"Nothing more?" Only then did Huang Xiao realize that this was already the last page of the Scripture of Southern Florescence. "It looks like what's missing is the remaining thirty-two chapters. Although there are still some I haven't read, there's nothing much to be curious about."
That was indeed true. Even if there were chapters he had never read, Huang Xiao knew the major booksellers still carried these writings. With a little effort, he could gather them all. For now, however, he had no inclination to do so. They were merely Daoist writings, nothing unusual. Besides Confucian teachings, this world also had the Legalists, the School of Diplomacy, and others. Back then, a hundred schools had contended. Although the burning of books and burying of scholars, wars, natural disasters, and man-made calamities had damaged many classics and caused many others to disappear, quite a few had still been passed down.
The current imperial examinations focused mainly on Confucian teachings. Huang Xiao had dabbled in the others, but had never studied them deeply.
"I was overthinking it, overthinking it. I thought I'd discovered some treasure, but it's just an ordinary book. It's getting late, too. I still have to get up early tomorrow for morning practice with Eldest Senior Brother. I'll stop here today and carry on tidying tomorrow." Huang Xiao brushed some dust off himself, then went downstairs.
On reaching the first floor, he casually tried to tuck the Scripture of Southern Florescence into a bookshelf beside him. Perhaps he used a little too much force, or perhaps the book was simply too old. As Huang Xiao pushed it in, the pressure from the scriptures already on the shelf instantly reduced the Scripture of Southern Florescence to countless fragments that scattered across the shelf.
"It just crumbled to dust?" Huang Xiao said, stunned. Of course, calling it dust was an exaggeration, but it really had shattered so badly that piecing it back together was impossible.
Broken was broken. Huang Xiao did not particularly mind. There was nothing special about the book, really. He had wanted to keep it only because its age gave it some value as a collectible.
The next day, Xuanzhenzi emerged from the Pill Room and summoned Huang Xiao and the other three.
"Master, judging by your expression, the Origin-Enhancing Pills must have been a success?" Qinghe said as soon as he entered the main hall and saw Xuanzhenzi seated at its head.
"You're always the most impatient," Xuanzhenzi said with a faint smile. "Sit down, all of you."
Huang Xiao and the others respectfully took the seats below him in order of seniority.
"Master, how many pills did you refine this time?" Qingfeng asked once he had sat down.
"My luck was good this time. I refined a full five. Originally, I thought successfully refining three would be a good result," Xuanzhenzi said.
"Only you could refine five, Master. Anyone else would probably struggle to refine even two with the same amount of medicinal ingredients," Qingyun said with a smile.
"Though I am skilled at refining pills, Jianghu harbors crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Who knows how many people are more capable than I am? Remember, when you venture out in the future, you must be cautious in word and deed, as though treading on thin ice. You must hold Jianghu in awe!" Xuanzhenzi said.
The four hastily voiced their respectful assent. Huang Xiao did not know whether Qingfeng, Qingyun, and Qinghe understood what Xuanzhenzi meant, but he himself had not understood much. Still, he had gathered that Jianghu was not so simple.
"Master, what's the difference between Origin-Enhancing Pills and Origin-Nourishing Pills?" After thinking for a while, Huang Xiao turned his attention to the pills and asked.
He had previously learned the effects of Origin-Nourishing Pills, but he knew nothing about Origin-Enhancing Pills.
"A huge difference!" Qinghe said with a laugh. "Origin-Nourishing Pills are merely third-grade pills, effective for third-class experts. Origin-Enhancing Pills, however, are second-grade pills, prepared specifically for second-class experts. If a second-class expert takes an Origin-Enhancing Pill, it can add anywhere from five to ten years of internal power cultivation. In terms of value, even a hundred Origin-Nourishing Pills can't compare to a single Origin-Enhancing Pill."
"Master, how many are we sending to the Huaqing Sect this time?" Qingfeng asked.
"Three, I think. After all, it's Bai Tianqi's sixtieth birthday. Sending too few would hardly be appropriate," Xuanzhenzi replied.
"Master, isn't three too many? In the past, we've always given one a year. I think two should be about right?" Qingyun asked.
"Yes, Master, just two!" Qinghe agreed.
"I have my own judgment. It's settled: fifteen Origin-Nourishing Pills and three Origin-Enhancing Pills," Xuanzhenzi said. "Qinghe, do you really want an Origin-Enhancing Pill?"
"Master, there are still two left now. If you have no use for them for the time being, this disciple would like one," Qinghe said with a chuckle.
"Qinghe, I told you long ago that if you choose to take an Origin-Enhancing Pill to increase your power, it will have a considerable impact on your future martial cultivation," Xuanzhenzi said.
"Master, what sort of impact? Isn't that ten years of a second-class expert's power?" Huang Xiao asked in puzzlement.
"What of ten years of power? Once you take it, breaking through to the first-class realm will essentially become very difficult. That is the drawback," Xuanzhenzi explained.
"Master, this disciple is slow-witted. I've already been stuck at third-rate upper grade for nearly three years. If I really rely on myself, I'm afraid it will take another three to five years. I might as well use an Origin-Enhancing Pill to break through to the second-class realm," Qinghe said.
"Alas, since you've already decided, I won't say any more. I'll set one aside for you later. Qingfeng, Qingyun, Qinghe, the three of you have followed me since childhood. In terms of aptitude for martial arts, Qinghe, you are the best of the three. If you could quiet your mind, you could still reach second-rate upper grade. Now, I'm afraid you'll have no hope of it in this lifetime. Do you truly have no regrets?" Xuanzhenzi said.
"Master, I have no regrets. Second-rate upper grade-that realm is far too difficult to reach. That was Bai Tianqi's realm back then. Master, as long as I break through to the second-class realm, I think the other sects won't look down on our Green Ox Gate so much," Qinghe said.
"I understand your intentions, but what does it matter whether they respect us or look down on us?" Xuanzhenzi said.
"Master, you're just too willing to endure things. With your cultivation, even those third-class sects can ride roughshod over us. I really can't stomach it," Qinghe said.
"Third Senior Brother, what realm is Master in?" Huang Xiao asked. He already knew that Qingfeng and Qingyun were both at third-rate middle grade, while Qinghe was at third-rate upper grade. As for Xuanzhenzi's realm, he had never dared ask. Now, he seized the opportunity to voice the question in his heart.
"Our master-I'm not boasting-is among the very best even among second-class experts. It's only because he never takes action that those petty scoundrels think we're easy to bully," Qinghe said, still indignant.
"Fame and profit are merely external things. Why cling to them?" Xuanzhenzi shook his head and sighed. "Qingxiao, you've been following your eldest senior brother for some time now. I think I'll teach you the Everlasting Spring Art today."
"Master, really?" Huang Xiao asked, pleasantly surprised. He had long been looking forward to this day.
"Of course. The Everlasting Spring Art is our Green Ox Gate's supreme art. Your founding grandmaster created it from insights he gained from an ancient book. According to him, it is a Second-Class Technique. If cultivated to its utmost, it can bring you to second-rate upper grade. Of course, there is also a chance of breaking through to the first-class realm. That will depend on whether you have that blessing," Xuanzhenzi said.
Before you continue