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--- Chapter 314 ---
"Is this the Book Collection Hall?" Han Yuan surveyed the space around him with curiosity. The others also examined their surroundings with keen interest, wondering what kind of place this was.
After jumping through the portals, Han Yuan and the others arrived in a space with white tiled floors, a water fountain in the center, and endless bookshelves that stretched as far as they could see.
Looking up at the ceiling, they could only see a starry sky, with shooting stars falling occasionally.
Gu Xun'er recalled some information and said, "If I remember correctly, the Headmaster of Jia Nan Academy, Meng Tian Chi, is a half-saint expert."
"He constantly roams the Dou Qi Continent in search of a chance to break through to the Dou Saint Realm." She concluded calmly, "So, this space must have been his creation."
"He's also a member of the Lei Clan, one of the eight Ancient Clans," Han Yuan interjected. "You forgot to mention that, Xun'er."
Gu Xun'er smiled faintly. "Sometimes, I really wonder where you get your information, Han Yuan. The Martial Union is one thing, but some information isn't easily known."
Han Yuan shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a mysterious person."
"Fine, just keep it to yourself." Gu Xun'er pouted, slightly annoyed as she continued to look around.
Han Yuan reached over and patted her head. "Alright, alright, my bad. But everyone has their own secret, right?"
Gu Xun'er enjoyed the pat and smiled a little, "Mm.
"Qing Lin, look at Xun'er hogging our brother," Xiao Yixian whispered to Qing Lin beside her. "Let's teach this bad girl a lesson."
Qing Lin nodded solemnly. "Yes! What Sister Xun'er has done is unfair! I won't forgive her unless she gives me that super rare candy!"
"..." Han Yuan wasn't deaf.
'When did I become so cheap that some candy would be enough to satisfy you?'
After separating Gu Xun'er from Han Yuan's pat, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin began to tickle the princess of the Gu Clan devilishly, making her plead for forgiveness.
Han Yuan shook his head helplessly and then glanced at Yun Peng, who was still serious. He commented lightly, "Don't be so stiff, Yun Peng. No one can know what happens inside the Book Collection Hall."
"As long as we don't do anything that will greatly alarm the Headmaster and the Guardian Elders, we can relax."
"Yes, Master!" Yun Peng nodded solemnly.
"I said to relax," Han Yuan sighed. "You can call me 'Boss' or something. It will make our positions feel better."
"Okay, Boss!" Yun Peng responded immediately.
Huo Yuhao stared at Yun Peng blankly and remarked, "So, have you discovered something? I noticed you've been surveying the space of the Book Collection Hall for a while now."
Yun Peng nodded and began to explain, "The Book Collection Hall's space is indeed strange, but I found that the central governing system seems to be the fountain."
"When I approached one of the bookshelves, the fountain launched a light ball at me, which contained a sealed dou technique. Catching it isn't really difficult, but opening the seal is troublesome."
"I tried this a few more times and discovered that the rate at which dou techniques launched out from the fountain is quite random, including the grade of the techniques themselves."
"So far, the best dou technique I received is a low-xuan rank technique, and it wasn't even suitable for my path. So, I threw it away."
"So, it seems to be really luck-based after all." Han Yuan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Xiao Yixian, Gu Xun'er, and Qing Lin stopped playing around and joined Han Yuan's side. They listened closely to the boys' conversation, deep in thought.
Han Yuan walked over to the fountain and examined it from all angles using his Eyes of Truth, smiling as he concluded, "I got it."
"Yixian, go west."
"Xun'er, you go east."
"Qing Lin, head north."
"Last, Yun Peng, take the south."
"On my mark, grab the nearest bookshelf and prepare for the fountain to shoot the dou techniques at you."
Xiao Yixian raised an eyebrow, "What about you?"
"Me? I'm going to stay in the center and sort out the dou techniques for you all," Han Yuan grinned confidently. "Just trust me."
After hearing his confident words, the girls and Yun Peng took their positions, forming a large square.
They exchanged glances, then reached for the nearby bookshelves.
Han Yuan spread his spiritual power, using Heavenly Demon Eyes and the Eyes of Truth, to enhance his perception, seemingly slowing down the world around him.
"Let's start the game, shall we?" Han Yuan calmly looked at Xiao Yixian, Gu Xun'er, Qing Lin, and Yun Peng. He raised his right arm as a signal for them to touch the bookshelves.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
Four collective sounds echoed through the silent library.
Suddenly, brilliant lights burst forth from the fountain.
Han Yuan observed the lights with sharp eyes and employed the Flying Thunder God Steps to snatch any dou techniques, but the outcome was disappointing—all he received were yellow-rank dou techniques.
"Again!" He quickly threw them away and signaled to others to reach for the bookshelves once more.
Dang!
Dang!
Dang!
This routine continued for nearly two hours, allowing Han Yuan to filter the desired and suitable dou techniques for his group.
Neither Hu Gan, Elder Bai, Elder Qian, nor even the Old Headmaster Meng Tian Chi would have expected a new student like Han Yuan, who could see past the sealing case for dou techniques to exist.
"So, what did you guys get?" asked Han Yuan while playing with the sealed dou techniques in his hands.
Honestly, since he could choose three dou techniques, he was troubled about what he should choose. So, he wanted to see what kind of dou techniques other choices first.
Well, it's not like he lacks dou techniques in the first place.
"Boss, I chose this dark-attributed dou technique. Even though it is only mid-xuan rank, it is the most suitable for me," Yun Peng showed his spoil, which was an offensive finger technique called Hell Thunder Stab. "I think my overall ability will improve a lot after learning this."
Han Yuan glanced at the Hell Thunder Stab and nodded, "Not bad. Once you master it, come to me, and I will improve the dou technique's upper limit."
Yun Peng was stunned. Who in the Martial Union doesn't know that most of the dou technique they cultivated was painstakingly developed and perfected by Han Yuan himself?
Yes, including Yun Peng's own core dou technique.
Now that Han Yuan said he was willing to refine Hell Thunder Stab, how could Yun Peng not feel excited and touched by his kindness?
"I will master Hell Thunder Stab as quickly as possible, Boss!" Yun Peng said with determination in his eyes.
Han Yuan chuckled and patted Yun Peng's shoulder, "I will be waiting."
"What about you girls?"
"Half-step earth rank dou technique, Molting Snake Skin Technique." Qing Lin said happily. Although she didn't obtain a 'genuine' Earth Rank Dou technique, this one suited her a lot.
Xiao Yixian raised a scroll and followed, "Low-earth rank dou technique, Freezing Core Qi. There aren't many dou techniques that suited my needs for Yin-attributed Dou Qi."
"This will do for now."
"You actually don't need this kind of dou techniques, right?" Han Yuan was speechless. "Why choose this one instead of something you can learn and then add to your own arsenal?"
Xiao Yixian harrumphed, "Hmph, it's your fault! How could I cultivate other techniques if the one you made me cultivate is already comprehensive and strong enough? To this day, I haven't mastered the sixth stage of Nine Yin Mysterious Force!"
Han Yuan cleared his throat, "Ehem, what about you, Xun'er?"
Gu Xun'er put on a smug look, "I got a low-earth rank dou technique called Profound Wind Dragon Kick."
"It is both offensive and movement dou techniques."
"Han Yuan, since it's wind-attributed dou technique, we can learn it together."
"After all, there are no rules that one who obtained the dou technique can't teach it to others."
Han Yuan smiled, "Alright, let's learn it together later."
"..." Xiao Yixian.
"..." Qing Lin.
Meanwhile, Yun Peng gave Han Yuan an admiring look. As expected of his boss, he could even get a beauty like Gu Xun'er chasing after him.
Xiao Yixian rolled her eyes at Gu Xun'er and asked Han Yuan, "Enough about us, what kind of dou techniques did you choose then?"
"You can pick three, so each of them must be precious..."
Han Yuan put on a wry smile, "I don't know about that..."
Under the gazes of Xiao Yixian and others, Han Yuan casually pulled three ordinary-looking scrolls, and they almost couldn't believe their eyes.
"Y-You choose these?" asked Xiao Yixian as everyone stared at Han Yuan in disbelief.