Chapter Thirty-One: The Land of Ten States (Seeking Collection and Recommendation)

  Huang Xiaoru looked up and down at Shi Dong, saw his bruised face, but didn't show any surprise. He pointed to the jade slips on the bookshelf and introduced: "The first floor has books on medical astrology, divination, and other miscellaneous studies, as well as detailed descriptions of the geography, climate, and customs of the Tianyuan continent. This side has books on music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, while that side has books on engineering and water conservancy..."

  He walked among the bookshelves, pointing at those jade slips and talking eloquently, his whole person exuding a strong aura of books that was overwhelming.

  Shi Dong followed behind, looking up with a serious face, feeling as if he was wandering in the mountains and seas of books, those jade slips emitting a soft glow, each with its own way, intertwined together, making him dizzy.

  "Oh no, so many books, it's making me dizzy!" Ma Feifei muttered to herself, holding her head in her hand as if she had a severe headache.

  Shi Dong smiled slightly and asked Huang Xiao Ru: "Fourth brother, are these books all about the Tao?"

  "That's right." Huang Xiaoru turned around and looked at him, "The way of the world is endless and boundless, with great ways, medium ways, and small ways. A person's energy is limited after all, and they should learn the most suitable way for themselves. The books here are all about mastering a skill that can be used to make a living in the future, are you willing to choose one to study?"

  He turned around and swept his eyes over the jade slips, knowing that Huang Xie's words were not false. As long as he chose one to study diligently, he would have his own capital to stand out in the world in the future.

  He pondered for a moment, then bowed his hands and asked Huang Xiaoru: "Is this the little way?"

  Huang Xiaolü chuckled and said: "Not so, the small way contains the great principle of the Great Way, the Great Way is transformed in the midst of countless small ways."

  "I understand." Shi Dong nodded his head, "In my free time, I will come over to browse through these books. It must be helpful for me to gain insight into the great way."

  Huang Xiaoru nodded in approval, pointing with his hand: "Those books about the geographical overview and customs of the Tianyuan Continent are more important to you. For example, the Tianyuan Continent has ten states, our Demon Slaughter Sect is located in Youzhou, and to the east is Zhongzhou, where the Ling Xiao Sect is located."

  North of Zhongzhou is the location of the Buddhist temple Jingang Temple in Xuanzhou; east of Zhongzhou is the hometown of Yin Yang; to the south are Zuzhou, Huazhou and Yanzhou, which are the locations of Maoshan, Gezao Mountain and Longhu Mountain respectively. The three mountains are collectively known as the San Shan Fu Pai, where the monks' skills in making and using talismans are extraordinary.

  Further south are Liuzhou, Shengzhou and Yuanzhou, collectively known as the three southern states. The Gu Zhong Shi Jia, Ji Guan Pei Nu Shi Jia, and a mysterious array gate that specializes in studying formations are all located here.

  Shi Dong gathered his thoughts and listened intently, knowing that this was the fourth senior brother's hint to himself about the sect's power in the Tianyuan Continent. He wanted him to know how big the world was, even if it was just a trivial matter like Mao Feifei's cow eyes widening in awe as he listened with rapt attention.

  Seeing that both of them were very focused, Huang Xianru nodded in satisfaction and continued: "Except for the ten states, the area west of Youzhou is a barbarous land filled with ferocious demonic beasts. There is a Wan Yao Gate there that specializes in taming and training beasts. If you two plan to venture out in the future, the barbarous lands are not a bad choice. Although it's perilous, the territory is vast. As long as you don't go too deep, you generally won't encounter the Wan Yao Gate. Compared to the other nine states, it's relatively safe."

  "Thanks for the reminder, Fourth Master." Shi Dong and the other two bowed their hands in unison.

  "Hmm." Huang Xiaolong continued, "The southern and eastern sides of the Tianyuan Continent are all vast oceans, known as the Southern Sea and Eastern Sea. I've heard that there are even more ferocious sea monsters there, as well as some rare and precious treasures that can't be found on land. If in the future your abilities become so great that even the Barbaric Mountains aren't enough for you to roam, then you might as well go take a trip to the Southern Sea and Eastern Sea."

  The two of them were left speechless for a moment, Shi Dong thought to himself: "Wow, the Tianyuan Continent is so vast, and the various sects' powers are so interesting. It would take a lifetime to explore it all, let alone going on an adventure in the Southern or Eastern Seas? Fourth Brother was really joking." He couldn't help but feel both excited and sentimental.

  "Right, to the north of Tianyuan Continent lies a vast grassland, where the Bieli people gather. It is said that they are the descendants of the gods and were born with all sorts of inconceivable divine powers. Hundreds of years ago, they assembled a large army and attacked our Central Plains, but were driven out by the joint efforts of various major sects, causing them to suffer heavy losses."

  "After so many years of recuperation, they have now accumulated enough strength and are likely to invade the Central Plains again. Hehe, the Golden Temple of the Buddhist sect in Xuanzhou is adjacent to it, and this time it will face its edge directly. In the future when the war breaks out, one Golden Temple cannot withstand it at all, and at that time, various factions will join forces, and you two may be sent to the battlefield."

  Mao Feifei's blood was boiling with rage, he clenched his fists and shouted: "Fourth Brother, you look down on me? If that day really comes, I, Mao Feifei, will definitely not bring shame to our sect. On the battlefield, I'll fight bravely and kill the enemy, let those Yi people taste the ferocity of our Demon Slashing Sect!"

  Stone motionless, voice and expression unchanged, but in his heart he was churning with emotions. He thought back to when he was young and asked his mother about his father's situation. His mother evaded the question, but her gaze always looked towards the north. This made Stone think that perhaps his father hadn't died, but had gone to a distant place in the north, and would one day return.

  Now hearing Fourth Brother introduce the Beili people, Shi Dong had a kind of intuition that his father must have gone to the Beili people's vast grasslands and for some reason got deeply trapped there for eight years, unable to return. In the future when he himself learned this matter, he would definitely go back and ask his mother in detail, and find his father back.

  Huang Xiaoru glanced at Shi Dong, chuckled and took down a jade slip from the bookshelf, tossing it to Shi Dong. "This jade slip is 'The Overview of Tianyuan Continent', which records everything I just said. You can take some time to read it when you have a chance."

  "Yes, thank you Fourth Master." Shi Dong cupped his hands and accepted it.

  "And this, 'Yao Shou Cao Mu Lu', records the common demonic beasts and spiritual herbs and trees. For you to venture into Jianghu in the future, identifying useful spiritual herbs and trees, avoiding ominous dangers of demonic beasts, has a significant use."

  Shi Dong was overjoyed and hastily thanked him as he took it, while Mao Feifei looked on with envy, her face full of admiration, and she too felt happy for Shi Dong's good fortune.

  "Alright, since you asked so politely just now, I'll let these two books be my gift to you. Follow me upstairs, the second floor is for martial arts and the third floor is for magic spells. I'll take you to choose one from each." Huang Xiao Ru took a step forward, about to head upstairs.

  Shi Dong suddenly moved his mind and asked: "Fourth Shixiong, is there a book about identifying and cultivating spiritual ghosts?"

  Huang Xiaoru turned around and looked at him, "Oh? You're interested in the Way of Exorcising Ghosts?"

  "Yes, I've seen that Lei Hu and Mao Shixiong already have their own Ling Gui, and they're very powerful. I'm quite envious, so I want to understand more about the Ling Gui first and see if it's suitable for me to take this path." Shi Dong explained.

  "Hmm, then follow me! I'll let you know how difficult the path of Oni is!" Huang Xiao Ru turned and went upstairs.

  Shi Dong and Mao Feifei exchanged a glance, both of them feeling excited and nervous as they followed behind.