Chapter 10: I Chose This Especially for You

There was nothing he could do; how could Cao Xuan not know what Fang Baiyu was thinking? Yet fate had a way of turning things around—after just a short while, he too found himself on the second floor of the Library Pavilion. Who could have predicted such a turn?

Fang Baiyu looked utterly dismayed, blurting out instinctively, “How did you get up here?”

Cao Xuan lightly patted his cloud-patterned cyan robe. “I just walked up, that’s all.”

Fang Baiyu, whose momentum was already weaker than Cao Xuan’s, had wanted to ask how he managed to join the outer sect, but when the words reached his lips, all he managed was, “Hmph, don’t forget our duel in six months!”

He tried to appear fierce, but it was all bluster; moments later, he slunk away in embarrassment. His display utterly lacked any intimidation, creating a sharp contrast for Lin Miaoxuan, who stood nearby.

“Senior brother, who was that? Do you have a grudge with him?” she asked.

“It’s nothing. He’s still just a child,” Cao Xuan replied.

She giggled. “Senior brother, you have such a funny way of speaking!”

This minor episode did nothing to affect the two of them; soon, they each went off in search of the techniques they desired. Lin Miaoxuan didn’t have anything specific in mind—she hadn’t expected to join the outer sect so quickly, so she just browsed at random. Cao Xuan, on the other hand, headed straight for the section dedicated to alchemy, which he’d been longing to visit.

Books such as “Analysis of Spiritual Herbs”, “Introduction to Alchemy”, “The Planting and Cultivation of Spiritual Plants”, “Furnaces and the Art of Heat” and others greeted his eyes.

He spent the entire morning poring over them, again and again, his gaze gradually revealing a kind of clear-eyed confusion. He could understand every word related to alchemy, but when strung together, the meaning became strangely elusive.

“Why make alchemy so complicated and abstract? And what on earth are they even writing about?”

“What does it mean to add Yellow Ganoderma at the optimal moment? What’s this about refining it to seven-tenths cooked…”

Cao Xuan was speechless. At last, he understood the importance of a master; alchemy was clearly not something one could master through reading alone. Without a teacher’s guidance, one could only fumble in the dark—unless you were a genius, who knows how much time would be wasted relying solely on your own comprehension?

The timing and management of heat in alchemy required endless experimentation. With someone to teach you, a great deal of time could be saved.

“I wonder if the opportunity for one-on-one guidance from the Protectors at the Hall of Transmission can be used to study alchemy!”

Afterward, Cao Xuan decided to borrow all the alchemy books, and chose three techniques: “Lightfoot Technique”, “Azure Origin Sword”, and “Spiritual Qi Barrier,” covering movement, offense, and defense respectively.

Lin Miaoxuan, too, had picked out a sizable stack, her arms full. For one’s first visit to the Library Pavilion, it was only natural to want to take everything, never mind whether one could learn it all.

As they prepared to leave with their books, a senior disciple at the second-floor counter raised his hand, a gentle current of spiritual energy barring their way.

“Is this your first time at the Library Pavilion?” he asked. “You should know that books can’t be taken out.”

Lin Miaoxuan exclaimed, “We can’t take them out? Isn’t it a bother to read here?”

The senior disciple smiled. “For five spirit stones, you can have a jade slip copy made—if you wish.”

“Five spirit stones? Why not just rob us instead!” Lin Miaoxuan slammed her stack of books onto the counter. “Forget it, I don’t want them!”

The senior disciple simply shrugged, clearly used to such outbursts. With a flick of his sword-finger, the pile of books leapt up and neatly sorted themselves back onto their shelves.

When he saw the books in Cao Xuan’s hands, he was about to do the same, but Cao Xuan interjected, “Senior brother, I want these five. May I pay with pills?”

He had decided that, in addition to the three foundational techniques, he would take “Analysis of Spiritual Herbs” and “Introduction to Alchemy.” The senior disciple’s eyes lit up at this.

The duty of overseeing the Library Pavilion was actually quite lucrative. Copying a jade slip cost him two spirit stones, so he made a profit of three from each transaction. Pills, however, were hard currency—he certainly wouldn’t mind accepting them.

“Of course. What kind of pills?” he inquired.

Cao Xuan reached into his robe, producing a small porcelain bottle containing one remaining Qi-Gathering Pill. With a thought, he withdrew four more from his system space and quickly replenished the bottle.

“Please take a look, senior brother.”

The senior took the bottle, opened it, and his eyes gleamed. “Five Qi-Gathering Pills—worth twenty-five spirit stones!”

His attitude instantly became much more enthusiastic. With a wave of his right hand, the unwanted books returned to their shelves, while the five chosen ones—including “Azure Origin Sword” and “Spiritual Qi Barrier”—remained. He then grabbed five jade slips with his left hand, which flashed with light as they were swiftly imprinted.

“Here you are, junior brother. Simply hold these jade slips to your forehead and channel your spiritual energy to read them.”

“Indeed, it’s far better to take them home for study, rather than waste time here in the Library Pavilion.”

He shot Cao Xuan a knowing look. “You could lend some to your junior sister…”

This was the reality of cultivation circles; when it came to pills, the senior disciple’s warmth increased exponentially. And regarding female cultivators, he clearly felt that “recyclable” resources like jade slips could be used as a lure.

In fact, this was very much the way of things in the cultivation world. Mutual support often amounted to little more than lending books, sharing treasures, borrowing an alchemy room or a place to cultivate.

The senior’s words reminded Cao Xuan, but he made no move while still in the Library Pavilion. Once outside, accompanied by a bored Chen Qianru and a disgruntled Lin Miaoxuan, the three soon prepared to part ways.

Having just become an official outer disciple, Lin Miaoxuan was still excited. After browsing so many techniques in the Library Pavilion, she wanted to go back and try them out, and didn’t give it much more thought.

“Senior brother, Qianru and I will head back this way. If you have time, get in touch and let’s visit the Green Mountain Market together!”

Chen Qianru waved too, wanting several times to ask for his message talisman, but with Lin Miaoxuan beside her, she lost her nerve. Still, she thought, now that she’d made an impression, there would be chances in the public areas of the sect. At worst, she could linger longer near the mission hall and eventually get her opportunity.

“Wait!” Cao Xuan suddenly called out, just as Lin Miaoxuan and Chen Qianru were about to turn away.

He handed over three jade slips. “Junior sister Lin, you looked at quite a few techniques earlier. I have nothing better to offer, so please take these.”

“Three techniques: ‘Lightfoot Technique’, ‘Azure Origin Sword’, and ‘Spiritual Qi Barrier’. Take them home and study them well.”

Both Lin Miaoxuan and Chen Qianru were stunned. Was this some kind of super simp? First, he’d given away pills, and now he was handing out techniques?

Lin Miaoxuan was dazed for a moment, then broke into a bright smile. “You look them over first, senior brother—I can borrow them from you later.”

But Cao Xuan thought, how could that do? He took Lin Miaoxuan’s hand and pressed the slips into her palm with a hint of domineering resolve.

“Just take them. Does it look like I’m lacking for techniques?” he said. “Besides, these three were chosen especially for you.”