Library Hall

Not long after we arrived at the arena, it was quite crowded, forcing us to sit separately.

The rest of the girls went further to look for a spot. I, with Stella on the other hand, sat in the corner after nicely asking the surrounding girls if they could move a bit.

Maybe it is because of my new look, but I am unusually confident today.

No idea if that's a good or bad thing.

At the very center of the circular-shaped arena sits a slightly raised platform crafted from a single massive slab of stone.

Currently, two cultivators using swords were facing each other on the platform.

Unfortunately, I could barely see anything because of the tall person sitting in front of me.

Losing interest, I looked at a heroine.

"Hey, Stell, tell me…"

I spoke, getting her attention.

"Why do you want to cultivate?"

I asked with some curiosity.

"Well, for the same reason everyone wants?"

She answered with no ounce of thought in this big head.

"Is that so? Then what does everyone want?"

I inquired, my eyes sparkling.

"Hmmm… money, long lives, and fame?"

She explained hesitantly.

"Do you want that?"

I asked.

"..."

This made her realize that she had fallen into my trap. Regrettably, it was too late, and I managed to see her dumbfounded face.

'She is a heroine. Obviously, her reasons can't be so simple.'

I thought. Still, that didn't stop me from laughing. Remembering her stupid face.

The sound is both soothing and melodious, reminiscent of the tinkling of tiny bells. It has an enchanting quality that leaves people longing to hear more before it fades away.

Moreover, it is infectious, like a gentle breeze on a warm day, bringing a sense of tranquility and joy. This delightful sound echoes with genuine delight, captivating everyone who is fortunate enough to be in its presence.

Stell that was to complain that her new friend was bullying her: *blushing.jpg*

>>>>>>>>>> 

We didn't spend much time watching matches.

I was obliviously bored and kept bothering Stella. Still, I feel much closer to her than before.

However, it is too soon to be called friends; we just got to know each other a bit, at the very least.

After reuniting with the other girls, we chatted for quite a while before finally splitting up to do our own things.

I didn't talk much because being in a large group makes me quite introverted. I can't help it. It's a perk of my personality.

After we separated from the heroine party, Nicole, Emily, and I stuck to our original plan and headed to the library hall so that we could select our cultivator manuals.

The place was quite far away, taking us almost an hour.

Looking at the towering pagoda, I was amazed for a moment. Exploring this world so completely different from my original one is filling me with unimaginable excitement.

"Let's go, let's go!"

I shouted, pulling the two girls behind me faster.

Inside, the building's atmosphere is serene and charged with special energy. The air is thick with the scent of incense and old parchment, mixed with the subtle fragrance of rare herbs used to preserve scrolls and books.

The library is vast, with towering shelves filled with ancient scrolls, tomes, and jade slips that contain the collective knowledge of countless generations of cultivators.

Shortly after entering the library, we stumbled upon an elderly woman possessing a profound presence.

'Is she the guardian of the place? '

I thought.

After whispering to each other, we decided to approach the woman.

"The disciples greet the Elder."

Nicole said, bowing her head slightly, making us follow the gesture.

The woman in question had her eyes closed, meditating.

Yet, we didn't move, waiting a couple of minutes for the elder to respond.

"New disciples, I presume. Let me see your identification tokens. Then you can look for your own cultivation method."

The woman spoke slowly.

Shortly after. She let us go, not forgetting to remind us that we could choose only one method from the first floor.

"It should take us quite a while. What about we split up and meet here later on? When we got our picks."

Suggested Emily.

"That's a great idea. We need to focus a lot to get through even a small percentage of these manuals."

I voiced my opinion, gazing at the literal maze in front of me.

"Well, it seems you two already made a decision. Let's try our best to find the most suitable method for ourselves."

Spoken Nicole, feeling helpless.

>>>>>>>>>> 

The grand library corridors are adorned with tall, towering bookshelves. Narrow, arched windows allow dim, amber light to filter in, casting long shadows that gracefully dance across the floor.

As I ventured further into the library, the noises from the outside world grew faint, gradually replaced by the gentle rustling of pages being turned, the creaking of wooden ladders, and the occasional distant murmur.

The first floor was packed with disciples browsing over the tomes or sitting at the free tables, immersing themselves in their content.

The scene looked peaceful, making me feel relaxed.

I wasn't in a hurry to find what I was looking for. I randomly picked up a scroll and unrolled it.

Yet, I was met with surprise.

[Eternal Flowing River Method]

Grade: Mortal

compatibility: 54

Wait... as I selected another one, the floating, semi-transparent game interface appeared once again.

[Iron Bones Tempering Method]

Grade: Mortal

compatibility: 12

In this world, cultivation methods and battle techniques are classified into grades: Mortal Grade, Earth Grade, Spirit Grade, and Heaven Grade.

With the Heaven grade being the highest.

It seems that with the system, I can not only see their grade, which is impossible to measure if you don't have complete comprehension of the said manual.

But I can even see its compatibility with me.

'That's amazing!'

I thought.

I was filled with so much joy to the point where I almost started jumping around. Unable to hold it.

It may seem not much. However, building your foundation on a manual that is not suitable for you is close to you just crippling yourself.

I admit that I was somewhat inattentive when the lectures first began, but eventually, I became fully engaged, and the piece of news that flowed left me feeling anxious.

There was no guarantee that the method I was aiming towards with my player's knowledge would be suitable for me.

Thankfully, there is no need for me to worry anymore.

Strolling around, I decided to take a closer look. Who knows, even though I was aiming for the hidden piece, which is the best in the early stages. Maybe there is an even better method hidden somewhere in the depths of this library.

However, despite my efforts, all I came across were the lowest-grade scrolls. Realizing I was wasting my time, I decided to put an end to it.

I closed the manual, placing it in its original place. Only the first page was filled with words, basically the introduction without a real explanation of how to perform it.

All the records only had the first page accessible, with access to the remaining content locked. When you decide on the manual Elder will remove the restriction, letting you see the rest.

Still, if the technique is unsatisfactory, it's too late and you can't change for a new one; no wonder new disciples are so cautious when selecting their first cultivation method.

As I continued walking, I eventually reached the end of the building, realizing that I had turned left, following the wall.

It took me approximately ten minutes to arrive at the corner of the library.

Laying there in the corner was a jade dragon statue, forgotten and covered in dust.

"So, it's still here."

I couldn't help but mutter.

Walking closer, I looked at the exquisite figure, and without hesitation, I put my arm inside the maw of the dragon.

"CLICK."

The sound was heard, letting me know about a successful activation of the mechanism.

The statue shone brightly, dimming a short after.

In a good mood, I took brisk strides as I made my way to the remaining three locations where the hidden mechanism was waiting to be found.

After all, getting the best early-game cultivation manual. Without a need to do a long and tedious chain of quests, made me feel pretty happy.

Maybe because of this happiness. I was so distracted that I couldn't see a pair of black piercing eyes looking at me discreetly, hidden in the shadows of the nearby bookshelf.

- One hour later at the center of the library -

Looking at the colossal dragon statue in front of me. I was thinking about how to get the treasure without altering anybody.

The other four small dragon statues were quite well-hidden, and I didn't meet any other disciples there. However, if this enormous dragon starts glowing, the whole library will be alerted.

'In the game, the jade statues never glowed.'

I complained in my mind, my mouth showing subtle dissatisfaction.

'Well, anyway, it's not like they will kill me because of my opportunity.'

I thought, deciding to make a run for it later.

Approaching the monument, I stopped in front of it.

At its base, embedded within the sleek surface of the obelisk, resting securely at its foundation, was a spherical copper object.

'If I remembered it correctly, it would be….'

First half-moon circle

Rotating the sphere, I heard a 'clicking' sound, and then the orb returned to its original position.

After that was a half-moon circle followed instantly by a quarter.

"CLICK."

Lastly, it was… I am not sure.

Full two or three moon circles…

'I will trust my intuition on this one.'

Three full circles.

"CLICK."

As the soft noise sounded, the copper object suddenly fell, revealing a hidden place with antique-looking jade slips.

Grabbing it hurriedly, the light blinded me as the statue suddenly shone brilliantly, diverting all attention to it.

Using this opportunity, I slowly retreated, disappearing into the maze of the grand library.

Leaving all the disciples confused about what had happened just a moment ago.

>>>>>>>>>> 

I only stopped running when I was near the exit area, the adrenaline still pumping through my body.

I leaned on the nearby bookshelf, trying to slow my rapid breathing.

'Did I overact?'

There seems to be no one chasing after me.

I had a sigh of relief and finally examined my grand prize.

[Celestial Empress Inheritance]

Grade: Spirit Grade

compatibility: 81

"Not bad, not bad at all"

I murmured to myself.

[Do you wish to bind to the inheritance?]

[Yes/No]

Meet with the sudden message. I obviously selected 'yes'.

The sudden dizziness overwhelmed me as a vast amount of information poured into my head.

>>>>>>>>>> 

I had no idea how much time passed as I stood up from the ground.

Dusing off my clothes, I looked around, unable to see the inheritance.

[Congratulations, you successfully absorbed the inheritance]

Seeing the massage, I couldn't help but hold my head, feeling the throbbing headache inside.

 'Successful, so I could have failed?'

I said in my mind, yet the system remained unresponsive.

The inheritances are meant for only one individual, so I can understand why it completely disappeared after finding its successor.

Walking away from my hiding spot, I decided it was time to meet with others.

>>>>>>>>>> 

Arriving at the meeting point. They appeared to be waiting for me already.

"Hey guys."

I said, waving at them.

Stopping their conversation, they walked up to me.

"It took you quite a while. It's already late. Did you find anything for yourself?"

Nicole asked.

"Well, unfortunately, no."

I answered, appearing a bit embarrassed.

"If you want, we can come back tomorrow. There is no time limit, anyway."

Comforted Emily.

"No, there is no need. I already have my family technique."

I said dismissively.

"What about you two?"

I asked curiously.

"Well, I found something very interesting…."

Nicole began speaking, and we exited the building just like that.

As the golden rays of the evening sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow, we strolled leisurely, chattering along the tree-lined path, our footsteps creating a gentle rhythm.

We returned to our dorm in a pleasant atmosphere, looking forward to the next day.