bookandnovel Chapter 14625 The Myriad Paths Scripture Pavilion
Chapter 14625 The Myriad Paths Scripture Pavilion
Chapter 14625 The Myriad Paths Scripture Pavilion
"Grandpa, why didn't you take that sword?" the white-robed youth asked, puzzled. He was the old man's grandson, the leading figure of the younger generation of the Holy Temple, Saint Shepherd Bai.
The old man gazed at the black and white chess pieces on the board and said softly, "Saint Shepherd Bai, do you know that in that game just now, I used seventy percent of my strength?"
Saint Shepherd's pupils suddenly contracted, and he exclaimed in shock, "He actually forced you to use seventy percent of your strength? That's impossible! He's just a junior who has just stepped into the Breaking Realm!"
"It wasn't him who forced me to do it." The old man shook his head, his tone solemn. "It was that Demon Lord Black Heaven Sword... The causal aura it emitted was too terrifying, forcing me to be distracted to suppress the backlash from the heavenly secrets. This sword... the Holy Temple cannot withstand it."
"Why?" Mu Qianxue couldn't help but ask, equally puzzled.
"Because it involves more than just opportunities outside the realm of Nirvana."
The old man's expression became extremely solemn, and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes. "In the aura of this sword, I sensed at least six marks of beings that surpassed the level of a World Lord... Each of those beings could easily annihilate the entire Holy Temple."
Saint Mu Bai and Mu Qianxue's faces instantly turned deathly pale, their pupils shrinking to pinpoints, their faces filled with disbelief... Existences surpassing the level of a Realm Lord! A full six of them!
That was a terrifying force capable of easily overturning the Realm of Annihilation; before them, the Holy Temple was no different from an ant.
"Therefore, cooperation is possible, but seizure is absolutely impossible." The old man's tone was resolute and brooked no argument.
"Issue the order: From this day forward, Ling Xiao will be a distinguished guest of the Holy Hall, enjoying elder-level treatment, and will be free to enter and exit all parts of the border city; the top three floors of the 'Ten Thousand Paths Scripture Pavilion' will be open to him for reading without any restrictions!"
"Grandpa!" Sheng Mubai retorted urgently, his tone filled with resentment.
"That Myriad Paths Scripture Pavilion contains the core resources accumulated by my Holy Hall over countless years. Even core disciples need to perform extraordinary feats to be allowed to enter for even a moment. How can we allow a demonic cultivator to come and go as he pleases?"
"Do as instructed!" The old man's eyes sharpened, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Since we cannot be enemies, let's do our best to befriend him. This boy has accumulated a tremendous amount of karma, yet he has survived until now. There must be a terrifying being protecting him that we cannot even imagine. Rather than coveting the demonic sword and bringing trouble upon ourselves, let's help him grow and forge a good relationship."
Mu Qianxue seemed to be deep in thought, and said softly, "Does Your Excellency believe that investing in him as a person is more valuable than seizing the secrets of the Demon Lord's Black Heaven Sword?"
The old man gazed at the vast starry sky outside the hall, his eyes distant: "Some opportunities are destined not to belong to those who force them; forcibly seizing them will only bring annihilation. But some good deeds may save my Holy Temple from death at some critical moment in the future."
He withdrew his gaze, his tone turning stern, carrying the imposing force of thunder:
"Issue another secret order: No one within the Holy Temple, regardless of rank, is permitted to target Ling Xiao in any way, nor to reveal his whereabouts or treatment. Violators will be... expelled from the border city, forever erased from history, and condemned by heaven and earth!"
Saint Shepherd Bai frowned, still unwilling to give up: "Grandpa, you should know that that kid is a demonic cultivator! Since its founding, the Holy Temple has always been strict with demonic cultivators. Our actions have already violated the Holy Temple's principles!"
"Defying the principles?" The old man sneered, his tone laced with sarcasm. "How many times have the Holy Temple and the demonic cultivators secretly cooperated? As long as he doesn't leak the Holy Temple's secrets or endanger the safety of the border city, there's no need to be bound by formalities."
His gaze swept over the two of them, his tone heavy: "Don't you want to leave this prison of the Desolate Realm? Don't you want to see the vast world beyond? Lingxiao, perhaps, is our only chance."
Saint Mu Bai and Mu Qianxue were shocked and stood there stunned.
After a long while, the two slowly nodded, all the doubts in their eyes disappearing... They finally understood the old man's good intentions. This was not a compromise, but a high-stakes gamble concerning the future of the Holy Temple.
At this moment, Ling Xiao, who had been arranged to stay in the reception hall, was standing by the railing, gazing at the eerie purple moon deep in the starry sky.
In his palm, the Demon Lord Black Heaven Sword shrank to three inches in length, slowly rotating at his fingertips. The dark blade flowed with a faint, eerie light, as if telling an ancient secret.
"Cause and effect..." he murmured to himself, a defiant smile playing on his lips. "Since we can't avoid it, let's go with the flow. I want to see who will ultimately be the one to hold the pieces in this game that involves all the heavens."
Outside the window, several dark figures silently blended into the night, their presence utterly concealed... These were the most elite "Star Guards" of the border city. From this moment on, they would guard this welcoming hall day and night, both protecting it and silently monitoring it.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
Ling Xiao and Mu Qianxue strolled side by side on the streets of the border city.
This city, named "Border City," is not large in scale, but it exudes antiquity and mystery.
Every inch of the ground is inlaid with tiny star stones, flowing with a faint starlight;
The buildings are simple and solemn in style, all carved from strange stones imbued with Taoist charm.
The streets were bustling with people, all exuding an extraordinary aura. Several powerful alien beings with seven-colored wings on their backs and golden eyes could even be seen, maintaining a respectful distance and order among themselves.
As the two walked to the center of the city, a magnificent nine-story tower came into view.
The tower is carved from a single piece of purple jade, its surface is smooth and lustrous, and it exudes a refreshing fragrance.
A bronze bell hangs from each eave, moving automatically even without wind, emitting a clear and ethereal sound that can cleanse the soul and calm inner demons.
On either side of the tower gate, two light swords, each about ten feet long, floated. Their sword intent was restrained yet concealed unparalleled killing power. Even ordinary Emperor Realm experts would be overwhelmed by the sword intent and unable to breathe when they approached.
"This is the Myriad Scripture Pavilion." Mu Qianxue's expression was solemn, and her tone carried a hint of awe.
"The cultivation foundation accumulated by the border city over countless years is all contained here. Even I can only enter three times a year, and each time I can stay for no more than seven days, and only the first five levels are allowed."
She turned to look at Ling Xiao, her tone somewhat complicated: "But now, the Grand Lord has granted you permission to come and go as you please, without being restricted by floor or time. This is a privilege that the Holy Temple has never had before."
"Why are you being treated so well?" Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow, knowing the answer but pretending not to understand.
“Sincerity.” Mu Qianxue said bluntly, “Cooperation requires effort from both sides. We open the Scripture Pavilion, and you share the secrets of breaking through realms within the Demon Lord’s Black Heaven Sword… It’s fair.”
Ling Xiao nodded solemnly: "I will abide by the rules of the Holy Temple, only look and not take, and never reveal the contents of the pavilion."
"Remember, the books in this pavilion cannot be copied or circulated outside, otherwise the restrictions will be triggered, and you will bear the consequences." After giving her instructions, Mu Qianxue hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice, "If you have the chance... you can go to the southeast corner of the ninth floor and take a look. You might find something unexpected."
After saying that, she didn't say anything more, turned around and transformed into a streak of light and left.
Ling Xiao watched her disappear at the end of the street, took a deep breath, and strode towards the Myriad Scripture Pavilion.
The moment he stepped into the tower, seven vast and boundless divine senses suddenly surged out from the depths of the tower, enveloping him like Mount Tai pressing down... Each divine sense was no weaker than a World Lord-level expert!