For most low-level Dark Practitioners in the Shang Kingdom, obtaining a single Dark Technique in their lifetime is already considered a luxury.
That is why the Xuan Technique Pavilion, located in the Inner Court, is not regarded as a significant location, and the Inner Court does not strictly guard it. Many who enter the Xuanji Academy with the intent to steal the stone tablets leave empty-handed.
Unable to comprehend them, who would foolishly carry a several-hundred-pound ivory stone while being chased by the Xuanji Academy?
"So it seems, even if the Inner Court agrees to let us enter the Xuan Technique Pavilion, we still might not be able to acquire any Dark Techniques," Yue Jinghua said, displeased with the prospect of missing out on the prized opportunity.
"Not necessarily, when the time comes, we will just need to choose the steles within the range of the Dark Human Realm and Jade Dark Realm," Shalman consoled her.
"Why did today's Inner Court Commander address Qiu Chuzi as 'Dean'? With such a drastic disparity in strength between the Inner and Outer Court, why does the Outer Court continue to exist without being abolished?" Yue Jinghua was puzzled.
"That, I'm not sure about either. I heard that Dean Qiu and the Inner Court's Dean, Madam She Xiang, don't see eye to eye. So they split the Xuanji Academy in half. Madam She Xiang took over the Xuan Technique Pavilion and most of the Inner Court's resources, while Dean Qiu only took a Cultivation Room and a single vice dean to act as a mentor. These few ramshackle dwelling houses were built later on," Salman said, highlighting the obvious unfairness of the division.
Shalman had no more information; she was clearly exhausted. Although worn out today, she had come to see Liu Xi's true nature and felt her mood improve compared to the past few days. After a lengthy conversation with Yue Jinghua, they both retired to bed.
The following day, Yue Jinghua and Shalman were spiritedly taken by the cheerful Qiu Chuzi to the Inner Court.
Yao Xin and the other victorious candidates from the academy trials had already entered the Xuan Technique Pavilion.
As per the rules of the Xuanji Academy, they were led into the pavilion by Yao Xin, leaving Qiu Chuzi to wait outside.
Just as Yue Jinghua and Shalman were about to enter the Xuan Technique Pavilion, a message seemed to float into their ears.
"Yue Jinghua, the third ivory tablet from the left on the second wall,"
"Shalman, the fourth ivory tablet to the right on the second wall,"
Both turned to look at Qiu Chuzi, who was merrily puffing on his water pipe, not deigning to give them a proper glance, making it seem as though what they just heard was an illusion.
Once inside the Xuan Technique Pavilion, they were handed a glowing stone key by Yao Xin, presumably the Secret Key for entering the pavilion.
Upon entering the pavilion, it was just as Shalman had described; numerous ivory tablets stood erect.
The exterior of the Xuan Technique Pavilion was even more unassuming than the average Inner Court building. Had it not been for the red lacquered doors more than ten feet tall with a pavilion sign hanging on them, Yue Jinghua might have mistaken it for a public cemetery with over a hundred gravestones.
But this cemetery was housed within a structure resembling a temple, with several walls erected around it, each wall supporting dozens of stone tablets, unguarded, and each pillar stood like a gravestone made of white jade.
The ivory tablets had surfaces as smooth as mirrors, reflecting the figures of those who looked upon them.
"Yue Jinghua, Shalman, after you enter the Xuan Technique Pavilion, you can only choose three stone tablets for comprehension. If within one day you cannot comprehend any of the tablets, you will be deemed to have failed, and the Secret Key will automatically eject you from the pavilion,"
"Commander Yao, why have we never heard about such restrictions on time and the number of stone tablets for students entering the Xuan Technique Pavilion?" Shalman had heard Liu Xi boast about entering the pavilion, and he never mentioned any time or quantity restrictions.
Shalman was certain that there were no such requirements for the Inner Court students who entered the Xuan Technique Pavilion before her and Yue Jinghua.
This limitation was indeed additionally imposed by Yao Xin.
Shaluo and Liu Xi were both Yao Xin's proud disciples. Because Yue Jinghua and Shalman had intervened, one of his students was now deranged, and the other lay on the sickbed, nearly ruined. Just these points alone caused Yao Xin to detest them intensely.
"Hmph, you're just students from the Outer Court, what rights do you have to make demands? If it weren't for the grace of the dean, you wouldn't even qualify to enter the Xuan Technique Pavilion," Yao Xin said impatiently, waving his hands and forcefully sending Yue Jinghua and Salman into the pavilion.
"Forget it, luckily Dean Qiu already informed us of the precise positions of the tablets. We just need to reach the end of the first wall to find those two tablets," Shalman sighed, having become accustomed to the unequal treatment between the Inner and Outer Court.
After entering the Xuan Technique Pavilion, Yue Jinghua remained silent and cautious, observing her surroundings. She approached the first stele and touched it, appearing curious.
After walking a bit further, Shalman exclaimed excitedly, "This is the place, the tablet Dean Qiu mentioned! I've found it, I'll start comprehending it now."
"Wait, we only have three chances; we can't waste them carelessly," Yue Jinghua stopped Shalman from sitting down to meditate and comprehend.
"What's wrong, could Dean Qiu's information be mistaken?" Shalman was confused.
"Take a look at the first tablet," Yue Jinghua shook her head, "Old Man Qiu wouldn't deceive us; it's just that we haven't found the correct tablet," she pointed to another tablet not far away.
Upon seeing the indicated tablet clearly, Shalman's complexion changed dramatically.