At that moment, Huo Feng flickered a glance at the siblings. The air began to stir around them, an invisible pressure, one that made Lei Ya completely freeze, trying to wrap around the siblings.
It was a subtle pressure, the insidious use of aura to make it seem like the duo was stumbling upon themselves by just being in their presence.
Lei Ya was evidently close to stumbling, a faint tremor running through her.
But Lei Jin simply felt nothing. He could sense the shift in the air and instantly identify it was coming from Huo Feng. And yet, despite Huo Feng's Essence Gathering Realm cultivation base being higher, nothing could affect Lei Jin.
A stir of multi-colored lightning continually revolved within his veins and blood, shielding him from the higher pressure. It made Lei Jin curious, a mental note to investigate this phenomenon later, but there was no time to dwell on that now.
Lei Jin simply put his hand on Lei Ya's shoulder, merging his own calm, unyielding aura into hers to quell her nerves.
Lei Ya let out a slight breath, a silent sigh of relief, sending a look of gratitude to her brother. The siblings were about to walk again.
But Huo Feng and Lin Yue were unsatisfied by this lack of reaction, this blatant disregard. Lin Yue's lips curled into a smile that was ready to pounce on its prey.
Her voice flowed, a honeyed tone laced with subtle spiritual pressure that would make weaker cultivators stumble over their words, "Oh my? Meeting up here? Say, little Lei Ya, since we've crossed paths, why don't we talk a walk together, do something productive with your day?"
"Mn." A condescending smile plagued Huo Feng's lips. "You know, our patience isn't that high, Lei Ya. You shouldn't wait too long or an accident might occur, right?" His gaze lingered on Lei Jin, a veiled threat in his eyes.
Instead of taking the bait, reacting, or making a scene, Lei Jin and Lei Ya simply walked right ahead of them, their backs straight, their steps unwavering.
"Tch." Bluntly ignored, Huo Feng subtly increased the pressure of his aura.
The air turned heavier, a palpable weight, a pressure designed to make Early Layer Mortal Awakening cultivators sweat and stumble like fools, trying once again to crush down on the siblings.
Naturally, Huo Feng knew that blatant fighting and suppression were forbidden outside of combat areas or formal duels within the Beloved Sky Sect. But with his powerful family background, subtle pressure like this would cause elders to turn a blind eye, dismissing it as a mere "clash of auras" or "friendly sparring."
Huo Feng, Lin Yue, and everyone else watching was preparing to see an amusing show of the "useless wastes" stumbling upon themselves.
The subtle aura of an Essence Gathering cultivator would be incredibly difficult for any Early Layer Mortal Awakening cultivator to ignore, let alone withstand.
And yet… nothing happened.
"Eh?" Huo Feng and Lin Yue curled their brows in confusion, their smug expressions faltering.
The siblings continued walking, as if nothing happened at all, their steps even and unhurried.
This was strange, utterly baffling.
But naturally, the duo scoffed, unwilling to admit their failure. Lin Yue's words were loud and piercing, echoing with disdain, "Putting up a brave front for being so weak… tch."
Others similarly scoffed, though a few exchanged uncertain glances. They evidently couldn't believe the duo were not affected at all.
Many were sure that once they believed they were far enough, the "wasteful siblings" would begin gasping for air, collapsing in humiliation.
Lei Jin and Lei Ya simply continued on their path, their composure unwavering. Contrary to everyone's expectations, the siblings didn't end up gasping for air. They walked with their heads still held high, their backs straight, a silent defiance in their every step.
On their walk, Lei Ya got close to Lei Jin and whispered to him, her voice barely a breath, "I should've asked before, but what grade of cultivation art are we shooting for?"
"Spirit Grade." Lei Jin plainly stated, his voice a low murmur, yet firm.
"Eh?" Lei Ya nearly faltered in her step, her eyes widening. She quickly regained her composure, her competitive nature refusing to make a scene. "Spi-spirit Grade?! Man… Jin? Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, common trash suddenly comprehending an Art that only extremely talented Mortal Awakening juniors and Essence Gathering cultivators can comprehend?"
"I understand your concern, but do you remember the rules?" Lei Jin held a mysterious smile, a hint of ancient wisdom in his gaze.
His bits of memories were still coming, but honestly, he wanted to hear Lei Ya's words to confirm anything that he might be missing from his fragmented knowledge of this world.
"The rules?" Lei Ya scratched her head, a familiar gesture. She thought it over for a moment, and the longer she thought, the brighter the light in her eyes turned, a spark of understanding igniting. "Yes… yes! That's it! Heh, even with technicality, we are still Inner Core disciples. And unless we willingly provoke someone or go somewhere we shouldn't be snooping…"
"Then we'll be fine. We'll cultivate at our leisure," Lei Jin finished her words, his smile deepening. Her words all but confirmed everything Lei Jin needed to know.
After all, even in this mystical, fantastical world, there were rules and order that needed to be maintained for cultivators to thrive. Despite how outwardly malicious and merciless cultivators could come off as, everyone still possessed a brain.
And most cultivators, even arrogant ones, wouldn't want to waste time on matters that could be avoided, especially if it meant breaking sect rules for no tangible gain.
After a few more minutes of walking, the duo soon reached an imposing building that cast a long shadow before them.
This grand structure nearly took their breath away, its sheer scale and intricate design speaking volumes. Every pattern and unique design upon the building exuded a vast history and profound knowledge, a silent testament to the sect's power.
This was the Beloved Sky Library.
The building itself held a unique property. From what Lei Jin could recall from the fragmented memories, this was some sort of a Spirit Grade building, in which there was a complex array underlying its foundation, constantly drawing in the ambient Essence Energy. The sublime fusion caused the very air inside to be thick, almost palpable, with the scent of old parchment and hypnotic spiritual power.
There were various disciples coming in and out of the Beloved Sky Library. Most disciples were Inner Core ones, easily identifiable by their robes, but there was the occasional Outer Disciple who had racked up enough Merit Points to be able to get inside the Library.
There would often be Core disciples here, but luckily for the siblings, none were present at the moment, allowing them a moment of relative peace.
Lei Jin and Lei Ya didn't waste time; they directly strode right into the library, their footsteps echoing softly in the hushed atmosphere.
Their eyes were soon met with a vast interior. Rows upon rows of towering shelves, each exuding a mystical sensation of enlightenment and wonderment. Scrolls, ancient books, and various other kinds of jade slips and texts were stored on these shelves, nearly all of them containing an untapped amount of knowledge for cultivators to use.
Disciples all around weren't noisy; if someone was talking, it was only in hushed whispers to their friends, a reverence for the knowledge contained within.
The siblings didn't waste time and swiftly approached the front desk. An elderly woman sat behind it. She was a senior with wisdom fueling her age, and a mystical aura that seemed to make the very air vibrate around her. Her looks definitely aged, but Lei Jin considered her to be someone healthy-looking in their sixties in his previous world.
Although, with the benefit of longevity that cultivation caused, he wouldn't be surprised if this elder was at least two or three hundred years old.
Lei Jin recalled this elder's identity. High-Elder Ling, the manager of the Beloved Sky Library, a figure that even other high elders would be wary of, given her authority over such a vital resource.
Aware of her identity, Lei Jin and Lei Ya still calmly approached.
'Hm?' Elder Ling flickered an indifferent glance towards the siblings. Two Mortal Awakening juniors in the second layer. Naturally, someone with such low cultivation, yet wearing the Inner Sect disciple robes, she was aware of who the siblings were, having heard the rumors.
But that was the extent of her care. If not for the fact that it was a part of the sect rules to answer respectful disciples' questions, Elder Ling would treat them as air.
Her indifferent voice flowed out with a natural, imposing aura, one that would make even Essence Gathering Cultivators shiver. "What do you wish to ask?"
Lei Ya, surprisingly to Lei Jin, gripped her fist, refusing to let the flat gaze and imposing aura of the elder falter her. With a small, confident smile, Lei Jin stared directly into Elder Ling's eyes. "Manager Elder, can you please direct us to the Spirit Grade Art section."
Silence reigned for a moment. Elder Ling nearly blinked, believing she had misheard something.
But Lei Ya smirked, her confidence surging as she added, her voice clear, "We simply want something of quality, like the other Inner Core disciples."
Elder Ling fully blinked, her eyes opening completely, a rare sight.
Was this some sort of joke?
Mere two trashy 2nd layer Mortal Awakening juniors daring to ask for a Spirit Grade Art?
If not for the fact she had to answer respectful disciples' questions, she would've already slapped these two out of her library.
Instead, Elder Ling's wrinkled hand pointed over to one section where the thick air and vibrant Essence Energy flowed most densely. "There. Spirit Grade Arts of medium to high quality. When picking Arts, one must consider their limits and know how to pick and choose. Mortal Awakening Juniors are simply suited for Common Grade Arts given their degree of talent."
She spoke, her tone devoid of emotions, yet the underlying condescension was clear. It may seem like she was giving out good advice, but the Lei siblings knew Elder Ling was taking them for fools.
Still, the siblings didn't argue, simply nodding their heads respectfully.
A pep was in their step as they reached the Spirit Grade Art section.