Dashing Student Chapter 1366 1366: Sudden Upheaval in the Book Pavilion

An intense crimson radiance burst forth from the Library Pavilion, signaling an alarm.

Simultaneously, the multitude of jade scrolls densely packed on the shelves ascended, and a dimensional tear materialized within the hall, its other side appearing to lead into the expanse of the Star Sea.

The jade scrolls vanished one by one, spiraling into the dimensional rift. Qing Qing extended her hand in an attempt to seize them, but they eluded her grasp as if imbued with sentience.

The True Dragon depicted on the dome stirred, its colossal form commencing movement, and the two imposing statues flanking the entrance also animated. Their heads swiveled abruptly, fixing their gaze upon Qing Qing and the others.

It was as if they perceived intruders, and the Library Pavilion had initiated its defensive protocols!

Even though this once-mighty nation had long since faded into the annals of history, every artifact within the Library Pavilion remained precisely as it was prior to its demise.

Upon detecting the presence of intruders, the structure retracted all its jade scrolls, activated its formidable defense systems, and emitted a dire warning signal.

Before the empire's collapse, an individual would have hastened to this location by now.

Yet, at this very moment, the piercing red light drew the attention of all cultivators who had ventured into the ruins, their eyes ablaze with fervent anticipation, each one rushing towards the source of the crimson glow.

While they possessed no clear understanding of the events unfolding, they harbored an unwavering conviction that someone had either unearthed a priceless treasure or breached a hidden vault, a prospect potent enough to incite madness.

"Roar!"

The earth-shattering roar of the dragon reverberated through the hall of the Library Pavilion. Qing Qing, positioned nearest to the source, covered her ears and crumpled to the ground, yet blood still seeped relentlessly through her fingers.

The Long Spear clutched in Shi Xiang's hand suddenly lashed out, and a cultivator who dared attempt to claim the Long Spear for himself was instantly cleaved in twain, perishing miserably upon the ground.

The Array Master erupted in fury, abandoning all pretense of concern for others and turning to make a hasty exit.

However, at this critical juncture, a lone figure was rapidly advancing towards the Library Pavilion hall, leaving the Array Master bewildered. Had someone been drawn by the commotion so swiftly?

Upon recognizing the individual, he was suddenly taken aback, recalling that this person had initially been with Zhong Ling, but had vanished after Zhong Ling acted in concert with them.

"Friend..."

The Array Master merely intended to utter a few words but witnessed Chen Nan flick his finger, causing a dark flame to erupt explosively. Subsequently, the Array Master found his body rendered immobile.

Casting a sideways glance, he observed the black flame alight upon his shadow, effectively pinning it to the spot as if secured by a nail.

Chen Nan surged forward, unleashing the Sword Chenyuan in a downward slash, bisecting the Array Master and even cleaving his Golden Core, thereby ending his existence instantly.

The Array Master never conceived of meeting such an ignoble end; his final visual impression was merely of Chen Nan's retreating form as he passed by.

It was as if he were mere detritus obstructing the path, casually swept aside.

Having realized Zhong Ling was in peril, Chen Nan had hastened his arrival. At this moment, the twin statues had already marked him as their target, and the Long Spear descended ominously towards him.

"Master!"

From a distance, Zhong Ling's voice rang out, tinged with elation.

"Still possessing the vitality to shout, it appears the situation isn't dire." Chen Nan chuckled, the Seven Stars Mark manifesting beneath his feet as his body agilely maneuvered between the statues.

Within mere moments, he stood beside Zhong Ling.

"Master..." Zhong Ling's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, conveying an ocean of unspoken grievances.

"Now you comprehend the darkness pervading this world, do you not?" Chen Nan admonished, his tone reminiscent of a stern educator.

Zhong Ling nodded vigorously, "Master, I understand now; there isn't a single decent person out there!"

"In truth, such absolute pronouncements aren't entirely necessary." Chen Nan offered a wry smile, casting his gaze towards the cultivators who had intended to ensnare Zhong Ling, now visibly trembling with fear.

Turning his attention back to the hall, a significant portion of the jade scrolls were still being drawn into the dimensional rift, while Qing Qing, pinned beneath a dragon's claw, appeared utterly dejected.

"What a lamentable waste!"

Chen Nan sighed, extending his hand. His sleeve billowed outward, generating a powerful suction that gathered all the jade scrolls yet to enter the rift, numbering over a dozen.

Upon reflection, one could surmise the former grandeur of this nation, given that the scrolls preserved here were undoubtedly exceptional. Chen Nan felt a profound sense of contentment.

Zhong Ling, meanwhile, had hurried to his side, staying close. It was only now that she truly grasped that her master was the one individual who treated her with the utmost kindness, expecting nothing in return.

"Zhong Ling, save me!"

Qing Qing extended a hand toward Zhong Ling, her plea laced with desperation, seemingly having forgotten her prior attempt to end Zhong Ling's life.

Zhong Ling took a deep, steadying breath and declared with chilling finality, "The Sister Qing I knew is gone. You are merely Qing Qing now. Have you forgotten your recent intent to kill me?"

Qing Qing's countenance immediately turned deathly pale, a chilling dread gripping her heart, causing her to weep inconsolably, "Zhong Ling, I was wrong, I truly know my mistake..."

Regrettably, Zhong Ling had already matured.

Chen Nan, with Zhong Ling in tow, moved like a phantom back into the corridor. Behind them, echoes of desperate cries followed; the remaining cultivators were no match for the stone dragon and the two statues, their demise inevitable.

"Alas, what a pity."

Chen Nan could only lament once more that those jade scrolls, though without value to him, could have been exchanged for a substantial sum of spirit stones. Now, however, they were all lost.

They made their swift escape, finally clearing the Library Pavilion entirely. By this time, numerous cultivators had been drawn to the location, diligently sifting through the wreckage.

...

Perched atop a high ruin of a distant structure, Chen Nan and Zhong Ling settled onto the ground, taking out all the jade scrolls they had managed to acquire.

One particular jade scroll was strikingly unusual, not resembling a typical scroll but more akin to a painted scroll. Yet, upon unrolling it, nothing was visible.

Furthermore, once unfurled, the jade scrolls exhibited an eagerness to escape, behaving as if they were alive.

Zhong Ling appeared puzzled, inquiring, "Master, why do these jade scrolls possess the inclination to fly away on their own?"

Chen Nan contemplated the matter before explaining, "Perhaps it is due to a certain restriction. A binding was placed upon the jade scrolls; if they are not in the possession of their rightful owner, they will conceal themselves for their own preservation."

"Thus, to reveal the contents of the jade scrolls, a specific token might be necessary."

"I understand now," Zhong Ling affirmed. "We shall certainly locate the token!"

Witnessing his young disciple’s undiminished spirit after enduring betrayal, Chen Nan felt a sense of relief, recognizing that the ordeal had not inflicted lasting harm.

"Master, where shall we proceed next?"

Zhong Ling produced the map previously obtained from Lü Sheng, but they had long since ventured beyond the charted territories, rendering it obsolete.

"Do not fret, you shall undoubtedly reap rewards."

After carefully securing all the jade scrolls, Chen Nan summoned the dormant King of Ten Thousand Gu.

"From this point onward, our success will depend on it!"