The Martial Techniques in the Library Hall were recorded on individual Jade Scrolls.
On the surface of these scrolls, the characteristics of the technique were described in a common language.
Inside, however, were recorded a series of profound Elemental Patterns that could only be read by immersing one’s Heart Spirit within.
Falling Flower Palm: A Mid-tier Martial Skill inspired by the falling flowers of autumn.
To practice this Palm Technique, one must focus on the principles of “skill” and “agility.” When mastered, it can conjure countless palm illusions to confuse the opponent.
Shadowless Leg: A Mid-tier Martial Skill that captures the True Intent of shadows.
To practice this technique, one must focus on “speed” and “concealment.” When mastered, it can seal an enemy’s escape routes and kill with a single kick.
Dripping Water Finger: A Mid-tier Martial Skill inspired by water dripping through stone.
To practice this Finger Technique, one must focus on “persistence” and “precision.” When mastered, it can pierce metal and Split Stone, deciding a battle with a single finger.
Splashing Wind Staff: A Mid-tier Martial Skill inspired by the wildness of the wind.
To practice this Staff Technique, one must focus on the intent of “chaos” and “ferocity.” When mastered, the staff moves as fast as the wind with peerless ferocity.
Water-Breaking Spear: A Mid-tier Martial Skill inspired by the accommodating nature of water.
To practice this Spear Technique, one must focus on the principles of “hard” and “soft.” When mastered, the spear’s force becomes formless and unpredictable.
Great Sorrow Palm: A Mid-tier Martial Skill inspired by an Ancient Buddha subjugating demons in Ancient Times.
To practice this Palm Technique, one must focus on the principles of “rage,” “ferocity,” and “sorrow.” When mastered, the sorrowful palm strikes with rage, possessing unparalleled dominance.
Addendum: Once this palm is unleashed, there is no turning back.
Use with caution.
…
Shen Fan had never encountered Middle-tier Martial Arts before, so every Martial Technique he saw seemed far more profound than his Monument-breaking Palm.
The descriptions on the Mid-tier Martial Skills, in particular, made his heart burn with excitement.
He picked up one Martial Technique, put it down, and then looked at another, completely losing track of time.
“Shen Fan, on the first floor! In fifteen minutes, you must come out whether you have chosen a Martial Technique or not. Otherwise, you will be severely punished!”
Elder Qing Pao’s voice jolted Shen Fan from the world of Martial Techniques.
‘Time is running out.’ He awoke as if from a dream, looking at the countless Martial Technique Jade Scrolls with a splitting headache.
He knew he had to make some sacrifices and choose based on his own preferences and habits.
Palm Technique, Saber Technique, Body Technique—he had to choose two of the three.
He hesitated no longer and went straight to the section for Saber Techniques.
He casually opened a Mid-level Saber Technique and, to speed things up, activated his Soul Eye.
With his Soul Eye active, his speed of perusing the Martial Techniques increased dramatically.
He finished one and immediately picked up another.
‘Something’s not right!’ He hesitated for a moment and closed his eyes.
Within his Yin-Yang Space, streams of Elemental Patterns flashed by.
They were the very Mid-tier Martial Skills he had just scanned with his Soul Eye.
His heart pounded wildly. Get faster updates on g.com.
The Yin-Yang Space could actually memorize the Mid-tier Martial Skills seen by his Soul Eye!
There were geniuses in the world with photographic memories, but that only applied to common written languages.
When it came to Elemental Patterns, unless one fully comprehended them or recorded them with a special method, it was absolutely impossible to memorize them in such a short time.
Moving like a horseman glimpsing flowers, Shen Fan kept his Soul Eye active.
He would pick up a Jade Scroll, scan it with a glance, put it down, and then pick up another to continue memorizing.
The other Disciples saw him picking up and putting down the scrolls and said in confusion, “Is there something wrong with that guy? Why is he just randomly flipping through them instead of properly memorizing a good Martial Technique?”
Time trickled by.
Just as the fifteen minutes were about to end, Shen Fan suddenly noticed a broken Jade Scroll.
Cloud Ladder Ascension Technique: Grade unknown.
Origin of Cultivation Technique unknown.
Key points of practice: unknown.
When mastered, one can move freely up, down, forward, and back in mid-air, coming and going without a trace—the ultimate Body Technique.
Addendum: This Martial Technique was obtained from a Cave Mansion by an Inner Sect Disciple three hundred years ago.
It has a total of 9 Layers, but only the first three remain.
The Elemental Patterns for the latter 6 Layers are blurry.
Due to its age, it cannot be researched or reverse-engineered, and to this day, no one has managed to learn it.
Shen Fan was overjoyed reading the first half.
‘A Body Technique that lets you move freely in the air is no different from being a flying bird!’ But when he read the latter part, his heart sank.
A Martial Technique that couldn’t be learned was completely useless.
Just then, his fifteen minutes were up.
He had no choice but to grab this Jade Scroll, snag an Initial-tier Martial Skill on his way, and stride over to the registration desk where Elder Qing Pao was.
He then handed over the two Jade Scrolls.
“The Great Hand Seal. Hmm, although this Palm Technique is an Initial-tier Martial Skill, it’s from the same lineage as the Mid-tier Martial Skill, the Great Sorrow Palm. Its power is not weak. You have a good eye.” Elder Qing Pao nodded with a smile.
Shen Fan had just grabbed the Great Hand Seal to make up the numbers; he hadn’t even looked at it, so he had no idea if it was good or bad.
Seeing Elder Qing Pao endlessly praise the Great Sorrow Palm and the Great Hand Seal, he could only nod in agreement.
“I wonder, what part of this Palm Technique caught your eye? Why choose this one over all the others?”
Shen Fan was speechless.
Elder Qing Pao was really going on and on.
Fortunately, he had read the description for the Great Sorrow Palm.
Since the two were from the same lineage, he figured their styles must be similar.
He said, “This Palm Technique is fierce and domineering, with an unstoppable momentum. This is exactly the kind of intent we who pursue martial arts should have.”
The Great Sorrow Palm was indeed a Palm Technique he valued, and he remembered all its details clearly.
At that moment, his Divine Soul began to analyze it within the Yin-Yang Space, deducing the pros and cons of the Great Sorrow Palm.
He continued, “This Disciple feels that while the Great Hand Seal is good, but…”
“But… it lacks flexibility…”
“Bullshit!” Elder Qing Pao cursed before Shen Fan could even finish.
“Er… This Disciple believes that the master who created this Martial Technique would never have overlooked such a point. Since flexibility was sacrificed, there must be a deeper meaning behind it. That’s why this Disciple wishes to take it back and study it carefully!” Seeing things were going south, Shen Fan quickly changed his tune.
‘I really don’t get it,’ he thought.
‘It’s just one Martial Technique.
Why is he so invested?
We barely know each other.’
“Good!” Elder Qing Pao’s expression changed in a flash.
He suddenly burst out laughing, revealing two front teeth, and clapped his hands in praise.
“Not bad, kid! You’re the first person to choose this Palm Technique. In fact, this old man created both the Great Sorrow Palm and the Great Hand Seal. If you have any questions about Palm Techniques in the future, you can come find me!”
Shen Fan’s heart skipped a beat.
He hadn’t expected such a connection.
‘No wonder, no wonder.
Good thing I didn’t say anything stupid, or I would’ve been in deep trouble for offending him.’
“Thank you, Elder,” Shen Fan said, cupping his fist.
Receiving guidance from a Martial Artist was something every Disciple dreamed of.
It meant he could avoid many pitfalls while comprehending the Elemental Patterns of a Martial Technique.
When the other Disciples saw that Shen Fan had earned Elder Qing Pao’s approval, they were overcome with envy, jealousy, and hate.
Elder Qing Pao was an old-timer at the academy.
To get a promise from him was like hitting the jackpot.
“Now let’s see the Mid-tier Martial Skill you chose. Hmm, a Body Technique Martial Skill to complement the Great Hand Seal isn’t a bad choice… The Cloud Ladder Ascension Technique! You chose the Cloud Ladder Ascension Technique!” Elder Qing Pao exclaimed in shock.
“Do you realize that for over three hundred years, no one has been able to master this Body Technique? This old man once tried to cultivate it for two years, but alas…”
“I want to give it a try,” Shen Fan said.
‘I have the Yin-Yang Divine Coin to deduce Divine Patterns.
Just because others can’t learn it doesn’t mean I can’t.’ Besides, he had already memorized many Mid-tier Martial Skills, so he wouldn’t lose anything even if he failed to learn the Cloud Ladder Ascension Technique.
“Kid, this old man will make an exception and let you choose another Mid-tier Body Technique Martial Skill, how about it? Cultivating the Cloud Ladder Ascension Technique is a complete waste of time,” Elder Qing Pao said.
He was being genuinely kind; if he hadn’t approved of Shen Fan, he never would have said such a thing.
This once again made the other Disciples’ eyes burn with jealousy.
It was said that Elder Qing Pao had never made an exception for anyone.
Even if one of the Top Ten Disciples of the Inner Courtyard broke his rules, they would still be punished without mercy!
“There’s no need,” Shen Fan refused.
‘Just because others couldn’t cultivate it successfully doesn’t mean I can’t.
Whether it works or not, I have to let the Yin-Yang Divine Coin give it a try.’
Seeing Shen Fan’s insistence, Elder Qing Pao had no choice but to register the techniques for him and wave him away.
“Ah, the Disciples these days… so overly ambitious and impatient,” Elder Qing Pao sighed as he watched Shen Fan’s departing figure.