Chapter 53: Ling Cang Pavilion

Xu Xiaoshou swore it was the most satisfying sleep he had ever had.

There were no mosquitoes, no need to worry about a competition tomorrow, and no need to get up in the middle of the night to practice sword skills to ease tension. As for yesterday's grim ending, after a brief period of disappointment, he had already put it behind him. If even death couldn't defeat him, what was a small setback like this? It was just the inner court; perhaps Xu Xiaoshou didn't even need it!

The urgent knocking sound came from the door again; it was this sound that had woken Xu Xiaoshou. He walked over and opened the door.

"It's you?"

The person standing before him was none other than the staff member from the waiting area, the one who had gone to Elder Xiao Qixiu to ask for the Crimson Gold Elixir for Xu Xiaoshou.

"You need to be a bit quicker. Elder Xiao is waiting," the staff member said, carefully choosing his words. Fearing Xu Xiaoshou would drag his feet, he quickly added, "You're the only one left."

Today was the day to enter the Spiritual Repository Pavilion to select spirit skills. By now, the sun was high in the sky; it was indeed not early.

"Let's go, lead the way!"

Xu Xiaoshou had nothing to pack. He waved his hand, signaling them to leave. The staff member quickly walked ahead, leading the way.

"Oh, right," Xu Xiaoshou said, pulling out a bottle of Crimson Gold Elixirs. "Are there any special rules for entering the Spiritual Repository Pavilion, or any unwritten conventions?"

"Again?" The staff member jumped, waving his hands repeatedly.

"There's nothing like that; Elder Xiao will tell you the specific rules when we get there." He pushed the Crimson Gold Elixirs back, lowering his voice significantly. "I already broke a rule last time; I can't take them this time!"

"Take them!" Xu Xiaoshou frowned.

The staff member was on the verge of tears. "There really are no unwritten rules. Even if I took them, I wouldn't be able to tell you anything; I've never even been to the Spiritual Repository Pavilion myself."

"Oh, I see." Xu Xiaoshou hesitated, realizing he truly couldn't get any information out of him. His last visit to the Spiritual Repository Pavilion was about three years ago, and as he wasn't the same soul then, he'd forgotten everything. Back then, he was foolish, choosing the "White Cloud Sword Art" and only mastering one stance in three years. This time, he needed to be smarter. But he wasn't very confident in his own aptitude; he figured whatever he chose would probably be about the same!

"Sigh!" Xu Xiaoshou's expression darkened. He handed the Crimson Gold Elixirs to him, not intending to take them back.

The staff member took a deep breath, as if making a major decision, and said, "I can't take them!"

Xu Xiaoshou looked at him. To his surprise, the man didn't back down, meeting his gaze with gritted teeth.

*Clang!*

Xu Xiaoshou drew his black sword from his chest.

"Take them."

"Alright!" The staff member quickly put the Crimson Gold Elixirs into his sleeve.

"Lead the way."

"Understood."

The scorching sun blazed down. The leading staff member looked up, trying to let the sunlight evaporate his tears.

*Elder!* he thought. *I really didn't mean to take them, Xu Xiaoshou forced the bribe, boohoohoo... I'm sorry, I broke the rule again...*

"Cursed, Passive Value, +1.""Admired, Passive Value, +1."

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled. "What kind of contradictory psychology is this?"

***

The Spiritual Repository Pavilion was located in the inner court.

The spiritual energy in the inner court was generally several times higher than in the outer court. Upon entering, one felt refreshed. Every disciple newly admitted to the Tiansang Spirit Palace would receive one opportunity to enter the Spiritual Repository Pavilion. Selecting cultivation techniques was naturally the primary purpose, but allowing them to experience the difference in spiritual energy concentration between the inner and outer courts was also a subtle way to encourage them to strive for improvement. What's more, it was rumored that every inner court disciple had their own private courtyard, and with the formation activated within, the spiritual energy concentration would multiply several times over!

Private courtyards were very valuable. Not everyone, like Xu Xiaoshou, could manage to secure a private courtyard in the outer court. Some even had to secretly go to someone else's doorstep to cultivate...

Xiao Qixiu, leading eleven people, said as they walked: "Although you've all been here before, I still need to state the rules. Each person may choose one innate spirit skill. Once chosen, go register. Remember not to make noise and no roughhousing. If you anger the guardian of the Spiritual Repository Pavilion, they'll simply burn you to ashes."

He turned his head, staring directly at Xu Xiaoshou: "Understand?"

Xu Xiaoshou's face darkened. "Why are you looking at me when you say that?"

"Heh heh." Xiao Qixiu gave him a pointed look. "I'm not hiding anything; these words are specifically for *you*!"

Xu Xiaoshou: "..."

The others immediately burst into laughter.

"Mocked, Passive Value, +11."

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly felt exhausted. He gave Xiao Qixiu a look that said 'I don't want to talk to you' and walked straight to the end of the line.

Zhou Tianshen was surprisingly also in the group, which made Xu Xiaoshou very curious. He remembered Xiao Qixiu saying yesterday that only the top ten would have the chance to enter the Spiritual Repository Pavilion. Wasn't this guy eliminated by him during the top thirty-two?

Could it be... he pulled some strings?

"How did you get in too?" Xu Xiaoshou put a hand on his shoulder.

Zhou Tianshen hesitated, as if wanting to speak but holding back.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, showing an 'I understand' expression. He pulled Zhou Tianshen slightly away from the main group and whispered, "What's the trick? Tell me secretly, I won't tell anyone!"

Zhou Tianshen weighed his words, thinking about how to begin. After that battle, he had already considered Xu Xiaoshou a friend in his heart and felt he shouldn't provoke him. But seeing Xu Xiaoshou like this, it seemed he had no choice but to speak. He reluctantly mumbled, "It's the opportunity given for entering the inner court."

Xu Xiaoshou's smile froze slightly. "Oh! I just rubbed salt in my own wound."

"So... those few can choose two spirit skills?"

"Yes." Zhou Tianshen nodded. "They can also choose one now and then come back for another once they've mastered the first."

"Haha, so many variations!" Xu Xiaoshou took a deep breath and turned to leave. The old man was right; it was indeed better for him not to speak.

"Concerned, Passive Value, +1."

Xu Xiaoshou paused, startled, then looked back to see Zhou Tianshen's worried expression, seemingly wondering if his words had disheartened him.

"This simpleton!" Xu Xiaoshou chuckled inwardly.

***

"We're here!"

The path wound around, and turning a corner, a three-story pavilion appeared before everyone. The pavilion was quite ordinary, with no emerald tiles or upturned eaves, no carved beams or painted pillars. Apart from a large, reddish orb on the top floor that seemed to emit heat, there was nothing particularly striking about it. A plaque hung above the wattle gate, bearing the three black characters "Spiritual Repository Pavilion."

Understated yet imposing! It was a good place for study!

Xiao Qixiu pulled out a black-and-red Elder's Token, pressed it onto the formation at the entrance, and the wattle gate opened.

"Go on in. The first floor holds Post-natal spirit skills, the second floor has Innate spirit skills. The third floor is off-limits. You have three hours to choose. Be careful not to get too engrossed; manage your time and register once you've made your selection." He looked at Xu Xiaoshou again and said, "Remember what I told you on the way here."

The crowd was amused again. As the problem student singled out for criticism, Xu Xiaoshou could only lower his head and follow them in.