Chapter 20: Fellow Disciples, Would I Lie to You?

"Blue?"

Li Xun's eyebrow twitched slightly, revealing a hint of surprise and joy deep in his eyes.

The system had just mentioned that he could obtain a flying magical treasure— and a spiritual treasure at that, which was incredibly valuable!

It's well known that, in the cultivation world, among treasures of the same level, the most expensive are often those with special functions, especially flying treasures. 

These treasures generally combine multiple functions, such as flying, defense, gathering spiritual energy, and even storage space!

After all, if they didn't have these functions, one could just directly fly on a sword. 

Why spend such a fortune on a flying treasure?

In terms of value alone, a lower-grade flying spiritual treasure like the "Royal Spirit Boat" was nearly on par with a mid-grade attacking spiritual treasure!

"Where is she?"

Retracting his steps, Li Xun scanned the entire fifth floor of the Scripture Pavilion. 

Soon, he spotted a young woman dressed in the attire of an inner disciple, slowly ascending from the fourth floor.

She was enveloped in a blue light, though it was slightly dimmer than what Li Xun had seen on Ye Han earlier.

The young woman didn't notice Li Xun. 

She walked straight to a bookshelf, standing there with her back to him, raising her head to examine the techniques displayed.

"Which one should I choose?"

The girl frowned, somewhat hesitant.

She had been an inner disciple for some time now, but after switching to a new cultivation technique, her progress had been unsatisfactory. 

By now, she should have been at least at the mid or late stage of the Spirit Meridian Realm.

However, nearly a year had passed since she switched to an inner sect technique, and she was still stuck at the initial stage of the Spirit Meridian Realm. 

This speed was somewhat unworthy of her former title as a genius.

"When I first entered Profound Sun Sect, I was clearly suited for water-based techniques. So why is it that now, despite cultivating the 'Gentle Water Technique,' I'm not seeing any results?"

The girl couldn't figure it out.

She reached out and picked up a book titled "Ice Origin Manual," a lower-grade Xuan technique. 

However, it was a branch of the water attribute, and mastering it would allow one to freeze an area for miles.

"Is it an ice attribute technique?"

She bit her lip, holding the "Ice Origin Manual" in one hand, and her identity jade token in the other, unsure of what to do.

Her jade token stored the contribution points she had accumulated over the past year from completing sect tasks. 

These points were just enough to exchange for one technique. 

If she made another wrong choice this time, she would have to waste another year.

At the early stages of cultivation, a year was too long, and she would be surpassed by countless others.

Just as she was wavering, a cultivation technique was suddenly handed to her.

"Junior Sister, why not try this one?" At the same time, a clear and gentle voice reached the girl's ears.

"Hmm?"

"The Yi Wood Clear Water technique?"

The girl first glanced at the name of the technique and then turned to see a handsome face with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a slight smile on his lips.

"Senior Brother, who are you...?"

Her large eyes sparkled like the stars in the sky as she blinked, a trace of confusion deep in her eyes.

She was certain she had never met this Senior Brother before.

"My name is Li Xun."

Li Xun smiled and continued, "I noticed that Junior Sister seemed to have some difficulty choosing a technique, and as it happens, I have some understanding of eye techniques."

"I could see that Junior Sister might be better suited for cultivating this Yi Wood Clear Water technique."

"So I came over to recommend it to you, to save you from wasting an opportunity."

"Is that so?"

The girl tilted her head, a hint of caution in her eyes. 

After all, a Senior Brother she didn't know suddenly approached and recommended a technique to her. 

Anyone would be suspicious.

"Senior Brother, what eye technique have you cultivated?"

"Uh..."

Li Xun's face stiffened slightly. 

He hadn't expected this Junior Sister to be even harder to fool than Shen Yuluan. 

He made up his mind to find a way to learn an eye technique after today. 

Otherwise, if he kept using this excuse in the future, someone might catch on.

But for now, he needed to get through this situation.

After pondering for a moment, Li Xun solemnly uttered four words: "Fiery Eyes of Truth!"

"Fiery Eyes of Truth?"

The girl thought for a moment, but she had no impression of such a technique.

Was there such a technique on the sixth floor?

Maybe there was.

She comforted herself with this thought.

"Yes, this eye technique allows me to see through illusions. When cultivated to its peak, it can penetrate the heavens above and the netherworld below. Seeing someone's aptitude is just a minor trick," Li Xun continued, embellishing without a hint of shame. 

"Besides, we are fellow disciples. Would I lie to you with a technique?"

"That's true."

The girl's lips curled into a smile, her fingers tapping her chin lightly as she pondered. 

Then, she accepted the technique that Li Xun handed over and transferred its contents into her identity jade token.

The moment she finished transferring, a voice echoed in Li Xun's mind.

[Ding! Congratulations, Master, for a successful investment. You have obtained one Royal Spirit Boat (lower-grade flying spiritual treasure). Would you like to claim it?]

"Not now."

Li Xun responded absentmindedly.

After returning the Yi Wood Clear Water technique to Li Xun, the girl waved the jade token in front of him with a playful smile. "Today, Junior Sister Qingshuang thanks Senior Brother Li."

"But... if it doesn't work, I'll come find you."

"Qingshuang?"

Li Xun was momentarily stunned and asked tentatively, "Is Junior Sister's surname Liu?"

"Yes."

Liu Qingshuang nodded, her face full of curiosity. "Is there a problem?"

"No."

Li Xun looked at Liu Qingshuang strangely and then shook his head.

He had heard of Liu Qingshuang before. 

She was a genius who, within two years, had become an inner disciple. 

He hadn't expected they would meet under such circumstances.

It seemed that Liu Qingshuang hadn't had an easy time since entering the inner sect. 

She hadn't even settled on a cultivation technique.

"Well... if Senior Brother has nothing else, I'll take my leave today."

Liu Qingshuang cupped her hands in farewell.

"Take care, Junior Sister."

After sending off Liu Qingshuang, Li Xun didn't immediately head to the sixth floor of the Scripture Pavilion.

Instead, he stood in place, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.

Just now...

When he invested in Liu Qingshuang, he didn't have the Yi Wood Clear Water technique at hand. 

So why did the system still allow the investment?

Could it be because of the environment he was in?

Li Xun glanced around at the surrounding bookshelves, a look of understanding dawning in his eyes.

The Scripture Pavilion didn't belong to anyone but to the sect itself, meaning that any disciple of Profound Sun Sect, before finding the right technique, had the right to access one or even two books here.

He had two slots but had only taken one technique, the "Purple Sun Heavenly Technique." 

This meant that somewhere in the lower to middle floors of the Scripture Pavilion, there was still one technique that belonged to him.

As long as he didn't take a second technique, that slot would remain!

"Is this a bug?"

Li Xun glanced in the direction Liu Qingshuang had left. 

After all, anyone who entered the Scripture Pavilion was here for the techniques, right?

In that case, could he potentially make multiple investments?

<+ >

If you want to see more of this story and don't mind paying $5 each month to read the latest post, please go to my Patreon1.

The current chapter in Patreon: Chapter 100: "We Greet Senior Brother Li Xun!"2

https://www.patreon.com/HannibalNotBarca3