After reading the book 'Mysteries of the Heavenly Continent's Prehistory', Kai was in no hurry to leave the Library. He didn't mind staying here for a while longer.
During his first look around the 5 levels, Kai had already spotted some interesting books and scrolls. Sometimes there were only small rolls on the shelves that didn't have much information on them. They could be brief records of a historical event. Or an explanation of one particular phenomenon.
However, Kai calmly put Kara Yomrah's book back down and went on with his research.
In this way, he spent about a fortnight in the Library almost without leave. During this time he read a great number of works and greatly strengthened his understanding of the world and its phenomena.
There were a great many obvious things that Kai had not previously thought about. As soon as he read a line, he would get the feeling that he hadn't noticed the obvious. It was as if something had been lying under his nose the whole time.
For example, he was once again convinced that all phenomena in nature are created with energy. Lightning, fire, storms, snow, and more, are simply variations of energy. Also, Kai realised more deeply that they are all in mutual balance and connection. The energy of water and wind provides the opportunity for the energy of lightning to originate.
The whole concept sounded rather confusing and incomprehensible. But in a nutshell, Kai understood what it described.
One of the revelations to Kai was that the Beast Race was not directly related to the animals throughout the Heavenly Continent. Previously, he had thought that even those beasts near the Border Beast City would gain self-awareness with proper cultivation.
But as it turned out, only certain of the beasts could evolve to such stages. Others are limited by their nature. The Beast Race treats ordinary animals similarly to the Human Race. For example, they also raise livestock.
At first, it seemed a bit wild to Kai, but if you think about it... Don't predators eat other animals? The Beast Race, on the other hand, were at the top of the food chain in their region.
Also, Kai learnt about the more detailed classification of the energy attributes that martial artists displayed. They were basically divided into:
Elemental - Which were related to the elements of fire, water, earth, lightning, wind, but also hiked from them. For example, the element of steel, ice, or fog. There were many variations of cultivation techniques and attributes. Sometimes, they gave off quite interesting combinations.
Attributes - Which give a martial artist the characteristics of a particular animal, plant, or phenomenon. Rather, they are attributes that are related in nature to a particular creature. When Kai read this, he thought that Fashur of the Border Beast City had just this type of attribute. Elder Brood also manifested a red, fiery snake. Perhaps he too belonged to this type of master.
Personal - Which manifested the essence of the master. For example, there are masters who cultivate their rage or lust. Or calmness and tranquility. Their attribute tends to manifest the qualities of the cultivator's personality and beliefs.
Unique - These are those attributes that do not fall under a clear categorisation. Their nature can be quite peculiar and mysterious. As a rule, such attributes are very few and extremely rare. Kai immediately realised that his attribute most likely belonged to the Unique ones. But that didn't mean that Unique Attributes were stronger than all other attributes.
Occasionally, someone could have a Unique Attribute with completely useless properties for combat. In the same way, other categories had their weak and strong representatives. Reading this, Kai realised that nature was amazing. Even in such things, she created balance.
Elder Brood had told him that on the Sphere of Attraction, a master could express his energy in a denser and more physical form. And on the Sphere of Star, the star itself receives certain properties of your energy.
After reading some of the writings, Kai confirmed that it was all related. There was no such thing as a master with the attribute of fire suddenly manifesting the properties of water when breaking through into the Star Sphere. Likewise, on the Sphere of Attraction, he wouldn't suddenly start compacting his energy into ice.
Everything seemed to be working smoothly and gradually. Only now, Cai thought more deeply into the term cultivation.
'It's literally like cultivating a plant... First you sow a seed, and then you take care of it long and hard. Until one day, that seed sprouts into a huge tree. It can't be that by planting the seed of a steel tree, you grow a bush with berries or vice versa.' - Thought Kai at that moment.
Cultivation was a smooth and gradual development. First one's body, then the Energy Vortex, and finally culminating in the Core. If you manifested the attribute of lightning at the peak of Cultivator, then in the Core Sphere as well, you would be an incredible master that specialised in lightning.
'Hmm... I wonder what I'll end up manifesting...' - Pondered Kai.
Reflecting on his energy, Kai only realised a few things. He felt that it instilled an instinctive fear in all living things and was incredibly destructive. Its colour was black and its texture was somewhat similar to fire, but there were differences. Its energy was slightly altering its surroundings... It was more like the distortion of air on hot days than flames.
Even straining his imagination hard, Kai couldn't come up with the slightest explanation for his attribute. He hadn't seen anything like it in nature or other manifestations. It wasn't an expression of his character traits or the traits of some animal. Rather, only Kessia might know something about it. But alas, she was currently in anabiosis.
With all that said, considering their first and last conversation... Kai wasn't sure that even when she regained consciousness, she would tell him anything.
All in all, Kai was very pleased with the time spent in the Shadow Sect Library. In a fortnight, he had gained a huge amount of useful information. He now realised that he had previously been just blind.
Master Mo had only given basic knowledge such as reading, writing, and other common knowledge. In fact, even that was a huge contribution. To teach a 7 year old boy from an orphanage all of this, in such a short period of time.... It was amazing! So of course, as a bonus, Kai got a bunch of stories about courting women and a warped sense of humour...
'I should have found something more about the Spirit Sea...' - Kai thought, putting the last book he had read on the shelf.
All in all, he had already learnt everything he wanted to know. Spending even more time just reading books would be a foolish move. After all, Kai needed to continue his improvement. Especially since he had set himself a task on the verge of being impossible. Namely, to enter the Top 100 Personal Disciples before the Reincarnation Island's barrier weakened.
Although Elder Brood had already told Kai about the Spiritual Sea, he decided to search for more information.
Wandering around Level 5, Kai was looking for something relevant... And suddenly, he saw a title on a bookshelf. It read 'The Nature of the Spiritual Sea'. But when he looked up, he realised the shelf was empty.
- Shit! Tsk...' Kai said irritably.
It turned out that someone had already beaten him to it.
- Is that what you're after? - A calm, bass voice sounded.
Turning round, Kai saw a tall and slender guy standing beside him. He had a rather peculiar appearance. His skin was snow-white, and his head was shining..... There was absolutely no hair! Although he had a relief and noticeable musculature, he wasn't huge in size. Everything about him looked aesthetically pleasing enough. This kind of appearance was a bit dissonant....
It seemed that this guy was indeed very handsome. But his very style and bald head were out of the usual notions of attractive looks.
Looking at Kai with a calm gaze, he held out a book to him.
- Haha. That's exactly what I'm after! Thanks Brother... - Kai said with a smile, and only then turned his attention to the guy's chest.
- Lonely Buddha. - Calmly he replied, giving Kai a hint.
'A lone Buddha? I think Brick told me that it was one of the strongest Personal Disciples...' - Suddenly realised Kai.
- Ooh... I was told that you're one of the best in the Shadow Sect... - Kai gave out thoughtfully.
He did it involuntarily, because he was a bit discouraged by the situation. Kai respected strong people, but he didn't quite know how the Shadow Sect behaved. Should he address this guy as 'Big Brother' or 'Master'. Kai wasn't comfortable with that, but he wasn't going to violate the Shadow Sect's foundations.
- Yes, that's correct. But I'm not sure about the accuracy of what you said. What I can say is that I'm definitely in the top ten.'' - Nodding, the guy calmly replied.
Kai was surprised by those words! But not by his self-confidence... From this guy's lips, they sounded even very reserved and modest. There was not even a hint of arrogance in the phrase he had given out earlier!