Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
"Even just mastering the first three levels is enough for me now."
Xu Taiping was quite optimistic.
"That's right."
Fairy Lingyue nodded and then pondered silently;
"Logically, such a clever method of hiding books wouldn't be used only once by the expert who left behind the secret manuals. We should look around some more."
Hearing this, Xu Taiping also felt it made a lot of sense.
Immediately, he eagerly began to search with Fairy Lingyue.
However, after nearly half an hour of searching, they still hadn't found any other techniques hidden in the same way.
But it wasn't entirely fruitless.
"To think that among these Yellow Rank techniques, we found a Fire Bullet Finger technique derived from the Heavenly Fire Art. It's truly a worthwhile trip."
Fairy Lingyue smiled as she looked at the two Jade Scrolls Xu Taiping had chosen.
"Fairy Lingyue, this Fire Bullet Finger seems to have rather ordinary power."
As Xu Taiping searched for the final Fading Sunset Scripture, he asked Fairy Lingyue in his mind.
"Indeed, even if you cultivate the Fire Bullet Finger to its highest level, the flames it produces may not be able to break through Ye Xuan's Dragon Flame Armor."
"However, with just a slight modification to the flow of True Qi in two of your meridians, the power of your Fire Bullet Finger could triple, or even more."
"And once you break through to the Profound Realm, I can teach you how to improve the flow in the remaining meridians. By then, your Fire Bullet Finger can be called the Heavenly Fire Finger."
"Although it's far from the true Heavenly Fire Art, it's more than enough for your current level of cultivation."
Fairy Lingyue explained in detail to Xu Taiping.
Hearing her explanation, Xu Taiping understood why she valued this technique so much.
"According to what you said, Fairy Lingyue, this Fire Bullet Finger seems like a technique that elders of some sects would simplify from the Heavenly Fire Art to teach to disciples who aren't sufficiently cultivated."
Xu Taiping guessed.
"You're right," Fairy Lingyue smiled, then continued, "Some large clans and sects, to increase the strength of their kin or disciples without the techniques being leaked, would also pass on these simplified techniques to their disciples or members. Once they spread, they become these incomplete techniques."
Xu Taiping nodded in understanding.
"But I've never actually seen the true Heavenly Fire Art, so I can only patch up this Fire Bullet Finger based on the clues left on it. Its power will definitely not match the true Heavenly Fire Art."
Fairy Lingyue added.
"That's more than enough for me."
Xu Taiping smiled and shook his head.
He was very satisfied with the two techniques Fairy Lingyue helped him choose.
Since both techniques had been selected, they went directly to get the Jade Scroll of Transmitting Techniques for the Fading Sunset Scripture.
Just as Senior Brother Qingxiao had said, the Fading Sunset Scripture that Xu Taiping cultivated originated from the Fading Sunset Art. The character for 'incomplete' in its name came from this, so the Fading Sunset Art was the most suitable for the current Xu Taiping.
"If I'm not mistaken, this Fading Sunset Art from your Qingxuan Sect should be derived from the ancient Cloud Concealing Ancestor's 'Riding the Clouds Scripture.' This scripture encompasses all phenomena, and later generations deduced dozens of superior techniques from it. Although the Fading Sunset Art is somewhat inferior compared to those techniques, because they share the same origin, you'll have a lot of options when you decide to switch techniques in the future."
Fairy Lingyue also explained to Xu Taiping the reason she had him choose the Fading Sunset Art.
"The first time I practiced the Fading Sunset Scripture, it felt very right, so I actually don't really want to switch to another technique."
As Xu Taiping walked towards the counter on the second floor, he shared his thoughts with Fairy Lingyue.
"It's good that you think this way. After all, finding a technique that suits you, especially one for Qi Refining guidance, is harder than finding a high-level technique."
Fairy Lingyue fully approved of Xu Taiping's thoughts.
As they spoke, they arrived at the counter.
"Have you made your selection?"
Elder Qi, who seemed to have finished his tasks, was smiling at Xu Taiping.
"Yes, I've made my choices."
Xu Taiping placed the three Jade Scrolls on the counter.
These Jade Scrolls were sealed, and even if taken, they couldn't transmit techniques without Elder Qi first breaking the seals.
"You chose three Jade Scrolls of Transmitting Techniques?"
Elder Qi was somewhat surprised.
"Do you have enough Merit Points?"
He picked up the Jade Scrolls and asked Xu Taiping with some concern.
"Elder Qi, no need to worry. Aside from the Fading Sunset Scripture, the other two are Yellow Rank techniques. According to the price list, there might even be some left over."
Xu Taiping smiled.
"Oh, they're Yellow Rank techniques? What? You chose two Yellow Rank techniques?"
Elder Qi was astonished, then looked seriously at the Jade Scrolls in his hands and frowned:
"This… you… why did you choose two Yellow Rank techniques? Even if you chose three of these, they wouldn't be worth one Xuan Rank technique."
It was clear he was genuinely concerned for Xu Taiping.
"Elder Qi, no need to worry. I have my uses for these two Yellow Rank techniques."
Xu Taiping smiled and shook his head, not offering any further explanation, but his tone became even more resolute.
"Alright then."
Elder Qi shook his head helplessly.
He couldn't interfere with a disciple's choice, especially since Xu Taiping was so determined.
"You still have ten thousand Merit Points left. If you need, you can go to the Hundred Refinements Pavilion and pick out a good knife."
Elder Qi made a note on the bronze mirror, then handed it back to Xu Taiping while suggesting to him.
He had seen the competition that day.
In his view, if Xu Taiping had a suitable weapon in hand, even if it wasn't a treasured weapon, it would be much easier to deal with Ye Xuan.
"Thank you for the reminder, Elder Qi."
Xu Taiping's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
He hadn't thought that far ahead.
If he could get a suitable knife for those ten thousand Merit Points, he wouldn't have to carry six knives on his body like he did that day.
After bidding farewell to Elder Qi, Xu Taiping headed downstairs.
***
"Taiping!"
Just as he reached the bottom of the stairs, he saw a red-dressed girl waving at him non-stop.
Although it wasn't their first meeting, the girl's bright smile still inexplicably felt warm and familiar.
"Sister Linglong."
Xu Taiping walked over with the box containing the Jade Scrolls of Transmitting Techniques.
"You made your choices so quickly?"
Senior Brother Qingxiao also approached Xu Taiping.
Although Xu Taiping had spent nearly an hour, it was still considered fast compared to other new disciples.
"Yes, I've made my choices."
Xu Taiping nodded.
"Let me see, what techniques did you choose?"
Zhao Linglong was very curious and leaned in closer.
"Xu Taiping."
Just as Xu Taiping was about to open the box, he suddenly heard someone outside the Thousand Scrolls Pavilion calling his name.
"Huh?"
The three of them turned their heads together.
At the entrance of the Thousand Scrolls Pavilion stood a slender, pitiful-looking girl in green.
"Do you know this junior sister?"
Zhao Linglong looked at the girl outside the door and then at Xu Taiping behind her, asking curiously.
She didn't expect that besides them, Xu Taiping knew other disciples in the Qingxuan Sect.
Xu Taiping was momentarily stunned, then a name surfaced in his mind—"Liu Zijin."