Hollow Building, Grand Archival Library.
The moment Zhao Wei took a step inside the majestic library, he felt as if he had entered into a separate dimension. Everything inside from a structural perspective was not like the outside environment. The self-contained air reeked of ancientness and knowledge. The space was larger and grander than the libraries he had ever used in his two lives.
While surveying every nook and cranny of the place, Zhao Wei moved toward the sparsely arranged floating stairs. The stairs led to the floor containing all the martial techniques imprinted on jade slips.
Silently, Zhao Wei took out a silver token and let it hover over his palm. With one hand clasped behind his back, he gracefully ascended the steps to 'omniscience'. Zhao Wei smiled internally at the thought.
Is omniscience a pipe dream or a possibility? Is it possible to have all the knowledge of the overarching universe? Does knowledge truly have an end? If knowledge doesn't have an end, then is omniscience fake? Ultimately, a person who claims that he knows it all, then that person truly doesn't know anything. Memories and knowledge change over time. They fade or are forgotten, but... What if the mind, soul, and body were eternal? Could that be considered having achieved the peak of Omniscience, transcending the boundaries of knowledge?
Zhao Wei slowly pondered, the silvery hues of his pupils shining with scholarly avidity. What he was theorizing in his mind was undoubtedly beyond him, but, where was the fun in that if he only limited his imagination to the present? The outstanding aspect of the Great Dao was its unrestricted reach. The Dao was meant for all people from all walks of life, talent, and cultivation. Even a mortal could comprehend the Great Dao if the opportunity arises. This sort of impartiality towards all living beings was truly a gift that many have yet to realize.
'Continuing this line of thought, if I want to achieve true eternity in mind, body, and soul... then I really have a long way to go.' The flames of ambition inside Zhao Wei were emboldened.
'Hmm?' Zhao Wei couldn't help but subtly smile when he arrived at the upper floor. There was silver mist everywhere, slightly obscuring visibility. Zhao Wei instantly realized it was the work of multiple ancient arrays. The array responsible for creating the mist was the Sensory Suppression Array, but it seems it was inactivated. The resources needed to maintain and activate arrays were stupidly expensive. Zhao Wei knew about that fact. If the array was activated 24/7, then the Broken Moon Sect would surely incur some heavy losses. You'd be surprised by the frugality practiced by big sects like the Broken Moon.
"Young one, pass your token over here," a throaty, old voice suddenly spoke, cutting off Zhao Wei's internal musings. It was a telepathic message.
'Oh? The artifact spirit or some elder stationed here?' Zhao Wei wondered as he threw the token to a specific region amidst the mist.
"You have a silver grade token, you can pick a High Class Mortal Skill," the voice instructed as the token swiftly returned to his palm. After that, a not-so-inconspicuous spiritual sense overtly scanned him. Zhao Wei furrowed his brows but didn't show other emotions despite feeling violated. If there was something that cultivators in general sucked at, then it was goddamn privacy.
Relaxing his facial expressions, Zhao Wei ignored the True Spirit Realm pervert guarding the library.
'It seems the artifact spirit is either dead or asleep. Could it be the truth I discerned from the world is flawed?' Shaking his head, Zhao Wei moved toward the floating jade slips. He sensed there was a sudden shift in the array that repositioned the jade slips in response to the token used. If you had a bronze token, then Middle Class Mortal Skills would be availed, and so on.
Zhao Wei began studying each jade slip, their description, effect, and requirements. Everything was summarized and to access the full content of the technique, one had to pick the particular jade slip and be done with it. As for Zhao Wei, he wasn't in a hurry as he wanted to read the wondrous effects of each technique. If possible he would have liked to 'steal' all the skills. The only problem was the current surveillance he was under.
'I'll show mercy all this time, bud. Next time, I'll come to say hi.' Zhao Wei schemed his plan silently as various models of the arrays and their corresponding flaws appeared in his mind.
'The «Primordial Stellar Energy Body Refining Arts» needs to be augmented further. It's not supposed to be limited only to the flesh, but encompass the energy and soul aspects. My current circumstances can only allow physique and energy refinement. Soul arts are rare, but extremely vital for survival.'
Before the heavenly principles and the chains of fate, what did it matter if one only had an invincible body? All aspects of a supreme transcendent must be equally balanced like forces of yin and yang.
Eventually, Zhao Wei decided to pick a High Class Archery Technique lest the old timer nagged him. It was called the Heavenly Meteor Extermination Bow Technique. When Zhao Wei merged his consciousness with the jade slip, he got all the information about the technique. It had three forms. The First Form: Ten Suns Overshadowing Heaven and Earth. The Second Form: Heart Lock Explosion. The Third Form: Existential Incineration.
As formidable as the first and second forms were, the third form was the one that totally amazed Zhao Wei. It wasn't about conceptual erasure, but literally being incinerated by the celestial fire into windblown ashes. The technique in itself had stringent requirements and restrictions, but they mattered not in the presence of unrivaled insight. Heavenly Meteor Extermination Technique demanded huge pools of true force, high comprehension talent, and one to be at least at the fourth sky of the Ascended Realm.
"So you've decided on the Heavenly Meteor Extermination Bow Technique, huh? Lad, are you confident in your comprehension abilities? As powerful as the technique is, many have failed to surpass the first form. The pursuit of Archery Dao is even rare and you would have to traverse that path by yourself," The True Spirit Realm elder finally spoke after sensing the technique picked by Zhao Wei.
"The technique will only waste your time and efforts. Pick something else if possible. That's the only advice I can give you. However, if you're dead set on practicing the technique, I won't stop you." He advised.
"I made up my mind the moment I touched the jade slip. The Heavenly Meteor Extermination Bow Technique and I are certainly fated. But thanks for your advice, elder. If things prove hard, I'll return for another suitable technique." Zhao Wei modestly cupped his hands with respect.
"Good, at least you're aware of your own limitations. You have a promising future, kid. Now scram!"
'This elder has such a nasty personality. You're telling me to scram as if you've forgiven me from a possible slaughter. Did I steal your wife or what? And please stop talking as if you are a diviner. It's a pity you didn't catch the hidden meaning of my last sentence.'
Zhao Wei scoffed internally before he began descending the stairs. There was no need to entertain that elder anymore.
After Zhao Wei left, the True Spirit Realm Guardian Elder sighed, impatience tinged in his tone. "When will my shift end? I just want to drink the Spiritual Bamboo Wine and slack off in the mountains. Ugh, it's a pity. Guarding the hollow building is a mandatory task for wasted elders like me."
If Zhao Wei had been there, he would have wondered if the elder was the uncle grandmaster, had a lazy sign-in system, or simply, was just a drunkard!
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