The night was exceptionally quiet.
Within his small residence at Azure Maple Academy, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged with the Low-Grade Spirit Stone resting between his palms.
Instead of directly absorbing its spiritual energy into his dantian, he allowed the Green Spirit Sapling to draw in its essence.
Wisps of pure spiritual qi flowed into his spiritual sea.
The emerald flower on the sapling shone brilliantly, and the second flower bud grew larger with every passing moment.
At the same time, a portion of the refined energy returned to Lin Yuan's body.
His muscles, bones, and meridians were strengthened continuously.
By dawn, the Spirit Stone had lost much of its luster.
Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes.
His cultivation had not broken through, but it had reached the peak of the Body Tempering Realm, Third Stage.
He estimated that another opportunity would allow him to advance to the Fourth Stage.
He looked at the Spirit Stone.
Although most of its essence had been absorbed, it had not become ordinary stone.
"There is still some spiritual energy left."
"It can be used again."
A smile appeared on his face.
The Green Spirit Sapling wasted nothing.
It absorbed only the purest essence, leaving behind the remaining spiritual energy for him to cultivate with.
After breakfast, Instructor Han gathered the Yellow Courtyard disciples.
"Listen carefully."
"The academy library will be opened today."
"You may each choose one martial technique suitable for your cultivation."
The disciples immediately became excited.
Martial techniques were precious.
A powerful technique could greatly increase a cultivator's strength.
Before long, Lin Yuan entered the academy's library for the first time.
Rows upon rows of ancient books filled the enormous hall.
Some contained cultivation methods.
Others recorded martial techniques, geography, alchemy, formations, and the history of the cultivation world.
An elderly librarian sat quietly near the entrance, his eyes half-closed.
Without even looking up, he spoke.
"You have one hour."
"Choose wisely."
Lin Yuan bowed respectfully before walking deeper into the library.
He searched through the shelves containing basic martial techniques.
Most focused on fists, swords, spears, or movement techniques.
None attracted him.
As he wandered farther inside, he reached a neglected corner covered in dust.
There, on the lowest shelf, lay a thin, tattered book.
Unlike the others, it had no title on its cover.
The moment Lin Yuan reached for it, the Green Spirit Sapling in his spiritual sea trembled.
Its leaves rustled softly.
Almost as if...
It recognized the book.
Lin Yuan frowned.
He opened it carefully.
Most of its pages were blank.
Only the first page contained a few faded words.
"All living things are rooted in life.
He who understands life shall understand endless growth."
Below the sentence was a simple breathing technique.
Nothing more.
"No martial technique?"
Lin Yuan flipped through the remaining pages.
Blank.
Every single one.
He couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Just as he was about to return it to the shelf, a tiny strand of emerald light drifted from the Green Spirit Sapling onto the ancient pages.
The blank paper suddenly shimmered.
New words slowly appeared before his eyes.
Lin Yuan's heart pounded.
The book...
Had revealed a hidden text.
At the very bottom of the page, a title gradually emerged.
The Evergreen Scripture.
At that same moment, the old librarian, who had seemed half asleep, slowly opened one eye.
He looked toward Lin Yuan with a hint of surprise.
"So..."
"After all these years..."
"Someone has finally found the one destined to inherit it."