Chapter 10: Water Horse Technique

The hairs tingled along Wang Zhu's spine, like each and every one of them was warning him how dangerous this hooded figure is. Although he decided to not show his obvious dread to the man, humbly bowing instead.

"Follow me." The Cloaked man's raspy voice entered Wang Zhu's ears making him shiver even more. It was like a reaper of all souls that descended into the grave was talking to him.

"Ye... Yes senior." Wang Zhu managed to force himself to say, his lips slightly trembling.

Wang Zhu followed along for almost forty minutes, in which he was given a tour of the outer court where he and Senior Cloak as he thought of him, would move from place to place. First was the arena grounds, this was where the disciples would fight each other in the yearly sect outer sect competition.

"You're lucky. You've entered the Sect at a prime time." The ghastly voice of senior cloak resounded in his ears.

"How so senior?"

"It's a time of convergence. You've entered the Sect at a time of convergence. The outer sect yearly competition is coming about in six months, whereas the inner court competition that takes place every eight years will begin a year after that." Although the words were horrifying to listen to as they entered his ears Wang Zhu came to a realization if he could somehow propel his strength forward couldn't he ascend to the heavens in a single step?

Upon the realization, Wang Zhu became both anxious and excited. More importantly, was it even possible to create that kind of miracle? Thinking about it just made him feel sick.

Shaking his head, he decided these are worries that he would encounter in the future and didn't concern him now. Next Senior Cloak took him to the lower library to find some martial skills. The Cloaked one recommended that he decide on his weapon of choice and a movement ability.

For some strange reason, the Cloaked Senior didn't join him, he stood watch outside the library, almost transforming into a stone gargoyle!

Now that the oppressive atmosphere around Wang Zhu had gone he felt he could finally breath easy.

As he walked into the library he took a deep breath in astonishment. Bookshelves the size of houses littered the room, each of them was sorted into perfect order. "There must be enough techniques in here to build a sect!"

Wang Zhu gasped, utterly stunned.

A fat dwarf-like old man approached Wang Zhu, with every step he took his belly bounced.

"Interestingly enough this is the original library, back when we use to be a one-star sect of course." The fat dwarf chuckled.

"I'm librarian Zing, it's nice to meet someone who has an appreciation for books." Librarian Zing wore a big warm smile on his face.

"May I ask what you've come here for today?"

"To search for a martial and moment technique!" Wang Zhu said proudly, sounding slightly imperious in his voice.

"Intriguing. Have you got any preference in weapons?" Librarian Zing wondered.

"A weapon's a weapon, as long as it can defeat my foe in battle what does it matter from stick to sword?" He said in overwhelming confidence.

"Oh, how mighty of you." Librarian Zing scratched his chin. "I do believe that we actually have some stick techniques, let me have a look about."

The words were like thunderclaps in Wang Zhu's ears, causing his face to go green with sickness and regret. "Senior, I... Sorry. I didn't mean to be so arrogant." He hung his head in shame.

"Arrogant yet willing to admit when you're wrong. Very rare indeed, and overall a very kind-hearted young man who wants to impress due to self-doubt. Interesting indeed. The saber is for those that are unyielding. The sword is full of elegance and pride. The spear for those who condemn with a righteous fury. The Halberd is a weapon of those who wish to cut through thousands to get to one." Librarian Zing's fat bounced as he spoke.

"I believe for you a battle staff should be sufficient." Librarian Zing rubbed his pudgy face.

"A battle staff? Librarian Zing, I mean no disrespect but... have you seen the size of me, or is your eyesight going in your old age." Wang Zhu awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, wondering if this old man had gone insane. A battle staff was almost twice the size of him, whereas he was tiny. Wouldn't it be dangerous to wield it in battle?

Librarian Zing chuckled, "You'll grow into it of course. No need to worry, you're only a child yet. Do you expect that Yao Zi was born a hulking colossus? No, it's because he practices the Yao Clan's Veracious Giant Technique. You should have seen the size of his father when he was at the same age. He looked like a chicken wing and was smaller than me." Librarian Zing sighed yet a smile lit up upon his face as if remembering something pleasant.

"You taught Brother Zi Zi's father? How old are you Librarian Zing?" Wang Zhu was stunned by the revelation.

"You know it's rude to ask someone their age right?" Librarian Zing frowned.

"Isn't that expression about women?" Wang Zhu said innocently, causing Librarian Zing to burst out laughing.

"Boy, you need to learn how to keep your mouth closed and think before you speak, otherwise you'll get your ass spanked by some girl one day. Enough of this, do you want help finding a technique or not?" Librarian Zing came out of his gaze, which Wang Zhu found rather disturbing like he was looking at the distant past, but he was drooling over the memory.

Wang Zhu nodded eagerly and clasped his hands, causing Librarian Zing to mutter, "Good kid. Follow me."

Librarian Zing took him to the Battle Staff section of the library but frowned, "There aren't too many staff techniques in the library, and in the Sacred Beast Continent they're rather rare as well. The Buddhist Kingdom in the Central Continent is rumored to use many staff techniques when you're strong enough perhaps you should join one of the sects there."

"Luckily for you though we do have a few Mortal Ranked Technique's if you master them to the perfection stages you should be able to stand toe-to-toe with a middle black ranked technique." Librarian Zing remarked.

It had to be known that throughout the world there were several different rankings and mastery rates for techniques. Raking wise they go Mortal, Black, Yellow, Earth, and Heaven. Above that were Divine techniques, which were also known as Dao Techniques. This is because whilst practicing them they helped the user gain insight into certain Daos, although these Divine Dao Techniques are exceedingly rare, yet one was already in Wang Zhu's possession - The Ice Prince's Formula.

Mastery rates, on the other hand, they were divided into four stages. Beginner, intermediate, Perfection and Unity. To grasp unity with a technique it to become one with it, far greater than perfection!

"Hmm... let's see." Librarian Zing examined the techniques.

"Long Claw Technique - Have the strength of a Dark Bear and smash them with the mighty staff. Boring, overwhelming and unrefined. Rushing Wheel Technique - Twirl your staff continuously, put off your opponent, make them feel ill and generate massive amounts of power with momentum. Good, but it takes too long to strike, you'll be cut to pieces before you even manage to strike."

"Ooo, here's a good one. The Water Horse Technique - Absorb your enemies momentum. Let it crash upon the waves of an endless lake, and when it is time strike, unleash the power of the lake in the form of a water horse!"

"What do you think boy, is this a good enough technique for you?"