Chapter 20: Helping

The library is located in a corner of the Academy, a two-story building with a large area. From a distance, it looks like a large restaurant.

Jia Nan Academy admits many new students every year, and despite the allocation arrangements made by the Academy, there is still a long line in front of the library.

"Lin Xiu." A voice sounded from within the line, and Lin Xiu turned to see Xiao Mei waving from a nearby queue.

"What a coincidence." Lin Xiu nodded slightly and smiled.

Without much exchange, Lin Xiu soon started chatting with his dormitory mates.

"Younger sister, why hasn't Xuner come?" Xiao Ning couldn't help but ask, disappointment flashing in his eyes as he scanned the surroundings.

In the past, at the Xiao family, the place was not big, and there were always opportunities to run into each other. After coming to Jia Nan Academy, it became increasingly difficult to meet Xun'er.

"She finds it boring, so she didn't come." Xiao Mei replied to Xiao Ning, her tone somewhat downcast, noticing that Lin Xiu was not responding to her.

After waiting for a while, they gradually approached the front of the line.

A senior standing at the entrance loudly said, "Once you enter the library, you can choose a Qi Method that suits you, but be aware that you only have one chance. After fifteen minutes, whether you have obtained a Qi Method or not, you must come out."

At another exit several meters away, people were coming out one after another, with varying expressions.

"It's a pity. I was just about to break through the barrier and get a Qi Method."

"The barrier for Black Rank Low-Level Qi Method is too thick. Fortunately, I chose Yellow Rank High-Level at the last moment."

"Ah, the Black Rank Low-Level Qi Method was right in front of me, but unfortunately, I couldn't get it."

Those people were divided into two groups. Those who obtained the Qi Method were registered, while those who did not could receive a corresponding practice Qi Method. However, this type belonged to the common category, only Yellow Rank Mid-Level, considered a form of compensation.

"The library has many Qi Methods. Don't rush around like headless flies. Sometimes, following your own intuition might lead you to a more suitable Qi Method," said an elder sitting on a chair at the entrance, eyes closed. He suddenly spoke as Lin Xiu and others entered.

Upon entering, the first thing they saw was one bookshelf after another, covered by various colored light barriers. Different colors represented different Dou Qi attributes, with darker colors indicating higher Qi Method levels.

Many people immediately sprinted towards the second floor, including Lin Xiu, Xiao Ning, and others. Even before entering, there were rumors that all the Black Rank Qi Methods were on the second floor.

This is no longer a secret, and Lin Xiu naturally knew about it. Going up the stairs to the second floor, the number of bookshelves noticeably decreased, with each Dou Qi attribute corresponding to only one bookshelf.

Finding the light blue barrier representing the Wind Attribute, Lin Xiu walked straight over. Wind Attribute and Wood Attribute both belong to the green color, but they are slightly different. Wind Attribute leans more towards being ethereal, while Wood Attribute exudes a sense of vitality.

Next to the Wind Attribute bookshelf was the Earth Attribute Qi Method.

"Black Rank Low-Level Qi Method! I must obtain you!" A determined look flashed in the eyes of a young man as he clenched his fist and smashed it against the barrier.

The powerful punch struck the barrier, causing only a ripple and a slight crack, but it did not shatter.

"How is this possible? This was my strongest strike. Why didn't it break?!" The young man was stunned, watching as the crack began to close, hastily attempting another strike.

However, the result remained unchanged.

The young man, unwilling to give up, tried several times again, and then his dormitory mate called out to him.

"Hey, save some strength. Otherwise, you might not even have the power to break through the Yellow Rank High-Level barrier later."

"Yellow Rank High-Level? I don't care about that!"

The young man was determined to obtain the Black Rank Low-Level Qi Method, repeatedly striking the barrier with his fists. The same scene played out around him.

"So tough?" Lin Xiu couldn't help but question himself as he scanned the others.

His fingers lightly traced the barrier, and the Dou Qi contained inside flowed like water beneath his fingertips.

"No, this seems to be more than just a simple barrier." Lin Xiu discovered that when he pressed down with his fingers, the force, along with the circulating Dou Qi inside, quickly dispersed to other areas.

To break through this barrier, pure brute force wouldn't be enough. There had to be some skill involved, ensuring that the attack could be concentrated at one point, breaking through the defense.

A thought flashed through Lin Xiu's mind as he stepped back a few paces. He lifted his head, gaze fixed on the barrier in front of him.

"Mountain Breaker!"

With a low shout, Lin Xiu spun his body. Power erupted from his toes, traversing along his thighs and waist. As his body rotated, it infused into his other leg.

Hoo!

His leg stretched straight like a spear, making a whistling sound as it collided with the barrier. Inside, the gently circulating wind suddenly paused for a second. Cracking sounds echoed, numerous fissures appeared, and finally, the barrier shattered.

Swish!

A gleam of light rushed out from the bookshelf inside. Lin Xiu reached out and grabbed it – a black armor piece lying in the palm of his hand.

"Black Rank Low-Level, Wind Spiral Technique."

When Lin Xiu looked back at the barrier, it had already returned to normal.

"He broke through? This guy is impressive."

"No kidding. He's Lin Xiu, after all. It would be strange if he couldn't break it."

"Lin Xiu? The first place in the Dou Disciple competition?"

Listening to those people, Lin Xiu felt his face flush a bit. The barrier wasn't particularly difficult to break; it just required some skill. Moreover, there were others around who had broken the barrier, but most of them were Dou Practitioners, unlike him who had not yet become a Dou Practitioner.

"Brother Xiu, Brother Xiu, help us out."

"Brother Xiu, my brother."

Lin Xiu's dormitory mates saw him obtain the Qi Method and immediately approached him. Lin Xiu didn't refuse and walked with them.

"You can even ask others for help. Damn, that's really something!"

Someone witnessing this scene had envy in their eyes turning red. Who wouldn't want a Black Rank Low-Level Qi Method?

With the first experience, Lin Xiu successively broke through several barriers, helping his dormitory mates obtain Qi Methods. They were about to leave.

"Hey, it seems like the boss is in trouble."

Not far away, Xiao Ning stood in front of a barrier, his face flushed, feeling helpless. He hadn't expected a barrier to be so difficult to break.

Before coming in, his sister had warned him that obtaining a Black Rank Low-Level Qi Method was crucial if he didn't want to fall behind others.

"What should I do? I can't break it at all. Should I find Lin Xiu? But I can't even do that. Can he really do it?" Xiao Ning murmured to himself.

At this moment, other dormitory mates approached, and Lin Xiu walked among them.

"Have all of you obtained Qi Methods?" Seeing the smiles on their faces, Xiao Ning subconsciously asked.

Receiving affirmative replies, his gaze lingered on Lin Xiu. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Brother Xiu..."

"Just practice with me more in the future." Lin Xiu patted Xiao Ning on the shoulder, effortlessly breaking the barrier.

Staring at the Qi Method in his hand, Xiao Ning felt a wave of guilt. He had only intended to teach Lin Xiu a lesson earlier, not expecting Lin Xiu to be so forgiving.

"Let's go."

Having obtained all the Qi Methods, Lin Xiu didn't intend to linger any longer in the library.

"Wait, Brother Xiu." Meeting Lin Xiu's gaze, Xiao Ning looked towards another barrier. "Could you help my younger sister?"

Xiao Mei stood in front of a barrier, looking helpless, with a pitiful gaze directed towards Lin Xiu and the group. She had witnessed Lin Xiu helping Xiao Ning break the barrier just now.

Help her?

Lin Xiu was momentarily stunned, thinking, 'I haven't even had a chance to avoid her yet.'

Xiao Ning gestured with a nod and made a pleading expression.

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