Library Revelations and Destinies Unveiled

Chapter 20: Library Revelations and Destinies Unveiled

The day after arriving at the Lotus Blade Sect, Sanjeev awoke with a renewed sense of purpose. The mysteries of his cultivation, the strange energy within him, and the events surrounding the spirit beast bonding had ignited a fire within him. He was determined to understand his unique path and unlock his full potential.

After a light breakfast, Sanjeev began his daily cultivation practice. He sat in the lotus position on his meditation mat, closed his eyes, and focused his awareness on the flow of spiritual energy within his body. He guided the Agni flame, that potent source of power, through his meridians, strengthening and refining them.

But as he delved deeper into his practice, he noticed something peculiar. Unlike the other cultivators he had observed, he wasn't drawing energy from the surrounding environment. He wasn't absorbing the ambient spiritual energy that permeated the Lotus Blade Sect. Instead, he was relying solely on the energy he generated within his own body, the energy that stemmed from his awakened chakras.

A frown creased his brow. This was not how cultivation was supposed to work. Cultivators typically drew upon the vast reserves of energy in the natural world, supplementing their own power and accelerating their progress. But Sanjeev was different. He was a closed system, relying entirely on his internal resources.

As he pondered this anomaly, a realization dawned upon him, a sudden flash of insight that illuminated the mysteries of his past. He remembered the ancient texts he had read in his grandfather's library, texts that spoke of a time when humans possessed extraordinary powers from birth.

In that ancient era, humans didn't need to draw energy from the environment. They were born with a latent potential, a wellspring of power that lay dormant within their very being. This power was linked to the chakras, the seven energy centers that aligned the spine.

The texts described how, in those ancient times, enlightened sages had spent years, even decades, in deep meditation, gradually awakening their chakras and unlocking their innate abilities. Once their chakras were activated, they could wield supernatural powers, manipulate the elements, and perform feats that defied the limits of the mortal body.

Sanjeev's mind raced as he connected the dots. His cultivation technique, the one he had instinctively followed since his rebirth, was not a technique of this world. It was a method from that ancient era, a way to awaken the latent potential of the human body.

He finally understood why he couldn't sense the energy around him. He wasn't meant to. His power didn't come from the outside; it came from within. He was slowly, painstakingly, unlocking the ancient power that lay dormant within him.

This realization also explained another mystery: why others couldn't sense his power. Cultivators in this world sensed the flow of external energy, the energy that they themselves drew upon. But Sanjeev's energy was internal, contained within his body, invisible to those who sought to perceive the external flow.

A surge of excitement coursed through Sanjeev. He was different, unique. He possessed a power that was both ancient and extraordinary. He was walking a path that no one else in this world had walked for millennia.

But with this excitement came a sense of caution. If others didn't know how his power worked, they wouldn't be able to gauge his strength accurately. This meant that he was, in a sense, invisible to his peers. He could be underestimated, his true power concealed until he chose to reveal it.

Sanjeev realized that this could be a significant advantage. In a fight, his opponents wouldn't know the full extent of his abilities. They would be fighting an enemy they couldn't fully comprehend, an enemy whose power was hidden from their senses. This "invisibility" made him incredibly dangerous. A fighter of the same level as Sanjeev would be at a severe disadvantage against him.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Sanjeev concluded his cultivation practice. He felt a sense of calm certainty. He knew his path was different, but he embraced it. He would continue to cultivate in his own way, unlocking the ancient power within him and forging his own destiny.

The next morning, Sanjeev decided to visit Xiner. He wanted to share his revelations with her, to see if she had encountered any similar insights. He made his way to the girls' dormitory, a cluster of elegant buildings nestled in a secluded part of the sect.

As he approached the dormitory, he couldn't help but notice the attention he was drawing. Several female disciples, their faces flushed, their eyes wide with admiration, stole glances at him as he passed. They whispered among themselves, their voices filled with a mixture of shyness and excitement.

Sanjeev was aware of his appearance. He knew that he was considered handsome, with his sculpted features, his piercing gaze, and his aura of quiet strength. But he had never paid much attention to such things. His mind was always focused on cultivation, on unraveling the mysteries of his power.

Suddenly, Xiner emerged from the dormitory, her face radiant as she spotted Sanjeev. She walked towards him with a graceful stride, her robes flowing around her like a gentle breeze.

"Sanjeev!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with warmth. She linked her arm with his, her touch sending a pleasant shiver through him.

The other female disciples watched them with a mixture of envy and admiration. Some of them sighed wistfully, their gazes lingering on Sanjeev. One or two of them glared at Xiner, their eyes filled with jealousy.

Xiner, sensing their gazes, turned to them with a playful smile. "Don't even think about it, ladies," she said, her voice light but firm. "This handsome man is my husband."

Sanjeev could feel the possessiveness in her tone, the subtle warning in her words. He looked at her, his heart filled with affection. Xiner, for all her strength and independence, was fiercely protective of him.

The other female disciples, realizing that Sanjeev was taken, quickly dispersed, their dreams of romance dashed. Xiner led Sanjeev away, her grip on his arm possessive, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Someone's jealous," Sanjeev teased, his voice filled with laughter.

Xiner shrugged, her expression nonchalant. "Of course not," she said, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her.

They walked hand in hand to the Library Pavilion, a magnificent structure that housed the Lotus Blade Sect's vast collection of cultivation techniques, martial arts manuals, and ancient texts. It was a place of immense knowledge and power, a treasure trove for any aspiring cultivator.

The new disciples were gathered in front of the Library Pavilion, their faces filled with anticipation. They knew that upon entering the sect, they would be given the opportunity to choose a cultivation technique, a method to guide their cultivation journey.

An elder stood at the entrance of the pavilion, his expression solemn and dignified. He was the guardian of the library, a venerable figure who had witnessed countless disciples pass through its doors.

"Welcome, new disciples," the elder said, his voice echoing across the courtyard. "Within this pavilion lies the accumulated wisdom of our sect, the techniques that have guided generations of cultivators to greatness. Today, you will choose the path you will follow."

He gestured towards a raised platform in the center of the courtyard. "The selection process is simple. You will stand on the platform, and the library itself will guide you. The books that resonate with your power and comprehension will reveal themselves to you."

The disciples watched with a mixture of awe and trepidation. The idea that the library, a collection of inanimate objects, could somehow sense their inner potential was both fascinating and unsettling.

One of the female disciples, a young woman with a haughty demeanor and a disdainful expression, stepped forward. She had been displaying an air of superiority since their arrival at the sect, her every word and action designed to impress others with her perceived talent.

She walked towards the platform with an air of self-assurance and stood upon it, her chin held high. A moment of silence stretched, thick with anticipation. Then, a series of soft thuds echoed from within the library.

Five books detached themselves from the shelves and floated towards the young woman. Four of them were bound in simple covers, their titles indicating Earth-level techniques, the basic foundation of cultivation. But the fifth book was different. It was bound in a cover of shimmering silver, its title glowing with an ethereal light. It was a Space-level technique, a rare and powerful method that only a select few could master.

A collective gasp rose from the other disciples. They stared at the floating books with wide-eyed astonishment. To have a Space-level technique choose her was a testament to her exceptional talent.

The young woman smirked, her eyes gleaming with pride. She had expected to impress everyone, and she had succeeded. She glanced at Xiner, her expression a mixture of triumph and disdain.

Xiner, however, remained unfazed. She had seen far greater things in her life, techniques that dwarfed even Space-level methods. She regarded the young woman with a quiet indifference, her expression betraying none of the awe that filled the others. Sanjeev and Aarav, who knew of Xiner's and his family's background, were equally unimpressed.

Now, it was Xiner's turn. She stepped forward with her usual grace and confidence and walked towards the platform. As she stood upon it, the library seemed to tremble. The bookshelves shook, and a soft, ethereal hum filled the air.

Suddenly, a large number of books detached themselves from the shelves, far more than anyone had ever seen before. Ten books floated towards Xiner, their presence radiating an aura of immense power.

Five of the books were bound in gold, their titles indicating Emperor-level techniques, methods of unimaginable power and complexity. Two books were bound in shimmering silver, Space-level techniques of exceptional quality. But it was the final three books that truly stunned everyone.

These three books were bound in a cover of pure white, their titles glowing with a celestial light. They were Heaven-level techniques, the highest, most profound methods of cultivation, techniques that were thought to exist only in legends.

The entire hall was silent, the disciples and elders alike frozen in shock. They had never witnessed such a spectacle. To have three Heaven-level techniques choose a single person was unprecedented, a sign of extraordinary talent that defied comprehension.

Even the elder guardian of the library was speechless. His eyes widened in disbelief as he gazed at Xiner, his face etched with awe. He had spent centuries in the library, but he had never seen anything like this.

The young woman who had gone before Xiner felt a pang of jealousy so intense it was like a physical blow. All the attention had shifted away from her, and all eyes were now on Xiner. She glared at Xiner, her initial triumph replaced by a burning resentment. In that moment, she decided that Xiner was her enemy.

Then, it was Aarav's turn. He stepped onto the platform, and the library shook once again, even more violently than before. Books flew off the shelves in droves, as if drawn to Aarav by an irresistible force.

Fifteen books surrounded Aarav, their presence filling the hall with a palpable sense of power. Thirteen of the books were related to alchemy, their titles hinting at secrets of creation and transformation. The remaining two books were martial arts techniques, their descriptions promising earth-shattering power.

All fifteen books were bound in white.

Every single book that chose Aarav was a Heaven-level technique.

The disciples gasped, some of them fainting from the sheer shock of it. Even the elders were overwhelmed. To have fifteen Heaven-level techniques recognize a single person was beyond comprehension. It was a sign of talent so extraordinary that it bordered on the divine.

The elder guardian of the library trembled with excitement. He had never witnessed such a momentous occasion. He knew that Aarav was destined for greatness, that he was a genius who would shake the very foundations of the cultivation world.

Finally, it was Sanjeev's turn. He stepped onto the platform, and the library erupted in chaos. The entire building shook violently, as if an earthquake was tearing it apart. Books flew off the shelves in every direction, a whirlwind of knowledge and power.

Every single book in the library recognized Sanjeev.

Techniques of every level, from the most basic to the most profound, surrounded him. Books on alchemy, weapon refining, beast taming, music, and every conceivable form of martial arts swirled around him, their titles glowing with an intense light.

The library was in an uproar, a symphony of recognition that defied all logic and reason. It was as if the entire accumulated wisdom of the sect had converged upon this one young man, acknowledging him as its chosen one.