Without lingering, he followed the instructions, his steps light but steady.

  As he ventured deeper into the Shadows Knowledge Pavilion, the atmosphere changed again. Disciples in robes of varying colors were seated at low tables or against meditation platforms, absorbed in their reading.

  Some held jade slips between their fingers, eyes closed as streams of faint Qi flowed from the texts into their minds.

  The deeper he went, the quieter it became. Here, at the heart of the pavilion, the air felt heavier yet more refined—almost sacred. It was as though the walls themselves guarded the deeper truths hidden within.

  At the far end of the corridor, bathed in the warm glow of drifting orbs of light, sat a man in his early forties. His long white beard framed a calm yet stern face, while his flowing green robes rippled gently, like water stirred by a breeze.

  Though his eyes were half-closed in meditation, the air around him seemed to hum faintly with ancient power—proof that even in stillness, his presence commanded the space.

  Li Yan didn’t need to ask. He knew this was Elder Shen Tao, the custodian of the Shadows Knowledge Pavilion (Yǐng Zhī Gé)—the man Han Yujie had mentioned.

  Keeping his steps light on the polished floor, Li Yan approached quietly, heart steady yet tinged with anticipation, but his expression remained calm and composed. When he was within proper distance, he cupped his hands and bowed slightly.

  "Good morning, Elder Shen," Li Yan greeted, his tone calm and respectful.

  Shen Tao’s eyes opened slowly, revealing a sharp, discerning gaze that seemed to cut through the air like a blade.

  His eyes swept over Li Yan once, measuring not just his appearance but his essence, his will, his intent. After a long moment of silent appraisal, the elder gave a slight nod.

  "Oh, Li Yan," he said, his tone calm yet heavy with authority, "I have been expecting you. Tell me, what knowledge do you seek?"

  Li Yan straightened, meeting the elder’s gaze without flinching. "I wish to study all elements, Elder Shen," he said evenly. "But my focus is on the element of darkness. I want to understand it more deeply."

  A flicker of surprise glinted in Shen Tao’s eyes, quickly replaced by intrigue. "All elements, you say?" he murmured, stroking his beard.

  "Ambitious… and wise. The Darkness element is a blade that cuts both ways. Its power is immense—but its corruption, subtle and deep. Feared by many, misunderstood by most."

  His tone softened slightly, the faintest note of approval creeping in. "Also, you are right. To truly master Darkness, you must first understand the balance among all elemental forces."

  Li Yan inclined his head, his eyes calm but firm. "I think the same, only through full understanding can I hope to master what I wield."

  For a long moment, Shen Tao studied him in silence.

  Then, he gave a slow nod of acknowledgment. "Your mind is clear, and your conviction is firm. That is good. But understand—this library is not just a collection of words. Its knowledge is tied to one’s cultivation and survival. Only those who earn their right may delve deeper."

  He extended a hand toward the towering shelves, where countless scrolls and jade slips shimmered faintly in their sockets.

  "You, however, have been granted certain privileges. You may study at any level you choose; for higher-level knowledge, you go to the higher levels. As for the basic knowledge…" His tone deepened, shadows flickering in his eyes.

  "You found everything here—at level 1. Many have entered these halls to grasp its truth."

  Li Yan nodded solemnly. The Shadow Haven Sect (Yǐng Xū Zōng) was, after all, a sanctuary for those who walked the path of darkness. Every disciple yearned to understand their affinity, but even among them, the element remained enigmatic—its essence elusive, its will untamed.

  "Thank you, Elder Shen," Li Yan said, bowing once more. "Your guidance is invaluable. But I may ask, how do the other disciples gain access to this knowledge?"

  Shen Tao’s gaze sharpened again, but his tone remained even. "A fair question," he said. "Ordinary disciples must offer one hundred Shadow Points per month for access to level 1, two hundred Shadow Points per month for access to level 2, which also includes the level 1."

  "The price increases with each level, knowledge here is not free—nor should it be. Only those who value it enough to sacrifice something for it can truly comprehend its worth."

  Li Yan considered Elder Shen’s words for a brief moment before nodding, his decision resolute. With his current standing, level 1 is enough for now.

  With a wave of his hand, his disciple badge appeared in his palm, glowing faintly with the flow of his Qi. Extending it toward the elder, he spoke respectfully.

  "Elder Shen, please deduct one hundred Shadow Points for a month’s access to level 1. I wish to follow the sect’s rules properly—my special entry shouldn’t grant me shortcuts."

  Shen Tao’s eyes glimmered with quiet approval. "I like your attitude, Li Yan," he murmured.

  With a wave of his hand, a dark golden badge materialized before him. The two badges touched each other, their glow merging as streams of energy intertwined between them.

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  In moments, the transaction was complete.

  Shen Tao tucked his badge away and regarded Li Yan with a faint smile. "Your points have been deducted. You now have access to level 1 of the library for one month."

  Then, with another wave of his hand, Shen Tao summoned a small copper token that hovered in the air.

  It was no larger than two inches across, yet it glowed with intricate craftsmanship. On its front surface, the words "Shadows Knowledge Pavilion (Yǐng Zhī Gé)" were engraved in delicate script.

  At the same time, on the back, a faintly glowing single star with a countdown displayed the remaining access time—currently showing 30 days.

  "This is your access token to the Shadows Knowledge Pavilion," Shen Tao said, handing it over.

  Li Yan accepted the token, studying it briefly before storing it away in his storage ring along with his disciple badge. He cupped his hands respectfully. "Thank you, Elder Shen."

  For a moment, Shen Tao simply watched him, his gaze steady and unreadable.

  Then, his tone shifted—still calm, but carrying a warning that echoed deeper than mere words. "Be cautious, Li Yan. The knowledge here carries power—and power without control breeds ruin."

  "The darkness element, in particular, demands discipline. Learn all you can, but do not let the abyss consume you."

  Li Yan met the elder’s eyes and nodded firmly. "I understand, Elder Shen. I will not forget your advice."

  With a faint nod, Shen Tao closed his eyes again, slipping back into meditation. The surrounding air trembled faintly as his presence once more merged with the Pavilion’s stillness.

  Li Yan turned away, the echo of the elder’s advice lingering in his thoughts. As he walked among the towering shelves of level 1, the golden orbs above cast a long shadow across the floor.

  His path toward understanding the darkness element had begun—and he knew it would test not only his strength but his will.

  He soon reached a section marked Basic Cultivation Knowledge, where rows of books and jade slips gleamed softly under the warm light.

  His gaze swept over countless titles until one caught his attention: The Fundamentals of Darkness Qi.

  Carefully taking it down, Li Yan made his way to a long wooden table nearby. Around him was only silence, other than the sounds of the occasional rustling of pages and the distant murmur of disciples studying there.

  He sat, opened the book, and began to read. The text covered the origins of the darkness element—its creation in the age when light first met shadow, and how it came to embody both potential and peril.

  It described techniques for cultivating and balancing its Qi, as well as warnings about corruption and loss of control.

  For the next two hours, Li Yan read without pause. His focus was absolute, his mind absorbing each word as though it were being engraved into his soul.

  Though the book was introductory, it offered fresh insights that deepened his understanding. The darkness element was not merely destructive—it was alive, unpredictable, and reactive to the cultivator’s state of mind.

  Thanks to Yao Fuhuo, he had no difficulty understanding the language of this world. Yet even with his knowledge from other novels he read in his previous life, he felt the gravity behind each line. Darkness could empower, but unchecked, it could consume.

  By the time he closed the book, the lesson was clear: to command the shadows, one must never let them command the heart.

  After finishing the book, Li Yan stood up and stretched his legs, feeling the stiffness in his joints. He carefully returned the book to its shelf, his gaze drifting over the countless rows of tomes and jade slips that surrounded him.

  There were so many choices—ancient texts, cultivation journals, handwritten manuals. Each seemed to call out to him in a different way, yet he couldn’t decide which to study next.

  Then, an idea flashed in his mind. Instead of choosing blindly, he could use his Spiritual Sense.

  Li Yan closed his eyes and stilled his breath. A ripple of Spiritual Sense spread from him like a soft wave, washing over every shelf within thirty meters.

  The energy brushed against books and jade slips alike, faint glimmers of information whispering back to him. Words flickered through his mind—impressions, weight, depth. Some texts felt shallow. Others… ancient.

  Within moments, Li Yan could feel the essence of each text, the depth of wisdom it carried, and even the subtle emotions left behind by those who had once written or studied them. His eyes snapped open, a spark of awe flickering within them.

  "Amazing," he thought, his lips curling into a faint smile.

  With a clear sense of what he needed, he began pulling books from the shelves—swiftly but with precision.

  To the other disciples in the library, he appeared almost frantic, a madman grabbing books at random.

  Within minutes, more than twenty books formed a neat stack beside his table.

  Whispers broke out around him. "Is he insane?" one disciple murmured.

  "Who can study that many at once?" another whispered.

  "Is he going to stay here for a week or even longer?"

  A few disciples exchanged puzzled looks and whispered to one another. Some shook their heads, assuming he was just another overconfident newcomer wasting time.

  Li Yan ignored them all. Sitting down, he placed the first book in front of him and sent his Spiritual Sense into it. Instantly, the contents poured into his mind like a stream of light.

  His comprehension expanded rapidly—concepts engraved themselves deep within his consciousness as though etched into his very soul.

  In just twenty minutes, the book was finished. Even Li Yan was surprised.

  He didn’t pause.

  The next book followed. Then another. One after another, knowledge surged through him like waves crashing against an unyielding shore.

  His understanding of the darkness element deepened—its balance between destruction and restraint, its demand for clarity amid chaos, and its link to the cultivator’s own willpower.

  Time slipped away unnoticed, like grains of sand in a quiet hourglass. His Spiritual Sense allowed him not only to read faster but also to comprehend more deeply, connecting concepts and forming patterns of understanding.

  Around him, the other disciples had long since dismissed him as eccentric, unaware of the true nature of his method.

  None could sense the fine threads of Spiritual energy he controlled so precisely; to them, Li Yan was merely passing time among a ridiculous mountain of books.

  By the time he completed the final book, Li Yan’s grasp of the darkness element had expanded immensely.

  He now understood not only its basic principles but also its combat applications, harmonization with other element affinities, and the philosophies required to wield it without succumbing to its corruption.

  Li Yan leaned back, fatigue finally setting in. His mind throbbed under the pressure of so much knowledge. His vision blurred slightly, the weight of countless insights pressing on his consciousness like thunderclouds before a storm.