The military off-road vehicle traveled smoothly along the road back to Kyoto.
Fang Yan leaned against the seatback, his fingertips rubbing the dark green python gallbladder he had just obtained. The gallbladder was icy cold to the touch, and a stream of pure energy slowly seeped through his fingertips into his body, causing the meridians that had just endured a fierce battle to comfortably stretch open.
[Item: Misty Giant Python Gallbladder] [Quality: Excellent] [Effect: Greatly increases inner force after consumption, with a certain chance of obtaining the "Miasma Resistance" talent] [Remarks: Inner Core of a Martial Master Realm exotic beast, containing dense water-element and poison-element energy]
"This time, we really gained quite a lot." Chu Feng sat beside him, unable to hide his excitement. "Not only did we complete the mission, but I also gained some insight into my Blazing Sword Technique during the battle just now. I feel like I'm not far from breaking through to the third layer."
Fang Yan smiled. "Your progress is fast too. By the way, how do you plan to use your reward?"
"How else would I use it?" Chu Feng said matter-of-factly. "I'll exchange the 5,000 credits for some cultivation resources first. That Intermediate Qi and Blood Pill is just right for breaking through to the mid-stage of the Martial Master Realm. What about you? You're going to choose a Cultivation Technique from the Scripture Repository. Do you have any target in mind?"
Fang Yan shook his head. "Not yet. There are countless Cultivation Techniques in the Scripture Repository. I'll have to take a look before I know."
He actually already had some ideas in mind. His Ice Soul Art had reached the third layer. Although its power was considerable, his cultivation speed might slow down as he progressed. He needed a technique that suited him better, or one that could complement the Ice Soul Art.
The off-road vehicle soon arrived at Kyoto University of Science and Technology. Su Wan dropped the two of them off at the school gate and reminded them, "I'll submit the mission report for you. The rewards will be credited to your student cards later. Fang Yan, I've already activated your access privileges for the Scripture Repository. You can enter at any time within the next three days."
"Thank you, Teacher Su," the two replied in unison.
After bidding farewell to Su Wan, Chu Feng impatiently went to the Academic Affairs Office to exchange his reward, while Fang Yan headed straight toward the Scripture Repository deep within the school.
The Scripture Repository stood in the most secluded northwestern corner of the campus. It was a quaint seven-story pagoda built entirely from blue-gray megaliths, its surface covered in dense ancient runes that radiated the weathered aura of passing years. Two white-haired old men stood at the entrance. Their auras were steady and composed; at a glance, they were clearly no ordinary people.
"Student, present your student ID and access privileges." One of the old men spoke, his voice hoarse yet full of strength.
Fang Yan handed over his student ID. The old man took it and brushed a finger across it. A glimmer of light flashed.
"Hmm, Su Wan already informed me. Go in. You may browse freely up to the third floor. The fourth floor and above require specific privileges. Remember, you may only read them. You may not take them away or forcibly memorize them. There are restrictions inside the repository." The old man reminded him.
"Understood." Fang Yan nodded and walked into the Scripture Repository.
As soon as he entered, a rich scholarly fragrance washed over him. The first floor contained a large number of basic martial arts and theoretical books, most of them meant for freshmen. Fang Yan did not stop and went straight up to the second floor.
Most of the Cultivation Techniques on the second floor ranged from the Warrior Realm to the early stage of the Martial Master Realm. They covered an enormous variety, from sabers, spears, swords, and halberds to fist and foot techniques. Fang Yan slowly walked along the bookshelves, his eyes rapidly sweeping over the covers of one secret manual after another.
Great Strength Vajra Palm, Gale Step, Flowing Water Sword Technique...
All of these techniques were quite good, but none were what Fang Yan wanted. He needed a technique that could take his ice abilities to the next level, or one that could make up for his weaknesses.
Before he knew it, he had already reached the third floor.
The Cultivation Techniques on the third floor were clearly more advanced than those on the second. Most were techniques for the middle and late stages of the Martial Master Realm, or even deeper levels. There were also far fewer people here, with only a handful of students intently flipping through books.
Fang Yan's gaze was drawn to a Cultivation Technique with a blue cover.
[Cultivation Technique: Profound Ice Force] [Grade: Earth-tier Low Grade] [Attribute: Ice] [Introduction: A pure ice-element internal cultivation method. Once cultivated to mastery, it can condense Profound Ice True Qi and freeze all things. It has strong compatibility and can be stacked with other ice-element Cultivation Techniques.]
"Earth-tier Low Grade!" Fang Yan's heart stirred.
The Cultivation Techniques of Kyoto University of Science and Technology were divided into the Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow tiers, with each tier further divided into high, middle, and low grades. The Yellow Tier was the lowest, while the Heaven Tier was the highest. The Ice Soul Art was merely Profound-tier High Grade, whereas this Profound Ice Force was Earth-tier Low Grade, a whole major tier higher. Moreover, it could be stacked with the Ice Soul Art. It was practically tailor-made for him.
He reached out and took down the Profound Ice Scripture, then opened its pages. The text inside was obscure and difficult to understand, accompanied by a series of complicated diagrams showing the circulation of energy through the meridians. Fang Yan studied it carefully, growing more astonished the more he read. The profundity of this technique was far beyond anything the Ice Soul Art could compare with.
Just as he was absorbed in reading, a voice sounded behind him. "Student, you're interested in the Profound Ice Force too?"
Fang Yan turned around and saw a young man standing there in a white training uniform. The man had handsome features and a cool, aloof air, with a trace of arrogance in his eyes. A silver badge was pinned to his chest, signifying that he was one of the school's specially selected outstanding students.
"Yes. This Cultivation Technique suits me very well," Fang Yan said calmly.
The man's lips curled into a cold sneer. "Suits you? The Profound Ice Force is extraordinarily difficult to cultivate and requires exceptional comprehension and ice-element talent. In the entire school, no more than five people have managed to cultivate it to minor mastery. Are you sure you can do it?"
Fang Yan ignored his provocation and merely said flatly, "Whether I can or not, I'll know after I try."
"Heh, ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth." The man laughed disdainfully. "I've already claimed this Profound Ice Force. If you know what's good for you, choose another one."
Fang Yan frowned. "The rules of the Scripture Repository should be first come, first served, shouldn't they?"
"Rules?" The man's eyes turned cold. "Here, I make the rules."
At that moment, the old man from the entrance walked over and said sternly, "Li Hao, you are not to make a disturbance inside the Scripture Repository, much less seize a Cultivation Technique chosen by someone else."
The man named Li Hao's expression changed. He was clearly deeply wary of the old man and lowered his voice. "Yes, Elder Zhang."
He shot Fang Yan a vicious glare, threw out, "Just you wait," and turned to leave.
Fang Yan cupped his fists toward Elder Zhang. "Thank you, Elder Zhang."
Elder Zhang waved his hand. "It's nothing. Just follow the rules. The Profound Ice Force is good, but it is difficult to cultivate. Be careful." With that, he turned and left.
Fang Yan watched Li Hao's departing back, his eyes utterly unruffled. He picked up the Profound Ice Scripture again, found a secluded corner, sat down, and continued studying.
Time passed bit by bit. In the blink of an eye, it was already time for the Scripture Repository to close.
Fang Yan closed the book and returned the Profound Ice Scripture to its original place. He had not forcibly memorized it, because he knew the restrictions in the Scripture Repository were no joke. He had already committed the core principles of the technique and the cultivation methods for its first two layers to heart. That was enough for him to cultivate for some time.
When he walked out of the Scripture Repository, the sun had already sunk in the west.
Fang Yan took a deep breath, his heart filled with anticipation. With the Profound Ice Force, combined with that Misty Giant Python Gallbladder, he was confident he could raise his strength to a new height in a short time.
After returning to the dormitory, Fang Yan immediately sat down cross-legged and took out the Misty Giant Python Gallbladder. He did not rush to consume it. Instead, he first circulated the Ice Soul Art, adjusting the inner force within his body to its optimal state.
A moment later, he opened his mouth and swallowed the entire gallbladder.
The gallbladder melted the instant it entered his mouth. An energy far more immense and far more violent than that of a breakthrough pill suddenly exploded inside his body!
Do you need me to help you come up with what unexpected gains Fang Yan might obtain after consuming the python gallbladder?
Before you continue