Scripture of Days Past

As Yi Shuang, Yang Ling, and Han Ying approached the second floor of the archive building, the sights around them became increasingly bizarre and disturbing.

There were mutated gray-skinned figures dripping with greenish-yellow slime, flashes of unsettling golden light, and strange streaks of sword qi racing through the air.

What made them even more anxious and on-edge was that the structure of the archive building itself seemed to be changing.

One moment, they would be surrounded by complete darkness, and the next, they would feel as if they had fallen into clouds of iridescent light.

They even saw swirling galaxies and other incomprehensible cosmic phenomena that made them begin to question their sanity.

”I’m telling you, Yi Shuang! Something’s not right!” Yang Ling yelled frantically. ”The demonic tainting sealed in the archive building must’ve gotten out somehow. If we don’t leave now, we’re all going to die. We may even release the demonic tainting outside if we force our way onto the second floor!”

”He’s right, I think we should retreat for now,” Han Ying agreed anxiously.

However, Yi Shuang couldn’t bear the thought of turning back when he was so tantalizingly close to his ultimate goal, and he ordered, ”Keep going!”

With the undying divine general under Yi Shuang’s control, Yang Ling and Han Ying had no choice but to follow his orders.

However as the effects of the demonic tainting grew more severe, their mental states began to deteriorate, and they even started to talk to themselves.

Yi Shuang continued forging ahead through gritted teeth. By the time he stepped onto the staircase leading to the second floor, it felt as though a violent storm were raging inside his mind.

The forbidden knowledge in his memories began to stir, trying to join the demonic tainting around him. Beads of cold sweat trickled down his face. His pupils were completely dilated, and his heart was beating faster than ever.

Just as he was about to reach his limit, they finally arrived on the second floor. The second floor was far more peaceful than the first floor, and the trio collapsed to the ground, gasping for air as they struggled to collect themselves.

”Why is the gate to the second floor open?” Yang Ling asked, his face as pale as a sheet.

Yi Shuang had also noticed this. Still gasping for air, he clambered to his feet.

As soon as he looked across the second floor, he was greeted by a sight that he would never forget for as long as he lived.

At the center of the second floor, Chu Qiguang was seated cross-legged in the ground, carefully reading a scripture laid out before him.

Lin Lan’s eyes were closed, and her hands were clasped tightly over her ears as her head rested on Chu Qiguang’s leg.

Surrounding them was a boundless expanse of darkness filled with countless stars.

It was as if the two of them were sitting somewhere in space, impossibly far away. At that moment, Chu Qiguang was calmly observing the ever-shifting celestial bodies around them.

”Chu Qiguang?! What are you doing here?” Yang Ling exclaimed. ”Have you read the books on the second floor?”

”Hold on a second, Instructor Yang,” Chu Qiguang replied without even raising his head. ”Let me finish reading this page first.”

Meanwhile, Yi Shuang was staring at Chu Qiguang with an uncertain expression.

Has he undergone demonification? Was he the one who triggered the demonic tainting?

”What’s going on here, Chu Qiguang?” he asked.

”I’m glad you’re here, Instructor Yi,” Chu Qiguang said casually, his attention still focused on the page before him. ”Is there anyone else besides the four of you?”

”The head instructor will be here soon,” Yi Shuang lied, while the undying divine general clamped a hand over Yang Ling’s mouth to prevent him from speaking. ”Entering the second floor of the archive building without permission is a major transgression! What do you have to say for yourself?”

”Surely my actions are justified under these extraordinary circumstances,” Chu Qiguang replied. ”Right now, the archive building is under threat, and the safest place to store the forbidden knowledge on the second floor is in my head.”

The skin on his back began to bulge and writhe as he spoke, and he continued, ”Why’re you lying to me, Instructor Yi? If you dared to come here, then clearly, the head instructor isn’t coming. There must be someone outside keeping him occupied, right? That certainly makes things much easier for me.”

A faint tearing sound rang out as a pair of hands burst through the skin on Chu Qiguang’s back.

Yi Shuang, Yang Ling, and Han Ying could only stare in wide-eyed astonishment as a brand-new Chu Qiguang emerged from the back of the one seated on the ground.

Lin Lan’s eyes were still closed, and her head remained resting on Chu Qiguang’s leg, but she could tell that something was different.

”Did something happen, Brother Chu?”

Chu Qiguang leaned down and spoke reassuringly into her ear. ”Don’t worry, nothing’s happening. Just keep your eyes closed so you don’t fall prey to the demonic tainting.”

Lin Lan blushed as Chu Qiguang’s breath tickled her cheek. She nodded and obediently kept her eyes closed.

Meanwhile, the real Chu Qiguang began making his way toward Yi Shuang’s trio. As he did so, he channeled his Primordial High Zenith Demonic Arts, turning his entire body pitch-black.

”I have to admit that I’m very impressed that you managed to keep me in the dark all this time, Chu Qiguang,” Yi Shuang sneered. ”You must’ve been planning this for quite some time, right? Looking at your current condition, you must not be far from demonification.”

Chu Qiguang offered no response as he took another step forward. His skin then turned bright gold revealing his mastery of the fourth level of the Primordial High Zenith Demonic Arts for the first time.

Yang Ling’s eyes almost bulged out of their sockets in astonishment.

He’s already reached the fourth level of the Primordial High Zenith Qigong? How is that possible?!

Yi Shuang was also momentarily stunned, but he quickly regained his composure and exerted his control over the undying divine general, instructing it to step forward and shield him.

”You really are full of surprises, Chu Qiguang,” Yi Shuang mused. ”I was a fool to think you were no different from the other trainees. Unfortunately for you, even the fourth level of the Primordial High Zenith Qigong won’t be enough to save you from the monstrosity standing before you.”

Immediately afterward, the undying divine general let loose a thunderous roar before throwing itself at Chu Qiguang.