C41 Selecting Books in the Forbidden Area

Before Ni Huibo and his companions could speak, another elder approached and said, "Enough, Second Brother, let's not delay them any further. You all just need to follow this path straight ahead. The books within the forbidden area are hidden in the mountains. What grade of books you find will depend on your insight and fortune."

"Elder, does selecting books really depend on insight and fortune?"

Ni Yirong interjected with a hint of curiosity.

Could it be that the books possessed a spirit of their own, choosing their readers?

The elder merely smiled and, without offering an explanation, gestured with his hand, "You'll understand once you're inside."

With that, the group's curiosity intensified, Ni Huibo included, who looked particularly intrigued. He had assumed that choosing a book in the forbidden area was simply a matter of finding a high-grade text suitable for one's cultivation. Now, it appeared there was more to it than that.

Ni Yirong, ever forthright, didn't press further and headed straight in. The other three hurried after her, with Ni Huibo trailing behind without much thought.

"This generation's youth are far more exceptional than we were in our day," remarked an elder, watching their figures disappear into the depths, his eyes filled with hope.

"Shall we wager on which of them will come away with the finest cultivation method?"

"Do we really need to guess? It's obviously going to be Ni Situo, followed by Yirong."

"Come now, you're both elders. Shouldn't you be acting with a bit more maturity?"

Their idle chatter did not carry into the passageway.

Narrow enough for only three to walk abreast, the passageway stretched deep and dark, its end obscured from view. Torches lined the walls, igniting automatically with the opening of the stone door, their sizzling flames casting flickering light.

The group's shadows, painted in dark red hues by the torchlight, stretched and skewed along the stone walls as they progressed in silence. Their footsteps echoed crisply in the hollow space.

Ni Huibo observed his surroundings with keen interest as he walked. He had encountered many such descriptions in books, but this was his first real-life experience. Accustomed to the confines of a small courtyard, this adventure was a novel experience for him.

The passage was surrounded by walls that bore no marks of human chiseling; it appeared to be a natural formation, with uneven surfaces and occasional piles of stones scattered across the floor.

Ni Huibo took in his surroundings, but after only a few steps, he abruptly halted. An odd sensation had taken root in his heart. The feeling was elusive, as though someone were speaking inside his head or an invisible thread was tugging at his nerves. He furrowed his brow, trying to grasp the sensation, but it was fleeting.

"Never mind, selecting a cultivation method is more pressing," he whispered to himself, looking up to find that the others had already vanished into the tunnel. Shaking his head, he resumed his walk. While the elders had set no time constraints for making a selection, lingering too long seemed unwise.

Yet, Ni Huibo had barely resumed his journey when the peculiar feeling washed over him once more, stronger than before. It was as if it had reached into the depths of his soul, a vague premonition becoming increasingly distinct in his mind.

He abruptly turned toward the direction of the exit. He couldn't put his finger on the nature of this sensation or its origin, but after a moment's contemplation, he resolutely made his way toward it.

The glow of the torches cast his shadow against the walls, and the only sound was the crackling of the flames, lending a quietude to the passage.

Ni Huibo moved with a light step, yet his pace was swift. In no time, he had traversed a considerable distance, drawing near to the entrance. It would only take a short walk to arrive, though the bend in the path obscured it from view.

He paused, the mysterious feeling inside him gradually subsiding.

"Surrounded by rock walls on all sides, is there something special here?" Ni Huibo mused, his brows knitted as he surveyed the area. Aside from the flickering torches, there was nothing but the stark rock walls and the occasional stone piles on the ground.

His attention was suddenly drawn to one of the stone piles. Within a sizable crevice, he could just make out an object concealed among the stones. The gap was not insignificant, but the object's color blended with the stones, making it difficult to spot.

He extended his hand and lifted the object.

It was an ancient-looking book with a green cover, worn and tattered. Most notably, the book appeared to have been torn in half.

The back of the book was missing its cover, and remnants of tearing were visible.

"Could this be what was drawing me in?"

A look of astonishment crossed Ni Huibo's eyes. The peculiar feeling he had vanished as soon as he picked up the dilapidated book, and no other items were to be found.

He settled himself atop the pile of stones and began to examine the book.

The damage to the cover was severe, obscuring even the title. Ni Huibo shook his head and opened the book.

Luckily, despite the cover's poor condition, the pages within were well-preserved.

"Humanity, the spirit of all worlds, though encased in mortal flesh, can defeat gods once the treasure within is unlocked."

The first page contained just this brief sentence. Ni Huibo read it intently, his expression turning to one of amazement.

The language was straightforward, yet the implications were astounding.

"Even if this is hyperbole, it speaks volumes about the author's conviction."

Ni Huibo turned eagerly to the second page.

He read with such focus that he became completely absorbed.

The concepts detailed in the book were not esoteric; he grasped the majority with ease.

Before he knew it, he had devoured the content of the first few pages, utterly captivated by the text.