Chapter 23: Inner Room of the Library

Xiao Bei followed the person in front of him into the library's attic. The group did not stop on the first floor but directly ascended the wooden stairs to the second floor.

However, Xiao Bei glanced at the corner of the first floor visible from the stairs. After some thought, Xiao Bei made a decision in his heart.

After he left the inner room of the library, he would have to go down to the first floor to take a look. After all, the first floor also contained the secret techniques of the Xiao family, a large clan. For someone as stubborn as him, who insisted on cultivating the "Star Canon," it was impossible to change his cultivation method. Although the secret techniques on the first floor were definitely not as good as those on the second floor, reading more secret techniques and paying attention to the annotations made by predecessors on these techniques would certainly be beneficial.

After all, the path of martial arts, though different, ultimately leads to the same goal. Although he was already an Imperial Rank martial artist, he could not be arrogant!

Being overly proud would only make him fall behind. Continuous research and derivation were what he should do!

The wooden stairs creaked as they were stepped on. Soon, Xiao Bei and the others arrived at the platform on the second floor.

In front of the platform was an iron door with nine locks, all of which were now completely unlocked.

The two guards signaled that Xiao Bei and the others could enter.

The ten people then entered one by one.

Xiao Bei was startled the moment he entered the library's inner room!

Indeed, he was startled!

He was stunned by the profound heritage of the Xiao family!

The entire second floor of the attic, about a hundred square meters, was filled with bookshelves! Each bookshelf neatly held an original martial arts secret technique and several copies of it. Each copy contained the thoughts and experiences of several predecessors of the Xiao family who had cultivated using that secret technique...

The other nine people, except for Xiao Bei, were even more stunned, their faces flushed with excitement.

Xiao Bei was only momentarily stunned by the heritage. He quickly moved, knowing that time was limited. The steward had said that they could only stay in the inner room of the family library for one hour, after which they could take one copy of the secret technique they liked. If they wanted more, they could contact the teachers of the family martial arts hall through a series of procedures to exchange for more copies.

After some consideration, Xiao Bei finally headed towards the farthest bookshelf. He knew that with his memory, he could memorize about a third of the secret techniques here within an hour.

Xiao Bei flipped through each book very quickly...

Before the hour was up, Xiao Bei came downstairs, just in time to see the steward standing at the bottom of the stairs between the first and second floors.

"Steward Xiao, may I take a look at the first floor? There's still some time, enough for me to glance at a few secret techniques on the first floor."

The steward turned to look at Xiao Bei, though puzzled by his request, he thought Xiao Bei might be trying to stabilize his rapidly growing strength. He nodded in approval.

Xiao Bei thanked him and entered the first floor under the steward's smiling gaze.

Some time passed, and the other nine people who had gone up earlier had also finished selecting the secret techniques they needed. Seeing Xiao Bei enter the first floor, they were puzzled but did not say much. Only a pale, sickly-looking young man and a bright female disciple of the Xiao family stared at Xiao Bei's back for a while longer.

Sensing this, Xiao Bei turned his head, then, deep in thought, he walked to the farthest bookshelf and continued to read and memorize.

When the reading time was over, Xiao Bei slowly walked out amidst the complex gazes of jealousy, admiration, and fear from the others.

After bidding farewell to the steward, he left.

...

When Xiao Bei returned to his courtyard, Jiang Yuan was nowhere to be found. This made Xiao Bei frown, wondering why Jiang Yuan was not there as agreed.

Upon hearing from his mother, Zhang Lan, that Jiang Yuan's elder sister had called her away for some family matters, Xiao Bei was relieved.

In the evening, in his room, Xiao Bei continued to meditate and cultivate, refining the star palaces of the "Star Canon." Threads of primordial energy entered Xiao Bei's body, and he sat like an old monk in deep meditation.

After meditating for several hours, Xiao Bei began to derive the techniques he had memorized today in his mind.

In the end, Xiao Bei found that none of the techniques were perfect.

However, two particular techniques at the Innate Realm level, which he had specially memorized, revealed that when combined in a certain way, their power would be greatly increased.

One of these techniques, derived from the rain, was called "Dripping Rain." It had a striking resemblance to his "Starry Sky." Additionally, this technique had a follow-up move, which plunged Xiao Bei into even more complex derivations... In Xiao Bei's mind, the small, ink-like stone that was always close to his heart continued to vibrate every thirty seconds or so, channeling its power into the central star of the star palace in his consciousness.

This power gradually strengthened the central star...

Before dawn, Xiao Bei's door was knocked on.

Immersed in cultivation all night, Xiao Bei sensed Jiang Yuan's aura and opened his eyes with a smile.

Opening the door, Jiang Yuan entered with a joyful expression. Seeing Xiao Bei, her face lit up even more, "Brother Xiao Bei, you're famous now! You don't have to suffer anymore. Haha, those people who look down on others will be scared to death when they see you from now on..."

It was rare to see Jiang Yuan talk so much, especially with such joy in her eyes, which made Xiao Bei feel happy as well.

As she spoke, Jiang Yuan stopped, blinked, and stuck out her cute tongue, "Brother Xiao Bei, am I not being ladylike? I won't do it again."

Xiao Bei shook his head helplessly, "I'm not angry that you're happy for me. I like it when you're like this."

"Hehe..."

Jiang Yuan blushed and smiled, nodding. Then, she continued happily, "Brother Xiao Bei, tomorrow is the day of your duel with Xiao Li. I heard that Xiao Li has also reached the Eighth Rank of the Postnatal Realm. But, Brother Xiao Bei, I have confidence in you. You will win."

"Um, I will win. For Mother, for you, I will win. I said I wouldn't let anyone bully you again. How could I not win?"

Xiao Bei said with a loving tone.

"Um, Brother Xiao Bei, can you guide me today? I don't want to hold you back. I want to keep up with you..."

Xiao Bei smiled and nodded.

This day was the most wonderful day since Xiao Bei had merged with his predecessor in this world. During this day, Xiao Bei and Jiang Yuan went to the back mountain of the Xiao family, where they practiced more like they were enjoying the natural scenery.

During this time, looking at Jiang Yuan, Xiao Bei suddenly realized that he had forgotten many things. Apart from the people he was closest to on Earth and martial arts knowledge, this continent seemed quite beautiful as well.

...

Time flew by, and the next day arrived in the blink of an eye.

Today was the day of the duel with Xiao Li.

As usual, Jiang Yuan knocked on Xiao Bei's door early in the morning.