Pure Origin Skill

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Which one should he choose?

Ye Chen pondered briefly and quickly made his choice, reaching out to take the movement technique manual, Golden Goose Steps.

There was a reason for this choice. Compared to offensive and defensive martial skills, movement martial skills were better suited for survival. After all, among all martial arts under heaven, nothing was indestructible; only speed was invincible. When one's speed reached a certain realm, the enemy would not have struck you before you had already wounded them. Was that not more formidable than any offensive martial skill? Taking a step back, even if you could not defeat your opponent, you could use extraordinary speed to flee. Defensive martial skills might protect you for a time, but they could not protect you for a lifetime.

As for why he had chosen Golden Goose Steps from among Inch Travel Step, Eight Steps Chasing Cicada, and Golden Goose Steps, Ye Chen did not have much of a reason. It was simply a feeling.

Having chosen a martial skill manual, it was time to select a cultivation technique manual.

"What do you mean? I had my eye on this Iron Armor Skill first." At that moment, an argument suddenly broke out beside the third row of bookshelves.

The moment Ye Chen heard the voice, he knew who it was. Curious, he stepped out from between the bookshelves and looked in the direction of the sound.

Two people stood ten steps away. One was handsome and no more than thirteen years old, his face still somewhat childish. Who else could it be but Zhang Haoran? He had probably only just arrived. The other was seventeen or eighteen, dressed in tight yellow clothes, broad and powerfully built. His arms were thicker than Zhang Haoran's legs. He had a square face and a broad chin, but his eyes were narrow and long, glinting with a cold, sinister light. He seemed like a combination of a fierce tiger and a venomous snake.

The dispute between the two stemmed from a Human-grade High-tier defensive martial skill, Iron Armor Skill. This martial skill was not of a particularly high grade, but it was highly practical and efficient. Its popularity was no less than that of a Human-grade Top-tier Martial Skill. Zhang Haoran had wanted to take it back and cultivate it to make up for his weak defense, but the moment he got his hands on it, the other person snatched it away. Then he even glared at him, clearly telling him to get lost if he knew what was good for him. How could Zhang Haoran swallow such humiliation? He immediately flew into a rage.

The youth in yellow chuckled. "An Outer Sect Disciple dares to be so arrogant? Go home and drink milk!"

Zhang Haoran's face darkened. "Don't think I don't know who you are. Huang Bingwen, seventeen years old, at the True Condensation Realm Early Stage, the second young master of Qingfeng City's City Lord's Mansion."

"Good that you know!" Huang Bingwen looked immensely proud.

"Pah! You're already seventeen and only at the True Condensation Realm Early Stage, yet you still have the nerve to come out and embarrass yourself. What right do you have to act so arrogant in front of me?" Zhang Haoran said something astonishing.

As soon as those words were spoken, the onlookers began discussing among themselves.

"That's Zhang Haoran, isn't it? No wonder he dares to go against Huang Bingwen. But his tongue is sharp enough to offend plenty of people."

"At thirteen, he's already at the peak Qi Cultivation Realm Tenth Layer. If he can break through to the True Condensation Realm before the end of the year, he'll be one of the top five geniuses of the Flowing Cloud Sect."

"Huang Bingwen has probably kicked an iron plate. I heard Zhang Haoran is highly favored by Elder Liu of the Inner Sect. Elder Liu even made an exception and allowed him to cultivate the Human-grade Top-tier Martial Skill, Tiger Roar Dragon Fist."

Hearing the voices around him, Huang Bingwen's expression turned ugly. He said sinisterly, "Kid, you've got some nerve. Aren't you only acting arrogant because you have connections?"

"What a joke. I, Zhang Haoran, need connections? Do you dare make a bet? Two months from now, we'll duel at the Martial Arts Plaza. Whoever loses will apologize to the other." Zhang Haoran dropped another bombshell.

Huang Bingwen and the surrounding Inner Sect Disciples were all stunned. What kind of joke was this? An Outer Sect Disciple wanted to challenge an Inner Sect Disciple?

"Fine, fine. As you wish. I, Huang Bingwen, accept." Though competing with an Outer Sect Disciple would damage his status, all he had to do was defeat the other party with ease. Then everyone would certainly think Zhang Haoran did not know the height of heaven or the depth of earth, rather than criticize him.

Swish!

Zhang Haoran reached out, snatched the Iron Armor Skill manual back from Huang Bingwen's hand, and went downstairs without looking back.

Huang Bingwen's face turned livid. A nameless fire burned within him with nowhere to vent. When he noticed there was still an Outer Sect Disciple on the second floor, he barked, "What are you looking at?"

Ye Chen froze. He had not expected to become the other man's punching bag. Irritation rose in his heart, but his voice was icy. "My eyes are on my face. Do I need your permission to look wherever I please?"

The surrounding Inner Sect Disciples were surprised again. What was going on? This year's Outer Sect Disciples were more arrogant than the last. The first one was understandable—at least he had reached the peak Qi Cultivation Realm Tenth Layer and had an Inner Sect Elder supporting him. But this one was only at the middle of the Qi Cultivation Realm Sixth Layer. His name was unknown, few people recognized him, yet his tone was no less arrogant than Zhang Haoran's.

Huang Bingwen was nearly driven mad with rage. His clothes billowed without wind as dark brown light burst from his body, radiating boundless pressure. It seemed he was about to strike.

"Huang Bingwen, what are you doing? Do you know where this is?" one black-clothed, black-haired Inner Sect Disciple reprimanded.

Huang Bingwen jolted. He had nearly forgotten that this was the Martial Arts Pavilion. Fighting was expressly forbidden here. Once discovered, one would receive severe punishment and be barred from entering the Martial Arts Pavilion for half a year.

Suppressing his True Qi, Huang Bingwen glared viciously at Ye Chen and threatened, "Once you leave the Martial Arts Pavilion, I'll make you regret it."

Ye Chen frowned. This man was simply like a mad dog, biting anyone he could catch. But his own strength was still rather low, and he definitely could not defeat the other party. If he did not think of something, he would surely suffer.

Having made up his mind, Ye Chen raised his head. "I'll make a bet with you too. Two months from now, we'll duel at the Martial Arts Plaza. Whoever loses will apologize to the other. Do you dare?"

Like a bolt from the blue, even Huang Bingwen himself was stunned.

"Ha ha!" As though he had heard the funniest joke in the world, Huang Bingwen pointed at Ye Chen and said, "You? Do you think you'll be able to defeat me in two months? That's simply wishful thinking."

"What, you don't dare?"

"Damn it, I know you're trying to provoke me. Why wouldn't I dare? Two months from now, I'll teach both you and that Zhang Haoran a lesson." Huang Bingwen was still somewhat patient. He knew that the more he restrained his desire now, the more satisfying the explosion would be later. In any case, two months would pass quickly.

"Since that's the case, I won't disturb you any longer." A quarter of an hour was nearly up, and Ye Chen still needed to choose a cultivation technique. How could he afford to waste time?

Watching Ye Chen's retreating figure, the other Inner Sect Disciples revealed interested expressions. They hoped the next two months would pass quickly. Perhaps they would get to see something entertaining.

Beside the bookshelves containing cultivation techniques, Ye Chen made his selection with care.

"Six Yang Skill, supremely hard and supremely yang!"

"Withered Wood Art, aura restrained, withered and soundless!"

"Flowing Cloud Force, Internal Energy circulated at extreme speed, carrying fiery force!"

"Little Heavenly Star Skill, using the small to overcome the great, Internal Energy pure and refined!"

There were not many cultivation techniques, but Ye Chen was still dazzled by the selection. There were all kinds, including several rather obscure techniques.

Time trickled away bit by bit.

Ye Chen grew somewhat anxious. If he did not hurry, time would be up.

Distracted and irritated, Ye Chen casually picked up a manual. His eyes suddenly fixed on it. Beneath this cultivation technique was another manual, apparently placed underneath by someone unintentionally.

Three bold black characters were written on the cover: "Pure Origin Skill!"