As the hour was nearly ending, he left the first floor of the library. After paying the respective 50 contribution points for his stay he ascended to the second one. This floor was different from the first one as in place of a library it looked more like a shop.

There were stalls with sealed scrolls on them, and each of the scrolls had a small explanation of its contents and the price written near them. Wu Guang walked around while evading the disciples present but still managed to get a glance at each of the descriptions. There were not many techniques present and mostly they were divided between the Sect, Weapon, and Unarmed techniques.

After finishing scanning the slightly over hundred descriptions, Wu Guang moved to a quiet corner and slowly went over all the descriptions he memorized to decide which to choose. He currently had neither an offensive nor a defensive one and ideally, he would like to have at least one qi technique for each of the areas.

The defensive techniques from the sect such as the rock shield were better than the generic ones present but required the 'Stomping the Hill' step. Thankfully he already knew and even had a high master of it thanks to the advanced entrance tests. As this was the only requisite, it was logical for him to go with the better option and so as his defensive technique, the sect's exclusive 'Rock Shield' was selected. The price for defensive techniques was always steeper than the offensive ones and the one for this one was 800 points, so when he neared the outer elder that was responsible for the floor, he took out the medallion Elder Chen gifted him.

The letter had mentioned that it could be used to get any of the techniques present, and indeed this was confirmed as after checking the medallion, Wu Guang was asked to wait for a moment. After waiting, he received the scroll without any further problems, and after swearing an oath that he will not share the contents with anyone, he was permitted to open it. This was a rune scroll, so after simply opening the contents were instantly imprinted in his mind and the scroll was taken back by the elder.

Wu Guang still wanted to fill the other blank space in his actual combat capabilities so he again started to analyze the descriptions, but now only the offensive techniques that cost less than 300 points, which was the maximum he could spend right now, after all, he only had 340 left. "Hmm, weapon ones are too expensive while for the unarmed most require either to follow a certain school or martial art and a pair of them even would conflict with the 'Rock Shield' I just got... So I am left only with three options that don't have any requisites or possible conflicts" These three options were respectively named 'Rock Bullet', 'Flaming Fist' and 'Demon Claw'.

The first one was a Sect technique and would use a similar process to the 'Rock Shield', but the smaller slab would be used as a projectile. But as the flying path was too predictable it would be only useful against groups or unaware targets, so Wu Guang dismissed it right away.

The second one, 'Flaming Fist' would ignite qi around one or both fists and this would constantly generate qi flames that could be used offensively. It was short-ranged but could be used without forming any seals if practiced enough, so the speed of activation was extremely quick.

The last of the three techniques was composed of a few claw movements that used the dark element present in the qi to not only wound but also disrupt any defensive qi techniques. It was usable only in unarmed combat, as the dark element would be generated by the claw seal, so although it was a bit more powerful than the previous two, Wu Guang after deciding that he would most probably use a weapon and too much time would be spent on throwing it away to form the seals discarded the technique as well.

With his decision done, he again approached the elder and this time paid the 300 points price and received the 'Flaming Fist' scroll. As the customary oath to not share it with anyone was done and the technique was imprinted into his mind, Wu Guang returned the scroll and after thanking the elder proceeded to leave the pagoda of the Martial Library.

In truth, he had two other reasons for choosing the 'Flaming Fist'. The first was the fact that it was part of a set called 'Flaming Body'. If one learned the four techniques from this set, one would basically get a higher-level spirit technique, in this case, the 'Flaming Body' which was a high-tier one. As for the other reason, fire is considered dangerous by most creatures. Although igniting the fire qi element could not be considered an elemental technique and the flames at max would reach a common flame temperature, it still was useful if considered from such point.

After judging that time was coming close to midday from the soon, Wu Guang crossed the central plaza and entered the Arts Hall, or as he internally called it - Elder Mo's hall.

His own manner of calling it was extremely on point, as he not only had noticed no people coming close to this building half-hidden between trees and flowers, but even Xiao Feng cound not really pinpoint it without clues, confirming that he never had been inside. And after some more questions, that he did not know anyone who spoke or visited it.

As expected the scrolls, tables, instruments, and paintings still occupied all of the room, and the only person present, Elder Mo was standing near one of the weiqi tables, seemingly observing some challenge he set up himself.

Wu Guang came a bit closer and saluted with cupping fists greeted

"Elder Mo, disciple Wu Guang greets you. I have arrived on orders to report from Elder Chen"

After hearing this, Elder Mo simply nodded, without even turning his head, but after a short moment motioned for Wu Guang to come closer before pointing him towards the table where indeed a weiqi puzzle was set up and asking

"So tell me, young man, do you have any ideas for solving this?"

Wu Guang was a recognized master of weiqi in his past life and as the memories still remained he instantly not only found a solution but even remembered several similar ones. After all, while studying in the Scholar Palace, similar puzzles were used during training, and ones like this were meant to be solved by descending and forming an eye. Wu Guang had no need to hide his weiqi skills so he answered correctly, although he used a more courteous way

"If I am correct, the solution would be to form an eye on the upper left corner"

"Hmm, you are right young man" Nodded Elder Mo, and only after this straightened up and looked at Wu Guang.

"Congratulations on entering the Spirit realm. From now on you will report to me of your movements and if something about the investigation that you can help up arises, I will inform you in turn"

"Understood"

"For the moment you are free to do whatever you need to, but judging from what we know about 'Underhill' it's not a simple assassination group as commoners think, as they have a big hidden base on the island. Although until now we had found only some clues, I can assure you that the base has at least a training camp, or they could not easily shrug off the losses of dozens if not hundreds of cultivators over the years. The location is still unknown, but a pair of recent hints imply it's on the coast. Although everyone in the investigation trusts you, I will refrain from explaining more for now"

"Understood. May I ask something?"

"I permit so"

"Elder Chen is away?"

"Hmm. You are indeed a smart youngster. Elder Chen is currently investigating one of these leads, if not, he would actually come here to meet you as well. Anyway, you should have no issues leaving the sect for the next weeks, but still, report to me both before you leave and when you arrive. If something that requires us to ask your participation arises, I will notify you"

"Thank you Elder Mo. Then if you permit it, I will be taking my leave"

"Yes, go ahead" answered the Elder while motioning him to leave, but as Wu Guang was crossing the door, he heard "Train hard" and simply nodded without turning back.