Library Pavilion

Vice President's Office,

Xiao Li had deservedly taken first place in the selection tournament, sweeping aside the Outer Academy's so-called geniuses through his own strength. Next, the Outer Academy "geniuses" would compete for the remaining four spots.

"You brat, did you do that just to make things difficult for me? Did you have to be so violent? Look at you—a Dou Ling bullying a few Dou Masters and Da Dou Shi, and you opened with an Earth Rank Battle Skill!

I know you're an Alchemist, that you have money, and that you have a powerful master, but how could you be so %&#(speech unclear, language ability lost)? Huff... huff... You're infuriating me to death!"

Hu Gan sprayed Xiao Li with spittle, yet he did not dare directly insult him.

"My mental state wasn't great, so I didn't control my strength properly." Xiao Li awkwardly scratched his cheek, then glanced from the corner of his eye at Hu Gan's newly bandaged right hand.

If Hu Gan had not intervened in time, some students might have been injured or killed.

"You brat! You're driving me mad! Hurry up and get to the Inner Academy—go wreak havoc there! My Outer Academy can't withstand an expert like you!" Hu Gan said furiously.

"Alright, you five, follow me. You are the top five of this selection tournament. According to the rules, you are qualified to enter the Library Pavilion and try your luck."

Hu Gan rose to his feet and walked to the wall behind him. He casually slapped it several times, and a deep rumble sounded. A pitch-black passage then appeared before Xiao Li and the others.

"There's more to this place than meets the eye!" Xiao Li exclaimed.

Hu Gan said, "Follow me."

After entering the passage, they found large luminous pearls embedded in the walls. Their faint glow cast a hazy light through the corridor. The atmosphere was silent, with only the soft rustle of footsteps echoing within.

They walked through the passage for nearly half an hour before a point of light finally appeared at its end. At the sight of it, the group quickened their pace. Soon, they reached the end of the passage and stepped out.

Blinding sunlight poured down from the sky, making it difficult for the other four to open their eyes. After a while, they slowly opened them, only to be startled by the sight before them.

Before Xiao Li and the others lay what was clearly a valley basin. Steep mountain walls stretched upward until they vanished beyond sight. Between the three cliff faces was an exceptionally broad clearing, upon which stood an enormous, heavy, ancient pavilion that left them speechless.

Their gazes slowly swept across the immense ancient pavilion before settling on an extremely old plaque outside it. Upon it, three characters, blurred by the erosion of time, faintly emerged.

Library Pavilion!

Hu Gan led Xiao Li and the others slowly toward the Library Pavilion. When they were nearly twenty meters away, he abruptly stopped and cupped his hands toward it.

"The top five of this Inner Academy Selection Tournament have been decided. According to the rules, I have brought them here. I ask the two elders to open the door!"

Two gray-robed figures appeared out of thin air before the previously empty Library Pavilion. Xiao Li was certain he had not blinked; the two gray-robed figures had appeared far too quickly.

These two must be Jia Nan Academy's hidden foundation—the Great Elders Qian Mu and Bai Lie. They should have reached the level of High-Rank Dou Ancestors long ago. Even in Central Continent, they would count as experts.

As Xiao Li pondered this, he suddenly felt two gazes upon him. Raising his head, he met the eyes of Qian Bai Er Lao.

Qian Bai Er Lao let out a soft "Eh?" One of the elders spoke. "May I know this young friend's name?"

The old man's voice was somewhat hoarse, yet it carried the weathered weight of accumulated years.

"This junior is Xiao Li. Greetings, Elders!" Xiao Li said, cupping his hands and bowing.

"Mm... Your Bone Age is sixteen, yet your cultivation has already reached the level of a Three-Star Dou Ling. You even show signs of advancing toward four stars. Your soul is actually stronger than that of most Rank 5 Alchemists!

"What extraordinary talent. Even in the genius-filled Central Continent, very few could compare to you."

Qian Mu said with a smile, "Hu Gan, you've recruited quite a fine student this time. I believe the Headmaster will be very pleased. As for the other little fellows, two Da Dou Shi and two Peak Dou Masters—just an ordinary level."

Hu Gan cupped his hands. "I ask the two elders to undo the Space Lock."

"Space Lock?"

Hu Gan explained with a smile, "This is a Space Lock, a barrier only a Dou Zun Expert can set up. The Headmaster left this Space Lock behind. Without the special method used by the two elders inside to open it, even a Dou Ancestor Expert could not force his way in."

(The original mentioned a senior of Jia Nan Academy. I directly made it Mang Tian Chi, since he is currently Jia Nan Academy's only Dou Zun. It is also reasonable for the Headmaster to have set this up.)

At the pavilion, Qian Bai Er Lao slowly extended two pairs of withered hands from their sleeves. They began forming hand seals, one finger and one seal at a time. As their seals changed, Xiao Li could clearly sense two extremely powerful invisible ripples spreading from their palms like waves.

The invisible ripples gradually spread until they finally came into contact with the Space Folds. The moment they touched, the space before Xiao Li and the others became like a mirror made of water, continuously rippling in rings. A moment later, the ripples ceased, and a door-shaped opening was slowly torn apart by an invisible giant hand.

Is this the spatial method that only Dou Ancestor Experts and even Dou Zun Experts can use? I wonder when I'll reach that level.

"Go in," Hu Gan said, beckoning to them.

Xiao Li was the first to enter the Library Pavilion. The other four exchanged glances and followed.

"Now, enter the Library Pavilion on your own. Remember, no matter what you wish to obtain, do not force it. Every item inside has an energy layer placed around it. If your hand can pass through that energy layer without obstruction, you may take the item within. Of course, no matter how many things you can pick up, you may only bring one item out of the Library Pavilion. Do not be greedy, or you will end up drawing water with a bamboo basket.

"If you cannot penetrate the energy layer, then give up. With your strength, you cannot break it. Every year, people enter the Library Pavilion, yet quite a few leave empty-handed. Therefore, everything depends on fate. Do not force what you cannot obtain."

Bai Lao's voice drifted over.

"The door will remain open for only one hour. After that hour, whether you have obtained what you need or not, you must come out."

After learning the Library Pavilion's rules, the five entered together. They had long been eager to see what treasures this mysterious Library Pavilion contained.

There had always been a rumor within the academy that an utterly ordinary senior had soared to greatness after entering the Library Pavilion. After cultivating in the Inner Academy for several years, he graduated as a Dou Wang and later became a powerhouse in his own right.