Chapter 262: Arrive First And Take The Lead (II)

The Library Pavilion was vast, with rows upon rows of bookshelves. The shelves were neatly categorized into fist techniques, leg techniques, palm techniques, saber techniques, and more. There were also travel journals and various classical texts, forming an incredibly rich collection. A few Li Family disciples were browsing through the techniques inside. Li Mengqi greeted them from afar before leading Lin Zheyu toward the section containing saber techniques.

"Miss Mengqi, may I ask what level of strength Elder Wang possesses? I believed my concealment method had reached a profound level, yet Elder Wang saw through it instantly," Lin Zheyu asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.

If he could not find a new way to hide his strength, he would not be able to use Origin Force to improve himself while staying in the Li Residence. He would be forced to accumulate Origin Force slowly and wait until he left before making plans.

"Elder Wang is very powerful. As for his exact realm, I do not know. But you need not feel discouraged. Even my fourth uncle could not see through your concealment art. As for Elder Wang, he has cultivated the Tortoise Breath True Technique. His mastery of it is extremely deep, and his perception far exceeds that of an ordinary martial artist. In front of Elder Wang, anyone weaker than him cannot hide their aura regardless of the method they use," Li Mengqi explained.

She was not surprised that Elder Wang had seen through Lin Zheyu at a glance.

"The Tortoise Breath True Technique?" Lin Zheyu was stunned for a moment, then asked curiously, "May I ask what relationship it has with the Tortoise Breath Grand Method?"

The moment he heard Tortoise Breath True Technique, Lin Zheyu immediately associated it with the Tortoise Breath Grand Method. If the former was the complete version of the latter, then Elder Wang's ability to see through him was no surprise. He had personally experienced how miraculous and powerful the Tortoise Breath Grand Method was. The complete version would undoubtedly be even stronger.

"The Tortoise Breath Grand Method is the truncated version of the Tortoise Breath True Technique. The true technique is an extremely ancient health cultivation art known for greatly extending one's lifespan. It is widely circulated, and most powerful families and sects possess it. However, the training difficulty is extremely great and requires exceptional bodily control and mastery over essence, qi, and spirit. Because it is difficult to learn and offers little help in battle, most martial artists only study it when they are old, using it to prolong their lives," Li Mengqi patiently explained.

She had heard from Li Mengxi that Zhao Hao lacked knowledge of many higher-level martial concepts. After spending time with him, she felt his ignorance was genuine rather than feigned.

"So that is how it is," Lin Zheyu murmured as realization appeared on his face.

Back then, Master Liang, limited by his strength and knowledge, had learned only the truncated version of the Tortoise Breath Grand Method. Even the Seven Fiend Ghost Manual might have been a truncated version. When Lin Zheyu had examined it in his free time, he found that not only did it lack visualization diagrams for the spiritual methods, but several parts that appeared fine on the surface felt strangely off upon deeper study.

In that case, I truly cannot use Origin Force to improve myself within the Li Residence. Even after leaving, I must find a way to obtain the Tortoise Breath True Technique as soon as possible. Otherwise, anyone would be able to tell that my blood qi has undergone nine qualitative changes. A genius who achieved Dragon Transformation stands out far too much among ordinary martial artists,

Lin Zheyu thought silently.

He hesitated, wondering if he should ask Li Mengqi to replace the saber technique with the Tortoise Breath True Technique instead. He had originally chosen a saber true technique to gain insight into Wind true intent and further refine his lightness movement technique. But even if he comprehended Wind true intent now, it would only significantly improve his movement after he transformed true intent into true strength. Before that, the benefit was limited.

Lin Zheyu was still only in the Blood Qi realm. He intended to reach the Dragon Transformation stage and see how much further he could push the stage before considering breaking through to the Marrow Refining realm. Transforming true intent into true strength and entering the Force Transformation realm was still far away. He would have plenty of opportunities to learn in the future, so there was no need to rush now.

"But suddenly changing the cultivation technique now... won't that seem suspicious...?" Lin Zheyu muttered softly.

He had just been seen through, so immediately abandoning his original choice to study the Tortoise Breath True Technique instead would look extremely suspicious, as if he were trying to hide something. It would practically be announcing his secret.

Moreover, he had chosen a saber technique partly because such a technique usually contained blood qi cultivation methods beyond the fifth transformation. The Tortoise Breath True Technique, being a special type of technique, might not contain any blood qi-condensing methods at all. Because of that, he remained uncertain.

***

While they were discussing, the two arrived at the bookshelf for saber techniques. Many books were displayed on the shelves, but only the three volumes placed at the very top were of the true technique level.

"These three saber true techniques include two that help the user cultivate Wind true intent and one that helps the user cultivate Berserk true intent. Aside from saber techniques, there is also one sword technique that helps the user cultivate Wind true intent. You may look over them first and decide which one you would like to choose," Li Mengqi explained.

She reached up to take the true technique manuals, but the moment she saw the title on the cover, she let out a soft sound of surprise.

"

Huh

, why did it switch to these techniques? Where did the other two saber techniques go?" Li Mengqi stared at the manuals in her hands in surprise. Both were incomplete cultivation arts, missing their true intent diagrams.

"What is it?" Lin Zheyu asked when he noticed something was wrong.

"The two saber techniques that cultivate Wind true intent were taken. Someone must have checked them out to practice. I'm sorry, but these two remaining ones are incomplete manuals missing their true intent diagrams," Li Mengqi said with an apologetic expression.

"There is still the sword technique that helps users cultivate Wind true intent. Would you like to take a look at that instead?" she asked, sounding slightly embarrassed.

In a true technique, the true intent diagram was crucial. Without it, the technique was considered incomplete. To begin with, creating a true intent diagram was extremely difficult. A Force Transformation realm expert proficient in the art had to expend tremendous spiritual power to engrave a special diagram infused with their comprehension of true intent. The process consumed immense vitality and mental strength. These diagrams were one-use only, so once a martial artist attempted to comprehend them, the true intent within would gradually fade regardless of success.

"Are there any other techniques that contain Wind true intent?" Lin Zheyu asked.

He did not like the sword. He liked the fierceness of the saber and the domineering might of fist techniques. Just like the fist momentum he had comprehended from the Barbaric Ox Fist, he preferred direct, forceful, and overwhelming martial arts.

"We have no more." Li Mengqi shook her head, her expression full of apology.

She had checked just last night to ensure the techniques were still in the pavilion and brought Zhao Hao over early in the morning. She did not expect someone to get ahead of them in that short window. It was an absurd coincidence. She had wanted to help him choose the most suitable technique now that he was here in person, but the situation had suddenly turned awkward.

"If Young Master Zhao is willing to wait, I can have someone look for another saber true technique for you," Li Mengqi said.

"If not, the sword technique is fine," Lin Zheyu replied with a smile. A sword true technique that cultivated Wind true intent, paired with superb lightness movement, would still be elegant and usable, even if not ideal.

"Alright, then—"

"No need to go. I took that one as well."

Before she could finish her sentence, a cold voice suddenly interrupted.

Lin Zheyu looked up. A woman stood there dressed in a fitted goose-yellow martial outfit, her long hair coiled atop her head. Her face was oval and delicately made up. She was about the same height as Lin Zheyu, with a slightly broader frame and a neutral, striking beauty. She gazed at Li Mengqi with a faint smile, a cultivation manual in her hand.

"It's you. Li Shuqin, what are you trying to do?" asked Li Mengqi. Her brows furrowed as she glared at the woman. There was clearly old resentment between them.

Lin Zheyu quietly stood aside, saying nothing and refusing to intervene. Ancient esteemed families were always troublesome. Dozens of side branches, power struggles, hidden factions; just watching was tiring.

"Nothing much. I simply have more contribution points than I can spend, so I decided to exchange for a few techniques to play with," replied Li Shuqin with a shrug, smiling mockingly. Seeing anger rise on Li Mengqi's cold, refined face brought her obvious delight.

"You—!" Li Mengqi clenched her fists, glaring at her as frustration and helplessness welled up inside her.

"

Hahaha

, beg me. If you beg nicely and I'm in a good mood, I might reward you with a technique," Li Shuqin said with a laugh, openly taunting her.

She then turned to Lin Zheyu, smiling brightly as she said, "Young Master Zhao, if you are willing to join my faction, I can find an even better true technique for you—even a true technique that cultivates Dominance true intent. I can take one out for you. How about it?"

From her words, it was clear she understood Lin Zheyu extremely well. She had likely assigned people to monitor Li Mengqi's movements and knew precisely whom she interacted with.

"My apologies, but I am not interested." Lin Zheyu declined with a smile.

"

Heh

, you really don't know what is good for you," Li Shuqin sneered, dismissive and scornful.

With that, she took the sword manual, laughed loudly, and swaggered off. It seemed she had come here solely to disgust and humiliate Li Mengqi.

"It seems the Li siblings aren't doing very well in the Li Family," Lin Zheyu murmured softly.

Ever since entering the Li Residence, he had noticed that the siblings' treatment did not resemble that of esteemed family heirs. More precisely, it did not resemble how the main bloodline of a grand family like the Li Family should be treated.

"Young Master Zhao, please don't mind this. I truly apologize for failing to deliver the promised true technique. If you are willing to wait a few days, I will arrange for someone to purchase another," Li Mengqi said apologetically, looking somewhat downcast.

"It is nothing. It is merely a technique. If one is missing, we can find another. By the way, does the Library Pavilion happen to have a copy of the Tortoise Breath True Technique?" Lin Zheyu asked casually.

"You wish to cultivate the Tortoise Breath True Technique?" Li Mengqi asked in surprise.

The Tortoise Breath True Technique was difficult to cultivate and offered no direct benefit to combat strength. Few martial artists chose to study it while their strength was rapidly advancing.

"I travel constantly and am more interested in disguising and concealing my aura. If there are no Wind true intent techniques available, the Tortoise Breath True Technique will do," Lin Zheyu said with a smile.

"There is indeed a copy. Elder Wang often creates extra true intent diagrams for it in his spare time. However, the Tortoise Breath True Technique is widely circulated and easy to purchase. Its price is low, worth far less than the three techniques from earlier. If you choose the Tortoise Breath True Technique instead, I can allow you to choose an additional incomplete true technique from the Library Pavilion," Li Mengqi said after a moment of thought.

An incomplete true technique was simply one missing its true intent diagram. Once a new diagram was added, it would become a complete true technique.

"Then I shall accept graciously," replied Lin Zheyu.