123: Pavilion

"Hmm..."

Han Yi touched his face, feeling a bit dumbfounded. He hadn't expected that one day he would benefit from his looks.

With a creak.

This time, the vermilion gate was truly closed.

Han Yi shook his head, feeling somewhat helpless. He had planned to complete two things today, but unexpectedly, the first one had ended in failure.

He prepared to do the second thing.

Han Yi followed the main road in Shan Zhong Ward, walking towards the center.

As he went deeper, the residences along the road gradually decreased, and the pedestrians were all in a hurry, with serious expressions on their faces. The air carried a solemn atmosphere.

This was the core area of the Crimson Flame Sect. In the very center stood a magnificent and majestic hall with a glazed tile roof. Sunlight shone down on the hall like tiny grains of gold sand, reflecting rays of golden light.

This was the Crimson Flame Sect's Discussion Hall. Ordinary Disciples were usually not allowed to enter. It was said that during the weekly morning meeting or when there were important matters, the Crimson Flame Sect's Sect Leader, Xiaoyang, would gather all high-ranking officials here to discuss affairs.

Around the Discussion Hall were several smaller buildings, housing core institutions like the Outer Affairs Hall, Inner Affairs Hall, and Law Enforcement Hall.

But these were not Han Yi's targets. Without stopping, he first went to the back of the Discussion Hall.

A tall building came into view, surrounded by a thick stone wall. From time to time, several teams of elite Disciples wearing leather armor patrolled in circles.

The stone wall was also sprinkled with a lot of white powder. Han Yi recognized this substance; it was 'Beast Repellent Powder', which could repel some weaker insect-beasts.

A huge plaque hung on the tall building. The plaque had a red background with gold characters. Under the sunlight, three large, glittering golden characters read - 'Library Pavilion'.

The Library Pavilion was located within the Crimson Flame Sect and was considered the most important place in the entire Crimson Flame Sect, and even in Shan Zhong Ward.

It contained not only a large number of precious martial arts techniques and cultivation methods but also countless miscellaneous writings and notes, truly a treasure trove accumulated by the Crimson Flame Sect over a hundred years.

The defense here was strict. There were specialized patrolling Disciples to guard against potential theft. There were dedicated fire prevention personnel to prevent the library from catching fire. There were specialized insect clearers to prevent insect infestation and dampness of the classics.

There was also a highly skilled building guardian.

The guardian of the Library Pavilion was said to be named Ding, an old woman with wrinkled skin, white hair like a crane's, and a strange personality. What her full name was, or why she came to guard the building, no one knew. Everyone called her Granny Ding.

Han Yi came to the entrance of the building. The doorway wasn't very wide, but people were coming and going, seemingly quite a few visitors to the Library Pavilion. They were all lining up at the entrance, waiting to register.

"Quiet down, all of you! One by one, don't push!"

A somewhat sharp voice came from the side, making ears ache.

Han Yi looked in the direction of the voice. Beside the entrance, a small pavilion had been built. At this moment, Granny Ding was sitting in the pavilion, seemingly playing a game of chess with someone.

A Tongmai Martial Master with a comprehensive strength of '148~185' could be said to be the strongest person Han Yi had ever seen, significantly stronger than the previous Elder Li and Elder Song.

His heart tightened. Not only that, but Granny Ding's Aura was completely undisguised. Even without using the System, one could tell she was a Tongmai expert.

The Disciples in the queue instantly became restrained and much quieter.

After about a quarter of an hour, it was finally Han Yi's turn.

"Show me your waist token!"

The registration Disciple at the entrance skillfully extended his hand.

Han Yi silently handed it over.

"Oh, 401, a new Disciple, first in line?"

The registration Disciple raised his eyebrows and whistled, clearly a bit surprised. New Disciples were common, but being first among new Disciples was rare.

"Something like that..."

Han Yi smiled faintly. It was true that fame brought trouble. He hadn't expected his achievement to spread so quickly.

"The Library Pavilion has a total of three floors. The first floor contains miscellaneous classics and can be viewed freely. The second and third floors contain martial arts techniques and cultivation methods, which require merit points to gain viewing opportunities. As a newly initiated Disciple, you can choose one martial arts technique from the second floor... Of course, because you ranked first in this minor competition, you can choose an additional one..."

The registration Disciple briefly introduced the layout of the Library Pavilion to Han Yi.

"I can choose an extra secret technique?"

Han Yi was slightly stunned. He hadn't expected such a benefit after defeating Song Qing and taking first place in the minor competition.

But he was still a bit puzzled. Although being able to choose an extra martial arts technique was good, Song Qing, being from an influential family, shouldn't care about such a small gain...

Could it be that there were other benefits to being first in the Sect's minor competition that he didn't know about?

"Is there anything else? There are still many Disciples waiting behind you!"

The registration Disciple asked when he saw Han Yi hadn't spoken for a while.

"Hmm, no..."

After hearing the registration Disciple's introduction, Han Yi already had a rough idea in his mind. He then asked, "May I ask Senior Brother's name..."

"My humble name is Zang, single name Ran."

Zang Ran waved his hand casually, handed over a wooden token, and signaled for Han Yi to hurry in, as there were still many Disciples waiting behind him.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Zang..."

Han Yi cupped his fists and bowed, then casually took the wooden token and quickly stepped over the threshold.

As soon as he entered the doorway, the environment suddenly changed. A unique scent of books entered his nostrils, a special smell formed by the faint scent of ink and the long-term mixing of mahogany.

In the semi-circular hall, large wooden bookshelves lined the walls, all filled with books, forming a sea of books.

The paper of these books was slightly yellowed, clearly indicating they were quite old, but the corners of the pages were neat, without a single wrinkle, suggesting that Disciples regularly organized and maintained them.

Following the instructions, Han Yi first changed into special shoes, then washed his hands, dried off the water with a dry towel, and then gently pressed his hands into a basin of scented alkaline powder before entering the first-floor hall.

According to Zang Ran, the Library Pavilion was divided into three floors. The first floor was for miscellaneous studies, while the second and third floors were for martial arts secret techniques and the like. However, only high-ranking Sect members or Disciples who had performed great deeds were qualified to enter the third floor.

Han Yi did not linger on the first floor and walked directly towards the second floor.

In the center of the Library Pavilion, there was a circular wooden staircase. Looking up, floor after floor of staircases spiraled upwards, reaching the second floor.

At the second-floor staircase, a Disciple was sitting in a counter reading a book. Behind him was a large wooden shelf with many small compartments.

Han Yi handed him the wooden token he held.

"This token allows you to choose two martial arts techniques. After you go in and choose, come back and tell me..."