Yan Taibai was not a direct descendant of the Yan Family Ancestor's lineage, and it could even be said that he shared no blood relation with the ancestor at all—they merely happened to share the same surname, Yan.
This was because there were two kinds of people within Yan Family Fortress: the members of the Yan family itself, and the mortals or cultivators who had sought refuge or pledged their allegiance to the fortress.
The former, in particular, were confined to Yan Family Fortress for their entire lives and forbidden from stepping outside; any attempt to leave meant certain death.
Naturally, this restriction applied equally to the members of the Yan family who possessed no spiritual roots.
Then there were cultivators upon whom the Yan family had bestowed the surname "Yan." Yan Taibai’s grandfather was one of them, though he had married a woman from a collateral branch who still lacked spiritual roots entirely.
Consequently, Yan Taibai had virtually no blood ties to the Yan Family Ancestor. This was precisely why the ancestor had asked Yan Taibai what he desired.
After all, with their blood relation being pitifully thin, the ancestor naturally wanted to pull out all the stops to win him over.
If Yan Taibai hadn't been so terribly young, the Yan Family Ancestor and Mr. Xuanye would have already discussed arranging a betrothal between a maiden of their lineage and Yan Taibai, binding them as Dao companions in the future.
This was the most common practice among cultivation families, used to ensure the prosperity of the lineage and the unbroken continuation of their incense.
"Reporting to the Ancestor, this junior wishes to enter the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion. The books on the first floor are no longer of any use to me; most of them are simply duplicates."
Hearing Yan Taibai's reply, the Yan Family Ancestor and Mr. Xuanye exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter.
"Initially, I didn't quite believe what Xuanye told me, but it seems his words were not unfounded. However, you are still far too young. As for the books in the Scripture Pavilion, it will not be too late to read them once you officially set foot on the path of cultivation. Most of the texts inside are recorded on jade slips, which require divine sense to view. Right now, you are merely a mortal with a spiritual root and have yet to awaken your divine sense."
"You must know from the many books you've already read in the pavilion that one must cultivate to the 4th Layer of Qi Condensation before divine sense can awaken, allowing one to perceive everything around them. For now, your primary focus must still be on cultivation."
Possessing a Metal Heavenly Spiritual Root, Yan Taibai was someone the Yan Family Ancestor would naturally never allow to become overly distracted by mere books.
"Reporting to the Ancestor, this junior understands. But the manager once told me that there are also quite a few rare, ancient texts on the second floor that were not recorded using jade slips. What this disciple wishes to see are those, not the jade slips on the second floor. As for cultivation, Mr. Xuanye has already imparted a cultivation method suited for this disciple, so I will definitely not let it delay my progress. Please rest assured, Ancestor."
Hearing the Yan Family Ancestor's admonition, Yan Taibai bowed again and replied in a respectful tone.
Although entry to the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion was supposedly restricted to cultivators, in practice, Yan family members below the 10th Layer of Qi Condensation could enter at most once a year for no longer than an hour each time, provided they had the guarantee of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
No exceptions were made for anyone.
Therefore, the only way one could stay on the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion for an extended period to read was by obtaining a direct order and command from the patriarch of Yan Family Fortress himself.
As for the rewards granted by the "Read Ten Thousand Books" ability, Yan Taibai had been anticipating them for a long time; the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion no longer held much utility for him.
Hence, no matter what, he had to gain access to the second floor, and his greatest reliance right now was his Metal Heavenly Spiritual Root.
This was his ultimate trump card, his bargaining chip, and his backing.
"Since you wish to view the rare ancient texts on the second floor, take this jade token and go. The manager will no longer stop you."
Before the Yan Family Ancestor could speak, Mr. Xuanye unclipped the jade token from his waist and handed it to Yan Taibai with a smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Xuanye."
Seeing this, Yan Taibai wore a look of grateful smiling and immediately bowed in thanks.
"There is no need for that, but remember not to let it delay your cultivation. As for the Spirit Stones and medicinal pills needed for your practice, I will send someone to deliver them to you, and I will also arrange for someone to prepare a cultivation room on the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion. You may simply cultivate there in peace."
Mr. Xuanye said with a warm smile plastered across his face.
"Understood. Taibai thanks Mr. Xuanye."
Hearing this, Yan Taibai beamed with joy and offered his thanks once more.
Only then did he take the jade token from Mr. Xuanye's hand.
At that moment, another manager from the Yan family walked into the hall, bowed respectfully to the Yan Family Ancestor, and reported:
"Reporting to the Ancestor, Mr. Xuanye, Elder Nanrong and Elder Nishang of the Moon Masking Sect have arrived, along with Elder Qiong."
"What? Old Man Qiong has come as well?"
Hearing the last name mentioned by the manager, the smile on the Yan Family Ancestor's face vanished for the most part as he blurted out in astonishment.
Once he finished speaking, his expression turned even gloomier and more uncertain, and he did not immediately issue any instructions.
Clearly, Old Man Qiong's arrival was not only unexpected, but also far from pleasing to him—it seemed the two of them harbored some sort of grievance between them.
As for Yan Taibai, he was rather surprised by the arrival of the three people from the Moon Masking Sect. Nanrong Wan, Fairy Nishang, and Old Man Qiong were all figures who had appeared in his memories—especially Nanrong Wan and Old Man Qiong.
One was a peerless beauty; among all mortals, there were precious few who could compare to her, and the only one who could possibly surpass her by a margin was Fairy Ziling, who appeared much later.
As for Fairy Nishang, she was also an exquisite beauty, though she only made a single appearance.
Finally, although Old Man Qiong only appeared once as well, his status was extraordinary.
He was the number one Core Formation cultivator in the Yue Cultivation World, and the undisputed strongest beneath the Nascent Soul stage. His personal divine abilities and strength were formidable enough to give even Nascent Soul cultivators pause, and he had even created his own divine ability: the Formless Escape Technique, which was not the least bit inferior to the escape speed of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
It was just that his lifespan was running out, which made his personality increasingly eccentric, and he still lacked a suitable disciple.
At this thought, a strange feeling welled up in Yan Taibai's mind: Could it be that he's eyeing my body?
Ptu!
Wanting to take him as a disciple?
Looking across the entire Yue Cultivation World, there were absolutely very few whose aptitude could rival his.
After all, Yan Ruyan, that favored daughter of the heavens of Yan Family Fortress, had not yet been born, so Yan Taibai knew very well that among the younger generation, no one could surpass him.
Coupled with his Metal Heavenly Spiritual Root, he was simply too perfect a candidate to become Old Man Qiong's disciple.
Otherwise, given the man's eccentric personality, it was impossible he would come to Yan Family Fortress—especially judging by the Yan Family Ancestor's expression, there was bound to be some past grievance between them.
Under these circumstances, the other party's purpose in coming here probably revolved around him alone, Yan Taibai thought with a rather narcissistic glint in his heart.
"Xuanye, take Taibai to see them. I have other matters to attend to, so I will not go."
After a long while, the Yan Family Ancestor's complexion finally returned to normal as he issued his instructions in a slightly cold tone laden with a trace of disgust.
"Yes, Ancestor."
Seeing this, Mr. Xuanye offered a wry smile, stood up, took Yan Taibai by the hand, and gently reminded him:
"Follow me to meet the three elders of the Moon Masking Sect first, Taibai. Remember, if that Elder Qiong tries to take you as his disciple, you must on no account agree."
"Mm-mm, Taibai understands."
Hearing this, Yan Taibai felt even more peculiar inside, but he still obediently gave his assent.
"No. If he wants to take you as a disciple, by all means accept, and then learn all of his divine abilities and cultivation methods. It would be best if you inherited everything he has."
Before his voice had even faded, the Yan Family Ancestor's face darkened as he gave the order almost through gritted teeth.