The Scripture Pavilion was not merely a place to store cultivation techniques and martial arts manuals.Its internal space was virtually limitless; no matter how many books were stored inside, it never felt crowded.Yi Tianxing had originally intended to place techniques and combat skills of the Sea of Divine Origin realm on the first floor.However, if desired, those could be moved to the second floor, and techniques of other realms extended to the third, fourth floors, and beyond.This would leave the first floor available to house all kinds of books—from the Four Books and Five Classics, to poetry, Daoist scriptures, miscellaneous discourses, and entertaining tales.
Of course, if it came to that, the ordinary books on the first floor would no longer be inherited through the transmission method, but rather would need to be read manually.Although the transmission method engraved the contents directly into one's mind, that didn't equate to instant comprehension.The martial techniques, though sealed into one's mind, still had to be understood through one's own talent and insight.
As for common literature, whether it used the transmission method or not was irrelevant.Reading with one's own hands could actually lead to a deeper level of mastery and appreciation, enriching the reading experience.
"Zhao Ji just doesn't want the wisdom of the ancients to vanish, nor the books painstakingly collected by her father to be lost forever,"
Cai Yan nodded in agreement.She had grown up surrounded by books and held a deep, inexpressible affection for them.Now that the conditions allowed it, she naturally hoped to retranscribe the books stored in her memory.
Especially in front of her lay sheets of white paper, which held an almost irresistible allure.Previously, books had been made using bamboo slips, which required carts to carry.Now, everything could be neatly recorded in just a few books made of white paper—a monumental advancement for human civilization.
The appearance of white paper marked a major step forward in humanity's development.
"But you don't have to rush through the copying process," Yi Tianxing gently reminded her."Pacing yourself is important. Use your spare time for transcriptions—the rest should be focused on cultivation. Strength is still the foundation. The world ahead belongs to cultivators."
"Zhao Ji understands," Cai Yan nodded lightly.
They shared a bowl of Three-Delicacy Blood Porridge, sat together for a while, and then Yi Tianxing left.Though he could have stayed the night—and Cai Yan probably wouldn't have refused—he wasn't ready to take that step lightly.He wanted to wait for a truly meaningful day.
The use of the Dawn Lamps had once again united the people of Xuán Huáng Village.With the lamps in use, the number of night-time attacks from fierce beasts and birds had sharply decreased.These creatures had an instinctive fear of light.Even if they approached, the lamps illuminated them so clearly that defending against them became far easier, significantly reducing danger.
Days passed quietly—more than a dozen of them.
Then, one morning as the sun rose in the east, a solemn tension spread across the village.In the barracks, this air of seriousness and killing intent was even stronger.
Breakfast was lavish: white rice, beast meat, and man-eating fish soup.The soldiers ate in complete silence, finishing quickly and with purpose.
Clack.
Footsteps echoed crisply.
Yang Ye, Wang Dahu, Yang Yanping, and Yang Yanding entered, donned in shining armor and weapons in hand.
Swish—All the soldiers instantly put down their bowls and chopsticks and stood.Under the commands of their captains, lieutenants, and company leaders, they quickly formed orderly lines.
"Brothers!" Yang Ye's gaze was sharp and full of spirit.
"You've heard the orders from the Lord. Today we may face a brutal battle. Terrifying enemies, monstrous beasts might appear."
"You've been trained for years for this moment. Tell me—do you fear death?!"
"NO!"
"NO!" The army roared in unison, their fighting spirit blazing.
"Good! The safety of Xuán Huáng Village is in your hands. To the walls—move out!"
Boom—boom—boom!!The soldiers grabbed their weapons and marched in formation toward the city walls.
As they passed through the village, countless villagers looked on with eyes full of pride and trust.Many had already picked up weapons and tools themselves—ready to defend their homes.Some began silently hauling stones to the top of the walls.
The surrounding farmlands had been harvested.Thanks to the dense spiritual energy, crops matured rapidly—within just a month, a full harvest had been gathered.The village's granaries were now full.
"This may be the true test," murmured a villager.
"The chief and Yang General both said—when the village ascends to township status, there will be a major crisis."
"Let it come. We're not the same village anymore. Five thousand elite soldiers, solid walls… whoever dares attack will be crushed beneath them!"
Even the villagers exuded a fiery will to fight.Anyone who dared to ruin their lives would pay dearly.That unyielding spirit, passed down from Yi Tianxing himself, had become part of the village's identity.
Even those afraid would clench their teeth, hide their fear, and charge forward for the sake of pride.
"Better to die standing with our guts intact than live kneeling with them shriveled!"
Meanwhile, not all troops went to the walls.A portion remained in the village under Wang Dahu and Yang Yanping's command, ready to respond to sudden changes.
"Brother Lu," said Huang Chengyan, standing beside Master Lu, "the storm is coming. I wonder if we'll survive it."
His expression remained calm despite his words.
"It's inevitable. This is the tribulation tied to our rise from village to township. If we survive, the future will be bright. If not…"
Lu didn't need to finish that sentence.
He looked toward the sky. Xuanhuang Village's fate energy burned like wildfire, but above it, black clouds loomed, as if the heavens themselves weighed down upon them.
"It's time," Lu said calmly."The sooner it's done, the better."
"Everything now rests on the Lord. Only he knows how to complete the ascension." Huang Chengyan nodded solemnly.
"I believe Xuán Huáng Village will not fall," said Cai Yan, standing on the walls, her elegance hiding a firm resolve.
At the Fate Energy Pond, Yi Tianxing stood tall.The pond was full to the brim.Taking a deep breath, he spoke:
"Heaven and Earth, hear my plea. I, Yi Tianxing, Lord of Xuanhuang Village, make this request.Since the founding of this village, we have accepted people, repelled beasts and monsters, developed martial arts, and built a loyal community.Today, our fate energy has reached its peak.The village can no longer contain it.I ask that Heaven allow Xuanhuang Village to ascend to Township status.This is my solemn prayer."
His voice echoed through the fate space, as if carried straight into the will of the heavens.
The moment the Fate Energy Pond reached its limit, Yi Tianxing instinctively knew what had to be done.When the pond was full, it would resonate with the heavens—a sacred connection was established.