Harsh Truth

Xu Yan arrived at the Skill Pavilion, the sect's repository of techniques. Outside stood a senior disciple in robes bearing the inner sect crest, his expression stoic as his gaze swept over those entering.

Xu Yan cupped his hands respectfully. "Senior Brother, I've come to browse techniques."

The disciple nodded. "The first and second floors are open to you. Do not attempt to go any higher. Only inner sect disciples and elders are permitted beyond. When you've made your choices, return here to verify you have the required contribution points."

"Understood," Xu Yan replied, stepping past and entering the pavilion.

Inside, rows of shelves filled with manuals stretched across the dimly lit room. The faint scent of aged parchment hung in the air as disciples browsed quietly. Xu Yan made his way to the shelves containing sect-exclusive techniques.

Xu Yan combed through the dimly lit shelves of the Skill Pavilion, his brows furrowed in frustration. Row after row of manuals promised strength, speed, and mastery—yet none resonated with him. The faint scent of aged parchment hung in the air as disciples murmured in quiet excitement nearby, flipping through tomes tailored to their cultivation paths.

But for Xu Yan, each manual he opened only confirmed his growing doubt. None of the techniques seemed compatible with his Shadow Qi.

Leaning back against a shelf, he closed his eyes for a moment. 'What did I expect?' he thought. 'A perfect Shadow Technique just sitting here, waiting for me?'

The truth gnawed at him. Choosing Shadow Qi had been a gamble—unconventional, obscure, and largely unexplored. The ruins where he'd discovered the Devouring Shadows Technique were said to predate the sect itself, remnants of a forgotten era. Mo Ying's notes had hinted at the technique's power, but they hadn't prepared him for the roadblocks ahead. No one in the sect cultivated Shadow Qi; there were no teachers, no guidance, and certainly no compatible techniques.

Xu Yan opened another manual and skimmed its contents: Falling Leaf Steps. The technique promised fluid movements mimicking drifting leaves, prized for their unpredictability. It was elegant, effective—and utterly useless to him. His Shadow Qi didn't flow like wind or water; it consumed, twisted, and devoured. Forcing it into incompatible patterns was like hammering a square peg into a round hole.

Closing the manual with a sigh, he muttered, 'Basic Qi techniques it is... for now.' Even those were limited, blunt tools that barely suited his needs. But they were better than nothing.

Still, Xu Yan clenched his fists. 'This isn't a mistake,' he told himself. The path of Shadow Qi might be solitary and fraught with difficulties, but it was his choice. To grow stronger, to stand apart, he needed something unique. The Devouring Shadows Technique was risky, but its potential was undeniable. Absorbing slain foes' Qi to fuel his cultivation was proof enough of its strength. Now, he just needed to build upon it.

For now, he would rely on basic techniques as a crutch and experiment relentlessly. If the Blood Fang Sect's library held no solutions, he'd create his own. If traditional cultivation methods couldn't support his path, he'd carve out a new one.

With that resolve, Xu Yan's thoughts turned to a technique he had seen an elder use before—Blood Image. The strength and versatility it displayed had been clear even then, and it had come to mind when he considered experimenting with preexisting cultivation techniques. He scanned the shelves and soon found the manual tucked between thicker tomes.

The Blood Image Technique allowed the user to form an image from their Blood Qi—an entity capable of following basic mental commands. Developed by one of the sect's founders, it was versatile, equally useful in combat or as a diversion.

Without wasting any more time, he approached the entrance to exchange contribution points for the manual. The senior disciple took his token without a word, recording the deduction before handing it back. Xu Yan turned away, already planning his next steps.

'A good start,' he thought, 'but there's one more thing I need.'

Ever since joining the Blood Fang Sect and restarting his cultivation journey, he'd relied solely on his fists. That had worked well enough in the early stages, but now that he and his opponents were in the Qi Refining Stage it was different. Now that he had the Boundless Sword Technique, it was time to arm himself properly.

The Boundless Sword Technique was his one reliable source of strength. Flexible and rooted in fundamental swordsmanship, it adapted to any Qi type, making it indispensable for someone in his position. But without a proper sword, he'd only been scratching at its potential.

 With this in mind, Xu Yan made his way toward the Armory Pavilion.