Including Mu Yun, there were seven people in the room.
Following the short-haired boy's gaze, his eyes slowly swept from left to right.
The first to catch his attention was the richly dressed young man. Clad in an embroidered robe, he had handsome features and a carefree smile often playing at the corners of his mouth.
Sensing Mu Yun's gaze, he smiled faintly, his tone carrying a hint of mockery: "Though he does have some skill… in the end, he still put on a bit of a show for everyone."
The veiled contempt in his words made Mu Yun's heart sink slightly, a flash of coldness in his eyes. But his expression remained unchanged, revealing nothing. He simply shifted his gaze and continued scanning.
Next came three men in black close-fitting robes. They had ordinary faces and stood with straight postures, heads bowed as they read, paying no attention to Mu Yun's presence. Occasionally they exchanged a few low words, discussing something unknown.
Seeing this, the short-haired boy casually explained, "That richly dressed young man is named Sun Zhe, the only son of the Sun family in Qingchuan City. He's not yet twenty and has already reached the Qi Refining stage." He paused briefly, his gaze falling on the three men in black, and lowered his voice mysteriously. "As for those three, they are from the city lord's mansion."
"No one knows their origins, not even their names. All we know is that they have three code names—Wei Yi, Wei Er, Wei San. As for who is Wei Yi and who is Wei Er… heh, even I can't tell them apart."
At this point, a flicker of mischief gleamed in the short-haired boy's eyes. His gaze quietly fell on Mu Yun, and seeming to sense Mu Yun's scrutiny, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly before he gave an awkward smile and said, "Don't ask me why I'm telling you all this… it's just that we seem about the same age, and I couldn't help but say a few extra words."
With that, he flashed a bright smile, as if to dispel the slight embarrassment.
Mu Yun was taken aback for a moment. Looking at the boy before him, he felt a warmth in his heart and said calmly, "My name is Mu Yun… may I ask how to address you, brother?"
The short-haired boy paused, then slapped his forehead with a laugh. "Look at my memory—I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Lei Yu, my father is Lei Gang. From now on, we're friends!"
"Lei Yu…"
Mu Yun's heart stirred slightly, and he could not help but compare him to Lei Gang.
Lei Gang was powerfully built, his presence as fierce as thunder. Lei Yu, though sturdier than Mu Yun, was not as intimidating as imagined. He had handsome features and sharp, piercing eyes. Though lacking his father's overwhelming pressure, there was an indefinable keenness about him.
As for his cultivation—he had already reached the Qi Refining stage. Mu Yun was not surprised by this. His thoughts turned, and a faint smile appeared on his face as he said brightly, "Yes, from now on we are friends!"
After introducing themselves, their relationship quickly warmed.
Lei Yu was straightforward and uninhibited in speech. Mu Yun was not a reserved person by nature, so within a short time they were chatting and laughing like old friends.
…
Suddenly, Mu Yun's gaze sharpened, settling on a young man at the far right.
He had long hair falling over his shoulders, a somewhat lean figure, and an air of indifference in his brows. He quietly turned the pages of his book, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.
"Who is that…?" Mu Yun frowned slightly and asked in a low voice.
Lei Yu followed his gaze, and his smile gradually faded. He shook his head. "I don't know. My father never mentioned him." He paused, his expression growing serious. "But… he can read books in that section… that means he is at least at the Object Manipulation stage!"
"Object Manipulation stage!"
Mu Yun's heart shook slightly.
As if sensing their gaze, the long-haired youth slowly raised his head, his eyes sweeping over them indifferently. They lingered on Mu Yun for a moment, then calmly shifted away.
In that instant, Mu Yun felt an invisible pressure envelop him, as if he were being watched by a dormant beast. His heart tightened.
Lei Yu had clearly felt the same unease. The two exchanged a glance, both seeing wariness and caution in the other's eyes…
Mu Yun's gaze flickered. After a moment's thought, he spoke slowly: "I entered the first door on the left earlier and found only mundane items… Are the contents of each door divided by category? What lies behind the other two doors?"
Lei Yu raised an eyebrow, casually closed the book in his hand, and led Mu Yun toward the area where he had been reading. As they walked, he explained, "The second door on the left is the same as this place—both are libraries… but the books there are different. They are not condensed from mental power, nor are they divided into sections. Those books are for martial artists below the Body Refining stage. They are useless to us."
With that, Lei Yu casually took down a book. On its cover were the characters Crus.h.i.+ng Stone Finger. He flipped through it briefly and smiled. "The books behind these two doors cannot be taken away, nor can their contents be shared with others. Moreover, in any given section, each person may read only one book at most. However… if you only browse the first page's introductory summary, that is not restricted."
He paused, looked up at the ceiling of the inner chamber, and lowered his voice further. "According to my father, this Jubao Pavilion was most likely left behind by a powerful cultivator from ancient times. The rules here are strict. Anyone who violates them will suffer consequences like what you just experienced."
Mu Yun's heart tightened. Just now, if the Hongmeng Creative Neurological System had not been passively activated, he would have suffered mental collapse and become a ruined man.
Seeing his expression, Lei Yu grinned and continued, "As for the first door on the right… it is said to contain many precious items that can enhance one's cultivation, as well as ancient cultivation texts. Some say there are even methods and treasures that can elevate one to the Golden Core stage. But to obtain anything from there, you must first obtain an identity."
He stopped, looked at Mu Yun mysteriously, and seeing the curiosity in the other's eyes, chuckled and winked. "Guardian of the Pavilion."
Mu Yun raised an eyebrow. "Guardian of the Pavilion?"
Lei Yu laughed lightly. "In other words… someone who guards the Jubao Pavilion for life. Would you be willing?"
He stared at Mu Yun, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Mu Yun smiled and naturally shook his head. But he changed the subject. "Brother Lei, do you happen to know the abilities of a Golden Core cultivator?"
Lei Yu gave Mu Yun a look. "How would I know? We've entered Qi Refining and grasped mental power. Though we are quite different from ordinary people and often call ourselves cultivators, we are not true cultivators."
"If one does not reach Foundation Establishment, one will eventually turn to dust. I've only heard rumors about Golden Core. I know the hierarchy of cultivation stages after Foundation Establishment, that's all."
"I haven't even seen a real Foundation Establishment cultivator, let alone witnessed the great power of a Golden Core cultivator."
As he spoke, a trace of dimness flashed in Lei Yu's eyes.
Mu Yun's disappointment faded quickly. He had hoped Lei Yu knew more about the cultivation world so he could gain a deeper understanding.
…
The place where Mu Yun and Lei Yu stood contained only basic Qi Refining texts, mostly about the circulation of mental power and fundamental cultivation methods. However, there were also some simple combat techniques driven by mental power.
Mu Yun's gaze swept over the many books as he thought to himself: I can ask Old Man Zhu or Yumo about these basic things later. For now, I'd better pick a combat-oriented book…
With that thought, he glanced at Lei Yu, who was already deeply absorbed in his reading. Not wishing to disturb him, Mu Yun turned and immersed himself in the world of books.
His eyes wandered, and he casually took down an ancient volume with a slightly mottled cover—Crumbling Earth Fist. Opening it, the table of contents read: "One who learns this method can use mental power to regulate the force throughout the body, concentrate it into the right fist, and with a single punch, shatter boulders and split the earth…"
Mu Yun scanned it briefly and sighed inwardly. Though this method was fierce and powerful, the application of mental power was somewhat crude compared to the Crus.h.i.+ng Stone Finger he had seen earlier.
"Crus.h.i.+ng Stone Finger condenses mental power at the fingertips. When attacking, it can be released or retracted at will, flexible and unpredictable. This Crumbling Earth Fist, though imposing in appearance, is likely far less refined in mental power control." After some thought, Mu Yun shook his head and flicked the book, sending it back to its place.
He continued searching through the vast sea of texts. He flipped through dozens, finding none to his liking, until his gaze was drawn to an ancient book floating among the dense rows of texts, exuding a faint antique charm. On its cover were two characters—Heavenly Eye.
His heart stirred. He reached out and took it down, opening it to the introduction.
"The practitioner can channel mental power to both eyes…"
Seeing this, Mu Yun raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He thought, I thought it was some powerful technique. Isn't this just the same as the Sharpening Senses method?
But before he could put the book back, his eyes swept downward. The next moment, his smile froze.
"The practitioner can channel mental power to both eyes. At first, it resembles the Sharpening Senses method of the early Qi Refining stage. With long practice, if one opens the Heavenly Eye, one can see through objects to observe the flow of meridians in the human body and track the movement of qi and blood. It is said that if this technique is perfected, it can break through all enemy techniques, with astonishing power. However, this technique is incomplete, suspected to have been left behind by ancient cultivators. Practitioners should be cautious… I myself have not fully mastered it…"
Those few lines struck like thunder, shaking Mu Yun to his core. His hand unconsciously tightened around the book.
"Observing meridians… breaking through all enemy techniques…"
I wonder how it compares to the Hongmeng Creative Neurological System.
But the last few lines echoed in his mind, especially the author's wistful lament, stirring an inexplicable unease in his heart.
Incomplete technique… be cautious…
Mu Yun took a deep breath, his expression复杂. An inner struggle arose. Should I learn it, or not?
"A remnant technique suspected to have been left by ancient cultivators…"
Mu Yun's heart trembled. He recalled Yumo's words—that today's cultivators were not even one-tenth as powerful as those of ancient times.
Even a remnant technique passed down from ancient times is likely far stronger than ordinary modern methods. Besides, the author's words seem to express deep regret at not being able to master the complete technique…
With that thought, Mu Yun hesitated no longer. He turned to the first page of Heavenly Eye.
Ancient, vigorous characters came into view:
"In ancient times, there was a clan called the Heavenly Eye Clan. Its members were born with strange pupils. Ordinary members could see a thousand li into the distance. Those with exceptional talent, if they devoted themselves to cultivation, could even peer into the meridians of others and block their vital energy…"
Mu Yun's eyes narrowed, his heartbeat quickening. This seems far more powerful than the Hongmeng Creative Neurological System. He continued reading.
"At the end of the ancient era, a peerless genius was born in this clan. He pushed his innate ability to its ultimate limit, becoming renowned throughout the ancient world with this art. To strengthen his clan, he created the Heavenly Eye cultivation method and passed it down to future generations. However, in the late ancient era, demons ran wild and war raged. This man fell in battle, his clan suffered catastrophe, and the Heavenly Eye method was leaked during the chaos…"
Reading this, Mu Yun's heart shook, as if he could see through the words the blood and storms of that ancient, chaotic age.
"Unexpectedly, though this method spread, those not of the Heavenly Eye Clan found it impossible to cultivate to its proper level. Later, another peerless expert appeared in the world. Perhaps out of curiosity, after obtaining this technique, he simplified it using his own unique understanding. Though its power was greatly reduced, it finally allowed non-clan cultivators to practice it…"
"This technique is the Heavenly Eye as it has been passed down to the present."
At this point, the handwriting was slightly yellowed, bearing the marks of time.
Mu Yun stared, lost in thought, his heart surging with respect for the ancient masters, as if he could feel their helplessness and regret…
He took a deep breath, his eyes bright, and turned to the next page…
Time passed slowly. Outside the Jubao Pavilion, the sky had turned pitch black, the night deep, the stars hidden. The cultivators in the pavilion had gradually left. The once-crowded inner chamber now held only Mu Yun, sitting alone in silence.
Not long ago, Lei Yu had also departed. Before leaving, he had warmly invited Mu Yun to visit his home, but Mu Yun politely declined. Now, in the vast chamber, only the books still floated slowly, their faint light flowing, making the surrounding silence even deeper.
Mu Yun sat cross-legged, eyes closed, breathing deeply. The contents of Heavenly Eye were not extensive; the cultivation method filled only a few pages, already deeply engraved in his mind. Now, he focused his mind, silently recited the incantation, and officially began to cultivate.
"Channel mental power to the eyes, circulate through five acupoints—Taiyang, Yuyao, Chengqi, Tongzi, Jingming…"
He mobilized his mental power, gathering it in his eyes. At first, there was no obstruction. But when he tried to divert it to the five acupoints, it was like a river flowing into the sea—difficult to control. With the slightest mistake, it all scattered.
Mu Yun frowned slightly, but felt no discouragement.
"Gathering mental power in the eyes is easy, but circulating it through all five acupoints simultaneously is far from simple… If everyone could master it, how could it be called an ancient divine art?"
He took a deep breath, adjusted his thoughts, and continued trying. Fail once, try again. Over and over, countless attempts. Unknowingly, his control over mental power grew increasingly refined, showing signs of progress.
As Mu Yun immersed himself in cultivation, he did not notice that outside the chamber door, an aged figure stood silently.
The old man stood with his hands behind his back, his cloudy gaze piercing the darkness to rest on Mu Yun. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.
He murmured softly, his voice barely audible:
"One more… soon, soon…"