Zhang Yuan discovered that he had lost all connection to his body. His consciousness had completely transcended it, and his Soul Power had become independent. ☞💔 ☠🌷
Yet he felt no fear, because the Thunder God Visualization Diagram transmitted the sound of drums, steadying his mind. A special force had appeared within his soul; with just one final push, he could reach the Spirit Realm. This was a prerequisite for Alchemists refining Rank 8 Pills, something the vast majority of Dou Zuns could never possess.
Lightning beyond his comprehension also appeared within the Visualization Diagram. It blasted a path through the void with clear purpose, carrying his consciousness upward. In an instant, he crossed ten thousand zhang, then tens of thousands, then millions.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhang Yuan felt as though he had become lightning itself. He witnessed countless magnificent sights, yet could retain none of them in his memory. In the end, he arrived before a towering stone pagoda whose end could not be seen, one that radiated an incomparably ancient aura.
With Zhang Yuan's current realm, he could not discern the depths of this pagoda at all. He could only sense its vastness, antiquity, and supreme majesty. However, the Thunder God Visualization Diagram passed him a message: the two characters "Futuo."
Futuo? Futuo Tower?
Could this be the Futuo Ancestral Pagoda of the Great Thousand World's Futuo Ancient Clan!?
It was not that Zhang Yuan's imagination was particularly wild. Before his "accident," he had just met a woman named Qing Yanjing.
The Great Thousand World had five Ancient Clans that had existed for hundreds of thousands of years, and the Futuo Ancient Clan was one of them. It had three major lineages, one of which was the Qing Lineage. Qing Yanjing was a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius of her clan.
The Futuo Ancient Clan possessed a clan-protecting Sacred Artifact at the level of a Sacred Grade Peerless Sacred Artifact. Its power was boundless; at full strength, it could suppress and kill a Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereign. It was also the source of cultivation for the Futuo Ancient Clan's members.
An ancient supreme pagoda named "Futuo," together with a woman named Qing Yanjing—it was difficult for Zhang Yuan not to draw a connection.
Before he could think further, the drums sounded once more. He discovered that his consciousness passed through the ancient pagoda without encountering the slightest obstruction, arriving in a boundless space filled with a mysterious aura.
The most eye-catching sight in this space was undoubtedly the seven bright moons hanging in the sky. All were purple, gorgeous yet not gaudy, noble and cool, unmatched since ancient times. They were linked together, containing some profound mystery.
Zhang Yuan was drawn to the seven moons and became utterly absorbed, unable to pull himself free. He failed to notice the mysterious aura around him gathering and solidifying, with an extremely tiny strand merging into the depths of his consciousness.
"Boom!"
The drums sounded again, like divine thunder exploding, instantly restoring clarity to Zhang Yuan's consciousness.
Immediately afterward, he felt as though time were flowing backward. His consciousness withdrew from the ancient pagoda and began sinking continuously.
At that moment, he inexplicably looked into the distance. There was an endless expanse of Boundless Divine Light, forming an indescribably mysterious curtain of light. Spiritual radiance surged within it, containing inconceivable power that made one unable to even entertain the thought of peering into it.
Zhang Yuan felt the Thunder God Visualization Diagram stir in the depths of his Sea of Consciousness, allowing him to see an ancient, simple, indescribable character somewhere within that boundless light curtain: "Ye."
Ye?
Zhang Yuan had read The Great Ruler, and after his Soul Power improved, he could recall every detail even more clearly.
Could this light curtain be the manifestation of the legendary Great Thousand World Will—the Azure Vault Ranking, which only those above Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereigns could invoke after sensing the World Will?
He remembered that only one person had currently left a surname on the Azure Vault Ranking: the Immortal Great Emperor, whose surname was Ye.
"So this is the Azure Vault Ranking?"
Zhang Yuan could not help wanting to take another look.
This was the manifestation of the World Will that only existences above Saint Grade Heavenly Sovereigns could attempt to invoke.
With the help of the Thunder God Visualization Diagram, he had seen it in advance. Perhaps the World Will would think more highly of him?
Maybe it would even grant him the halo of a Child of Destiny.
Unfortunately, when he tried to look again, he found that the scene before him had already returned to normal.
As far as he could see, Meng Xing, Qing Yanjing, and Qin Hai were still looking at him with different emotions in their eyes.
If he could not feel that his Soul Power was overflowing, with only one final step remaining before the Spirit Realm, he would have believed everything just now had been an illusion.
"Everyone, we meet again."
Zhang Yuan responded with a smile. No one could tell that he had just undergone something so strange.
However, he was secretly considering how he could get to know Qing Yanjing.
The Thunder God Visualization Diagram had not reacted early or late, but had shown an anomaly precisely when he came into close contact with Qing Yanjing. There had to be some special reason behind it.
At that moment, Meng Xu spoke. "Sir, since you know them, why don't we find somewhere quiet and sit down together?"
Both Qin Hai and Meng Xing showed expectant expressions, clearly hoping Zhang Yuan would agree.
Qing Yanjing wore a veil, making it impossible to see her expression clearly, but her eyes remained calm.
Zhang Yuan silently praised Meng Xu's assist in his heart. Pretending to hesitate, he said, "I have been in seclusion for several days, and I must carry out military duties again tomorrow. I have not had a proper meal yet. Is there a good place to eat in Qingyun Town?"
"Yes, there is." Qin Hai immediately said, "Miss Qing's Myriad Books Pavilion specializes in exquisite cuisine. Ordinary people cannot even get a meal there."
"Oh?" Zhang Yuan looked somewhat surprised as he turned to Qing Yanjing. "Isn't the Myriad Books Pavilion a place that sells books?"
"Of course it sells books." Qing Yanjing nodded lightly. Her voice possessed a magic that cleared the mind as she said, "Every book is a kind of delicacy. Ten thousand people read ten thousand books, yet taste countless flavors."
Zhang Yuan had not expected such an answer. He was briefly stunned, then smiled. "Interesting. Food satisfies the appetite, while reading nourishes the spirit. Reading truly is a kind of delicacy."
Qing Yanjing was quite surprised by Zhang Yuan's insight. After pondering it carefully several times, her beautiful eyes held more surprise, along with a measure of agreement.
In the past, whenever people heard that the Myriad Books Pavilion not only sold books but also operated as a restaurant, they might not say it aloud, but disdain would appear in their eyes. They thought it neither one thing nor the other.
In truth, the Myriad Books Pavilion had not originally been called the Myriad Books Pavilion. It had been called the Myriad Vegetable Pavilion, famed for its medicinal cuisine. Its finest dishes could rival the effects of Second-grade pills, and their flavor was superb, making them renowned throughout the Imperial Capital.
However, beginning more than ten years ago, the Myriad Vegetable Pavilion began to decline, eventually falling to the point where it could only operate a shop in Qingyun Town. Qing Yanjing was now the one in charge, and she was also its best cook.
Yet she did not often cook herself. Instead, she preferred locking herself in her room to read. Over time, she began selling books as well, and the Myriad Vegetable Pavilion became the Myriad Books Pavilion.
"Your words make considerable sense, Commandant." Qing Yanjing gave a slight curtsy. "For those words alone, I must invite you to honor the Myriad Books Pavilion with your presence. I will certainly give it my all."
"It is a deal." Zhang Yuan readily agreed. "I shall first return to the military camp to wash up. I will come over at the second quarter of the You hour. How does that sound?"
No one had any objections.
Afterward, Zhang Yuan rode back to camp. He first sought out Qin Zhenming to confirm their departure time for the following day, then took a comfortable bath. After changing into clean clothes, he prepared to head to Qingyun Town for the appointment.
However, at the city gate, he was stopped by a Black Armored Guard holding a token and brought to a nearby teahouse.
Princess Yaoye, dressed in ordinary clothes, sat alone at a table drinking tea.
When she saw Zhang Yuan, she said, "I heard you're going to the Myriad Books Pavilion?"
Zhang Yuan was not surprised that Princess Yaoye knew. He had agreed to it in public, after all.
"Yes. Would Your Highness like to come along?" Zhang Yuan asked with a smile.
"I do not wish to die, so naturally I will not go." Princess Yaoye set down her teacup and said solemnly, "I came to advise you not to go, and especially not to have too much contact with that demoness Qing Yanjing."
"Otherwise, you will not even know how you died."
Zhang Yuan: ???
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