As the transparent energy sphere shot forth, a sharp sonic wave materialized into tangible ripples, radiating outward in all directions from the center of the sphere. Stunned by this sudden development, Bai Shan and the others quickly grasped what was happening, each observing Xiao Yan's silhouette transforming into a black shadow and streaking toward them. Under the collective gaze of the room, Xiao Yan, pushing his speed to its absolute limit, appeared before the energy sphere within the span of just two blinks. With his palm slightly curved, like an eagle's claw, he launched a lightning-fast grasp toward the sphere. Apparently sensing Xiao Yan's movement, the energy sphere that had been rushing forward suddenly halted, then swayed, deflecting itself to the rear. "Hmph." Feeling the transparent energy sphere instinctively darting aside, Xiao Yan merely sneered, then shook his sleeve. At that moment, his arm seemed to extend suddenly, and with a grasp of his hand and claws, he firmly caught the sphere in his palm. Without hesitation, Xiao Yan swiftly retreated. At that very instant, the energy dome within the room suddenly surged with immense suction, drawing the swirling radiance throughout the chamber continuously back into the dome. For a moment, streams of light danced through the air, and countless light orbs previously expelled by the dome—except those already freed by Xun'er, Bai Shan, and others—were entirely drawn back and swallowed by the dome once more. Feeling the suction emanating from the energy shield, Xiao Yan realized it was time approaching. His hands tightly gripped the translucent light orb vibrating and trying to escape, the orb itself also being pulled by the suction, struggling to break free from his hold. "Xiao Yan brother, hurry and try to retrieve the item inside!" Seeing Xiao Yan's hand being pulled forward, Xun quickly urged. Upon hearing Xun's words, Xiao Yan regained his focus, firmly grasping the orb with his right hand and suddenly inserting his left palm into it. "Boom!" With everyone watching, Xiao Yan's palm plunged into the orb, and instantly, a powerful force surged out, launching him backward—so strong that he had to retreat several steps before finally stabilizing. "Damn it! It didn't work!" "The palm was blocked, and Xiao Yan's face immediately grew serious. At the same time, the pulling force emanating from the energy shield grew stronger and stronger, leaving only a few swirling light orbs remaining in the room. Watching Xiao Yan's palm being pushed back by the light orbs, Bai Shan couldn't help but let a smug, mocking smile spread across his face. "Xiao Yan brother, hold on! Let me give it a try!" A silvery shadow darted past beside him, and Xun'er swiftly extended her delicate hands toward the energy orb. As Xun'er drew closer to the orb, Xiao Yan's heart raced. If Xun'er failed as well, then the sound technique he had just secured would surely have to take flight—leaving him with nothing but the yellow-rank sound technique he had previously collected. With several people's eyes fixed upon her, Xun'er suddenly plunged her hand into the luminous sphere. Instantly, unlike the resistance Xiang Yin had previously felt, Xun'er's face bloomed with joy. Her hand merely lingered within the sphere for a brief moment before swiftly withdrawing. As her hand withdrew, a scroll resembling transparent crystal appeared clearly before everyone's eyes. Gazing at the scroll successfully extracted by Xun'er, Xiang Yin finally let out a deep breath, his heart settling completely, a look of relief spreading across his face. "Xiang Yin brother, here you go." Xun'er wiped the sweat from her clean forehead. She had been afraid of failing and disappointing Xiang Yin, but fortunately, the worst-case scenario hadn't materialized. With a gentle smile, she handed him the transparent scroll. "Thank you so much." Receiving the scroll, Xiao Yan still felt a tremor of excitement. If it weren't for Xun'er here, he might have watched helplessly as the very thing he had just secured was once again swallowed back into the void. He licked his lips and turned his gaze to the characters inscribed on the scroll. At first, he was momentarily stunned, then nodded with a satisfied expression. "Lion and Tiger Shattering Gold Chant—sound-based combat technique, rank: high-level xuan stage. When lion and tiger roar together, all beasts bow in submission, wielding a powerful shattering and soul-stirring effect..." After reading through the scroll's inscription, Xiao Yan was thoroughly pleased. Right now, what he needed most was precisely a sound-based combat technique at this level—techniques that were too low would fall short of his expectations, while those too high would be excessively difficult to master. Without a long and sustained training period, he doubted he could truly develop and harness their full power, since the difficulty of mastering higher-tier techniques increased exponentially with each level. "Finally secured..." With a long, deep breath, Xiao Yan casually tossed aside the yellow-rank advanced sonic technique he had previously obtained. After leaving his hands, the scroll was enveloped in a glow and eventually vanished into the energy dome. "Let's go," he said, placing the newly acquired purple-rank advanced sonic technique into his storage ring. He then waved at Xun'er and turned first, heading back down the path he had come. As he passed by Baishan, he paused briefly, offering a gentle smile. "I suppose Baishan will be disappointed—everything I needed has now been secured." With that, he continued without further delay, turning with Xun'er and stepping into the dark corridor. "Hmph," Baishan muttered, his face darkened by the sight of Xiao Yan's cheerful expression, and followed with a determined stride. Huojia and Wu Hao soon came behind as well. As the five departed, the swirling energy shields surrounding the vast room began to shrink gradually. A moment later, the shields condensed into a single point and completely dissipated with a subtle crack. At that moment, the enormous room became utterly empty—something no one could have imagined, given that it had once been filled with countless treasures capable of stirring excitement beyond the realm. "This library occupies such an expansive area—perhaps the large room we entered is merely one corner of it. Indeed, every aspect of this place exudes a profound sense of mystery." As they stepped out the main gate, Xiao Yan subtly glanced at the two gray-robed figures standing beside them, their expressions serene and motionless like ancient monks, murmuring to himself. Upon hearing the sound of the gate opening, one of the gray-robed figures gently shifted his sleeve, and soon Xiao Yan and the others felt a vast, powerful, intangible energy sweeping over them—so strong that it sent a wave of astonishment through their minds. The energy merely served as a scan and lasted only a brief moment of ten to twenty seconds before retreating like a tide, eventually fading completely. "Time has come. Proceed. Remember—today's events, including any information you gather within the library, must remain strictly confidential. Do not reveal a single detail to anyone." A hoarse, elderly voice echoed gently from the gate. Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan and the others hurriedly bowed their heads. "Ah, all of you have come out, haven't you?" The one who had been standing before the pavilion, Hu Qi, smiled and said, "None of you came empty-handed, I hope?" Xiao Yan and the others nodded in agreement. "That's good," Hu Qi said, smiling, and then slightly inclined his body toward the two gray-robed monks standing by the main gate, "Since these young ones have returned, I won't disturb the two elders in their meditation. I shall now step aside." The two gray-robed monks remained motionless, showing no response, and Hu Qi did not mind. He waved to Xiao Yan and the others and said, "Come with me." Upon hearing Hu Qi's voice, Xiao Yan and the others bowed respectfully to the two monks who sat motionless like wooden posts on the ground, then slowly retreated down the stone steps, turning to join Hu Qi by his side. Hu Bu scanned the five figures, noting that none of them had sustained any injuries, and then bowed once more to the two gray-robed figures before turning and walking toward the invisible door frame that had been torn open by an unseen hand. "Stay close to me and avoid touching those spatial creases—otherwise, even if I manage to save you, it won't be enough," he reminded them as he was about to step through the frame. Keeping his upper body still, he stepped forward and with one foot passed through the opening. Following closely behind, Xiao Yan and the others moved with cautious precision, not daring to make a single movement. His gaze skipped over the subtle spatial folds and swept toward the entrance of the library, where his face suddenly tightened. The two figures in gray robes who had previously been seated quietly had now mysteriously vanished—acting like ghosts—sending a shiver of cold through his chest. Who exactly were these gray-robed guardians of the library?