Chapter 170 The Price of Seeing

Water droplets condensed into steps.

Gu Nanfeng and Meng Xizhou stepped forward together, entering the Red Lake.

Countless rays of light fell upon them.

Even after unraveling the restrictions left by the Guang Ming Shizu, Gu Nanfeng still couldn't clearly see the true appearance of the [Forbidden Book Pavilion]. He only felt as if he had come before a sun.

Under the immense and blazing light, even he felt pressure.

He had indeed come before a sun.

Because the Guang Ming Shenzuo (Light Authority) stood before the Forbidden Book Pavilion, and he was that sun.

At this moment, the Guang Ming Shenzuo seemed to be holding something in his palm.

It was a golden chain condensed from pure light, and this was the restriction left by the Guang Ming Shizu!

He pulled up the chain, causing the light of the entire Red Lake bottom to tighten and straighten... The previous "miracle" on the lake shore was caused by this. Now, the Book Pavilion shone brightly, slowly opening its doors.

"Such a grand sight is truly shocking."

Gu Nanfeng watched this scene, his expression becoming complex.

In terms of source material quantity, Red Lake could not compare to Qingzhong... But the existence of this [Forbidden Book Pavilion] was something that Qingzhong lacked.

"It's a pity, one person is missing."

Meng Xizhou sighed softly, "If Gu Shen were here as well, how wonderful that would be."

"..."

The Guang Ming Shenzuo, who had opened the Forbidden Book Pavilion, chuckled upon hearing this, teasing, "He left so quickly last night, it seems he was frightened by my joke."

Meng Xizhou raised an eyebrow, "Your Excellency Shenzuo joked with him?"

"A small joke."

The Guang Ming Shenzuo said indifferently, "The Forbidden Book Pavilion will not break its precedent and open a second time... It is said that this is a gift left by the God of Fate. Since he is unwilling to come, perhaps this is also a part of fate's arrangement. It is destined that he does not have this blessing."

Meng Xizhou was speechless.

"Alright. Let's seize the time."

The old man urged, "I will wait for you here."

...

...

Inside the Forbidden Book Pavilion, there were naturally many books.

Even though Gu Nanfeng had prepared himself mentally, he was still shocked when he entered this pavilion filled with blazing light.

It turned out to be a circular tower.

Billions of books were piled on the circular walls, stretching as far as the eye could see... simply without end.

"Many people are curious about the appearance of the Forbidden Book Pavilion..."

Meng Xizhou smiled, "Because it is enveloped by 'holy light', they simply have no chance to see its true form. But in reality, the true form is not important at all, because this so-called Book Pavilion is merely a mystical realm."

Gu Nanfeng murmured, "How tall is this Book Pavilion?"

"Very tall. So tall that you can't see the end."

Meng Xizhou raised his head and said calmly, "It can bear the answers to all the questions in the world... How tall do you think such a Book Pavilion should be?"

"Then it must indeed be very tall, very tall..."

Gu Nanfeng wanted to casually take a book to read, but Meng Xizhou grabbed his outstretched hand.

"You can't."

Meng Xizhou said solemnly, "Have you noticed that your spirit is being consumed?"

Gu Nanfeng's expression became serious. He had of course noticed the loss of his mental energy, but from the moment Meng Xizhou explained that this was a mystical realm, he understood the reason.

This mystical realm consumed the spirit of those who entered every second.

"The Forbidden Book Pavilion is a place of fate's gifts... You bring questions to seek answers, and whether you succeed or not, you need to consume 'spiritual power'."

Meng Xizhou said slowly, "If you open a page, it means you are preparing to formally begin. From that moment on, your spirit will be consumed rapidly. When you can't maintain the 'spiritual consumption' of the mystical realm, you will be expelled from the Book Pavilion."

"So that's how it is."

Gu Nanfeng frowned slightly and asked, "If I empty my mind and open a page, what will happen?"

"No one knows."

Meng Xizhou said sincerely, "Fate is like this, unknowable, unexplorable, elusive... Among the transcendents who can enter the [Forbidden Book Pavilion], no one should do this. Perhaps you will receive guidance on some major issue, or perhaps because you empty your mind, you will receive nothing. But one thing will not change: the moment you open the page, your spiritual power will be consumed rapidly."

Even with fate's favor, the book opener still needs to pay a price, which is very fair.

"There's another question."

Gu Nanfeng nodded, "Which book should I open..."

"They're all the same."

Meng Xizhou said, "Perhaps the content of each book here is different, but under the guidance of fate, it won't matter which book you open. There is no difference between opening one at random and carefully selecting one, because the one you choose... is the one you are destined to open, even if you change your mind hundreds of times along the way, the outcome will be the same."

"...I understand."

Gu Nanfeng nodded.

Just as he was about to enter meditation.

"This opportunity may only come once."

Meng Xizhou suddenly spoke.

Gu Nanfeng was startled, he looked into Meng Xizhou's eyes.

From these clear pupils, he saw many emotions that could not be spoken, could not be explained.

Meng Xizhou said word by word, extremely seriously, "Nanfeng... you must think it through, think it carefully."

These words were light, but also very heavy.

Gu Nanfeng realized some deeper meanings, he took a light breath and said slowly, "...Okay."

...

...

If you were given a chance to face fate directly, what kind of question would you ask?

Most people are concerned about their own fate.

This is also why the Guang Ming Shenzuo refused to open the [Forbidden Book Pavilion].

Every time a miracle related to fate is born, it consumes a portion of power... Many questions, the [Forbidden Book Pavilion] will choose to refuse to answer, but if it is opened to the public, there will inevitably be unnecessary losses.

So... those who are qualified to step in here.

Must be questioners of value.

Gu Nanfeng was not in a hurry to open the page, he sat at the bottom of the Book Pavilion, seriously thinking about the question he wanted to ask, before standing up.

There were tens of millions of books here.

Gu Nanfeng did not hesitate or waver, he directly chose the one he saw at first glance.

After opening it, the pages were filled with obscure ancient text.

He couldn't understand a single word here.

But... at the moment of turning the page, his spirit was enveloped by warm ocean currents, Gu Nanfeng felt his spirit begin to drain rapidly.

"Boom!"

A violent explosion sounded in his ears.

Gu Nanfeng raised his head.

This towering Book Pavilion instantly transformed into a dark and gloomy night sky. Every scroll of books poured out, transforming into stars in the sky. Meng Xizhou had disappeared, and only he was left in this vast and boundless space. The books shattered, and he watched the stars in the Book Pavilion sky explode one by one.

After the stars collapsed.

Gu Nanfeng saw countless scenes in an instant.

He was a lucky one.

He saw the answer he wanted.

...

...

Opening his eyes again.

Gu Nanfeng saw Meng Xizhou still in a meditative state beside him. Clearly, the latter was still "turning the pages."

This time, "turning the pages" had consumed 99% of his spirit.

The remaining tiny sliver was Gu Nanfeng's initiative to disconnect from the "pages."

He deliberately left this little bit of spirit as payment for the mystical realm. This bit of spirit could support him in sitting cross-legged in this Book Pavilion, so he wouldn't be expelled immediately.

Vast amounts of information churned in his mind.

Seeing a person of destiny often requires a tragic price... If only some spirit is needed, this price can almost be ignored.

But Gu Nanfeng's expression was very complex, and there was no joy on his face.

Even his back was covered in cold sweat, and even the Mistweave Cloak was soaked.

Gu Nanfeng reached out and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

He tried his best to circulate his breathing technique... After a long time, he slowly restored calm to his mind.

After confirming that his mental state had returned to tranquility, Gu Nanfeng dared to walk out of the [Forbidden Book Pavilion].

...

...

"What did you see?"

The Guang Ming Shenzuo, who was waiting outside the Book Pavilion, spoke immediately, "Don't be nervous... I'm just asking casually, it doesn't matter if you don't want to say."

"No... there's nothing inconvenient about it."

Gu Nanfeng lowered his eyes and smiled, saying regretfully, "Your Excellency Shenzuo, I didn't see anything... I don't seem to be favored by the God of Fate. The scenery inside the Book Pavilion was magnificent, but I gained nothing."

"Oh, is that so?"

The old man stared at Gu Nanfeng and said gently, "Those who are favored by fate are few and far between. If you didn't see anything, don't be discouraged. It may not be a bad thing... Of course, if the 'fate' you want to see is too great, involving the Kindling, or equally forbidden existences, it's normal to gain nothing."

"How dare Nanfeng pry into the Kindling?"

Gu Nanfeng smiled and shook his head, saying, "I just wanted to see the future situation, how the Five Continents can live better."

The Guang Ming Shenzuo smiled.

"It is said that the young master of the Gu family has the world in his heart, and this does seem like something you would do..."

The old man said slowly, "But what you see, is it only the world, only the future?"

Gu Nanfeng was stunned for a moment, and said sincerely, "Forgive Nanfeng for being foolish."

"You should also be very concerned about 'her', right?"

The old man said this, his gaze shifting slightly, cast towards the Book Pavilion enveloped in blazing light.

Meng Xizhou was still inside turning the pages.

Now, at the bottom of the Red Lake, only Gu Nanfeng and the Guang Ming Shenzuo were alone.

"Of course..."

Gu Nanfeng laughed self-deprecatingly, "You should be clear about the things between me and Meng Xizhou. Many years ago, I exchanged feelings with her. Today, being able to enter the Book Pavilion to see the future of fate, I naturally want to see the result with her."

"So what was the result?"

The Guang Ming Shenzuo asked again, "Didn't you really see anything?"

"Really..."

Gu Nanfeng said helplessly, "This junior didn't see anything."

"Actually, it doesn't matter if you really saw something."

The Guang Ming Shenzuo said indifferently, "There is a saying, 'What is destined to come will come, do not force what is not yours,' but in my opinion, it is the opposite."

"Some things are really important, even if they are not in your destiny, you must try to force them."

"If you are determined to do something, the 'answer' revealed by the Book Pavilion is nothing..."

The old man paused for a long time and asked seriously, "After last night, the secret between you and Meng Xizhou can no longer be considered a secret. Since this matter is no longer a secret, why not be open and honest and inform the world?"

Gu Nanfeng was stunned, "You mean...?"

"I mean, if you really hope to have a result with Meng Xizhou, then Guangming City can have a marriage alliance with the Gu family."

The Guang Ming Shenzuo said calmly, "You and Meng Xizhou were partners who fought together in the Northern Continent in your early years. Now you are the young master of the Changye Gu family, and she is the future master of the Temple. Your status and position are very well-matched. If I agree, then everyone in Guangming City will agree."