storing them in the library for cultivators from various sects of the Xuanmen to borrow and study. Some popular papers have many borrowers, and some borrow them for decades, so several extra copies need to be made. Transing such classics of the Five Arts requires corresponding knowledge, so only formal disciples on Yuntai Peak can do this job, while apprentices like Jia Gui first transcribe simple geographical and historical records, as well as encyclopedias of spiritual beasts and herbs.

"I can live here...!" Li Fan's eyes were practically glazed over by the dazzling array of books.

"The primordial spirit cannot be separated from the Storage Jade." Jia Gui first dug out his private work to help Li Fan register.

"Where did you get all this information about the Beichen Sword Sect's private affairs... Huh?" Li Fan casually picked up a free book, but after flipping through only two pages, he found that his hand passed right through the book, and the book returned to its original position.

Jia Gui glanced sideways at Li Fan, "Oh, I almost forgot, there are restrictions in this library. You can only look at the catalog; after that, you'll have to pay. This is to prevent theft and damage. After all, some people rely on their exceptional talent, reading ten lines at a glance and having a photographic memory, and just look without borrowing..."

Holy crap! Are there really this many freeloaders?! There are even mechanisms to address this! That's outrageous! cough cough

It must be said that the upper echelons of the Nine Great Xuan Sects are quite capable. Although the various sects are not convinced of each other and compete with each other, they are also connected by the existence of the library and bank on Yuntai Peak. When necessary, they can also join forces to fight against enemies and protect the interests of the Mystic Sect as a whole. They are truly not to be underestimated.

Li Fan wandered among the bookshelves, but wasn't in a hurry to choose or borrow any books. After all, Xuan Tian Iron Egg had already clearly pointed out his path of cultivation: learn arithmetic for a hundred years first. So this time, he didn't need to look at too many other distractions. His main purpose was to find Du Xia. Du Xia, the spirit of the artifact, was most likely in the artifact refining section.

Sure enough, Li Fan quickly sensed the other party's presence. At this moment, Du Xia was no longer the maid who had met Li Fan before. Instead, she had transformed her spiritual body into an old and frail disguise. However, this disguise could not fool Li Fan's upgraded Mind Observation Technique. He could immediately sense the primordial spirit he had already come into contact with through the Mind Observation Technique.

However, Du Xia was not alone. She was walking out with a scholar whose face was shrouded in a thin mist. The scholar was at the Nascent Soul Realm and should not be Yang Sheng. Moreover, judging from his demeanor and the way Du Xia, at the Transformation Stage, walked behind him with her head bowed like a maid, he was probably from a high-ranking aristocratic family. Furthermore, there seemed to be some kind of spirit or artifact protecting him.

Li Fan's heart tightened. He knew that the other party was probably from the Grand Tutor's side. Moreover, through his mental observation technique, he vaguely felt that he had met this person somewhere before, but for some reason he couldn't remember where. So he didn't make a fuss, pretended not to recognize Du Xia, brushed past them, and swaggered into the library area.

Unexpectedly, after Du Xia and the scholar brushed past Li Fan, they stopped in their tracks, as if turning back to look at him.

Li Fan pretended to examine the books on the shelf, borrowing some, but inwardly he was on high alert. This was troublesome. When he rescued Yang Sheng on the pleasure boat, he had used the disguise of Li Yaoshi, and Du Xia must have recognized him now. Could this guy be planning to use the Grand Tutor's men to kill someone while they were here?

He lacked combat experience in his primordial spirit state, and he wasn't sure how powerful those moves would be if they actually fought. Besides, there were hundreds of guards from the Central Guard present, and if things went wrong, the Xuanmen sect might also intervene. It was best to fight and retreat, trying to find a way to escape back to the Apricot Grove to revive his soul...

"Isn't this Li Daoyou?"

Li Fan's hand, which was reaching for the shelf, suddenly froze.

But it wasn't Du Xia who spoke; it was the scholar, and Li Fan recognized even though the scholar only uttered one sound.

That's the sinister guy who came to snatch Princess Quan that day, the one who was hiding in the shadows and spying on her!

"It's you..." Li Fan narrowed his eyes and slowly turned around, looking at the four figures whose outlines were vaguely visible beside the scholar. Adding Du Xia's words, that makes five—five artifact spirits at least at the Transformation Stage! Wow, is this the strength of the Grand Tutor's family?! Unable to afford to offend them...

Fortunately, the scholar didn't immediately wave his hand and yell, "Beat him up!" Instead, he cupped his hands in greeting to Li Fan, "You're Li Yaoshi of the Beichen Sword Sect, right? It's a pleasure to meet you."

Li Fan frowned. What did this mean? This guy... wanted to talk?

The scholar waved his hand, "I'd like to catch up with this fellow Li Daoyou."

Therefore, Du Xia and the other Divine Transformation spirits all dispersed and guarded the Fourth Department to prevent anyone from getting close.

What puzzled Li Fan even more was that Du Xia also acted as if she didn't recognize him. What was going on...?

"Hmm, Beichen Sword Sect, South Sea Tan Flower Island, Luo Feng Immortal Palace, Fellow Li Daoyou, you have quite a few disguises. I wonder which one is your true self?" The scholar was quite confident. Since he had witnessed Li Fan's prowess from the shadows, he dared to dismiss his guards and have a heart-to-heart talk with him face to face. It seemed he had something to rely on.

Li Fan said coldly, "Since you've revealed so much about my background, why don't you also introduce yourself so we can address each other properly?"

The scholar smiled and said, "It's easy. My name is Zhang Chongyang, a commander of a thousand under the Central Guard."

Li Fan also laughed, "A mere commander under the Central Guard has so many Divine Transformation cultivators serving him?"

Zhang Chongyang chuckled, "Four or five items are nothing. If Li Daoyou is interested in joining my Imperial Guard, what is there to be reluctant about?"

"Hehe," Li Fan chuckled, then his laughter faded, because the other party seemed serious. "Commander Zhang is recruiting me?"

Zhang Chongyang nodded seriously, "I've met many people, and there aren't many in this world with Li Daoyou's abilities. A sword of yours shouldn't be hidden among the common people, risking your life for a mere 100,000 gold coins. It's a waste of your talent. Since you want to earn money through your own abilities, wouldn't it be better to serve a wise ruler who is willing to pay a high price?"

Li Fan was speechless for a moment, looking at the other person suspiciously, "You really aren't avenging your own assassins?"

Zhang Chongyang laughed and said, "Brother Li also said that since they are willing to die for their cause, why should we avenge them? I've always felt that everyone has a price, and as long as the price is right, everyone is willing to serve others without fear of death. Don't you agree?"

Li Fan thought for a moment, then suddenly understood. "Those men under the commander were originally useful, but I killed them all. Now you have no one to do your job, right?"

His words were so direct that Zhang Chongyang couldn't help but stiffen for a moment, but he still replied frankly, "Indeed. Brother Li sees things clearly. I do have an urgent matter that requires a good sword, but unfortunately, I don't have enough manpower available to transfer to Xun Kingdom in such a short time. I wonder if Brother Li could lend me a hand."

Li Fan understood. "I see. I brought myself to your territory. The reason you didn't kill me immediately is because I'm still useful to you. If I hadn't agreed, I would have been useless, and you could have killed me then, right?"

Zhang Chongyang remained noncommittal, saying, "Li Daoyou, there's no need to be so wary. Listen to my mission and the reward I'm offering; perhaps you'll agree?"

Li Fan couldn't help but laugh. "I doubt you can offer any reward that would tempt me. Fine, you have to listen whether you want to or not, so just tell me and stop beating around the bush."

Zhang Chongyang stroked his beard, considered for a moment, and said, "It's simple, it's Li Daoyou's old specialty. I want you to kidnap someone for me: the Ruler of Xun Country, Sun Zhonghu."

"... You want me to storm into Tiger's Lair City and kill Tiger?" Li Fan rolled his eyes. "Are you kidding me? Okay, let's get straight to the point and start fighting."

But Zhang Chongyang was clearly not joking. He continued, "Coincidentally, I heard that in three days, the Ruler of Xun Country will go out of the palace to hunt tigers. At that time, someone will take the opportunity to stage a coup and assassinate him. Coincidentally, all the Divine Transformation cultivators of Xun will also be held back. This is the time for Brother Li to make his move. Tie up the Ruler of Xun Country and hand him over to my men, and your mission will be complete."

Li Fan frowned deeply. "... You want to save the Ruler of Xun Country? Why not just tell him there's a mutiny? Why go through all this charade..."

Zhang Chongyang chuckled, "No matter what you plan or scheme in this world, there will always be variables. But if my people are involved in the assassination, the rescue, and the kidnapping, then everything is under control and we're fully prepared, right? In short, if this matter is accomplished, I can offer three rewards, and you can choose one."

Then he raised his index finger, "First, Xunqi Captain, commanding the Forbidden Army Captain, who will be allowed to choose five magic treasures of the Divine Transformation Realm, with a reward of one hundred million coins."

Before Li Fan could even react in shock, Zhang Chongyang raised his second finger, "Secondly, the Three Palaces will issue an edict, proclaiming to the world, pardoning the Luo Feng Immortal Army, and clearing the name of the Luo Feng Immortal King's lineage."

Li Fan closed his agape, his brows furrowing.

Then Zhang Chongyang raised his third finger, "Thirdly, the Grand Tutor Manor personally intervened to help you revive the Beichen Sword Sect."

Li Fan thought for a while, then said, "Okay, I agree... Do you believe me?"

Zhang Chongyang smiled, put his hands behind his back, and said, "Why don't you believe me? I will send the detailed arrangements to your treasury. You can check them yourself after you return to your soul. Of course, you can also take the evidence to the authorities and see if the Ruler of Xun Country is willing to reward you with 100,000 coins. However, I have already told you my reward. You can choose one of the three rewards I just mentioned for capturing the person Sun Zhonghu handed over to me."

"By the way, I must remind you, a ruler cannot assassinate someone without some preparation. You have no karma for assassinating the tiger, so acting rashly will only bring trouble upon yourself. Although, whether alive or dead, I'll use them all the same to you."

He turned and took two steps, then turned back to Li Fan and smiled, "Brother Li, I admire your swordsmanship, but if you want to get something, you can't just talk about it without practicing."

You have the ability to make a name for yourself. If you can seize the opportunity, achieve some success, and demonstrate your true skills, perhaps I can recommend you to the Grand Tutor. Hehehe, hehehehe..."

Li Fan, his face grim, let the cowardly fellow chuckle sinisterly as he led his five Divine Transformation guards and the hundreds of the Immortal Palace generals who had secretly gathered around the library pavilion away.

Is this guy really just a commander of a thousand households...?