New Elder But Young

Chapter 37: New Elder But Young

[I have some things to do. I will get going then.]

Xu Mo wrote these words in his notebook and turned it toward the girl to read. The girl's head moved upward very slowly, and a few strands of her hair shifted back, allowing her to see what Xu Mo had written. Once she finished reading, he put the notebook back in his bosom and used the flip cards tied to his waist belt to ask the female disciple for directions to the Technique Hall.

[Can you guide me to the Technique Hall?]

The girl nodded and walked ahead of him. Xu Mo followed, staying just a step behind her. They took several turns before a straight road appeared, leading directly to the Technique Hall. However, it was still quite far. The word "Technique" was written in bold letters on a signboard at the entrance of the pavilion. Whoever had written it possessed considerable cultivation. Though the board looked old and worn, the engraved word "Technique" on the wooden plaque still shone brightly under the sun's rays.

"Have you condensed your Qi? I ask because you need to have reached at least the First Level of Qi Condensation to borrow techniques. If you just want to browse, that's fine too."

"..." Xu Mo fell silent when the girl asked. He moved his hand, gesturing that he would explain once they arrived, as he intended to thank her when they got closer.

"Okay."

After walking for ten more minutes, they finally reached their destination. Xu Mo took out his notebook, but the girl in front of him gently pushed it back toward him.

"I also have something to do here in the Technique Pavilion. If you don't mind, let's go together." Hidden behind her hair, she pursed her lips. It pained her to see the person who had saved her now muted. The heaviest burden on her heart was that Xu Mo did not resent her or anyone in the sect for what had happened to him.

Xu Mo stepped back and gestured with his right hand for the female disciple to lead the way, as it was clear she was more experienced in such matters. The girl lowered her head and walked ahead. The Pavilion was two stories tall, built in a spiraled, dragon-like shape that seemed to reach toward the sky. There was only one entrance, and the gates were made of solid metal, two inches thick. Moving them even an inch would have been a challenge for a peak mortal, but for cultivators like them, it was not too heavy. The stone gates were carved with images of many mythical creatures, some of which were unfamiliar to Xu Mo.

Inside, Xu Mo saw a young elder calmly sitting on a chair, reading a book. Many disciples sat in front of him, writing something on rough sheets of paper. Xu Mo and the female disciple walked closer and noticed that some of these disciples had red imprints on the backs of their hands.

Sob... Sob...

Muffled sobs came from some of the female disciples, while even a few male disciples cried, hiding their faces. The female disciple walking beside Xu Mo seemed shocked upon recognizing some of the disciples, who appeared to be quite famous. Xu Mo walked with steady but humble steps and rang the bell on the counter to get the young elder's attention. He believed the elder had noticed them but chose to ignore them to maintain an air of mystery.

Xu Mo observed the young elder, curious about the story behind him. It was possible that the elder was actually quite old but merely appeared young. The female disciple also seemed to be seeing this person for the first time and observed him through the strands of her hair.

"No books are allowed to leave this place. If you want any technique, you must copy it down yourself on rough pages, like your fellow disciples behind you."

Snap.

The young elder's gaze lingered on the female disciple beside Xu Mo for a moment longer. There was a strange twinkle in his eyes, like a hunter spotting its first prey. Xu Mo didn't know what that gaze implied.

"What?!" The usually silent female disciple reacted abruptly. She looked around, then lowered her head and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's, "But why? Where is the previous elder who looked after the pavilion? And since when was such a rule created?"

She rapid-fired questions at the young elder.

"The previous elder has retired due to health issues. Now, I am in charge of the Technique Hall, and the rules I create are absolute—not even the sect master can change them. You can try if you like." After speaking harshly, he took a deep breath to calm himself and continued in a softer tone, "Trust me, copying the techniques is beneficial for you all."

Xu Mo quickly flipped through his flip cards, searching for the one he had prepared earlier. Before the female disciple could say more, Xu Mo stepped in and showed the young elder a card that read, [Okay.]

"The Technique Hall closes the moment the sun goes down. If you've only copied half or nothing by then, you'll have to return the next day to continue." With that final statement, the young elder—without even introducing himself—returned to his book.

As Xu Mo and the female disciple walked toward the shelves, the young elder shivered while reading his book. 'Finally, I've found a daughter of destiny. Although she's a villainess, she's still a big catch.'

He was a transmigrator from a planet called Bluestar, sent to this world of cultivation with a golden finger—the Lifescript Viewing System. The only catch was that it only worked on extreme villains or children of destiny. His system didn't function on ordinary extras. Fortunately, he had been chosen as the caretaker of the Technique Hall, even if it was only in the outer sect. According to his memories, most children of destiny began their journeys in the outer sect or by enduring bullying.