Lin Yuan stared at the ancient book in disbelief.
The emerald words continued to appear one after another, as though they had been waiting countless years for someone to awaken them.
He instinctively looked around.
None of the other disciples seemed to notice anything unusual.
To them, he was simply reading an old, worn-out book.
Only he could see the glowing text.
The title shone softly.
The Evergreen Scripture.
Below it, another sentence slowly emerged.
"This scripture may only be cultivated by one whose Martial Soul possesses the origin of life. Those without such a soul will gain nothing from its teachings."
Lin Yuan's heartbeat quickened.
"So that's why it remained hidden..."
He continued reading.
Unlike ordinary cultivation techniques that absorbed spiritual qi into the dantian, the Evergreen Scripture taught cultivators to first refine spiritual energy through their Martial Soul before circulating it throughout the body.
The process was slower.
However, the refined spiritual qi would become purer and far more stable.
It also nourished the body continuously.
As Lin Yuan finished reading the first chapter, the emerald words gradually faded back into the pages.
The book became blank once more.
"You've made your choice?"
The old librarian's voice suddenly sounded beside him.
Lin Yuan looked up in surprise.
The elderly man had crossed the library without making a single sound.
Holding up the book, Lin Yuan asked respectfully, "Senior, what is this scripture?"
The old man smiled faintly.
"No one knows."
"It has rested in this library for more than three hundred years."
"Countless disciples tried to cultivate it."
"They all failed."
"They said it was nothing but a blank book."
Lin Yuan's eyes narrowed.
"Then why keep it?"
The old librarian chuckled.
"Because the academy's founder left behind one instruction."
He looked directly into Lin Yuan's eyes.
"If one day the book chooses its owner, give it to them freely. Ask no questions."
A moment of silence followed.
The old man extended his hand.
"You may take it."
Lin Yuan bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Senior."
As he turned to leave, the librarian spoke once more.
"Young man."
Lin Yuan stopped.
"Treasure what has chosen you."
"Many people spend their entire lives searching for destiny..."
"...while others unknowingly walk away from it."
Back in his residence, Lin Yuan immediately began cultivating according to the Evergreen Scripture.
He closed his eyes.
The Green Spirit Sapling swayed gently within his spiritual sea.
Instead of drawing spiritual qi directly into his dantian, he guided it toward the sapling first.
The sapling's emerald flower absorbed the spiritual qi.
Moments later, it released an even purer stream of energy.
The refined qi flowed through his meridians like a clear mountain spring.
Every circulation strengthened his body more than before.
Hours passed unnoticed.
By midnight, Lin Yuan's aura had become noticeably denser.
A muffled rumble echoed within his body.
His muscles tightened.
His bones emitted crisp cracking sounds.
With a burst of spiritual energy, he broke through.
Body Tempering Realm... Fourth Stage.
Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes.
He could clearly feel the difference.
His strength had increased by nearly half.
Even his senses had sharpened again.
He smiled.
"This scripture... is extraordinary."
Ordinary cultivation techniques refined spiritual qi through the cultivator.
The Evergreen Scripture refined it through his Martial Soul.
No wonder no one else could cultivate it.
Without a Martial Soul like the Green Spirit Sapling, the technique was useless.
The next morning, as Lin Yuan walked toward the training grounds, whispers followed him.
"Have you heard?"
"Wang Jie challenged Lin Yuan to a duel."
"The date has been moved up!"
"What?"
"It's now three days from today."
"They're going to fight on the academy's Martial Platform."
Lin Yuan frowned.
He had expected Wang Jie to wait until the end of the month.
Instead, it seemed Wang Jie had lost his patience after the Academy Trial.
Lin Yuan looked toward the towering Martial Platform in the center of the academy.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Three days..."
"That should be enough."
Deep within his spiritual sea, the Green Spirit Sapling rustled gently, as if sharing in his confidence.