Rerouting the Sutra Repository

After finishing the discussion about Tian Ying, Zhang Zhe asked Tian Yong, "Yingying encountered a sword immortal, but what about you? Did you gain anything?"

"Sigh, don't even mention it," Tian Yong replied, looking rather dejected.

As it turned out, he had just spent his points to exchange for two sword techniques before entering the dungeon, and since he hadn't even mastered those yet, he wasn't keen on picking up another.

Consequently, he didn't choose the swordsman path and opted for the scholar role instead.

He and his sister were much like the Li Family Uncle and Nephew; their initial spawn points were not far apart, and they met up shortly after stepping outside.

That was when they encountered the sword immortal.

However, that sword immortal was a woman, and she explicitly stated that he lacked the affinity for her teachings, making it inappropriate to instruct him.

Tian Yong, worried about his sister, didn't dare leave on his own; he waited until Tian Ying had learned the basics, and then the two of them were transported by the sword immortal's magic to the vicinity of Mount Lao.

Thus, in order to accompany his sister, he hadn't encountered any opportunities of his own.

Fortunately, while practicing his swordplay, the sword immortal would occasionally offer a pointer or two, allowing him to become proficient in the two new sword techniques he had acquired.

The reason for his gloom and sense of loss was that after hearing about the experiences of Ling Qing and Zhang Zhe, he felt his own journey had been too mundane, wishing he could have been the one to subdue tigers and slay ghosts in their stead.

Although he was a retired soldier, he had always harbored a deep fascination for wielding a sword to uphold justice.

Fortunately, Tian Yong was a straightforward man, and he soon let it go, setting his sights on Mount Lao instead.

He resolved to be sincere in his worship and seek immortal arts within the mountains, so that he might better uphold justice and slay demons across the world.

Otherwise, he couldn't rely on his sword immortal sister to protect him forever.

While chatting and laughing, they arrived at the living quarters. The women had a separate courtyard, so the three men parted ways with Tian Ying at the entrance.

After agreeing to meet later for a stroll through the temple, Ling Qing and the others returned to their dormitory.

The three of them called over the Li Family Uncle and Nephew to introduce Tian Yong.

Only then did they learn that the person who had been sharing their room had left that day, and Tian Yong happened to be the replacement moving in.

Normally, they should have been happy about such a coincidence, but everyone fell into a somber silence.

Although they all knew that some would inevitably be unable to endure the hardships of the mountain, they hadn't expected it to happen so soon.

Barely ten days had passed, and someone was already leaving.

This was the first gifted individual to leave, but he would not be the last.

They had been on the mountain for a few days now, and through this trial, Ling Qing understood that life on the mountain was indeed arduous.

The hardship was genuine; every day pushed everyone to the limits of their exhaustion.

No matter how much progress you made, you were always kept in a state of extreme fatigue.

It wasn't as if finding a method today would make things easier tomorrow.

Rather, you were just as exhausted regardless of how diligent you were.

Unless you sat there and did nothing, even walking with empty shoulder poles would not be easy.

"Everyone has their own destiny."

Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Li Li spoke up suddenly.

"We only need to focus on ourselves. If we persist, even if we gain nothing in the end, this tempering itself is a reward."

"That's true, let's all work hard together."

Hearing this, Ling Qing and the others felt it made sense; after all, being able to enter the dungeon was a gain for everyone.

With that, they stopped overthinking and began discussing where to go for a walk.

As they spoke, they walked out of the courtyard.

"Brother!"

Hearing the call, everyone looked up and saw Tian Ying waving at them, with two other young women standing beside her.

After some introductions, it turned out these two were Tian Ying's new roommates.

Although there were few people in the women's quarters, they were also housed three to a room.

This atmosphere made everyone feel a strange sense of familiarity.

It felt as if they had returned to the days of college dormitory mixers.

"Since there are three young ladies with us today, let's not go to the training grounds to watch the senior brothers practice martial arts."

"Let's go visit those spots with the beautiful night views instead," Zhang Zhe suggested.

After the introductions and once everyone had grown more comfortable with each other, Zhang Zhe made his proposal.

Later that evening, while wandering about, the four of them encountered the senior brothers practicing martial arts.

Some of the more easygoing senior brothers allowed them to watch and would even explain some of the finer points of their techniques.

Thus, whenever they ran into approachable senior brothers over the past few days, they would take the opportunity to ask for advice.

While Zhang Zhe wasn't the type to lose his head over a pretty face, he was a fun-loving person.

Naturally, he understood that it would be inappropriate to take the young ladies out for the first time only to spend the evening watching senior brothers practice martial arts.

"Sounds good, though we have to see the scenery and watch the senior brothers practice martial arts. It would be best if we could take the opportunity to ask for some pointers."

A girl named Yang Liyi, who looked rather spirited, said with a smile.

"Exactly, exactly! We know which of the senior brothers are easier to talk to," Li Qing added enthusiastically.

The three girls were about the same age as him; they looked youthful and beautiful, and their figures were quite fit from practicing martial arts.

With his blood and qi surging, he naturally felt a stir in his heart.

After all, a fair maiden is a gentleman's desire.

Beside him, Ling Qing noticed that Tian Ying seemed to have something on her mind.

He leaned in slightly and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? Do you have any thoughts?"

"It's nothing." Tian Ying glanced at him and replied in a similarly soft tone, "I was just wondering if we could go to the Scripture Depository Hall and ask if we're allowed inside. Before finding that senior brother, I wanted to look up some classics myself and familiarize myself with the sword techniques. But it's fine, let's just walk around together today."

The Scripture Pavilion!

Ling Qing was stunned upon hearing this. That's right, he hadn't thought of that at all. He had always assumed he had to pass the master's trials before he could study the Dao with the senior brothers and enter the gate step by step. He had forgotten whether it was possible to study on his own. If the Scripture Pavilion had no restrictions and allowed everyone to browse the classics, then even if he couldn't learn anything profound, he could at least read through the scriptures.

Moreover, as Tian Ying had considered, he could search for the same cryptic terminology found in the main volume of the Spirit Restraint and Transformation Method. By consulting the classics to understand their meanings—and perhaps asking the senior brothers for guidance—he could decipher the scriptures sooner and grasp the essence of the main volume earlier. It would be ideal if he could use the temple's collection to identify the origin and meaning of the characters in the original text.

He had always been focused on how to pass the trials so he could listen to his master's teachings and walk the path to immortality step by step. But he had forgotten that while the master leads you through the door, the cultivation that follows is up to the individual. Seeking immortality is something one must pursue for oneself, rather than waiting for others to push you along the path of the Dao. Even before officially entering, one could at least preview the material.

Thinking of this, Ling Qing could no longer contain himself. He stepped forward and said loudly, "Everyone!"

Whether it was the petty thoughts that had subconsciously surfaced earlier or the desire to sightsee, everything was cast to the back of his mind.

As the others turned to look at him, he continued, "I wonder if you all would be interested in heading to the Scripture Depository Hall together to take a look."

The others were taken aback by his words, but they quickly reacted.

"Interested, definitely interested! Let's go together, let's go!"