Second floor

In the heart of the Yi Martial Family's compound, the grand Yi Harmony Conclave Hall stood proudly, its towering silhouette casting a majestic presence across the grounds. From within its intricately decorated walls, a young boy and a man who appeared to be in his early forties emerged, their expressions a mix of determination and frustration.

The man, tall and broad-shouldered, exuded an imposing presence. His dark hair was kept short, with a few strands of silver starting to appear at his temples, a testament to his experience and wisdom. He wore an armored uniform, meticulously engraved with swirling clouds and serpents that seemed to come alive with every movement. A flowing cloak adorned with the family's crest - a serpent coiled around a sword - billowed behind him, and at his side rested a sheathed sword, its hilt gleaming in the sunlight.

"Fourth Young Master, let us go to the Second Young Master's residence and ask his servants about his whereabouts," the man suggested, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.

"I already did that," the little boy huffed, his frustration evident. "Nobody knew where he went."

The man, guard captian Liang Shuo, fell silent as they reached the bottom of the steps that led up to the hall. He paused for a moment, considering their options. "Hmm, Young Master, why don't we try to search around his courtyard? He definitely hasn't left the compound, as someone would have reported it, so he must still be here."

Yi Long, the Fourth Young Master, looked somewhat annoyed. "Yeah, but I don't want to walk around all day. Can't you just tell all the guards to look for him?"

Anticipating this response, Liang Shuo replied diplomatically, "Fourth Young Master, while we can't tell all the guards to start searching for Second Young Master, we can ask those around the courtyard which way he went."

A spark of excitement ignited in Yi Long's eyes. "Oh yeah! That's a great idea! Let's hurry!" Unable to contain his enthusiasm, the young boy grabbed Liang Shuo's hand and tried to pull him along, his small form filled with determination as they embarked on their mission to locate the missing Yi Tian.

...

As we ascended the creaking wooden stairs that led to the second level of the ancient pagoda, the air grew denser with the scent of aged parchment and polished wood. Elder Feng, his hand firmly gripping the intricately carved rail guard, turned to me and inquired, "So, have you chosen which technique you plan to teach Little Long?"

"Not yet, though the ones you mentioned earlier do sound intriguing," I replied, a note of uncertainty lingering in my voice. I still didn't know what set these techniques apart from the Cloud Serpent Sword Art, but Elder Feng had assured me they were prestigious and well-regarded.

Elder Feng paused briefly, his foot hovering above the next stair, before continuing his ascent. "The techniques I mentioned are indeed powerful, but they are also very difficult and time-consuming to master. Tian'er, do you know the reason why I say the first ancestor's technique is the strongest?"

"Hmm, because it was created by the first ancestor?" I ventured, eager to absorb the wisdom he shared.

"No," he corrected gently, "the reason is because it's easy to master and has the best foundation." He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "You have yet to reach adulthood, so you don't understand the immense effort it takes to manipulate blood qi through your veins."

As he finished his sentence, we reached the second floor. It was a treasure trove of knowledge, with rows upon rows of polished wooden shelves, each laden with scrolls, leather-bound books, and fragile manuscripts. The floor's layout was thoughtfully organized, with distinct sections dedicated to different types of works.

The library was bathed in a soft, ambient lighting that not only protected the delicate texts from potential damage but also created a calm and inviting atmosphere. Large windows, adorned with lattice frames, allowed for natural light to filter in, while silk curtains could be drawn for privacy or to minimize distractions.

Scattered throughout the library, comfortable seating areas and cozy reading nooks beckoned family members to sit and immerse themselves in the wealth of knowledge contained within the texts. Low wooden tables, cushioned seating, and elegant floor lamps provided an intimate setting for study and reflection.

Elder Feng guided me to a section that consisted of only one row of manuals, with a simple label above it: Martial Arts Techniques. He quickly perused the manuals and extracted two.

"Here they are," he announced, "Cloud Ascension Physique" and "Willow Breeze Dance." I never studied the Cloud Ascension Physique, but I am familiar with the latter." He handed me the two manuals, their covers worn with time.

As I accepted the manuals, I suggested, "Thank you, Elder Feng. Why don't we sit?"

He nodded in agreement, and we found a table bathed in the warm glow of sunlight streaming through the window beside it.