Ning Xian led Fang Xuan through the rows of bookshelves, her gaze scanning the labels on the jade slips.
She didn't walk fast, but her goal was clear. Occasionally, she would stop, pick up a jade slip, scan it with her divine sense for a moment, and then return it to its place.
Before long, she held four or five jade slips of various colors in her hand.
"These are all manuals or sword scriptures of the middle to upper black-grade, each with a different focus."
She handed the jade slips to Fang Xuan. "The Shadow-Flicker Sword Scripture focuses on speed and transformation, while the Heavy Mountain Sword Astral follows a path of heavy defense, using sheer momentum to suppress opponents."
Her explanations were clear and concise; she had obviously chosen them with care.
Fang Xuan took the jade slips.
They sounded good, and the descriptions were impressive. If these were out in the world, they would likely cause small families to fight to the death over them.
But... he felt like something was missing.
These were all standard, high-quality textbooks.
According to the usual tropes, if he didn't find some hidden gem, a fragmented manual, or an inconspicuous peerless technique, would he even be worthy of the future powerhouse standing beside him?
It would be a terrible waste not to use his senior sister's luck to go treasure hunting.
"The ones Senior Sister chose are naturally excellent, but this Scripture Pavilion is so large. Let's look around more; perhaps there is something even more suitable."
Ning Xian glanced at him, seemingly understanding his thoughts.
She fell silent for a moment, then turned her gaze deeper into the bookshelves, toward the areas where dusty jade slips and even broken stone tablets were kept.
"Better techniques naturally exist, but those above the earth-grade are usually kept on higher floors or have special restrictions."
"Moreover, most are fragmented copies or unique volumes. Because of the missing parts, they are rated lower and lack practicality. They might even carry hidden dangers."
This was a warning, but she didn't stop Fang Xuan from trying his luck.
"I'll just take a look to broaden my horizons."
Fang Xuan's eyes were already drifting toward the section for ancient texts, which looked aged and even dilapidated.
Ning Xian sighed softly and said nothing more, following behind him. She also began scanning the corners that ordinary disciples rarely visited.
In truth, she also felt that while the techniques she had chosen for Fang Xuan were stable, they might not fully unleash his startling talent...
The two of them searched through the vast sea of records for a while.
Fang Xuan pretended to browse here and there, but his attention was entirely on Ning Xian.
As expected, before long, Ning Xian stopped in front of a shelf labeled "Miscellaneous · Fragments."
Her attention was caught by a small, palm-sized bronze box in the corner, covered in thick dust with a blurred label.
It was ancient in style and had been carelessly shoved into the bottom shelf, as if forgotten for years.
Ning Xian bent down, picked it up, and gently blew away the dust.
The box wasn't locked. She opened it easily, revealing only a dull gray jade slip with fine cracks along its edges.
A few lines of small characters were written on it in ancient seal script.
After a moment, she frowned slightly and handed the jade slip to Fang Xuan. "See for yourself."
Fang Xuan hurriedly took it.
The information within the jade slip was incomplete, containing only the first three layers of the cultivation mnemonic.
The technique was nameless, but its content was extremely peculiar.
It didn't seek vast spiritual power or unique elemental attributes; instead, it emphasized quantity over quality, aiming for an inexhaustible supply.
The spiritual power cultivated would be as vast as the sea.
However, the cultivation process was exceptionally difficult and painful, placing extreme demands on the physical body and willpower—it was practically self-torture.
According to the opening description, if one could reach mastery, its power would not be inferior to any heaven-grade technique.
Yet, because only the first three layers remained, it could at most support a cultivator until the peak of the Void Core Realm. With the subsequent parts missing, the path forward would be cut off.
Therefore, it was rated as an upper black-grade technique.
It was a classic "chicken rib"—useless to eat, but a pity to throw away.
"The concept of this technique... is incredibly high. Its essence should be at the heaven-grade or even higher."
Ning Xian whispered with a hint of regret. "Unfortunately, it is too fragmented. With only three layers, even if you could master it quickly, you would need to switch techniques once you reach the peak of the Void Core Realm. Switching at that stage is difficult and would only burden you."
"It would be safer to choose a complete black-grade technique."
She analyzed the pros and cons rationally.
But Fang Xuan's eyes lit up.
A fragmented manual. This was exactly what he wanted.
If it wasn't fragmented, he wouldn't even want it.
When a protagonist picks a fragmented manual, it means they'll stumble upon the other half just by walking down the street.
"Senior Sister, I want this one. I feel it's particularly suited for me."
Ning Xian looked at his shining eyes, feeling somewhat puzzled. "Are you certain? The path of this technique is broken, and the cultivation is extremely arduous..."
Seeing his mind was made up, she stopped trying to persuade him.
"In the future... I will also keep an eye out for clues regarding the remaining parts of the manual for you."
Fang Xuan happily tucked the jade slip into his robes, feeling that this trip to the Scripture Pavilion had been more than worth it.
...
When they left the Scripture Pavilion, it was still early.
Fang Xuan was in a great mood, wondering how to coax his senior sister into starting the disciplinary teaching when they got back. Suddenly, he felt the atmosphere ahead stiffen.
Looking up, he saw a figure standing on a white stone arched bridge—the only path back down the mountain—blocking their way.
The person was... rather short, barely over 1.6 meters, wearing the black martial attire of a direct disciple.
He had his arms crossed, glaring coldly at the approaching Fang Xuan and Ning Xian.
It was the second senior brother of Sword Peak, Diao Mao.
A peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, his talent was actually quite decent among the direct disciples of Sword Peak. Unfortunately, his narrow-mindedness seemed inversely proportional to his height. He was another loyal knight at Shen Qingqing's beck and call.
Looking at him, he had likely just heard Shen Qingqing's tearful complaints and couldn't wait to come out and stand up for his goddess.
Fang Xuan thought to himself, "..."
Blocking a bridge? Didn't he know that blocking bridges usually leads to a bad end in stories?
And a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator? Fang Xuan was already in the Void Core Realm; was he just here to deliver himself to his doom?
Seeing the two stop, especially seeing Ning Xian standing side-by-side with Fang Xuan, the gloom in Diao Mao's eyes intensified.
He puffed out his unimpressive chest and, in a haughty manner—despite having to look up slightly—barked out:
"Fang Xuan! You have no respect for your elders, you bully your fellow disciples, and you have repeatedly been insolent toward Junior Sister Shen."
"Today, I, Diao Mao, shall clear the sect's name on behalf of Sword Peak. Do you dare to face me on the martial stage in a fair fight? If you lose, you will immediately crawl to Junior Sister Shen and kowtow in apology!"
He spoke with righteous indignation.
After hearing this, Fang Xuan only showed an expression as if he were looking at an idiot.
Ning Xian's gaze turned cold.
Almost habitually, she took a half-step forward, subtly pulling Fang Xuan behind her.
This small gesture caused Diao Mao's jealousy to burn even hotter.
How could a failure like Ning Xian dare to protect this pretty boy?
Diao Mao screeched, "A waste who has lost all cultivation thinks she's fit to block the way? Get lost, or I'll teach you a lesson too!"
Fang Xuan gently brushed aside Ning Xian's hand and stepped forward, standing directly in front of Diao Mao.
In that moment, the height difference became painfully obvious.
Though young, Fang Xuan was tall and lean, standing more than a full head taller than Diao Mao.
He lowered his gaze slightly, looking down at this "second senior brother" with an indifferent stare that carried an invisible pressure.
Being looked down upon like this, Diao Mao felt a sudden surge of panic. He subconsciously wanted to retreat but felt it would be too humiliating.
He could only stiffen his neck and strain his eyes wide, trying to project a fierce aura.
Watching him struggle to roll his eyes upward just to glare back, Fang Xuan suddenly found it a bit comical.
Little potato, that's not how you glare at someone.
Forget it, why bother arguing with a fool?
"You... are you trying to plant yourself in the dirt to undergo some photosynthesis? Are you hoping it'll help you grow taller?"
"???" Diao Mao froze, not understanding the nonsensical words, but he instinctively felt it wasn't anything good.
Behind him, Ning Xian was also stunned, a flicker of profound confusion passing through her cold eyes.
Photosynthesis? What did that mean?
Before Diao Mao could react, Fang Xuan lost his patience.
...
Diao Mao suddenly felt his entire body stiffen, as if frozen by invisible ice. His movements became sluggish, and even the circulation of his spiritual power turned erratic.
He stared in horror, trying to break free, only to find that under the pressure of that momentum, he was like an insect trapped in a swamp!
In the next second, he was driven into the ground with incredible speed. Most of his body was buried directly into the stone tiles.
Only his head remained above the surface, wobbling twice before drooping lifelessly.
He was completely knocked out.
A bit of dust rose on the bridge, only to be scattered by the mountain wind.
The world became quiet.
...
Fang Xuan shook his hand and turned to Ning Xian, his expression returning to its usual indifference.
"Senior Sister, he seemed very eager to plant himself in the dirt. It's a very standard planting."
Ning Xian: "......"
Looking at the half-buried human plant, she didn't know what to say for a moment.
Although she knew this junior brother wasn't simple, solving a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator so cleanly and decisively—practically a one-sided crushing—was beyond her expectations.
Moreover... when he exerted that momentum just now, it gave her a faint feeling of dread.
"You..."
Ning Xian opened her mouth, but in the end, she only sighed softly and checked Diao Mao's condition.
He was still breathing, just unconscious, likely with a concussion and some broken bones.
She withdrew her gaze and looked at Fang Xuan, her tone helpless. "Didn't I tell you... not to be so reckless?"
"This is a necessary step before photosynthesis. Senior Sister, don't you think he might absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth faster this way?"
...
"Let's go. We're heading back." She turned around, no longer looking at the unfortunate Diao Mao.
...
The two returned to the quiet courtyard in the valley.
Ning Xian seemed to have forgotten the words she had spoken in a moment of haste outside the Scripture Pavilion about receiving punishment.
She walked straight toward her bamboo hut, looking as though she intended to rest.
But Fang Xuan hadn't forgotten.
Being disciplined by his senior sister was a great opportunity to increase his training value.
Such a chance could not be missed.
He stood before his own room, watching her back as she reached for the door, and suddenly cleared his throat.
"Senior Sister—"
Ning Xian's hand on the door stopped. She turned back, her moon-like eyes looking toward him.
Fang Xuan continued, "Isn't it time for me to receive my punishment?"
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