Treasure Retrieval

Standing outside the pavilion, Hu Gan saw that Xiao Ling and the others had entered. Smiling at the two gray-robed men seated cross-legged on the ground, he said, "Hehe, I'll have to trouble you two elders."

"Just doing our duty." The two mysterious figures entirely wrapped in gray robes did not even move, their hoarse, indifferent voices slowly sounding out.

"Now, go into the Library Pavilion yourselves. Remember, no matter what you wish to obtain, do not force it. Everything inside is covered by an energy barrier. If your hand can pass through that barrier without obstruction, then you may take the item within. Of course, no matter how many items you manage to pick up, you may only take one out of the Library Pavilion. Do not be greedy, or you will only end up drawing water with a bamboo basket." Pointing toward the Library Pavilion, Hu Gan turned to Xiao Ling and the others.

"And if you cannot pass through the energy barrier, then give up. With your strength, you cannot break them. People enter the Library Pavilion every year, yet quite a few still leave empty-handed. So let fate decide everything. Do not force what you cannot obtain."

Hearing this, Xiao Ling and the others nodded. After exchanging glances, they slowly raised their feet and headed toward the Library Pavilion.

After climbing the bluestone steps and arriving before the doors of the Scripture Pavilion, everyone looked at the plaque above them, which bore the words "Scripture Pavilion."

The plaque looked somewhat worn, yet it carried a soul-stirring force that filled everyone's hearts with a desolate feeling. Xiao Ling had expected this and was only slightly affected. After reminding the 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 wide, an ancient, desolate aura rushed toward them, making Xiao Ling and the others quickly steady their minds, not daring to entertain the slightest stray thought.

The wild-tempered Lin Yan took the lead and entered first, while the others followed him into the Library Pavilion one after another.

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

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

Hearing the doors behind them close tightly, everyone quickened their pace and advanced inward. Nearly five minutes later, pale yellow light appeared not far ahead. Their steps grew even faster, and soon they finally passed through the dark passage. Blazing light shone directly at them, making everyone tilt their heads slightly aside.

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

Xiao Ling stepped forward and said to everyone, "The treasures here are hidden within the light clusters. You need to break the light surrounding them to obtain what is inside. The higher the treasure's grade, the stronger the light cluster will be, and the harder it will be to break. If you spot any Dou Skills or cultivation methods suitable for someone else, help keep an eye out. If there are light clusters you cannot break, we'll work together to deal with them."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. They had deep bonds with one another, and helping each other would certainly yield better treasures than fighting alone.

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

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

He picked up the item inside and examined it, muttering, "An Intermediate Black Tier cultivation method, 'Profound Water Absolute.' This is useless to me."

Xiao Ling said, "Unless they're rare types, just toss aside any Cultivation Techniques and Dou Techniques below the Earth Tier. Show me if you find any medicinal herbs. I'm planning to get a Beast Flame. Is there anything you all want?"

Han Yue spoke softly from the side. "Just cultivation methods and Dou Skills, or high-quality medicinal pills. There's nothing in particular that I lack."

Hearing this, the others nodded in agreement as well.

Suddenly, more than a dozen light clusters flew out from within the pavilion. Leaving behind only the words, "Pick the light clusters with more energy inside," Xiao Ling sprinted ahead.

The others also raised their spirits and began selecting suitable treasures.

Xiao Ling did not blindly try to capture the light clusters. Instead, he watched every cluster that emerged, releasing his Soul Power and pushing 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. Its energy intensity was the strongest of any cluster Xiao Ling had sensed since entering.

Without further hesitation, Xiao Ling strode forward, leaped into the air, and reached out to firmly grasp the cyan light cluster 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 body and abundant Dou Qi, drawing out a pale cyan scroll from within.

Xiao Ling looked at it and read aloud the words written on it. "Wind attribute Earth Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique, 'Fierce Wind 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 he cultivated was wind attribute, making this Dou Technique extremely suitable for him.

"Of course I want it. This cultivation method is obviously perfect for my wind attribute Dou Qi, 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 laughed. "You got lucky, kid. When I need someone to fight with later, I'll call you. Don't chicken out when the time comes."

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

Shaking his head and no longer paying attention to him, Xiao Ling continued focusing on finding a Beast Flame, examining the light clusters with stronger fire attribute energy.

Half an hour later, everyone had selected their treasures. Han Yue and Lin Yan had each chosen an Earth Tier Mid-grade cultivation method, while Liu Qing had obtained an Earth Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique, "Calculated Bomb Fist." Only Xiao Ling had yet to find the Seventh-tier Illusion Gold Fire that Han Xian had found in the original story.

Xiao Ling could not help muttering inwardly, Could it be that the Beast Flame wasn't found in the Library Pavilion? If it comes to it, getting a High-grade Medicinal Herb wouldn't be unacceptable either.

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

Seeing his senior sister comfort him like this, Xiao Ling felt far less anxious. Smiling, he replied, "I'll leave it to fate. If a suitable Beast Flame still doesn't appear by the time runs out, then taking that Sky Jade Fruit will be fine too."

Before he could finish speaking, a blazing crimson ball of light suddenly shot out from the Scripture Pavilion, drawing Xiao Ling's gaze. Judging by the energy it emitted, it was slightly stronger than the light cluster containing "Fierce Wind Breath Severing Slash."

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Ling rushed toward it in a single stride, stepping on the bookshelves and leaping into the air. He activated the Suction Palm with all his strength, and the light cluster fell into his hand.

Relying on his familiarity with fire attribute Dou Qi, Xiao Ling directly pushed his hand through the light cluster and removed a porcelain bottle from within. Looking closely, he saw a blazing golden flame seed inside—it was the Seventh-tier Illusion Gold Fire.

Seeing this, everyone gathered around. Upon confirming that it truly was a seventh-tier Beast Flame, they all sighed at Xiao Ling's good fortune. He had actually managed to wait out a high-tier Beast Flame.

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

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

Putting away the bottle containing the Beast Flame, 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 further and followed closely behind him, leaving the Library Pavilion together.