After stepping into the Second Layer, Chu Lin was immediately stunned by the sight before him; it was completely different from what he had imagined.
The space inside was hazy, with visibility extending only five meters. Although this Second Layer didn't appear large, he walked for a long time without reaching the edge. Even more strangely, there was nothing here; at least, he hadn't encountered or seen anything.
"Why is it so empty here? Sword Spirit, do you have any thoughts?" Chu Lin pondered.
"This is a Barrier Space. To create such a space requires someone with at least the strength of the Sixth Level of Earth Martial Realm, likely left by your Chu Family ancestor."
"Sixth Level of Earth Martial Realm? Isn't that quite impressive—why can't I find any martial skills?" Chu Lin was shocked, but he hadn't forgotten the purpose of his visit.
After a while, the Sword Spirit said, "Sixth Level of Earth Martial Realm is considered a master here. This is a Barrier Space that requires Star Power to explore. Try using the Star Power within your body."
Having found a method, Chu Lin eagerly started channeling the Star Power within him, though a substantial problem troubled him—using Star Power to explore without knowing how.
"To perceive things with Star Power, you must have no distractions, envelop your body in Star Power, and sense with your Heart Spirit. This barrier set by someone at the Sixth Level of Earth Martial Realm is hard for you to break with your current strength."
Chu Lin nodded, half-understanding, and tried again to channel the Star Power, covering his body while sensing with his Heart Spirit as the Sword Spirit had instructed.
The space was devoid of anything; closing his eyes or opening them made no difference. Chu Lin slowly moved his steps, then he seemed to see a stone table, and on it lay a delicate box.
The stone table was two meters in front of him; Chu Lin's Heart Spirit stirred, and he hurried towards the stone table, only to find emptiness when he opened his eyes, with no trace of the stone table.
When he closed his eyes and sensed again with his Heart Spirit, he saw the stone table as though it was right in front of him, with the box close enough to grasp.
This time, Chu Lin didn't ask the Sword Spirit; guided by his Heart Spirit, he reached out for the box, feeling its solid reality as he touched it.
The box had no restrictions; even with closed eyes, Chu Lin quickly opened it, revealing an ancient, yellowed book quietly resting inside.
A martial arts manual! That was Chu Lin's first thought, and without hesitation, he took it up, only feeling convinced he held something when it was tangible in his hands. Then he opened his eyes.
Indeed, it was a book, just as perceived through his Heart Spirit, yet both the stone table and the box disappeared without a trace.
This place was too bizarre; without the Sword Spirit revealing the method, who knew when he might have discovered this martial arts manual.
Although the time felt fleeting, Chu Lin realized he exhausted more than half of his Star Power than searching for another manual seemed impossible.
Gazing at the hard-won manual in his hand, Chu Lin felt deeply moved and resolved to practice well to change the minds of those who underestimated him.
"Kid, you should quickly memorize the contents of this manual; it can't be taken out of the Library Pavilion. You're lucky; this martial arts manual is quite good," the Sword Spirit spoke in Chu Lin's mind.
If this martial arts manual could indeed be considered good by the Sword Spirit, then it must be valuable. Chu Lin began to read through it right away.
Flipping through pages was naturally easy, yet after a long while, he was at a loss as the manual contained no text, like a completely blank book.
"What's going on? This book has no words; how am I supposed to memorize it?" Chu Lin muttered, intending to question the Sword Spirit, but reluctant to appear as if he was seeking help.
"Kid, try using Star Power—the same method. Memorize as much as you can until your Star Power runs out," the Sword Spirit advised.
Chu Lin chuckled; he had indeed been a bit slow, not realizing it sooner.
Channeling his Star Power, Chu Lin focused solely on committing the manual's contents to memory.
Indeed, the pages quickly filled with text visible to him despite his closed eyes.
The first few lines brought an exciting surge through Chu Lin: "Descendants of the Chu Family, finding this martial arts manual in the Library Pavilion signifies great fortune."
"This was my proudest martial skill, the Mid-grade Profound Martial Skill Wind Chasing Sword Technique, the best in the Library Pavilion. I hope that after learning it, you strive for the Chu Family's flourishing prosperity."
Finally, Chu Lin saw three bold characters at the bottom of the page, "Chu Tianxiong."
The records within the family told Chu Lin about Chu Tianxiong, the Chu Family's most formidable ancestor, whose era elevated the family among the Five Great Families of Liuyun City.
Though deeply moved, Chu Lin quickly calmed his mind. A Mid Profound Tier martial skill was now the top skill in Liuyun City, surpassing what the current Patriarch, Chu Yuanba, practices.
If he learned this martial art, he would have a good chance in the upcoming family competition.
With time slipping by moment by moment, Chu Lin wholeheartedly immersed himself in the Wind Chasing Sword Technique, not to comprehend but to memorize it for future study and training.
His Star Power steadily diminished, and the manual wasn't extensive, spanning fewer than ten pages. Under normal circumstances, Chu Lin could memorize it after reading through twice, despite not being able to have perfect photographic memory.
However, having read approximately five times and failing to memorize fully aggravated him.
Faced with the strange phenomenon, he resolved to repeat his reading and memorization.
His Star Power depleted further, and the texts grew increasingly hazy. Upon finishing nine readings, Chu Lin finally memorized the Wind Chasing Sword Technique entirely.
By then, his Star Power was exhausted, having the appearance of enduring a life-and-death battle, with clothes drenched in sweat, and collapsed helplessly onto the floor.
At this point, he realized the martial arts manual in his hand vanished, proving the Sword Spirit right—it was indeed impossible to take it away.
"Time to leave!" Chu Lin rose slowly, intending to step forward when an instantaneous wave and pulling force enveloped him.
Feeling darkness ahead, Chu Lin found himself back in the First Layer of the Library Pavilion. The unexpected return bewildered him, and the voice behind him nearly startled him to death.
"You're out so soon!" The familiar voice was Chu Linyue's voice.
"Can't you speak without scaring people half to death?" Chu Lin retorted sourly.
"What do you mean?" Chu Lin was puzzled by Chu Linyue's words and asked.
"You only spent at most five minutes from entering to exiting; did you find a martial arts manual? Let me see what kind of manual it is," Chu Linyue spoke rapidly, ignoring Chu Lin's expression.
For Chu Lin, at least two hours seemed to pass in the Second Layer, yet Chu Linyue's claim of no more than five minutes bewildered him.
"A manual? I didn't find anything. The area was vacant, and after searching for quite some time without results, I left—it was a bit disappointing," Chu Lin feigned frustration.
"Haha, I figured you couldn't find a martial arts manual; gaining one in the Second Layer requires luck, and method is also important," Chu Linyue laughed, silently musing, "If everyone could acquire a manual upon entering, the Chu Family would have long been the most powerful among the Five Great Families."
"What method?" Chu Lin pretended ignorance, his face eager with anticipation.
"Telling you is pointless; each family member has only one chance to enter the Second Layer, better not knowing to spare disappointment. Not every time brings such good fortune!"
"So, I'm without another chance to enter?" Chu Lin chuckled bitterly.
"If you knew that I acquired the most powerful martial arts manual within, you'd probably feel so frustrated you'd spit blood, but I'll keep this secret," Chu Lin thought, but looking at Chu Lin Yue, who smirked mischievously, said, "Your chance to enter has been squandered; however, there are some decent books in the First Layer too, like the Cloud-Dispelling Palm and Blazing Fist..."
"Hopefully, you'll find the martial arts manual you desire when entering the Second Layer; such wasted opportunity is truly unfortunate!" Chu Lin said, walking away, leaving behind Chu Linyue with a schadenfreude-filled expression.