"Greetings Elder Tang," Lin Susu bowed with courtesy towards the elder.
Lin Tang who was meditating smiled and returned the greeting. "Ahh, young Miss Lin. May I ask what brought you here today?"
"This child wishes to enter to look at a few manuals," she asked. "I've broken through the first stage of Qi Refinement and need some techniques to practice."
Hearing her request, Lin Tang blinked a few times before a wide and grandiose smile grew upon his face, his eyes lighting up like fireworks on a moonless night.
"A mortal body stepping into the path of cultivation? If my old friends heard this they'd all laugh at me and take it as a joke! To think it happened to this old man! And right here, right at my doorsteps! My goodness." The old man started laughing hysterically.
'Why do all the elders talk to themselves?' She thought to herself with a confused yet awkward expression.
After a short while, the man waved his arm towards Lin Susu.
"Let this old man take you inside," he offered.
The entrance itself wasn't grand at all. Compared to the halls of the city, it was basically nothing. There was a desk and shelves. Only, each shelf had scrolls placed delicately inside it, all marked with symbols that Lin Susu wasn't familiar with.
Her brows creased when she took in the place.
Lin Tang followed after her with an ancient but relaxed smile, before shaking his head. "So, what would the young lady Lin like to start learning first? What type would be the easiest for a youngster such as yourself?"
"Defensive skill."
"Of course. A defensive skill..." He spoke quietly to himself. "Very well, follow me. These are defensive martial arts that would suit you."
Lin Susu didn't seem happy and said, "Something more flashy would be much appreciated. Something that has beauty in it."
Lin Tang paused briefly but he shook his head in defeat.
"Well, theoretically you can cultivate any technique since you're a mortal body. This is the only benefit that your bloodline has." The Elder turned around and glanced at the ceiling for a moment, then asked, "Do you mind if I give you a tip or two?"
Hearing the suggestion, a glimmer of happiness flashed through the eyes of Lin Susu before disappearing quickly.
"Please do, Elder Tang," she pleaded and he nodded his head.
He said, "I won't guide you through any profound points or knowledge that only someone who has learned for more than hundreds of years can obtain, but instead let me suggest a few books from different branches of the family."
"For example," he pointed to some titles, "there's a Fire Fish Technique and a Wood Tiger Technique in this collection, though they have no relationship. But if you'd like to follow a harder route, you can start with the 'Phantom Root technique.' That should be an ideal technique that may allow your body to get a stronger foundation while also giving you extreme speed. Plus you've just begun to practice the art of combat so, the wood and nature aspect will enhance the flow of your energy. I'm also assuming that you're going down the same path as your mother, so wooden techniques might be your forte. To summarize, for the next stage, I do recommend looking into an offense type skill."
"So, this is your option," Lin Tang said while he looked at Lin Susu.
Upon receiving such detailed knowledge, the corners of Lin Susu's mouth twitched a bit. Some of the technique names are a bit strange, like what the hell is Fire Fish? Aren't fish supposed to be a water type?
"Elder Tang, I don't mind taking the Phantom Root Technique, but the others are kind of a turn off, yeah know?" Lin Susu tilted her head and asked.
Upon hearing her question, Lin Tang was stunned a little and nodded his head.
"Well then, take the Phantom Root Technique first," the elder said and grabbed a scroll off one of the shelves nearby and passed it to her.
"What level is the technique?"
"Silver grade. Though a top silver grade technique."
Hearing his words, a smile grew on Lin Susu's lips. In this word, techniques are graded by ores. The weakest being Iron then bronze, silver, gold, platinum, diamond, emerald, and obsidian. The highest graded technique, Obsidian is something only those who are legends or gods in the world have.
Silver grade is the highest in the family as far as she knew, as a few of their founder's, or ancestor's have silver rank skills. Only Sect would have higher grade skill or your a part of the royal family or have a connection.
"Thank you elder, do you have any other techniques that are wood type? The difficulty doesn't matter."
He was about to answer before he recalled the age and said, "Miss, I do have one in my mind, but are you sure? I am afraid this book is meant for older generations. Many would take years just to grasp the essence of this technique. If you do choose this book, please let your father know about this."
"Hmm, Elder, is this technique worth the wait?"
"Without a doubt. Not only is the speed amazing and the protection for the body exceptional, its most potent asset would have to be the utilization of the nature element by using wood Qi. It's also said to give the user extreme levels of recoverability and can even heal a broken arm in battle."
"A book such as this has a name of its own, which means that this art's value surpasses any martial skill in the world." Lin Tang went on further, "It's name is the Emerald Swan Technique. Although it has the word 'Emerald,' it isn't an emerald level skill."
"However," he stated, "this skill is considered gold level technique."