The Qingye Pool was a place every disciple of Haoran Sect knew well. It was regarded as a sacred site for breakthroughs. According to legend, the pool had been brought back from a secret realm by a powerful Ancestor of Haoran Sect. The water within was ancient spirit milk, so rich in spiritual energy it could rival a mid-grade spirit vein. It was the top choice for disciples seeking to break through bottlenecks.
Naturally, such a treasure wasn't freely open to all. Disciples needed to exchange sect points to gain time in the pool—whether for just an hour or several months, it all depended on what they could earn through their own efforts.
This time, after converting her rewards from both Shuangshan City and the Yixian Sect, Wei Yunxi had managed to secure three months of cultivation time in the Qingye Pool. She accepted the entry token with a satisfied smile, already planning to enter in a few days.
Across from her, Elder Han asked with a kind smile, "Junior Sister Wei, you still have one remaining chance to enter the Cangqi Pavilion. Would you like to claim that reward as well?"
Wei Yunxi certainly knew about the Cangqi Pavilion. It was one of the sect's greatest treasure troves, home to artifacts and relics brought back by powerful elders and some left behind by those who had ascended to the Spirit Realm. Every item inside was precious. Being allowed in meant a guaranteed reward—at the very least, a spiritual tool. Her interest was immediately piqued.
"Elder Han, if I claim this reward now, does that mean I can enter the Cangqi Pavilion?"
"Of course."
Wei Yunxi's eyes brightened. "Can I really pick any treasure inside, regardless of its grade?"
Elder Han chuckled. "Junior Sister Wei, what you come out with depends on your fate. There have been disciples who left the pavilion empty-handed."
"Why is that?"
"The items inside the Cangqi Pavilion have developed sentience. When you choose them, they are also choosing you. One disciple once tried to take the twin swords of the founding Ancestor, not realizing his strength was insufficient. He was thrown out by the sword energy before he could even touch them."
Wei Yunxi nodded in understanding. Elder Han was warning her not to reach beyond her grasp. She cupped her hands respectfully. "I'll remember that. I've never been greedy."
She immediately claimed her Cangqi Pavilion reward. Elder Han handed her a jade ring that carried her aura.
"Take this to the top floor of the Scripture Pavilion. Someone will escort you to the Cangqi Pavilion from there."
"Many thanks, Elder Han."
Wei Yunxi stored the ring and her other rewards in her storage bracelet before leaving the disciple hall.
Dian Dian's voice immediately rang out through a spiritual transmission. "Master, you must bring Dian Dian to the Cangqi Pavilion. I promise I can find you the best treasure!"
"Of course I'll bring you," Wei Yunxi replied, smiling. "But not to help me find a treasure. Just to broaden your horizons. Elder Han already warned me not to aim for anything beyond my current ability."
Dian Dian rolled around in her robes, feeling a bit useless. There hadn't been many chances to show off lately, and it felt a little guilty about eating the beast spirit pills her master had refined. Thinking of this, it popped another pill into its mouth.
Wei Yunxi's lips curved faintly. She knew what Dian Dian was thinking. That little guy was always trying to shovel good things into her storage bracelet. This opportunity must have felt like a rare chance to prove itself.
The two of them made their way toward the Scripture Pavilion as they chatted.
Thanks to the jade ring, she encountered no obstacles on the sixth floor.
The sixth floor was wide and mostly empty. Wei Yunxi looked around and saw row after row of shelves, but there were very few books or jade slips upon them.
She wandered for a while without spotting the guardian elder. After a moment's pause, she cupped her hands toward the air and called out, "Disciple Wei Yunxi of Lingxue Peak. I have received permission from the sect to enter the Cangqi Pavilion and have come to claim my reward."
A long silence followed. No one appeared. Just as she was about to return and ask Elder Han, a scroll glowing with golden light floated toward her. It slowly unfurled in midair, and a hoarse, ancient voice entered her mind.
"Little one, why are you so impatient? I'm right here. Hand over the jade ring."
"Yes, Senior!"
Wei Yunxi bowed respectfully to the scroll, then held up the jade ring in both hands. As soon as the scroll absorbed the ring, it also pulled Wei Yunxi inside.
The scroll rolled up and returned to its place on the shelf. Silence returned to the top floor.
Wei Yunxi felt the world spin, and when her vision cleared, she stood in a completely different place. The three words "Cangqi Pavilion" were etched above her. She knew immediately she had entered one of the sect's most mysterious domains.
She craned her neck to look up at the towering pavilion before her. Just as she was about to step inside, Dian Dian burst from her robes, squeaking in alarm as he flew toward a white-bearded old man.
Wei Yunxi hurried to grab him, but Dian Dian dodged and landed in the old man's palm.
Wei Yunxi blinked, then bowed. "Senior, Dian Dian is my spiritual pet."
The elder's beard trailed all the way to the floor. He waved his hand. "I know. But you must enter alone. Pets are not permitted, especially not this one with treasure-seeking bloodlines."
Well, he'd seen through Dian Dian's heritage with a single glance. Wei Yunxi could only smile wryly and politely ask the senior to help watch over him.
Dian Dian looked a little pitiful, rubbing its eyes as it watched its master walk away.
The white-bearded elder pinched Dian Dian's tail and lifted him up. "Don't distract your master while she's picking a treasure. You can keep me company for a while. No one brings any living creatures here anymore. Cultivators come and go too quickly. It's boring."
Dian Dian squeaked in protest, clearly unwilling to "play," but there was nothing it could do. Its strength wasn't enough to resist. In the end, it was taken away.
As soon as Wei Yunxi stepped into the Cangqi Pavilion, her ears were bombarded with whispering voices.
"This one's so young."
"Tch, she's not even a tenth my age."
"But she's talented. A sixteen-year-old Golden Core. Even in our time, that's genius-level."
"Huh? She has good stuff on her. The Mossang Ring is on her!"
"No, there's something else shielding her sea of consciousness. It's powerful but unclear. Can anyone see it clearly?"
Wei Yunxi felt cold sweat on her back. If this chatter kept going, they were going to dig out all her secrets.
She quickly bowed and spoke politely. "Honored Seniors, I am only here to claim my sect reward. There's no need to study me so closely. I mean no harm."
The moment she finished speaking, a sharp voice cried out, "She can hear us!"
"Alright, enough. Don't make a fuss. Quiet down," another voice snapped.
All the chatter disappeared instantly, bringing blessed silence.
After a moment of peace, Wei Yunxi tried asking, "Honored Seniors, I wish to find a wind-type artifact. Could you point me in the right direction?"
A childlike voice responded, "Your spiritual sense is stronger than your physical body. Try the fifth floor. You may find something that suits you there."
"Many thanks, Senior," Wei Yunxi replied gratefully, then headed up to the fifth floor.
As her figure disappeared up the stairs, the sharp voice from before piped up again.
"She really went to the fifth floor!"