After leaving behind the whole fiasco with He Shan, Zhen refocused on more immediate concerns—his clothes and his healing. Thankfully, he was in a cultivation world where even mundane items like the robes held their own mystical properties. The Abyssal Sect is quite generous, even for quasi-outer disciples, Zhen thought, a hint of appreciation creeping into his mind.

  The intricate designs woven into the fabric weren't just for show; they were imbued with subtle enchantments. These robes, while not the most luxurious, were a testament to the sect's resources and the value it placed even on its lower-ranked members.

  As Zhen walked, he could already feel the robes trying to absorb qi from the air, mending themselves slowly but surely. The tears and stains were gradually fading, the deep blue and silver threads knitting back together with each passing moment.

  The sight was almost mesmerizing, and Zhen couldn't help but marvel at the craftsmanship. I'd love to know how this works, but damaging my only robe just to satisfy my curiosity isn't worth it.

  Pushing those thoughts aside, Zhen focused on his next task. As soon as he entered the Outer Sect area, he wasted no time and began practicing the Hundred Stars Refinement technique. Although it wasn't as effective as sitting meditation, the technique's only prerequisites were proper breathing and the ability to focus his mind.

  As he walked, his breathing fell into the familiar pattern required by the technique—nine shallow exhalations followed by one deep inhalation. The rhythm was second nature to him now, a steady cadence that guided his qi along its intended paths. Within him, the nine stars began to rotate, each one glowing faintly as they refined the qi he absorbed into a more potent and usable form of energy.

  As the stars within his body spun, Zhen could feel the raw qi being refined, becoming purer and more concentrated. The refined qi not only enhanced his strength but also began to restore some of the fatigue and injuries he had sustained during the confrontation with Wang Bo.

  The ache in his muscles lessened, and the dull throb of his bruised skin began to ease, replaced by a refreshing coolness that spread throughout his body.

  Even though the quality of the qi in the Outer Sect area wasn’t as rich as what he had encountered in the cave, the technique's efficiency still impressed him. The qi here might not be as dense or potent, but the Hundred Stars Refinement technique made the most of what was available. At least it’s tens of times faster than what I experienced in the nominal sect area.

  Looking inward at his healing meridians, Zhen was a little amazed. While qi was still quite a new sense for him, he was still learning more and more about it every day. From providing supernatural reflexes to enhancing my senses and even healing injuries, qi really does make me feel like one of those superheroes from the movies.

  As he continued, his thoughts drifted back to the events of the day. Wang Bo's corrosive qi had been a real threat, yet Zhen had managed to repel it with surprising ease. The experience had left him with a lingering sense of unease, though.

  There are so many things I don’t know in this world, he reflected. The confrontation had been a stark reminder that, despite his growing strength, he was still navigating unknown waters. There were powers, techniques, and dangers that he had barely begun to understand.

  He knew that his success wasn't purely due to his own strength—it had something to do with the mysterious purple qi that had been growing within him ever since that strange enlightenment he'd gained from the golden words.

  That purple qi… Zhen still wasn't sure what it was or how it worked. It had saved him today, but he knew next to nothing about its nature or origins. All he knew was that it had something to do with the Opening Heaven Scripture—a high-level scripture that only the Sect Master was likely to have access to.

  The thought of acquiring such a scripture made him sigh. The Sect Master was far out of his reach, and even the elders of the sect were unlikely to share such valuable knowledge with a quasi outer disciple like him.

  It would be no easy feat, and for now, he had to make do with the Hundred Stars Refinement technique. Perhaps, in time, there would be other scriptures modified or created by the Sect Master that he could access.

  Zhen continued his cultivation, feeling the refined qi circulate through his body, strengthening him with every breath.

  Soon, Zhen arrived at the Martial Arts Pavilion. The pagoda stood tall with two-tiered roofs, the vibrant hues of crimson and gold catching the sunlight and casting a warm glow all around. This is where it starts, he thought, pushing open the doors and stepping inside.

  The cool air greeted him as he entered, carrying the scent of ancient scrolls and the subtle hum of qi. Shelves lined both sides of the walls, filled with scrolls and manuals, but his eyes were immediately drawn to a bald elderly man with piercing, mean eyes sitting behind a polished wooden counter.

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  A grand staircase loomed behind the man, and Zhen imagined that it led to higher levels of the pavilion, where more advanced and restricted techniques were kept. The man was clearly in charge, making it clear he was the elder responsible for overseeing the Martial Arts Pavilion.

  He approached the counter and bowed deeply, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect. "Excuse me, Elder. I am a newly initiated disciple, and I have been instructed to come to the martial arts pavilion to borrow a martial arts manual,"

  The elder's eyes narrowed as he slowly extended his hand, palm up. "Show me your badge."

  Zhen quickly handed over his badge, watching as the elder took it.

  The bald elder's fingers were steady, and he stroked his chin thoughtfully as if confirming something internally.

  Zhen's gaze darted from the elder's face to his badge, his mind racing. Was the elder using some kind of technique to check the badge? Could there be hidden inscriptions or traces of energy? Last time he checked, it was a simple badge without any glowing part, but he couldn’t be sure.

  There was nothing visible to his eyes, nothing that hinted at what the elder might be doing. For all he knew, the elder could simply be acting mysterious to maintain an air of authority.

  After a moment, the elder gave a slight nod, as though confirming the authenticity, and then tapped a small metal bell on the counter.

  Zhen waited, expecting a ringing sound, but instead, he felt a wave of Qi passing harmlessly through his body and expanding outward. It was a strange sensation—so light that he almost missed it. What was that?

  The elder must have seen the confusion on his face because the man leaned forward, his mean eyes narrowing. "Oh, you could sense it?" he asked, his tone curious.

  Was it impossible for others to sense it? Did I break some security features? Zhen hesitated, unsure if it was truly possible to sense the bell. But he had already reacted, and he couldn't take it back. He decided that honesty was his best option. "Yes, Elder," Zhen replied cautiously. "I felt a wave of qi, though it was faint."

  "Interesting," the elder mused, his gaze sharpening as if reevaluating Zhen on the spot. "Only a few have sensed the bell in all the time I have been in this hall. Are you—"

  Before the elder could finish his thought, a nominal disciple came rushing toward the reception area. She was a middle-aged woman, her simple brown robe contrasting sharply with the opulent surroundings of the Martial Arts Pavilion.

  Her auburn hair, streaked with a few strands of gray, was tied back in a tight bun, and her face bore the lines of years of hard work. She skidded to a halt in front of the counter and bowed deeply, her breath slightly labored from her haste.

  "Elder Liang, I—"

  The elder's face darkened instantly. "Have some decorum, Mei!" he barked, his voice sharp and unforgiving. "No running in the pavilion!"

  Mei flinched at the reprimand, bowing repeatedly in quick succession. "I apologize, Elder Liang. It won't happen again."

  So this is Elder Liang, Zhen thought, observing the interaction carefully. The way Mei reacted—so quick to apologize and correct herself—told Zhen much about Elder Liang's strict nature. It was clear that respect and adherence to rules were paramount under his watch. Zhen made a mental note to tread carefully around him.

  Elder Liang's stern gaze softened slightly as he waved a dismissive hand. "Ensure that it doesn't."

  With a nod, Mei straightened herself and looked at Zhen curiously.

  Zhen could sense the difference in their power levels, though he wasn’t certain of her exact realm. Her qi indicated she was in a lower realm, but how much lower was difficult to tell.

  Elder Liang cleared his throat, drawing Zhen's attention back. "Now, where were we? Ah, yes. The bell. You mentioned you could sense the bell, didn't you?"

  "Yes, I… I sensed it, Elder Liang" he replied cautiously, unsure of what this meant.

  But Zhen's mind raced with excitement. Did he possess some latent potential he was unaware of?

  The elder nodded slowly. "Tell me, have you joined any Peak?"

  Zhen blinked, caught off guard by the question. He hadn't expected this turn in the conversation. "The Jadecrest Peak," Zhen replied smoothly. While he had not been officially selected by any Peak, he decided to mention Jadecrest Peak to imply that he was already spoken for, hoping to avoid being coerced into whatever the elder might be planning.

  The elder's lips pressed into a thin line, and he tsked softly. "Jadecrest Peak," he repeated as if weighing the name. "A decent choice, I suppose. But if that doesn't work out, consider joining the Celestial Archive Hall. We oversee all the scrolls and techniques in the sect, and your sensitivity would easily earn you a nice position here."

  Zhen noticed Mei's reaction immediately—a slight gasp that she quickly tried to cover up. Her eyes widened just a little, betraying her surprise at the elder's words.

  Is this such a rare offer?

  The offer was tempting; working in the Celestial Archive Hall might provide him with more opportunities to read the manuals and learn the sect’s techniques. However, he also knew that the sect should be very protective of its scriptures, even from those who worked within the halls.

  He hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to say. Finally, he offered a respectful bow. "I'll keep that in mind, Elder Liang."

  The man gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "It's good to keep your options open," he said, his tone almost advisory. "But remember, you should decide before attempting to advance to the Foundation Establishment stage."

  Zhen couldn’t quite tell if the elder was pleased with his response or not. The man’s expression remained a mystery, his words tinged with what could be either genuine advice or a subtle warning. But he filed away the information, along with the name.

  Without another word, the elder turned his attention back to Mei, gesturing toward the dark wooden stairwell positioned prominently at the center of the pavilion. "Take him to the first-floor manual room, Mei," he instructed as he handed the token to her.

  Mei nodded again, this time more formally, acknowledging the elder before turning to Zhen, and leading the way.