Chapter 53

Xiaoxiao slept until the sky was bright.

Xiao Shou swore that this was the most comfortable sleep he had ever had.

No mosquitoes, no need to worry about tomorrow's match, and no need to get up in the middle of the night to practice sword techniques to ease his nervousness...

As for yesterday's disappointing end, after a brief period of disappointment, he had already forgotten about it.

Death couldn't take him down, so what was a little setback?

It's just the Inner Courtyard, maybe he, Xiao Shou, doesn't even need it!

The knocking at the door came again, and it was this sound that woke him up. He walked over and opened the door.

"It's you?"

The person in front of him was the staff member from the waiting area, the one who had sent him to ask Xiao Qiuxiu for the Chijin Pill.

"We need to hurry, Elder Xiao is waiting," the staff member said carefully, fearing that Xiao Shou would drag his feet. He quickly added, "You're the only one left."

Today was the day to enter the Spirit Treasury Pavilion to choose a spirit technique. It was already late morning.

"Let's go, lead the way!"

Xiao Shou had nothing to pack, so he waved his hand to indicate that they should go.

The staff member quickly led the way.

"By the way, are there any special rules or unwritten rules for entering the Spirit Treasury Pavilion?" Xiao Shou took out a bottle of Chijin Pills.

Again?

The staff member was startled and waved his hands in refusal.

"There are no such things. The specific rules will be explained by Elder Xiao when you get there." He pushed the Chijin Pills back, lowering his voice, "I already broke the rules last time, I can't accept them this time!"

"Take them!" Xiao Shou frowned.

The staff member was almost in tears: "There really are no unwritten rules. Even if I accepted them, I couldn't tell you. I've never been to the Spirit Treasury Pavilion."

"Oh, I see." Xiao Shou hesitated, realizing he couldn't get any more information.

The last time he went to the Spirit Treasury Pavilion was about three years ago, and it wasn't even the same soul. He had forgotten everything.

And back then, he was so naive that he chose the "White Cloud Sword Technique," and it took him three years to master just one move.

This time, he needed to be smarter.

But he had little confidence in his own talent, so he guessed it wouldn't matter what he chose!

"Ah!"

Xiao Shou's expression darkened, and he handed the Chijin Pills to the staff member, not intending to take them back.

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

Xiao Shou looked at him, and he actually didn't back down, gritting his teeth and staring back.

Clang!

Xiao Shou pulled out a black sword from his chest.

"Take them."

"Ah!" The staff member put the Chijin Pills in his sleeve.

"Lead the way."

"Sure."

The sun was scorching, and the staff member looked up, trying to let the sunlight evaporate his tears.

Elder!

I didn't mean to accept them. Xiao Shou forced me to bribe him... sniff sniff...

I'm sorry, I broke the rules again...

"Received a curse, passive value, +1."

"Received admiration, passive value, +1."

Xiao Shou was amused. What kind of contradictory feelings are these?

...

The Spirit Treasury Pavilion was located in the Inner Courtyard.

The Inner Courtyard had several times more spiritual energy than the Outer Courtyard. Once inside, one felt refreshed.

Every new disciple of the Tiansang Spirit Palace would get one chance to enter the Spirit Treasury Pavilion. The primary purpose was to choose a cultivation technique, but it also indirectly motivated them to seek advancement by experiencing the difference in spiritual energy concentration between the Inner and Outer Courtyards.

Moreover, it was said that each Inner Courtyard disciple had their own private courtyard, and when the array was activated, the spiritual energy concentration would increase several times more!

Private courtyards were very precious.

Not everyone was like Xiao Shou, who managed to get a private courtyard in the Outer Courtyard.

Some people even had to sneak to others' doors to practice...

Xiao Qiuxiu led eleven people, saying as they walked:

"Although you've all been here before, I still need to go over the rules."

"Each person can choose one innate spirit technique. Once chosen, go register. Remember not to make noise or play around."

"If you anger the guardians of the Spirit Treasury Pavilion, they'll burn your ashes to the wind."

He turned and stared directly at Xiao Shou: "Understood?"

Xiao Shou's face darkened: "Why are you looking at me when you say that?"

"Hehe."

Xiao Qiuxiu had a look that said, "Don't tell me you don't know what I mean," and said, "I'm not hiding anything. I'm saying this for you!"

Xiao Shou: "..."

The others burst into laughter.

"Received ridicule, passive value, +11."

Xiao Shou felt exhausted. He gave Xiao Qiuxiu a look that said, "I don't want to talk to you," and walked to the end of the line.

Zhou Tiancan was also in the group, which surprised him.

He remembered that Xiao Qiuxiu had said only the top ten would have the chance to enter the Spirit Treasury Pavilion. Wasn't this guy knocked out of the top thirty by him?

Could it be...

Backdoor?

"How did you get here?" Xiao Shou put his hand on his shoulder.

Zhou Tiancan hesitated.

Xiao Shou chuckled, showing a "I understand" expression, and pulled him slightly away from the group, whispering, "What's the deal? Tell me, I won't tell anyone else!"

Zhou Tiancan carefully chose his words, thinking about how to start.

After that battle, he had already considered Xiao Shou a friend and didn't want to upset him.

But seeing Xiao Shou's expression, it seemed he had to say it. He said helplessly, "The opportunity to enter the Inner Courtyard."

Xiao Shou's smile faltered.

Got it!

I brought up my own sore spot.

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

"Yes," Zhou Tiancan nodded, "They can choose one now and come back later to choose another after they've cultivated."

Ha, so many tricks!

Xiao Shou took a deep breath and turned to leave.

That middle-aged man was right; it's better for him not to talk.

"Received worry, passive value, +1."

Xiao Shou was taken aback and turned to see Zhou Tiancan with a worried look, as if considering whether his words had hurt him.

"This guy is so straightforward!" Xiao Shou thought with a smile.

...

"We're here!"

The path wound, and a three-story pavilion appeared before them.

The pavilion was quite ordinary, with no green tiles or flying eaves, no carved beams or painted rafters. The only notable feature was a large, red, seemingly heat-emitting orb on the top floor.

A sign hung on the wooden gate, inscribed with the three black characters "Spirit Treasury Pavilion."

Ancient and grand!

A good place to read!

Xiao Qiuxiu took out a black-red elder's token and pressed it on the array at the entrance, and the wooden gate opened.

"Go in. The first floor has acquired spirit techniques, the second floor has innate spirit techniques, and the third floor is off-limits."

"You have three hours to choose. Don't get too absorbed, manage your time, and register your choice."

He looked at Xiao Shou again and said, "Remember what I said on the way here."

Everyone laughed again. As the named underperformer, Xiao Shou could only lower his head and follow.