Chapter 29: The Library Pavilion

“Red! It’s actually a red jade token!”
“She’s still so young, it can’t be a reward she earned. Did she exchange points for it?”
“That’s impossible! The red jade token demands an immense amount of points. How could she have accumulated so many at her age?”
“Why not? Did you see her identity token? It’s red. Clearly, her elders gave it to her.”
“I remember now—she’s the daughter of our senior brother! Yes, last time I visited the academy, the sect master personally escorted her there.”
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The crowd buzzed with speculation as Ji Jiuxuan, bearing her red jade token, stepped through the colossal gate.

A surge of spiritual energy rippled around her. The moment she crossed the threshold, the environment transformed completely. Countless books floated in her midst, the space so vast that Ji Jiuxuan doubted she could explore all its volumes in a month.

Raising her gaze, she saw words materialize above in the void: the Fifth Floor.

The Fifth Floor! She was on the Fifth Floor!

Ji Jiuxuan was taken aback. Her junior uncle had previously mentioned fighting for an opportunity on her behalf, but she hadn’t thought much of it—never imagining she’d enter the place every disciple yearned for.

The Library Pavilion of the Xuantian Sect had a total of six floors. No one had ever entered the sixth floor. Newly initiated disciples were allowed a single entry to the first floor. The second floor could be accessed by exchanging points, while the third floor was usually reserved as a reward for sect competitions and trials.

Both the fourth and fifth floors required enormous contributions to the sect for one to apply, though exchange by points was also possible—yet the required sum was astronomical, unattainable for most.

Ji Jiuxuan advanced, the black void beneath her feet rippling with concentric circles of light.

“System, do you know any method to select the most suitable cultivation technique from here?” The vast, empty black space and the glowing books left Ji Jiuxuan at a loss.

“Trust your intuition,” replied the system.

It was a casual question, yet the system’s answer enlightened her.

She closed her eyes, attuning herself to her surroundings.

Time ticked by, and the silence was broken as one or two glowing books began to soar towards her.

Sensing the change, Ji Jiuxuan opened her eyes, and was dumbfounded by the sight.

The radiant books encircled her, layer upon layer.

Her petite figure stood in the void’s black expanse, looking quite lost.

This was a lot of books.

She raised her hand to take one, and instantly the other books pressed closer.

Ji Jiuxuan wondered: if she took the book in front of her, would the rest crowd in as well?

She timidly returned the book, and the others remained stationary, refusing to retreat.

Outside, the elder reclining in the rocking chair caught sight of this scene and couldn’t help but laugh.

A breeze brushed by, and the elder vanished from his seat. The disciple distributing jade tokens sensed something and instinctively turned around.

Upon realizing the elder was gone, he was surprised; the ancestor who guarded the Library Pavilion had not left his post in ages. What could have drawn him away today?

Inside the Fifth Floor, a flash of white light split the black void and the elder appeared near Ji Jiuxuan.

“Don’t make a fuss.”

His deep voice carried immense authority; the books trembled and flew back, unveiling Ji Jiuxuan.

Some books, apparently undeterred by the elder, remained stubbornly in place.

Ji Jiuxuan turned and recognized the elder from the entrance. She bowed respectfully, “Thank you, senior, for your assistance.”

Without his intervention, she would have been locked in a struggle with the books.

She had asked the system whether there was another solution, and its answer was that if she selected the strongest technique, the others would retreat.

Under the elder’s pressure, most books withdrew, but nearly ten lingered, refusing to leave.

The books seemed locked in a standoff, awaiting her choice.

“Senior, aren’t they afraid of you?”

The sentience of these books was astonishing—were they all so forceful?

Moreover, weren't high-level techniques supposed to be proud and aloof? Why did each insist on being chosen by her?

Was she some sort of prized delicacy?

“Yes, they aren’t afraid of me,” the elder replied helplessly.

He smiled, “Child, pick whichever you like and take it with you.”

Ji Jiuxuan didn’t rush to examine the books, but carefully asked, “Senior, do you know what these books are? May I look at their contents first?”

“You may view them one by one. No need to touch—just use your spiritual sense to perceive their details.” The elder had witnessed her cautious demeanor and smiled at her reluctance to reach out again.

She was probably worried the books would crowd her face once more.

“Thank you, senior!”

She extended her spiritual sense, focusing on the first book. It was marked as a fire-type sword technique: Light Fire Shadow Sword, a mid-tier celestial-grade technique.

The second book was named Shadow Step, a speed-enhancing body technique with potential for further advancement, a top-tier celestial-grade technique.

A body technique at the top celestial grade—such a skill piqued her curiosity.

Although she did lack such a technique, she resolved to examine all the options before deciding.

The third book was Feather Arrow Technique, teaching bow and arrow mastery. Mastery of it would enable one to destroy a city with a single arrow—also a top-tier celestial-grade technique.

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Ji Jiuxuan reviewed the ten techniques in front of her, puzzled. Weren’t celestial-grade techniques supposed to be extremely rare? Why were there so many here, all fire-type?

If someone mastered them all, a single fire-type spiritual root could produce an unbeatable powerhouse.

“Senior, may I choose one from here?” She realized she had forgotten to ask before entering.

“Yes, each person may select one. However, if you fully master your chosen technique, I’ll permit you to return and select another.” In all his years, the elder had never seen so many celestial-grade techniques vying for a single person’s selection.

This was her fortune, perhaps also a blessing for the Xuantian Sect.

Ji Jiuxuan noticed her identity token was indeed marked with an additional opportunity, her heart brimming with joy—an unexpected windfall.

“Thank you, senior!”

Since seeing the Fifth Floor’s inscription, Ji Jiuxuan understood that even with her sect master grandfather, this place was not to be entered lightly.

What method had Nie Xingyuan employed to secure her this opportunity remained unknown; she hoped it hadn’t come at too great a cost.

Unexpectedly, she had acquired another chance, though it was for the future—the number was marked, after all.

“Have you decided which one to choose?”