After the significant events passing through the pathways.
Lu Zhou came to the sect's important grounds, the Martial Arts Library.
His goal was to search for any valuable information for his theory and a couple of basic knowledge in this new world.
The library was shaped like a tower, and each higher floor had less space. There were no windows and the only entrance was from the entrance on the first floor.
' I should give up on trying to sneak in.'
Lu Zhou was shocked to see this. The library had one of the top security measures throughout the entire Lu Main Family territory.
The entrance of the Martial Arts Library was crowded with hundreds of disciples trying to get in. Most were here to go up to the second floor, and Lu Zhou was one of them.
The outfit they were wearing was a deep white and not gray-colored. That usual branch disciple wore.
' The main family disciples? they certainly do takes their privilege thoroughly '
It was Lu Zhou's first visit to the library. Most of the disciples had already used their time on the first floor, but Lu Zhou had used that time to get his rank advance to had the right to enter.
Moreover, the Martial Arts Library was very important to the sect, and therefore had elders guarding it.
" Branch disciple?"
When Lu Zhou turn to enter, he was asked his identity.
The white-clothed elder inside the Martial Arts Library looked at Lu Zhou's identity plate and scrunched up his eyebrows.
" Great elder. "
Lu Zhou had a polite face on, then he discerned the elder strength.
From his memories, an old man and touching his long beard outside the sect's important place was enough to have the most basic knowledge to realize, that this was not a joke.
He also had the feeling that the white-clothed elder had already cultivated " Inner strength" to a high degree, it could destroy one hundred of him in an instant.
Only those that were at the 4th rank of the martial path or higher could have inner strength.
Lu Zhou took a bow and said; Elder, I want to go into the first floor of the martial art library. "
" Achieving the 2nd rank at 13 years of age is average. However, before you become an inner disciple, I must tell you that branch disciple and the main disciples have different treatments in the martial arts library."
The elder said firmly, and words on branch disciples were deepened.
When Lu Zhou heard this, he paused a second but then thought about the new rules of the sect and immediately understood.
" Elder, please "
Nodded in understanding, Lu Zhou knew that before having absolute power, he didn't have any right to discuss the rules.
Different places with the same mindset?
He thought about his previous world, and smile bitterly in his heart.
The white-clothed elder said with an expressionless face :
" Those with 2nd rank of the martial path can only enter the first floor of the martial arts library. The first floor has a lot of initial ranked martial arts, and a few middle-ranked ones. Main sect disciples had extra 2 hours inside and for the side branch disciples will have an extra of 1 hour. "
After listening to the new rules, Lu Zhou took a deep breath and said, " This junior understands."
Although the letter only said new rules will be implemented, this was Lu Zhou first hearing in on his face to face. His original plan was to enter the second floor was destroyed.
2 hours for branch disciples and 4 hours for the mains disciples. The branch disciples had only half of the quantity and time compared to the main disciples.
" Write your name down there."
With no fluctuations on his face, the white-clothed elder gave him a book that recorded all the entrances to the first floor.
Lu Zhou then received a colorful stone. Identical to the same stone at the entrance's table.
" You will be allowed 2 hours. If you go over the limit, you will be dragged out and punished. Make sure you check on time."
" Yes, elder "
Lu Zhou answered politely and entered the library.
_____
The martial arts library was an important ground in the sect, it had a collection of different martial skills collected over hundreds of years. They were used to help those of the later generation hoping that they could expand the family.
Usually, a sect's number and quality of martial arts determined how strong the sect would be. Even at the Cloud Step City, Lu Family branch, there wasn't even a martial arts library.
As he walked in, he saw entire walls covered with bookshelves full of books. In addition, there were bookshelves all over the place. The many rows made it hard to count how many books there were.
" Tch!.."
Lu Zhou was frustrated. In his previous world, knowledge was very important to anyone who sought it. He had never seen so many books like now, but something in his heart was so irritated that he felt nauseating.
Strength is crucial and knowledge was insignificant, but still, the words were enough to be able to make men's and women understand the meaning behind it.
Having this thought again, Lu Zhou went over and took out the first book he saw.
Immovable Fist
The words on the book were written down to the smallest calligraphy. The effort breathed with vitality to new generations.
Lu Zhou then began flipping the book. These martial arts usually had their summaries on the first page.
Increased in strength, the one-point attack can break through the wall with the thickness of four-man.
This... it's only the middle level of the Initial rank martial arts, but can kill four men in one hit?...
Lu Zhou's face contains a shocked and excited expression. Then he was confused. The core ranked martial arts skill he has been practicing this whole time was getting stronger and nearing the effect of the Initial ranked martial arts.
" So that's happened, my progress was too fast? "
This morning destruction to his own home has not yet been fixed. Although the yard was beyond recognition, he still has the brain to thought about the damage output he's released after the Iron Fist was promoted to the Initial level.
" But, it's was slow."
He had no deep background in the sect, and a person with no background or exceptional talent could not access higher-ranked martial arts. The Iron Fist he had was only a core rank martial art, and it was even weaker than initial ranked martial arts.
However, after breaking through to the 2nd rank of the martial path, he had the right to enter the 1st floor and choose a martial art.
The 1st floor of the martial arts library had several thousand books and every book was half an inch thick. To find one or two martial arts from such a high amount was not easy.
Also according to the rules, those that entered the martial arts library had a limited amount of time. So everyone that entered the library didn't waste any time.
Moreover, since the first floor had less important books, all the main disciples were on the second floor, learning the peak level of the middle-ranked martial arts. This was good for Lu Zhou to concentrate alone.
Shuah! Shuah!
Lu Zhou flipped the pages of the martial arts skills quickly to the 1st page.
It took him about thirty minutes to go through the entire book.
" This Immovable Fist was stronger than the core ranked skills by far, just as expected..."
Lu Zhou was pleased, then he tried to remember it after closing the pages.
Confirming he can recollect some of them, he retrieved a small booklet from his outer sect robe.
Then he began in his first copying the words upon the word of the martial art skill.
The martial arts library had restrictions. Disciples can copy any martial arts skill to their liking and learn it outside the library, but the book of martial arts could not be taken outside the Martial Arts Library. This is not only for the side branch disciples but also for the main family disciples.
Additional forty minutes was passed after he finished the first Initial ranked skill he acquired.
Whew...
Wiping his nonexistent sweat. Lu Zhou continued looking through any book he deemed useful.
After reading all the section's names of the bookshelves, he arrived at the bookshelf that had the words of origins of the martial arts engraved on the plate.
The books here had the basics of all martial arts and their origins.
" Ohh! found it "
What caught Lu Zhou's eye was the book called Origin of Internal Energy.
He flipped to the first page. But, he also takes the booklet he carried on and writes the whole word in the books.
Time passed by in a flash...
Another forty-minute passed. If the book was an inch thick, he probably needs more time than that.
Hu!
Lu Zhou let out a long breath. He felt tired, but it still, couldn't stop the excitement in him.
At this point, he had copying two different books, one for his cultivation and another one for the basics.
The Immovable Fist was an Initial ranked martial art. Although there were different martial arts like Palm Skills, Sword Skill, Footwork Skill, Defense Skill, and many more. Lu Zhou chooses was this instead.
This was because he had no time left after the glowing stone was fading It light away.
But he had no regrets. Furthermore, he was a little satisfied with his speed of copying the books.
Without wasting his time, he walked past the rows upon rows of bookshelves.
" Hmmph."
The elder at the entrance snorted. Lu Zhou had barely made it out in time.
" You can go now "
Lu Zhou bowed to the elders and leave. Looking at the youngster before him, the white-clothed elder shook his head and said, " These youths were in chaos..."
He believed that Lu Zhou's calm and respectful image was just a facade he showed to others. But inside, he was already dead. No guts to even look at his eyes when he looked down on him. Even if he could, what could a side branch of disciples possibly do?
______
Leaving the martial arts library, Lu Zhou looked forward to returning to his home so he could begin his training on the new martial art skill he just obtained. The sky was now quite cloudy, the sign of the rain.
As Lu Zhou was in good mood today, on the way to go home, someone appeared and blocked him.
" Lu Zhou "
I know this person?
Lu Zhou looked at the boy blocking him. He has the same clothes on him, identifying as the Lu outer sect disciples. Furthermore, his appearance was ordinary, with black hair and deep brown eyes.
" Yes? "
No such person was inside his memories after he continuously searching for the boy's image.
The boy that has the same age as him answers with an annoyed voice," What? you don't remember me? I'm Lu Chen, we come from the northern Lu Family. "
Huh?
' Lu Chen... his voice was identical but his appearance was the difference '
" What happened to you? "
" Well, the thing is...can we spar? "
Lu Chen scratched his face in embracement. Looking at his actions, Lu Zhou had a weird feeling.
" What kind of martial arts are you practicing for this kind of transformation on your appearances? "
The northern side Lu Family branch was many in numbers, but only 5 were chosen. Therefore, Lu Zhou wouldn't forget such a character. But the changes that occurred was only blind man can ignore.
Seeing the indifferent face on Lu Zhou but his word tells otherwise, Lu Chen was shocked.
What happened to him?
Although such little time was useless for understanding another person, the two of them had gathered before, and his perspective view on Lu Zhou was that of the impulsive and stone head person.
If not, he will not defend them at the entrance of the Lu sect family from the mockery of the elder grandson.
But looking at Lu Zhou now, Lu Chen thought that people would change with the environment and the cycle of times that occurred.
" It's not a martial art, this is my real face..."
Is that so
Not delving into the subject anymore, Lu Zhou asked about the request he just heard.
" Spar, for what? "
" We both at the 2nd rank of the martial path, it's common for disciples to sparring and understanding each other. Especially we're both are the side disciples"
Lu Chen's words speak the truth.
But...
" I'm busy, next time "
Cupping his fist toward the bewildered boy, Lu Zhou walked past him and continue to go to his house.
What he doesn't know was that, after he goes away, a main disciple of the outer sect came from the side buildings and stood beside Lu Chen.
In return, Lu Chen bowed his head as said
" I'm sorry, young master, this fella is stubborn "
Looking down from the side, the flamboyant young master said in cold tones.
" Next time... "
" Yes! "
Before the young master could finish his words, Lu Chen interrupted him and kneeled on the ground. Trembling and sweating.
" Hmmph! "
With that, the young master walked past the kneeling Lu Chen.
" Don't fail me, Chen Xiu "
The word rang out and reached his ears, Lu Chen stopped trembling and stood up. His expression was that of anger, but he targets his emotions toward Lu Zhou.
I will cripple you!