Chapter Sixty-five: In the Scripture Repository

"Disciple pays respects to Elder Shang!"

In front of the Sutra Depository of the Azure Cloud Sect, an elder was sweeping fallen leaves with a broom. Upon hearing the greeting, he looked up, and when he saw who it was, a flicker of emotion passed through his eyes. He smiled and said, "Qingyun, you just became the chief disciple. Shouldn’t you be getting acquainted with your fellow disciples on the Bian Bamboo Peak? Why have you come to see this old man instead?"

Shen Qingyun looked at him with a peculiar expression. "Elder Shang, don't tell me you don't know. My appointment as the chief of Bian Bamboo Peak was decided abruptly. In other words, aside from the elders, no disciple knew of this beforehand."

"With something decided so suddenly, how many on Bian Bamboo Peak would accept me as chief?"

Shang Gu chuckled softly. "I understand, I understand."

After a pause, he asked, "So, what brings you to the Sutra Depository?"

"I have business here, naturally," Shen Qingyun replied. "I heard entering the Sutra Depository requires sect points or merit. Are you going to deduct my merit, Elder Shang?"

Shen Qingyun had already used up all his points to exchange for Fasting Pills.

"No need, just go in!" Shang Gu stepped aside and gestured toward the Sutra Depository. "The Sect Master has instructed that the entire Azure Cloud Sect is to provide you every convenience. So, stay in the Sutra Depository as long as you like!"

"Thank you," Shen Qingyun said, took his leave, and headed into the Sutra Depository.

Watching Shen Qingyun's departing figure, Shang Gu sighed softly, murmuring, "Let’s hope he doesn’t disappoint our expectations."

Inside the Sutra Depository, towering bookshelves stood in orderly rows. At the far end of Shen Qingyun’s vision, a staircase led upward to the next floor.

As he browsed, Shen Qingyun saw many rare books, some containing spells. After searching the first floor without finding what he wanted, he headed for the stairs to the second floor. At the stairway, a layer of restriction blocked his path, and a voice sounded in his ear: "To enter the second floor, you must present your identity token!"

"Identity token, is it this one..." Shen Qingyun took the jade token from his waist and placed it upon the restriction. Instantly, a mysterious force surged from the restriction into the token, then flowed into Shen Qingyun’s body.

He felt the energy but did not resist, allowing it to circulate once through his body before it returned to the token. As the energy dissipated, so too did the restriction.

The voice spoke again, "Identity confirmed. Entry permitted."

Shen Qingyun put away the jade token and ascended the stairs.

Upon reaching the second floor, he immediately noticed the space was much larger, though the bookshelves were fewer.

"Return to Origin Finger, Killing Heart Finger..."

He walked past each bookshelf, finding many spell manuals. The second floor was indeed superior to the first—no wonder proof of identity was required.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Shen Qingyun stopped before a shelf. Atop it lay a thick, thread-bound volume, its yellowed cover bearing two large, ominous characters: Ghost Valley.

He reached for the book, his hand passing through a thick layer of dust, leaving behind five clear fingerprints. With a thought, spiritual energy flowed to his fingertips, and the quiet Sutra Depository echoed with a faint trickle of water.

The Purification Spell—Shen Qingyun’s only memorized minor spell and the one he had used the longest. Not for its power, but for its ability to cleanse all filth.

His robe was a treasure garment capable of growth, with automatic cleaning, able to simulate any attire the wearer desired, and possessed high defensive ability. Most importantly, the robe also had a similar purifying function, keeping its wearer perpetually clean and comfortable.

In short, as long as he wore this treasure, he would never be dirty and need not clean himself—unless the garment was destroyed.

Opening to the first page, Shen Qingyun read of the origins of Ghost Valley.

Leaning against the bookshelf, he turned page after page. When he read about the mutations caused by the valley’s strange, corrosive energy, his pupils contracted. He thought of the demonic aura he had sensed while subduing a monster in Yueyang City.

The symptoms described in the book astonishingly matched what he had sensed.

Time seemed to stand still in the Sutra Depository. Whether it was day or night outside was impossible to tell. Shen Qingyun read on, tirelessly, page after page.

At last, with a thud, he closed the book, a meaningful smile tugging at his lips. "It seems I must indeed visit Ghost Valley myself."

Originally, he was going to Ghost Valley simply to complete the task assigned by Chang Kongqiang. In his mind, such a place could not possibly be dangerous, so he paid it little heed.

But now, having read the records, his attitude had changed. He cared—no, he cared very much.

He cared whether the valley’s strange power was that of "demons."

If it was, where did such a force come from? Why did it appear in this era?

He could not investigate events from five hundred years ago, as he had been in slumber then. Only when the Great Bell rang across the land, announcing the coming golden age and impending catastrophe, did he awaken.

The five great sects had not detected the truth. They simply assumed this was a power inherent to the world, and, deeming it evil, chose to seal it away rather than seek out its source and destroy it completely.

"In Ghost Valley, one must guard not only against the monsters spawned by that power, but also the corrupted beasts that wander in and mutate..."

Shen Qingyun mused. According to the records, the valley’s threats were not just monsters but also beasts that strayed in. Ghost Valley was vast; even the five sects could not monitor every corner. Where their gaze did not reach, beasts might enter.

The so-called trial was to slay these newly spawned monsters and mutated beasts before they could grow strong.

"I must be thoroughly prepared," Shen Qingyun murmured. This time, he would not be going alone—many Azure Cloud disciples would join him. As for how many, that depended on his personal influence.

He was certain the number would not exceed the fingers on his hands. Feng Chuxun would surely be in his group; as for Ling Xiao and Su Ye, it was uncertain. Considering the Qiao sisters might also go, he needed to prepare for all possibilities.

After picking out several more spellbooks from the second floor, Shen Qingyun glanced at the stairs to the third, lost in thought, then turned and returned to the first floor.

Exiting the Sutra Depository, he saw Shang Gu still sweeping leaves, as if the task would never end.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Shang Gu turned and smiled, "So you've finally come out."