The urgency weighed heavily on his mind, but it also ignited an even fiercer fighting spirit in his eyes.
Without another word, Li Wen followed Wang Hu, hurrying out of the noisy classroom.
The two of them hurried along the skywalk connecting the academic buildings, soon arriving before the school's most well-stocked structure: the Bluestone Third Middle School library.
Upon entering the spacious lobby, Wang Hu moved with practiced ease toward an elevator on the side marked "Faculty Only," swiping a card to activate it. The elevator ascended smoothly as the numbers ticked upward, finally stopping on the sixth floor.
DING! The elevator doors slid open, revealing a quiet hallway lined with sound-absorbing carpet. Wall sconces on either side cast a soft, gentle glow.
Wang Hu walked straight to the end of the hall, toward a heavy metal door engraved with complex energy patterns. A plaque on the door clearly read: [Top-Tier Technique Room].
Wang Hu reached out and pressed the button for the doorbell.
DING-DONG!
After about ten seconds, with the faint whir of machinery, the heavy metal door slid silently inward.
An old man, hale and hearty with eyes as sharp as an eagle's, appeared behind the door. He stood ramrod straight, dressed in a simple training uniform. His gaze swept over Wang Hu before finally landing on Li Wen, full of scrutiny.
Wang Hu stepped forward to make the introduction. "Elder Han, this is my student, Li Wen. He has perfected his saber skill. As per the rules, I've brought him to choose a top-tier saber technique." He purposefully patted Li Wen's shoulder, as if formally presenting him.
Elder Han's gaze lingered on Li Wen's face for a moment. That piercing stare felt as if it could penetrate flesh and bone, right down to his very spirit.
He gave a slight nod and stepped aside to clear the way. "Mm, come in." His voice was steady and strong.
"This is his third time choosing a saber technique, so I won't go in. I have a class to get to."
Wang Hu pointed at his watch as he finished speaking to Elder Han. He then turned to Li Wen and gave his shoulder a firm squeeze, his eyes filled with encouragement and expectation.
"Choose well! Don't waste this opportunity! Head straight back to the classroom when you're done." With that, he turned and strode quickly toward the elevator.
"Thank you again, Teacher Wang!" Li Wen called out to Wang Hu's retreating back.
Elder Han looked at Li Wen and said, "State the names of your basic saber skill, advanced saber skill, and the foundational qi and blood cultivation technique you practice."
"Of course, Elder Han. Basic Saber Skill: Basic Twelve Forms. Advanced Saber Skill: Tiger Saber Skill. Foundational Cultivation Technique: the Splitting Blade Golden Killing Skill," Li Wen replied clearly.
Elder Han walked over to a console by the door and keyed in the information.
He then instructed Li Wen, "Stand in that monitoring area and perform the Tiger Saber Skill. Concentrate fully."
Li Wen did as he was told, stepping into the empty space indicated by the console. Holding his breath and focusing his spirit, he once again performed the Tiger Saber Skill, which he had just mastered to a state of perfect, effortless fluency.
The console flickered with a faint light, and an invisible wave of energy swept over Li Wen's body and the trajectory of his blade.
Just thirty seconds later, a prismatic holographic projection in the center of the console lit up, clearly displaying a three-dimensional list with information on four top-tier saber techniques:
Rainbow Light Saber Skill — Compatibility: 99.9%
Gale Saber Skill — Compatibility: 99.6%
Jade Tiger Saber Skill — Compatibility: 99.5%
Golden Dragon Saber Skill — Compatibility: 99.3%
Rainbow Light and Gale focused on speed and agility, while Jade Tiger and Golden Dragon were built for slaughter and overwhelming offense.
But the glaring "99.9% Compatibility" at the very top of the screen was like a lighthouse in the dark, instantly capturing all of Li Wen's attention.
"Elder Han, I choose the Rainbow Light Saber Skill," Li Wen said without hesitation, pointing to the technique in the hologram that moved like a fleeting shadow of light.
'Ultimate speed, combined with my Lv. 3 Absolute Focus... This is the path I crave right now.'
Elder Han glanced at the top compatibility rating, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Good. Choosing the one with the highest compatibility will be most beneficial for you, both for getting started and for your future advancement."
He said no more, walking over to the main control computer. After a few moments of work, he spoke.
"Your access has been granted. For the next three days, you can use your student ID card to go directly to the 'Top-Tier Technique Insight Room' on the top floor for immersive visual learning and initial comprehension.
Remember, three days! After the visual learning period ends, you must return to your regular practice classes. The final exams are approaching, and the combat practice in your Martial Dao class is also very important."
"Thank you, Elder Han!" Li Wen said with a solemn bow.
He accepted Elder Han's unspoken dismissal with another bow, then turned and walked out of the room, which was suffused with the aura of advanced cultivation techniques.
The metal door slid shut silently behind him, sealing away the weighty atmosphere inside. Standing in the hallway before the elevator, Li Wen clenched his fists.
'Three days! I only have three days to access the virtual recordings of the Rainbow Light Saber Skill! And the final exams are less than forty-eight hours away! Every second counts. There's no time to waste.'
He took a deep breath and pressed the down button for the elevator. The overhead lights reflected in his eyes, just as his newly chosen future, named "Rainbow Light," was reflected within him.
The door to a higher realm had finally opened a crack for him.