297: Exploring the Mysteries of Shengyun Temple

Early the next morning, Qin Feng took Xiaochun and rode the Hundred Flowers Pavilion's carriage toward Ascending Cloud Temple in the north of the city.

According to the System's previous blue-grade intelligence, the lower volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art was located within the Scripture Pavilion of Ascending Cloud Temple.

The carriage drove out of the bustling districts and gradually entered the northern part of the city. The buildings here were noticeably more ancient and simple, the streets narrower, and the pedestrians were mostly commoners, with Martial Artists being a rare sight.

Ascending Cloud Temple was situated on a small hillside, featuring green tiles, white walls, and towering ancient trees, giving it the genuine charm of a century-old monastery. The stone steps in front of the temple had been worn smooth by footsteps, a testament to the abundance of incense offerings.

Today was not a holiday, so there weren't many pilgrims. Qin Feng and Xiaochun ascended the steps and entered the temple.

The front hall enshrined a divine statue—a majestic middle-aged man wearing Daoist robes with a long sword hanging from his waist. Wisps of incense smoke curled before the statue, and fresh fruits were laid out on the offering table.

“This is Immortal Master Cui Hu, the founding Ancestral Master of our temple,” a young Daoist priest stepped forward to introduce. “It is said that Ancestral Master Cui reached the God Realm and ascended to the Upper Realm to protect the mortal world. However, these are all legends from hundreds of years ago; it's hard to tell what's true or false.”

Qin Feng looked up at the statue. The God Realm... that was a level higher than a Martial Saint. The entire Qian Kingdom had not seen a God Realm expert in three hundred years. If this Immortal Master Cui Hu truly was a God Realm expert, then the hidden foundations of Ascending Cloud Temple were terrifying.

But looking at the temple's current state, though the incense was flourishing, there was no aura of any top-tier experts; it had clearly declined.

“Are the two patrons here to offer incense or to seek a fortune stick?” the young Daoist asked.

“To offer incense, and also to request an audience with your temple's Abbot,” Qin Feng handed over a hundred-gold card. “A small contribution for incense money, please accept it.”

The Daoist's eyes lit up as he took the banknote, and his attitude became even more enthusiastic: “The Abbot is currently practicing in the rear hall. Please follow me.”

The two followed the Daoist through the front and middle halls to the rear hall. It was much quieter here, with only a white-haired old Daoist sitting in meditation.

The old Daoist appeared to be in his sixties with a lean, scholarly face. His aura was at the Early Stage Martial King level; he was indeed the Abbot of Ascending Cloud Temple, Abbot Yan Qi.

“Abbot, two patrons are requesting an audience,” the young Daoist said respectfully.

Abbot Yan Qi slowly opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Qin Feng and Xiaochun. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes—he had clearly noticed that their cultivation was extraordinary.

“I am Abbot Yan Qi. May I ask what business brings you two patrons here?” The old Daoist stood up and gave a traditional greeting.

Qin Feng returned the gesture: “Junior Qin Feng, and this is my sister Xiaochun. Having long heard of Immortal Master Cui Hu's great name, I have come specifically to offer incense and to seek guidance from the Abbot regarding some Daoist classics.”

He paused for a moment and added: “I have a great interest in Daoist scriptures, especially the cultivation insights of ancient Daoist sages.”

A sharp light flashed in Abbot Yan Qi's eyes: “Oh? Patron Qin is so young yet possesses such remarkable cultivation, and you're actually interested in Daoist classics? That is truly rare.”

He motioned for the two to sit, and the young Daoist served them clear tea.

“What specific classics does Patron Qin wish to inquire about?” Abbot Yan Qi asked.

Qin Feng weighed his words: “I once read some fragments of ancient Daoist Cultivation Techniques which mentioned the concept of 'Primordial Chaos as one, the Dao follows nature.' I found it incredibly profound. I wonder if your temple's Scripture Pavilion has any relevant texts that I might study?”

He deliberately emphasized the words 'Primordial Chaos'.

Abbot Yan Qi's finger trembled slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled: “Our Scripture Pavilion does indeed house several thousand volumes, including many Daoist classics. However...”

He changed the subject: “The Scripture Pavilion is a restricted area of the temple; no one but Disciples may enter. Furthermore, many of the texts are incomplete, so I fear Patron Qin may be disappointed.”

This was clearly an excuse to decline.

Qin Feng was not in a hurry and took a jade bottle from his robe: “I naturally understand the rules. This is a bottle of ‘Essence Nourishing Pills,’ Profound Rank High Grade. They are exceptionally effective for nourishing the Meridians and prolonging life. Consider it a small token of my respect.”

He pushed the jade bottle over and took out a ten-thousand-gold banknote: “In addition, I am willing to donate ten thousand gold coins to renovate the temple halls, as a gesture of my respect for Immortal Master Cui Hu.”

Abbot Yan Qi looked at the jade bottle and the banknote, a struggle flashing in his eyes.

Although the Essence Nourishing Pills were only Profound Rank High Grade, they were indeed immensely attractive to an elderly Martial King like him. And ten thousand gold coins were enough to give Ascending Cloud Temple a complete overhaul.

But the Scripture Pavilion... “Patron Qin,” Abbot Yan Qi said hesitantly, “it is not that I am unwilling to make an exception, but there are rules in the temple. Moreover... there truly aren't any precious techniques in the Scripture Pavilion; most are just common Daoist scriptures.”

Qin Feng smiled slightly: “The Abbot need not be troubled. I only wish to browse some Daoist texts to broaden my horizons. How about this—I will only browse the first three floors and will never ascend to the fourth floor or above. Furthermore, I will only study during the day and leave by sunset. What do you think?”

His conditions were extremely lenient, giving Abbot Yan Qi plenty of room to concede.

Abbot Yan Qi pondered for a long time before finally sighing: “Very well. Seeing Patron Qin's sincerity, I shall make an exception this once. However...”

His expression turned serious: “Patron Qin must promise me three things.”

“Please speak.”

“First, you may only move within the first to third floors of the Scripture Pavilion and must not go to the fourth floor.”

“Second, you must not damage or take away any texts.”

“Third,” Abbot Yan Qi looked deeply at Qin Feng, “no matter what you see in the pavilion, you must not speak of it to anyone.”

Qin Feng's heart stirred. The third requirement was clearly implying something.

“I promise,” he said solemnly.

Abbot Yan Qi nodded and took out a wooden token: “This is a temporary passage token. With this, you may enter the first three floors of the Scripture Pavilion. The time limit... let's say three days. Return the token in three days.”

“Thank you, Abbot.” Qin Feng took the token.

Abbot Yan Qi gave a few more instructions and then had the young Daoist lead the two to the Scripture Pavilion.

After leaving the rear hall, Xiaochun whispered: “Brother Feng, it seems this Abbot Yan knows something.”

Qin Feng nodded: “He definitely knows the lower volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art is in the Scripture Pavilion, and he might even know its exact location. When I mentioned 'Primordial Chaos' earlier, his fingers trembled.”

“Then will he let us find it?”

“Since he gave us the token, he has tacitly allowed it,” Qin Feng analyzed. “But he also set a Restriction—only the first to third floors. This means the lower volume is likely on the fourth floor or above.”

Thoughtfulness flashed in his eyes: “But it doesn't matter. We'll go in and look first; we're bound to find some clues.”

As they spoke, the two arrived in front of the Scripture Pavilion.

It was a five-story wooden pagoda that looked quite old but was well-preserved. The pagoda doors were tightly shut and secured with a bronze lock.

The young Daoist used a key to open the lock and pushed the doors open.

A scent of old parchment and books wafted toward them.

The light inside the pavilion was dim, with rows of bookshelves neatly arranged, piled high with various texts. Some were paper, some were bamboo slips, and there were even beast-skin scrolls.

“The first through third floors are all here, and the stairs are over there,” the young Daoist pointed to a wooden staircase in the corner. “Please help yourselves, just make sure to come out before sunset. I will wait outside the door.”

After saying that, he stepped out of the pavilion and closed the door.

Qin Feng and Xiaochun shared a look and began searching separately.

The first floor mostly contained common Daoist scriptures, such as copies of the 'Tao Te Ching,' 'Zhuangzi,' and 'Liezi,' along with some notes and insights from Daoist sages. Qin Feng browsed through them quickly but found nothing of value.

The second floor held Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills, but their grades weren't high—at most Profound Rank Medium Grade—and they were all incomplete fragments.

The third floor contained historical records, geographical gazetteers, miscellaneous studies, and so on.

Qin Feng searched carefully, but he indeed found no trace of the lower volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art.

“It seems it really is on the fourth floor or above,” Xiaochun whispered.

Qin Feng looked up at the stairs leading to the fourth floor. There was a Restriction set there, with faint ripples of a Formation's energy.

“We can't force our way in,” Qin Feng shook his head. “Since Abbot Yan dared to let us in, he must have precautions in place.”

He looked around, and his gaze suddenly landed on a bookshelf in a corner of the third floor.

That bookshelf looked no different from the others, but the floorboards beneath it... seemed slightly different.

Qin Feng crouched down and examined them closely.

The floor was made of ordinary bluestone slabs, but the edge of one particular slab showed noticeably less wear than the others.

“There's a mechanism here.” Qin Feng's eyes brightened.

He tried pressing that stone slab.

“Click.”

After a slight sound, the stone slab slid to one side, revealing a hidden compartment.

Inside the compartment was an ancient-looking wooden box.

Qin Feng carefully took out the wooden box and opened it.

Inside was not the lower volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art, but a yellowed beast-skin map and a letter.

The map marked various buildings of Ascending Cloud Temple, with a red circle drawn over a certain spot on the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion.

The letter was signed by—Abbot Yan Qi.

“If Patron Qin is able to see this letter, it shows that you truly have a predestined affinity with the Daoist sect.”

“The fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion does indeed house a great treasure, but it can only be obtained by one with affinity. The Restriction on the fourth floor was set by Ancestral Master Cui Hu; unless one possesses the Hunyuan True Essence cultivated from the upper volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art, it cannot be opened.”

“If Patron Qin truly is the one with affinity, you may come at the zi hour and inject Hunyuan True Essence into the eyes of the Ancestral Master's portrait at the fourth-floor stairs; the Restriction will then dissolve on its own.”

“But please remember—after obtaining the treasure, do not forget the Daoist Legacy. If it is possible in the future, I hope you will flourish the Daoist traditions of Ascending Cloud Temple.”

“Left by Yan Qi.”

After reading the letter, Qin Feng was deeply shocked.

Abbot Yan Qi had long expected someone to come looking for the lower volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art, and he had even left instructions in advance!

And he explicitly pointed out—that the Hunyuan True Essence from the upper volume was required to open the Restriction!

This meant that only someone who had truly cultivated the upper volume could obtain the lower volume.

“What a brilliant arrangement,” Qin Feng marveled. “Ancestral Master Cui Hu... was indeed far-sighted.”

He tucked the map and letter away, put them back into the wooden box, and restored everything to its original state.

“Brother Feng, how is it?” Xiaochun asked.

“I have a lead,” Qin Feng whispered. “We'll come back tonight at the zi hour.”

The two spent a bit more time browsing in the pavilion for appearances' sake before leaving.

Upon exiting the Scripture Pavilion, the young Daoist came to meet them: “Are you two finished?”

“That's all for today; we will come back to trouble you again tomorrow,” Qin Feng said with a smile.

Leaving Ascending Cloud Temple, inside the carriage.

Xiaochun said worriedly: “Brother Feng, are we really going to explore the Scripture Pavilion at night? Will it be dangerous?”

“I don't know about the danger, but this is the only chance,” Qin Feng's eyes were resolute. “I must get the lower volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art. With it, I can Breakthrough to the Late Stage Martial King or even Martial Emperor in a short time.”

He looked out the window: “Besides, I get the feeling Abbot Yan deliberately gave us this chance. Otherwise, he could have just refused outright.”

Xiaochun nodded: “I think so too. That Abbot Yan... it's as if he's been waiting for someone.”

“Waiting for the one with affinity,” Qin Feng said. “And I might just be that person.”

The carriage drove back to the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

Qin Feng already had a plan in mind.

At the zi hour, he would explore Ascending Cloud Temple again.

And this time, he would definitely get the lower volume of the Daoist Primordial Chaos Art.

The turbulent winds of the Imperial Capital required even greater strength to navigate.

The threat of a Half-step Martial Saint was like a sword hanging over his head.

He had to become stronger as quickly as possible.

Only by becoming stronger would he have the right to fight for a place in this giant city.