Rows of ancient-looking bookshelves decorated the spacious region inside the 3rd level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion. On the bookshelves themselves were many different types of books and secret manuals being stored there.
"Top-grade Arterial Circulation cultivation arts as well as top-tier human-grade innate techniques… all of these would be considered priceless treasures in Sky Harmony City, but here on the 3rd level, these various arts and techniques are as common as clouds. Anyone can go ahead and choose what they want to cultivate at will, with no restrictions." Qin Wentian silently sighed; this was what having resources culminated in. Wanting to nurture an elite, other than taking into account the individual's talent, vast resources were required as well.
Qin Wentian did not select any cultivation art. What he was looking for was an innate technique.
"Mountain Descending Palms, Willowy Steps Body Movement Technique, Kinetic Swordplay."
Upon seeing the Kinetic Swordplay, the light in Qin Wentian's eyes brightened as he exclaimed, "Fatty, over here."
Fan Le walked over as Qin Wentian passed the innate technique over to him, "The ability bestowed upon you by your Astral Soul is extremely suitable in using the power of thought to manipulate the movements of objects. This techniques recorded within this set of Kinetic Swordplay forms the initial basis of using movement manipulation techniques. Are you interested?"
"Let me take a look." As Fan Le analyzed the innate technique, his eyes began to glimmer.
Qin Wentian continued his search. Currently, because he already possessed the Dragon Subduing Fists as well as the Thousand Hand Imprint, his attacks were already exceedingly tyrannical and domineering. Hence, he had no intentions or interest in selecting another attack-type innate technique.
"9 Heavenly Garuda Movement Technique." Qin Wentian halted his steps as he pondered about this particular technique with an expression of interest on his face. This innate technique was merely a top-tier, human-grade technique of the 3rd level. To think that it had such an awe-inspiring name.
"9 Heavenly Garuda Movement Technique, Manual Level: Arterial Circulation." Qin Wentian selected the innate technique and flipped through the pages of the secret manual. He was instantly drawn to the technique and was soon immersed in the methods of cultivating it, a sharp glint of light flickering in his eyes.
So it turned out that this secret manual was only the first portion of the 9 Heavenly Garuda Movement Technique which was suitable for someone at the Arterial Circulation Realm to cultivate. However, although it was merely rated at the Arterial Circulation level, the methods contained within were filled with complexity. One actually had to swallow demon spirits and obtain their demonic essences before shaping the essences into the shape of a Garuda's mark.
Moreover, this particular technique, although it stated that the manual's level was for the Arterial Circulation realm, it did not specify the number of volumes it had in total for this innate technique.
With the secret manual in hand, Qin Wentian walk forwards towards a desk, approaching the Elder in charge of the 3rd floor.
"Elder, this 9 Heavenly Garuda Movement Technique, does the Heavenly Star Pavilion contain the volumes for the advanced levels?" Qin Wentian inquired.
The elder cast a glance at Qin Wentian with a smiled. "I urge you not to cultivate this particular innate technique. Although we do have the Yuanfu level manual for this, it is placed on the 6th level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion. Who knows how long would it take for you to be able to access that level? In addition, if you want to cultivate this Arterial Circulation-level manual to the large-success stage, you would need to kill and ingest countless numbers of flying-type demonic beasts and obtain their demonic essences before attempting to form the Garuda's mark.
"Not only that, the difficulty that lies behind comprehending the insights of this particular innate technique is extremely high."
Qin Wentian understood the kind intentions behind this Elder's words and took them into consideration. "In the 3rd level, are there any better body movement innate techniques?"
"If you are able to completely master the 9 Heavenly Garuda Movement Technique, there are no other techniques here at the 3rd level able to outclass it." The Elder shook his head and added, "but like as I said, the difficulty to master this is just too high."
"Understood, thank you for the advice." Qin Wentian smiled as he continued his search. Initially, he had wanted to look for innate techniques that complemented his 2nd Astral Soul condensed from the Dreamcast Constellation. But despite his efforts, there wasn't even a single dream-type innate technique in the entirety of the Heavenly Star Pavilion's 3rd level. This specific type of innate technique was too rare, and because Qin Wentian did not have any dream-type innate techniques to complement his Astral Soul, he wasn't able to bring out the full effectiveness of his abilities.
Naturally, even though there weren't any dream-type innate techniques to complement his Astral Soul, the effect of its abilities, when unleashed, would still be extremely powerful. After all, this was an Astral Soul condensed from the 5th Heavenly Layer.
In the end, Qin Wentian still chose to borrow the 9 Heavenly Garuda Movement Technique, while Fan Le, other than the Kinetic Swordplay, decided to borrow one other innate technique from the pavilion as well. Soon after that, the two of them departed from the Heavenly Star Pavilion.
However, just as they were on the way back to their dorms, they found that their way was blocked.
Members of the Knight's Association were blocking their paths, and upon seeing their faces, Fan Le's eyes narrowed as the coldness within them reached the absolute limit. These people were exactly the same members who had impaled him with countless spears back then when he was in the Dreamsky Forest. These members were all seniors, the Knight's Association's elites. The weakest among them was stronger than Murong Feng.
The members had a chilly look upon their faces as well, a tangible coldness that caused several students to train their sights over here. That day, when Qin Wentian chose to kill Murong Feng, he had completely trampled upon the pride of the Knight's Association, even pursuing them all the way and finally killing Murong Feng in their territory. Not only that, the academy chose not to pursue the matter, releasing Qin Wentian without further punishment.
The Knight's Association were of course immensely incensed. The association was mainly consisted of members from the aristocratic clans. All their lives, it had always been them stepping over others. Now that the roles were reversed, the matter between Orchon and Qin Wentian was no longer a private matter between the two of them. Since they were the one getting trampled upon, this had already become a matter of prestige and face for the entire Knight's Association.
"Those old fellows of the academy actually pardoned you so easily." A youth with a smile on his face stood behind Qin Wentian as he commented. One could only see coldness embedded within that smile.
"His lack of politeness is incredible." Upon hearing that the Elders of the academy were being referred as 'those old fellows', Qin Wentian curled his lips into a smile while a sharp light radiated from his eyes.
"Where is Orchon?" Qin Wentian continued in an icy tone.
"Orchon?" The light in the youth's eyes flickered. Because of the incident with Qin Wentian, the prideful Orchon had been confined by his Clan. Unless he stepped into the 9th level of Arterial Circulation, he would remained imprisoned until he broke through.
Qin Wentian was the adopted son of the Qin Clan's Qin Chuan. Earlier, when they heard that Ye Lang had been killed by Qin Wentian, many in their aristocratic circle had even sarcastically ridiculed Ye Lang. In their eyes, they all look down upon the descendants of the Wu King. They didn't understand why the mighty Ye Clan wanted to spare so much effort on eradicating a Clan that had already fallen to such dire straits—the Qin Clan.
After all, it was known that the Qin Clan was in such a destitute state that the number of Yuan Meteor Stones they had could be counted on one hand.
But who knew that this adopted son of the Qin Clan actually had extraordinary world-shaking talent, eventually killing Orfon in the Emperor Star Academy's arena as well as slaying Murong Feng of the Knight's Association. What was even more laughable was that, in the past, this ant-like existence that they could have easily eradicated with the flick of a finger had already obtained the academy's favor and good graces.
Now, if they wanted to kill him, they had to be wary and take into consideration the academy's attitude.
After all, they were very clear that the waters of the Emperor Star Academy were very deep. Not even the Royal Clan would needlessly dare to antagonise the academy.
"At this very moment, I imagine that Orchon is thinking of ways to kill you." That youth spat the words out, causing the pupils of Qin Wentian's eyes to narrow before a cold smile broke out on Qin Wentian's visage. Upon close examination, Orchon's actions made sense because Qin Wentian himself was also constantly thinking of ways and methods to destroy Orchon.
"You brazenly killed a member of our Knight's Association. Why don't you guess how we are going to deal with you?" That youth continued. The gazes and glares from the members of the Knight's Association were like poisonous vipers, staring right at Qin Wentian and Fan Le.
Feeling the cold bloodlust gushing forth, the eyes of Qin Wentian and Fan Le narrowed. Although they wanted nothing more than to kill the other party, it was a pity that, as of now, the strength they wielded was still insufficient to do so.
"How regretful, the Emperor Star Academy forbids us from killing fellow students. If not for that, both of you would have already died countless times." The youth took a step forward and released a killing intent he released that surged towards Qin Wentian and Fan Le.
At the same time, all the members of the Knight's Association, took a step forwards, shrinking the area of the circle. The pressure all of them emitted was so intense that it made Qin Wentian and Fan Le unable to breathe. Without a choice, the two of them took a step backwards as their countenance grew unsightly.
"The Royal Capital is different from Sky Harmony City. Even though you may be talented, it's still better for you to keep a low profile. If not, wouldn't it be a pity if you were killed before your talent was allowed to blossom?" The youth whispered with malice in his tone, taking another step forwards. The force of the step was so great that a rumbling sound could be heard as the earth broke apart from the impact. Rays of domineering and incomparably sharp spear lights were directed upon the body of Qin Wentian and Fan Le, threatening to pierce them.
The threat in his words was barely concealed. He had no intention to mask his obvious intent.
No matter how high a talent one possessed, it was useless if the person didn't have time to grow.
"Stay your hand." At this moment, a shout rang out. The members of the Knight's Association turned their gaze in the direction of the voice, only to see a graceful silhouette appearing.
"Senior Sister Rain." The youth gently smiled as he saw the source of the voice. This silhouette belonged to none other than a senior at the Yuanfu Realm, who was also the guest Elder that Fatty wanted to woo—Elder Rain
"Yanaro, as a senior, you are actually bullying the newcomers?" Rain stated somewhat disdainfully.
Yanaro, upon being scolded by Rain, still maintained the gentle smile on his face as he explained, "This newcomer is extremely arrogant. I only wanted to 'discipline' him lightly. But since Senior Sister have spoken for him..."
Even before the sound of his voice faded, the body of Yanaro, flickered as he exploded into motion. Instantly, Qin Wentian felt a sense of danger, and swiftly after, he saw one of Yanaro's fingers piercing through the air, emitting an aura that was as sharp as swords and sabres.
"You..." Rain's countenance fell. Even if she wanted to stop Yanaro now, it was too late. With a frozen expression, Qin Wentian frenziedly circulated the Astral Energy in his body, forming the Revolving Sea Imprint as the resounding echoes and howls of crashing tidal waves rang out. Despite the power of the Revolving Sea Imprint, Yanaro's finger shone with an intense, resplendent light as it easily broke apart the imprint, landing on Qin Wentian's palm.
Finishing what he wanted to do, Yanaro's figure withdrew, incomparably gracefully, while Qin Wentian rapidly stepped back, retreating so as to lessen the impact. His countenance turned extremely chilly upon inspecting his palm and noticing that the spot where Yanaro's finger had penetrated through was bleeding profusely.
"Let's hope you will be this lucky every time. " Yanaro remarked to Qin Wentian before shifting his gaze to Rain. Soon after, he commanded the members of the Knight's Association to withdraw.
"Are you alright?" Rain looked to Qin Wentian. Concern could be heard in her voice.
"I'm fine, thank you Senior Sister." Qin Wentian smiled. Since he had chosen to kill Murong Feng back then, he had already expected that he would not to be able to lead a peaceful life in the academy. Despite so, he would never give up upon the path he had chosen simply because of a little fear.
On the contrary, he was anticipating these challenges.
After all these days, Qin Wentian had already understood a crucial point. No matter how strong one's backing was, it would never be as solid when compared to depending on one's own strength. Only when his individual strength was sufficient would he be able to control his own destiny.