"Alright...whatever..." Li Xiaoyao decided not to dwell on it, realizing that Zhao Xinyi likely held a very high status in this group and wasn't ordinary.

"I don't have powerful allies; I can only rely on myself," Li Xiaoyao murmured with determination as he watched the group's backs fade away. This time, he was preparing to enter the sect's Inner Gate competition and officially become an inner disciple.

Riding up the mountain, he noticed two disciples guarding the gate, bowing low before him; they were the same ones he had disciplined the last time they tried to block his way. The Canghai Sect was still filled with an atmosphere of rigorous cultivation. Everyone trained diligently to enhance their strength and yearned for power. Each year, after the New Year, the sect held a grand competition, during which some strong outer disciples could cross into the Inner Gate, officially becoming disciples of Canghai Sect.

Moreover, it was said that certain exceptionally talented inner disciples could directly take part in assessments. Those who passed would become core disciples of Canghai Sect, a position of immense honor.

The Canghai Sect, being a powerful force in Snow Moon Nation, produced core disciples who were unquestionably outstanding young talents, respected wherever they went. In a small town like Cangyun City, even the city lord would treat a core disciple of Canghai Sect with utmost respect.

This was also why most of the Li family, including the Grand Elder, wanted Li Batian to rise to prominence. If Li Xin were to one day gain favor and become a core disciple of Moonlight Sect, it would bring glory to the Li family. If his achievements grew even higher, he might have a chance to reach elder status within Moonlight Sect, and the Li family would soar along with him.

Unfortunately, Li Xiaoyao's presence now left the Li family in torment.

Returning to the sect, Li Xiaoyao washed off the dust from his travels, changed into the attire of a Canghai Sect disciple, and left his room, heading toward the Sun-Moon Pavilion. Now that he had reached the Lingwu stage, he needed more advanced techniques and martial skills to fully utilize his power.

"Elder Bei," he greeted upon entering the pavilion, where Elder Bei sat lazily as usual, appearing like a frail elder. However, Li Xiaoyao had once witnessed his true vigor, so he knew this relaxed demeanor was only a facade. Without having seen it himself, Li Xiaoyao would have found it hard to believe such a drastic difference in one person's temperament.

A spark of interest flickered in Elder Bei's languid gaze as he looked up and, rare for him, smiled slightly, "Oh, you're back."

"Yes, I'm here to select some techniques and martial skills," Li Xiaoyao replied with a nod and a smile.

"Just go to the second floor then," Elder Bei said coolly.

"Thank you, Elder Bei. I'll rely on you to help me start the timer," Li Xiaoyao replied. His purpose today was indeed the second floor. Canghai Sect rules allowed only those at the Spirit Martial Realm and inner disciples to access it, and even then, without inner disciple status, he could only stay there for the time it took one incense stick to burn. This meant he needed to pick techniques and skills suitable to him within that short period.

One incense stick's time was incredibly brief for selecting the right techniques, especially given the extensive collection of techniques in the Sun and Moon Pavilion. It was no easy feat to find powerful and compatible skills. But rules were rules, and no one dared to break them. This is why every disciple of Canghai Sect longed to join the Inner Gate—to be able to stay as long as they wished on the second floor and have ample time to find the most suitable techniques for themselves.

"No need to time it. As long as you don't go up to the third floor, you can stay as long as you like," Elder Bei said calmly.

Li Xiaoyao paused, then a slight smile appeared on his lips. It seemed that there was always a backdoor, no matter where you were.

"Thankyou~~~~, Elder Bei," Li Xiaoyao replied with a grin before heading into the Sun-Moon Pavilion, making his way toward the staircase to the second floor.

"You brat, if I weren't worried about your level not keeping up, I'd let you go anywhere you wanted, even the third floor," Elder Bei muttered to himself with a smile, shaking his head as he watched Li Xiaoyao's departing figure. "The Echo Cliff, the chime of eight drums—you've broken the long-forgotten silence in the history of Canghai Sect. How could a mere Sun and Moon Pavilion stop you from coming and going as you please?"

Elder Bei thought this way, but many outer disciples of the Canghai Sect did not share his view. When they saw Li Xiaoyao, dressed in the robes of an outer disciple, stepping straight onto the stairs leading to the second floor of the Sun and Moon Pavilion, many of those on the first floor couldn't help but narrow their eyes at him.

"Who is that guy? How dare he step onto the second floor?"

"No idea. He's clearly an outer disciple, so has he already reached the Spirit Martial Realm?"

A look of envy flashed in the eyes of the crowd on the first floor. After all, advanced cultivation techniques not only speed up a martial cultivator's training but also help them climb to higher realms and grant them formidable combat strength. High-level martial skills give an edge in battle, so who wouldn't want to have them?

Cultivation techniques and martial skills are ranked from highest to lowest as Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow levels, with each level further divided into upper, middle, and lower tiers. The first floor of the Sun-Moon Pavilion holds Yellow-level techniques, while the second floor contains higher Profound-level techniques, which are naturally more powerful than Yellow-level ones.

The second floor of the Sun and Moon Pavilion was quieter and less crowded than the first, with people quietly browsing for their preferred techniques and skills.

At this moment, someone standing near the stairway caught sight of Li Xiaoyao coming up. A flicker of disdain flashed in his eyes, but he paid no attention.

"There are slightly fewer techniques and martial skills here than on the first floor," Li Xiaoyao observed as he glanced around. It was natural, of course—both techniques and martial skills become rarer as their quality increases, making it more challenging to obtain them.

"Let's start by choosing a cultivation technique," Li Xiaoyao murmured, heading toward the shelf where the techniques were stored. He began browsing through the options.

"'Pure Essence Technique,' a mid-tier Profound-level cultivation technique. It refines the world's absorbed spiritual energy into pure essence, which strengthens the body's flesh, expands the meridians, and at its highest level can produce powerful and refined true essence."

"Note: This technique is suitable for anyone with a martial spirit. It doesn't directly enhance combat power and is very difficult to train. It requires gradual strengthening of the muscles, bones, and meridians. Those lacking talent will not only see slow progress but may also experience setbacks in their cultivation."

Li Xiaoyao found this note on the cultivation manual, a warning left by previous practitioners for future disciples to consider carefully.

"This is it," Li Xiaoyao decided, seemingly ignoring the warning. Without a second thought, he put the manual away, selecting a technique that few would choose to practice.

He didn't even glance at the other techniques. With his past life's experience, Li Xiaoyao understood the importance of a solid foundation. Cultivation was like building a tall structure; if the base was unstable, one could easily fall into irreversible ruin. On the other hand, with a strong foundation, he could stand firm even in the fiercest of storms.

To him, the "Pure Essence Technique" appeared to be the ideal choice, contrary to how it might look to others.

"Now, let's pick a few martial skills," Li Xiaoyao thought, moving over to the section for martial skills and browsing through various options.

"Piercing Finger."

"Flame Extinction Technique."

"Ice Palm."

Li Xiaoyao continued flipping through various techniques, putting each one back as none seemed to meet his standards.

"Eight Desolations Palm, lower-tier Profound level. Mastering it to the highest level allows one's palms to shake the eight directions, sweeping across everything with palm imprints filling the sky, leaving no place to escape."

At this, Li Xiaoyao paused, his gaze lingering slightly on the palm skill.

"I pick this." He put the Eight Desolations Palm manual away but didn't leave just yet. With his talent, mastering one martial skill wouldn't take long—he needed another technique to complement his combat style.

After searching a bit longer, he found a martial skill called the Extinction Sword Technique. It was renowned for its powerful attacks, a mid-tier Profound level skill. However, it came with high requirements: only those with a sword spirit could comprehend it, and it demanded exceptionally high talent. The user must grasp the essence of sword intent, ideally reaching a realm where desire and emotion align with the blade.

These strict conditions would likely dissuade most people.

"I choose this one." Excitement flashed in Li Xiaoyao's eyes. It felt as though this technique had been crafted for him. He had already comprehended sword intent—likely more than just a touch of it. And as for desire and emotion, wasn't that precisely the state he reached when unlocking the first layer of his Amaterasu spirit?

This martial skill seemed as if it was made for him.

As for the requirement of a sword spirit? Li Xiaoyao dismissed it with a scoff. Just because someone had a sword spirit, did it mean they understood swords better than he did?！