Chapter 20: Martial Arts Academy (2)

Posted byYours TrulyOctober 1, 2023Posted inZanxing

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Only twenty people could enter the Martial Arts Academy at a time, and each time, they could only stay inside for as long as it took for an incense stick to burn.

Zanxing was among the last group to enter the Martial Arts Academy to choose martial arts techniques. Among those who entered with her were Tian Fangfang, Mu Cengxiao, and Duan Xiangrao.

Apart from Tian Fangfang, all the key characters in the plot had gathered inside. It was challenging to determine if this was some kind of ill intent from the original work.

As Zanxing stepped into the small building, she immediately felt a rush of cold air.

This Martial Arts Academy had probably existed for a very long time. The wooden shelves holding books exuded a sense of ancient coldness that had settled over the years. Some shelves even had peculiar and exotic spirit herbs growing on them. The bookshelves were embedded in the walls, piled with books from floor to ceiling. Upon entering, one felt like they were in a sea of books, making humans seem insignificant.

These martial arts techniques each emitted a faint golden light, particularly captivating to the eye. Just the first floor was so beautiful, it made one wonder how dazzling the higher floors would be.

Zanxing glanced around, and the others had already walked far away. She still remembered this scene. The protagonist Mu Cengxiao was in the Martial Arts Academy, guided by the Xiao Yuan Pearl, and picked up a precious secret manual that no one had practiced. He cultivated this manual to the extreme, dazzling everyone in various competitions thereafter.

The Xiao Yuan Pearl was now in her hands.

Zanxing turned back and gazed among the books surrounding her, wondering which one she should select. Or perhaps, was it the case that the one Mu Cengxiao had chosen in the original story would now become hers?

The Xiao Yuan Pearl remained silent. Zanxing stepped forward, casually picking up a book from the shelf to peruse.

“Great Strength Palm,” “Ninefold Seal,” “Seven Profound Star Constellation Sword,” “Limitless Primordial Axe,” “First Blade Technique”…

Each name, upon hearing it, sounded like a must-have for a macho man.

As she flipped through book after book, each one appeared exceptionally formidable. Just as Zanxing felt somewhat perplexed, the Xiao Yuan Pearl, which had been motionless in her chest, suddenly stirred.

She was taken aback and instinctively looked up. Before her, a book on the shelf gently floated upwards.

If this were in a movie, it would likely resemble a scene from a horror film. Zanxing had always been afraid of ghosts, but this time, she didn’t feel fear. It was because this martial arts manual seemed to have a distinctly different style. While the other secret manuals emitted golden and silver light, exuding an air of mystery and preciousness akin to auspicious rays, this particular book, although radiating light as well, had a pinkish hue.

Or rather, the most common and vibrant shade of Barbie pink.

Zanxing furrowed her brows and looked at it for a while, expressing her skepticism with a straight guy’s perspective towards the Xiao Yuan Pearl, “Are you sure?”

The Xiao Yuan Pearl twitched, seemingly growing impatient.

Zanxing had no other option but to walk closer. Before she could even reach out, the martial arts manual, as if sensing someone approaching, leaped into her hand with a swift movement.

Following that, the pink radiance on this manual gradually faded, taking on the appearance of an ordinary book. Zanxing lowered her head to read, and on it were five large characters: “Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff.”

The name seemed rather Mary Sue-ish. But picking flowers and holding a staff—what could it possibly mean?

While Zanxing was contemplating this, a voice from outside, one of the disciples guarding the entrance, could be heard urging, “Time is almost up. Please quickly select your martial art technique and leave.”

She tucked the book into her bosom and then walked away at a leisurely pace. Upon reaching the entrance, she registered with the disciple stationed there and finally exited the small building.

After leaving the small building, Zanxing realized that Tian Fangfang had been waiting for her outside. Upon seeing Zanxing, Tian Fangfang quickly pulled her aside and whispered, “Junior Sister Zanxing, what did you choose? I picked a manual called ‘Dragon-Slaying Technique’. Though it’s not as good as intermediate-level techniques, I think I can sell it for around a hundred spirit stones at the Hua Jin Pavilion, right?”

“Isn’t it against the rules to take sect books outside to sell?” Zanxing inquired.

“It’s simple,” Tian Fangfang nudged her arm. “I’ll just transcribe it, and it won’t be considered a sect book anymore. What about you? What did you choose?”

The name felt somewhat embarrassing to say out loud, so Zanxing replied vaguely, “Just a staff technique with bells and whistles1.”

“Junior Sister Zanxing, how about we make a deal? Once you’ve practiced it, let me borrow it for a few days. I’ll transcribe it and sell it for spirit stones, and we can split the earnings, half each,” Tian Fangfang suggested, winking at her.

Zanxing: “…”

Before she could respond, two familiar figures emerged from the small building. One was Duan Xiangrao, seemingly very satisfied with the martial art technique she had chosen. She left cheerfully with a young cultivator who came to meet her. The other was Mu Cengxiao, who appeared calm. Sensing Zanxing’s gaze, Mu Cengxiao turned to look at her, furrowing his brows, and quickly departed.

Without the Xiao Yuan Pearl, Zanxing had no knowledge of which martial art technique Mu Cengxiao had ultimately chosen. However, she was quite certain that the manual “Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff” she held in her bosom was definitely not the one Mu Cengxiao had picked in the original story. If it had been such a Mary Sue-like name, she wouldn’t have forgotten it.

This meant that the Xiao Yuan Pearl had chosen this specific “Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff” manual for her, tailoring its selection to her needs. This manual, despite its seemingly embarrassing name, was indeed the most suitable martial art technique for her.

…

Outside the Martial Arts Academy, the disciples had finished choosing their martial art techniques and scattered in various directions.

Ziluo was busy checking the register of chosen techniques when a man approached her and took the register.

He was a middle-aged man who had put on some weight. He wore a greyish-purple robe, and due to his plump physique, the refined and delicate robe seemed a bit tight on him, with a visible indentation at his waist. However, his face had a friendly and smiling expression, giving off a pleasant demeanor.

Ziluo greeted him, “Sixth Senior Uncle.”

Xuan Lingzi, from the Taiyan Sect, was the sixth disciple under the sect’s leader, Shaoyang Zhenren. He flipped through the register and asked, “Have they all made their selections?”

Ziluo nodded.

Xuan Lingzi rubbed his hands expectantly and asked, “Are there any exceptional talents among them?”

“Sixth Senior Uncle, there aren’t that many exceptional talents,” Ziluo replied helplessly. “Looking at the register, the chosen techniques are similar to previous years. However…”

“However, what?” Xuan Lingzi’s eyes lit up.

“Most of the new disciples choose martial arts techniques that sound impressive or are more compatible with their preferences. The more extravagant the names, the better. However, there are two individuals who made different choices.”

“How so?”

“One of them is a young man named Mu Cengxiao, and he chose the ‘Five Elements Shattering Divine Technique’.” Ziluo continued, “Senior Uncle is probably aware that the ‘Five Elements Shattering Divine Technique’ is a partial manual. That’s why, despite being an advanced technique, it’s placed on the first floor.”

“You mean this young man chose a partial manual?” Xuan Lingzi was somewhat surprised.

“Yes.”

Choosing a partial manual, even if it was an advanced technique, often resulted in a disadvantage because it couldn’t be fully cultivated in the end.

“What about the other one?” Xuan Lingzi asked. “What about the other person?”

“The other female disciple is named Yang Zanxing, and she chose the ‘Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff.'”

Xuan Lingzi suddenly raised his head, “What did you say?”

Ziluo looked at him and said, “The ‘Qing’e Flower-Picking Staff’, which can only be found by those with affinity, was found by Junior Sister Yang.”

The phrase “bells and whistles” in Chinese (花里胡哨 huā lǐ hú shao) means something that is flashy with useless decorations. ↩︎