Mortal: Starting with the Seven Mysterious Sects, I proved my Dao through sacrifice.

Murong Fan followed Lin Qingzhao into the Thousand Machines Pavilion. The pavilion was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a faint scent of ink and books. Unlike the hustle and bustle outside, it was so quiet that one could hear the soft sound of pages turning.

The first floor was an open information sales area. Several shop assistants in uniform were sorting through jade slips and files. When they saw Lin Qingzhao enter, they all stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully: "Young Miss."

Lin Qingzhao nodded slightly in acknowledgment, and led Murong Fan through a carved wooden door and up the steps.

The second floor is more elegantly furnished, with several landscape paintings with profound artistic conception hanging on the walls, and simple and unadorned tables placed on both sides of the corridor, on which are neatly stacked some well-preserved jade slips.

Occasionally, a cultivator dressed in a blue robe would pause to peruse the books, his expression focused, and he would deliberately lower his voice when talking to each other, for fear of disturbing the tranquility. At the end of the corridor, a heavy ebony door was tightly closed, its surface carved with intricate cloud patterns, and faint spiritual light flowed around it, clearly indicating that it was equipped with a simple soundproofing barrier.

"My father is inside," Lin Qingzhao said softly, extending her jade-like hand to gently knock three times on the door, following a specific rhythm.

"Come in." A steady, slightly authoritative voice came from inside the door.

Lin Qingzhao pushed open the door and stepped aside to let Murong Fan in. The room was larger than she had imagined. In the center was a large rosewood desk, piled with various jade slips, ancient books, and animal hides painted with runes.

A middle-aged cultivator dressed in brocade robes and with a refined appearance was sitting behind a table, carefully studying a jade slip in his hand. He was Lin Xiaotian, the Pavilion Master of Qianji Pavilion.

Lin Xiaotian raised his head, his gaze falling on Murong Fan, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes. He then turned to Lin Qingzhao, his tone tinged with concern: "Qingzhao, you're back. Did you encounter any trouble?"

"Father, I'm alright." Lin Qingzhao walked to the table, carefully put down the cloth bag in her arms, and then pointed to Murong Fan, respectfully introducing him, "This is Young Master Murong Fan. This time, I encountered villains while purchasing spiritual materials at the foot of the mountain. Fortunately, Young Master Murong came to my rescue and I was able to escape danger."

"Young Master Murong has come to ask Father some questions about ancient restrictions."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaotian put down the jade slip in his hand and turned his gaze to Murong Fan again. This time, his eyes held a more scrutinizing look. He could sense the mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation fluctuations emanating from Murong Fan. It was truly rare for someone so young to possess such cultivation.

"Oh? Young friend Murong, you're so young, yet you're interested in ancient restrictions?" Lin Xiaotian smiled slightly and asked in a calm tone, "May I ask what kind of restriction you encountered that has captured your attention so much?"

Murong Fan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Junior Murong Fan greets Pavilion Master Lin. I accidentally entered an ancestral cave. The stone chamber inside the cave is equipped with a restriction, which is triggered when you get close, generating a powerful suction force that tries to pull your soul. Although I managed to escape, I was helpless. I have heard that the Thousand Machines Pavilion is knowledgeable and has a strong understanding of intelligence and restriction research, so I have come to ask for advice on how to break the restriction."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiaotian frowned slightly and pondered, "This isn't some ancient restriction that absorbs souls, but rather a long-lost secret technique. Such techniques are extremely dangerous and were often used by ancient cultivators to protect core treasure sites. Young friend, do you know any characteristics of this technique? For example, the color of the light barrier, the shape of the runes, or the unusual phenomena when it's triggered?"

Murong Fan carefully recalled the scene in the stone chamber and said, "When that secret technique was triggered, a layer of purple-blue light screen appeared. There seemed to be countless tiny runes flowing on the light screen. The suction force was extremely strong and directly affected the soul. If I hadn't reacted in time, I would probably have met with disaster."

"A purple-blue light curtain, runes flowing, drawing in souls..." Lin Xiaotian murmured to himself, his fingers lightly tapping the table, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. He got up and walked to the bookshelves behind him, carefully searching through the rows of towering bookshelves, his fingers brushing over the yellowed ancient books and jade slips.

After a moment, he took down a dark-colored jade slip from the top shelf, returned to the table, and handed it to Murong Fan: "Young friend, take a look at this."

Murong Fan took the jade slip and infused it with his spiritual power. Instantly, a massive flow of information flooded his mind. It was a record of ancient secret techniques, which happened to mention a technique called "Soul Devouring Forbidden Technique."

According to the jade slip, the "Soul Devouring Forbidden Technique" is a secret art used by our ancestors to attain enlightenment through the soul. This powerful being dedicated his life to studying the secret arts of the soul. He once single-handedly set up this technique to protect the soul cultivation manual he had painstakingly developed throughout his life.

"This secret technique is based on Netherworld Cold Iron and uses the soul crystals made from the souls of a hundred cultivators as a catalyst. Once triggered, it will form a purple-blue light screen. The runes in the light screen will emit a powerful soul-attracting force, forcibly separating the soul of the intruder from the body and turning it into the energy of the secret technique."

"The first half of this record was discovered by the first master of the Thousand Machines Pavilion in a secret realm at the site of an ancient battlefield, while the second half remains missing. The first half was compiled and supplemented by successive masters, and the record was preserved in the 'General Record of Ten Thousand Forbidden Techniques,' but due to the limited records, it is probably difficult to decipher this secret technique immediately."

"However, young friend, there is no need to be discouraged. As long as your spiritual power is strong enough, you will be able to break this secret technique! You are now in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. I have heard that demonic beasts frequently appear in the border area between Huangfeng Valley and Tianyue Sect. With your current cultivation level, intercepting demonic beasts and obtaining their demon cores is the most effective way to quickly improve your spiritual power."

Murong Fan was overjoyed and quickly bowed to Lin Xiaotian to express his gratitude, "Thank you so much, Pavilion Master Lin, for your guidance. I am deeply grateful!"

Lin Xiaotian waved his hand and smiled, "Young friend, you saved my daughter's life, and I, the Pavilion Master, should repay you with all my might. The Thousand Machines Pavilion is a place to answer cultivators' questions, so there's no need for you to be so polite. However, the core of this 'Soul Devouring Restriction' array is often extremely well hidden, and there may be other traps nearby. If you wish to break it, you must be very careful. When intercepting demonic beasts, you must act according to your abilities and not be impatient for quick results!"

"This junior understands," Murong Fan nodded in response, already having made up his mind. He glanced at the jade slip inscribed with "Soul Devouring Forbidden Technique" and asked, "Sect Master Lin, this jade slip...?"

Lin Xiaotian saw through his thoughts and said with a smile, "I will give this jade slip to you, young friend, as a way of thanking you for saving my daughter's life."

"How could I possibly accept this?" Murong Fan quickly declined, "Such precious ancient books and jade slips, how could I, a junior, possibly take them from someone else?"

"Oh, you're too kind, young friend," Lin Qingzhao said from the side. "Young Master Murong, my father said to give this to you, so please accept it. Although my Thousand Machines Pavilion isn't particularly wealthy, we're not short of a jade slip. Besides, you saved my life, so this jade slip is just a small token of our appreciation."

Lin Xiaotian nodded and said, "What my daughter says is right, young friend, there's no need to refuse."

Seeing the father and daughter's warm hospitality, Murong Fan did not insist. He solemnly put away the jade slip and thanked them again, saying, "In that case, it would be impolite of me to refuse. Great kindness needs no thanks. I will remember the kindness of Pavilion Master Lin and Miss Lin, and I will do my best if needed in the future."

Lin Xiaotian nodded in satisfaction, a hint of admiration in his eyes: "Young friend, you're quite a straightforward person. By the way, what are your plans next?"

Murong Fan said:

"This junior intends to first try to find the second half of the method to break the secret technique. Along the way, I will also kill demonic beasts to improve my cultivation. When the time is right, I will try to break the 'Soul Devouring Restriction' and retrieve the jade slip in the stone chamber."

"That would be best," Lin Xiaotian said. "However, breaking the restriction is no easy task, so please remember not to act rashly. If you need any assistance from the Thousand Machines Pavilion, please send someone to deliver a message at any time."

"Thank you for your concern, Pavilion Master Lin." Murong Fan cupped his hands again. "This junior takes his leave."

"Young Master Murong, I'll see you off," Lin Qingzhao said.

"There's no need to trouble Miss Lin," Murong Fan politely declined.

Lin Qingzhao insisted, "Young Master Murong is a distinguished guest of my Thousand Machines Pavilion and also my savior. It is only right that I escort you on your way."

Murong Fan had no choice but to let her have her way.

The two left Qianji Pavilion together. Lin Qingzhao escorted Murong Fan to the entrance of the market and said, "Young Master Murong, that 'Soul Devouring Restriction' is extremely dangerous. You must be careful. If you encounter any difficulties, remember to come to Qianji Pavilion to find me."

"I will. Thank you, Miss Lin." Murong Fan nodded, turned around and transformed into a streak of azure light, speeding towards the direction of the ancestral cave.

Watching Murong Fan's departing figure, a complex light flashed in Lin Qingzhao's eyes before she turned and returned to Qianji Pavilion.

At this moment, Murong Fan was filled with excitement and anticipation. He couldn't wait to unlock the secrets of the ancestral cave's stone chamber. What surprises might be hidden in those two sets of dusty jade slips? He increased his flying speed, eager to explore the immortal's cave again immediately.