'Who is this man?' Bai Long thought as he quietly withdrew the remnants of his silver flame. The old man standing between them had blocked two divine techniques without effort.
"This fight is finished. Congratulations, Li Yun, on winning," the old man declared calmly. "After you collect your rewards from the elders over there, I want both you and Leng Yue to come to the main hall."
"Yes, sir." Bai Long and Leng Yue nodded before stepping off the stage and joining the others who had reached the semi-finals. The elder handling rewards walked toward them, carrying a small jade box.
He first distributed ten jade coins to each of the four who had reached the semi-final, then beckoned all eight competitors. "Follow me."
They were led to the sect shop to receive the inner-sect uniform. The building was the same large blue structure they'd first visited on the day they entered the sect. Inside, the elder exchanged a few words with the shopkeeper before waving the group forward. "Please line up and get ready to be measured."
Bai Long stepped into the line—and was surprised when he sensed Leng Yue standing behind him. He had expected her to wait at a distance, like she usually did.
"Let's go to the main hall together. I want to discuss something." Her tone was faint and controlled, audible only to him.
"Okay."
"Huh? Brother Li, did you say something?" Xue He turned around with a confused expression.
"No. You're delusional."
Xue He crossed his arms. "Don't forget you still owe me a reward for getting into the top four."
"Yes, yes. I'll give it to you once we finish selecting our arts."
When it became Xue He's turn, the old tailor lifted his measuring strip but paused, staring between him, Bai Long, and Leng Yue. "Didn't you three only enter the sect a few days ago?"
"Yes, elder!" Xue He replied proudly, chest puffed.
"Oh well. Girl, head to that room and have her measure you again." He pointed toward the young woman who had measured the female recruits previously.
Leng Yue nodded and followed without complaint.
After Bai Long finished, Leng Yue returned just as the assistant approached carrying two folded sets of clothing. "Here you are," she said, handing Xue He and Leng Yue their inner sect robes. Then she turned to Bai Long with an enormous blush spreading across her cheeks. "Junior brother, your clothes."
He accepted them with an awkward smile. "Thank you."
He felt a sudden chill run across the back of his neck. Looking around, he saw no hostile gazes—only Leng Yue standing silently at his side.
Bai Long cleared his throat, stepped away from the flustered assistant, and re-joined his two companions. After leaving the shop, the group made their way toward the martial library.
The moment they entered, the six others—including Xue He—rushed eagerly up the stairs toward the third floor. Bai Long and Leng Yue were left alone at the base of the shelves.
"What kind of technique are you planning to pick?" Bai Long asked.
"There's no need to pick anything here. I have thousands better than this." Leng Yue's voice remained calm.
"Aren't you afraid of exposing yourself?" Bai Long asked, brows raised.
"The only one here who might suspect something is the sect master, but even he would probably think it's a peerless technique."
"You do realize peerless techniques are considered sect treasures even in first-rate sects in the middle realm? If you're suspected of using multiple of them, that will cause endless trouble."
Leng Yue paused, conceding, "You're right. An Earth-rank technique will be fine."
"I'll come with you."
She glanced at him briefly before looking away. "Okay."
Even she didn't quite understand why she didn't want him walking off alone.
They walked past rows upon rows of shelves. Most scrolls were unremarkable. Some were decent. None were worthy of their time. Leng Yue lightly touched one that caught her eye only to shake her head. "They could have at least included proper techniques. These are, at best, mid-level Earth-rank arts."
Just as she said that, both of them sharply turned. A faint glow was leaking out from a dusty corner shelf. Two thin books sat there, seemingly forgotten.
True Solar Ignition and True Lunar Chill.
"What are divine-ranked techniques doing here?" Leng Yue muttered in surprise.
"No," Bai Long said, kneeling to inspect them. "They're divine-ranked only when used together. Separately, they're Earth-rank."
Their gazes met. Without a word, they each reached for the technique corresponding to their element.
Ten minutes later Xue He returned, proudly waving a technique manual. "Brother Li! Look at this!"
One glance told Bai Long it was a sword technique. He shook his head instantly. "No. Terrible choice. Find a body tempering technique instead."
"But Brother Li—"
"Now."
Xue He deflated. "Yes, Brother Li…"
Leng Yue chuckled softly. "You're rather strict. So the technique you plan to give him… are you really planning on giving him a divine technique?"
"If I gave him a divine technique now, he'd need several thousand years just to step into the initial realm. I'll give him a Heaven-rank technique instead to build his foundation."
"He's lucky to have a friend like you."
After another fifteen minutes the remaining disciples finished choosing their arts and exited the library.
"Brother Xue," Bai Long said, "I'll give you your reward when I return from the main hall."
He then turned to Leng Yue. "Let's go."
"Okay."
The two walked side by side down the steps of the martial library, heading toward the main hall and maybe just the start of their new destiny.