At this moment, Chu Xuan cast his Divine Sense into his sea of consciousness, not to use the Six Souls Banner.
In fact, he dared not bring it out. When the banner appeared before Primordial Monarch Taixu back then, Chu Xuan was immediately severely injured.
This must be a treasure of great origin, recognizable at a glance.
If Chu Xuan's parents are indeed some unparalleled villains, and he brings this thing out, should the people of Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace discover it, he might again suffer the fate of being "expelled from the sect," so he wouldn't dare take it out casually even at the cost of his life.
Similarly, although Chu Xuan holds great respect for the sect leader, he dares not disclose this secret to him.
After all, he truly doesn't know which people and events the Six Souls Banner involves.
Regarding Ji Mingyu's act of expelling him from the sect, Chu Xuan has always been unwilling to accept it.
Besides wanting to grow stronger now, his greatest obsession is uncovering the truth behind the Six Souls Banner.
If he could meet Ji Mingyu again, perhaps he could get answers from her. But the problem is, she has no intention of meeting him now.
The next chance for a meeting… might be eight years from now.
Chu Xuan hasn't forgotten Lady Baihua's invitation sixteen years ago. Though Primordial Monarch Taixu might not attend the Baihua banquet, it at least presents an opportunity.
Moreover, even if he can't meet Ji Mingyu then, meeting Lady Baihua shouldn't be a problem.
Lady Baihua and Ji Mingyu have known each other for hundreds of years; perhaps she knows what happened to Ji Mingyu in the past.
At that time, by unraveling the details, the truth can naturally be gradually uncovered.
Of course, during these eight years, Chu Xuan won't sit idly.
He plans to cultivate while seeking clues in the Scripture Repository of Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace.
Generally, large sects have a habit of documenting history. Needless to mention the history of their sect, they also record some history, geography, and biographies of the entire cultivation world.
If he could find details about the past owners of the Six Souls Banner among them, it would greatly aid in solving the mystery.
Chu Xuan attempted to invest his Divine Sense into the Six Souls Banner, and all he saw was darkness, feeling boundless, limitless.
Inside the artifact, he couldn't find any clues nor detect any presence that resembled an "Artifact Spirit," so he had to abandon it for now.
Chu Xuan secretly decided to start going to the Scripture Repository to read books from tomorrow.
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Early the next morning, Chu Xuan left the rear mountain to visit his master.
Floating Cloud Taoist remained in the hall of the Daoist Palace. When he saw his disciple arrive, he wasn't too surprised and didn't ask about his recent thoughts, merely took out a set of tea vessels, slowly boiled water and brewed tea, pouring a cup for each of them.
During this, Chu Xuan waited quietly. After drinking a cup of slightly bitter Spirit Tea with a lingering sweetness, he praised, "Good tea."
Floating Cloud Taoist stroked his beard and smiled, "It seems you've recovered quite well, much better than your senior sister, who often makes me worry less."
Chu Xuan was a bit surprised, "Isn't senior sister doing well?"
Although they've known each other briefly, Qin Mengyao left a good first impression on him, diligent in cultivation, and appears to be quite respected in the sect, exuding the temperament of a senior disciple.
Floating Cloud Taoist merely shook his head slightly, "She just left recently, not even having time for a cup of tea, and went back to practicing swordplay."
These words sounded like an old man complaining about disciples, yet Chu Xuan felt there was more to it, perhaps indicating senior sister's state of mind is lacking in cultivation?
"Speak, why did you come looking for me?"
Chu Xuan responded without hesitation, "I want to take a look at the books in the Scripture Repository."
"Since you're my disciple, you may go at any time."
"But since you specifically came to ask, you might be seeking to peruse some high-access books." With that, Floating Cloud Taoist removed a jade token from his waist and handed it to Chu Xuan.
"Take this Sect Leader's token; it grants you access to all scriptures in the Scripture Repository."
Chu Xuan was quite shocked, fully aware that his background was unclear, and being accepted as a disciple by the sect leader was already a blessing.
Like the Scripture Repository, these heritage sites are highly protected in every sect.
Generally speaking, newly admitted disciples can at most borrow some ordinary Daoist texts, and later, based on their status and performance in the sect, their permissions are gradually expanded.
How could someone like Chu Xuan, a "suspicious figure," be granted free access to all Daoist texts from the start?
Even if you are a sect leader disciple, it's not allowed; should anything go wrong, the sect leader would be accountable.
Chu Xuan hesitated for a moment but still reached out to accept, his expression complex as he said, "Master, why do you trust me so much?"
"Trust without suspicion, use without doubt." Floating Cloud Taoist seemed unfazed.
Chu Xuan nodded, "I merely want to view some Daoist texts on cultivation, and some histories, geographies, biographies, just as a precaution."
Floating Cloud Taoist nodded, "If there's any book you can't find, you may ask the elders on duty at the Scripture Repository."
After reporting the progress of his inner Dao foundation's recovery, Chu Xuan prepared to take his leave.
Unexpectedly at this moment, a youth in blue rushed in from the rear door of the hall, intending to say something to the sect leader, but refrained upon seeing Chu Xuan.
Floating Cloud Taoist waved his hand, "It's alright, is it related to the ancestor's matters?"
The youth nodded, whispering, "She insists you go over."
Floating Cloud Taoist thought it over, then turned to Chu Xuan saying, "Come with me. Your senior sister is unreliable, lacking patience; perhaps you'll be of some help."
An ancestor? Help??
Chu Xuan listened, confused, recalling the previous conversations between master and senior sister; it seemed a certain ancestor of Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace had some issues recently?
Though he overheard this at the time, he was in no mood to mind other people's matters; let alone he had just been admitted to the sect, and it was inappropriate to pry into sect secrets, so he entirely disregarded it.
This time, Floating Cloud Taoist's words piqued Chu Xuan's curiosity.
Even the sect leader had to address her as "ancestor," meaning she should be a highly esteemed elder, possibly a top cultivator of the higher realms.
Actually, if Chu Xuan hadn't been in "seclusive cultivation mode" for the past months, he would have heard more rumors about this figure.
After dismissing the youth, Floating Cloud Taoist led the way, sternly admonishing Chu Xuan, "The person you'll meet next is Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace's greatest secret."
"Since I took you as a disciple, I don't wish to hide this from you, but once you know, never speak of it to outsiders."
Despite granting his disciple full access to a critical site like the Scripture Repository, Floating Cloud Taoist spoke with such gravity now, causing Chu Xuan to tense up suddenly.
He merged his sword fingers, assuring, "Master, rest assured, I swear, everything I see, and hear later, I'll never disclose to any outsider, including my former master."
Seeing Chu Xuan even mention his "former master," Floating Cloud Taoist sighed, "It's truly a matter concerning our sect's survival. It's not that I mistrust you."