Chapter 68: The Elder in the Library

A short burst of laughter erupted in the Sword Hall.

Most of the disciples here came from influential families. Possessing exceptional talent, they were sent to seek immortality and enlightenment and had naturally learned to read and write from a young age. Even those from humble backgrounds had studied in the outer sect's academy for at least six months to a year before entering the inner sect.

Now, hearing Ning Xiaoling speak, she suddenly remembered this.

Earlier, during her fight with the old fox on the long street, she had nearly met her demise because she had recklessly revealed the inner sect's breathing cultivation method to Ning Xiaoling. At the time, she thought Ning Xiaoling was lying about being illiterate. But now, it seemed more likely that the old fox had been controlling her body with a demonic seed.

Lu Jiajia's cold gaze swept across the room, and the laughter in the Sword Hall quickly died down.

She looked at Ning Xiaoling's wronged, youthful face and felt a distinct headache.

Ning Xiaoling was already fourteen. Even with her exceptional talent, beginning cultivation at this age was considered late. Sending her to an external academy for a year just to learn how to read seemed inappropriate. While some sword techniques could be taught without literacy, understanding the core scriptures was entirely self-dependent. Furthermore, the detailed records of specific incantations and moves were contained in several very thick volumes, making it quite problematic.

After a moment of thought, Lu Jiajia made a decision: "In that case, I will personally teach you how to read."

In the Sword Hall, a ripple of surprised murmurs could be faintly heard.

Who was Lu Jiajia? She was a female sword immortal who had reached the half-step Purple Court Realm by the age of twenty-four, a genius unprecedented in the Heavenly Cavern lineage for a century. How could such a trivial task as teaching someone to read be assigned to her?

Just how exceptional was this young girl, Ning Xiaoling's, talent?

After a brief moment of astonishment, several disciples in the hall exchanged glances, subtly eager to offer their assistance to the Peak Master.

To their surprise, however, Ning Xiaoling politely refused. "How could I trouble Master with such a task?" she said, sounding very well-behaved and considerate. "I've heard that the important matter of the Sect Master's succession is only a few years away. Xiaoling wouldn't dare and shouldn't disturb Master's cultivation."

Lu Jiajia didn't press the matter, instead asking, "Then how about attending an academy?"

Ning Xiaoling's face fell. "Xiaoling would be utterly exhausted climbing the mountain every single day," she whined.

Seeing her look of grievance, Lu Jiajia suddenly understood Ning Xiaoling's real request. She scoffed inwardly but maintained a calm expression as she asked, "Can your senior brother... read?"

Ning Xiaoling's eyes lit up, and she straightened her posture, speaking with a formal air: "Xiaoling has always admired Senior Brother's vast knowledge and keen intellect the most."

Lu Jiajia sighed inwardly. "Very well," she said, "I permit you to learn to read with your senior brother after your daily sword practice, but under no circumstances are you to exceed one and a half hours. Otherwise, it will be treated as a violation of sect rules."

Ning Xiaoling feigned hesitation for a moment.

Lu Jiajia's eyebrow twitched slightly. "Unwilling?" she asked coldly.

Ning Xiaoling immediately dropped the act, nodding vigorously. "Yes, Master!" she exclaimed.

In the Sword Hall, the other disciples regarded her with utterly peculiar looks, many wondering if this young girl truly understood the significance of the Peak Master personally offering instruction.

A few disciples also felt envious of Ning Xiaoling's senior brother. Although the young man's talent was unremarkable, having such a junior sister seemed to make up for it.

Perhaps this was an example of blessings and misfortunes being intertwined.

Lu Jiajia also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Keeping Ning Changjiu on the peak was not originally suitable and was mostly due to her personal inclination. Now, however, she had a legitimate reason.

She only hoped that these two, senior and junior, wouldn't cause any trouble in private...

Fortunately, Ning Changjiu appeared quiet and unassuming; he shouldn't make any untoward moves.

On Ning Xiaoling's face, however, there was now an irrepressible excitement. The previously uncomfortable stares from those around her seemed to have faded into the background.

Lu Jiajia tapped on her desk. "Xiaoling, come here," she said. "Today, I'll give you an initial explanation. Afterwards, make sure you learn to read well, and have your senior brother teach you more. If you still don't understand anything, you can always come and ask me."

Although her words were cool and detached, those listening understood that, for the typically aloof Peak Master, this was bordering on doting.

More importantly, this arrangement meant that Ning Xiaoling's senior brother, an outer sect disciple, would have access to inner sect cultivation techniques. This was highly irregular!

Ning Xiaoling, of course, wasn't thinking about such complicated matters. She immediately nodded. "Yes, Master!" she affirmed.

As noon approached, Ning Changjiu pushed open a wooden door and headed downstairs, to the floor below the private rooms. Yesterday, Yazhu had told them that the library there was well-stocked and its books could be freely borrowed.

"Youngster, where are you off to?" a man's voice suddenly rang out.

Ning Changjiu paused, looking in the direction of the voice. At the corner of the corridor stood a man in a sword uniform with a right-overlapping lapel, his arms crossed. His hair was combed back, with a single strand falling over his forehead. The man appeared to be in his early thirties, with slightly sallow, somewhat coarse skin. A faint, almost ethereal sword aura emanated from him, making him quite intimidating.

Ning Changjiu, who naturally didn't recognize him, simply answered, "I'm going to consult some texts."

The man slowly approached, his steps steady. He looked at Ning Changjiu and asked, "Aren't you supposed to be in class?"

Ning Changjiu replied, "I'm an outer sect disciple."

The man frowned. "Absurd," he said. "How could an outer sect disciple possibly reach this peak?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Jia... erm, Master granted special permission."

The man pondered for a moment before realization dawned. "Yesterday, I heard a little girl with an innate spirit arrived at the peak, accompanied by a young attendant. Could you be that attendant?"

Ning Changjiu gently shook his head. "I am her senior brother," he clarified.

"So it is you," the man sneered. "Youngster, you've got good fortune, picking up such a fine young girl."

Ning Changjiu looked at him. "And you are?" he asked.

The man chuckled. "In terms of seniority, I suppose I would be your Martial Uncle."

Ning Changjiu simply replied, "Mm, good morning, Martial Uncle."

He didn't bother with further pleasantries and walked towards the wooden stairs leading downstairs.

The man frowned, extending an arm to block Ning Changjiu's path. "You don't recognize who I am?" he asked.

Ning Changjiu shook his head. "It's my first day here, so no. May I ask for your esteemed name, Martial Uncle?"

The man scrutinized him. "You don't seem foolish... Oh, I see. You're doing this deliberately, aren't you? Trying to get my attention and make me think you're exceptional?"

"..." Ning Changjiu responded, "You're overthinking it."

The man snorted coldly, took a deep breath, and declared in a booming voice, "My name is Lu Yuanbai. By the order of entry, I am Lu Jiajia's senior brother. Currently, half of the inner peak's order falls under my authority. Since this is your first time meeting me, I'll let it slide. But if you dare to be disrespectful again in the future, don't blame me for enforcing the sect rules."

Ning Changjiu nodded. "I've reviewed the sect rules; I'm generally aware of them," he said.

Lu Yuanbai asked, "Do the sect rules now permit outer sect disciples to access the inner peak's library?"

Ning Changjiu replied, "The sect rules do not explicitly forbid outer sect disciples from consulting them."

Lu Yuanbai retorted angrily, "That's because they can't get in!"

Ning Changjiu calmly stated, "But I am here."

"You..."

Lu Yuanbai studied him for a few more moments, thinking the young man was good-looking, but his manner of speaking was exceedingly irritating.

He sized him up once more and asked, "What cultivation realm are you in now?"

Ning Changjiu replied, "I haven't entered the Profound Realm yet."

Lu Yuanbai frowned. "How old are you?"

Ning Changjiu said, "Sixteen."

"Sixteen..." Lu Yuanbai shook his head, his tone softening slightly. "At sixteen, and not yet in the Profound Realm, you truly should read more. Find a way to stick close to your junior sister, lest you fall out of favor one day and be cast out from the peak."

Ning Changjiu didn't get angry; he simply said, "I will naturally treat my junior sister well."

Upon hearing this, for some reason, a wave of disgust surged through Lu Yuanbai. His gaze toward Ning Changjiu changed, becoming noticeably more contemptuous.

He waved his arm, saying coldly, "When you go to the inner peak's library, be quiet. The old man who guards the library is of the same generation as the Sect Master, and he doesn't have a good temper. Be careful not to provoke him."

Ning Changjiu offered a word of thanks and continued on his way.

All the inner sect disciples of this generation were currently in the Sword Hall for lessons, leaving the inner peak's library quiet and deserted.

Ning Changjiu stepped inside.

Gigantic bookshelves crammed with countless spines pressed into view.

The vast sea of books stretched out. Each bookshelf stood several times a person's height, with wooden tags on one side indicating categories. The books themselves were arranged by grade, from bottom to top.

There were no ladders here; to retrieve books from the upper shelves, one had to use spiritual power to reach them remotely. Consequently, many books were placed very high, some even protected by small formations as deterrents.

As Ning Changjiu entered, an old man half-reclining at a long table picked up a precious ancient text that had been covering his face and casually glanced at the incoming young man.

Ning Changjiu returned his gaze.

"New here?" the old man asked idly, then dropped his gaze back to his book.

"Yes," Ning Changjiu replied simply.

This must be the Martial Grand-Uncle Lu Yuanbai had mentioned.

He watched the old man, his gaze lingering for a moment. A subtle intuition arose within him, and he sighed silently. He could sense that the old man's time was nearing its end.