As soon as Zhao Heng and the other two entered the Library Pavilion, Ye Bufan and Xiao Chuner headed straight for the second floor.
The two had already heard that the higher levels of the Library Pavilion housed more advanced techniques.
The first floor contained mostly low-level ordinary manuals and various mundane skills from the martial world, which they saw no point in wasting time on.
However, Zhao Heng chose differently. After quickly browsing through the first two floors, he decided to remain on the first floor for his selection.
The reason was simple: the second floor primarily offered attack and movement techniques.
At the moment, Zhao Heng was already practicing Stone-Splitting Fist and Bone-Melting Steps, neither of which he had mastered yet. Adding more martial techniques would only dilute his focus and slow his progress.
Moreover, for martial artists in the Postnatal Realm, the amount of energy and blood they could muster was limited. Having too many techniques without sufficient energy to use them would be pointless.
After careful consideration, Zhao Heng decided to choose a manual that would provide him with more practical help.
He browsed the first floor for half an hour before his eyes landed on a manual titled Vision Qi Technique.
Opening the first page, he saw only two lines of description:
"Harness the mind to detect Qi, fortify the soul, enhance the six senses, gauge an enemy's strength, and anticipate their moves!"
Zhao Heng's eyes lit up. Although the manual was only of low ordinary grade, its functionality greatly appealed to him.
The ability to discern an enemy's strength and enhance sensory sensitivity would significantly improve his ability to predict danger and avoid crises.
For someone like Zhao Heng, who prioritized survival above all else, this technique was an obvious choice.
Without hesitation, Zhao Heng decided on the Vision Qi Technique.
With some time left on the clock, Zhao Heng continued browsing through other manuals on the first floor. Many of them piqued his interest, but unfortunately, he could only choose one.
The Yuhua Sect had strict rules regarding the management of their manuals. To borrow even a low-level ordinary manual required spending a substantial amount of profound crystals. For high-level manuals, contributions to the sect were also required.
Sigh… if only I could select a few more at once! Zhao Heng thought wistfully before a bold idea suddenly occurred to him.
"What if I used my theft skill near the Library Pavilion…?"
But he quickly dismissed the thought.
Inside the Library Pavilion, Zhao Heng could faintly sense that they were being closely monitored from the shadows.
If a manual were discovered missing, suspicion would inevitably fall on the few people inside. Even if he wanted to use his skill, it would have to be done elsewhere.
Half an hour later, the selection period ended.
Ye Bufan and Xiao Chuner each selected powerful attack manuals. When they saw that Zhao Heng had chosen only a low-level ordinary manual, they weren't surprised. They simply assumed Zhao Heng was too weak to handle advanced techniques.
After completing the borrowing procedures, the three underwent a thorough body search before leaving the pavilion. This made Zhao Heng feel grateful he hadn't acted recklessly and attempted to use his skill earlier.
Once they exited the Library Pavilion and left the guards' line of sight, Zhao Heng bid farewell to Ye Bufan and Xiao Chuner.
He then made a wide detour around the Library Pavilion and entered a secluded forest.
Hidden among the trees, Zhao Heng mentally activated his skill:
"Steal!"
Before the servant assessment, Zhao Heng had accumulated several uses of Random Steal as well as one use of Luck Steal. He planned to use his skill to snag something valuable from the Library Pavilion.
After several attempts at random stealing, Zhao Heng found himself surrounded by useless odds and ends, leaving him disappointed.
"It seems I'll have to try the Luck Steal," he thought.
Gazing at the towering Library Pavilion in the distance, Zhao Heng couldn't help but hope for a powerful manual from the upper levels.
"Activate the skill!"
With the use of Luck Steal, there was a faint "pop," and a small embroidered pouch appeared in front of Zhao Heng.
The pouch looked vaguely familiar. Zhao Heng opened it to find two silver-black spheres, each the size of a pigeon egg.
"Exploding Thunder Orbs!"
Zhao Heng immediately recognized the items but was momentarily stunned.
"Why didn't I get a manual? How did I end up with two Exploding Thunder Orbs instead?"
He instinctively glanced back toward the Library Pavilion and realized the forest he was in was near Danquan Peak, one of the Nine Peaks, situated between the pavilion and his location.
At the same time, an elderly man with silver-white hair, who exuded an air of immortality, was briskly walking down the mountain path nearby.
Recalling an incident from over a month ago, the old man couldn't help but grumble to himself.
"Which scoundrel stole the Exploding Thunder Orbs I just developed? If I ever catch them, I'll make sure they regret it!"
"Hmph, at least I'm skilled enough to have rushed through making two upgraded versions. This time, I'm carrying them on me. If they get stolen again, I might as well bash my head in!"
The old man muttered smugly as he reached for his waist.
The next moment, his body froze. Frantically, he rubbed his waist with both hands.
Looking down, he saw that his waist was now completely empty.
The old man's face turned green in an instant.
"I… #%&@!"
Meanwhile, Zhao Heng pocketed the two Exploding Thunder Orbs and muttered, "Well, I didn't get a manual, but these orbs aren't bad either. I'll have to try my luck again next time."
Zhao Heng soon returned to the grass hut on Qingxia Peak and resumed his routine of secluded cultivation.
Day in and day out, he alternated between cultivating, studying poisons, and exploring various crafty survival techniques. He also began practicing the Vision Qi Technique.
Initially, Zhao Heng thought that without the modification from the Dao Seed Dice, learning the Vision Qi Technique would be extremely difficult.
To his surprise, he seemed to have a natural aptitude for the technique. His progress was remarkably smooth, and within less than half a month, he had already reached the beginner level.
After mastering the entry-level Vision Qi Technique, Zhao Heng noticeably felt his six senses grow sharper, greatly enhancing his perception.
At the same time, his cultivation continued to advance steadily. His eighth-level Body Refinement realm had become fully stabilized.
With a Body Refining Pill still in his possession, Zhao Heng planned to prepare carefully before using it to break through to the ninth level.
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, the mist outside the grass hut parted, forming a pathway. Yun Qingsnow, in a flowing moon-white dress, appeared gracefully, like an immortal descending to the mortal realm.
Although her demeanor remained calm and composed as always, Zhao Heng could clearly sense, thanks to the Vision Qi Technique, that Yun Qingsnow's aura had grown stronger. In addition to her natural, powerful presence, there was now an ethereal, transcendent quality to her.
Yun Qingsnow inspected the medicinal field. Seeing that the herbs were thriving and orderly, a faint smile graced her elegant face.
"Not bad. You've done well. Here's your wage for the month," she said, tossing a heavy pouch toward Zhao Heng.
Opening it, Zhao Heng saw 50 profound crystals inside.
His wages had increased fivefold compared to before, yet the work was much easier. She truly was a dream employer!
"Thank you, Senior Sister, for your generosity! I'll continue to work hard!" Zhao Heng said earnestly, expressing his gratitude.
Yun Qingsnow nodded lightly. "Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
Zhao Heng hesitated for a moment before asking, "Senior Sister, I'd like to ask about breaking through to the Bone Refinement Realm and becoming an Outer Sect Disciple."
As Zhao Heng's cultivation progressed more rapidly and his breakthrough to the Bone Refinement Realm drew nearer, he had begun planning for his future.
Given that Yun Qingsnow was an Outer Sect prodigy, she naturally had access to valuable information.
Sure enough, upon hearing his question, Yun Qingsnow looked at Zhao Heng with a hint of surprise before answering directly.
"In the Yuhua Sect, as long as you break through to the Bone Refinement Realm before the age of twenty and pass the sect's assessment, you can become an Outer Sect Disciple. However, breaking through to the Bone Refinement Realm is no easy feat."
Hearing this, Zhao Heng focused his attention, knowing he was about to hear something crucial.
Yun Qingsnow continued, "The so-called 'Bone Refinement' involves tempering the bones using profound energy. Some people are born with extraordinary bone structures, naturally attuned to profound energy, and blessed with exceptional physiques nurtured by heaven and earth."
"These individuals cultivate at an incredible speed, and breaking through to the Bone Refinement Realm is as natural as water flowing downhill, with no bottlenecks to hinder them. I am one of those people."
Zhao Heng's lips twitched. Such a boastful statement coming from Yun Qingsnow's mouth left him speechless, yet he couldn't argue against her confidence.
Yun Qingsnow continued, "People like me are rare. Most martial artists have average talent. For them, refining their bones requires years of accumulation, using profound energy and vital essence to continuously nourish their bones."
"Only when the nourishment reaches the bone marrow and generates a thread of 'Bone Strength,' also known as 'Inner Strength,' can they break through to the Bone Refinement Realm."
Zhao Heng knew he belonged to the latter category. Unable to hold back, he asked, "For an average person, how long does it take to go from the ninth level of Body Refinement to the Bone Refinement Realm?"
"At the shortest, two to three years. At the longest, over a decade. But if someone waits too long, their vital essence declines, their bones deteriorate, and they may never break through in their lifetime."
Zhao Heng was taken aback. His current body was already seventeen years old. Based on this timeline, it was uncertain whether he could reach the Bone Refinement Realm before turning twenty.
Fortunately, Yun Qingsnow provided an important piece of information.
"You don't need to worry too much. To increase the chances of breaking through to the Bone Refinement Realm, the experts of the True Martial World have developed various spiritual pills and elixirs."
"Among them, the Bone Refining Pill is the most effective. It can shorten the time required for a breakthrough by several times."
"Bone Refining Pill!" Zhao Heng's eyes lit up.
"Senior Sister Yun, where can I buy this Bone Refining Pill?"
Yun Qingsnow glanced at Zhao Heng and replied casually, "Though the Bone Refining Pill is rare, it's sold by the Seven Orthodox Sects of the righteous path. However, it's a bit expensive."
"A bit expensive? How expensive?"
"According to the price set by the Righteous Alliance, one Bone Refining Pill costs 500 profound crystals. However, due to high demand, it's often sold for upwards of 1,000 profound crystals."
"1,000 profound crystals!" Zhao Heng's breath hitched.
Even with the occasional windfall granted by his Dao Seed Dice, he had never come close to seeing 1,000 profound crystals in his life.
That number was staggering—far beyond what Zhao Heng could afford at the moment.
Seeing the disappointment in Zhao Heng's eyes, Yun Qingsnow hesitated for a moment before saying, "If you want the Bone Refining Pill at the lowest cost, there is another way."
Hearing this, Zhao Heng immediately sensed an opportunity and quickly asked, "Senior Sister Yun, you're a prominent Outer Sect disciple with a wide network. Do you have a way to get the Bone Refining Pill at a lower price?"
Yun Qingsnow gave him a meaningful look and said, "Why do you think I planted so many spiritual herbs and hired someone to tend to them?"
Zhao Heng instinctively replied, "Planting herbs is, of course, for refining pills. Wait, Senior Sister, are you saying…?"
Yun Qingsnow nodded. "Didn't I tell you? I also practice alchemy. I'm currently a novice alchemist, and I'm learning how to refine the Bone Refining Pill. I've made some progress."
"If you can gather the necessary materials, I can refine a batch of pills for you for free. Consider it practice for me, and you won't have to pay the high fees to hire an alchemist."
Hearing this, Zhao Heng's eyes sparkled with admiration for Yun Qingsnow.
She wasn't just an Outer Sect prodigy—she could also refine Bone Refining Pills? Truly, she was extraordinary beyond belief!
"Senior Sister, you're amazing!" Zhao Heng exclaimed, his face full of awe.
Yun Qingsnow was slightly flustered by Zhao Heng's exaggerated reaction. She casually said, "I'll write you a list of materials. Prepare them as soon as you can and come find me."
She handed Zhao Heng a handwritten list of materials before departing.
After leaving the medicinal field, Yun Qingsnow muttered to herself, "You helped me once, so I'll help you twice. That way, we're even—with interest."
"Though refining the Bone Refining Pill isn't easy, my master said my success rate is already quite decent. I've mastered the process enough to make it work… probably…"
Her last words, however, were spoken with a noticeable lack of confidence.
[--------------------------------------------]
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