After a week of seclusion, Xue walked out of her cultivating abode. She took a big breath and luxuriated in just being outside.

A week to break into core level! Even with the cold pill, that’s impressive.

She let a smile of satisfaction play across her lips.

Now let’s see what that bitch Sally has to say. Ahhh just the thought of her response makes me feel so good.

After a few more moments of self-indulgence, Xue rallied herself.

Well, I better look at some more techniques. Only a few of mine work for core level cultivators.

Xue suddenly seemed to glide across the ground as if it were ice and to mortal eyes she would have vanished a second later.

Not long after, Xue alighted in front of the Hall of Knowledge.

Why is that damn pervert monk always here when I come? She thought as she saw Elder Shen sitting next to the front entrance. Xue kept the annoyance from her face as his dark eye opened.

Not like it is looking at my face anyway. With quick strides, she sped past the Elder. She blurred through the first few floors but stopped on the cultivation manual floor. A familiar figure was stationed at one of the reading desks. She would have ignored the figure except that a small fortress of tomes surrounded him.

Xue walked over to look at the boy and nearly stumbled as she caught sight of his face. Felix's hair had become oily and his eyes were bloodshot. The only movement was the rapid fast motion of his eyes and the turning of pages.

Perhaps Elder Rong's theory that time, cultivation, and experience turn cultivators into weirdos is wrong. Maybe they start as such and everyone just finds out later.

"Hey Felix, wake up," said Xue. She leaned forward and snapped her fingers in his face.

The boy blinked and then looked around in confusion. After a moment he finally focused on Xue.

"Oh, it's the Icy Beauty." Said Felix, clearly a little out of it.

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Xue rolled her eyes. Why am I talking to this idiot?

"It isn't necessary to say Icy when everyone can tell." She spoke.

"Tell what?" said Felix, clearly confused.

"Well, I cultivate something to do with ice. Without hiding my aura... wait, you still haven't started cultivating again. Why did you call me that?" said Xue, now a little confused herself.

"Your personality?"

Xue felt a headache coming on. "Look, when someone cultivates something, it affects their aura. The more focused the technique the stronger the effect. Someone who focuses on fire cultivation would feel fiery for lack of a better term. My cultivation technique is heavily involved with ice, so I give an icy vibe. Though it shouldn’t be as obvious with you not having any cultivation. Anyway, what are you doing here? Surely you haven't spent the whole week here?"

"Well, no, not really." He spoke.

She glanced down at the state of his robes.

"Well, I left to eat," said Felix a little defensively.

With a sniff, Xue decided what she needed to do. She pulled out a talisman and placed it on his forehead. He gave her a nonplussed look until a gush of wind and water suddenly appeared and engulfed him. A moment later he was left dry and smelling clean. Xue stepped back.

"There, much better." Said Xue. She wasn't sure what she liked more, his affronted expression or the improvement in smell.

“Well, that was very rude of your disciple,” Said a voice from over her shoulder. Xue spun by reflex to punch the voice behind her only to have her hand caught easily in the large fist of elder Shen. “Ah and now you are attacking your elders. It seems achieving core level cultivation has gone to your head.”

Xue quickly retracted her hand and bowed. “Forgive me, Elder Shen. I lashed out by reflex.”

Isn’t it your fault for sneaking up on me you pervert?

The elder sighed with his golden eye looking to the ceiling as if searching for answers. “Ah well, I suppose it cannot be helped. The youth are forever excitable,” said the Elder. Focusing back on her, he continued “However now that you have achieved core formation, the elders require your attendance. After you pick out some new techniques, please drop by the Hall of Seeking.” The elder glanced at Felix. “And drop off Felix in one of the Autumn cultivations zones as well.”

“Excuse me elder but I would also like to pick out at least one martial art to start practicing as well.” Said Felix.

The elder smiled. “Don’t worry Felix.” Said the elder. He flourished his hand and a Jade slip appeared. “Your technique has an accompanying Martial art named Ragnarok. It is an earth and sword technique. After you have regained your cultivation levels, stop by the Treasure Pavilion and pick an essence-gathering sword. It's on me. For now, the technique can be used without a sword.” He glanced over at Xue and smiled. "And Xue here is one of our sect's geniuses. Get her advice on what reference martial technique you should look into and I give you permission to take ten of them as temporary slips."

“This one is happy to help Elder,” cut in Xue with gritted teeth. She bowed and then quickly pulled Felix past the elder.

I need to get out of here before he gives me more stuff to do.