Chapter 348 - 219: An Ulterior Motive?

Chapter 348: Chapter 219: An Ulterior Motive?

"Go on, then."

Seeing that Su Xing had no intention of turning back, she gave a resigned wave and paid the outsider no more mind.

’Everyone has their own path to walk. Since I’ve already warned him, my conscience is clear.’

***

The Scripture Pavilion was a vital location within the Cyan Cloud Sect, guarded by elite disciples at all times.

To enter the Scripture Pavilion, disciples of the Cyan Cloud Sect had to pay a fee or have made outstanding contributions to the sect. This contribution-based system had been in place since the sect’s founding; after all, a mature organization must have a clear system of rewards and punishments.

But undeniably,

this system only applied to ordinary disciples.

For certain special individuals, the Scripture Pavilion was hardly a forbidden land. Su Xing, a newcomer, had been granted access without any personal cost simply because he had earned someone’s favor. The principle was the same.

After bidding farewell to the Tower Guardian,

Su Xing didn’t immediately seek out the technique for Immortal-Martial Unity. Instead, he went straight to the second floor and began browsing the collection of Qi Cultivation texts.

In truth,

Su Xing was very curious about immortal cultivation.

Since he was young, Su Xing had read plenty of web novels on cultivation and fantasy themes. But by a twist of fate, he had instead embarked on the Martial Dao, where he achieved great success, taking him further and further from the path of Qi Cultivation.

Now that he finally had the opportunity,

he naturally intended to learn as much as he could.

The second floor was largely empty. Although the Cyan Cloud Sect had never officially drawn lines between factions, the requirement of contributions or large sums of money was a significant barrier.

While earning contributions might have been easier in ancient times, it was exceedingly difficult in the modern city.

As a result,

ordinary disciples had to go to great lengths just to visit.

Then came the challenge of finding a suitable Cultivation Technique, not to mention gathering the medicinal herbs and Elixirs required for Qi Cultivation. It was incredibly difficult for anyone to reach a high realm relying solely on their own efforts.

Even within the Cyan Cloud Sect, it was an incredibly arduous task for an ordinary disciple to reach the fourth tier or higher on their own.

As for reaching even greater heights,

unless one was specially groomed by the sect,

it was impossible to spring up like a weed from the wild.

This was a testament to the difficulty of Qi Cultivation, and the path of the Martial Dao was much the same. At moments like this, the unique advantage belonging to Sequencers became clear.

A Sequencer’s training, at least, never required a Cultivation Technique. As long as your innate talent was high enough, you would eventually make a name for yourself. This was a fundamental difference that set them apart from Qi Cultivators and Martial Artists.

But for Su Xing,

none of this made much of a difference.

Su Xing stood before a row of shelves, carefully examining a Qi Cultivation Technique titled "Endless Profound." After a moment, he put it down and picked up another.

He browsed for a long time, but the system remained unresponsive. Su Xing sighed with a touch of regret.

"It seems these techniques can’t trigger the system’s fusion mechanism. I guess they’re not closely related enough to my current sword skills."

’After all, the principle behind the system’s fusion is likely that any Cultivation Technique or martial art I acquire must have some similarity to my current sword skills to trigger it.’

"Oh well..."

"There’s still plenty of time, anyway. I might as well go through them one by one and see if any Qi Cultivation Technique can trigger my system."

Cyan Yang Skill

Moon Shadow Sword

Heavy Mountain Palm

Cloud-Riding Heart Technique

***

One after another, martial arts and Cultivation Techniques passed before his eyes, but none triggered his system’s fusion reaction. Su Xing, who had been hopeful at first, grew increasingly indifferent.

Soon, Su Xing had briefly scanned every book on the second floor. There were about forty-seven manuals in total; twenty-one were Qi Cultivation Techniques, and the rest were Sword Fist Techniques.

"Oh well..."

"I should go back and take a look at Immortal-Martial Unity."

Su Xing suddenly realized he lacked any common ground with the techniques of these Qi Cultivators. He had never practiced Qi Cultivation, so it was perfectly normal that a fusion couldn’t be triggered.

’If...’

’I can really achieve Immortal-Martial Unity,’

’maybe I’ll be able to integrate these Cultivation Techniques into my sword skills then.’

At this thought,

Su Xing felt it was increasingly likely.

He gave up on heading to the third floor and prepared to return to the first. But just then, a familiar voice called out.

"Su Xiaoyou, what are you doing here?"

The speaker was none other than Elder Ling, the one who had arranged Su Xing’s accommodations. He greeted Su Xing the moment he saw him.

"I came to cultivate Immortal-Martial Unity."

Su Xing didn’t hide his purpose. News that he was going to attempt Immortal-Martial Unity would likely spread quickly among the Cyan Cloud Sect’s leadership anyway, so there was no point in being secretive.

"I see."

Elder Ling didn’t seem surprised at all. He just smiled and started chatting idly.

"Su Xiaoyou, are the accommodations I arranged for you to your liking?"

"Of course. They’re excellent."

Su Xing replied just as politely.

"Good, good, I’m glad to hear it. But Su Xiaoyou, are you certain you want to get involved in this affair?"

"Hm?"

"Elder Ling, it sounds like there’s more to what you’re saying."

Su Xing narrowed his eyes at the sudden change of topic, then asked with a candid smile.

"Su Xiaoyou, since you were with us for the incident at the opera stage, you must have heard the Yin Crow mention that another person would be coming."

"That person is Li Ye, isn’t it?"

Su Xing said, nodding with understanding.

"Oh?"

Elder Ling sounded surprised. "I didn’t expect you to have learned so much in such a short time, Su Xiaoyou."

"That’s right. It is Li Ye."

"He was once the strongest of the Cyan Cloud Sect’s younger generation. He perfected the Cyan Cloud Swordsmanship and even attempted Immortal-Martial Unity. In terms of sheer talent, no one in the sect for the past five generations could rival him."

’It seems the people of the Cyan Cloud Sect take him very seriously.’

Su Xing noted quietly to himself.

’Both Elder Lu and Elder Ling have mentioned Li Ye. It proves his talent and strength are truly astonishing. I’ll need to be careful.’

"Do you know him well, Elder Ling?"

Su Xing asked.

"You could say that. I was the one who recruited him from his small village. Unfortunately, all I know is that he suddenly betrayed the sect. I have no idea why."

Elder Ling added regretfully, "But like the Yin Crow, he is also a wanted criminal targeted by the special organization."

"His codename is ’Caged Bird’."

"A crow and a bird?"

Su Xing said, surprised. "Are the two of them planning to declare war on the entire Cyan Cloud Sect by themselves?"

In reality, Su Xing was well aware that if a war did break out, even if Luocheng’s special organization wasn’t strong enough, other organizations from nearby regions would likely volunteer to help the sect.

’They...’

’Do they really dare to fight the Cyan Cloud Sect in the open?’

"Perhaps. But since they’ve issued a challenge, they can’t be planning to back down. That’s why I hope you won’t interfere, Su Xiaoyou. When all is said and done, this is an internal affair of the Cyan Cloud Sect."

Elder Ling said.

"Thank you for your concern, Elder Ling. But I have my own responsibilities, and I can’t simply walk away from this."

Su Xing replied earnestly.

"Sigh. You truly are a difficult person to persuade with words. Just consider me a meddler. Please don’t take it to heart."

"Well, I won’t disturb you any longer."

"Since you’re going to cultivate Immortal-Martial Unity, you should get to it. We only have ten days left, which isn’t much time."

Elder Ling said.

"Understood."

After Su Xing agreed, Elder Ling turned and headed up the stairs. Watching his retreating back, Su Xing couldn’t shake the feeling that the Elder was hiding something.

After all,

Elder Ling was the one who brought Li Ye into the sect.

He should know Li Ye’s character better than anyone.

’Perhaps,’

’he knows more than he’s letting on.’

’Besides, if the Yin Crow and Li Ye are truly seeking revenge, this open provocation is far too brazen. Are they really confident they can take down the entire Cyan Cloud Sect and the experts from the nearby organizations?’

’Or...’

’do they have some other agenda?’

"Whatever. I’ll focus on improving my own strength first."

Su Xing shook his head and muttered.