The Scripture Pavilion stood three stories tall, an imposing structure of dark mahogany and glazed tiles. For Outer Sect disciples, only the first floor was accessible, housing low-tier Yellow Rank techniques.
Lin Xuan stepped inside, the smell of old paper and incense greeting him. He walked past rows of shelves, ignoring the popular techniques like Tiger Fist or Iron Skin. Those required weeks of brute force training, and Lin Xuan didn't have that kind of time. He needed speed. He needed something lethal.
He found it in a dusty corner of the sword section. A thin, tattered manual titled The Gale Wind Blade.
He picked it up. "Yellow Rank, Middle Tier. Price: 5 Spirit Stones."
It was cheap for a Middle Tier manual. Most cost at least ten. Lin Xuan flipped it open and read the introduction. 'To master the Gale Wind, one must perceive the flow of air. Requires high spiritual perception. Difficult to train. Low success rate.'
"That explains the price," Lin Xuan murmured. In the cultivation world, difficult techniques were often discarded for easier ones.
He took the manual to the front desk. An elderly man with a white beard was dozing off behind the counter.
"Elder, I would like to purchase this," Lin Xuan said, placing the manual and five spirit stones on the desk.
The elder opened one eye, glanced at the manual, and then at Lin Xuan. "The Gale Wind Blade? Kid, three disciples returned this manual just last month. It's useless unless you have a Wind Spirit Root or exceptional perception. Save your stones."
"I'm willing to take the risk," Lin Xuan said calmly.
The elder shrugged, sweeping the stones into a drawer. "Your funeral. Copy the contents within two hours and return the original. No refunds."
Lin Xuan bowed and took the manual to a quiet table. As he read, he didn't just memorize the words. He touched the manual with his fingertip, channeling a wisp of Qi from the Samsara Bead.
Hum.
Information flooded his mind. It wasn't just text; it was intent. The Samsara Bead was deconstructing the technique, breaking it down into its purest form.