"It’s perfect to have a Battle King noble family step in!"

Xu Yang’s face showed delight; even if the hope was slim, a Battle King noble family carried far more weight than he did alone.

"By the way, I also wish to peruse some tomes on the True Monarch level and cultivation paths thereafter." Xu Yang voiced his other reason for seeking out Stone Jade.

The True Monarch level was already the limit for Gu Jun!

Moreover, after reaching the Spirit Realm, much of Daqian’s experience was no longer applicable.

Although the Celestial Refining Divine Scripture could guide him step by step, if he could glean the insights and experiences of Spirit Realm experts, it would greatly benefit his own cultivation going forward.

Upon hearing this, Stone Jade immediately smiled and said, "Had you not mentioned it, I would have gathered some for you anyway, Mr. Xu."

"As luck would have it, there’s no time like the present—I’ll take you to the Scripture Repository."

"Much obliged, Miss Shi."

"Think nothing of it."

Stone Jade rose and led Xu Yang to the Scripture Repository.

The Scripture Repository stood amidst a garden shrouded by ancient towering trees.

No one was around; the place was tranquil and elegant.

An austere, pagoda-like pavilion stood upright like a tower.

Xu Yang swept the surroundings in surprise, not detecting a single trace of a sentry.

Could it be that their cultivation was simply too high?

Stone Jade seemed to read Xu Yang’s mind, beamed, and said, "There are no guards here, but the place is linked to the Stone Spirit. If any villain dares trespass, the Stone Spirit will suppress them!"

"When the Stone Spirit erupts normally, it’s second only to the Celestial Human Realm; should it go all out, it could even match a Celestial Human!"

Xu Yang instinctively gazed at the towering megalith in the distance, clicking his tongue in awe.

With such a thing here, the Scripture Repository was utterly impregnable!

As they approached, Stone Jade produced a token and swept it before her.

The grand doors of the Scripture Repository opened automatically.

Once inside, an expanse of void appeared before them.

A stone pillar, as thick as a barrel and seven feet high, resembling a miniature altar, stood upright in the void.

Stone Jade stepped forward and pressed her palm on it.

In the next moment, the void erupted with streams of spiritual radiance, swirling around like meteors.

In the blink of an eye, these transformed into rolls of ancient scrolls of various colors, floating before their eyes.

Xu Yang marveled once again; though he could comprehend such a method, Spirit Realm experts had clearly mastered it to the utmost.

"Mr. Xu, these contain all the knowledge of cultivation as well as the experiences and insights of many elders of our Battle King noble family. Merely by focusing your mind, you can access whatever you desire."

Withdrawing her hand, Stone Jade turned to Xu Yang and addressed him.

"I’ve learned much today." Xu Yang smiled lightly.

Stone Jade couldn’t help but laugh: "The Spirit Realm has simply maintained its inheritance unbroken. If you had always been here, Mr. Xu, I’m afraid we would be left in the dust."

This Stone Jade certainly knew how to speak.

Stone Jade and Hu’s personalities were polar opposites.

"Thank you!"

Xu Yang clasped his hands in a formal salute and stepped up to the stone pillar.

Stone Jade offered a faint smile, then quietly took her leave.

The void was dead silent, only streaks of spiritual radiance flashing soundlessly.

Xu Yang placed a hand on the stone pillar. As time passed, ancient scrolls unfurled before him, the stored experiences within pouring straight into his soul.

Profound and magnificent.

Xu Yang felt as if he had opened the gates to an entirely new world, lost in intoxication, utterly absorbed.

And so, several days passed.

He read at least a hundred cultivation notes left by True Monarchs, Divine Thunder Dukes, and even Celestial Human Realm experts of the Battle King noble family.

Such things, outside these walls, were more precious than most advanced cultivation techniques and divine techniques!

They could save a person countless detours!

As for the harvest, it was nearly indescribable in scope.

"At the True Monarch level, Minghuo is the mainstay, yet there are many special cultivation methods—absorbing Heaven and Earth spiritual objects instead of refining Minghuo; overall, Minghuo is but one among many."

Both cultivating Minghuo and not doing so have their unique strengths!

Yet Xu Yang had no regrets about his own choice.

The Heaven-Burning Divine Fire was, without doubt, both mysterious and incomparably powerful!

It was time to walk the path of Minghuo cultivation.

There was also the matter of spirit marks.

Nine-foot spirit marks signified a True Monarch’s comprehension and mastery over the Spirit River and martial way.

For the Divine Thunder Duke level, the spirit mark became solid, transforming into spiritual intent that penetrated to the source of the Spirit River!

"My next phase of cultivation is clear—to contact the source of the Spirit River, strengthen Minghuo, and master the Heaven Locking Will!"

Upon breaking through to True Monarch, he could now truly wield Heaven Locking Will.

Though only at the threshold, even now its power to seal and disrupt was terrifying!

His previous battle with Hu was the very best proof.

His own spirit mark was, naturally, built upon Heaven Locking Will!

Of course, his present understanding of Heaven Locking Will was not yet the true essence; he needed to condense the spirit mark into substance—transforming it into spiritual intent!

"This Heaven Locking Will feels far beyond the spirit path!"

"Having read so many insights, the Celestial Refining Divine Scripture, the Heaven Locking Will, the Heaven-Burning Divine Fire—all of these things seem to hail from a higher inheritance!"

"Immortal Dao?"

Xu Yang’s heart trembled.

"Even if not the Immortal Dao’s legacy, they’re likely the utmost extent of the spirit path."

"Maybe I’ll discover more on the Ancient Ruins of Fallen Immortals!"

After a long while.

Xu Yang swept away his stray thoughts and recalled the Celestial Brilliance Divine Sky Seal.

Earlier, he had already cultivated it to twenty thousand seals!

At thirty thousand seals came the second tier—the watershed, and final tier!

This Celestial Brilliance Divine Sky Seal could at most be cultivated up to the level of True Monarch.

Ten Thousand Phenomena Sovereign, Supreme True Monarch!

Compared against these other experiences, this divine technique wasn’t the very best at the Spirit Realm level, but it was certainly not mediocre, either.

"Time to head out."

Xu Yang withdrew his hand and stepped out of the void.

Swish!

A figure appeared out of nowhere in the Scripture Repository.

"Who knows what’s happened, but they’re starting the Spirit Source Baptism ahead of schedule this time."

"Indeed, that’s never happened before."

"Eh, all the better for us, I suppose!"

...

As Xu Yang entered the main hall of the Scripture Repository, he faintly heard the conversation outside, his expression turning to one of intrigue and surprise.

Spirit Source Baptism?

Spirit Source? Is that the source of the Spirit River?

The Spirit River’s source could actually be used for baptism?

Shhhh!

The great doors of the Scripture Repository abruptly swung open.

Two young men entered, chatting and laughing.

Upon spotting Xu Yang, they both paused, momentarily stunned.

"Hey, who are you? Why haven’t I seen you before?"

Shi Xiong studied Xu Yang in confusion, sensing the aura of a True Monarch about him, and couldn’t help but feel a jolt of shock.

Xu Yang smiled and said, "I’m a friend of Hu."

"Hu’s friend?"

At Xu Yang’s words, Shi Xiong and his companion exchanged a glance, instantly showing serious respect!

Hu was the Shi Family’s most outstanding prodigy, his authority beyond question!

To be Hu’s friend was clearly no simple matter!

And to enter the Scripture Repository, even less so.

The two hadn’t the slightest suspicion that Xu Yang had sneaked in.

After all, if someone could slip into the Battle King noble family’s Scripture Repository unnoticed, it would spell catastrophe.

"By the way, I overheard you mention the Spirit Source Baptism. May I ask about it?" Xu Yang asked curiously.

"Ah, that."

Shi Xiong laughed and said, "That’s the greatest opportunity for the younger generation of our Battle King noble family. Through special techniques, we distill and collect Spirit River energy into Spirit Source, which is of tremendous benefit for cultivation!"

"Most great powers have such opportunities. Brother, you didn’t know?" Shi Xiong looked puzzled.

A True Monarch unfamiliar with this?

Xu Yang kept his composure and smiled, "So that’s how it is. I do not belong to any sect or noble clan—I’ve been following my teacher in secluded cultivation in the wilds, so I know little of such matters."

Shi Xiong was greatly surprised—secluded cultivation in isolation?

Only great resolve could manage such a thing.

"No wonder you and Hu became friends—my respect!"

Shi Xiong quickly gave a formal salute.

Xu Yang looked awkward, not sure how to explain further, so he simply waved his hand with a smile: "I’ll take my leave, so as not to disturb you two."

"Take care!"

As Xu Yang stepped out of the Scripture Repository, Shi Xiong sighed, "Didn’t expect there really are people cultivating in seclusion. He seems remarkable—a True Monarch, yet gives me an unfathomable feeling. I bet his strength is not much less than Hu’s!"

"Probably about the same, though I still think Hu is a bit stronger!"

"Hahaha, that’s true. With Hu’s fiery temper, if someone were really stronger, he wouldn’t be able to resist beating him up. Why else would he invite someone as a guest of the Battle King Family and let him into the Scripture Repository?"

...