The Martial Arts Skills Pavilion, the System's Bizarre Choice!

Quite a few Martial Artists moved between the bookshelves. Some stopped to study the books intently, while others spoke in low voices with their companions.

Xiao Han glanced around.

The martial techniques and cultivation methods here were a dazzling array, sorted and shelved by grade and type.

The first- and second-grade sections were the largest, occupying most of the ground floor. They were open to all certified Martial Artists.

The third-grade section was somewhat smaller and protected by restrictions. Entry required a certain level of authorization or a certain number of points.

As for martial techniques of higher grades, those existed only in legend. At the very least, there was no chance of seeing them at the warrior center in Beihai City.

Xiao Han did not rush to browse. Instead, he first sorted through what he needed.

The Chaos Green Lotus primarily leaned toward life, purification, defense, and Domain enhancement. Its recovery was astonishing, and it was also strong in a head-on fight, but for now, it lacked effective ranged attacks and a means of unleashing explosive power in an instant.

The Eternal Night Monarch primarily leaned toward assassination, stealth, spatial traversal, and mental influence. Its uncanny footwork and killing moves were its core strengths, but it was somewhat lacking in a head-on clash.

A movement technique is essential. The Eternal Night Monarch's shadow jumping appears and disappears like a ghost, but it isn't all-purpose. I need a conventional movement technique to make up for its shortcomings, especially in open areas or places without shadows.

And a powerful movement technique can also work with the Chaos Green Lotus to control the distance and evade attacks.

As for offense, the Eternal Night Monarch has assassination abilities of its own, but it needs to get close. The Chaos Green Lotus is currently more support-oriented, so I also need a sufficiently powerful, simple and direct offensive martial technique to break through defenses head-on or clear out a crowd.

With a plan in mind, Xiao Han began moving through the rows of bookshelves.

He quickly passed over the flashy, impractical techniques, his gaze zeroing in on a few second-grade martial techniques with decent reviews.

《Phantom Step》: a middle-tier second-grade movement technique. At major mastery, it could conjure three afterimages to confuse enemies. Its speed and agility were both quite good.

"Stone-Splitting Fist": an upper-tier second-grade offensive martial technique renowned for its fierce power. It concentrated force in the fist, and once cultivated to a profound level, a single punch could shatter a boulder.

Both techniques were good choices and reasonably well suited to his circumstances. They were moderately difficult to cultivate, making them excellent value for him at the Fourth Level of the Martial Artist Realm.

Just as Xiao Han reached out to take down the jade slips for the two techniques and examine them carefully, the familiar electronic voice rang out in his mind once again, at a thoroughly inopportune moment.

[​Ding! The host is faced with a choice of martial techniques. God-Level Choice activated!]

Xiao Han paused, the corner of his eye twitching almost imperceptibly.

Here it comes. This damn system's "surprise" is back.

[​Choice one: obediently choose 《Phantom Step》 and "Stone-Splitting Fist," proceed step by step, and become a completely ordinary Martial Artist. Reward: one bag of "completely ordinary" sunflower seeds (five-spice flavor).]

[​Choice two: go to the most secluded northeastern corner of the Martial Skills Pavilion and perform the grand rite of three bows and nine kowtows before the unwanted ancient book "Revised Basic Breathing Technique," whose cover is damaged and which is covered in dust, and shout with all your might: "Senior, your divine art is unrivaled! This junior sincerely begs to learn your art!" Reward: special movement technique "A Step to the Ends of the Earth," grade unknown + a fragment of the special fist technique "Annihilation Divine Fist," grade unknown.]

Xiao Han: "..."

He looked at the long description for choice two, especially the "three bows and nine kowtows" and the outrageously cringeworthy shout, and felt the veins on his forehead throbbing.

This system...

Does it really have no shame at all?

Forcibly kissing Su Linglong last time had been socially mortifying too, but at least she was a peerless beauty, and through a twist of fate, it seemed to have brought about a romantic match. It had been high risk, high reward.

What about this time?

In front of a battered book—and a fucking "Revised Basic Breathing Technique," at that!

What was the Basic Breathing Technique?

It was an introductory text on the martial path, a run-of-the-mill manual that even Martial Apprentices could not be bothered to give a second glance!

This "revised" version was probably something some senior with too much time on their hands had tinkered with at random. Judging by the thickness of the dust, it was unwanted trash!

Three bows and nine kowtows to something like that?

And shout that mortifying line too?

People were coming and going in the Martial Skills Pavilion. Though it was not particularly crowded, there were still dozens of Martial Artists present.

If he actually did it, tomorrow's headline in Beihai City would definitely be about him: "Shocking! Rising martial star Xiao Han suspected of suffering cultivation deviation, kneels to a battered book and cries out about a divine art!"

Social death, also known as dying of embarrassment in public.

But...

Those rewards are just too good!

A Step to the Ends of the Earth!

And Annihilation Divine Fist!

Just hearing the names was enough to tell they were no ordinary goods!

Their grades were unknown, too!

Knowing the system, an unknown grade usually meant it far surpassed the conventional grades!

These were top-tier martial techniques that could accompany him as he grew for a long time to come!

Compared with the second-grade 《Phantom Step》 and Stone-Splitting Fist, they were on entirely different levels!

And then there's the reward for choice one...

A bag of five-spice sunflower seeds?

Is the system mocking me?

Do I look like someone who can't afford sunflower seeds?!

A battle raged in Xiao Han's heart.

His gaze drifted toward the northeastern corner of the Martial Skills Pavilion.

Looking closely, he saw that the light there was indeed much dimmer, and the bookshelves had an air of age about them.

In an utterly inconspicuous corner, a thick ancient book lay all alone, its cover damaged and covered in dust.

Occasionally, someone passed nearby, but they all completely ignored the spot.

I'm doing it!

Xiao Han steeled himself.

What's face worth? A few copper coins?

Before absolute strength, it's worth nothing!

As long as I'm strong enough, I'll definitely get back twice the face I lose today someday!

If anyone dares laugh at me, I'll beat him until he doesn't dare open his mouth!

Besides, as long as I don't feel awkward, everyone else will be the awkward ones!

Having made up his mind, Xiao Han took a deep breath and did his utmost to keep his face expressionless as he walked toward the forgotten corner.

His unusual behavior immediately drew the attention of a few nearby Martial Artists.

"Huh? What's that kid going to the corner for? Aren't the techniques over there all unwanted trash?"

"No idea. Judging by the badge on his chest, he looks like a newly certified Martial Artist, and a genius with a perfect rating at that. Maybe he's just curious?"

"Who knows what goes on in a genius's head?"

Xiao Han ignored their gazes and walked straight up to the Revised Basic Breathing Technique.

He forced himself to remain calm, recalling the actions and lines the system required of him. His toes nearly curled.

He was unwilling in every way.

[​Ten-second countdown. Please carry out the choice as soon as possible, host, or choice two will be considered abandoned!]

The system's urging came without warning.

To hell with it!

Xiao Han gritted his teeth, dropped to his knees, and landed with a thud in one swift, decisive motion!

The sight nearly made the eyes of the Martial Artists watching him pop out of their heads!

"Holy shit?!"

"He... he actually knelt?!"

"In front of that battered book?!"

Then, under everyone's astonished gazes, Xiao Han bent down and knocked his forehead hard against the cold floor!

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

Those were the three bows!

Then...

The nine kowtows!

Each time he knocked his head against the floor, it was as if a heavy hammer had struck the onlookers' hearts.

They were utterly dumbfounded, their minds blank, completely unable to make sense of the bizarre sight before them.

This genius...

Could he have gone mad?

Just as everyone thought this was as bizarre as things could possibly get, Xiao Han raised his head and drew a sharp breath. With all his strength, he shouted at the top of his lungs at the battered book, his tone almost reverent, yet tinged with a hint of reckless abandon: "Senior, your divine art is unrivaled! This junior sincerely begs to learn your art!"

His voice was thunderous, instantly carrying throughout the entire Martial Skills Pavilion!

When he finished shouting, Xiao Han remained kneeling, his head bowed low, wishing he could find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

This is so embarrassing!

I've never been so humiliated in my life!

System, fuck your uncle!