The library is a crucial place for a sect as it houses various martial arts manuals. The number and quality of these manuals often determine the power and heritage of a sect.
The external sect's library is divided into three levels. The first level contains mostly lower-grade yellow-rank martial arts and techniques, with only a few mid-grade ones. The second level stores the treasures of the library, with almost all mid-grade and even some high-grade yellow-rank techniques. As for the highest level, only external disciples who have reached at least the fifth level of the pulse-condensation realm and ranked within the top one hundred external disciples are qualified to enter.
The third level is the true treasure trove of the external sect of Qingyun Sect. While the quantity of martial arts and techniques might not be that high, any of them would have been regarded as a priceless treasure if they were in some of the major families of Cangyan Kingdom.
However, for Ye Changkong, even the martial art at the top level would only serve an exaggerated purpose.
"If I weren't stuck here and had to slap that old man guarding the door, none of this would have happened."
"What kind of junk is stored here? How can they compare to my 'Immortal God Emperor Jue'?"
"If it weren't for most of the martial arts I remember being too advanced for you right now, why bother coming here and scavenging through this garbage?"
Ever since she stepped into the library, Qin Yaoran had been chattering non-stop. She felt greatly disrespected when the book she had imparted to Ye Changkong, "Immortal God Emperor Jue," was belittled by the librarian.
"Alright, Yaoyao, stop talking now," Ye Changkong rolled his eyes, already developing calluses in his ears.
The first level has a variety of dedicated personnel to organize books and each type of manual is placed in different areas. Ye Changkong went straight to the area where fist techniques were displayed, intending to choose a fist technique and body technique.
However, with more than two hundred books under the fist category alone, it made him dizzy at first glance.
Cracking Fist, Frosty Fist, and Furious Killing Fist...
"Hmm? Isn't this the yellow-rank mid-grade Tiger Roaring Long Fist that Zhang Fan practices?" Ye Changkong murmured, his eyes stopping briefly on the book.
"What kind of trash are you trying to see in this worthless martial art book?" Qin Yaoran's voice sounded coldly, with no affection.
"Yaoyao, even though these martial arts here may be junk, they are still martial arts after all. If I don't choose them, what should I use to fight against others? Do I still have to rely on those low-grade fist techniques I learned in the Ye Family?"
The grade of martial arts and techniques is divided into four levels: heavenly, earthly, profound, and yellow. Each of the four levels is further divided into lower, middle, upper, and exquisite. The higher the grade of the technique, the rarer and more powerful it is.
"Well, that makes sense, who made me yours now? I'll help you pick out some." Qin Yaoran had reluctantly agreed to help Ye Changkong. She used her spiritual power to scan these dusty manuals to find the most suitable ones for Ye Changkong.
"Well, this Furious Killing Fist barely passes and, coincidentally, complements the characteristics of your Immortal God Emperor Jue," she said as she plucked out the book.
"Left-hand side, third row, sixth cabinet," pointing the way for Ye Changkong.
"Yaoyao, you're amazing."
Ye Changkong praised Qin Yaoran, taking the book with a smile. He flipped it open casually and glanced at it.
Furious Killing Fist uses the anger of the martial artist's blood and qi to assist in exerting force. The clearer the anger, the greater the explosive power. However, if the amount of flesh and blood were insufficient, forcibly implementing this technique could cause damage.
While Furious Killing Fist was a strong martial art, overuse would damage one's body. As for Ye Changkong, with his Immortal God Emperor Jue, he had the physical ability to manipulate his flesh and soul perfectly, thus avoiding the weakness of Furious Killing Fist.
"Too bad this book doesn't have the last move, which is the most powerful move," Qin Yaoran said.
"But if it weren't for that, this book wouldn't have been placed on the first level."
Furious Killing Fist has three moves, the first two having mid-grade yellow-rank power, known as 'Anger' and 'Killing,' respectively. The last move, 'Rise from Blood and Anger,' has formidable power comparable to the exquisite-grade yellow-rank techniques.
"Don't worry; it's only a mere yellow-rank technique. I can complete the book. Just give me some time to figure it out," Qin Yaoran said.
"That's great!" Ye Changkong felt relieved. If it was completed, furious Killing Fist could become solid yellow-rank technique with formidable power.
Yellow-rank martial arts were rare in the external sect. Ninety percent of disciples couldn't obtain such manuals, and only a small number of them could be found in the third level of the library. However, the requirements to reach the third level were too strict.
Therefore, Ye Changkong went to the area where body techniques were stored, and Qin Yaoran helped him pick up a body technique called "Chasing Wind Step." It was an explosive body technique that, when perfectly practiced, could instantly double the speed of the martial artist.
Martial arts are roughly divided into five stages: beginner, initial proficiency, advanced proficiency, perfection, and enlightenment. This makes Furious Killing Fist and Chasing Wind.
With time running short, Ye Changkong couldn't afford to waste any time. As soon as he entered the quiet room, he opened the secret book and began memorizing it.
Originally, he had planned to just memorize everything, forcibly imprinting the techniques of two martial arts into his mind.
However, as he flipped through the pages of the Wujijin, Ye Changkong suddenly realized that not only did he memorize everything quickly, but he also understood it perfectly!
"Is it really this simple!?" Ye Changkong was genuinely surprised.
During his time in the Outer Sect, he heard people say that mastering a martial art requires countless rehearsals and a thorough understanding of any mysteries it contains.
For an Outer Sect disciple, to even become proficient at using a Yellow-grade martial art, it may take ten days or even a month.
If one wanted to master it perfectly, even a disciple with better aptitude would have to spend a year or more practicing, let alone those with low aptitude.
But Ye Changkong felt that if he weren't in the quiet room of the library, he could have even displayed the "Angry Kill Fist" and the "Chasing Wind Step" on the spot.
"You can enjoy yourself quietly."
Seeing Ye Changkong's excited expression, Qin Yaorao bragged: "I was once a talented person. Even some Earth-grade martial arts, I could understand at a glance. You just inherited one percent of my talent."
Hearing Qin Yaorao's words, Ye Changkong widened his eyes.
The profundity of Earth-grade martial arts is far beyond that of Yellow-grade ones.
Qin Yaorao could easily understand some Earth-grade martial arts at a glance, how extraordinary is her martial talent?
However, Ye Changkong soon came to understand.
Being called a talented person, out of thousands of people, was a sky-defying existence. Otherwise, what is a talented person? They make even the heavens proud.
Three hours passed quickly.
Prompted by a disciple of the library, Ye Changkong left the quiet room and returned the two books to their original location.
However, he had already imprinted everything in his mind.
With confidence, Ye Changkong smiled: "I have mastered the basic essentials of 'Angry Kill Fist' and 'Chasing Wind Step.' If I practice diligently after leaving here, I should be able to perfect my skills in a few months."
However, as soon as he walked out of the library, Ye Changkong's brow furrowed slightly.
Outside the library, not far away, a group of Outer Sect disciples were making a lot of noise: "Go back, all of you, come back tomorrow if you want to enter the library."
"Why don't you let me in?" Many Outer Sect disciples who were barred from entering were very resentful.
"Why not?" The leader of the group, He Cheng, shook his head and growled viciously: "We are all here for Senior Brother Zhang Tie's business. Senior Brother Zhang Tie has been ordered by the Enforcement Hall to come here and capture the criminal Ye Changkong. If too many people mess around, he might get away. Can you afford the responsibility?"
Most of the people around were ordinary Outer Sect disciples who dared not provoke Zhang Tie, who ranked among the top 100 in the Outer Sect. At this point, they closed their mouths and dared not speak up.
Many people could only sigh their misfortune and leave on the spot to wait until tomorrow.
Some people stayed behind to watch the excitement.
"They're definitely here for me."
Ye Changkong sneered and went straight over.
Beside He Cheng, a disciple of the Second Hall of the Outer Sect immediately shouted loudly, "He Cheng Senior Brother, he, he's here. He's Ye Changkong!"
He Cheng falsely exerted his authority and shouted arrogantly, "Are you Ye Changkong? How dare you! Even Senior Brother Zhang Tie's cousin was abused by you. Take him down!"
"Get lost."
Before the other Outer Sect disciples around He Cheng could surround Ye Changkong, he had already taken a step forward.
"You...you..." He Cheng's face turned red and his fingers trembled as he pointed at Ye Changkong.
Before everyone, having been scolded by a new disciple from the miscellaneous Hall, why did this seem so shameful?
Whether it was because Ye Changkong shook him or whether he was angry, He Cheng hesitated for half a day and didn't speak for a long time despite pointing at Ye Changkong repeatedly.
Ye Changkong sneered, "Who are you? I told you to get lost. If Zhang Tie wants revenge, let him come himself. You guys aren't even qualified!"
"You're looking for death!" He Cheng was humiliated in public and immediately became angry. He punched Ye Changkong firmly in the chest.
He Cheng was at least at the second level of the pulse-condensation stage. This punch was full of strength, and there was even hidden martial art profound meaning.
"It's you who is looking for death!"
Ye Changkong coldly shouted. His anger surged within his Qi and blood, following the surge of Ling Li in his Dantian, congealing onto his fists.
There was a faint red luster on his fist. The "Angry Kill Fist" was instantly executed!
"Ye Changkong may die before Zhang Tie arrives. Although He Cheng's cultivation level is lower, his 'Lieshi Fist' has reached the realm of preliminary success."
"Ye Changkong dares to fight with He Cheng. If he's hit by this punch, his whole arm might be broken."
Around them, many Outer Sect disciples who were watching discussed in low voices (To be continued).