Fang Han approached, handing back the *Xuanwu True Skill* with both hands. His expression was calm, showing no hint of defeat or frustration.

Meeting Elder Mo’s gaze, he stated frankly,

"Elder, the manual is indeed incredibly profound and mysterious."

Hearing this, a flicker of understanding—’Just as I thought’—passed through Elder Mo’s eyes.

He was just about to offer a few words of encouragement, something along the lines of, ’The path of Cultivation must be taken one step at a time.’

But then he heard Fang Han continue,

"However, after studying it for a day, while I haven’t grasped all its subtleties, I’ve managed to understand the key principles of its Qi Circulation Methods and Qi Transport. I have a general understanding of its essence."

"If I come back to borrow it for another day tomorrow, I should be able to commit its contents to memory and begin attempting its Cultivation."

As his words fell, a momentary silence descended upon the fourth floor of the Library Pavilion.

The hand Elder Mo had extended to take the manual paused in mid-air, an almost imperceptible hesitation.

On his weathered, wrinkled face, the teasing smile instantly froze, replaced by a faint trace of astonishment.

’He can understand it?’

’Someone who has never encountered a Body Hardening Technique can actually understand a Grandmaster Level technique like the *Xuanwu True Skill* just by observing it?’

Reason told him that Grandmaster Level Body Hardening Techniques were extremely difficult and obscure. To comprehend one directly without a foundation built from Low Tier Body Hardening Techniques was like trying to run before you could walk.

Even someone with exceptional Talent would find it nearly impossible to comprehend.

’Fang Han is probably just being prideful due to his youth, putting on a brave face, or perhaps he has misjudged the true meaning of the word "understand."’

However, another thought uncontrollably surfaced in his mind.

’This young man in the cyan robe before me... though he joined the Sect only a short time ago, how many astonishing records has he already set?’

’The divine speed of his progress in Swordsmanship and Cultivation, his meteoric rise on the Celestial Pride List... Hasn’t his entire growth trajectory been one of shattering common sense time and time again?’

’Am I being too quick to judge?’

This sliver of stunned disbelief was like a pebble tossed into a tranquil well, sending faint ripples across his heart.

But he was, after all, a man of vast experience. He instantly reined in his emotions, merely giving Fang Han a deep look, the scrutiny in his eyes intensifying.

He took the manual, his fingertips touching the cool beast hide. His tone returned to its usual indifference, but it had lost its earlier casualness.

"Oh? It’s good that you can understand it. However, there is a world of difference between understanding and mastery. Still, it does indicate you have some chance of succeeding. In that case, you may come again tomorrow."

"Thank you, Elder. This disciple will take his leave."

As if not noticing Elder Mo’s subtle change, Fang Han bowed, turned, and left.

The cyan-robed figure quickly disappeared around the corner of the staircase, his footsteps fading into the distance.

Elder Mo stood there, holding the *Xuanwu True Skill*, his gaze still fixed on the direction Fang Han had gone.

After a long while, he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible,

"Could it be that this boy also possesses an extremely high Talent for the path of Body Hardening? But to directly cultivate a Grandmaster Level Technique... that’s just a bit..."

He shook his head, as if trying to dispel the absurd thought, but the image of Fang Han’s calm and confident eyes lingered in his mind.

Reason told him it was impossible, but deep in his heart, a tiny corner of him had begun to waver due to Fang Han’s past achievements—a wavering he was unwilling to admit even to himself.

He silently returned the manual to the sixth floor, and tranquility once again settled over the pavilion.

As dusk deepened, the Library Pavilion grew even quieter, with only the faint rustle of turning pages and the distant, indistinct chirping of birds returning to their nests.

Fang Han returned the handwritten copy of the *Xuanwu True Skill* to Elder Mo on the fourth floor. After a brief bow, he turned and descended the ancient wooden staircase.

When he reached the first floor and was about to leave the Library Pavilion, the corner of his eye caught a familiar figure standing by a bookshelf near the window.

The person was dressed in the simple green robes of an ordinary Qingxuan Sect disciple. He was looking down, engrossed in a scroll, his profile clearly defined by the fading daylight filtering through the window.

"Xiao Chen?"

Fang Han paused and called out his name.

The person looked up, revealing a face that couldn’t be called handsome. It was Xiao Chen, with whom Fang Han had been closest during their time in the Sub-Branch.

Seeing Fang Han, a flash of surprise crossed Xiao Chen’s eyes, which then turned into a smile. He closed the scroll in his hand and walked over.

"Senior Brother Fang, what a coincidence to run into you here."

Xiao Chen smiled, his gaze sweeping over Fang Han’s Silver-Striped Cyan Robe. His tone was as familiar as ever, showing no sense of distance due to Fang Han’s change in status.

"You came to find a book too?"

"Yes, I borrowed a book."

Fang Han nodded, his expression softening at the sight of an old friend.

"Want to walk together?"

"Sure, I was just about to head back to the Sub-Branch."

With that, Xiao Chen fell into step beside Fang Han, and they walked out of the pavilion.

The two of them stepped out of the Library Pavilion, bathed in the cool evening air.

Although they hadn’t seen each other as frequently since Fang Han was promoted to a True Inheritor and moved to the True Inheritance Courtyard,

there was no feeling of unfamiliarity as they walked side by side. It was as if they had returned to the old days of cultivating and sparring together.

"Time flies. In the blink of an eye, it’s already late autumn,"

Xiao Chen remarked with a hint of emotion, looking at the leaves by the path that were beginning to turn yellow.

"In a little while, it’ll be the competition for the new disciples of the Seven Sects in November."

"How strong are the new disciples this year?"

Fang Han’s interest was piqued.

He had recently been either away on missions or engrossed in his Cultivation, so he didn’t know much about the state of this year’s new disciples in the Sect.

"As far as I know, three of the new disciples this year have broken through to the Eighth Grade,"

Xiao Chen explained.

"The most outstanding among them is a disciple named Zhao Lie. He has already reached the Middle Stage of Eighth Grade in his Cultivation."

"Middle Stage of Eighth Grade... Zhao Lie."

Fang Han repeated the name, then asked,

"What kind of ranking do you think our Qingxuan Sect can achieve in the Seven Sects competition this time?"

"I’m afraid the outlook isn’t optimistic. Among the Qingxuan Sect’s new disciples this year, Zhao Lie is the only one to have reached the Middle Stage of Eighth Grade.

Last year, in contrast, not only did Yun Qianyue and Li Feng reach the Middle Stage of Eighth Grade, but we also had you—who, despite having just entered the Eighth Grade, already possessed combat power comparable to the middle stage. That’s how we won first place among the Seven Sects."

Xiao Chen shook his head slightly, his tone pessimistic.

"There’s a significant gap between the strength of this year’s new disciples and last year’s. If the other Sects’ new disciples are as strong as before, I’m afraid it will be very difficult to secure a high ranking."

Fang Han frowned slightly.

The competition for the new disciples of the Seven Sects was a matter of the Sect’s honor, and more importantly, it determined the distribution of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures like the Earth Core Stone Milk.

If their ranking was too poor this year, not only would the Qingxuan Sect be looked down upon, but the share of Earth Core Stone Milk they received would also be reduced.

However, such matters were for the Sect’s seniors and the Elders in charge to worry about; it wasn’t his place as a True Inheritor to be concerned.

The two chatted as they walked, mostly discussing recent events within the Sect, insights on Cultivation, and news about old acquaintances from the Sub-Branch.

Before they knew it, they had reached a fork in the road. One path led to the True Inheritance Courtyard, while the other led to the residential area for the disciples of the Twelve Courtyards.

"Senior Brother Fang, this is where we part ways."

Xiao Chen stopped at the intersection and clasped his hands in a farewell gesture.

"Farewell."

Fang Han returned the gesture.

Xiao Chen smiled, then turned and started on the path back to the Sub-Branch.

Fang Han watched his figure disappear into the deepening dusk and the cover of the trees before he turned and walked steadily toward the True Inheritance Courtyard.

A mountain breeze blew past, causing the hem of his robe to flutter. He felt a brief sense of wistfulness about the upcoming Seven Sects competition, but his thoughts were already mostly occupied by the *Xuanwu True Skill*, which was now deeply imprinted in his mind.

「The next morning」

Fang Han once again arrived at the fourth floor of the Library Pavilion.

When Elder Mo saw him, his gaze lingered on his face for a moment, but he said nothing. Just like the day before, he retrieved the beast-hide-covered, handwritten copy of the *Xuanwu True Skill* for him.

Fang Han found a corner to sit down, calmed his mind and qi, and opened the manual once again.

In stark contrast to yesterday’s difficulty, under the enhancement of his 128-fold Body Hardening Talent, the manual’s once seemingly intricate, mysterious pathways for Inner Qi circulation and Power transport now appeared perfectly clear and orderly to him.

The parts that had been doubtful and not fully understood yesterday all became crystal clear upon careful examination today.

He could even faintly perceive the subtle differences in how different circulation routes tempered the physical body, as well as the true essence of the Cultivation Technique: "Blood condenses like mercury, breath stills like a tortoise; in motion, it shakes mountains and peaks, in stillness, it withstands immense force."

He remained immersed in comprehending the manual for the entire day. Only when the sun began to set outside the window and the light in the pavilion dimmed did he slowly close the book.

By now, he had completely understood and absorbed the contents of the *Xuanwu True Skill*. Every key point of every posture, every turn in the circulation pathways, and even the corresponding breathing rhythms were deeply ingrained in his mind, free of any obstruction.

「On the third day」

Fang Han did not go to the Library Pavilion again.

After completing his daily Inner Qi Cultivation of the *Profound Wind Technique* in his courtyard’s Quiet Chamber and eating breakfast, he went to the open space in the courtyard where he usually practiced.

He was ready to begin his formal Cultivation of the *Xuanwu True Skill*.

According to the manual’s general outline, the *Xuanwu True Skill*, much like Swordsmanship or Body Techniques, had its Cultivation Realm divided into five levels: Entry Level, Minor Achievement, Mastery, Great Success, and Perfection.

However, as a Grandmaster Level Body Hardening Technique, its power was far beyond that of ordinary Body Hardening Martial Arts Training.

The manual stated that even just reaching the Entry Level would grant astonishing physical strength and a formidable defense that even Martial Artists of the Middle Three Grades would find difficult to breach.

If one could cultivate it to Minor Achievement, their physical defense would advance further, making it difficult for even Upper Three Grades Martial Artists to cause any fundamental harm.

As for the Mastery Realm, one would possess a terrifying defensive power sufficient to withstand the attacks of ordinary Grandmaster-level experts.

Fang Han took a Jade Bottle from his robes and tipped out a longan-sized elixir. It was dark red and radiated a potent Qi and Blood Power.

This was the "Blood Essence Pill" he had exchanged for at the Pill Hall, specifically used to aid in the Cultivation of Body Hardening Techniques.

He placed the elixir in his mouth. It instantly dissolved into a warm current that flowed into his abdomen before spreading to his limbs and torso, bringing with it waves of searing heat.

’The first cultivation posture.’

Not daring to delay, Fang Han immediately began to assume the first cultivation posture of the *Xuanwu True Skill*’s entry-level Chapter, following the diagrams and incantations he had already practiced countless times in his mind.

The posture was extremely bizarre, requiring his body to twist into an angle that was hard for an ordinary person to even imagine.

At the same time, he had to coordinate it with a specific breathing frequency and slowly transport the Inner Qi within his body along a complex route.