Chapter 116: Xiahou Lu (Third Update)

"Oh? I knew it, there must be more than just these low-level techniques." The young man’s face brimmed with satisfaction. "Come, lead the way; let's go have a look." With that, he snapped his folding fan shut, pointed forward, and the two of them headed toward the exit.

Li Sibai wore a bewildered expression. "Technique Alley? I've never heard of it." He had just asked the disciple at the entrance, who mentioned that one could view techniques upstairs using academic credits, but said nothing of a Technique Alley. No, since there were higher-level techniques available, he decided he had to follow them and see for himself.

Li Sibai quickened his pace and caught up to them in a few strides. "Young Master, wait a moment."

The young nobleman, hearing someone calling from behind, turned around. Seeing a youth dressed in the inner-sect robes of the Xuantian Sword Sect—who appeared even younger than himself—he smiled faintly. "My young friend, is there something you need?"

Li Sibai cupped his hands in a salute and said, "Sir, I am Li Sibai, an inner-sect disciple of the Xuantian Sword Sect. I overheard you mentioning the Technique Alley back at the library. I happen to be heading that way as well; might I accompany you?"

The young nobleman, upon hearing his intent, nodded with a smile. "By all means. I am an exchange student from the Qingyu Academy, and this is my attendant. We are new to your sect and unfamiliar with the surroundings, so it would be a pleasure to have you guide us."

Li Sibai felt a wave of embarrassment. He had no idea where the Technique Alley was either and had only intended to tag along; he hadn't expected to be asked to lead the way.

"Well... to be honest with you, sir, I am a newly admitted disciple and I'm not familiar with the location of the Technique Alley either. Perhaps we could ask for directions together?" Li Sibai said with an awkward laugh.

"Newly admitted? And you don't know the way? Could you be any more transparent?" Before the young nobleman could speak, the fat man beside him scoffed.

The young nobleman’s expression shifted. "Taicheng, do not be rude."

The fat man fell silent at the command, though he continued to look at Li Sibai with unconcealed disdain. *Whether you really don't know the way is debatable, and even if you are telling the truth, you're just a new recruit—hardly comparable to our young master.*

Li Sibai felt awkward. He was indeed new, and he genuinely didn't know the way. To be suspected of being a fraud simply because he was seeking help felt unfair.

The young nobleman examined Li Sibai carefully and noticed his aura seemed to be only at the first level of the Zither Heart Realm. A new student going to the Technique Alley? A look of surprise crossed his face.

"What is it? Does the young master doubt that I am a disciple of the Xuantian Sword Sect?" Seeing the nobleman's expression, Li Sibai realized he might be perceived as a charlatan and quickly produced his inner-sect jade medallion.

Once the jade medallion appeared, the young nobleman quickly said, "Young Master Li, please, do not misunderstand. I do not doubt your identity. It is just that my attendant asked the librarian over there earlier, and he mentioned that the Technique Alley requires at least the third level of the Zither Heart Realm to enter. Seeing that your strength is only at the first level, I was simply puzzled."

Li Sibai finally understood. So, the man wasn't doubting his identity after all. He had hoped to find some high-level techniques to study, but he hadn't expected a minimum requirement of the third level. No wonder the man was suspicious.

"I see. Well, I shall go and take a look regardless, to learn what I can," Li Sibai said.

The young nobleman smiled slightly. "That is fine. My attendant mentioned the Technique Alley is at the Sky Cloud Pavilion. Let us ask for directions once we arrive."

"Very well, please!" Li Sibai said, taking the lead. While he didn't know the way to the Technique Alley, he was certainly familiar with the Sky Cloud Pavilion.

The young nobleman opened his folding fan and followed Li Sibai toward the pavilion. The fat man, Taicheng, shot a look of disdain at Li Sibai before sighing and trudging along.

As they walked, the two chatted pleasantly. Li Sibai learned that the young nobleman was named Xiahou Lu, a student from the Qingyu Academy—a local Taoist institution dedicated to teaching various methods of cultivation.

Every year, the academy arranged for students to visit various sects for short-term exchanges. Xiahou Lu had secured a spot at the Xuantian Sword Sect and had only arrived a few days prior; he had been reading at the library when he bumped into Li Sibai.

Li Sibai nodded. He was well-versed in the affairs of the Xuantian Sword Sect's outer sect and had gained some understanding of the inner sect, though his travels hadn't taken him further than Jade Pearl Peak. He was filled with curiosity about the Qingyu Academy and spent the journey asking Xiahou Lu endless questions.

Xiahou Lu did not seem annoyed and patiently answered each one, while the fat man, Taicheng, looked increasingly impatient, wondering why his master was being so patient with someone at only the first level of the Zither Heart Realm.

They soon arrived at the Sky Cloud Pavilion. After asking a disciple for directions, the trio successfully found the Technique Alley.

The Technique Alley was situated in a quiet corner of the pavilion, consisting of a small courtyard. A plaque above the entrance displayed the words "Technique Alley" in bold, sweeping calligraphy, which seemed to pulsate with a unique spiritual energy.

The area was not crowded. The three of them walked in and approached the reception desk.

Xiahou Lu cupped his hands and said to the attendant, "I wish to enter the Technique Alley. What procedures are required?"

The attendant looked him over. "Are you a disciple of this sect? If not, you require special approval from an elder."

Xiahou Lu looked embarrassed and was about to speak when the fat man, Taicheng, interjected. "My master is an exchange student from the Qingyu Academy, a person of great status. Why are there so many rules here?"

Xiahou Lu’s expression soured. "Taicheng, stand down."

Li Sibai was stunned. He thought to himself that the fat man was truly bold; even a mere attendant dared to act arrogantly within the Xuantian Sword Sect. He must be a constant source of trouble for his master.

Xiahou Lu continued, "Which elder must grant the approval? Would Master Yun Li suffice?"

Upon hearing the name of Master Yun Li, the attendant’s attitude softened considerably. "That would be acceptable."

Xiahou Lu turned and gave Taicheng a few instructions. The fat man left, looking disgruntled—presumably off to seek the special approval from Master Yun Li.

Once Taicheng was out of earshot, Xiahou Lu sighed helplessly and asked the attendant, "My friend, once the elder's approval is granted, are there any other conditions? Please tell me so I may prepare accordingly."

The attendant nodded. "There are many different alleys here, each corresponding to different techniques. The price varies depending on the technique. Once you choose one and pay the fee, if you succeed in passing the trial within, you will have the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn to study. How much you learn depends entirely on your own ability."