In the military camp, the soldiers of the Yang Family Army had been fully settled in. They had already blended in with the original soldiers of Xuanhuang Village. Laughing and chatting together, they quickly became familiar with one another. Despite coming from all corners of the land, they all shared the same identity: soldiers. They spoke the same language, had the same straightforward and sincere personalities, and bore no ill will toward others. More importantly, they all had the experience of fighting and surviving against fierce beasts.
These shared experiences formed the perfect bridge for communication.
Through their conversations, they all came to learn about the existence of the Scripture Pavilion.
It soon became clear that in Xuanhuang Village, every single person—whether a soldier or an ordinary villager—was qualified to cultivate and was eligible to enter the Scripture Pavilion to obtain a cultivation technique. However, these inheritances could not be passed on to others. The only way to obtain them was to go to the Scripture Pavilion in person.
After lunch, all the Yang Family soldiers headed to the pavilion to receive the army's foundational technique, Iron-Blooded Baleful Qi (铁血煞气). Many of them began cultivating as soon as they returned to camp.
Likewise, the villagers who had migrated from Yang Family Village entered the pavilion in turn and received the Pure Origin Technique (纯元功). Smiles of joy appeared on many faces.
However, the three members of the Yang family—Yang Ye and his two sons—did not rush to choose a technique. Instead, they waited until everyone else had received theirs, and only then did they go to the Scripture Pavilion together.
"What an enormous Scripture Pavilion. It's like a completely different world from what you see outside. I've heard that during the day, even with tens of thousands entering and exiting, the pavilion never feels crowded. It's like another dimension. It must be similar to the legendary divine ability Mustard Seed Contains Mount Sumeru. No doubt, this is a true treasure," Yang Yanping said with astonishment as he looked around.
Everywhere they looked were rows upon rows of white jade bookshelves.
There seemed to be a scholarly fragrance lingering in the air.
Just being in this place calmed the heart.
"Eldest, Second, let's split up and look around. See if we can find cultivation techniques that suit us. While Iron-Blooded Baleful Qi is fine, I've always heard that building a solid foundation is the key. The stronger the foundation, the greater your future achievements. So, we must not be careless when it comes to foundation techniques," Yang Ye said, his ambitions far from modest.
If they were to cultivate, it had to be with the goal of reaching the peak. The Iron-Blooded Baleful Qi was a basic military technique—far too generic. If everyone trained with it, it wouldn't provide much of an edge.
"Yes, Father!!"
Yang Yanping and Yang Yanding answered without hesitation and began searching through the white jade shelves.
"Sitting Oblivion Sutra" (坐忘经) – A top-tier foundation technique. It involves visualizing Innate Primordial Qi and can perfectly harmonize with the user's constitution. A thousand people cultivate Sitting Oblivion, and all gain different results.
Upon reading this description, Yang Yanping's heart burned with excitement.
This was a rare and precious top-tier foundation technique. In the Divine Sea Realm, few could rival it. Techniques like this were truly priceless treasures.
"Eight Slashes of Iron-Blood" (铁血八刀) – Peak Yellow-rank combat technique. Its blade strikes are ferocious and saturated with killing intent. The Iron-Blooded Blade Intent allows for unrelenting offense. When fully mastered, one can comprehend this blade intent.
Yang Yanding stopped in front of a shelf, visibly drawn to the technique. As a body cultivator with immense strength and a preference for blades, acquiring a superior blade art would dramatically enhance his combat capabilities. He couldn't tear his eyes away from it.
"Heavenly Soldier Battle Codex: Divine Sea Chapter" (天兵战典·神海篇) – A top-tier military cultivation technique. It includes the Heavenly Soldier Formation Visualization Diagram, allowing the absorption of Heavenly Baleful Qi and Heavenly Killing Intent. Designed for auxiliary cultivation, its Heavenly Soldier True Qi can merge with any other true qi, imbuing it with the sharp edge and ferocity of the heavenly soldiers.
Yang Ye stood before a shelf, staring at a white jade tome, his heart pounding with desire.
This technique cultivated by absorbing baleful energy from the world—the denser the baleful aura, the faster the cultivation. For military use, it was practically tailor-made.
Most importantly, it was an auxiliary technique, which meant it could be cultivated alongside a main technique without conflict.
Naturally, it was immensely valuable.
Yang Ye could easily tell that such a technique wasn't something just anyone could get.
It wasn't free—it required merit points to exchange.
"Father, I found a top-tier foundation technique called Sitting Oblivion Sutra, but it's not free—I can't get it," Yang Yanping said as he approached.
"Father, I found a powerful blade technique. If I learn it, my strength will immediately improve," added Yang Yanding.
"There are many techniques here—each one a priceless treasure. But aside from basic ones, all the rest require merit points to exchange," Yang Ye replied solemnly.
"Father, let's offer up that Vajra Dragon-Elephant Technique to the Scripture Pavilion. I already checked—if a technique isn't already in the collection, it can be donated, and we'll be fairly compensated with the right to choose something of higher grade. Besides, we've settled down here in Xuanhuang Village. Brother Yi is someone worthy of our loyalty. He's already done more for the people than we ever did. He offers cultivation to everyone. That kind of courage—how could we not follow him?" Yang Yanping said, eyes glowing.
He had already explored the village and understood its origins and development. The more he learned, the more he admired it.
This place had no proper army at the start. It was built by Yi Tianxing himself, leading villagers through life-and-death battles. Compared to that, the Yang Family Village had it easy.
"Second, bring out the Vajra Dragon-Elephant Technique," Yang Ye said seriously.
"Father, you..." Yang Yanping was startled, thinking he was going to refuse.
"Eldest, our Yang family is pledging loyalty not for personal gain, but for the sake of protecting the people. Our country may be gone, but the Yang family's integrity must remain. We won't take advantage of this situation. If we want techniques, we'll pay the price ourselves," Yang Ye said sternly. "As soldiers, we must remember: Only by remaining untempted by gain can we see the battlefield clearly—and win."
"Yes, Father!!" both sons answered, hearts solemn and inspired.
"I wish to offer this body cultivation method, the Vajra Dragon-Elephant Technique, in exchange for the inheritances of the Heavenly Soldier Battle Codex, the Sitting Oblivion Sutra, and the Eight Slashes of Iron-Blood," Yang Ye declared, holding out a white jade tome.
Whoosh!!
As his voice fell, a beam of white light enveloped the tome. It vanished and reappeared on one of the jade shelves. Moments later, three beams of light shot out from the pavilion, entering the bodies of the three men.
—
In his residence, Yi Tianxing had been meditating when he suddenly opened his eyes, a flicker of surprise passing through them before a smile appeared.
"How interesting. They chose to trade the Vajra Dragon-Elephant Technique for new inheritances instead of pledging loyalty in exchange. That integrity… worthy of the Yang family. Only such men could lead the Yang Army," he murmured.
The Scripture Pavilion recognized him as its master, so any changes inside were known to him.
He now valued Yang Ye even more.
Such a general was a rare gem.
"The Sitting Oblivion Sutra and Heavenly Soldier Battle Codex—a wise choice. Together, they make for a formidable foundation for a military commander," he nodded to himself.
Then he returned to his cultivation, drawing in heaven and earth energy while nurturing his newly formed Yang Linking Meridian, aiming to strengthen it to match the Twelve Principal Meridians.
—
Outside the Scripture Pavilion, the Yang family left after receiving their inheritances.
Shortly after, a ragged young man approached the pavilion. His eyes were filled with shock—and a mixture of jealousy, envy, and indignation.
"Yi Tianxing... a top exorcist from the city. Why does he get all the luck? First the Village Establishment Order, then all these treasures? Damn lucky bastard. But I won't lose to you. If you can do it, so can I. All I need is a chance. If I can just get a cultivation method, I'll rise too. I, Qian Xiaojia, won't lose to some lucky upstart. I'm not going to let some loser have his 'underdog rise.'"
Muttering bitterly to himself, his eyes flashing, he stepped boldly into the pavilion.
The moment he entered, the breathtaking sight within stunned him. Rows upon rows of white jade shelves filled with glowing tomes—more magnificent than any library—radiated a mystical, awe-inspiring atmosphere.
"To let everyone cultivate... How much damn luck did this Yi guy get? How many techniques does this place even hold?" Qian Xiaojia muttered under his breath, eyes gleaming.