The Scripture Pavilion stood tall and majestic, exuding a simple and ancient fragrance of books. Sunlight spilled onto the glazed tiles, reflecting specks of golden light that made it appear even more solemn and dignified. Lin Yaoyao, Shen Mo, and Bai Li walked to the entrance of the Scripture Pavilion and explained their purpose to the two elderly guards. "Seniors, we are students of Tianxing Academy and wish to enter the Scripture Pavilion to borrow books." Lin Yaoyao spoke with a respectful tone and a humble attitude. She took out three student tokens from her Storage Pouch and handed them to the two elders. The elders took the tokens, inspected them carefully, and after confirming they were correct, returned them to Lin Yaoyao with a nod. "Go in. Abide by the rules of the Scripture Pavilion: no loud noises, and no damaging the books." Their voices were low and thick, carrying a hint of the vicissitudes of time that commanded instinctive awe.
Bai Li followed behind Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo into the Scripture Pavilion. The interior was spacious and bright, with rows of tall bookshelves arranged in an orderly fashion. The shelves were filled with all sorts of books with covers of various colors; some were simple and old, while others were as fresh as new, emitting a faint scent of ink that made one feel as if they were in an ocean of knowledge. It was very quiet inside, with only the occasional rustle of turning pages and the light sound of footsteps. Sunlight filtered through the windows, casting mottled shadows on the floor, adding a sense of peace and harmony. The air was filled with a light fragrance of books, which was refreshing and made one feel like they were in a palace of knowledge, unable to resist being intoxicated by it.
Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo followed the signs to the Cultivation Technique section, while Bai Li followed them. She didn't have much interest in technique books and planned to look around casually before heading to the alchemy area. Bai Li wandered aimlessly through the bookshelves, her gaze sweeping over book after book. The dazzling array of volumes made her eyes blur, unsure of how to choose.
At that moment, "Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the mission: Accompany Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo to the academy and complete the enrollment procedures. Mission Reward: Mastery of Artifact Refining (Max Level), attribute points +5." system xiao mai's crisp voice rang in Bai Li's mind, like a flowing clear spring, pleasant to the ear.
Bai Li felt a surge of joy. She immediately summoned the System panel to check her newly acquired skill and attribute points. "Mastery of Artifact Refining (Max Level), this is a good thing!" Bai Li murmured excitedly to herself. She hadn't expected the System to reward her with Mastery of Artifact Refining; it was an unexpected surprise. An Artifact Refiner's status in the Cultivation World was very high and very lucrative. With Mastery of Artifact Refining, she could refine her own Magic Treasures and weapons in the future. "Xiao Mai, where should I put these 5 attribute points?" Bai Li asked system xiao mai, hoping for some advice.
"It is suggested that the host add the attribute points to Strength," system xiao mai analyzed. "The host's Defense is already very high and Speed is fast enough. Currently, the most needed improvement is Strength. Increasing Strength can enhance the host's attack power, allowing the host to be more at ease during combat."
Bai Li nodded, feeling that system xiao mai's reasoning made sense, so she added all 5 attribute points to Strength. The updated System panel:
Name: Bai Li
Gender: Female
Age: 16
Race: Spirit Beast Clan (Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox)
Height: 1.44 meters
Weight: 40 kg
Beauty: 92 (Max 100)
Strength: 66 (26+40 attribute points)
Speed: 54 (14+40 attribute points)
Defense: 107 (67+40 attribute points)
Talents: Myriad Medicine Body, Spiritual Qi Affinity
Skills: Mastery of Alchemy (Max Level), Mastery of Artifact Refining (Max Level), Nine-Tailed Fox Fire, Shapeshifting Art
Cultivation Base: Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer (0/4500)
Bloodline: Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox (Sealed, Awakened 2/9, Bloodline Talent: All Attributes +40, Authority of the two obtained tails: Healing, Illusion)
Contract Status: Contracted (Lin Yaoyao)
Main Mission: Awaken the Nine-Tailed Bloodline
Current Mission: None
Possesses extremely powerful Healing, purification, and illusion abilities. As the Bloodline awakens, the host's various abilities will be greatly enhanced, eventually restoring the form of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox. The fur of a Nine-Tailed Fox is an extremely rare Artifact Refining material, which can be used to make armor and cloaks with extremely high Defense; the blood of a Nine-Tailed Fox can be used to refine Medicinal Pills that enhance Divine Sense; the tails of a Nine-Tailed Fox can be used to refine various Magic Treasures of great power.
After closing the System panel, Bai Li looked around and decided to check out the Artifact Refining and alchemy areas. The System had just rewarded her with Mastery of Artifact Refining, so this was a perfect opportunity to learn some knowledge about it. She walked up to an Administrator who was organizing books and asked politely, "Senior, may I ask where the books on Alchemy and Artifact Refining are?"
The Administrator was a kind-looking elder. He looked up at Bai Li and said with a smile, "Alchemy books are on the third floor, and Artifact Refining books are on the fourth floor." He pointed upstairs and then continued organizing the books in his hand.
After thanking him, Bai Li headed upstairs. The stairs of the Scripture Pavilion were made of wood and creaked under her feet, sounding ancient and heavy. Bai Li reached the third floor, where all sorts of Alchemy books were kept, ranging from basic herb identification to advanced alchemy techniques. Bai Li moved through the shelves, her gaze scanning the books. Finally, she chose a book titled "advanced alchemy." This book introduced the methods and techniques for refining high-level pills, which was very valuable to Bai Li.
Bai Li took "advanced alchemy" to the fourth floor. The fourth floor was the Artifact Refining book area, housing everything from basic material introductions to high-level refining techniques. Bai Li was also quite interested in Artifact Refining; she hadn't had a chance to use the Mastery of Artifact Refining she obtained earlier in the Secret Realm, so now was the perfect time to learn. Bai Li carefully browsed the books on the shelves and finally chose a book titled "advanced artifact refining," intending to study it properly after returning. Bai Li then walked over to Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo with the two books.
By this time, Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo had also chosen their respective Cultivation Techniques. Lin Yaoyao had chosen the "Tian Xing Sword Art," and Shen Mo had chosen "Phantom Step." Lin Yaoyao held the "Tian Xing Sword Art" in her hand, her heart full of anticipation, eager to begin practicing this powerful sword technique. Shen Mo held "Phantom Step" and was flipping through it carefully; she was already very familiar with this movement technique and mainly wanted to review it to consolidate her foundation. "Bai Li, have you chosen?" Lin Yaoyao asked when she saw Bai Li approaching.
Bai Li raised the two books in her hand. The covers of "advanced alchemy" and "advanced artifact refining" shimmered faintly under the soft light of the Scripture Pavilion. "I chose these two." She handed the books to Lin Yaoyao, her eyes filled with excitement and anticipation, yet mixed with a hint of unease. She was passionate about Alchemy and Artifact Refining and couldn't wait to learn the knowledge and techniques, but she also worried about being too ambitious and biting off more than she could chew.
Lin Yaoyao took the two books from Bai Li and flipped through them, her brow furrowing slightly. "Bai Li, the content in these two books is quite advanced. Since your cultivation is still shallow, won't studying these be too difficult?" Lin Yaoyao's tone carried a hint of worry. She feared Bai Li would feel frustrated by studying knowledge that was too hard, which might affect her cultivation progress. She hoped Bai Li would learn step-by-step, build a good foundation, and steadily improve her strength.
Shen Mo also leaned over, glanced at the books in Bai Li's hand, and echoed, "Yeah, Bai Li, the content in these books is difficult even for us upperclassmen. Are you sure you want to study these?" Shen Mo's tone also held a trace of concern, worrying that Bai Li's haste might lead to the opposite of the desired effect.
Seeing the worried expressions of Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo, a warm current surged in Bai Li's heart. She understood they were concerned for her and wanted the best for her. She looked up at Lin Yaoyao and Shen Mo and said with a firm tone, "Sister Yaoyao, Sister Shen Mo, don't worry, I believe I can do it! I know the content in these books is hard, but I am willing to work hard and won't let your expectations down." Bai Li's silver eyes sparkled with determination, and the two fox tails hidden under the Jade Pendant's Formation swayed gently behind her, as if cheering her on. She was full of passion for Alchemy and Artifact Refining, and she believed that as long as she worked hard, she could overcome the difficulties and master the knowledge.
Looking at Bai Li's determined eyes, Lin Yaoyao felt very gratified. Bai Li's maturity and hard work pleased her greatly. She smiled slightly, reached out to pat Bai Li's head, and said softly, "Alright, since you are so confident, we will support you. If you encounter any problems you don't understand, you can always ask me or Sister Shen Mo."
Shen Mo also said with a smile, "That's right, Bai Li. If you have any questions during your studies, feel free to ask us. We will do our best to help you." She had full confidence in Bai Li's talent and hard work, believing she would surely succeed in her studies.
Lin Yaoyao nodded and said no more, trusting that Bai Li had her own judgment and choices. She put the "Tian Xing Sword Art" into her Storage Pouch and then said to Shen Mo and Bai Li, "Let's go and complete the borrowing procedures."
The three of them went to the borrowing desk and handed their chosen books to the Administrator for registration. The Administrator was a white-haired elder wearing a pair of glasses, holding a brush, and recording the students' borrowing information. His movements were slow but meticulous, every character written neatly.
"Tian Xing Sword Art, Phantom Step, advanced alchemy, advanced artifact refining..." The Administrator read the names of the books as he registered them. When he reached "advanced alchemy" and "advanced artifact refining," he looked up and glanced at Bai Li, a flash of surprise in his eyes. "Little girl, are you sure you want to borrow these two books?" His tone carried a hint of doubt. The content of these two books was quite advanced, usually only borrowed by upperclassmen or teachers. He hadn't expected a newly enrolled student to choose them.
Bai Li nodded and said firmly, "Yes, Senior, I am sure." Her silver eyes sparkled with confidence. She was deeply interested in Alchemy and Artifact Refining and believed she could learn the knowledge in these two books well.
Seeing Bai Li's determined gaze, the Administrator smiled slightly and said no more. He continued registering the books. "Alright, registration is complete." He handed three borrowing slips to Lin Yaoyao, Shen Mo, and Bai Li. "Please take good care of the books and return them on time."
Lin Yaoyao, Shen Mo, and Bai Li took the borrowing slips, thanked him, and left the Scripture Pavilion.
Walking out of the Scripture Pavilion, Bai Li took a deep breath. The faint fragrance of books in the air made her feel refreshed. She looked up at the sky; the sun was bright and the sky was cloudless—a perfect day for reading and studying.
Lin Yaoyao suggested, "Let's go back to the dormitory. Bai Li, you can also start studying your new books."
"Okay," Shen Mo and Bai Li replied in unison.
After the three of them returned to the dormitory, Bai Li couldn't wait to take out "advanced alchemy" and begin studying. The book detailed the refining methods and techniques for various high-level pills, as well as the characteristics and uses of various rare medicinal herbs. Bai Li read with great interest; she was passionate about Alchemy and longed for the various miraculous pills described in the book. As she read, she simulated the Alchemy process in her mind, as if she could see herself becoming a Great Master of Alchemy, holding a Pill Furnace and refining miraculous pills to save the dying and help the world.
Lin Yaoyao took out the "Tian Xing Sword Art" to begin her cultivation, and Shen Mo took out "Phantom Step" to start her research. In the dormitory, all three were immersed in study and cultivation. Time passed minute by minute, and before they knew it, the sun set and night fell.
Bai Li stretched and rubbed her slightly aching eyes. She had been studying "advanced alchemy" for the entire afternoon. With the support of her max-level Alchemy skill, she already fully understood the methods and techniques for refining high-level pills. she felt she couldn't wait to try refining them. She stood up, walked to the window, opened it, and looked at the scenery outside. Night had fallen, and the academy was brightly lit as if it were day. Students gathered in groups of three or five, some chatting, some cultivating, and some walking, filled with youthful vitality. In the distant sky, the stars were scattered like diamonds on a black curtain, twinkling with dazzling light. Looking at the beautiful night scene, Bai Li's heart was filled with yearning and expectation for the future.