After returning to his chambers, Riu Xian sat down and let out a deep breath. His thoughts turned to the upcoming sect competition, which was only six months away. The stakes were high, and he knew he had to be prepared.
"I need to break through to the late stage of the Foundation Establishment realm before the competition," he thought, clenching his fists. "But that’s not enough. I also need techniques for the sword, and I have to give Elder Xiao Ming the supreme-grade
technique I got after the auction by defeating Lu Hao's brother. It’s only right to show my respect to her as my master."
The night passed quickly as he planned his next steps. Early the next morning, a glowing transmission talisman appeared in his room, carrying Elder Xiao Ming’s calm voice. "Riu Xian, come to the hall of Azure Radiance Peak. We’ll be visiting the sect’s armoury and library today. Be ready."
A short while later, Riu Xian stood outside the hall, waiting for his master. Elder Xiao Ming soon arrived, standing gracefully on a flying sword. "Come," she said, motioning for him to step onto the sword with her.
Riu Xian hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, feeling the slight hum of energy beneath his feet as he stood beside her. The sword rose into the air, carrying them smoothly through the sky. The sight of the sect's grand buildings and lush peaks from above left him momentarily speechless.
They landed in front of the sect's massive library, its towering structure made of white jade and covered in intricate carvings. As they walked inside, Elder Xiao Ming spoke calmly, "You can choose a technique from the library. Ordinary Foundation Establishment disciples are only allowed access to the first two floors, but as my personal disciple, you are permitted to the third floor. Choose carefully, as this will shape your path moving forward."
Riu Xian nodded, his heart racing with excitement and determination as he stepped toward the grand staircase leading to the library.
Elder Xiao Ming glanced at Riu Xian as they approached the library. "After you choose a technique," she said calmly, "I’ll take you to the sect's armoury to select a suitable weapon. Make your choice wisely."
As they neared the library gates, Riu Xian noticed a group of disciples gathered nearby. Their hushed voices grew louder as they saw him walking beside Elder Xiao Ming.
"Who is that?" one asked, their tone curious.
"That must be Elder Xiao Ming’s new disciple," another replied.
"But he’s only at the mid-Foundation Establishment realm," someone said, confused.
"He must have some hidden talent," another added, jealousy lacing their voice. "We’re just unlucky she didn’t choose us."
Riu Xian ignored the murmurs, keeping his focus ahead. He knew that being Elder Xiao Ming’s personal disciple would draw attention, and he resolved to prove that he was worthy of the honour.
They stopped near the hall’s entrance, where Elder Xiao Ming gestured toward the higher levels of the library. "I’ll wait for you here," she said. "Go and choose a technique. Remember, this decision will shape your cultivation path, so take your time."
As he entered the first floor of the library, Riu Xian’s eyes widened at the grand sight before him. The space was vast, filled with towering shelves that stretched endlessly into the distance, each brimming with countless scrolls and jade slips.
A faint glow radiated from the shelves, giving the library an almost sacred atmosphere. He could feel the weight of knowledge hanging in the air, like a silent reminder of the countless cultivators who had come here before him in pursuit of greatness. The feeling made his steps heavier, but it also filled him with determination.
Riu Xian moved through the library, his eyes scanning the rows of scrolls and jade slips on the first floor. The sheer number of techniques amazed him, but as he read the descriptions, he realized they were all low-grade techniques. They were suitable for beginners or ordinary disciples, but none of them matched his aspirations.
Feeling hopeful, he climbed to the second floor. This level was noticeably quieter, and the energy in the air felt stronger. As he explored, he found a mix of low-grade and high-grade techniques. However, after searching for a while, he noticed there were no high-grade sword techniques. A small frown appeared on his face, but he didn’t let disappointment stop him.
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Finally, he made his way to the third floor, the section reserved for more advanced disciples like himself. Unlike the bustling shelves of the lower floors, this floor was almost empty, with far fewer scrolls and jade slips. The sight made him pause for a moment, a pang of disappointment in his chest. However, the techniques here radiated a different energy, they were all high-grade.
Riu Xian searched carefully, his focus sharpening. The silence of the third floor felt heavy, but he didn’t mind. After a long search, he finally found two sword techniques. One was a high-level technique that promised incredible power but seemed overly complex for his current stage. The other was a low-level technique, simpler in nature but radiating a sense of familiarity and harmony.
After considering both, he chose the low-level technique. Something about it felt right, as if it was meant for him. "This will be my foundation," he thought, holding the jade slip tightly. "Once I’ve mastered this, I’ll aim for a supreme-grade sword technique in the future."
With his choice made, he walked down the stairs, his thoughts swirling. "Why would a low-level technique be kept on the third floor?" he wondered. The sword technique seemed simple at first, but the more he thought about it, the more it felt oddly profound, like it was hiding something deeper.
When Riu Xian came out of the library, Elder Xiao Ming greeted him with a curious look. "So, you chose a low-level sword technique," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Why did you pick that one? There were many high-grade techniques in the library, especially on the third floor."
Riu Xian smiled faintly, holding the jade slip in his hand. "I did find it on the third floor," he replied. "But when I looked at this technique, I felt it was very compatible with me. It just… felt right."
Elder Xiao Ming studied him for a moment, then nodded. "It’s good that you chose a technique that suits you," she said. "Cultivation is not just about chasing the highest grades but about finding what aligns with your path. A technique that resonates with you will always yield better results than one that doesn’t."
Riu Xian felt relieved at her approval. He had wondered if she would question his decision, but her understanding reassured him.
"Now," Elder Xiao Ming said with a small smile, "let’s go to the sect’s armoury to get you a weapon. A proper weapon is just as important as the technique you practice."
As they started walking, Riu Xian hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Master, before we go, there’s something I’d like to give you."
She turned to him, curious. "Oh? What is it?"
He took a deep breath and pulled out a neatly wrapped jade slip from his storage ring. "This is a supreme-grade technique I came across during an auction in the town near the Cloudspring Sect’s territory," he explained. "It’s a technique designed for women, and I thought it might be useful for you, or perhaps someone you wish to teach."
Elder Xiao Ming’s eyes widened slightly as she accepted the jade slip, her expression softening. "A supreme-grade technique?" she said, clearly impressed. "This is a rare treasure, Riu Xian. You’ve thought carefully about this."
"I owe a lot to you for taking me in, Master," Riu Xian said sincerely. "This is my way of expressing my gratitude."
Elder Xiao Ming looked at him for a long moment before nodding. "Thank you, Riu Xian," she said warmly. "This gift shows your sincerity. I will carefully study it and see how it can be used. Now, let’s continue to the armoury. You’ll need a weapon that matches your determination."
With that, they resumed their journey, both feeling a newfound sense of trust and understanding.
As they continued walking, Elder Xiao Ming suddenly stopped and glanced at Riu Xian, as if a thought had just struck her. "Wait, Riu Xian," she said, her tone thoughtful. "Now that I think about weapons… I have something that might suit you."
He turned to her, curious. "What is it, Elder?"
She smiled faintly and reached into her storage ring. "It’s a sword I found during a visit to a secret realm many years ago," she began, her tone carrying a hint of nostalgia. "At the time, I already had a sword that suited me perfectly, so I decided to keep this one but never used it. It’s been in my storage ever since, waiting for the right person. I think it might be perfect for you."
Riu Xian’s curiosity grew as she spoke. "A sword from a secret realm? That sounds remarkable, but Master, what exactly is a secret realm?