Upon ascending to the third floor, Hong Yuan immediately saw a Guardian Elder with white hair yet a youthful complexion, his bright eyes staring intently at him. This venerable Guardian Elder, brimming with vitality despite his age, was stroking his snowy beard and scrutinizing him!
"A Disciple of Lin Daoyan?" the Guardian Elder inquired.
"Replying to the Elder, I am," Hong Yuan responded politely.
The Guardian Elder slightly narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, a sharp gleam flashing within them, as if he intended to see completely through Hong Yuan. That penetrating gaze made Hong Yuan's heart tremble, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.
What an absolute old monster!!!
"Not bad, your innate talent rivals your master's. You're a good seedling. Go on," the Guardian Elder nodded in satisfaction.
"Many thanks, Elder."
Hong Yuan left the Guardian Elder's line of sight with utmost propriety, not daring to quicken his pace in the slightest. Only when he no longer felt the Guardian Elder's gaze did Hong Yuan's body relax a little.
Unsurprisingly, this Guardian Elder is very likely the legendary Martial Saint! Otherwise, he wouldn't have commented on me with the air of someone judging a junior far beneath him.
The mere thought that a suspected living Martial Saint might be guarding the Book Pavilion... Hong Yuan inwardly clicked his tongue in wonder.
The depths of Phoenix Creek Sect might be far deeper than I had imagined.
The third-floor Book Pavilion was empty except for the Guardian Elder and Hong Yuan; not another soul was in sight. It was unlike the second floor, which bustled with people browsing through Martial Skills and whispering in conversation. Here, there was utter silence, absolute tranquility.
Hong Yuan's Aperture was of the water attribute, Class A, making the cultivation of water-based Martial Arts Skills doubly beneficial for him. Following an inner pull, he soon arrived at the section housing Martial Arts Skills that resonated with his heart and then paused before the shelves holding water-attribute Martial Arts Skills, slowly filtering through the choices.
The number of fifth-stage water-attribute Martial Arts Skills wasn't as overwhelming as on the lower floors, where they were as numerous as stars; here, there were only a mere eight.
'Black River Golden Scroll,' 'Heavenly River Sword Scripture,' 'Kunyu Treasure Skill'
'Taiching Treasure Calligraphy,' 'Myriad Silence Origin Skill,' 'Nine Rivers Secret Skill'
'Overturning Sea Secret Scroll,' 'Abyss Multi-Layered Secret'
...
Hong Yuan picked up each Cultivation Technique manual in turn, examining their summaries and strengths. Although these eight fifth-stage Martial Arts Skills all belonged to the category of Cultivation Techniques, their areas of expertise differed greatly. For instance, 'Black River Golden Scroll,' while a Cultivation Technique, also leaned towards being a support-type Cultivation Technique. 'Heavenly River Sword Scripture,' also primarily a Cultivation Technique, was more inclined towards offensive martial skill types. 'Kunyu Treasure Skill,' another Cultivation Technique, favored Body Refinement and movement techniques...
After a cursory glance, Hong Yuan discarded 'Overturning Sea Secret Scroll,' 'Abyss Multi-Layered Secret,' and 'Heavenly River Sword Scripture.' He was not lacking in offensive methods; moreover, these three Martial Arts Skills all encouraged Cultivators to brave dangers and forge ahead, to cleave a path even where none existed. This was incompatible with his Longevity Martial Arts. He needed Cultivation Techniques that would aid his Gou Dao, such as those enhancing defense or movement techniques.
Which one should it be? Hong Yuan bit his lip lightly, pondering silently.
Before long, he had also eliminated 'Nine Rivers Secret Skill' and 'Black River Golden Scroll.' Both of these Cultivation Techniques required Cultivators to venture out and refine the essence of great rivers, which didn't align with his plan to remain secluded within Phoenix Creek Sect. If the Mysterious Water Snake Avatar could learn Martial Arts Skills, he would certainly have chosen from these two. But unfortunately, the Mysterious Water Snake Avatar could not learn them.
Although 'Taiching Treasure Calligraphy' is good, I would need to thoroughly understand Taoist methods, which is quite troublesome. Hong Yuan pondered for the time it takes half an incense stick to burn and then excluded 'Taiching Treasure Calligraphy,' a Martial Arts Skill from the Taoist lineage.
By now, all that remained before Hong Yuan were 'Kunyu Treasure Skill' and 'Myriad Silence Origin Skill.'
'Kunyu Treasure Skill'...
'Myriad Silence Origin Skill'...
Hong Yuan's mind repeatedly deliberated. If it weren't for the fear of displeasing the suspected Martial Saint, the Guardian Elder, he would have been pacing back and forth to stimulate his thoughts. After long contemplation, Hong Yuan once again looked over the general introductions of these two Martial Arts Skills.
'Kunyu Treasure Skill': In the Northern Ming, there is a fish named Kun. It tumbles rivers and overturns seas, its roar fells stars, it plucks the moon and swallows the sun, all in a single thought. With Qi to guide the spirit, and spirit to refine the Kun, every gesture harnesses the power of the Kun...
'Myriad Silence Origin Skill': When autumn waters arrive, a hundred rivers pour into the great stream. Of all the waters in the world, none is greater than the sea. Through spring and autumn, it remains unchanged, knowing neither drought nor flood. Vast beyond measure, its capacity is infinite. Drawn from, yet never depleted, its duration is endless. Unrestrained in aspiration, it greatly aids the arduous journey of the Tao. Moving without singularity, it aligns with the multifaceted Tao. The Tao has no beginning nor end, while beings experience birth and death...
Should I choose 'Kunyu Treasure Skill,' which includes Body Refinement as well as movement techniques, or 'Myriad Silence Origin Skill,' which excels in adaptability? Hong Yuan furrowed his brows, finding it difficult to make a choice.
'Kunyu Treasure Skill' complemented the 'Qinglu Mountain Moving Skill' very well, allowing Hong Yuan to potentially act as a divine marksman. 'Myriad Silence Origin Skill,' on the other hand, would allow Hong Yuan to understand profound principles like transforming water into ice, aiding the Mysterious Water Snake Avatar in solidifying a powerful Ice Talent.
Hong Yuan weighed the pros and cons of these two Cultivation Techniques, standing motionless. Both of these water-attribute Martial Arts Skills appealed to Hong Yuan; he wanted both, but he could only choose one!
Which one will help me more? Hong Yuan couldn't help but wonder, then fell into a long period of deliberation.
From the moment Hong Yuan had started selecting a Cultivation Technique, the Guardian Elder, suspected to be a Martial Saint, had focused his attention on him. Seeing Hong Yuan's struggle in choosing, he couldn't help but smile faintly. Years ago, Hong Yuan's master, Lin Daoyan, had also been caught in a dilemma when selecting Martial Arts Skills. Even with Lin Daoyan's straightforward and decisive nature, he had spent considerable effort before choosing the 'Heavenly River Sword Scripture.'
Will this youngster choose the 'Heavenly River Sword Scripture' practiced by his master?
「Two hours later」
Hong Yuan exhaled a breath of turbid air. He had made his decision.
It was 'Myriad Silence Origin Skill'!
The next evolutionary stage for the Mysterious Water Snake Avatar was a white-armored giant python that dwelled in the Icy Pole World. Therefore, it was essential for Hong Yuan to develop an Ice Talent in advance, and the stronger, the better.
Most importantly, my golden finger was never any particular Cultivation Technique, but my proficiency panel and the Mysterious Water Snake Avatar.
With his mind made up, Hong Yuan picked up 'Myriad Silence Origin Skill' and walked toward the Guardian Elder.
"Eh! 'Myriad Silence Origin Skill'?" The Guardian Elder exclaimed, furrowing his brows. He couldn't help but advise, "This Cultivation Technique is indeed good, but it places extreme emphasis on the changes of the four seasons and the passage of time. Although its cultivation isn't highly difficult, it requires the unyielding patience of water wearing down stone. With your exceptional talent, you could very well break free from restrictions and choose offensive Cultivation Techniques to strive for the top. Only then might there be a sliver of a chance to achieve the Martial Saint Realm through combat."
Hong Yuan knew the Elder meant well, but he had no interest in endless fighting. After all, he practiced Longevity Martial Arts, where the longer he lived, the more outrageously his talents developed!
Thus, Hong Yuan said, "Elder, I understand, but I am confident in 'Myriad Silence Origin Skill.'"
The Guardian Elder, upon hearing this, said no more. He had only offered a few words of advice to Hong Yuan due to his connection with Hong Yuan's master, Lin Daoyan, as he didn't want to see the young man waste his years.
But young Disciples have their own ideas. Let him be.
"Hmm," the Guardian Elder hummed. "You should be aware of the rules of our Phoenix Creek Sect, right?"
"Rest assured, Elder. I would not joke with my own life by sharing this Cultivation Technique with outsiders," Hong Yuan stated.
Hong Yuan stored the 'Myriad Silence Origin Skill' manual in his storage bag, bid farewell, and departed.
The Guardian Elder watched Hong Yuan's figure gradually disappear, shaking his head lightly. He turned, took a brand new copy of 'Myriad Silence Origin Skill' from the desk behind him, and sent it floating towards the shelf for water-attribute Cultivation Techniques.
Young people these days just don't understand the wisdom of heeding their elders; they'll learn their lesson when they suffer for it!