Morning. Anmos woke up, wiping his eyes with his arm. He felt his Qi marginally thicker and stronger, causing a smile to blossom on his face as went to bath.

After bathing, he donned one of his azure robes and then stepped outside. It was early in the morning, but Inner Disciples were still waking up and going to various places. One inner disciple looked Anmos in the eyes and then turned his head quickly. Suspicious, he walked over to the disciple - only to be rejected by the disciple scurrying away. Puzzled, he left the Inner Court.

"Theo should have already left. Might as well head to the Martial Library." Anmos walked to arguably the most prominent figurehead in a sect - the Martial Arts Pavilion. It held the martial arts of the sect; techniques that use Qi to perform different tasks and powers.

Imagining the number of martial arts in such a building, he walked down the road with a slender smile.

He stopped before a large four-story Chinese building, each tile ancient and magnificent. The double gates were open wide as if welcoming any disciples. Disciples moved in and out, each on their own different task and destination. If not for the constant movement, it'd be even more crowded than it was.

The Martial Arts Pavillion, also known as the Martial Library, holds a history as old as the sect itself. Having seen both the glorious times of the Azure Melody Sect and the current times, every honored disciple has been to it once. On the flip side, a spot other sects covet dearly. With how prominent the sect was, how could it be lacking in supreme martial arts?

Anmos sighed in reverence, stepped in front of the doors, with people flowing next to him. Engraved on the left gate was, "Martial" while engraved on the right gate was "Library." Ancient words, written in italics and boldness that spoke the history of the sect itself. Anmos walked through and entered the first story.

On the first floor, rows and rows of bookshelves filled the wide library, disciples moving in between each bookshelf to find something that fits their needs.

But what attracted the eye was the staircase in the corner, visible by turning your head to the right. A magnificent staircase that went up to the second level, which held martial arts for Core Disciples - martial arts at the middle level of quality. Rumors say that there may even be a martial art at the high-level of quality.

Martial Arts are split into three levels of quality: low, middle, high. As implied, middle-level martial arts exude superiority over low-level martial arts. An example would be two people at the same level fighting - the one with the stronger martial art would win.

Cultivation Methods, however, are much rarer. They are split into three qualities: common, rare, and legendary. A higher level may allow the user to absorb special Qi or a higher quality of Qi. Mostly, it will depend on the cultivator's talent to absorb that higher quality Qi.

Anmos' eyes gleamed as he looked at the staircase. He paused a rather leisurely disciple next to him, "Who's the old man in front of the staircase?"

"Elder White-Hair? No one knows his name. He's the guardian of the Martial Library, though most of the time he's asleep." The disciple explained.

"Thanks." Elder White-Hair had a goatee that covered the bottom portion of his face. His eyes were closed, and his gentle features couldn't seem more carefree even if he tried. His white hair was frizzled and thrown everywhere. He was similar to a mortal elder peacefully napping on a rocking chair.

Anmos took his eyes off the guardian, taking steps deeper into the Library to look at the different signs in front of each section of bookshelves. They were mainly split into elements so that one who cultivates with a fire-type cultivation method could find a fire-type martial art.

Anmos kept searching until he paused in front of a sign with "general information". He searched through books on the continent, recent events, neighboring sects, and cities. Looking at one about neighboring sects reminded him of his "mission". Cringing, he grabbed the book and kept searching. He found what he was looking for, "Basic Information on Qi Condensation." Placing the two books in his hands, he walked toward the end of the library, where wooden round tables were available for disciples to read on. First, however, they had to line up before of the elder in charge of checking in and out books.

"These two books please." Anmos handed the two books over, allowing the grizzly haired elder to quickly check over them. On the spine of the book was the price, a fat 0. General information books are free, unlike any other book which requires Condensation Pills.

"General Information, leave one and take the other. Return after a week." The elder handed both books back, waving his hand to tell the next person in line to step up.

Anmos nodded and stepped out of line, went and sat down on one of the empty wooden chairs. It seemed similar to him reading at home, which sparked the thought of Denom in his head. Where is he? What is he doing now? Screwing around? Watching me? Each question brought another, forcing him to suppress the thought altogether.

He grabbed the first book on locations in the Azure Province. He first went to the part about the Crimson Blade Sect. A powerful sect, it was located next to the capital - Royal City.

That brought more information; Sunrise City was originally the capital of the Azure Province. However, after the Azure Melody Sect's decline - they moved it to Royal City. What did this signify? The re-collecting of power to the Royal Clan, a sign of disrespect to the Azure Melody Sect.

Commotion began to arise during Anmos' reading, tempting him to look up from his book. People began to get out of their chairs and walk outside. His curiosity forced him to put the location book back on the shelves and follow the crowd outside.

"It's a core disciple, Radul Novor! His talent was so high they directly took him to Core Discipline status. Rumor is that he's at the bridge of breaking into the second level - only a few days after joining! All types of elders are planning to make him their personal disciple!" People began to gossip and praise, some females having some admiration and excitement in their voice. Radul, dressed in the glossy clean white robes of a Core Disciple, walked over to the Martial Library. His smile projected arrogance and pride - the praise deeply pleased him.

Anmos just stepped out the library, and when his eyes locked with Radul's his heart sank. Him again? Radul's smile widened when he noticed Anmos. Anmos' eyebrows clenched together, trepidation building in his heart.

"Anmos Archer! Who would have known you'd be here? We come from the same village, yet you never came to visit me!" Radul projected an honorable smile, walking over to Anmos. His voice painted that they were like brothers, a good friend meeting another good friend.

The people surrounding Anmos spread out, leaving him in the circle to greet Radul. A sparkle of interest flashed between everyone's eyes as the looked at the two. Is he associated with a Core Disciple? A genius one, at that?

"Yeah, sect life is different, both me and you know. Just trying to adapt prevented me from greeting you properly." Dawning a respectful tone, Anmos put on an amiable smile, talking like Radul was his older brother.

"Ahh..it's fine. Though I would be a little happier if you, my good brother, would visit me after giving you such a treasure. I paid a heavy price to get that treasure, I even had to ask an elder before I could give it to you." Radul's voice was smooth, without a crack or hint of lying, as if what he was speaking was the absolute truth. Anmos' eyes widened as he froze in place, he felt each and every eye locking onto him - glued from his face down to his clothes.

'I've been set up! I need to get out of here!' Anmos' mind exploded, distractions igniting and his rage burning. His thoughts were racing - how was he going to avoid this calamity? A treasure given from a Core Disciple? How many in the sect does this entice? Radul was setting up his death!

"Anyways, I have important business to attend to in the library. Remember, my place of living is always open to you." In the empty, frozen, and dead silence Radul patted Anmos' shoulder. A smile on his face, he whispered into Anmos' ear, "Have fun," before walking into the Martial Library.

Each and every person, male or female, were looking straight at Anmos. The atmosphere was so cold water would turn into ice. Greed began to seep into every person's thoughts, enticing them, and blinding them. The first bold person stepped out.

"Anmos, was it? Come with me, I'll take you to my home." He walked over to Anmos - the meaning clear in his voice.

Anmos broke out into a sprint, racing down the street. He didn't waste any time, pouring a stream of Qi into his legs. His muscles roared greedily under the power of his Qi, exploding his speed. He heard the thunder of footsteps behind him, trying to catch up to his blinding speed. Luckily, most of them were at the third level or lower, barely being able to match Anmos incredible speed.

The race was on. Each boom of a step behind Anmos increased his speed further and grew the panic within him. He fought to keep his mind clear, and decided to run toward the Battle Arena. It was the only place he had a chance at survival.

"STOP!" The rumbling of steps behind Anmos paused, stillness spreading throughout the area. After hearing the voice, Anmos' eyes widened as he turned to see the familiar azure robes and jet-black hair. His hair darker than darkness itself, Theo stood there in front of Anmos.

"It's him! Not him of all people! Does he want the treasure for himself!?" Many in the crowd showed fear, stepping back after Theo's fierce shout.

"Theo? What are you doing?" Anmos was shocked, stepping up next to Theo, facing the crowd wanting to steal his "treasure".

"Hun? All these people want to kill you, what did you do? What treasure are they talking about?" Theo turned toward Anmos, suspicion evident on his face.

"Listen! This Core Disciple framed me and said he gave me a treasure. It isn't true!" Theo's onyx eyes seemed depthless, forcing the truth out of Anmos.

"And they're here for this treasure?" Anmos began to calm down, organizing his thoughts. Why are all these people scared of Theo? What's his cultivation?

"Theo! Don't stop our path. He has a treasure on him - knowing you, you want it more than any of us. Don't hog it out for yourself, or else the contendents for Core Disciple will come knocking down your door! Remember, you're only at the fifth level!" A fifth level disciple stepped out, his bushy eyebrows warily scrunched together as he looked at Theo. But his look also held a hint of disgust.

"That's my problem. Go!" Theo nudged his head toward the battle arena, Anmos turned around and booted off. He decided to repay Theo for the deed he did for him. He angered someone at the same level just because they were roommates. He could have just attacked Anmos if he wanted the so-called treasure.

Anmos eventually reached the Battle Arena, looking at the usual crowd. None of them know yet, good. He looked at the line - it was relatively small. Joining the line, he prayed that news wouldn't spread before he stepped onto the Arena.

He was in a dangerous situation.