Chen Ling is always vaguely aware of Xiaohei's actions. This was normal as their link was the strongest and their souls inseparable.
She could tell that he entered the Divine Hall as well, even when the guard said he couldn't, but she didn't worry about it, as she was confident in the strong and clever Xiaohei.
She knew he probably didn't need her, as she wasn't that strong yet, so she put her attention to getting a strong cultivation technique.
A guard led the group of students down a spacious hall with large statues of ancient figures lining the sides. The statues themselves weren't all that impressive, as the budget for the building wasn't up to par, but the sight was still somewhat majestic.
"You're all elite students who've entered the body refining stage under the age 10. Even though some untalented people can't break through the foundation realms in their entire lives, you all are pretty much guaranteed to be core formation cultivators by the age of 20. But that's still a long ways off. What you need now is a cultivation technique that suits you and will follow you for he rest of your life." Teacher Wu began to talk about cultivation techniques.
"Once your body is completely refined by the worldly essence, and your essence passageways have been formed as a result, then you'll be at the peak of body refining realm. At this point you'll decide a cultivation method that will refine your internal qi into a new energy that can increase your health and assist you in everyday life." Said teacher Wu as a flame lit at the top of her finger and burned a slip of paper into dark ashes.
By this time they arrived in a large circular library with bookshelves laden with thousands of colorful books literally piercing the ceiling. One could see the shelves moving like a conveyer line into the ceiling or floor only for more shelves to appear at the opposing side.
With this no one needs a ladder or the ability to fly to look at books, just request it and the shelf you want to look at will revolve to you. There was also a computer if you want to look up something you're interested in.
"Don't pick the method that looks the coolest, prettiest, or strongest. You have to choose one that is compatible to you, that calls to you, and makes you feel like it's destiny that you've found it." Teacher Wu was saying some profound advice brought from experience as a senior cultivator, but unfortunately most of the students had long since left to run around the library without her noticing.
Chen Ling was one of the few who stayed and listened. She took this very seriously as her family would be heavily effected by the results of her future.
This she wandered, skimming over the thousands of books lining the many shelves. There was nothing but shelves upon shelves and books upon books.
Eventually everything began to converge together in her eyes, and she began to feel that she was walking in circles.
The more she walked the calmer her head became, and she began to faintly feel wisps of mist brush past her ankles and fingertips.
They seemed to guide her as the bookshelves seemed to fade into the thickening mist, and she could only continue to walk dazedly.
When she regained her focus she was in front of an altar with a statue before it. Unlike the statues from before, this statue looked so detailed one would think it's surface would sink like skin if you were to touch it.
It was an angelic woman with jade white wings and a smile that could topple countries, who seemed so warm you could dissolve in her arms. Her hand was extended, and a golden scroll layer on her palm.
Unconsciously, she already had her hand over it. Chen Ling was shocked, and intended to take her hand away, but even though the statue didn't move, it's inherent warmth seemed to comfort her, relaxing her mind. Before she knew it, the scroll was in her hand and the statue and altar had vanished.
She looked around, she was still in the library, and her surroundings were once again filled with books.
She saw her classmates looking at the techniques and her teacher assisting a student a distance away. She was very confused.
Suddenly an alarm rang out through the hall, and several guards ran in.
"Please evacuate the building! There's been an emergency! For your safety please follow the blinking arrows to your nearest exit!" An announcement on the loudspeaker. People flooded the halls as they all rushed to leave.
Chen Yan wanted to put back the scroll, but the crowd, like the tide drew her outside. As she was pushed out, she had a dreadful feeling that Xiaohei was in danger, and though not wounded yet, her blood boiled in response to his surging battle.
She wanted to find him but's he couldn't resist the crowd flushing her out the building.
She felt helpless, and tears began to fall like rain down her face. Her heart piercing regret that the mysterious and strong contract beast that she already considered her best friend, would leave her life after only a few days, and she couldn't do anything about it. Just like with her sister, who she was unable to support in her efforts to keep their family alive.
Her despondency grew heavier by the second when suddenly, her eye was drawn to something.
To the side was another shabby statue, just like the many others in the hall they were exiting, but this statue was a woman with wings she couldn't forget. It seemed to look at her, and it could've been her imagination, but she thought it had nodded.
By the time she knew it she was already outside the building, with clamors of noise of the surrounding students discussing what might've happened.
But she tuned it all out. Her resolve was set. She knew what she had to do.
She opened the golden scroll in her hand...