Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Fu Yong Kang’s Little Scheme

Inside Golden Phoenix Pavilion was a library dedicated to techniques. After presenting his credentials, Fu Yong Kang brought Rong Shu and, without obstruction, led her to the first floor of the library.

On the first floor were all Profound-rank and Yellow-rank techniques. As for the second, third, and fourth floors deeper in, Fu Yong Kang did not have the authority to take anyone inside.

He said: “Everything’s here. Browse as you like; even memorizing them is fine.”

He added: “You have Wind-Fire Dual Spiritual Roots, so take a look at techniques of those two attributes. If you fancy one, just use it.”

Fu Yong Kang deliberately hauled over two chests of jade slips, each recorded with wind- and fire-element techniques.

Rong Shu said: “Alright, thank you.”

Gazing at a library brimming with techniques, Rong Shu thanked Fu Yong Kang with genuine sincerity.

Fu Yong Kang waved it off and said: “No need to thank me. You take a look first; I’m going to study that big bead of mine.”

With that, Fu Yong Kang found a spot, sat down, and, brimming with interest, began to tinker with his newly acquired big bead.

Seeing this, Rong Shu also began searching for techniques that suited her.

She did not rush to the wind and fire techniques; instead, she specifically examined other attributes.

With that search, she truly found some rather good techniques.

*Treading the Waves*: a water-element Yellow-rank movement technique that lets one skim over the surface with ease, even rousing waves to accelerate forward.

*Shadow Kill*: a dark-element Profound-rank offensive technique that uses shadow mimicry to kill without a sound.

*Vajra Impervious*: a metal-element Profound-rank defensive technique that plates the body in a layer of golden light for protection; when mastered, it can withstand full-force attacks from opponents three minor realms higher.

*Shrinking Earth to Inches*: an earth-element Profound-rank movement technique that achieves rapid displacement by shifting the soil layers; when mastered, one can briefly sink into the earth.

She thought to herself: [Hmm, am I a bit short on attack methods?]

After selecting those four techniques, Rong Shu slowly realized a problem.

Among them, two were movement techniques and one was defensive; only a single technique offered direct offense.

Although she recognized this issue, she did not continue searching through other techniques.

Fu Yong Kang had trusted her enough to let her browse these techniques; Rong Shu could not actually treat him like some gullible mark and plunder a dozen or twenty kinds.

Even though they were only Profound- and Yellow-rank techniques, a dozen volumes together would be worth no less than 100,000 Spirit Stones.

Having decided on those four, Rong Shu lifted the jade slips and tapped them to her forehead four times in succession.

The full contents of the techniques imprinted instantly into her mind. She would mull over them slowly after returning.

After finding suitable techniques, Rong Shu thought for a moment, then casually searched through the fire techniques as well and finally found a Profound-rank offensive technique.

*Blazing Body*: by wreathed flames covering the whole body, one burns and batters the enemy during close combat through the fire itself.

Used properly, this technique could produce a curious effect.

For example, when an opponent tried to rush in to finish you, you suddenly blazed up head to toe. Even if it did not burn them to death, it could scare them half to death.

Moreover, it counted as a kind of defense. With fire all over you, most people and spirit beasts or demon beasts would not dare approach easily.

If they could not get close, then there was no danger, right?

She said: “I’m finished looking.”

Besides those five techniques, Rong Shu had skimmed a few others, but she did not press the jade slips to imprint them; she only got a general idea.

Fu Yong Kang watched her walk over and asked: “All done? Not going to look at a few more?”

Rong Shu shook her head and said: “I’ve flipped through roughly a hundred kinds. Getting a general sense is enough, and besides, there isn’t much time to read the rest.”

Fu Yong Kang did not concern himself with which techniques she had read. This library was set with a special formation; once inside, a Storage Pouch could not be opened.

Although he had not watched her the whole time, for that reason he was not worried that Rong Shu would steal any jade slips.

As for how much she had looked at, since he had brought her here, even if she read everything, he would not mind. It was just a pile of Profound-rank techniques, hardly worth any money.

More than money, he valued gaining a friend.

The smile on Fu Yong Kang’s face grew more sincere as he said: “It’s fine. If you really cannot make it back to the sect, then just stay here. My treat.”

Though Fu Yong Kang had a baseline he would not cross, Rong Shu had not pushed her luck or stepped on his bottom line. This, at least, pleased him.

At the very least, he had not befriended the wrong person.

Rong Shu shook her head to refuse and offered a simple, honest reason: “Better to return to the sect. It’s safer.”

Fu Yong Kang led Rong Shu out of the library, slipped the big bead back into his Storage Pouch, and said excitedly: “Alright then. Since you’ve made your picks and we still have a little time, let’s go have some fun elsewhere.”

Rong Shu nodded and said: “Okay.”

“…”

…

Elsewhere, Yu Ruan Ruan and the others finally welcomed Huo Yi Han.

As Huo Yi Han stepped down from the Flying Ship, he felt that something about the atmosphere was not quite right.

Huo Yi Han first looked toward Yu Ruan Ruan and said: “Ruan Ruan.”

His features leaned toward the refined scholar’s type; he looked gentle and cultured, without any sense of threat.

When he smiled at Yu Ruan Ruan, his whole air became mild and harmless.

Yu Ruan Ruan ran over and said: “Second senior brother, you’re finally back! I missed you so much!”

Huo Yi Han replied: “I missed Ruan Ruan too.” In his eyes flickered faint, unreadable emotion as he gazed at Yu Ruan Ruan with deep feeling.

Yu Ruan Ruan said: “Right, I almost forgot to congratulate Second senior brother on becoming a fourth-grade alchemist! That’s amazing.” She stuck out her tongue a little, smiling sweetly.

Feng Lin and Qin Yuan also offered their congratulations, saying: “Second junior brother, congratulations,” and: “Second senior brother, congratulations.”

Huo Yi Han gave the two a nod, though his gaze still rested mainly on Yu Ruan Ruan.

Just then, Huo Yi Han sensed the change in Yu Ruan Ruan’s cultivation and said: “Hm? Ruan Ruan, you broke through.”

A faint blush rose on Yu Ruan Ruan’s cheeks as she nodded.

She said: “Yes, how coincidental. I just broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage today. It must be that Second senior brother came back and brought Ruan Ruan good luck.”

Huo Yi Han looked at her with indulgence and said: “That’s because Ruan Ruan strives to improve.”

Qin Yuan said: “Second senior brother, let’s return to Limitless Peak first. We can talk slowly once we’re back.”

Huo Yi Han nodded and said: “Mm.”

“…”

When the group returned to Joyous Hall on Limitless Peak, Huo Yi Han asked casually: “I hear we seem to have gained a junior sister. Where is she?”