After bowing in thanks to the elder for his guidance, Lin Fang stepped toward the sprawling maze of bookshelves.
The first floor of the Whispering Wind Pavilion was quiet, filled with the faint scent of aged bamboo slips and parchment. Rows upon rows of manuals lined the walls, each holding a Yellow-grade spirit art suited for cultivators at the Qi Refining stage.
'I already have Falling Star Blade for attack,' Lin Fang mused, fingers tracing a worn sword manual. 'But with my Sword Genius talent, any sword art becomes way stronger, so why not collect a few more?'
His eyes moved over titles in a calm sweep. He also needed a movement art for speed, and a defensive one for survival.
Time slipped away unnoticed. By the time the light slanted through the tall windows, Lin Fang had browsed every corner of the floor. He finally emerged from the shelves with five manuals tucked under his arm; two sword techniques, one defensive art, one standard movement technique, and a curious special movement technique that caught his attention:
Waking Blade: True Qi is stored within the scabbard, like a sleeping beast. When the sword is drawn, the beast wakes, releasing all that pent-up power into a devastating first strike. The more True Qi stored, the faster and stronger the strike.
'Dangerous in its simplicity,' Lin Fang thought, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. 'If I charge it fully… one blow could end a fight. But the time to store that Qi is also a huge disadvantage.'
Unending River Guard: The sword is moved in a continuous, flowing motion, like a river current. Each of the opponent's attacks is met with a slight deflection that uses their own force against them, slowly exhausting them as their attacks are constantly redirected.
'This could be useful in a battle of attrition, ' he thought.
Shadow Weave Steps: The user channels True Qi into their feet, allowing them to move at terrifying speeds. They leave behind a trail of afterimages that confuse the opponent, making it difficult to discern their true location.
Cloud Ascension Art: True Qi is used to create a thin, almost invisible platform of energy under the user's feet, allowing them to leap incredible distances or even walk on the air for a short time.
He had first decided to only choose one movement art because it's of no use to have two movement techniques only to use one of them, but once his eyes fell on this technique, he had instantly decided to take it. Walking on air, even if it's just for a brief amount of time, could be very useful in certain scenarios.
Silk Cocoon: The user rapidly releases True Qi, weaving it into a tight, multilayered cocoon of energy. The cocoon is not only tough but also extremely flexible, capable of deflecting and cushioning the impact of most attacks.
Lin Fang approached the desk, placing the five manuals down with a light thud.
The elder glanced at them, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly at the sight of two movement techniques. He didn't comment, only gave a faint shake of his head.
The elder's voice was calm, almost detached. "Follow your path. Understanding comes not from words, but from walls you run into."
Lin Fang smiled faintly, cupping his hands in thanks before taking the manuals, 'the elder's advice was indeed correct, but Lin Fang had the simulator.
Outside the Whispering Wind Pavilion, the air was fresh, the sky painted with streaks of late-afternoon gold. His steps were light, almost playful.
'Best to see what fate has in store first,' he thought, turning toward his villa.
He pushed open the door, the quiet of his quarters settling around him like a familiar cloak. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Lin Fang's grin widened.
"Simulate!" he called out, his voice brimming with anticipation. The word echoed in the room, and the familiar, mechanical chime rang in his mind.
[Ding~ does host wish to use 256 souls to simulate?]
"Yes", he said firmly.
[Ding~ you have refreshed three talents]
[Fearless Sleeper(White Grade Talent): Can sleep soundly even in dangerous situations without waking.]
[Unyielding Bladder(White Grade Talent): Can hold it for absurdly long periods, useful during long missions.]
[Itchy Palms(White Grade Talent): Hands tingle when money or valuables are nearby]
Lin Fang stared at the talent list, veins throbbing on his forehead. "Are we back to trolling, simulator?" he asked with a dark expression. His eyes narrowed, but when they landed on Itchy Palms, a spark of interest flickered.
[Ding, talent selected successfully! Simulation starting...]
[At 18 years old, you bought a yellow grade sword from the treasure hall and left the sect to complete the beast extermination mission in the southern Demonic Forest.]
[You were granted special permission to ride a flying beast; a privilege usually reserved for Foundation Establishment elders. However, you chose a Silverhoof Spirit Horse instead, hoping Itchy Palms might guide you to hidden treasures during your journey.]
[After one month of travel, your talent led you to several caches of mortal gold. While plentiful, they held no value to you]
[Upon arriving at the Demonic Forest, you immediately entered the inner region following your memory. There, you encountered a First-Grade Demonic Beast; the Ironhide Demon Boar. Despite your Yellow Grade sword and Falling Star Blade technique, the beast overpowered you, shattering your guard and nearly taking your life. You barely escaped by using a fully charged strike, leaving the beast grievously wounded.]
[Shaken and bloodied, you retreated to the outer forest. You decided not to re-enter the inner region until you had fully comprehended a movement technique to avoid such near-death situations in the future.]
[You decided to remain in the outer region of the Demonic Forest, avoiding the dangers of the inner region. For a whole year, you focused on the Shadow Weave Steps, yet your progress was agonizingly slow. By the year's end, you finally pushed the technique into the Initial Stage.]
[Still, despite not concentrating on cultivation, your steady absorption of spirit qi brought you to the Fifth Level of Qi Refining. Confidence swelled within you. The memory of the Ironhide Demon Boar's humiliation a year ago still burned in your mind. You returned to the inner region, and this time, you trashed the beast and killed it with ease.]