Chapter 8: The Library of Books

In the deep silence of the night, Chuiyun Peak was no longer as bustling as during the day; all the cultivators had gone to bed.
In Tingfeng Residence, a night pearl was placed beside Qu Yi’s bed. These rare treasures from the mortal world were quite common lighting devices in a cultivation sect like Xianyun Sect, with each disciple owning one.
Guided by the bright glow of the pearl, Qu Yi was reading several books left by Senior Dequan.
One was titled *Xianyun Comprehensive Guide*, which recorded the sect’s rules, an overview of each peak, and the profiles of the elders. Almost everything related to Xianyun Sect was documented there.
Another was *Introduction to Cultivation*, which covered basic knowledge such as cultivation techniques, spells, formations, artifact crafting, pills, and spiritual roots—essentially a comprehensive guide to fundamental cultivation knowledge.
The third was *Xianyun Sect’s Compilation of Cultivation Techniques*, detailing some basic techniques of Xianyun Sect, including those related to metal, wood, water, fire, earth, artifact crafting, formations, and pills. These were meant for newcomers to choose one or two based on their preferences and then practice them.
At that moment, Qu Yi was engrossed in reading *Xianyun Sect’s Compilation of Cultivation Techniques*, unaware of his surroundings. It was no wonder—just a few days ago, Qu Yi was still a mortal. Suddenly encountering this introduction to basic cultivation techniques, he was shocked and completely absorbed in it.
The path of cultivation is indeed as vast as the ocean.
Qu Yi read carefully and gradually acquired some knowledge of cultivation. At the same time, he began planning his future path in cultivation.
The path of cultivation involves continuously gathering and purifying energy until one reaches the primal source. There are five primal energies in this world—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Throughout the evolution of the universe, these primal energies have transformed into various forms of energy. Cultivation involves absorbing these energies while constantly searching for the primal energy, purifying the body, and eventually attaining a body of primal energy, allowing one to live as long as heaven and earth and achieve immortality.
Based on the attributes of energy, there are five main paths of cultivation: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Of course, within these five paths, there are countless techniques and methods. Over countless years, cultivators have developed some mature techniques that have been passed down.
Xianyun Sect primarily focuses on wood-based cultivation techniques, but it also has many other techniques, along with powerful auxiliary skills, enabling it to maintain a strong presence on Cuimu Planet.
Feeling slightly tired, Qu Yi gently closed the book and gazed at the night pearl, lost in thought.

“The master said I have a five-element spirit root constitution, but he didn’t specify a cultivation path. So this is why. With my constitution, the path of cultivation is extremely difficult. Among the five paths—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—if I choose any one, the other four spirit roots in my body will greatly hinder the absorption and purification of energy.”
At that moment, Qu Yi felt immense pressure.
“To achieve greatness and become a free being, since I, Qu Yi, have embarked on the path of cultivation, I must achieve eternity.”
Qu Yi made up his mind firmly, his expression resolute.
…
Seven days later, De Quan visited Tingfeng Residence once again.
“Junior brother, junior brother! Your senior brother has arrived!” His voice rang out as he hovered in the air.
Qu Yi had already finished reading those three books and was pondering his own cultivation path. Hearing this, he was overjoyed and immediately rushed out of the room.
“Fourth senior brother, you’re here.” Qu Yi smiled broadly, somewhat excited.
De Quan floated happily over to Qu Yi, examined him for a while, and noticed that Qu Yi seemed much more composed than seven days ago. He realized that Qu Yi must have studied those books carefully during those days and understood the difficulties of the cultivation path.
“Junior brother, have you finished reading those three books in these seven days?” De Quan asked with a smile.
“Yes, senior brother. I see now that cultivation is both fascinating and extremely difficult—it’s very challenging,” Qu Yi said seriously.
Challenging? De Quan burst into laughter upon hearing this, finding his junior brother quite interesting. Yet he also agreed with this view—cultivation is a path that defies nature, requiring successive challenges to reach the pinnacle.
“Alright, junior brother, enough about that. Let me ask you—has the master ever told you what kind of spirit root you have?” De Quan asked seriously.
The spirit root corresponds to the cultivation techniques. As the representative teacher, De Quan needed to clarify this before starting to teach.
“The master said I have a five-element spirit root constitution,” Qu Yi said with a pained expression.
“What!”
De Quan lost his balance, his face full of surprise. He never expected Qu Yi’s constitution to be a five-element spirit root.
Why would the master do this? Why would the head of the sect choose a disciple with the worst spirit root constitution?
Full of doubts, De Quan kept thinking. He really couldn’t understand why the master would take Qu Yi as a disciple. Perhaps it was because of Qu Yi’s high level of comprehension, but even then, it was hard to see what connection Qu Yi had with the master… It couldn’t be…
Qu Yi noticed De Quan’s expression and understood very well, but he couldn’t reveal the truth. If he exposed the master-disciple relationship he had obtained through the jade sword, he would likely die immediately.

“Oh, oh, it’s okay, junior brother. Although this spiritual root constitution isn’t the best, it’s still sufficient for cultivating. Which cultivation method do you want to learn?” Dequan couldn’t guess, so he stopped thinking about it and asked right away.
Qu Yi was moved—this senior brother hadn’t treated him coldly just because his spiritual root was the worst.
“Fourth senior brother, I want to learn the Metal element cultivation method,” Qu Yi said loudly.
The Metal element cultivation methods had the strongest offensive power.
After comparing the five element methods, Qu Yi felt that the Metal method was the most suitable for him. Its decisive and swift nature, capable of killing with a single strike, matched the hunting skills he had developed since childhood, making it easier for him to master.
“Good, junior brother. I’ll take you to the library,” Dequan said with a smile.
……
The library existed on each of the thirty-six peaks of the Xianyun Sect. The library on Zuiyun Peak was located in the middle of the mountain slope, where there was a natural ancient cave that, after some modification, became the library for Zuiyun Peak.
Dequan flew with Qu Yi to the library. Since he was still in the early stages of foundation-building, Dequan’s spiritual essence hadn’t fully coalesced, so he couldn’t fly by wielding a sword. Instead, he had to fly by controlling qi with his body, which, of course, was much slower than flying with a sword.
Fifteen minutes later, Dequan and Qu Yi finally arrived in front of the library.
The ancient cave, a hundred meters high, was magnificent and grand. There were hundreds of platforms inside, adorned with carvings of insects and beasts, creating a solemn atmosphere. Strange fluctuations of spiritual energy could be felt inside—the dense natural spiritual energy, along with what seemed to be arrays gathering a great deal of spiritual energy. In front of the cave stood a ten-meter-tall stone tablet inscribed with the words “Library,” indicating its purpose.
“Wow, Fourth senior brother, this library is really huge!” Qu Yi exclaimed as he stepped down, unable to contain his awe.
Dequan chuckled, thinking that this junior brother was even more curious than he had been back in his day, marveling at everything he saw.
“Enough, junior brother. Stop marveling. This is your identity card. With it, you can enter the library,” Dequan said as he took out a golden card two fingers wide.
Upon hearing this, Qu Yi immediately snatched the card and marked it with his blood.
After reading three books, Qu Yi learned some basic knowledge: every cultivation sect had its own unique identity card, which was given to new disciples. Marking it with blood was all that was required.
Dequan smiled upon seeing this.
“Fourth senior brother, let’s go in,” Qu Yi said, holding the card, with a smile.
Just as Dequan was about to move, he suddenly heard someone calling from behind.
“Senior Brother Dequan, are you also going into the library?” a loud voice rang out.

Immediately, a young man dressed in white, with a jade belt around his waist, graceful and as handsome as a jade statue, landed lightly beside Dequan like down in the wind.
“It turns out to be junior brother Liu Qingfeng. I haven’t seen you in a long time. I heard you’ve already reached the later stage of the Foundation Establishment phase. Congratulations,” Dequan said with a gentle smile, though his tone weakened slightly.
Liu Qingfeng glanced at Qu Yi, then looked at Dequan and said with a smile, “Senior brother Dequan, I’ve reached the later stage ahead of you. You don’t need to be discouraged. I’m looking forward to competing with you in the grand competition in ten years.”
Dequan’s expression changed drastically, but he quickly regained composure and said with a smile, “No problem. Of course, I’ll compete with you.”
Liu Qingfeng smiled faintly, then turned to Qu Yi and said, “I heard the sect master has taken on a new disciple. The disciples of the Thirty-Six Peaks are all very curious—who could be so lucky as to win the sect master’s favor? It seems that lucky one must be this junior brother right here.”
Qu Yi realized at once that Liu Qingfeng was likely a disciple from another peak, arrogant because of his higher cultivation level.
“It’s me. But senior brother, did you come to the library to cultivate or to mock your peers?” Qu Yi said sternly.
Since Liu Qingfeng looked down on him, Qu Yi wouldn’t give him a kind face either and challenged him directly.
“You… Hehe, junior brother, in the path of cultivation, strength comes first. You haven’t even mastered the basic techniques yet, yet you act so recklessly. You’ll regret this later,” Liu Qingfeng said with displeasure on his face, but he held back and smiled.
“Cultivation is about defying fate. Why can’t I just say what I want?” Qu Yi replied calmly.
Liu Qingfeng’s eyes turned cold. He then smiled tightly, stared at Qu Yi for a while, and finally said to Dequan, “Senior brother Dequan, your fifth junior brother really has a great personality. I hope you’ll spend more time with him. Otherwise, there are many fierce beasts on Chase Cloud Peak. If you’re not lucky, you might even ascend directly.”
This was already a direct threat.
Dequan smiled and said, “Liu Qingfeng, stay put on your Golden Extreme Peak. It’s better if you don’t interfere in matters related to Chase Cloud Peak.”
Liu Qingfeng was greatly displeased by their direct confrontation, but since this was the main peak of the Immortal Cloud Sect, he couldn’t act recklessly. With a cold smile, he said, “So you two want to stay on Chase Cloud Peak forever? Then I won’t bother to look after you. I’m going into the library first. My time is precious, and I don’t want to waste it on you two.”
With that, Liu Qingfeng flew swiftly toward the library.

Suddenly, a whirlwind appeared at the ancient cave entrance. When Liu Qingfeng approached, it seemed to sense the formation in his identity token, and the whirlwind vanished immediately, allowing Liu Qingfeng to enter the library.
Seeing Liu Qingfeng leave, Qu Yi immediately asked, “Fourth senior brother, who is this Liu Qingfeng?”