Library Pavilion

Hearing that the gray-robed man had actually set Hu Gan aside to question Xiao Qing, everyone present was stunned.

They then turned their strange gazes toward Xiao Qing.

Xiao Qing was equally surprised.

Being asked whether he had a master was a privilege not even Xiao Yan had received after refining the Green Lotus Core Flame in the original story.

But considering his age and cultivation, it no longer seemed strange.

Though countless thoughts ran through his mind, Xiao Qing kept his expression calm and cupped his hands. "This junior already has a master. Fire Elder of the Alchemy Department is my teacher."

Hearing Xiao Qing's answer, Hundred Elder first felt a wave of regret, then asked in surprise, "Oh? Then you're also an alchemist?"

Reaching Eight-Star Da Dou Shi at the age of seven was already astonishing. Did he actually still have the energy to study alchemy as well?

If that was true, then this little fellow's talent was a little too outrageous, wasn't it?

At that thought, the two exchanged glances, and a trace of shock flashed through both their eyes.

Xiao Qing nodded without denying it.

"That is correct. This junior can now refine Fifth Grade medicinal pills."

The reason he had not called himself a Fifth Grade alchemist was that he had yet to take the Fifth Grade alchemist assessment in the Alchemy Department.

However, given his current pill-refining ability, saying so was not boasting.

After all, he truly had refined Fifth Grade medicinal pills.

"What?!"

Upon hearing Xiao Qing's words, the two could no longer sit still.

A seven-year-old Eight-Star Da Dou Shi was already enough to astonish them, but adding the ability to refine Fifth Grade medicinal pills...

Neither of them dared to think any further.

Thousand Elder's gaze sharpened as he stared at Xiao Qing with immense pressure. "Little friend, are you certain your words are true?"

Hundred Elder, watching from the side, did not speak to stop him.

If it was true, then so be it. But if Xiao Qing was trying to deceive them just to gain their attention...

The two would not do anything to Xiao Qing, but they would certainly think less of him.

No matter how monstrous one's talent was, it would still be wasted if one's character was lacking.

Facing Thousand Elder's oppressive gaze, Xiao Qing suppressed the discomfort in his heart, straightened his chest, and cupped his hands. "Every word this junior has spoken is true. There has been no deception!"

As Xiao Qing's words fell, the pressure in Thousand Elder's gaze immediately vanished, replaced by kindness.

Unlike those inexperienced Elders of Jia Nan Academy,

the two of them had once traveled through the Central Plains with the Headmaster for a time.

They therefore understood clearly what Xiao Qing's talent represented.

An Eight-Star Da Dou Shi at the age of seven would be considered a top genius even in a force like the Four Pavilions, one guarded by Dou Zun experts!

Of course, such talent might not amount to much across the entire Central Plains. After all, some Dou Zun experts would seek high-grade medicinal pills to establish the foundation of their descendants while they were still in the womb.

But a genius capable of refining Fifth Grade medicinal pills at the age of seven—forget seeing one, the two had never even heard of one!

The Thousand and Hundred Elders did not believe Xiao Qing could lie before them.

Considering that others were present, the two did not say much more.

"May we know your name, little friend?"

"This junior is Xiao Qing."

Xiao Qing answered with cupped hands.

The two nodded slightly, committing Xiao Qing's name to memory.

Hundred Elder shifted his gaze toward Hu Gan, his voice carrying a hint of praise. "The quality of this year's top five is much higher than in previous years."

Hearing this, Hu Gan recovered from his shock at learning that Xiao Qing could already refine Fifth Grade medicinal pills.

Cupping his hands, he smiled. "In that case, may I ask the two Elders to undo the Space Lock."

"Space Lock?" The unfamiliar name left the other four, aside from Xiao Qing, stunned.

The Thousand and Hundred Elders outside the pavilion slowly extended two pairs of withered hands from their sleeves, then began forming seals one finger at a time.

Xiao Qing and the others could clearly sense two extremely powerful invisible fluctuations emanating from their palms.

The invisible fluctuations gradually spread outward before finally coming into contact with the spatial folds protecting the Library Pavilion.

As the two met, the space before Xiao Qing and the others rippled endlessly like a mirror made of water.

A moment later, the ripples ceased, and an invisible giant hand tore open a door.

"Let's go."

Seeing the entrance, Hu Gan waved his hand and took the lead in walking inside, with Xiao Qing and the others following close behind.

Upon entering the invisible doorway, Xiao Qing discovered that the Library Pavilion before him had become clearer, and an ancient desolation washed over him.

Standing outside the pavilion, Hu Gan smiled and cupped his hands toward the Thousand and Hundred Elders, who were seated cross-legged on the ground. "Many thanks for your trouble, Elders."

"It is merely our duty." The Thousand and Hundred Elders' tones were calm beneath their gray robes, and neither of them even moved.

"Now enter the Library Pavilion on your own. Remember, no matter what you wish to obtain, you must not force it. Everything within is covered by an energy barrier. If your hand can pass through the energy barrier without obstruction, then you may take the item within. Of course, each of you may only bring one item out of the Library Pavilion."

"Also, you only have one hour. Once that hour is up, whether or not you have obtained what you need, you must come out."

Pointing toward the Library Pavilion, Hu Gan turned and instructed Xiao Qing and the others.

Xiao Qing and the others nodded slightly. After exchanging glances, they headed toward the Library Pavilion.

Once the group reached the entrance of the Library Pavilion, Thousand Elder lightly flicked his sleeve. The tightly shut doors slowly opened with a creak, revealing the dim passage within.

Seeing this, Xiao Qing, who was leading the way, kept his expression unchanged and stepped inside. The other four followed immediately.

After all five entered the Library Pavilion, the open doors slowly closed again.

Once the doors had shut, the Thousand and Hundred Elders, seated cross-legged on the ground, slowly raised their heads and turned their gazes toward Hu Gan.

Sensing their gazes, Hu Gan asked in confusion, "Do the two Elders have something to ask?"

"Tell us in detail about Xiao Qing's circumstances."

Inside the Library Pavilion.

As the doors behind them slowly closed, pale yellow light shone from somewhere ahead.

Seeing this, Xiao Qing and the others quickened their pace toward it.

Before long, they passed through the dim corridor, and brilliant light poured over them.

Before Xiao Qing and the others was a spacious room. Nearly a dozen energy barriers were embedded in the surrounding walls, each slowly expanding and contracting with light, illuminating the room as brightly as day.

"There's nothing here?"

"Could it be that we need to put our hands through those energy barriers in the walls?"

A young man with an honest-looking face scratched his head at the sight before him and voiced his confusion.

Just as he finished speaking, a faint sound of something cutting through the air echoed through the room.

Xiao Qing and the others followed the sound, only to see a streak of red light shoot out from one of the energy barriers in the wall.