The moment Lin Fei stepped inside, he was greeted by a vast interior.
The first floor of the Scripture Pavilion was lined with towering bookshelves on all sides. The tower itself was hollow like a well—looking up, spiraling corridors rose layer upon layer. A beam of light descended from a window at the top, illuminating the central hall below, where dust motes drifted lazily in the glow.
"New here?"
A hoarse yet gentle voice came from above.
Lin Fei looked up and cupped his fists."Disciple Lin Fei, here to borrow cultivation manuals."
Footsteps echoed from the upper floor. After a moment, an elderly man in green robes descended, holding a scroll. His white hair framed a calm but sharp gaze.
"My surname is Wu. I oversee this pavilion. Show me your seal."
Lin Fei quickly extended his hand.
Elder Wu glanced at it."Qi Cultivation Realm… first-year student?"
"Yes, sir."
The old man nodded."Impressive. Barely two months in, and you've already advanced. Come—I'll explain the rules."
They walked deeper inside.
The space was far larger than Lin Fei had imagined. Rows upon rows of wooden shelves stretched out, filled with scrolls—some tied with silk ribbons, some stored in wooden boxes, others simply stacked.
Stopping near a staircase, Elder Wu pointed to the left.
"These shelves contain internal cultivation methods."
Then to the right.
"These hold Five Element techniques. The lowest row contains beginner-level spells—you've already learned those. From the second row upward are techniques for the Qi Cultivation Realm. That's where you should look."
They began with the internal methods.
"The technique you practiced before—the Evergreen Technique—belongs to the Awakened Spirit stage. Now that you've advanced, you need a new one."
He gestured across the scrolls.
"Spirit Swallow Technique—enhances agility and spiritual flow. At mastery, one becomes light as a swallow, leaving no trace in snow. No elemental restriction."
"Stoneheart Technique—boosts defense and earth-based power. At higher levels, the body becomes as solid as rock. Not suitable for wood or water affinity."
"Blazing Flame Technique—increases offensive strength and fire techniques. Spiritual energy becomes scorching. Not suitable for water or metal affinity."
"Verdant Wood Technique—improves recovery and enhances wood techniques. Energy becomes endless and nurturing. Not suitable for metal or earth affinity."
"Gilded Edge Technique—enhances burst power and metal techniques. Energy sharp as a blade. Not suitable for fire or wood affinity."
"Abyssal Water Technique—improves healing and water techniques. Grants rapid recovery. Not suitable for earth or fire affinity."
Elder Wu looked at him.
"You have pure wood affinity. The Verdant Wood Technique suits you best. But the choice is yours—there's no absolute 'best' method."
Lin Fei picked up the Verdant Wood Technique.
But then he recalled the recent team battle—how he had been suppressed by fire and metal techniques.
This method fit his element perfectly… yet it wouldn't help him counter those weaknesses.
His gaze shifted.
It landed on another scroll.
Spirit Swallow Technique.
If I can avoid attacks altogether…
Agility might be his greatest advantage.
After a moment's hesitation, he picked up the scroll tied with a yellow ribbon.
"I'll take this one."
Elder Wu raised an eyebrow."You're sure?"
Lin Fei nodded."I want to improve my movement. It'll make me more flexible in combat."
The old man stroked his beard and smiled faintly."In martial arts, speed breaks all. A reasonable choice."
They moved to the technique shelves.
"All these above the second row are suitable for your level," Elder Wu said, picking up a scroll marked with a wood seal.
"Each scroll is labeled by element. With your affinity, focus on wood and water techniques. Avoid earth and metal."
Lin Fei walked along the shelves and began browsing.
Wood Release · Leaf Camouflage — concealment technique, blending into natural surroundings.
Wood Release · Thorn Bind — summons thorny vines for control and attack.
Wood Release · Wooden Guardian Technique — summons a wooden construct to assist in battle.
His eyes lit up.
He picked up the last scroll and unrolled it.
Detailed diagrams filled the page—hand seals, instructions, and notes:
Once summoned, the wooden construct can fight continuously until dismissed or energy is depleted. It possesses basic combat awareness and can execute commands such as attack, defense, and restraint.
Advanced forms: Wood Soldier Art (Core Formation Realm), Wood Dragon Art (Heavenly Realm).
"This… is interesting," Lin Fei said with excitement.
He carefully rolled it back up and handed both scrolls to Elder Wu.
Elder Wu recorded the selections in a thick ledger.
"Spirit Swallow Technique… Wooden Guardian Technique… quite an unusual combination."
He looked up.
"Loan period: one month. No sharing. Return on time—even if unfinished. Lost or damaged scrolls cost five hundred silver coins."
"Understood."
Elder Wu handed the scrolls back.
"Train well."
Back in the dorm, Lin Fei shared the scrolls with Li Chen.
Li Chen studied them carefully before returning them.
"I need to catch up and reach Qi Cultivation soon," he said. "Otherwise you'll leave me behind."
Lin Fei laughed."You'll break through soon too."
"Tell me—what did it feel like?"
Lin Fei described his breakthrough in detail.
Li Chen nodded."That sounds like enlightenment."
Then he added casually,
"Oh—Lu Zhenhuan asked me about your background today. He doesn't believe you're an orphan. Thinks you must be someone important… even guessed you might be the son of the Tenth Lin."
Lin Fei blinked, then laughed."If that were true, wouldn't someone have told me?"
Li Chen grinned."Exactly. Still… your talent is suspiciously high."
Lin Fei fell silent for a moment.
Thoughts of his unknown parents surfaced briefly.
But he quickly shook them off.
"Doesn't matter," he said, lifting the scroll."I just want to get stronger."
Over the next few days, Lin Fei began training his new techniques.
The Spirit Swallow Technique felt completely different from the Evergreen Technique. His energy now flowed into his legs, gathering at the soles of his feet.
Soon, his body felt lighter.
His steps became quicker.His jumps more agile.Even his reaction speed improved.
But what fascinated him most was the Wooden Guardian Technique.
He could now summon a wooden figure his own height.
It looked like him—same form, same limbs—but its body bore the texture of wood.
Under his control, it could move, jump, and perform basic combat.
Though slightly clumsy, it was more than enough to distract opponents.
However, the energy cost was high.
Maintaining the construct drained him continuously. If it was damaged, it would consume even more energy to repair itself.
After testing it with Liu Jinfa, Lin Fei realized—
If an enemy focused on destroying the construct, he might exhaust himself first.
"This technique… has its pros and cons," he thought.
A few days later, the training field buzzed with energy.
Lin Fei's team—himself, Li Chen, Hu Mei, Liu Jinfa, and Sun Ting—had already defeated two challenger teams in a row.
Their coordination had improved significantly.
"Anyone else want to challenge them?" Elder Chen called out.
The crowd murmured.
Those last two matches had been one-sided.
Elder Jiang watched from the sidelines, eyes filled with approval.
"Lin Fei is the first to reach Qi Cultivation," he said."The gap between realms is significant—but not absolute. Strategy and elemental counters can still turn the tide."
He scanned the crowd, then smiled slightly.
"Zhou Ping, Lu Zhenhuan, Lu Zhenyu—step forward."
The atmosphere instantly shifted.