Ye Tian slowly browsed the Martial Arts Manuals on the shelves. He spent a long time searching but couldn't find one that suited him. With every minute that passed, he grew more anxious.
After a long while, he discovered a Body Technique Martial Skill manual called Flowing Cloud Step. After flipping through it, he decided the Martial Skill was perfect for him and quickly memorized its contents.
He had found a Body Technique Martial Skill; now he just needed an Attack Martial Skill. Ye Tian searched all four shelves from top to bottom but found nothing suitable, much to his disappointment.
It wasn't that the Martial Arts Pavilion had no Sword Techniques, but that they were all far too inferior. Calling them Martial Arts Manuals was being generous; to be blunt, they weren't even worthy of being ranked as Yellow-tier Lower Grade.
'Forget it. If I can't find a sword-based one, I'll just pick a striking technique instead,' Ye Tian thought, consoling himself. After all, he had seen a few decent manuals while browsing earlier.
Just then, the door to the Martial Arts Pavilion opened. Ye Tian's heart leaped, thinking his time was up, but he quickly relaxed.
A woman in green, her face hidden by a veil, walked in. She was visibly surprised to see Ye Tian, clearly not expecting to find someone in the Martial Arts Pavilion at this hour.
Ordinarily, it was lunchtime. She had deliberately chosen this time to come, when it would be empty, to avoid any unnecessary trouble.
She looked at Ye Tian, and Ye Tian looked back at her. Their gazes locked, crackling with an intensity that seemed powerful enough to set the air ablaze—it was an unbelievable moment.
The green-clad woman's veil prevented Ye Tian from seeing her true features, but judging by her elegant attire and slender figure, he was certain she was an exceptional beauty.
Ye Tian had a hunch about her identity: the clan's top-ranked disciple, Ye Feifei.
'Anyone else would have no need to wear a veil. I just don't understand what she's doing on the first floor. Could she be planning to choose a Martial Skill from here?'
'With her Realm and power, there's absolutely no reason for her to be here. Is there some powerful Martial Skill hidden on this floor? No way!' Ye Tian mused.
They quickly broke eye contact, neither saying a word. Ye Tian seized the moment and resumed flipping through the manuals on the shelves. The incredible speed at which he skimmed through them puzzled the woman standing nearby.
"Can you really find a suitable Martial Arts Manual for yourself at that speed?" the woman finally couldn't help but ask.
Ye Tian turned, glanced at her, and smiled. "You're right, I haven't found anything suitable. I'm looking for a Sword Technique Martial Skill manual, but I've already gone through almost every book on these shelves with no luck.
Your power level is much higher than mine, so you must come to the Martial Arts Pavilion often. I was wondering if you could recommend one for me? I would be incredibly grateful!"
The woman smiled faintly. "And why should I help you? Ye Tian? You said your name is Ye Tian?"
Ye Tian hadn't expected her to ask that. He was a complete nobody in the clan; how could she possibly know his name? He found it very strange.
"Yes, I'm Ye Tian. Since you don't want to help, I'll just keep looking on my own. I've been here for a while and need to hurry up," Ye Tian said, turning back to resume his search.
"I can help you, but you have to agree to one condition. What do you say?" the woman said, getting straight to the point.
Ye Tian stopped his search once more. "What kind of condition? How could a mere ant like me, who just broke through to the Fourth Layer, possibly have a chance to help the top-ranked young lady of the Ye Clan?"
"You know who I am?" the woman asked, a flicker of surprise on her face as she looked at Ye Tian.
Ye Tian knew his guess was correct. "Young Miss, you're one of the greatest beauties in Lisha City, and your Power Realm has reached the Seventh Layer. Who in the entire Ye Clan wouldn't know of you?"
"My condition is both simple and difficult for you. It all depends on whether you can achieve it," the woman—Ye Feifei—said.
"Name it. It would be my honor to do something for the Young Miss. I will do my best," Ye Tian said without hesitation. He truly needed her help right now.
"The clan competition is coming up soon. I've already heard your story. Breaking through two Realms in such a short period is practically unheard of.
And the fact that you fought that fool Ye Feng to a standstill using only the Thunderbolt Fist proves you have a great talent for Martial Arts. My hope is that you successfully pass the assessment and become an Inner Sect Disciple," Ye Feifei said.
Ye Tian hadn't expected this to be her condition. Of course, becoming an Inner Sect Disciple was the greatest desire of every Outer Disciple, but given his current circumstances, it was a truly difficult feat.
Seeing the hesitation on Ye Tian's face, Ye Feifei smiled. "I know what you're worried about. Getting into the Inner Sect isn't easy, unless you can break through to the Fifth Layer or you have a very powerful Martial Skill."
"Exactly. That's why I might not be able to do what you ask. I don't make promises I can't keep. It's a matter of principle for me," Ye Tian said.
"Since I want you to get into the Inner Sect, I naturally have a way to help. There aren't any good Martial Arts Manuals on this floor, so it would be useless even if you read every single one.
I have a Yellow-tier Middle Grade Sword Technique Martial Skill that might suit you. I hope you can learn it in the time you have left. As for breaking through to the Fifth Layer, that won't be a difficult task either.
Take one of these three Celestial Melody Pills every seven days. I believe you'll be able to break through before the competition starts," Ye Feifei said.
Ye Feifei then produced a yellowed Martial Arts Manual and a white porcelain bottle.
"Why are you helping me? I don't think we've ever met before," Ye Tian asked, looking at Ye Feifei in utter confusion.
"You don't need to know that right now. When the time is right, you'll understand. What, you don't want them?" Ye Feifei retorted.
Ye Tian was at a loss. He felt awkward about taking things from a woman, but his greatest desire was to pass the assessment during the clan competition and become an Inner Sect Disciple.
Only by becoming an Inner Sect Disciple could he challenge Ye Feng and wash away the shame of that day.
After a moment's hesitation, Ye Tian reached out and accepted the Martial Arts Manual and the Elixirs. As he did, his hand accidentally brushed against her delicate one.
An awkward silence hung between them for a moment. Ye Tian, however, had no improper thoughts toward Ye Feifei. He had just been hurt by Ye Shixue and couldn't imagine getting involved in another romance so soon.
Besides, given his current status and power, he wasn't in any position to be thinking about such things. He tucked the Martial Arts Manual and the Elixirs inside his robes.
"Thank you, Young Miss! I will work hard. I won't let you down!" Ye Tian said to Ye Feifei with great sincerity.
"Don't call me Young Miss anymore. Even though we've just met, I'd rather you call me Feifei. Everyone says I'm a total tigress, but I'm not really that fierce, you know!" Ye Feifei said with a laugh.
While Ye Tian was still feeling awkward about it, Ye Feifei had already turned and walked out of the Martial Arts Pavilion, leaving him standing there in a daze.
He couldn't understand why Ye Feifei was being so good to him, or whether she had come to the Martial Arts Pavilion specifically to give him the Martial Arts Manual and Elixirs…
He realized it was nearly time for him to leave. This trip to the Martial Arts Pavilion had been incredibly fruitful. With that, Ye Tian departed…