Zhang Xuan was completely unaware of the upheaval unfolding within the Wang Family.
After dismissing class, he headed once again toward the Compendium Pavilion.
"My cultivation has improved rapidly," he thought as he walked, "but my understanding of martial skills is still far too shallow. Even the first and second layers of basic cultivation techniques—I only know them on the surface."
Last night's breakthroughs had boosted his strength tremendously, yet his foundation in techniques, combat applications, and theory remained dangerously thin. When teaching Zhao Ya earlier, he had nearly exposed himself—he hadn't even known which cultivation method could resolve her Pure Yin Constitution.
"If I don't study properly now, I'll eventually be exposed."
Answering students with 'I don't know' every time wasn't an option.
"Elder Mo."
Zhang Xuan arrived at the Compendium Pavilion once more. As before, Elder Mo stood guard at the entrance.
Seeing him approach, Elder Mo's brows immediately knitted together.
"Again?" he said coldly.
"I'd like to read some books on martial skills and cultivation techniques," Zhang Xuan said, bowing politely.
"Martial skills?" Elder Mo snorted. "Cultivation is the foundation. Chasing superficial techniques and empty knowledge leads only to vanity and ruin. The Compendium Pavilion is not open to you today."
To Elder Mo, Zhang Xuan's intentions were obvious.
Yesterday, this fellow had rushed through books at absurd speed, flipping pages without even pausing to read titles. That wasn't studying—it was posturing. Teachers who taught with half-filled barrels of knowledge were precisely the ones who caused students to suffer qi deviation.
And Zhang Xuan had come twice already.
Letting him in again would be an insult to the Pavilion.
"Pursuing vanity?" Zhang Xuan blinked, genuinely confused. "Elder Mo, I truly wish to study. I won't disturb—"
Before he could finish—
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Light footsteps sounded behind him, followed by a clear, gentle voice.
"Elder Mo, I'd like to select a few books."
Zhang Xuan turned.
It was Shen Biru.
Dressed in light violet robes, her slender figure and flawless features formed a scene of understated elegance. Pure, refined, and eye-catching.
"Oh, Teacher Shen!" Elder Mo's expression immediately softened. "Please, go right in."
"Thank you, Elder Mo."
Shen Biru nodded lightly and stepped forward. As she passed Zhang Xuan, she glanced at him—and paused slightly.
Yesterday, this man had been awkward and bashful, blushing whenever he saw her, unable to speak a full sentence. Anyone could tell he harbored feelings for her.
But today—
His gaze was calm. Clear. Detached.
Like still water.
More importantly, his posture was upright, his aura steady. There was no trace of the former inferiority or self-consciousness. He stood there naturally, without deliberately trying to impress or retreat.
It was as though he had become an entirely different person.
Even yesterday, he had dared to openly refute Shang Bin.
Shen Biru couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt.
Has he… changed?
"Elder Mo," Zhang Xuan said helplessly, "Teacher Shen can enter. Why can't I?"
"She is here to study," Elder Mo replied coldly. "As for what you're doing—you know very well."
"Inside are books," Zhang Xuan said with a wry smile. "What else would I do if not read and learn?"
"Learn?" Elder Mo snorted.
Flipping pages at random, never copying or memorizing—how was that learning? The Compendium Pavilion held priceless manuals. Without careful study, even reading ten lifetimes wouldn't suffice.
"Elder Mo," Shen Biru suddenly spoke, smiling gently. "Teacher Zhang may truly need to study. Blocking him here might not look good to others. Why not let him in?"
Elder Mo hesitated.
"…Very well. Since Teacher Shen speaks for you, I'll allow it this once." He waved his hand sharply. "But listen carefully—if I discover you wandering aimlessly or putting on a show inside, don't blame me for teaching you a lesson."
"Many thanks."
Zhang Xuan nodded and clasped his hands to Shen Biru in gratitude before stepping into the Pavilion.
"Mm?"
Shen Biru froze.
She had expected him to seize the chance to chat or at least say something more.
Instead, he simply… left.
After a brief pause, she shook her head faintly and entered as well.
"This fellow really is strange today…"
Standing before the towering bookshelves, Zhang Xuan scratched his head.
"This was way too troublesome. Next time, I probably won't even be able to get in."
Elder Mo's hostility was obvious—and clearly related to his zero-score reputation.
His status was painfully awkward.
Recruiting students was hard. Even fellow teachers looked down on him. Today he had entered only because Shen Biru happened to intervene.
But next time?
"Wait…"
Zhang Xuan's eyes suddenly lit up.
"This Pavilion isn't that large. If I move fast enough, I can finish everything in a day."
Anyone else would find that impossible—hundreds of thousands of books were stored here.
But he was different.
As long as he flipped through a book, the Library of Heaven's Path would automatically generate a complete copy, flaws and all.
"If I succeed, I'll never need to come back again."
Decision made.
"Let's begin!"
Zhang Xuan strode to the first shelf, grabbed several books at random, and—
Hua la!
Pages flipped rapidly.
Huu—
Within his mind, the Library of Heaven's Path activated instantly. Identical books appeared upon its shelves.
Success.
Without hesitation, he moved down the rows.
Each stop—several books.
Flip. Flip. Flip.
Hua la la!Hua la la!
The Pavilion echoed with rapid page-turning.
Outside, Elder Mo's face darkened.
"This brat… isn't he just putting on a show?!"
Earlier, Zhang Xuan had at least pretended to read. Now he was flipping dozens of books without even glancing at them.
Selecting books like picking vegetables.
And the titles he glanced through were utterly chaotic:
Purple Vine CultivationBasics of Male–Female RelationshipsThe Way of Yin–Yang HarmonyRefining the Green Jade PillEssential Notes on Equipment Forging
Cultivation techniques. Martial skills. Alchemy. Herbology.
Even books on intimate relations.
There was nothing he didn't flip through.
A person's energy was limited. No one could master everything.
Reading without focus was worse than not reading at all.
"This is nonsense," Elder Mo snorted coldly. "When he comes out, I'll definitely teach him a lesson."