Chapter 49

Boom—!

The Mountain of Books moved; accompanied by a violent roar, a single eye drilled out from the mountain wall composed of books.

Like a great sun hanging in the sky, it swept its gaze over the two below.

Merely that gaze was like a great mountain pressing down.

Hum!

Deep within consciousness, the flame of the Ashen Lamp flickered, silently dispelling the pressure.

Jiang Yan continued to feign an unbearable expression on the surface, while his heart was shocked.

This was absolutely a life form above the level of Old Talisman!

After a while, an ancient voice came from above:

"Ba Lie? Sounds familiar... I remember now, it's little Ba. It's been so long; how have you become so thin?"

"Haha, you still remember me! I have already grown old, yet you remain as graceful as ever!"

Ba Lie laughed loudly, starting to chat about daily life, occasionally offering flattery, which put the Mountain of Books Taishui in a very good mood.

"You've brought a new person again. Let me see... Tsk, remarkable, an Upper Grade evaluation. The last one to arrive with an Upper Grade evaluation seems to have become an extraordinary figure."

The Mountain of Books Taishui looked at Jiang Yan and the credentials beside him; a trace of surprise flashed in its single eye, its gaze nostalgic, before it said:

"Since the Headquarters has already agreed, there is no need to waste time on the first and second floors; go directly to the third floor. There are all top-tier basic Practice Methods."

Having finished speaking, its belly opened; a vast number of books turned into flying birds, forming a staircase that led straight to the heart position.

"Many thanks, Taishui!"

Ba Lie offered thanks, led Jiang Yan inside, and spoke while walking:

"The Mountain of Books Taishui is a special Disease Domain discovered by the Jiangnan Province Headquarters within a Disease Domain; it fused with the Spirit of Taishui and accidentally gained sentience.

Its temperament is gentle; it naturally loves books and all kinds of knowledge, and feeds on them.

Therefore, after the Headquarters discovered it, they reached a contract with it, hiring it as a Guest Elder to help store the original versions of various supernatural books; in return, it could freely read them. It is a very good elder."

Hearing this, Jiang Yan's gaze was surprised; he never expected a Disease Domain could also become a spirit.

The world is vast; truly, there is nothing strange that does not exist.

Entering the interior of the Mountain of Books Taishui, what met the eyes were countless books arranged in a spiral, stretching endlessly at a glance.

A true... Mountain of Books, Sea of Books!

According to Ba Lie, this place stores the spells and Practice Methods obtained by historical walkers of Jiangnan Province through the ages from Disease Domains, including accumulations from previous dynasties.

This is the benefit of joining the official organization.

Out there in the world, would they ever give you a chance to choose?

"Take this."

Ba Lie handed over a white tablet; the touch felt somewhat like Taishui flesh.

Seeing Jiang Yan's surprised gaze, Ba Lie explained:

"Although the Mountain of Books Taishui has always been on the edge of the Old Days, it keeps pace with the times; technology also belongs to knowledge. Therefore, all books are categorized and recorded inside, each with a brief introduction; you can simply search according to your needs."

Speaking to this point, Ba Lie leaned in and whispered:

"Newcomers have three selection chances in total. Even if the Practice Method you choose the first time succeeds, I still advise you to choose two more. Not only can they serve as references, but also so no one knows what you are cultivating; do not even tell me."

"Why?"

Jiang Yan actually already had the answer in his heart.

After all, the Heart Ape bloodline he had just obtained mentioned the ability to prey on life forms of the 【Xiu Puti】 path to increase one's own cultivation.

The King of Deceit Beasts wanted to swallow the Heart Ape, but the Heart Ape raised it like a pig until it was fat, and finally he unexpectedly snatched it away.

Then... do other paths still exist?

Moreover, mutated creatures within Disease Domains can extract historical relics and abilities.

Then, would historical walkers who plundered their abilities also extract supernatural traits?

Ba Lie explained seriously: "Originally, I should have waited until after you formed your Dao Foundation to say this, but with your talent, it is a foregone conclusion; telling you early does no harm.

After opening the spirit and advancing to the Dao Foundation, one condenses one's own Dao Foundation based on one's Practice Method, foundation, and attributes, divided according to Yin, Yang, the Five Elements, and the Ten Heavenly Stems."

"Metal corresponds to Geng and Xin; Wood divides into Jia and Yi; Water divides into Ren and Gui; Fire divides into Bing and Ding; Earth divides into Wu and Ji, corresponding to the Yin and Yang aspects of all things."

"For example, Jia Wood can cultivate the 【Tree Sea Kui Ox Dao Foundation】, follow the 【Wood Kui Ox】 path, plant the seed of Thunder Law, and be unmatched in slaughter.

Yi Wood has the 【Heavenly Wind Soaring Dao Foundation】, follows the 【Red Dust Wind】 path, plants the seed of the Soaring Heavenly Wind Law, transforms the body into a clear breeze, and soars straight upward.

Besides these, there is the Wu Earth's 【Nine Nether Aurora Dao Foundation】, the Geng Metal's 【Taibai Life-Slaying Dao Foundation】, and so on; these are all representatives of top-tier Practice Methods.

In addition, there are Dao Foundations born from the fusion of different Five Elements; the cultivation difficulty is high, but the rewards are also high."

Hearing this, Jiang Yan's expression became increasingly Solemn.

Ba Lie sighed: "Every attribute is equivalent to a road stretching from the past through to the present; historical walkers must walk against it to the end, inevitably accompanied by layer upon layer of resistance.

However, human power is limited, so some people find ways to eat passersby coming from behind, increasing their strength, thereby walking further.

Some even swallow Dao Foundations; the Law Seeds nurtured within can also be seized, saving a vast amount of Hard Work. This is not without side effects; it will pollute oneself and increase the difficulty of breaking through realms, but some fellows are already old... they cannot wait."

Translated, it means:

Geniuses are looked down upon, but one must guard against some old, dying things.

Jiang Yan raised a question: "Then, the one who has walked the furthest on this road, will they also..."

Ba Lie shook his head: "Not to that extent, because the greater the difference in strength, the weaker the effect."

A weak effect is not no effect...

Jiang Yan suddenly thought of the 【Burning Lamp Fire Prison Chapter】 on his person; it seems other parts are scattered elsewhere, very likely becoming a hidden danger.

Recalling the strange reaction of the King of Deceit Beasts upon seeing the Ashen Lamp, he could not help but suspect...

The Burning Lamp Buddha,

Was it truly out of goodwill that they spread their own path?

After entering the Monkey King Temple instance, Jiang Yan's state of mind underwent a transformation; his emotions grew increasingly indifferent, as if he had attained the state of clear mind and true nature in Buddhism, characterized by meditative concentration and letting go of attachments.

But was this truly letting go?

Or was it... being taken down?

If all beings can be turned into candles, then what is a cultivator?

A lamp?

Thinking of these various possibilities, Jiang Yan's state of mind fluctuated, and cold sweat trickled down.

Indeed, this world is full of traps everywhere.

At this moment, the voice of the Book Mountain Ta Sui came through:

"Little Ba, do not always frighten children. The Dao foundation requires discrimination; some appear to ride the wild winds, yet are merely Ding Fire.

Even if cultivating the same method, one cannot simply consume at will; it must be sufficiently compatible to complete oneself, otherwise it will only invite backlash.

Someone like Jiang Yan, on the contrary, need not worry about being targeted. He chose a top-tier Practice Method; it is either an out-of-print fragment requiring one to open corresponding tasks in the River of History to find the continuation, or its difficulty is so high that it can accommodate only a few cultivators at most.

Once the number reaches the limit, it will be locked by karma, rendering related inheritances invalid.

Even if a great figure truly cultivates it to completion, they will far exceed the Old Records. By the time they die, they might not even see a single Seed of Dharma realm. Consuming spiritual energy to increase the Dao foundation would yield less than what they gain from a single breath."

Jiang Yan asked curiously, "Then what happens if there is no continuation after the fragment is cultivated to completion?"

"Once you cultivate it to completion, it is no longer you chasing it; rather, it comes to you. Superiors of the same origin attract each other."

The voice of the Book Mountain Ta Sui was gentle:

"The River of History will anchor you to a similar history. Unless you are truly unlucky, you will not come to a standstill. If all else fails... you can still switch to a similar path."

Ba Lie interjected, saying, "In fact, compared to plundering the Dao foundation, what suits the History Walkers even better are the 【Great Achievements】 born from the mutations of historical celebrities."

"That is going too far; that is something only the Seed of Dharma and Old Records need to consider. Jiang Yan, go and choose the Practice Method you favor."

Jiang Yan nodded and opened the tablet.

As he swiped casually, many profound scriptures appeared.

【Chapter on Capturing Qi of the True Forms of the Five Sacred Peaks (Top-Tier):

Advantages: Path of the Mountains and Rivers Department, capturing the essence of the Three Mountains and Five Sacred Peaks to refine oneself. Condense the spine of the Five Sacred Peaks within the body, transforming it into an Earth Dragon, simulating the flow of earth veins through the meridians. The physique becomes powerful; standing on the earth, the qi veins flow endlessly. By cultivating the qi of the Five Sacred Peaks, one can condense the Earth General Seed of Dharma of the Five Sacred Peaks.

There is a probability of birthing a Fourth-Rank Old Record: Marshal Wu Tu of the Five Sacred Peaks.

Disadvantages: The meridians within the body are long-term flushed by the qi of the Five Sacred Peaks, easily causing petrification and mutation, rigid thinking, and indifferent emotions. The qi of earth veins is hard to find; the qi of the Five Sacred Peaks is even harder. Collecting it on a large scale will incur the world's curse, diminishing one's luck.】

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(End of this chapter)