Chapter 274: Scripture Pavilion

“How did that woman suddenly know formations? And her skill seems quite advanced.”

“Did the ancient sect teach her formations while altering her memories?”

Thinking this, Jiang Yan felt increasingly eerie. If someone used your body and filled it with memories and a life that weren’t yours, would the result still be you?

Seven days later.

“Master, I have successfully refined the Minor Concealment Formation, Minor Killing Formation, and Spirit Gathering Formation. I have also fully comprehended that formation secret manual.”

Jiang Yan arrived at Xiao Chunwei’s residence and briefly presented his achievements.

Xiao Chunwei remained seated on a meditation cushion, his expression calm and detached. He slowly opened his eyes and accepted the formation disk Jiang Yan handed over.

With just a glance, he reached a conclusion.

“Not bad. I didn’t expect you to reach the beginner level in formations in just seven days.”

After speaking, he gave Jiang Yan a satisfied look and took out a book and a token.

This secret manual records many intermediate formations and their methods of breaking. You must diligently practice from now on and not slack off.”

“Intermediate formations already contain the principles of killing. How to use them depends entirely on your own heart. I will not interfere with your choices.”

“Also, this is this Elder’s disciple token. Those who hold this token may enter and exit some important locations of the sect. Keep it safe.”

Jiang Yan received it with both hands. “Thank you, Master.”

“Alright, you may leave.”

Naturally, Jiang Yan said nothing more and left Xiao Chunwei’s residence happily.

He was quite fond of the art of formations.

As for the disciple token, which allowed access to important sect locations, it was truly an unexpected delight.

“With this disciple token, I can thoroughly investigate what exactly is strange about this sect.”

As he walked toward his cave, he bumped into the Qilin man—Xiao Chunwei’s disciple in the sect.

“What does Senior Brother mean by this?”

“Hehe, how about letting me take a look at the secret manual Second Egg Master passed down to you?”

Jiang Yan suddenly understood. “Oh? So Senior Brother is here to rob me~”

“But shouldn’t Senior Brother still be reflecting in the Cliff of Repentance? Why have you come out before the time is up?”

The Qilin man flew into a rage.

“How dare you bring up that incident! Today, you will give me that formation secret manual, whether you want to or not!”

“This sect’s interference is truly impressive, even replicating the plots of scheming among disciples and showing off to humiliate others.”

Jiang Yan took a step back and began setting up a formation.

The formation flew out, hovering in mid-air. In an instant, several pillars of solid ice rose.

The Minor Five Elements Formation was something Jiang Yan had created by imitating the Yang Concealment Five Elements Formation he had seen before.

Unfortunately, it had the form but not the essence. Apart from being able to manipulate the Five Elements by harnessing natural forces, it had no other special features.

Seeing Jiang Yan deploy the formation, the Qilin man instantly burned with envy.

“Master never taught me this!”

“Then let me teach you.”

With the Five Elements complete, he merged into the two Qi of Yin and Yang—one Yin, one Yang, preserving great harmony. When Yang flourishes and Yin declines, it reaches the extreme.

“Earth Extreme, Mountain Collapse!”

True Word Leveling Method: 69%

Mountains toppled, heaven met the earthly furnace.

The Qilin man turned and fled.

“Mom! How is he so strong!”

Jiang Yan watched the Qilin man run into the distance. “It seems the people here truly don’t realize how strong they actually are.”

If they were to fight seriously, Jiang Yan would certainly be no match for the Qilin man, who had already reached the third level. However, the Qilin man always believed he was merely an inferior disciple neglected by his Master…

Jiang Yan took the secret manual involving intermediate formations back to his cave and studied it carefully.

Another month later.

Jiang Yan casually set up a formation, with hidden killing intent lurking outside the cave, its sharp edges concealed beneath an aura of tranquility and peace.

“I have fully mastered intermediate formations.”

Jiang Yan stretched lazily and headed toward the Scripture Pavilion with his disciple token in hand.

“Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter!”

“Oh, it’s Elder Zhang’s personal disciple. Please, come in, come in.”

This time, the guard was relatively respectful.

Upon entering the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion, Jiang Yan found only an old man stationed there, while more people had chosen to go to the second floor.

“The first floor only contains the sect’s secret records. If you wish to learn cultivation methods, please proceed to the second floor.”

The old man uttered these words casually before closing his eyes to feign sleep.

“This old man…” Jiang Yan found him increasingly familiar. “He seems to be from the outside world as well. I never expected him to end up as a librarian here.”

Indeed, this ancient sect had assigned outsiders to various roles within the sect, each fulfilling their duties.

Jiang Yan was in no hurry to go to the second floor.

What he sought were the sect’s historical secrets.

Records of the Glory of the Thirty-Sixth Sect Master of the Empty Moon Sect

“Year 3000 of Changwu, clear. I observed the celestial phenomena at night and noticed a great vortex of Qi swirling in the direction of the Jade Pond, fearing it to be an ominous sign, I ventured forth.

Alas, the Jade Pond ruined my reputation, falsely accusing me of peeping at the fairies bathing. A grave injustice.”

“Year 3000 of Changwu, overcast. I calculated with my fingers and sensed a bloody calamity befalling the Joyful Union Sect, so I set out.

I battled the bloodthirsty enchantress for three hundred rounds and subdued her.

My kidneys, alas, suffered greatly!”

“Year 3001 of Changwu, clear. I saw a rainbow illuminating the sky and feared a great treasure had appeared. Thus, I ventured forth.

The Jade Pond Holy Land set a trap, and I narrowly escaped, my kidneys almost meeting their doom. I swore never to peep at bathing again!”

“Year 3002 of Changwu, clear. I couldn’t resist and went to the Jade Pond. Fortunately, no one noticed.

I swore again, never to engage in such sneaky deeds in the future!”

“Year 6000 of Changwu. I was severely injured. To settle my regrets, I went to the Joyful Union, Blissful Joy… tsk tsk, I can die without regrets.”

“Year 6001 of Changwu. I didn’t die, so I went to the Jade Pond. The fairies bathing were as beautiful as a painting. A cute smiling face emoticon

The Fairy Sect Master admired me and pursued me across the Nine Heavens for countless miles, but my dedication to the Dao was unwavering, and I firmly rejected her.”

Jiang Yan closed the book and murmured to himself.

“The Thirty-Sixth Sect Master of the Empty Moon Sect turned out to be a lecherous rogue.”

Boom!

Suddenly, thunder roared in the heavens, and a book was shaken off the shelf, falling to the ground.

The Glorious Achievements of the Thirty-Sixth Sect Master of the Empty Moon Sect

Jiang Yan merely glanced at the title and said without hesitation, “Fake.”

Jiang Yan moved on, spending several days reading through all the books on the first floor. Apart from learning about the eccentric deeds of past sect masters, he found no useful information.

“What kind of Empty Moon Sect is this? It might as well be called the Rogue Sect.”

Jiang Yan no longer cared about the bizarre history of the Empty Moon Sect and proceeded to the second floor.

The second floor was the domain of cultivation methods, and many people had already gathered there.

Jiang Yan found it amusing—a group of Martial Gods all flocking here to learn these low-level cultivation methods. How absurd.

Jiang Yan skimmed through these cultivation methods and found them lacking compared to modern martial skills.

People often assume that anything labeled “ancient” must be superior, but that is not necessarily true.

Things evolve. As eras progress, all methods advance, and the path of transcendence should grow stronger with each generation. Martial skills refined over countless generations in later ages should surpass those of ancient times.

“These cultivation methods are so crude.”

“Moreover, having already touched upon the Law, Martial Skills are of almost no use. I should go take a look at the third floor.”

Jiang Yan pondered as he walked. “Since the outside world is so eager for ancient Sects, it must be because of the blocked domains that Xiao Chunwei mentioned—the path beyond the Martial God is severed.”

“If the Galactic Domain and another Star Domain are trapped within a cage, why would that lead to the severing of the path beyond the Martial God?”

“Then what is needed to ascend beyond the Martial God… that both domains lack?”