Chapter 63

The first floor of the Martial Arts Pavilion mostly contained low-level Profound Rank martial arts, with only a small portion being mid-level Profound Rank martial arts. Lin Xuan quickly flipped through them, searching based on his own characteristics.

*Crane Shadow Step*: A low-level Profound Rank martial art, created by imitating the movements of a demonic bird in flight and hunting. Agile and swift, when mastered, one can cross a river on a single reed.

*Traceless Step*: A mid-level Profound Rank martial art, graceful and lively. When mastered, one can step on snow without leaving a trace.

...

Suddenly, a book caught his attention.

*Illusory Thunder Step*: A mid-level Profound Rank martial art. When mastered, the speed is like a thunderbolt, and one can use lightning to leave afterimages in the air, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fake. The afterimages can also be detonated to attack enemies.

Note: This technique requires lightning affinity and is far more difficult than ordinary mid-level Profound Rank martial arts. Choose with caution!

Although it was just a few sentences, they clearly explained the advantages and disadvantages of this step technique. Lin Xuan happened to have lightning affinity, making the *Illusory Thunder Step* the perfect fit for him.

Having made up his mind, Lin Xuan stopped looking at the others. He looked around and saw that Duan Fei and Shangguan Liuyun were still searching. He took the book and walked towards the door.

"Elder Fang, Elder Mo, I have made my choice," Lin Xuan said respectfully as soon as he stepped out and saw the two elders.

"Oh, so quickly?" The two elders were slightly surprised. The first floor of the Martial Arts Pavilion contained over a thousand martial arts, all of which were Profound Rank techniques. Most disciples would be captivated by the variety of martial arts on their first visit, but this young man had made his choice in less than half an incense stick's time. How could they not be surprised?

"This young man is very decisive, good, very good!" Elder Fang smiled and nodded. Besides natural talent, a martial artist's beliefs and character are also very important. Lin Xuan was a very decisive person, which pleased Elder Fang.

"Little boy, let me see what you chose," Elder Mo was also curious.

Lin Xuan had originally intended to ask the two elders about the cultivation method of the *Illusory Thunder Step*. Now that Elder Mo had spoken, he readily handed over the book.

"Hmm, the *Illusory Thunder Step*?" Elder Mo was surprised. He looked at Lin Xuan with astonishment and said in a deep voice, "You are a lightning-affinity martial artist?"

"Um." Lin Xuan nodded. This was something that all the disciples who had watched the competition knew, and he had no intention of hiding it. After all, only by demonstrating a certain level of strength would the sect cultivate you vigorously.

At that moment, he extended his palm, activated his cultivation technique, and a layer of pale golden light surged onto his palm. Tiny golden lightning arcs continuously darted, emitting a faint thunder sound.

"Golden lightning arcs?" Elder Mo was even more surprised. Ordinary lightning was usually blue, and the more powerful kind was purple. Golden lightning arcs were very rare, and he felt a sense of familiarity from them, though he couldn't quite place it.

"This *Illusory Thunder Step* is a mid-level Profound Rank martial art, but it is even more difficult to master than ordinary high-level Profound Rank martial arts. Think carefully, don't waste your time," Elder Mo warned.

"Thank you for your advice, Elder Mo. I am confident I can master the *Illusory Thunder Step*," Lin Xuan said gratefully.

Elder Mo nodded and said no more. Lin Xuan held the book and waited to the side.

The second one to come out was Shangguan Liuyun. He was taken aback when he saw Lin Xuan, seemingly not expecting him to come out earlier.

When the time was almost up, Duan Fei finally emerged. At this point, all three had chosen their techniques.

Elder Mo led the three to a side door of the Martial Arts Pavilion, then took out three copies and handed them to the three. His expression then turned serious, and a powerful aura suddenly emanated from him, like a mountain range, making it hard to breathe.

He said in a deep voice, "The techniques in the Martial Arts Pavilion can only be cultivated by you. They must not be passed on to others, or you will be punished according to the sect rules!"

This aura induced a sense of despair. No one would have thought that this seemingly ordinary old man could have such profound cultivation.

The three, Lin Xuan, nodded in agreement, promising not to reveal the techniques.

Elder Mo's expression relaxed, and the pressure dissipated like a tide.

The three received their martial arts techniques and, led by Elder Fang, returned to the outer gate. Lin Xuan bid farewell to Elder Fang and Duan Fei, then returned to his residence.

He gently stroked the ring on his finger, deep in thought. The three rewards for first place were very important to him.

First, the storage ring made his future travels much more convenient. Although it was just a low-level Human Rank storage ring, it was sufficient for Lin Xuan.

In the approximately ten cubic meters of space, there were only two items: a small white porcelain bottle containing a third-grade *Spirit Gathering Pill*, and the *Illusory Thunder Step*, a mid-level Profound Rank martial art.

With a thought, the white porcelain bottle appeared in his hand. This pill, which could enhance a minor realm, made him very excited. However, he was hesitant about when to take it.

"I have just advanced to the sixth stage of the Pulse Condensation realm. If I advance continuously, it will cause instability in my realm, which would not be beneficial. It's better to keep it and take it after stabilizing, for better results. Moreover, if I encounter danger, this pill can also be a means of self-preservation."

With that thought, Lin Xuan flipped his palm and put the white porcelain bottle away, then took out the *Illusory Thunder Step* and read it carefully.

After half an incense stick's time, he put down the book, his expression uncertain.

The book was right; it was indeed very difficult to master. This was his first time encountering a Profound Rank martial art. He didn't know how difficult high-level Profound Rank martial arts were, but he knew that the *Illusory Thunder Step* was much more difficult than the *Thunder Movement Sword Technique*.

The *Thunder Movement Sword Technique* was a high-level Yellow Rank martial art, and its difficulty lay in precise control and extreme speed. Moreover, Old Wine had mentioned that the *Thunder Movement Sword Technique* he had was just a simplified version. The true *Thunder Movement Sword Technique* was immensely powerful, with a single strike causing thunder to rumble across the nine heavens.

The *Illusory Thunder Step* shared a similarity with the *Thunder Movement Sword Technique* in terms of speed, but it also had its unique aspects, particularly the "illusion" part. Using lightning power to create afterimages could not only confuse the enemy but also serve as an attack method.

In other words, lightning was the core, and illusion was the means. Lin Xuan had mastered the core, and as long as he learned all the techniques, the *Illusory Thunder Step* would be considered mastered.

"It seems that affinity is indeed very important!" Lin Xuan sighed. With the core affinity, learning subsequent martial arts of the same affinity would be much more efficient.

"Old Wine said that my *Longevity Decree* can transform into any affinity. What kind of technique is this *Longevity Decree*?" Lin Xuan was very curious, but Old Wine was currently asleep, and even if he asked, the old man probably wouldn't say anything.

"Let's put these thoughts aside for now and focus on mastering the *Illusory Thunder Step*!" Lin Xuan made up his mind.

When he bid farewell to Elder Fang, he learned that the third trial would take place in five days, meaning he had five days to bring the *Illusory Thunder Step* to the entry level.

"Let me see just how difficult a mid-level Profound Rank martial art is!" Lin Xuan slung the Red Flame Great Sword over his back and prepared to go to the Taihang Mountains for cultivation.