As Liu Yichen's fingers brushed against the pages of the ancient tome, a surge of energy flooded his mind. It felt like countless nimble serpents weaving through his neural pathways, imprinting the book's contents into his memory with crystal clarity. Each character glowed faintly, etching itself into the depths of his consciousness. The Scripture Pavilion's books were imbued with spiritual energy, thin threads of qi that coiled around the pages. As Liu Yichen absorbed the knowledge, traces of this energy seeped into his mind alongside the information.
"Photographic memory?!" Liu Yichen's heart raced with excitement. His Divine Eye had unlocked an astonishing ability! He felt like a starving man presented with a feast, his eyes devouring the shelves with voracious hunger.
One book, two books, three books... He flipped through them at an astonishing pace, the knowledge rushing into his mind like a roaring river. It felt as though his brain was being rapidly filled, each piece of information solid and tangible. The first floor's martial techniques were swept into his memory like fallen leaves in an autumn breeze. The thrill of mastering so much knowledge overwhelmed him, and he couldn't help but laugh aloud. His laughter echoed through the pavilion, startling a few gray sparrows nesting in the corners. They fluttered away, stirring up small clouds of dust.
As he continued to absorb the ancient knowledge, he felt a subtle yet profound change within himself. The influx of spiritual energy from the books, combined with the rapid assimilation of martial techniques, began to resonate with his cultivation base. A warm, tingling sensation spread through his meridians, and he realized that his cultivation had advanced.
He paused for a moment, closing his eyes to focus inward. His dantian, the core of his spiritual energy, pulsed with a steady rhythm, and the faint glow of starlight seemed to emanate from within him. It was unmistakable—he had broken through to the first level of the Star Observation Realm.
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. The Star Observation Realm was a significant milestone for any cultivator, marking the beginning of true mastery over one's spiritual energy. At this level, his senses would sharpen, his control over qi would become more refined, and his connection to the natural world would deepen. The faint starlight within him was a sign that his cultivation had aligned with the celestial forces, a hallmark of the Star Observation Realm.
Liu Yichen opened his eyes, his gaze now even more piercing than before. The world around him seemed clearer, more vibrant, as if he were seeing it through a lens of pure starlight. He could feel the faint threads of qi in the air, the subtle vibrations of energy that connected all things. The Scripture Pavilion, with its ancient tomes and spiritual aura, felt like a treasure trove waiting to be fully unlocked.
With renewed determination, he turned back to the shelves. The first level of the Star Observation Realm had only heightened his hunger for knowledge. He resumed his voracious reading, flipping through books at an astonishing pace. The knowledge continued to flood his mind, each page adding to the vast repository of martial techniques and ancient wisdom now stored within him. The thrill of progress, the joy of discovery, and the boundless possibilities ahead filled him with an unshakable sense of purpose.
The air in the Scripture Pavilion carried an ancient, almost sacred aura—a blend of aged paper and the lingering presence of countless cultivators who had come before. This atmosphere seemed to enhance focus, aiding in the absorption of knowledge.
Elated, Liu Yichen made his way to the staircase leading to the second floor. The wooden steps creaked softly under his weight. But as soon as he set foot on the first step, a searing pain shot through his skull. It felt like countless needles piercing his brain, accompanied by a faint, eerie sizzling sound. He stifled a groan.
In the world of cultivation, each floor of the Scripture Pavilion was protected by subtle barriers to prevent low-level disciples from venturing too far. Liu Yichen's mental overload had triggered the barrier's warning mechanism.
"Warning! Host's mental capacity is overloading. Continued use of the Divine Eye risks catastrophic mental collapse!" The Profound Spirit System's voice was cold and unyielding, like an icy spike driving into his thoughts.
Liu Yichen broke out in a cold sweat, beads of perspiration rolling down his forehead and soaking his robes. He immediately deactivated the Divine Eye.
The pain gradually subsided, but the experience left him shaken. After a moment of rest, he cautiously ascended to the second floor. This time, he refrained from his earlier frenzy, carefully selecting three martial techniques suited to his needs: Stellar River Sword Art, Profound Darkness Bodyguard Technique, and Lingbo Microsteps. The second floor's shelves were surrounded by faint, shimmering lights—emanations of spiritual energy from the techniques themselves. Each technique's aura varied in color and frequency, reflecting its quality and nature.
As he descended to complete the borrowing process, the pavilion's master, Wu Aohai, noticed the three books in his hands.
"Are you certain you wish to borrow these?" Wu Aohai asked, stroking his beard.
"Absolutely," Liu Yichen replied firmly.
Wu Aohai chuckled. "Good! I admire your ambition, young man. If you have any questions, feel free to seek me out." He paused, then added, "As an outer disciple, you are entitled to ten Star Stones each month. You may exchange them for cultivation resources at the Resource Hall."
As Wu Aohai spoke, Liu Yichen noticed a faint golden sheen on the elder's beard, as if it had been dusted with the pavilion's ancient aura. He also sensed subtle, watchful gazes—likely the pavilion's hidden sentinels monitoring his every move.
After thanking Wu Aohai, Liu Yichen turned and headed for the exit.
The moment he stepped outside, he was hit by a wave of heat and noise. The air was thick with the scent of incense, likely from distant disciples practicing their cultivation. The clamor of voices washed over him like a tidal wave, each wave crashing louder than the last.
Squinting against the sunlight, Liu Yichen took in the scene before him: the open square in front of the Scripture Pavilion was packed with people. Outer disciples in green robes, inner disciples in blue, and even a few core disciples in ornate attire stood shoulder to shoulder. Their eyes gleamed with curiosity and excitement, as if they were witnessing something extraordinary.
Whispers and murmurs reached his ears: "That's Liu Yichen, right?" "I saw him go into the Scripture Pavilion." "I heard he borrowed three earth-grade techniques!" The noise buzzed around him like a swarm of flies, making his temples throb.
Liu Yichen's expression darkened. He felt like a spectacle, a clown on display. Anger bubbled up inside him, his fists clenching so tightly that his palms grew damp with sweat. He was about to shout at the crowd when a clear, commanding voice cut through the noise.
"What are you all doing here? Disperse at once!"
The voice was like a mountain spring, cool and refreshing amidst the chaos. A faint ripple of spiritual energy accompanied it, a subtle but unmistakable display of authority.
Liu Yichen turned to see a tall, graceful woman in a blue martial outfit striding toward him. Her black hair was tied into a high ponytail that swayed with her movements, and her sharp eyes radiated confidence. The intricate patterns on her robe shimmered faintly in the sunlight, hinting at her status as an inner disciple.
This was He Lanfei, a mid-level inner disciple.
Her presence alone was enough to silence the crowd. The onlookers exchanged uneasy glances before scattering like leaves in the wind.
He Lanfei approached Liu Yichen with a warm smile. "Junior Brother Liu, I was worried you'd stay in the Scripture Pavilion forever."
Liu Yichen felt a surge of gratitude. He bowed slightly. "Thank you, Senior Sister, for your assistance."
He Lanfei waved it off with a light laugh. "No need for formalities. Come, I've arranged your accommodations."
As they walked, He Lanfei explained the sect's structure and key points for newcomers. Her voice was soothing, like a gentle breeze, and her words flowed effortlessly. Along the path, they passed strange, fragrant flowers—spiritual plants with various uses in cultivation, from enhancing physical strength to refining spiritual energy.
Liu Yichen learned that disciples' living quarters were divided into four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Mystic, and Yellow. As a new recruit, he was assigned to the Yellow-tier residence.
They arrived at a modest yet elegant courtyard named "Dragon's Rest." Bamboo groves surrounded the area, their leaves rustling softly in the wind. The bamboo was a low-grade spiritual plant, known for its calming effects on the mind.
"This will be your home, Junior Brother Liu. If you need anything, don't hesitate to find me," He Lanfei said, preparing to leave.
Liu Yichen suddenly called out, "Senior Sister He, wait."