Revealing himself

A few breaths later, Wu Bai saw two gray figures slowly emerge from space.

It was his first time seeing experts of this caliber, who could actually travel through space. His eyes widened.

Suddenly, two intensely probing gazes swept toward him. Wu Bai held nothing back, immediately wrapping himself and Han Yue in soul power.

After a brief standoff, the two gray figures withdrew their gazes, finding that they could not penetrate his defenses.

"This year's students are quite impressive."

"Hehe, sorry for the trouble, elders."

"We're merely doing our duty."

Hu Gan lightly nudged Wu Bai's arm and gave him an approving look.

Well done. Those two old fellows needed to be put in their place, or they would think we had no talented students left.

Wu Bai nodded slightly, his gaze settling on the two figures in gray robes—or, more precisely, on their movements.

Space was everywhere, yet normally impossible to touch. In their hands, however, it flowed like water.

"That is a Space Lock, something only a Dou Zun expert can create. These two Peak Dou Zong have to use a special method to open it."

"Oh, space..."

Wu Bai blinked, his heart filled with astonishment.

"Teacher, were you the one speaking just now?"

"Who else?"

The Yellow Springs Demon Saint rolled his eyes. Why was this brat acting foolish again?

"But... at a time like this, shouldn't you cut off the connection between our auras so they don't discover you?"

"Those two Peak Dou Zong aren't quite up to the task. Once they reach Dou Zun, I'll consider whether I need to hide."

Something seemed to occur to the Yellow Springs Demon Saint, and he teased, "Silly boy, don't forget that your teacher is the Yellow Springs Demon Saint, not that pill-refining fellow."

"Understood, Teacher."

Wu Bai nodded slightly. His teacher was right.

How could Yao Chen, with his Heavenly Realm soul, compare to the methods of the Yellow Springs Demon Saint, who had once attained an Emperor Realm soul?

While master and disciple chatted, the Space Lock was opened.

"Once you enter, you will see many balls of light. Remember, however, that you only have one hour. Take whatever you can get, and don't be greedy. If a ball of light is truly beyond your reach, give it up. That is better than returning empty-handed."

"Yes, Vice Dean. We'll remember."

"Good. Go, then. Also, make absolutely sure you don't touch the transparent walls on either side. Even I won't be able to save you if you do."

Only after finishing his instructions did Hu Gan allow them into the Library Pavilion.

Once inside the Library Pavilion, their attention quickly shifted to the balls of light flying about.

The hour passed quickly, and all five emerged from the Library Pavilion.

Judging by their expressions, each had gained something worthwhile.

As they came out, another pulse swept over each of them. Seeing that it was scanning their Storage Rings, Wu Bai did not resist it with his soul power.

Back at the dormitory, Han Yue handed Wu Bai a Cold Jade Box.

Inside was the excellent medicinal herb she had just brought out of the Library Pavilion, valuable enough to serve as the main ingredient for a seventh-tier medicinal pill.

As Wu Bai accepted it, an elderly figure appeared before Han Yue.

"I'm very pleased with my disciple's wife. Hehe..."

"Your disciple's wife?"

Han Yue blushed slightly and hurriedly gave him a respectful bow.

"Yue'er pays her respects, honored elder."

"No need to be so formal. Sit down and chat."

The Yellow Springs Demon Saint smiled, showing none of the airs one might expect from a legendary figure of the past.

Just half an hour earlier, Han Yue had unhesitatingly discarded the Earth Tier Dou Technique she had already obtained to help Wu Bai bring out that medicinal herb. That act had earned the young woman his approval.

At least at this moment, her feelings for his disciple were unquestionably sincere.

"I saw how you felt about this wooden-headed disciple of mine. As his teacher, I naturally can't stand by and do nothing."

"Honored elder, I'm in no hurry. Besides, with Little Bai here, Earth Tier cultivation methods and combat skills are only a matter of time."

"I certainly have no doubts about this blockhead's alchemy, even though I'm not an alchemist myself."

The Yellow Springs Demon Saint paused and shook his head slightly. "But, little girl, do you really think fine Earth Tier cultivation methods and combat skills are so easy to obtain through trade?"

"Well... they should be, shouldn't they?"

Han Yue was no longer certain. The Han Family held a respectable position, but they had never dealt with anyone at the level of a seventh-tier alchemist.

"Even I can't say for certain. Some luck is involved."

"Yue'er, don't stand on ceremony with Teacher. He has a very extensive collection."

"All right."

Hearing this, Han Yue obediently nodded.

At the sight, the Yellow Springs Demon Saint shook his head helplessly.

"Well, well. Nothing I say works, but one word from that brat and you agree?"

Despite his words, the Yellow Springs Demon Saint was delighted that his disciple had found a woman who truly loved him.

The next moment, the Yellow Springs Demon Saint touched a finger to Wu Bai's forehead.

Once he finished transferring the information, he returned to the little stone sphere resting against Wu Bai's chest.

Seeing Wu Bai close his eyes, Han Yue's eyes flickered with worry.

"Little Bai, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Teacher just gave me a few too many cultivation methods and combat skills for you all at once. I need a moment to recover before I can pass them on."

Wu Bai rubbed his forehead and buried his face against Han Yue's chest.

Something seemed to occur to Han Yue, and the blush on her face refused to fade.

Two minutes later, Wu Bai first passed the cultivation method to Han Yue.

"A High Earth Tier cultivation method: Words of Ice..."

Han Yue needed a moment to collect herself as well. She had truly never expected a cultivation method of this rank.

More importantly, the cultivation method came with extraordinarily detailed annotations. Anyone who was not a fool could master this High Earth Tier cultivation method step by step.

Overcome with excitement, Han Yue hugged Wu Bai tightly.

She had only discarded a Low Earth Tier Dou Technique. Before reaching Dou Wang, she could not fully unleash the power of an Earth Tier Dou Technique anyway, so losing it was no great matter.

And with Wu Bai's alchemy, he could surely make up for a Low Earth Tier Dou Technique.

No matter how she looked at it, she had lost nothing.

Yet she had never expected to receive a High Earth Tier cultivation method less than an hour later.

A cultivation method of this rank was utterly beyond the Han Family's reach. The few Earth Tier cultivation methods they possessed were all Low Earth Tier.

To Han Yue, however, something mattered even more than the cultivation method: Wu Bai had finally accepted her.

He had even let her see the elderly man in soul form. Was that not proof that he trusted her enough?

That means I already have a place in Little Bai's heart—and a very important one at that.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have let that elder reveal himself.

A soul without a physical body isn't very powerful. If others discover him, he'll be in terrible danger.

I think I heard that the Hall of Souls specializes in capturing souls. If they learn about this, they'll definitely hunt Little Bai down.

I must never let anyone know about this. I absolutely cannot betray Little Bai's trust!