"It's nothing but luck that I caught the Clan Ancestor's attention." Facing a Seven-Star Dou Saint, Xiao Yan didn't dare to get too cocky.
"Heh heh, since you're the Imperial Son chosen by the Clan Ancestor, you must have something special about you."
When Qing Lao mentioned Xiao Xuan, a faint gleam appeared in his cloudy old eyes.
Xiao Xuan was the strongest being in the Dou Qi continent; to the Xiao clan, he was their soul, their faith, their pillar.
"Imperial Son, please come in. The Imperial Son of our clan holds an extremely noble status. You can freely browse all the martial arts and combat techniques stored in this Scripture Pavilion." Qing Lao extended his hand.
"Thank you, Qing Lao." Xiao Yan slightly cupped his fists in respect, then, accompanied by the two Martial and Civil Saints, entered the Scripture Pavilion.
Though both were Semi-Saint level fighters, and not among the highest nobility of the Xiao clan, they still had the qualification to enter the Scripture Pavilion.
The Scripture Pavilion was nine stories tall, containing countless volumes of classic texts from the entire Xiao clan and even the Dou Qi continent — vast like a sea of smoke.
Including but not limited to martial arts, combat techniques, secret arts, prescriptions, historical documents, and secret histories.
"Truly spectacular." Xiao Yan sighed involuntarily as he looked at the numerous glowing clusters on the first floor.
The first floor housed mostly common books of little value, some without any martial arts or combat techniques at all — but there were over a hundred million volumes.
Rows of tall, ancient bookshelves held clusters of white light.
These books represented nearly ten thousand years of cultural heritage on the Dou Qi continent. Each cluster was wrapped in a secret light to prevent damage.
Just on this floor alone, Xiao Yan saw more than ten Dou Zong-level experts responsible for maintaining these books.
"Young Master, although this floor is grand, most books here aren't very valuable. Let's move up and take a look." Xiao Wen suggested.
"Good idea." Xiao Yan nodded slightly.
The three climbed the stairs, nearly ten zhang tall, arriving at the second floor.
The second floor was slightly smaller than the first but still gathered millions of glowing clusters.
"These are all Yellow-tier martial arts and combat techniques, with some first and second-grade prescriptions wrapped in as well." Xiao Wen smiled as he explained, having worked here during his Dou Zun days.
Xiao Yan nodded slightly.
Yellow-tier martial arts and techniques, as well as prescriptions, had almost no market in the Xiao clan because of vast resource inheritances. Even many descendants could cultivate with Xuan-tier martial arts.
So, the first and second floors were more cultural archives.
On the third floor, the number of clusters decreased to less than a million, but the value far exceeded the previous two floors.
Because these clusters stored Xuan-tier martial arts and combat techniques, or third and fourth-grade prescriptions.
These were practically the foundation of the Xiao clan. From low-level Dou practitioners to newly registered Dou Kings, almost all daily training needs were here.
On the fourth floor, Xiao Yan finally encountered a guardian.
"Do you have the merit token awarded by an elder?" At the entrance, a Dou Zun-level warrior stared at the three and asked.
"This is the Clan Ancestor's newly appointed Imperial Son. What need is there for a token?" The aura of Xiao Wu, a Semi-Saint, slipped out.
The Dou Zun was stunned at first, then, seeing the flame mark on Xiao Yan's forehead, he recalled something.
"Greetings, Imperial Son!" The Dou Zun immediately knelt on one knee.
"No need for formalities. May I enter now?" Xiao Yan cleared his throat, still awkward about having a powerful Dou Zun kneel before him.
"Imperial Son, please." The warrior quickly stood and gestured for Xiao Yan to enter.
From the fourth floor onward, the Scripture Pavilion was a true stronghold.
Among the more than a hundred thousand clusters stored here were low-level Earth-tier martial arts and combat techniques, fifth-grade prescriptions, and even some continent secrets.
However, these were mostly beneath Xiao Yan's interest. Even before becoming the Imperial Son, he was a minor lord of a King lineage and had a Dou Saint grandfather.
The three continued upward. On the fifth floor, the entire floor contained mid-level Earth-tier martial arts and combat techniques.
Here, Xiao Yan slowed his steps for the first time, carefully reading book titles.
Finally, he selected about a dozen martial arts and combat techniques plus many medicinal secret formulas. The Dou Zun guarding this floor copied the texts onto jade slips.
On the sixth floor, the total number of clusters dropped to tens of thousands, but their value became terrifying. Here, Xiao Yan truly focused.
High-level Earth-tier martial arts and combat techniques were no small matter even for a Dou Saint.
Xiao Lin could probably easily get him a few sets, but never as comprehensive or tailored as the Scripture Pavilion.
High-level Earth-tier combat technique: "Earth-Shattering Wave Slash"
High-level Earth-tier martial art: "All-Encompassing Sea Technique"
High-level Earth-tier combat technique: "Thunder Half-Moon Slash"
Finally, Xiao Yan's eyes rested on a crimson cluster.
High-level Earth-tier combat technique: "Crimson Flame Demon Body"
The Crimson Flame Demon Body was created by a high-level Dou Zun Flame Demon sovereign a thousand years ago. Training it required refining the body with high-level flames. When the body was somewhat formed, it could withstand clashes with Dou Zong.
When perfected, it could battle Dou Zun-level warriors.
Latest novel updates on Chapter 69 available first on [website].
The higher the flame level, the stronger the refined body. To perfect the body, one needed a rare exotic flame to refine it long-term.
Additionally, training this body had the advantage of increasing resistance to fire.
"It's you." Xiao Yan licked his lips and asked the Dou Zun guardian to copy it.
His current martial art was also a high-level Earth-tier technique called "Blazing Eight Desolations Technique."
But since Xiao Xuan handed him the jade book, Xiao Yan knew it was time to go find the "Burning Technique."
He was destined to walk the path of devouring exotic flames.
After copying "Crimson Flame Demon Body," Xiao Yan casually selected a few prescriptions, combat techniques, and ancient texts before heading upward again.
"Young Master, I'm afraid the two of us can only accompany you this far." Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu suddenly stopped at the entrance.
The two smiled wryly.
"From the seventh floor onward, all stored martial arts and combat techniques are Heavenly-tier or above. Even with the Supreme Elder's token, we have no qualifications to enter."
"No problem, then please wait for me here."
"Young Master, from the seventh floor onward, every floor carries an overwhelming pressure. The ninth floor, the highest, requires Dou Saint level to withstand. If you can't bear it, you should come back early."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded.
From the fourth floor, he had already felt an invisible pressure. By the sixth floor, it made him slightly uncomfortable.
Still, he wanted to take a look at the seventh floor.
Resolutely, he stepped into the seventh floor.
Boom! The terrifying pressure increased exponentially, making Xiao Yan feel a discomfort worse than altitude sickness—but thankfully, he could still move slowly.
On the seventh floor, only a few thousand clusters remained.
Heavenly-tier martial arts and combat techniques were extremely rare, mostly created only by Dou Saint experts. Some Dou Saints never managed to create a single Heavenly-tier martial art in their lifetime.
Even with the Xiao clan's heritage, gathering over a thousand volumes was already impressive.
Heavenly-tier low-level martial art: "Great Sun Thunder Technique"
Heavenly-tier low-level martial art: "Vital Energy Ascension Technique"
Heavenly-tier low-level combat technique: "Dragon Emperor's Dimensional Slash"
Any one of these alone could ignite bloody wars on the Dou Qi continent.
"Too bad, learning these now would be useless." After some thought, Xiao Yan decided to postpone learning them.
(End of Chapter)