"See there, that’s the oldest elder in our Library. I don’t even know his full name; I only know his last name is Guo."
"He’s usually in charge of managing the Library’s affairs. If you come here in the future, make sure not to mess up his stuff. He’s easy to talk to in general, but if you mess with his organized things, the consequences can be severe."
As Tian Yixin said this, he shuddered, obviously remembering some unpleasant experiences.
Zhao Ya found it amusing.
Doesn’t this sound a bit like modern-day obsessive-compulsive disorder?
"The hall on this floor is all-encompassing; it contains not only cultivation technique manuals but also various secret tales from the Jianghu, all organized into categories. You can just pick what you need to read," Tian Yixin introduced.
"What’s on the second and third floors?" Gui Xuanqing asked curiously.
"The second and third floors are also for books, but they contain rare volumes, some even unique and invaluable. However, it’s not easy to get to the second and third floors. You must contribute enough to the sect to earn the privilege to enter; otherwise, you can’t even get through the door."
"Senior Brother Tian, have you been to the second and third floors?" Gui Xuanqing asked again.
"I’ve been to the second floor more than once, but I’ve only been to the third floor once, and that was only because I helped the sect eliminate a traitor and was exceptionally allowed on the third floor," Tian Yixin said proudly.
Zhao Ya felt a spark in his heart and couldn’t help but ask, "Is sect contribution gained by eliminating traitors?"
"Yes, but not only that. There are many ways to contribute to the sect, even doing chores can earn you contribution points; it’s just a matter of how much."
"You haven’t formally registered yet, and you don’t have a sect badge, so there are many things you don’t know. Once the Grand Elder returns and you officially join the Azure Dragon Temple, you’ll naturally have access to these things."
Zhao Ya secretly noted this information, then began to wander in the hall on the first floor, searching for books he was interested in.
Just as Tian Yixin said, the collection was indeed all-encompassing. Besides cultivation techniques, Zhao Ya even saw many records left by various sects.
Picking up a random scroll and opening it, Zhao Ya found it was left by a small sect called the Iron Crane Sect.
It recorded the trivial matters that happened within the sect in those years.
Looking closely, Zhao Ya was surprised to find that the events recorded happened at least seventy to eighty years ago.
There were three whole rows of shelves full of such records.
Zhao Ya felt a sense of admiration.
This isn’t just a library; it’s more like a museum of the essential matters of the world beyond.
After a circuit around the hall, which took one to two hours, Zhao Ya arrived at the shelf containing the fist technique manuals and began to peruse them diligently.
The Golden Saber Institute has a collection of fist technique manuals, but both in quality and quantity, they couldn’t compare to the Azure Dragon Temple.
Soon, Zhao Ya was immersed in the sea of fist techniques.
Although these manuals weren’t of high grade, they were very beneficial to Zhao Ya.
While he was eagerly reading, a sudden gust of fist wind attacked from the side. Zhao Ya instinctively struck out with a fist to meet it.
As his punch was about to land, he suddenly remembered he was in the Library, and damaging these valuable books would be troublesome.
It was too late to retract the punch.
Moreover, a soft laugh echoed in his ear.
"Don’t hold back. Let me see your skills."
Zhao Ya’s heart tightened, realizing that Elder Guo was testing him, and his curiosity grew stronger.
Although he knew Elder Guo’s strength and level were far above his own,
Zhao Ya still wanted to know how much of a gap there was between them.
So, after hearing he shouldn’t hold back, Zhao Ya took a deep breath, and the Qi blood stored in his liver erupted, activating his inner organ talent.
The previously restrained punch power erupted suddenly and charged toward Elder Guo at an astonishing speed.
"Haha, now that’s more like it!"
Elder Guo’s voice came, full of interest in hunting, as he raised his hand casually to block it.
No sound was heard.
Zhao Ya felt like his punch had hit a wall made of cotton, soft and without resistance.
This feeling made him so uncomfortable that he almost wanted to vomit blood.
Meanwhile, Elder Guo gently waved his hand.
Zhao Ya felt an overwhelming force pushing him back several steps.
"Your fist technique is good, although it seems a bit unconventional. Reaching this level isn’t easy, especially that explosive power is quite remarkable. It seems you have some secret technique for burning Qi blood quickly, don’t you?" Elder Guo said lightly.
Zhao Ya calmed his turbulent Qi blood, then nodded slowly.
"Yes!"
Elder Guo showed a hint of surprise.
He had expected Zhao Ya to be unable to speak for at least the time it takes for an incense stick to burn after being repelled.
Unexpectedly, he recovered so quickly.
"Good, the younger generation is to be feared. It seems Qin Jianji has indeed found a treasure this time."
Elder Guo spoke with appreciation, then glanced at the nearby bookshelf.
"Are you planning to broaden your horizons through extensive reading to advance your fist technique realm?"
"Yes!"
Zhao Ya was thoroughly convinced now, feeling this scholarly old man was just like the hidden masters described in the novels and storytelling tales, the sweeping monk hidden in the Library.
To such a person, Zhao Ya naturally didn’t hide anything.
"The few boxing manuals you’re reading are useless; they don’t quite align with the fist techniques you’ve practiced, because if I’m not mistaken, besides the Great Vajra Fist, you should also be practicing a lower-level fist technique, right?"
"Elder Guo is right; I also practice a set of Five Tiger Fist."
Elder Guo nodded, "That makes sense. Although this fist technique has been practiced to perfection, even innovatively, it fundamentally conflicts with the Great Vajra Fist, which is why your fist technique can’t break through."
"So, what should I do?" Zhao Ya asked seriously.
This was a rare opportunity.
Because it’s obvious that Elder Guo was a learned grandmaster in the Martial Dao, and getting his guidance was invaluable.
"If it were anyone else, there’d be almost no better way than forcibly forgetting the Five Tiger Fist, but you’re different. I think you have a decent comprehension, so you have another path to take."
Having said this, Elder Guo turned around and pulled out a boxing manual from the bookshelf.
"Here, take it!"
Zhao Ya reached out to receive it and saw four words written on the yellowed cover.
Little Arhat Fist.
There was also a line of small print underneath.
Written by Guo Luming.
"This is...?"
"This fist technique is something I wrote casually back in the day, not very powerful, a simplified version of the Great Vajra Fist, but its core concept aligns well with your Five Tiger Fist."
"So as long as you master this fist technique, you can integrate the conflicting Five Tiger Fist and Great Vajra Fist. This way, it will be easier to break through."
Only then did Zhao Ya realize that the elder before him was named Guo Luming.
He carefully put away the Little Arhat Fist, then solemnly made a deep bow.
"Thank you, Elder Guo, for your guidance."
"Haha, there’s no need to talk about guidance. I just saw that you have some talent and that you remind me of my younger self, reading without eating or sleeping. That’s why I tested you."
After speaking, Guo Luming suddenly lost enthusiasm again, waving his hand, "Go ahead, it’s almost dawn, and I need to rest too."
Without waiting for Zhao Ya to reply, Guo Luming stretched lazily, yawned, and left.
Watching his figure disappear behind the bookshelf, Zhao Ya had only one thought in his mind.
A hidden master!
After leaving the Library with the Little Arhat Fist, it was indeed nearly dawn outside.
Zhao Ya had become so engrossed in reading the day before that Tian Yixin and Gui Xuanqing didn’t want to disturb him, so they left first.
As a result, he read for a whole day and most of the night, eventually drawing Guo Luming’s attention.
Zhao Ya returned to his yard, too excited to even eat. He tossed two strips of jerky into his mouth and was ready to start practicing the Little Arhat Fist.
But just then, a bell sounded, and he saw Tian Yixin running over excitedly.
"Quick, the Grand Elder is back and specifically wants to see you two."