The Opportunity Waited For Two Years

"Junior Brother Kong Jiao, I'd like to borrow this book."

Before a desk cluttered with all manner of ancient, worn-out scrolls, a burly man with a rough-hewn build waved a yellowed sheepskin tome at the youth sitting behind the counter.

The youth possessed a pallor born of long deprivation from sunlight. His long hair was tied back, and he leaned against a rocking chair behind the desk, engrossed in a volume of fiction.

Upon hearing the man, he merely glanced at the ancient scroll with his peripheral vision and said languidly, "The Treatise on Miscellaneous Spirit-Grain Stoves is one Spirit Crystal for a one-month loan period; late returns will be charged an additional Spirit Crystal per month."

The man was clearly no stranger to borrowing books here. After stuffing the sheepskin scroll into his tunic, he cautiously retrieved a thumb-sized, milky-white crystal with faint yellow markings from his pocket and placed it on the desk.

Without looking up, the youth swept his palm across the desk, and the Spirit Crystal vanished.

Neither spoke further; the man clutched the Treatise on Miscellaneous Spirit-Grain Stoves and hurried away.

Not until the man's back was about to disappear through the main entrance did the youth, known as Kong Jiao, finally set down his fiction book, his narrow eyes fixed on the man's retreating figure.

Less than three inches above the man's head, there was a wisp of mist that only Kong Jiao could see.

The mist was the size of a fist and entirely gray, churning like clouds, occasionally revealing hints of thick, murky black.

"The masses are all chaos; only those with white mist three inches above their heads possess true opportunity. This Senior Brother Mu has been planting spirit-grain in the sect for over twenty years—he is truly a wretch struggling among the common masses."

"And with gray turning to black, I fear he has encountered difficulties recently. Borrowing the Treatise on Miscellaneous Spirit-Grain Stoves—it's eight parts likely that something has gone wrong with his spirit fields."

Kong Jiao muttered to himself, shaking his head as he pondered the man's recent fortune.

With that, Kong Jiao picked up his brush and recorded the man's name and the borrowed book in the ledger.

After finishing, Kong Jiao lost the heart to continue reading his fiction. His face, which was decent enough to look at, suddenly creased with a frown of worry.

"Two years! The opportunity I've been waiting for still hasn't arrived!" Kong Jiao's gaze swept across the cramped space of the Miscellaneous Books Pavilion, filled with countless books and bamboo scrolls, his expression tinged with frustration.

After staring blankly for a long while, Kong Jiao suddenly closed his eyes.

Deep within his consciousness, a Cloud-Pattern White Jade Stele appeared of its own accord.

On the surface of the jade stele, lines of text were clearly inscribed.

'Joining the Cangwu Sect grants +1 Opportunity Value'

'Already joined the Cangwu Sect, Opportunity Value +1'

'Electing to study the Frostfall Wheel-Nourishing Scripture grants +2 Opportunity Value'

'Already studying the Frostfall Wheel-Nourishing Scripture, Opportunity Value +2'

'Obtaining a position at the Miscellaneous Books Pavilion grants +2 Opportunity Value'

'Already obtained a position at the Miscellaneous Books Pavilion, Opportunity Value +2'

Two years ago, when Kong Jiao had just transmigrated into this world of cultivation, he had been guided by this Cloud-Pattern White Jade Stele deep in his consciousness to join the Cangwu Sect.

Then, from choosing to study the Frostfall Wheel-Nourishing Scripture for the Wheel-Nourishing Realm, to exhausting every effort to secure this position at the Miscellaneous Books Pavilion.

Kong Jiao had almost believed he was about to soar into the heavens and become one of those peerless geniuses from the books.

That was until he spent two full years holed up in this lifeless outer-sect Miscellaneous Books Pavilion.

Time had forced Kong Jiao to face reality, and the initial fervor in his heart had faded.

The truth was, Kong Jiao, having come to the Cangwu Sect under the guidance of that Cloud-Pattern Stele, was no different from any other outer-sect disciple who had entered at the same time.

At least, that was how Kong Jiao felt.

The total of five Opportunity Value points gained from the Cloud-Pattern White Jade Stele had not made him feel any different.

Perhaps the only change was that the wisp of mist above his own head had shifted from a dull gray to a gray tinged with a hint of white.

That touch of white was so faint it was barely noticeable unless one looked very closely.

It was just a tiny bit stronger than the seekers among the common masses.

That tiny bit doesn't seem enough to change my fate, Kong Jiao thought, his lips curling into a self-deprecating smile.

For the first few months, Kong Jiao had thought that since the Cloud-Pattern Stele had guided him here, it proved there must be some sort of encounter to be had in this Miscellaneous Books Pavilion.

Consequently, Kong Jiao had strived diligently, devouring every book in the entire pavilion until his eyes were practically turning green.

Beyond acquiring a great deal of strange and useless knowledge, he had found not a single clue regarding any "opportunity."

Then, he suspected the opportunity might be hidden within the pavilion itself.

The result was as one might expect; he had practically dug three feet deep, even inspecting mouse holes more than ten times, yet he still found nothing.

After two full years, Kong Jiao had begun to consider giving up.

"Cloud-Pattern Stele! Oh, Cloud-Pattern Stele! To secure this position, I had to contribute half of my ten-Spirit-Crystal monthly salary to the outer-sect affairs office just to fill that bloodsucker's belly."

"Two years have passed, and not only is there no sign of an opportunity, but I'm also dirt poor."

Kong Jiao's grumbling voice echoed in his mind.

After a bout of muttering, he slumped back into his rocking chair like a deflated balloon, picking up the fiction book and staring at it with a blank expression.

Clearly, this was not the first time in these two years that Kong Jiao had lamented his situation.

"The consolation is that I, a disciple with only two Spirit Apertures, have now reached the third stage of the Wheel-Nourishing Realm; at least I haven't been left too far behind by those geniuses."

The first stage of cultivation is known as Wheel-Nourishing, where one warms and nourishes the Spirit Wheel to gather spirit and absorb energy.

This stage consists of nine minor realms, and Kong Jiao is currently at the third.

In truth, given that Kong Jiao's talent only allowed for the opening of two Spirit Apertures, his ability to reach the third minor realm in two years was indeed thanks to the Frostfall Wheel-Nourishing Scripture.

After all, most disciples with two-aperture talent who entered the Cangwu Sect at the same time as Kong Jiao are currently only at the second stage of the Wheel-Nourishing Realm.

Only Kong Jiao has reached the third stage.

His cultivation speed is almost on par with that group of excellent disciples who possess three Spirit Apertures.

The number of Spirit Apertures a body possesses determines a cultivator's talent.

After all, when they inhale the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, it must all pass through the Spirit Apertures; the more apertures one has, the faster the speed of inhalation.

The human body has nine apertures in total, and basically, they are all closed at birth.

Only a very small number of people with the aptitude for cultivation are able to retain a few of them.

Those born with two Spirit Apertures possess only average aptitude.

Three Spirit Apertures can almost be considered excellent talent.

Four Spirit Apertures can make one a genius.

Five Spirit Apertures allow one to enter the inner sect directly as a "Spirit Seed."

As for those with more than six, Kong Jiao has never heard of them; at the very least, he has never heard of any genius in the Cangwu Sect possessing six Spirit Apertures.

It is strange to say, but while there are quite a few people in the entire Cangwu Sect who cultivate the Frostfall Wheel-Nourishing Scripture, only Kong Jiao has seen miraculous effects from it.

He does not know if it is because this scripture is highly compatible with his body's Spirit Apertures, or if it is the blessing of the Cloud-Pattern Stele.

"Sigh, I am actually stronger than most people; truly, the hearts of men are not what they once were, and greed is at work." Thinking of his own cultivation realm, Kong Jiao's melancholy mood finally found a little comfort.

The Cloud-Pattern Stele does indeed possess mysterious power; it not only allows Kong Jiao to see the fortunes of others, but it also always accurately pinpoints opportunities.

If Kong Jiao had not entered the Cangwu Sect, he would never have been able to cultivate the Frostfall Wheel-Nourishing Scripture.

Then, with his talent and aptitude, he would likely have ended up just like Senior Brother Mu, who tends the spirit fields, honestly farming in the Cangwu Sect.

After all, in this world, strength is the only hard truth.

"I will wait one more year! If I still cannot find an opportunity, I truly won't be able to stay in this Miscellaneous Books Pavilion." Kong Jiao gritted his teeth, put down the storybook in his hand, and set a deadline for himself.

Cultivation requires wealth, companions, methods, and land; without Spirit Crystals, he cannot increase his cultivation speed.

Pills, Daoist techniques, magical artifacts—which one does not require money?

Relying on the meager pay that was already heavily docked by the outer sect affairs office, it is impossible for Kong Jiao to rapidly increase his strength.

Just as Kong Jiao was calculating his future path of cultivation, footsteps sounded at the entrance.

A tall figure stepped into the Miscellaneous Books Pavilion.

There was no need to look at the visitor's appearance or build; Kong Jiao glanced at the color of the fortune above the visitor's head and had already determined his identity.

That hazy mist, as white as Bai Xue, symbolized that this person possessed opportunities and encounters far exceeding those of ordinary people.

And among the entire outer sect, Kong Jiao had only ever seen this kind of fortune on one person.

"Senior Brother Shangguan, what book do you want to read today?" The face that had been listless a moment ago was suddenly filled with sincere smiles as Kong Jiao looked at the young man walking toward him.

With a majestic figure, sword-like brows, and star-bright eyes, his face possessed a maturity and sophistication far beyond his sixteen or seventeen years.

This person is none other than the latest rising genius of the outer sect, the most sought-after disciple, Shangguan Yuzhou.

He entered the sect at the same time as Kong Jiao and is now at the fourth stage of the Wheel-Nourishing Realm, the first genius among that batch of disciples to break through to the fourth stage.

If there are no accidents, he will also be the first to enter the inner sect.

"Haha, Junior Brother Kong Jiao, must I only come to the Miscellaneous Books Pavilion to borrow books?" Shangguan Yuzhou laughed heartily, his tone teasing.

From the casual tone of his speech, one could see the relationship between him and Kong Jiao.

Shangguan Yuzhou is fond of reading travelogues left behind by predecessors, and those items are all collected in the Miscellaneous Books Pavilion.

Kong Jiao is the sect-appointed disciple responsible for the registration at the Miscellaneous Books Pavilion.

Back and forth, the two have spent two years together and can be considered the two most familiar people in the entire outer sect.

Moreover, the cultivation speed Kong Jiao has displayed is not bad, only one minor realm lower than Shangguan Yuzhou, and they entered the sect at the same time.

The key is that Kong Jiao feels Shangguan Yuzhou does not use his status to oppress others; despite being a genius, he never puts on airs like the other geniuses of the outer sect.

Shangguan Yuzhou, for his part, finds Kong Jiao to be witty, intelligent, and sensible.

Various threads of fate have led the two to become friends.

"Who doesn't know that Senior Brother Shangguan loves reading travelogues? If you aren't here to borrow books, could it be that you came specifically to find me?" Kong Jiao raised his eyelids, clearly not believing Shangguan Yuzhou's excuse.

"Hehe, today I really did come specifically to find Junior Brother Kong." Shangguan Yuzhou chuckled, his expression carrying a hint of mystery.

Kong Jiao raised an eyebrow; Shangguan Yuzhou had two great hobbies in his life: sword fighting and reading.

Kong Jiao did not use a sword, and Shangguan Yuzhou certainly wasn't here to challenge him to a duel, nor was he here to borrow books.

Then why was he here?

Kong Jiao spread his hands, wearing a helpless expression: "Senior Brother Shangguan, stop keeping me in suspense. I can't guess what you're after."

Shangguan Yuzhou did not respond immediately. He swept his gaze around the Miscellaneous Books Pavilion, and only after confirming there was no third person present did he drop his facade.

He leaned over the desk and said in a deliberately lowered voice: "If I recall correctly, the Frostfall Wheel-Nourishing Scripture that Junior Brother Kong Jiao cultivates contains a technique called Frost Breath."

The Wheel-Nourishing Scripture was merely a foundational cultivation method, with no significant distinction in quality.

There were at least ten people in the Cangwu Sect who cultivated the Frostfall Wheel-Nourishing Scripture, so the techniques that could be performed with it were no secret.

Kong Jiao certainly wouldn't deny it, so he nodded in response.

However, his dark eyes held a hint of confusion as he looked at Shangguan Yuzhou.

Why is he suddenly asking about this?

Shangguan Yuzhou naturally knew the secrets of the Frostfall Wheel-Nourishing Scripture; he was merely confirming it once more to be safe.

Having received an affirmative answer, he continued: "I have an opportunity here that requires the use of your Frost Breath Technique. I wonder if Junior Brother Kong Jiao is interested in joining me to claim it."

Shangguan Yuzhou is truly worthy of being someone favored by fortune; he's encountered an opportunity only two years after joining the sect.

Kong Jiao wore an expression of envy, but he wasn't surprised. After all, the luck atop Shangguan Yuzhou's head, which was whiter than Bai Xue, destined him to encounter opportunities far more easily than ordinary people.

The only thing Kong Jiao hadn't expected was that Shangguan Yuzhou would actually be willing to extend an invitation to him.

When there's an opportunity, doesn't everyone keep it for themselves? Who would want to drag someone else along to share in their own fortune?

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Kong Jiao's mind, and he seemed to understand.

He had worked in the Miscellaneous Books Pavilion for two years, and intentionally or otherwise, he had gained Shangguan Yuzhou's trust.

As it happened, that opportunity required the Frost Breath Technique from the Frostfall Wheel-Nourishing Scripture he cultivated.

Kong Jiao's current strength was not weak, ranking just below the tier of geniuses like Shangguan Yuzhou, so he certainly wouldn't hold him back.

Connecting all these clues together.

Kong Jiao understood the true purpose of the Cloud-Pattern Stele guiding him to this Miscellaneous Books Pavilion; it might have been to wait for Shangguan Yuzhou's invitation.

The Cloud-Pattern Stele is truly a divine object. Kong Jiao was secretly startled.

Shangguan Yuzhou did not know that a storm had already been stirred in Kong Jiao's heart. After finishing his piece, he stared straight at Kong Jiao, seemingly waiting for his answer.

Having already figured out the cause and effect, Kong Jiao did not make Shangguan Yuzhou wait too long. He looked up and offered a faint smile to the expectant Shangguan Yuzhou: "Since Senior Brother Shangguan has asked, I am naturally duty-bound."

Almost at the same moment Kong Jiao responded.

He could clearly perceive that the white-patterned stele deep within his consciousness had changed.

Accept Shangguan Yuzhou's invitation to break the Outer Sect Earth Cave Formation, gain Opportunity Value +5