In the heart of a majestic library, its towering shelves nearly brushing the ceiling, rows of towering racks stood like gravity-defying spires. A young man emerged from the shadows of a narrow corridor. Candlelight flickered softly among ancient scrolls, reflecting in his eyes, which shone with curiosity. With a friendly smile concealing a fervent curiosity, he asked,"Fellow cultivator, what are you searching for? Rare skill scrolls or hidden magical weapons?"
Bai Tian gazed at him calmly, as if weighing whether this young man could be a trustworthy ally."Anything suitable for a cultivator under the Spiritual Sea Realm," he replied tersely, though his tone betrayed determination and resolve.
The young man, introducing himself as Zhang Lin, slightly bowed his head and adjusted his tone to sound polite yet warm."Could you be more specific?" he asked, his eyes never leaving Bai Tian, full of enthusiasm and vigilance.
Bai Tian glanced at the towering shelves surrounding them before fixing his gaze back on Zhang Lin."500 guidance points—and explain everything about this library," he said in a flat but authoritative voice.
Zhang Lin's eyes immediately lit up as if a candle had been set ablaze."Of course! Follow me," he said eagerly, guiding Bai Tian through the winding corridors filled with dusty scrolls and glowing artifacts.
With quick yet careful steps, Zhang Lin explained the library's layout: shelves categorizing scrolls from lower to higher levels, a special alchemy zone with the refreshing scent of herbs, a softly glowing room for rare plants, and even a system for exchanging skills and artifacts among cultivators. Every word he spoke seemed to pull back the curtain of secrets, revealing mysteries that had been hidden for centuries.
The day passed swiftly until the sun had nearly set. Bai Tian absorbed every detail, observing every corner of the magical library, contemplating strategies to make full use of every scroll and artifact he encountered. The rustle of pages, the aroma of herbs, and the flickering candlelight dancing on the walls gave the impression that this was no ordinary library—it was a treasury of power for those who knew how to wield it.
That day passed quickly. Bai Tian studied every corner of the library, familiarizing himself with shelves ranging from low- to high-level scrolls, as well as zones dedicated to alchemy and herbal cultivation. After several hours, they parted ways, and Bai Tian continued exploring on his own.
He ascended to the second floor of the library, cautiously moving along the long shelves. Suddenly, a resonance from his long-dormant necklace vibrated subtly. With keen instinct, Bai Tian followed the energy's guidance and eventually discovered an ancient book titled "Classic Sword Manual."
Without hesitation, he purchased several other books: Introduction to the Five Elements, Herbal Guide, Basics of Alchemy, Foundations of Pill Crafting, and a few strange books that piqued his curiosity. Each book was carefully selected, aligned with the current needs of his cultivation.
Bai Tian carried the books down to the first floor, ready to exchange his points. But as he walked, he noticed many eyes following him with curiosity, some tinged with suspicion. Recognizing potential trouble, Bai Tian immediately bought several disguise masks to conceal his face from onlookers.
He then stored all his valuable items in his storage dimension, safe from theft or surveillance. With calm steps, Bai Tian left the library and returned to his residence, carrying renewed vigor for practice, research, and preparation for the upcoming outer sect examination.
Upon reaching home, Bai Tian arranged his newly purchased books on a simple wooden table. Moonlight streamed through the window, reflecting on the ancient tomes as if bestowing an extra layer of inspiration for study. He opened the Classic Sword Manual first, learning every basic sword movement and the philosophy behind each technique. Though still at the introductory stage, Bai Tian could feel the resonance of sword energy—gentle yet stable—harmonizing with his current Spiritual power. Each motion seemed to guide him beyond the limits of body and mind, creating a subtle vibration that was both calming and steadfast.
Next, he read Introduction to the Five Elements, striving to understand the interactions between Fire, Water, Earth, Metal, and Wood, as well as how natural energy could be combined with the body's spiritual energy. He noted key points, preparing strategies to integrate the five elements with his nightly moonlit meditation on the hill. Bai Tian sensed that each element possessed its own "character," and mastering their essence would be crucial to controlling his energy.
The Herbal Guide and Basics of Alchemy became his next focus. He marked the most easily obtainable herbs and their effects on his energy, making detailed notes for small experiments in his room. Carefully, he blended simple concoctions from the ingredients he possessed, aiming to enhance energy recovery and strengthen stamina for nightly training. Each experiment was meticulously recorded, and every failure analyzed to avoid repetition. Sometimes, the aroma of herbs filled the room, and Bai Tian felt a warming sensation in his body whenever a potion effectively boosted his energy.
During his spare time, Bai Tian also read books on culture, human relationships, gender dynamics, and tips for handling life's challenges. He noted key insights, learning how people interact, maintain harmony, and balance emotions during conflict. This knowledge provided him with new perspectives on daily life, helping him grow not only as a spiritual practitioner but also as a wise individual capable of understanding others.
During the day, Bai Tian continued his duties as a student laborer: watering plants, filling water barrels, and tidying tools. Yet every movement was executed with full awareness, integrating breathing techniques and energy control from his studies. In this way, daily physical tasks became part of his cultivation, enhancing body coordination while strengthening his spiritual energy. Even the simplest chores became opportunities to train concentration and precision, laying a solid foundation for advanced skills.
Each night, after completing his work, Bai Tian would sneak to the moonlit hill. Sitting on the same meditation stone, he focused his energy and began practicing sword techniques, the Five Elements, and mental alchemy exercises. His body often felt extreme energy pressure, but Bai Tian learned to endure, adjusting his breathing and movements to achieve optimal conditions. Under the soft moonlight, each movement felt as though it flowed naturally with the energy of nature, reinforcing his conviction that he was on the correct path.
Time passed swiftly. Each night, Bai Tian incorporated new techniques, adjusting strategies based on observations, experiments, and previous meditation results. Within a month, his body and spiritual energy advanced rapidly. Bai Tian mastered several basic sword movements, gained deeper understanding of the Five Elements, and could craft simple potions effectively boosting stamina and energy recovery. He felt each small success served as a stepping stone toward greater achievements.
With these accomplishments, Bai Tian felt himself drawing closer to his goal: becoming an outer disciple with abilities surpassing ordinary students and ready to face higher-level challenges in the Rainbow Cloud Sect. He gazed at the shining moon in the night sky, his heart filled with determination, confident that the path of cultivation had just begun—and that every night spent learning and practicing would bring him closer to the summit he aspired to reach.