Art Tower

River Peak was the last peak of the Ethereal Blossom Palace. Shrouded in thick mist, it was often referred to as the Misty Peak. The ever-present fog gave it a mysterious and ethereal appearance, making it one of the most secluded and revered places in the sect.

Han Yue stepped onto the peak, her gaze sweeping across the mist-covered landscape. Without hesitation, she made her way toward the Core Area, which was located at the uppermost part of the mountain.

For those who could not fly, the only way to reach the upper area was by ascending the long, winding stone staircase carved into the mountainside. The higher one climbed, the denser the mist became, making it difficult for ordinary disciples to proceed.

The Core Area was strictly guarded, with elders stationed at various checkpoints along the way. However, the most heavily protected part was the Core Circle, where only true disciples were allowed entry.

As Han Yue approached the gate of the Core Circle, she saw an elderly woman seated on a stone platform, her body still as a statue.

Her eyes remained closed, her breathing steady, as if she were in deep meditation. Yet, the moment Han Yue stepped closer, she could feel the elder's silent but overwhelming presence—like a dormant ice mountain that could erupt at any moment.

Han Yue didn't hesitate. She stepped forward with respect and cupped her hands in salute.

"Disciple greets Elder Mu Xue".

Elder Mu Xue did not open her eyes. Sitting in serene meditation, she remained motionless, yet her calm voice carried across the misty air.

"Little Yue, you're here again," she said softly. "What time is it?"

Han Yue smiled slightly before responding with respect, her tone steady and polite.

"Master instructed me to find a suitable spear technique. So I came to see if there is one that suits me better."

Elder Mu Xue nodded lightly, as if unsurprised by the request.

"Very well. Go on," she said. "I trust that you will find something suitable."

With a simple wave of her hand, the protective array that shielded the Core Circle shifted. A ripple spread across the barrier before it silently parted, granting Han Yue passage.

Han Yue cupped her hands in salute. "Thank you, Elder Mu Xue."

Without wasting any time, she stepped forward and walked into the depths of the Core Circle.

The Core Circle was filled with an overwhelming concentration of Qi. The energy in the air was thick, pressing down on the body like an invisible force. However, compared to her own secluded training area, it felt somewhat lacking. There, only she and her master cultivated, and the Qi was far purer and more refined than what was present here.

As she walked through the Core Circle, she noticed several disciples meditating in silence, their auras faintly fluctuating. In the central area, a group of dark blue-robed disciples moved about, engaged in their own tasks.

The moment they noticed Han Yue, various emotions flickered across their faces—jealousy, disdain, indifference.

It was not an unusual reaction.

Every True Disciple was a cultivation genius, a monster in their own right. It was natural that they would scrutinize one another.

The ones who looked at her with jealousy were mostly drawn to her beauty, something that could not be hidden even with her usual restraint.

Most of them were older, having started their cultivation journey long before she did. In this place, the majority of disciples were at least twenty years old or older.

Han Yue ignored the gazes directed at her. Without pausing, she continued walking toward the tower at the center of the area.

A deep blue tower stood tall, its presence commanding attention.

This was the Art Tower of River Peak, where various techniques were stored. The three-story tower housed an extensive collection of martial techniques, each tailored to the disciples of this peak.

Without hesitation, Han Yue stepped forward and entered the tower.

Cultivation techniques in the Cultivation World were classified into different ranks:

White, Black, Yellow, Earth, Heaven, King, Saint, and Emperor.

The first floor of the Art Tower mainly contained Black and Yellow-rank techniques. These were freely available to both Han Yue and every True Disciple without restriction.

The second floor, however, was different.

It housed Earth-rank and Heaven-rank techniques, and access to these was far more limited. Although Han Yue could currently take any technique from this floor for free, this privilege was granted only because of her master, Bing Zhi.

Without her master's backing, she wouldn't have had unrestricted access—no matter how talented she was. Even the Main Disciple of River Peak could only obtain one Earth-rank technique for free. Any additional techniques required a sect contribution.

Once Han Yue reached the Fifth Realm of Cultivation, this privilege would end. From then on, if she wished to acquire Earth-rank or higher techniques, she would have to pay the sect's required cost like the other disciples.

Despite the advantage she currently held, Han Yue understood that power always came at a price.

Inside the Art Tower, only a few disciples could be seen browsing the technique shelves. Their presence was faint, their attention fully absorbed in the scrolls before them.

Han Yue did not linger on the first floor. Without hesitation, she walked toward the staircase and ascended to the second floor.

Upon reaching the upper level, she noticed five dark blue-robed disciples quietly selecting techniques from the shelves.

Ignoring them, Han Yue turned her gaze toward the vast collection of stored techniques, her eyes carefully scanning for one that suited her.

Han Yue carefully examined the techniques stored on the second floor. The vast collection covered a wide range of martial arts, each catering to different elemental affinities and fighting styles. She noticed fire-based techniques such as Fire Palm Technique and Blaze Triangle Palm Technique, both designed for explosive, direct attacks. There were also wind-based sword techniques, like Amulet Wind Sword Technique, which emphasized speed and unpredictability. Even wood-element techniques, such as Dark Wood Bush Technique, were present, utilizing the resilience and adaptability of nature.

However, none of these interested her. She had come here for something specific—an ice-related spear technique. Her eyes moved across the shelves, scanning for a technique that met her needs. Soon, she found several that matched her criteria. There was Frost Fang Spear Technique, an Earth-rank spear art known for its piercing strikes. Another was Mist Frost Spear Divine Technique, a Heaven-rank technique that combined mist and ice, creating a deceptive yet lethal combat style. She also noticed Ice Golden Shield Technique, a defensive ice art, and Blue Water Sword Technique, which fused water and ice for fluid swordplay.

Among them, only Mist Frost Spear Divine Technique was of Heaven rank, making it the most powerful option. Though there were likely more Heaven-rank techniques in the tower, she didn't need to look further. Without hesitation, Han Yue reached out and took the jade slip containing the technique before settling down on the cold floor.

Placing the jade slip against her forehead, she activated it, allowing the Mist Frost Spear Divine Technique to transfer into her mind. A wave of coldness spread through her consciousness as knowledge flowed into her. Normally, absorbing a Heaven-rank technique would cause intense pain, as the sheer amount of information could overwhelm the mind. However, Han Yue was no ordinary cultivator.

She had already inherited a Saint-rank technique in the past. Compared to that, the burden of absorbing this technique was insignificant. With calm determination, she focused on comprehending the new knowledge, preparing to integrate it into her combat style.

*****[End]****