Even without spreading out his Spiritual Sense, Ryu could easily feel the amount of attention on him. But, it wasn't enough to faze him in the slightest. This much was already something he had expected. He didn't even turn his attention back to Selheira, who was quite stunned by the outcome. Having already memorized the map he was given, his steps pivoted, and he began to walk slowly toward his destination.
Some in the crowd had had every intention of stopping Ryu, but they suddenly realized that there was a problem in their plans: the beauty right beside him. With Selheira clearly having been tasked with looking after Ryu, did they dare to do anything while she was still nearby? Which of them didn't recognize this person?
No one knew where Selheira had come from, and they weren't even sure if she had an official title, but what they did know was that she received ample respect from the elders and even the Inheritor Disciples. She wasn't someone they could afford to offend.
Due to this, they could only gloomily watch as Ryu walked away, his steps unhurried as though he couldn't sense the gazes on his back at all.
Selheira was still a bit caught off guard by everything, but by the time she had snapped out of it, Ryu had already disappeared.
Toward this, she could only shake her head with that same gentle smile. People would usually feel quite stifled around her, such a thing usually led to an odd situation where sometimes they would try their best to get as close to her as possible, before then finding excuses to leave soon afterward.
It was as though their lust brought them forward, but then their instincts made them run. The cycle was perpetual, and even the elders of the Radiant Star Sect seemed to fall into this trap time and time again.
But Ryu… Well, he didn't even seem to bother with her at all, let alone find an excuse to leave. He didn't even say a word and just left.
Of course, Selheira had already spoken with intentions to leave, so this wasn't necessarily unexpected. But, it still left her a bit amused.
Selheira didn't seem to take this with any sort of special meaning. However, when the Inner Disciples saw how long she spent looking in the direction Ryu had left in, they were all left speechless, not quite knowing how to react at all.
…
Ryu didn't take long to make it to the technique center. Its design, though, made him raise an eyebrow.
The so-called technique center was actually a cylindrical tower built into the very center of the main mountain peak. It was accessible from all levels, from the Working Disciples nearer the bottom to the Inheritor Disciples and elders at the very top.
Depending on disciple rank, one could descend lower, but ascending was impossible, separating apart the tiers quite clearly.
Ryu, of course, entered from the Inner Disciple levels. Since he had been given this opportunity, he wouldn't waste it. Considering all the trouble he would likely have to deal with, if he didn't take advantage, he would be too foolish.
Would any of those clowns outside even believe he hadn't taken advantage even if he didn't? In that case, why should he hold back?
The inside of the tower had a few disciples within, but not too many. Because only the first entry after every promotion was free, this tower couldn't be visited willfully. In addition, even if it could be, the techniques within cost, with the only exception being, of course, the first entry.
Those inside didn't recognize Ryu, but they also didn't say much. They had been here when the commotion broke out as many took their time picking techniques, so they weren't aware of just what Ryu's appearance represented.
Ryu, also, didn't bother with them, sweeping out his Spiritual Sense.
The inside of the tower was very well organized and also enormous. Ryu was certain that there was easily an entire kilometer from wall to wall. The space inside wasn't larger than the outside either, the tower itself just really was that large.
Each technique was reserved upon its own pedestal, and they were separated into type and function.
The floors looked as though they were floating on clouds, while the ceiling didn't seem to be present, instead replaced by an expansive sky.
Ryu knew that it was most likely just a simple formation, but it still made the technique room feel quite grandiose.
Taking a step, Ryu made a line toward the cultivation technique section. His gait was light, but his speed was still quite fast. He crossed a distance of a few hundred meters in just a few seconds.
There was no one else here, something that made sense. Cultivation techniques were the most expensive of all the techniques here, and many had already picked their one free option after crossing over to become Inner Disciples. Since this wasn't the usual time to accept new disciples, Ryu was the only one who stood in this section.
Due to this, his action attracted some attention, making some narrow their eyes. There was definitely something odd about this.
Ryu, though, continued to ignore them.
'Whatever cultivation technique I pick now, it needs to work well with what I have now. Even if I don't use it to break into the Path Extinction Realm, it still needs to supplement my strength in the right way.'
Ryu's thoughts were very straightforward.
If he wanted to take advantage of his current strengths, he needed a cultivation technique that placed a ton of pressure on his meridians and his comprehension. In addition, it would also be best if this cultivation technique was able to take advantage of his 13 Immortal Rings.
For now, Ryu's Immortal Rings only pulled qi toward him. But, there were some Immortal Rings with special abilities on Sacrum, so he was sure that this would be even more the case in the True Martial World.
With things like this, he began to check these techniques one by one.