What Awaits Beyond the Horizon of the Six Great Skills?

"Why are we even in the library?" Zi Qian grumbled, his frustration evident as he sat with legs crossed, chin resting in his hands. Annoyed, he watched Yu Xuan engrossed in books, oblivious to his surroundings. "Aren't you supposed to be knowledgeable?" he prodded, met with silence. "Say something, anything!" Zi Qian pleaded, exasperated by the lack of response. His outburst echoed in the quietude of the library, amplifying the awkwardness between them.

"Looks like this library is all about magic spells and cultivation techniques," Yu Xuan remarked, closing the books with a decisive thud before rising to his feet. "But do you think there might be a secret or forbidden library hidden somewhere?" he inquired, his eyes glinting with curiosity. Zi Qian furrowed his brow in confusion. "I'm afraid I'm not much of a reader," he admitted sheepishly. "But let's explore and see if we can find any clues or hidden mechanisms."

Zi Qian and Yu Xuan meticulously combed through the vast expanse of the library, their fingers delicately tracing the spines of countless tomes in search of any hidden mechanism. Despite their thorough examination, the elusive trigger remained elusive, leaving Zi Qian feeling disheartened as he slumped into a nearby chair. "Your theory seems flawed. I doubt there's a forbidden library here," he remarked, his voice tinged with frustration.

Yu Xuan shook his head adamantly, his expression determined as he refuted Zi Qian's assertion. "That can't be. In an esteemed academy like this, there are bound to be volumes containing powerful spells, arcane knowledge, and perhaps even forbidden practices. Such texts are often safeguarded in hidden chambers," he countered, his eyes scanning the shelves with unwavering focus.

Just as Zi Qian was about to suggest abandoning their search, Yu Xuan's sharp intake of breath caught his attention. "Wait!" Yu Xuan's voice cut through the air like a blade, commanding Zi Qian's full attention. "Do you see that?" he exclaimed, his finger pointing towards a dragon statue nestled amongst the shelves. Zi Qian followed Yu Xuan's gaze, his eyes widening in recognition as he beheld the intricate statue. Carved from polished jade, the dragon's sinuous form coiled gracefully around a pedestal, its iridescent scales shimmering in the ambient light.

Zi Qian trailed behind Yu Xuan as they approached the dragon statue, his curiosity piqued by Yu Xuan's observation. "But it's just a statue, right? What's so special about it?" he queried, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Look closely," Yu Xuan urged, gesturing towards the dragon's head. "Do you notice anything peculiar about its placement?" Zi Qian squinted at the statue, his eyes darting from its serpentine form to its meticulously carved features. "The dragon's head is facing away from the entrance," Yu Xuan pointed out, his voice tinged with excitement. "In Feng Shui, the orientation of a dragon statue is crucial for harmonizing the flow of energy within a space."

Zi Qian's eyes widened in understanding as Yu Xuan continued to explain, his words painting a vivid picture of the significance of the dragon's placement. "If the dragon's head is facing the wrong direction, it disrupts the balance of chi and can create disharmony," Yu Xuan elaborated, his voice laced with conviction. "Here, the dragon's orientation suggests that knowledge is flowing outwards, which is considered inauspicious in Feng Shui." A spark of realization ignited in Zi Qian's mind as he absorbed Yu Xuan's words, his gaze lingering on the statue with newfound reverence. "So, you're saying that altering the dragon's head orientation might trigger the mechanism?" he ventured, his voice tinged with excitement. Yu Xuan nodded eagerly, his eyes alight with anticipation. "Exactly. Let's give it a try," he suggested, his hands reaching out to carefully adjust the position of the dragon's head.

As Yu Xuan carefully adjusted the dragon's head, a low rumbling sound filled the air, signaling the activation of the mechanism. Zi Qian's eyes widened in amazement as the shelf adjacent to the statue began to slide aside, revealing a hidden passageway concealed behind it. "So, it was true!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder.

"But why would they make it so obvious by placing a dragon statue here?" Zi Qian mused aloud, his brow furrowed in confusion. Yu Xuan regarded him with a knowing smile. "Ask yourself this: did you notice anything amiss about the dragon statue before I pointed it out?" he queried. Zi Qian shook his head, his expression thoughtful. "No, not until you mentioned it," he admitted. "Exactly," Yu Xuan replied, his tone tinged with satisfaction. "The significance of the dragon's orientation would only be apparent to those well-versed in Feng Shui, such as the elders of the academy. To the untrained eye, it would seem like nothing more than a decorative piece." Zi Qian's eyes widened in understanding as he realized the subtle brilliance of the design. "I see," he murmured.

"Let's proceed," Zi Qian urged, stepping into the dark passageway with Yu Xuan by his side. As they ventured deeper, the shelf slid back into place behind them, enveloping them in darkness. Zi Qian's grip tightened on Yu Xuan's arm, his nerves on edge in the eerie silence. "Shouldn't there be a guardian here?" Zi Qian's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, the flickering light casting ominous shadows along the walls. Yu Xuan's smile remained reassuring as he replied, "There should be, but rest assured, it's been taken care of." He gestured nonchalantly towards the passage ahead, his demeanor calm and collected.

Perhaps the guardian is enjoying a leisurely stroll in town," Yu Xuan speculated, his gaze drifting thoughtfully into the distance. Zi Qian furrowed his brow in confusion, but before he could voice his question, they arrived in a peculiar chamber bathed in soft light. Circular shelves lined the walls, meticulously organized and adorned with an array of curious objects. Amidst the array of artifacts, a mirror stood as a sentinel of reflection, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly sheen. Beside it, a jar of mysterious origin exuded an aura of darkness

Zi Qian's eyes widened in awe as he took in the sight before him—the shelves brimming with exotic herbs, ancient weapons gleaming in the light, and mystical artifacts scattered across the tables. "Incredible," he breathed, drawn towards a gleaming sword displayed on one of the tables.

"Careful, Zi Qian," Yu Xuan cautioned, his voice tinged with warning. "Those are forbidden artifacts." His eyes flickered with a hint of concern as he urged Zi Qian to exercise caution. "Forbidden artifacts?" Zi Qian's curiosity piqued as he glanced at Yu Xuan, his eyes widening with intrigue.

"These are perilous relics, capable of corrupting the mind and soul," Yu Xuan cautioned, his tone grave as he gestured towards the array of forbidden objects. "Stay back and refrain from touching anything."

Zi Qian's gaze drifted towards a large wooden chest resting on the table, its contents shrouded in mystery. "But what about that?" he inquired, his finger pointing towards the chest. Zi Qian's gaze drifted towards a large wooden chest resting on the table, its contents shrouded in mystery. "But what about that?" he inquired, his finger pointing towards the chest.

Approaching the chest with caution, Yu Xuan slowly lifted the lid, unleashing a blinding light that engulfed the room. Shielding his eyes from the radiance, Zi Qian recoiled in alarm, his heart pounding with trepidation. "Yu Xuan, what are you doing? Close it!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with urgency.

With a steady hand, Yu Xuan reached into the chest, his touch dispelling the intense glow as he retrieved the hidden weapon within. As the light subsided, a majestic bow emerged from the depths of the chest, its craftsmanship unparalleled. "Incredible," Zi Qian breathed in awe, his eyes fixed on the magnificent weapon before him.

The bow gleamed with an ethereal radiance, its surface adorned with intricate patterns resembling delicate frost crystals. Crafted from a shimmering, translucent ice-like material, it exuded an aura of strength and power. As Zi Qian gazed upon it, he could feel the chill emanating from the bow, a testament to its otherworldly origins.

Zi Qian's fingers traced the elegant contours of the bow, his eyes widening in awe at its exquisite craftsmanship. "Whose bow is this? It's so beautiful," he remarked, his voice filled with wonder.

"It's mine," Yu Xuan replied nonchalantly, though a hint of pride tinged his tone.

"Yours? Wait, what? What's your bow doing here?" Zi Qian asked, his brow furrowing in confusion as he turned to Yu Xuan for an explanation.

"I forged this bow with my own hands 15,000 years ago," Yu Xuan began, his voice laced with a tinge of nostalgia. "Its origin lies in the depths of water. During my childhood, while honing my skills in water cultivation atop the misty YinXue mountain, I unwittingly crafted this powerful weapon from the very essence of water itself," he explained, a single tear glistening in the moonlight as memories of his past flooded back.

"Oh! So, are you going to keep it?" Zi Qian inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Yu Xuan gently placed the bow back into the wooden box and approached Zi Qian. "No, they'll return the bow to me in due time," he replied with a serene smile.

With that, he strode over to the shelves, meticulously scanning each book. "I found it," Yu Xuan declared triumphantly as he retrieved the desired book.

Yu Xuan carefully brushed off the dust from the book cover before gingerly opening it. The title of the book gleamed in the dim light:"The Saga of Strength: Tales of the Six Great Skills".

"Accept it," Yu Xuan insisted, thrusting the book towards Zi Qian. "It's your key to mastering the 6 great skills, essential for your survival."

Zi Qian hesitated, his resolve faltering. "I'm already weakened from losing the Amber bead," he protested.

"You have no choice," Yu Xuan's voice was firm, his gaze piercing. "You must master these skills within four months, or you'll perish. I can't keep lending you my spirit essence."

"But!"

" Just take it!" Yu Xuan glared!

"Fine!" Zi Qian relented, accepting the book with a resigned sigh.

"Make sure you read it every day," Yu Xuan instructed sternly, his gaze piercing. "Understanding these skills is crucial for when you begin practicing them."

Zi Qian couldn't help but lament his current predicament. "All I wanted was a carefree life," he mused inwardly, his lips twisting into a pout. "Now I'm stuck with an unwanted teacher and a daunting task ahead."