It was noon, and the sun blazed high in the sky as Alex stepped through the gate of the Lin Family's library. The entrance was impressive, with imposing walls and ornate carvings that spoke of the clan's rich history. As he ventured further, he found himself in a spacious reception hall, bathed in warm sunlight that filtered through large, arched windows on either side. Long, silky curtains swayed gently in the breeze, and the light played on the polished marble floors, making the entire hall gleam with an almost ethereal glow.

In the center of the hall stood a sleek wooden counter. Behind it was a young girl, busying herself with some scrolls. She caught Alex's eye immediately—her appearance was striking, with silky black hair tied into two neat pigtails, bright green eyes that sparkled with curiosity, and a freckled face with rosy cheeks that looked irresistibly soft. Her long-sleeved blue robe contrasted beautifully with her fair skin.

As Alex approached, she noticed him and quickly straightened up, her demeanor shifting from casual to professional in an instant. Her shy voice trembled slightly as she greeted him, "G-good morning, sir! How can I help you? Are you here to study? Please show me your ID token, sir."

*Damn, she's adorable,* Alex mused, a smile tugging at his lips. *This world really is full of beautiful women.*

"Yes, I'm here to study," he replied, still smiling. "But I don't have a token."

The girl blinked, momentarily flustered. "I'm sorry, sir, but you cannot enter without an ID token," she said, trying to sound firm, though her small stature and the slight quiver in her voice made her more adorable than intimidating.

"But I was told that the Third Elder called me to the library," Alex said, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Oh... the Third Elder summoned you?" Her eyes widened slightly, and her tone softened. "Please tell me your name, sir, and I'll check the records for you."

"My name is Ale... Lin Hao... right, Lin Hao," Alex said, catching himself just in time. *I really need to get used to this new identity,* he thought, mentally berating himself for the near slip-up.

The girl's eyes lit up with recognition, and she immediately looked flustered. "Lin Hao... are you the newly awakened Immortal of the Lin Family?" Her voice dropped to a whisper, disbelief evident in her tone. "Young Lord! Please forgive this useless servant for not recognizing you sooner," she stammered, her green eyes filling with tears, clearly distressed by her mistake.

Alex's smile softened. "It's okay, miss. I only arrived yesterday, so it's not surprising that you didn't know me. Hardly anyone in this mansion does."

"Really? Young Master won't blame me?" she asked, her voice suddenly cheerful, her eyes brightening like the sun breaking through clouds.

"Yes, yes," Alex nodded, amused by how quickly her mood shifted. *Damn, this girl can flip like a switch.*

"Thank you, Young Master!" she said with renewed energy. "You should go inside quickly; the Elder is waiting for you. It wouldn't be wise to keep him waiting." She motioned for him to proceed, her earlier nervousness replaced with an eager desire to assist.

"Thank you," Alex replied with a nod before heading deeper into the building.

As Alex walked past the counter and into the corridor beyond, he found himself in a passageway leading into the heart of the library. The walls were lined with intricate carvings, depicting epic battles and legendary cultivators, each figure seemingly alive within the stone. The air grew cooler as he walked deeper in the corridor, and the scent of old paper and ink filled his senses—a comforting, nostalgic aroma that reminded him of the libraries back home, but with an ancient, mystical twist.

At the end of the corridor stood a set of massive, double wooden doors, intricately carved with ancient symbols that pulsed with a faint, golden light. As Alex pushed the doors open, they creaked slightly, revealing the vast expanse of the Lin Clan's library.

The library was a grand, multi-story hall filled with endless rows of bookshelves, each packed with scrolls, tomes, and manuscripts. The shelves reached all the way to the high, vaulted ceiling, where lanterns hung, casting a warm, inviting light. Ladders were placed at intervals along the walls, allowing access to the upper shelves. In the center of the library was an open area with tables and chairs, where a few people were already seated, silently engrossed in their studies. The quiet hum of concentrated energy filled the air, mixing with the faint rustle of pages being turned.

To his left, Alex noticed a large circular window that offered a breathtaking view of distant mountains, their peaks shrouded in mist. The sunlight streaming through the window created a spotlight effect on the floor, illuminating the grand statue in the center of the library. The statue's eyes seemed to follow Alex as he walked, an unnerving detail that sent a shiver down his spine. *Shit! This place is creepy.*

At the far end of the library, seated at a long, polished wooden table, was an old man—likely the Third Elder. His presence was commanding, with an aura that radiated calm power. He wore a simple yet elegant robe, his long white hair cascading down his back like a waterfall of silk, and his sharp eyes missed nothing as they observed Alex's approach.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Alex took a deep breath as he stepped forward, trying to steady his nerves for the conversation ahead. The Elder looked up from the scroll he was reading, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Come here, child," the Elder said, his voice steady and clear, carrying the weight of authority. "Take a seat. You've made me wait for quite some time."

Alex bowed respectfully before taking a seat across from the Elder. "Elder, please forgive this junior! I couldn't get here fast enough; I didn't realize the distance would be this far."

Fuck, I really hate this world. I have to be polite all the time. 'This junior' this, 'this junior' that. Can't I just talk normally? Alex's thoughts fumed internally, but on the outside, he maintained a respectful posture, not daring to even breathe too loudly.

The Elder's smile deepened, and he nodded slowly. "I'll let it slide this once, but make sure it doesn't happen again. Now, let us begin."

The Elder leaned back slightly, his gaze piercing into Alex's. "I will explain the fundamentals of cultivation and the world of cultivators. Listen well, child. I will not repeat myself."

Alex straightened his back, adopting a serious expression as he prepared to absorb every word.

The Elder looked directly into his eyes, his tone shifting to one of gravity. "Now tell me, child, what do you think cultivation is?"

Alex, having read countless cultivation novels in his previous life, quickly responded, "Elder, cultivation is the path to becoming stronger, to defy the heavens, and to achieve immortality."

The Elder chuckled, his laughter echoing through the silent library. "Defy the heavens? Quite the imagination you have, child. But you are mistaken. How can one cultivate if not blessed by the heavens? Cultivators are the children of the heavens, bestowed the gift of a spirit root."

"Immortality… that's a grand word," the Elder mused, his gaze growing distant as if remembering something from a time long past.

Alex frowned. *Wait, isn't cultivation supposed to be about defying the heavens and seizing fortune? Did those novels get it wrong?*

The Elder's expression turned serious again as he continued. "Cultivation is a journey of transcendence, the transformation of one's soul, body, and mind—to know oneself truly. How far one can go depends on talent and diligence. There are many paths to cultivation, but they all lead to the same peak. However, on the Divine Spirit Continent, there are three main methods: Qi cultivation, body cultivation, and soul cultivation. Those blessed with a spirit root can cultivate Qi; those with a strong divine sense can cultivate the soul. Body cultivation, even a mortal can cultivate, but demands immense resources—so much so that even a sect as powerful as the Heavenly Sword Sect can only nurture a handful of body cultivators."

"Our Lin Family's inheritance primarily focuses on Qi cultivation, with a few body cultivation manuals. So, I will explain Qi cultivation in detail. To cultivate Qi, one must possess a spirit root. There are three types: mundane, true, and the legendary profound spirit root. Only one in a million is blessed with even a mundane spirit root; those with a true spirit root are rarer still. As for the profound spirit root, in the hundred-millennium history of the Divine Spirit Continent, there have only been about a thousand cultivators with it. These roots are further divided into four grades: low, mid, high, and peak. The rarer the spirit root, the faster it can absorb spiritual Qi from the environment, allowing for prolonged cultivation sessions. The spirit root is an organ connected to the lungs, absorbing spiritual Qi with each breath. Passive cultivation is possible, but it will take a very long time to even open the first prime meridian. Therefore, one must meditate and actively absorb spiritual Qi to gain the maximum benefit. The duration one can cultivate depends on the type and grade of the spirit root; higher grades offer 20, 40, or even 80% more efficiency. Spirit roots also have attributes like fire, water, earth, wood, metal, thunder, ice, and others."

Alex's thoughts spiraled. *Great, my spirit root isn't just trash; it's legendary trash. I got screwed big time.*

The Elder continued, "Qi cultivation is divided into nine realms: Meridian Opening Realm, Qi Refinement Realm, Foundation Establishment Realm, Core Formation Realm, Golden Core Realm, Nascent Soul Realm, and the rest you need not concern yourself with for now. Each realm is divided into nine layers, and each layer into three levels: low, mid, and peak. In the Meridian Opening Realm, one first cleanse the nine prime meridians and then create 99 new pathways in the body for Qi to travel. Prime meridians are like storage spaces for spiritual Qi. As for the later realms, they are beyond your current understanding."

"Now, child! Tell me the grade and attribute of your spirit root."

Alex hesitated for a moment before replying with a hint of embarrassment, "Elder, I have only a low-grade mundane spirit root, and as for my attribute, I think they mentioned something like 'pure.'"

The Elder raised an eyebrow. "Pure? That is a rare attribute. It's a pity that your spirit root's grade is low. But do not lose hope—if you cultivate diligently, you may still reach the Qi Refinement Realm. The pure attribute means your spiritual Qi will be in its primal and natural state. With pure Qi, you can use any kind of martial technique, regardless of its attribute."

The Elder stroked his long white beard before continuing. "There are three types of techniques: cultivation, martial, and utility techniques. Cultivation techniques are used to gather Qi and empower one's body, soul, and self. Martial techniques allow you to manifest Qi outside the body for attack and defense. Utility techniques are, as the name suggests, for various other purposes."

The Third Elder then reached into his robe and tossed a small steel plate to Alex. "Take this and go to the second floor. Show this token to the guards, and they will allow you entry into the Divine Scripture Hall. There, you may select one cultivation and one martial technique. Although your attribute is rare, the foundation of our Lin Family is deep. With half a millennium of history, our family has collected all kinds of different techniques. There are likely ten manuals suited for your attribute alone. In our glory days, our family boasted Golden Core cultivators and thousands of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Now, we do not even have a single Foundation cultivator…" The Elder sighed deeply, his voice tinged with regret.

"It is said that our first ancestor had a low-grade profound spirit root and reached half a step into the Nascent Soul Realm…"

As the Third Elder began recounting the clan's glorious past, Alex quietly slipped away and headed for the second floor.