After flying for a while longer, a majestic peak came into view.
The mountain was extremely tall, piercing the clouds, with its upper half hidden within the surging sea of clouds.
The entire peak was surrounded by Spiritual Qi, with visible spiritual mist flowing like light gauze among the mountains, refracting a rainbow of colors under the sunlight.
At the summit, auspicious clouds gathered, forming various auspicious shapes. At times, a phantom of a phoenix spread its wings, and at others, a dragon-shaped aura spiraled, mesmerizing all who beheld it.
Around the Main Peak, several floating islands of varying sizes hovered, some resembling millstones, others like tower ships, quietly drifting above the sea of clouds.
Bridges of rainbow light connected the islands, and occasionally, disciples in azure robes could be seen flying by on swords, their sword light trailing long tails that vanished in an instant.
At the highest point of the mountain stood an extremely tall tower.
The tower was entirely grayish-blue, with nine levels, each several times taller than ordinary buildings, resembling a sharp sword pointing straight at the sky from afar.
The outer walls of the tower were densely inscribed with runes, with spiritual light occasionally flowing along the patterns, flickering unpredictably.
Elder Liu raised his hand to point at the mountain, his tone carrying a hint of introduction:
"Up ahead is Purple Cloud Peak. The Scripture Repository is atop this peak, with the main building being that nine-story tower, housing the sect's collection of cultivation manuals and cultivation insights from generations past.
As for those floating islands around, some are quiet rooms for disciples to meditate and cultivate, while others are secluded retreats for Inner Sect Elders. Unless necessary, do not approach them lightly."
Lin Changkong nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on the floating islands for a moment, silently noting them in his heart.
Elder Liu led him to land on the plaza in front of the Scripture Repository.
The plaza was vast, paved with bluestone, each slab etched with simple formation patterns, with faint spiritual light flowing through them.
People bustled around, mostly young individuals in Azure Cloud Sect attire, with a few elders exuding deep auras arriving on swords, heading straight into the tower.
As soon as Lin Changkong landed, he sensed dozens of gazes falling on him simultaneously.
Those gazes carried undisguised surprise and curiosity.
The disciples present were mostly at the Foundation Establishment Stage or higher.
Even the few at the Qi Refining Stage were exceptional individuals on the verge of breaking through, specially permitted to enter the repository to consult the texts.
For someone like Lin Changkong, who showed no spiritual fluctuations, to appear here was unprecedented.
"Who is this person? Why does he have no cultivation?"
"Never seen him before, a newcomer? But how could a new disciple be brought here?"
"Elder Liu personally brought him over, his identity must be extraordinary..."
"No cultivation... could he be a mortal descendant of some elder, here to broaden his horizons?"
Whispers arose, and those gazes scrutinized Lin Changkong, speculating endlessly.
Elder Liu seemed oblivious, walking straight across the plaza with Lin Changkong in tow.
Moments later, they arrived at a quiet courtyard.
The courtyard was small, with green bricks and black tiles, and a few ancient pines with gnarled branches, exuding an air of antiquity.
Above the courtyard gate hung a plaque inscribed with the three ancient characters "Repository Warden Courtyard."
This was the place where the staff guarding the Scripture Repository conducted daily affairs and rested.
Elder Liu led Lin Changkong into the courtyard, directly finding the person in charge, an elderly man with graying hair and beard, Elder Jin.
Elder Liu stepped forward to pay his respects and explained their purpose, especially emphasizing "this child was personally appointed by the Sect Master."
Upon hearing this, Elder Jin's previously calm face showed a hint of surprise. He turned to look at Lin Changkong, his gaze carrying scrutiny and a trace of subtle surprise.
"The Sect Master personally arranged this?" He stroked his beard, pondering, "That's quite unusual."
He sized up Lin Changkong, pondering for a moment, then suddenly spoke:
"In that case, there happens to be a task suitable for him."
"Oh?" Elder Liu inquired, "What task?"
"The Library Pavilion," Elder Jin replied.
Hearing this, Elder Liu's expression changed slightly, "The Library Pavilion? Elder Willow's place?"
"Yes."
Elder Jin nodded:
"Elder Willow has been guarding the Library Pavilion alone for over two hundred years.
Now, as he ages, his energy is not what it used to be, and the Library Pavilion has five floors. The daily chores of cleaning and organizing the texts are becoming increasingly burdensome for his old bones.
We had considered assigning someone to help in the past, but as you know..."
He trailed off, shaking his head helplessly.
Elder Liu understood, smiling wryly, "They were all driven out?"
"More than just driven out," Elder Jin sighed:
"The last menial disciple sent over was thrown out by a flash of spiritual light before even entering, bedridden for half a month.
You know Elder Willow's temper; once he decides something, no one can change it.
He claims the Library Pavilion is his domain, and outsiders are not allowed to step foot in it, so we can't force it."
Elder Liu was silent for a moment, his gaze falling on Lin Changkong, deep in thought.
"This time, it might just work."
Elder Jin continued:
"Lin Changkong is the Sect Master's chosen person. Sending him over, Elder Willow can't very well disregard even the Sect Master's face, can he?
Besides, while the Library Pavilion is somewhat secluded, it is peaceful, with hardly anyone disturbing it.
Sending a young person there isn't too much of a grievance."
Elder Liu nodded, finding the reasoning sound.
"Very well, let him go to the Library Pavilion then."
He turned to Lin Changkong, his tone carrying a hint of advice:
"Lin Changkong, you'll be assigned to the Library Pavilion.
Though it's part of the sect's important grounds, it's actually quite secluded, deep in the back mountains, with almost no one visiting regularly.
Elder Willow has a peculiar temper, but he's been guarding the Library Pavilion for over two hundred years and isn't a bad person. Just follow his instructions, be diligent, and don't provoke him, and your days will be peaceful."
He paused, then added:
"Perhaps for you, it might be the best place. Quiet, undisturbed. However..."
He hesitated briefly before continuing:
"The chores at the Library Pavilion aren't light. You'll need to clean several floors of the pavilion, organize the texts, and tend to the herb garden in front of the pavilion. It might be a bit strenuous. Can you handle it?"
Lin Changkong bowed slightly, his expression calm:
"Thank you, Elder Liu, Elder Jin, for your concern. I am willing to go and will do my utmost to fulfill my duties."
He spoke no more, nor did he show any dissatisfaction or disappointment.
Quiet, excellent.
The quieter, the fewer disturbances.
What he needed was precisely such a place.
Elder Liu, seeing his reaction, nodded inwardly.
This young man was composed, not picky, accepting whatever came his way.
Such a person, in fact, lives longer.
"Let's go, I'll take you there."
Elder Liu turned, bid farewell to Elder Jin, and led Lin Changkong away from the Repository Warden Courtyard, heading towards the back mountains of Purple Cloud Peak.
The Library Pavilion wasn't in the bustling area of the Main Peak but deep in the back mountains.
The two walked along a winding stone path, through a dense forest, across a stream, venturing further into seclusion, with the surrounding scenery growing increasingly serene.
The disciples they occasionally encountered earlier were now nowhere to be seen, leaving only the sound of birds and the tranquility of the mountains, with ancient trees towering overhead.
After about a quarter of an hour, the path opened up.
An ancient pavilion stood quietly in a mountain hollow.