The next morning, Su Yu took the manuals for Lone Peak Sword Art and Thunderclap Fist to the Scripture Repository.
Yunlan Sect had strict rules: Outer Sect Disciples could borrow martial arts manuals for no more than three months. Those who failed to return them on time would receive a visit from a Disciplinary Hall enforcer.
When Su Yu arrived at the Scripture Repository, he discovered that Elder Lu Yue was not on duty today. Instead, an old man in gray robes with a stooped figure was there.
The old man leaned back in a wicker chair, dozing. Not a trace of spiritual energy stirred around him; at first glance, he seemed no different from an ordinary elderly man.
But Su Yu knew that anyone entrusted with guarding such an important place as the Scripture Repository could hardly be an ordinary person.
"Senior, this disciple has come to return the manuals." Su Yu bowed respectfully and presented the two books with both hands.
The old man did not even lift his eyelids. His withered hand casually took the books.
But when his gaze fell on the words "Lone Peak Sword Art," his wrinkled hand suddenly paused, and a glint flashed through his cloudy eyes.
"You are... Su Yu?" The old man's voice rasped like sandpaper.
Su Yu's heart gave a slight jolt. He hadn't expected this mysterious senior to know his name, and quickly replied, "This disciple is indeed Su Yu."
"I am Wei Changqing. You may call me Elder Wei."
The old man slowly sat upright, and the wicker chair creaked. "Old Ghost Lu specifically told me a few days ago that if you hadn't mastered Lone Peak Sword Art, I could make an exception and let you choose another manual."
As he spoke, he pointed toward the first floor of the Scripture Repository. His meaning could not have been clearer.
As Elder Wei spoke, his gaze swept over Su Yu, and he shook his head inwardly.
Lone Peak Sword Art was notorious throughout Yunlan Sect.
Outer Sect Disciples couldn't unravel its mysteries, while Inner Sect Disciples thought its grade too low.
Over the past six months, more than a dozen disciples had failed to make progress with the art and gone to the Disciplinary Hall to demand a different martial technique.
He had heard that the elders were already discussing removing it from the Scripture Repository.
Su Yu was taken aback. He hadn't expected Elder Lu to be so considerate, and a warm feeling rose in his heart.
But he calmly replied, "Thank you for your concern, Elder Wei, but this disciple has already cultivated this sword art to Lesser Accomplishment."
Elder Wei raised an eyebrow. A trace of surprise crossed his age-spotted face, but it soon faded.
He scoffed inwardly. Young people valued their pride above all else. Su Yu probably just didn't want to admit defeat in front of others.
So be it. He had chosen his own path. Since he wouldn't heed the advice, he had no one to blame when he suffered for it later.
When the old man said nothing more, Su Yu bowed once again and turned to leave.
After walking a few steps, he heard a sigh from behind, so faint it was almost inaudible. He paused, but didn't look back. Only the faintest curve touched his lips.
Not long after Su Yu returned to the courtyard, Su Yan and Su Mei came to invite him to have a meal with them at the Spirit Cuisine Hall.
For the past month, Su Yu had been so focused on cultivating martial arts that he'd had people bring his meals to the courtyard, where he ate them in a hurry.
Now that all three martial arts had reached Lesser Accomplishment, he didn't need to treat himself so harshly.
"Why didn't Su Yun come?"
Su Yu asked as he straightened his sleeves.
"That guy's still in seclusion, working hard at his cultivation."
Su Yan pursed his lips.
"Ever since he got Blazing Sun Sword Style, he's been acting strange all day. But I can't blame him. The Blazing Flames Sword Style he used to cultivate came from the same lineage, so he must have had some sort of epiphany."
As the three walked together to the Spirit Cuisine Hall, Su Yan couldn't help complaining. "This Human-grade High-tier sword art is really hard to master. It took me a whole month just to barely reach Initial Accomplishment."
Su Mei softly agreed. "I only began to get the hang of it a few days ago. I still feel like I'm a long way from truly mastering it."
Su Yu fell silent.
He'd wanted to share some cultivation insights, but worried it would sound like he was deliberately showing off. In the end, he just smiled warmly.
After the three of them picked up their meals and sat down, Su Yan suddenly lowered his voice. "Brother Yu, did you hear? Lin Tian got taught a lesson a few days ago."
Su Yu's chopsticks paused slightly.
Lin Tian had always been arrogant, but he was still among the strongest of the newly admitted Outer Sect Disciples.
"I heard he got into a dispute with someone over a manual at the Scripture Repository. They took it to the fighting arena, and he was on the ground in fewer than ten moves."
Su Yan spoke animatedly, as though he'd seen it himself. "The most shocking part is, the one who beat him was called Zou Lintian. Supposedly, he doesn't even rank among the Outer Sect's top ten."
Su Mei couldn't help clicking her tongue. "Someone who doesn't even make the top ten can beat Lin Tian so easily? Just how strong are our senior brothers and sisters?"
Seeing their spirits sink, Su Yu reassured them gently. "They've had two or three more years to cultivate than we have. Given enough time, you might still catch up and surpass them."
Those words rekindled Su Yan's fighting spirit. He suddenly lowered his voice. "Oh, right. I heard that the selection for the Top Ten Outer Disciples is going to be held officially in a month. People may have private rankings, but this time the sect will recognize the competition, and the rewards are supposed to be generous. Not only Spirit Stones, but a large number of Contribution Points too."
A look of longing flashed through Su Mei's eyes, but Su Yan's next words doused her hopes. "Still, we definitely don't stand a chance this time. I heard plenty of senior brothers and sisters who've been here for two or three years are entering..."
"But with Brother Yu's talent, in two years at most..."
Su Yan paused, then abruptly shook his head.
"No! Maybe he'll make it into the Top Ten Outer Disciples within a year!"
Su Yan was in full swing when a cold laugh suddenly interrupted him. "How presumptuous! New disciples, and you dare talk about the Top Ten Outer Disciples?"
Su Yu frowned and looked over. A young man with an ordinary face but an arrogant expression stood by their table, with a youth of about sixteen or seventeen behind him.
The youth had a handsome face, but his flirtatious eyes roamed over Su Mei as he smiled. "This junior sister is quite a beauty. Why don't you come sit with us?"
Startled by the sudden approach, Su Mei shrank behind Su Yu.
Su Yan slammed a hand on the table and stood up. "Who do you think you are? What we talk about is none of your business!"
"Impudent!" the arrogant young man snapped. "You junior brothers and sisters these days really don't know your place. I'm Zhang Hao, and this is Senior Brother Zou Lintian."
"Zou Lintian?"
Su Yan sucked in a sharp breath and unconsciously took half a step back.
Wasn't he the one they'd just been talking about—the man who'd beaten Lin Tian in ten moves?
Seeing that they recognized Zou Lintian's name, Zhang Hao grew even more smug. "That Lin Tian didn't know his place. He dared to compete with Senior Brother Zou for a manual, and got beaten so badly he couldn't even get back up. If you know what's good for you, you'll let this junior sister join us for a meal. You lot..."
"And what if I say no?" Su Yu cut in coldly, his eyes already carrying a hint of menace.
Zou Lintian's expression darkened. He said ominously, "Then I'll make sure you have no place left in the Outer Sect!"
Su Mei turned deathly pale.
Su Yan forced himself to shout, "The sect forbids private fights!"
"Hahaha!" Zhang Hao laughed arrogantly.
"Private fights are forbidden, but the sect encourages sparring in the fighting arena. By the rules, every disciple can force one person to accept a challenge each month, and they're not allowed to refuse. What's the matter? Scared now?"
To their surprise, Su Yu rose calmly to his feet. "Lead the way."
Zou Lintian narrowed his eyes. "You've got guts! Since you're asking to die, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
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