Sensing they were not alone, the white pup glared at the unfamiliar Han Xue and growled, raising its three tails as if ready to defend her master.

"Easy, girl! She’s your royal aunt," Han Xiao said, gently stroking the pup's head. The pup calmed down, closing her eyes, wagging her tail in delight, and purring contentedly.

"Huh! What is it? A pup or a kitten?" Han Xue was astonished by the little one's reaction. "Who cares when it’s that cute? Brother, can I hold her?" She reached out her hand.

But sensing the invasive hand, the pup growled and gave a dagger-eyed glare.

"And she knows how to act cute," Han Xiao chuckled. "Go ahead, she won't bite."

Eager like a child, Han Xue carefully took the pup into her arms. However, the pup struggled, growling with displeasure. "Stop! I don’t mean any harm, little one." But her words did nothing to calm the pup, who whimpered pitifully toward Han Xiao. "Fine, fine, I know how to handle a stubborn little one like you." She reached into her shirt and pulled out a silk pouch. Untying it, she took out a silver-colored pill and brought it near the pup’s nose. The pup sniffed, stopped struggling, and eagerly licked the pill, enjoying the treat with closed eyes.

"And that’s how you handle someone this cute," Han Xue declared proudly.

Yet as soon as the pup finished the pill, her friendliness faded. Unfazed, Han Xue patiently fed her another three pills.

"Xue Er, I'll take my leave if there's nothing else. I have a very tight schedule," Han Xiao said, heading toward the hall's exit.

As they walked down the passageway, Han Xiao teased, "Why are you following me? Do you like your royal brother that much?"

"Hmph! Hardly. I’m doing it for Little White here. She would run away from me the farther you go," Han Xue retorted. "Anyway, where are we going?"

"The academic library," Han Xiao replied, continuing to walk as the sounds of disciples sparring filled the air around them.

"By the way, have you always been this good at martial arts? Or have you been hiding your skills all this time?"

"What do you think?"

"I think you’ve become someone else overnight."

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"That’s better. Then you keep it that way."

Looking at the back of her royal brother, Han Xue wondered, ‘He has changed a lot after that mission. Something shocking must have really happened on that trip to make him change this much. Still, that does not explain his sudden improvement in his strength. I think he has a lot of hidden secrets, and I need to protect him even more than before.’

After several passages, they finally saw the library. Han Xiao's eyes widened at the sight. The academic library was an imposing structure, standing tall with its towering spires and ancient stone walls. Vines of ivy clung to the weathered stones, giving it an air of timeless wisdom. The grand entrance was adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and ancient runes, hinting at the vast knowledge contained within.

As they approached, Han Xiao couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. The library had always been a symbol of the kingdom's intellectual prowess, a beacon of learning and wisdom. Stepping through the massive wooden doors, he was greeted by the sight of towering shelves filled with countless scrolls and books. The scent of aged parchment and ink filled the air, a testament to the library's long history.

The interior was just as magnificent as the exterior. High vaulted ceilings adorned with frescoes depicting scenes of legendary battles and scholarly pursuits stretched above them. Rows upon rows of shelves lined the walls, each one meticulously organized. Wooden ladders were placed at intervals, allowing access to the highest shelves. In the center of the main hall, large tables were set up for scholars and students, some already deep in study, their whispers and the rustling of pages creating a soft, continuous murmur.

Soft light filtered through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the polished marble floors. Han Xiao marveled at the intricate designs, each one telling a story of its own. As they walked deeper into the library, he felt a sense of peace and reverence, knowing that within these walls lay the accumulated wisdom of generations.

'This place never ceases to amaze me,' Han Xiao thought to himself, taking in the grandeur of the academic library. 'So much knowledge, so much history... I could spend a lifetime here and still not uncover all its secrets.'

Han Xue looked around with wide eyes, clearly impressed. "This place is incredible. No wonder you wish to come here."

Han Xiao nodded, his mind already racing with thoughts of the texts he needed to consult. "Xue Er, is this your first time coming here?"

"Sure, I don’t need anything here to learn. I gathered enough skills and techniques before coming to Tianfu Sword Palace. I don't see the need to pick anything from here," she responded rather straightforwardly, then engaged in feeding the little pup more pills. "So, what do you need? Are you planning to stay here overnight?"

"No, I’m just looking for two specific skills, and I’ll be out of here." Han Xiao walked toward the elder seated near the entrance of the library and greeted him, clasping his palms. "Good evening, sir. Can you help me with something?"

The old man looked up from his scroll, his eyes sharp and observant despite his age. "Good evening, young master. What can I assist you with?"

"I'm searching for two specific skills," Han Xiao said, his tone respectful yet eager. "The Seasonal Sword Style and the Tai Chi Palm Style."

The elder stroked his long beard thoughtfully. "Seasonal Sword Style and Tai Chi Palm Style, you say? Follow me." He stood up slowly but with a grace that belied his age and led them deeper into the library.

They passed through aisles filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, the air thick with the scent of knowledge. Han Xiao couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. The elder finally stopped at a section filled with meticulously organized scrolls.

"Here you will find what you seek," the elder said, pointing to the shelves. "The scrolls on the left, you’ll find the Seasonal Sword Style, and those on the right are dedicated to hand-to-hand combat and you’ll see the Tai Chi Palm Style there."

"Thank you, sir," Han Xiao said, bowing slightly.

As he began to sift through the scrolls, Han Xue watched with mild interest while still feeding the pup. "You seem really focused. Do you have something specific in mind?"

Han Xiao glanced at her briefly. "I have a few ideas. I need something that complements my existing skills and helps me grow stronger. There's no time to waste."

"Well, make it quick," Han Xue said, giving the pup another pill. "I don't want to spend all night in this musty place."

Han Xiao smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be as quick as possible."

He pulled out a few promising scrolls and started to read through them, absorbing the knowledge eagerly. The library, with its vast collection of wisdom and the serene atmosphere, felt like a sanctuary—a place where he could find the answers he needed to forge his path forward.