Chapter 20: Elder Lei Yao, Guardian of the Pavilion

Returning to Elder Ouyang Changfeng’s residence, Qingxi sat beneath a horse-tail pine on a blue stone, took out a martial arts manual, and began to practice. Guided by the system’s assistant, his meridian route was flawless. After only a single attempt, he had already mastered the basics of the technique.

“There’s no challenge at all!” Qingxi remarked, and after repeating it a dozen times and feeling he had fully grasped it, he moved on to study another martial art.

“This boy—he’s learned yet another technique?” From the pavilion above, Ouyang Changfeng lay on a bamboo chair, intending to rest for a while, but noticed the figure in the courtyard and his eyelids twitched.

He watched as Qingxi waved his hand, summoning an earthy yellow glow that condensed into a two-meter-long, two-meter-high, palm-thick illusory wall before him.

“He’s already formed the defensive technique ‘Earth Wall’? Even something so difficult he’s mastered?” Ouyang Changfeng’s aged body jolted, and he sat upright.

With a thunderous punch, Qingxi shattered the illusory wall using the Vajra Fist. Then Ouyang Changfeng seemed to hear Qingxi mutter, “The defense of the earth wall isn’t strong enough. I’ll have to learn other defensive techniques to truly protect myself.”

Saying this, Qingxi produced yet another manual, glanced at the cover’s name, and instantly received a meridian diagram from the assistant in his mind.

“Giant Rock Wall, form!” With a single-handed gesture and a flick of his finger, the surrounding sand and soil flowed like a river, condensing into a half-meter-thick sand wall before him. Though the wind easily toppled it, this demonstrated Qingxi had succeeded after only one attempt.

Up in the pavilion, Ouyang Changfeng suddenly felt his throat dry. But greater surprises awaited him.

Within just half an hour, Qingxi successively mastered the remaining martial arts manuals and still looked unsatisfied.

“These techniques aren’t very difficult. It seems I can learn another ten before sunset,” Qingxi said, hugging ten ancient tomes and running eagerly toward the library.

Ouyang Changfeng was left alone at the window, hand braced against the wall, feeling inexplicably unwell.

“Earth Wall, Giant Rock Wall, Spirit Silk Net… These are all high-difficulty techniques, and he’s learned them all?”

“What kind of disciple have I taken in?” Ouyang Changfeng began to question his own life.

Library Pavilion.

After returning ten martial arts manuals at the borrowing counter, Qingxi dove into the first floor of the library, searching for other ancient books.

The elder guarding the pavilion happened to see Qingxi return the manuals and chuckled, “Nowadays, disciples are all ambitious but lazy. Now they know how hard martial arts cultivation is… Hmph, simply outrageous!”

He watched as Qingxi checked out another ten ancient tomes at the counter, then ran off cheerfully with the books, vanishing in an instant.

“What martial arts did that kid just take?” The pavilion elder walked to the counter and asked the young disciple in charge of records.

Without waiting for an answer, he glanced at the register and saw the names of ten martial arts listed.

“Spirit Silk Blade, Wave-Stepping Technique, Thunderball… Outrageous! These are among the most difficult of the common techniques, and an outer disciple dares to practice them?” The elder’s anger surged.

Even in his youth, he needed several days to master just one of these, yet this disciple had borrowed ten at once—utterly arrogant.

“Qingxi… Very well, I’ll remember you!” The pavilion elder slammed the table, his hand landing right atop Qingxi’s signature in the register.

At sunset, Qingxi packed away the ten ancient tomes, gazing at the half-hidden crimson sun on the horizon and grinned, “Looks like I can still learn another ten.”

He dashed off toward the library.

In the pavilion above, Ouyang Changfeng sat at the window, a steaming cup of Jade Mountain tea on the table beside him. What should have been a refreshing brew now tasted bitter to Ouyang Changfeng.

Library Pavilion.

Qingxi returned the martial arts manuals, found another ten, and, under the hesitant gaze of the record-keeping disciple, prepared to head back to Ouyang Changfeng’s residence.

“Cough, cough, wait!” A deep, aged voice called out. Qingxi halted and looked over to see a grey-robed elder staring intently at him.

An invisible pressure swept over him like a tide.

[Species: Human]
[Name: Lei Yao]
[Spiritual Root: Common Grade]
[Cultivation: Peak Early Innate Realm]
[Age: 150]

[Note: This man is an Inner Sect Elder of the Lingyuan Sect, and due to his age, serves as the Library Pavilion’s guardian elder. Though hot-tempered, he is upright and deeply trusted by the sect leader.]

After reading this, Qingxi raised his brows, thinking to himself that as his cultivation advanced, the system’s information became increasingly detailed.

“Ding, detected anger in Lei Yao’s heart. Please respond appropriately.” The assistant’s gentle reminder left Qingxi momentarily stunned.

Anger?

Elder Lei Yao is angry?

But surely it has nothing to do with me?

Thinking this, Qingxi smiled and hugged his books, saying, “Greetings, Elder of the Library Pavilion. May I ask if you are looking for me?”

Lei Yao narrowed his eyes, intent on interrogating him. He asked pointedly, “Young man, you certainly have drive. Borrowing so many martial arts at once—can you really learn them all?”

“Of course, Elder. I’ve found that the martial arts in the library are quite simple. Today I’ve enjoyed practicing them immensely, and I plan to study all night!” Qingxi nodded eagerly.

If not for the rule that a single person could borrow no more than ten books at a time, he would have taken an entire bookshelf, rather than constantly traveling between the library and Ouyang Changfeng’s residence.

Hearing Qingxi’s words, Elder Lei Yao was furious, barely restraining himself from striking out, and forced his words through clenched teeth, “You say the library’s martial arts are simple? And that you’re enjoying yourself?”

“Yes, Elder. As the ancients say, ‘The sea of learning knows no bounds; diligence is the vessel.’ Seeing so many techniques today, I feel as if I’m swimming in the boundless sea of learning, unable to stop.” Qingxi sensed Lei Yao’s anger and deliberately spoke this way, hoping to leave a good impression.

Though he wasn’t sure if the cultivation world had such sayings, the sentiment was philosophical, and likely applicable even here. Surely every elder would feel a bit pleased seeing disciples so eager to learn.

Contrary to Qingxi’s expectations, Elder Lei Yao’s face turned green with rage, his teeth grinding, nearly ready to leap up and strike.

Qingxi suddenly felt something was amiss, as if enveloped by a storm, oppressed from all sides.

“The sea of learning knows no bounds, my foot!” Elder Lei Yao’s arm shot out, grabbing Qingxi by the collar and lifting him up, glaring fiercely at the ancient tomes in his hands and grinding his teeth in fury.

“Elder, a gentleman uses words, not fists. Surely we can talk this through!” Qingxi’s face changed dramatically, thinking the elder meant to snatch his martial arts manuals, and clutched them even tighter to his chest.