Gate of God

Time sped past, and when the moon rose slowly above the horizon and the stars began to shine, Fang Zhengzhi has reached the first floor. Within these four hours, he never actually completed any single book.

Instead, he was synthesizing everything that he browsed through. In his mind, he synthesized and categorized everything he read from the first floor to the sixth floor before sieving out the important bits.

It was a very intricate process. Hence, Fang Zhengzhi did not complete this in a hurry. After all, he had to be well-prepared to complete any task to the best of his ability. This was the conclusion he derived from two lifetimes’ worth of experience.

Before he left the Repository, Fang Zhengzhi picked out a book from a shelf on the first floor. It was a very ordinary-looking book, and very few people have borrowed it before.

"I’ll borrow this." Fang Zhengzhi presented the book to the two Heaven Dao disciples guarding the entrance.

"This one?" Upon noticing the book which Fang Zhengzhi picked, the two guards were clearly in disbelief.

Following this, the news that Fang Zhengzhi only borrowed a single book after spinning about for four hours in the Repository, had spread through the Heaven Dao Pavilion within an hour.

"Did that scoundrel really just borrow a single magazine?"

"After spending four hours in there, from the sixth floor to the first, did he not know that there are profound sword formation illustrations on the sixth floor? What exactly is he thinking?’

"I don’t know, but it seems that Senior Chi Guyan’s painstaking efforts have definitely been wasted!"

As the various corners of the Heaven Dao Pavilion broke out into gossip, another explosive piece of news rippled through the area, and this piece of news was evidently much juicier than the fact that Fang Zhengzhi merely borrowed a single book from the Repository.

"Senior Chi Guyan actually met a bet with that scoundrel?!"

"They’re competing to see who would reach a higher level in the Divine Rain Pond?"

"And the loser would have to become the winner’s personal slave?! Oh my god, did they have to place such great bets?"

Virtually all the Heaven Dao disciples felt as though their hearts had been pierced by a thunderbolt after hearing this piece of news.

"Fang Zhengzhi couldn’t possibly be trying to exploit his potential status as Senior Chi Guyan’s slave to stay in the Heaven Dao Pavilion, could he?!" The disciples derived their own deduction after the message was passed through the pavilion countless times - Fang Zhengzhi was not willing to leave.

After all, how could someone who happily borrowed a single book after spending four hours in the Repository possibly compete against Chi Guyan in terms of their understanding of the Nine Heavens Sagely Illustrations?

Isn’t this just a joke?

"A joke?" Fang Zhengzhi was naturally unfazed by the commotion around him. He observed the weather, and knew that Yan Xiu would be returning very soon.

Ever since Yan Xiu declined entering the Heaven Dao Pavilion and left Sword Peak, he has resided in a little wooden cottage beneath Sword Peak alone.

Of course, this was not to imply that the Heaven Dao Pavilion would forbid an outsider from entering into their ranks. It was Yan Xiu’s own decision. However, Fang Zhengzhi was still puzzled as he clearly remembered Yan Xiu mentioning his desire to train under the Heaven Dao Pavilion, so why did he suddenly reject the offer?

....

Half a month flashed by.

Fang Zhengzhi spent over 80% of his time huddled inside the Repository, and spent the remaining amount of time chatting with Chi Guyan or drinking and playing chess with Yan Xiu at the foot of Sword Peak ...

On a whole, he spent his time very leisurely.

As for the reason for rejecting the Heaven Dao Pavilion’s offer, Yan Xiu merely answered, "These three months will fly by very quickly."

Upon hearing that, Fang Zhengzhi did not probe him any further, because he already knew what Yan Xiu was talking about. The span of three months was indeed really short. For instance, it has already been a full month from the time they entered the Heaven Dao Pavilion until now. And in the span of this one month, Fang Zhengzhi actually used half the time pretty efficiently despite sleeping the other half away.

For instance, none of the Heaven Dao disciples are discussing Fang Zhengzhi’s provocations against the elders anymore, instead shifting the topic of their gossip to Fang Zhengzhi’s sloppy reading habits.

After all, no one could finish an entire storey’s worth of books in two days like Fang Zhengzhi did. Is it even possible to finish all the books on the sixth floor in two days? And even if it was possible, what about completing all the books on the fifth floor in two days? Or completing all the books on the fourth floor, third floor, second floor and first floor, each in two days ...

The lower the floor, the more books there were. However, Fang Zhengzhi only spent two days on each floor. And the most ridiculous thing was, Fang Zhengzhi spent the final two days re-reading all the books from the first floor to the sixth floor, taking three floors in a day!

Isn’t he just scanning through the books without delving into any detail? What a waste!

The Heaven Dao disciples were enraged. Fang Zhengzhi was given such an amazing opportunity, but instead of selecting a few books from the collection on the sixth floor, he just skimmed through each floor.

Of course, different people had different aspirations. They were furious at Fang Zhengzhi’s actions, but beyond their anger, they could only tell themselves that this brat was hopeless.

....

It was early in the morning. The sun’s rays have illuminated the lands.

The weather in the Holy Region was already gradually getting warmer. Although the sun had just peeked over the horizon, the resplendence radiating from its rays were certainly blinding, but the heat evidently could not mask the sheer passion of the Heaven Dao disciples.

Early in the morning, the Heaven Dao disciples have already gathered outside the Divine Rain Pond, casting their eyes upon the shimmering water surface in anticipation. And among them, the thirty over disciples standing right in front of the Divine Rain Pond were evidently more excited than their peers.

There was a rule in the Heaven Dao Pavilion: once a disciples attains the Rebirth State, they would be granted a single chance to enter the Divine Rain Pond.

Of course, it didn’t mean that a disciple had to enter the Divine Rain Pond had to exercise this privilege immediately after attaining the Rebirth State. The choice lied with the disciple himself, but the number of disciples choosing to enter the Divine Rain Pond now was evidently greater than average. The reasons for this were evidently tied to the fact that Chi Guyan was entering it now.

It was very simple. Firstly, they could potentially leverage upon the skills of another disciple possessing formidable strength and talent and consequently gain a better chance at reaching a higher level in the Divine Rain Pond. And secondly ...

They wanted to witness the dreadful expression on Fang Zhengzhi’s face after being defeated by Chi Guyan for themselves, even though they clearly knew that Fang Zhengzhi was just delaying his departure from the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

"Has Master emerged yet?"

"No, but I heard Second Elder say that Master would be returning within these two days!"

"Quick, look there, Senior Chi Guyan has arrived!" Amidst the commotion, a Heaven Dao disciple pointed out three figures approaching them in the distance.

"And it’s that scoundrel!"

"Eh? Why is Yan Qing tailing behind Senior Chi Guyan and that scoundrel? Could it be that, he’s preparing to enter the Divine Rain Pond today too?"

The Heaven Dao disciples crowding around the Divine Rain Pond stared at the three approaching figures in astonishment and slight confoundment.

Chi Guyan’s outfit was evidently different from her usual get-up. There was a snow-white ribbon laced around her long pink dress, and her luscious long black hair usually fanned out over her shoulders was now tied up neatly. Besides her usual otherworldly alluring charm, Chi Guyan also emanated a natural valiant quality.

As for Fang Zhengzhi ... he was naturally in his usual blue robes. Standing behind him, Yan Qing was also in his usual dark-green robes.

Fang Zhengzhi was actually not mentally prepared for Yan Qing’s company. The surrounding Heaven Dao disciples were still clouded in doubt. The surrounding Heaven Dao disciples too suspected that even Fang Zhengzhi himself could not discern Yan Qing’s intent for following behind him. After all, he already told Yan Qing that he was entering the Divine Rain Pond today and could not possibly have a duel with him.

Of course, Yan Qing did not utter a word. And Fang Zhengzhi could not restrict Yan Qing’s ’free will’ in any way.

The surrounding Heaven Dao disciples cleared to open a path for the approaching trio.

"Senior Chi Guyan!"

"Senior!"

The crowd of disciples greeted Chi Guyan one after the other.

Chi Guyan nodded her head softly in response, but she did not slow down. In an instant, she already strode past the disciples crowding on the outer rim.

When the thirty over disciples waiting by the Divine Rain Pond noticed her arrival, their anticipation grew visibly.

"Senior!" The thirty over disciples greeted Chi Guyan in unison.

"Yes." Chi Guyan nodded before walking up to an old man dressed in broad white robes standing by the Divine Rain Pond, and bowed slightly. "Greetings, Sixth Elder!"

"No need for formalities, Guyan. I heard that you made a bet with Fang Zhengzhi for this occasion?" Sixth Elder smirked and asked.

"I did make a bet." Chi Guyan nodded.

"Haha, alright, I understand. Go in then!" Third Elder smiled.

"Thank you, Sixth Elder." With that, Chi Guyan turned and glanced at Fang Zhengzhi before taking a gentle leap into the air.

And with a splash, she plunged right into the pond.

"...." Fang Zhengzhi’s mouth was agape. He stared as Chi Guyan disappeared under the water, slightly stunned for a moment.

Hold on?

This isn’t right! Isn’t this a fair match? Why didn’t they hold hands and jump into the Divine Rain Pond together?

What is the meaning of jumping in first?

"Is she ... cheating?!"