Chapter 53: Is that Theo?

The octagonal structure towered layer upon layer. It reached a staggering height of three hundred meters. Disciples streamed in and out without end.

The moment Theo appeared at the entrance, countless eyes turned toward him. "Is that Theo? Vespera’s assistant?"

"He took first place in the wilderness trial."

"That must be the Crimson Edge at his waist. To obtain a supreme blade at his age, his tactical combat skills must be exceptional."

"Did you hear? The Armory Peak’s earth veins erupted prematurely yesterday."

"Elder Silas sealed everything below the third level. It will be much harder for disciples to obtain named weapons in the future."

"Even many elders don’t possess supreme artifacts. It was never really something for disciples to begin with."

The hushed whispers were barely audible, but Theo caught every word.

"Silas works fast."

The old man got things done.

Theo approached the first-floor counter.

The inner sect steward recognized him immediately. He flashed a smile.

"Theo, are you here to claim your trial reward on the fifth floor?"

"Indeed."

Theo nodded and handed over his waist token.

"Ah. Theo, the fifth floor only houses mid-tier martial arts."

The steward offered a polite reminder.

For inner disciples, a suitable mid-tier manual was a rare treasure. But a top scorer shouldn’t lack such things, right?

Theo smiled without answering.

Then it struck the steward. Theo worked for Vespera. The woman spent all her funding on experimental cauldrons and scrap metal.

Suddenly, everything made sense.

"You may select two mid-tier arts. Please proceed."

"My thanks."

The steward completed the records swiftly. Theo turned to ascend the stairs.

The second floor of the library was just as crowded.

The lower three floors housed unranked arts, along with miscellaneous texts, biographies, and regional histories.

Theo didn’t linger. He continued upward.

By the fourth floor, the crowd thinned considerably.

Low-tier manuals were stored here, alongside knowledge on alchemy, forging, and taming exotic beasts.

Most of the readers here were inner sect disciples.

Theo’s gaze briefly lingered on a section that surprised him. Cookbooks.

He picked one up, skimmed a few lines, and promptly set it back down. His lips twitched.

"No wonder the dining hall food is terrible."

It couldn’t hold a candle to the recipes he obtained through his system returns.

The fifth floor was nearly deserted.

Only disciples who completed regional missions and accumulated enough contribution points could spend them to access this level.

"Blunt-force techniques."

Theo walked to the section dedicated to weapon-based martial arts.

"Tempering Hammer Art. For forging."

"Tiger’s Roar. Requires a long-handled pole-hammer. Not suitable."

Well.

It seemed Theo wasn’t the only one who disliked smashing people with blunt instruments.

Even the all-encompassing Grand Library had barely any hammer techniques.

Then again, the martial world revered Sword Gods and Blade Sovereigns. When had anyone ever heard of a legendary hammer wielder?

Blunt-force techniques were already niche. A short-handled anvil-hammer was a niche among niches.

"Theo!"

A familiar youthful voice called out from nearby.

Turning, Theo saw Kaelen waving at him.

"You are here to pick an art too?"

Theo was surprised.

The Armory Peak was wealthy and well-stocked. Why would Silas’s disciple need to scavenge the library?

"You misunderstand, Theo."

"I didn’t inform my master."

Kaelen forced a bitter smile.

After a brief explanation and a glance through his system interface, Theo understood.

[Name: Kaelen]

[Age: 16]

[Cultivation: Body Cleansing, Seven Meridians]

[Evaluation: Inherited a dormant Berserker bloodline. Kind-hearted but tormented by his heritage. If he harmonizes his bloodline, his future is boundless. If he succumbs, he will bring calamity.]

[Recent Events: Afflicted by his awakening bloodline, he has been plagued by intrusive thoughts and nightmares of slaughter. Seeking a mind-calming technique.]

"My master still doesn’t know my bloodline carries the Berserker trait," Kaelen sighed. His face lined with worry.

"So you came to the library alone?"

Theo’s expression turned odd.

Kaelen nodded. "Exactly. If he asks, I don’t want to lie, but I can’t tell the truth either. Better to avoid the topic entirely."

Theo: "..."

Silas was pragmatic. Just hint at needing a mind-calming technique, and he would probably toss him a high-tier manual without a second thought.

This kid was painfully honest.

"You might find an art here."

"But don’t expect a mid-tier mind technique to suppress a Berserker bloodline."

Theo shook his head.

"Then what should I—"

Kaelen’s anxious words cut off. Theo shoved a manual into his hands.

"This is...?"

"Adamantine Zen Body. A high-tier physical art."

"Ah?"

Kaelen gaped. He was utterly lost. Why was Theo handing him a physical manual?

"Who said calming the mind requires a mental technique?"

Theo gave the poor boy a look of exasperation.

"This art originates from the ascetic tradition. It integrates physical and spiritual cultivation. It embodies clarity."

"Master the Adamantine Zen Body, and what fear will you have of intrusive thoughts?"

"Adamantine Zen Body."

Kaelen’s dim eyes brightened.

But soon, he fidgeted. His fingers twisted his sleeves as hesitation overtook him.

"Don’t overthink it."

Theo patted the Crimson Edge at his waist. "I took a supreme blade from your peak. Far more valuable than a high-tier manual. Consider this repayment."

Of course, it wasn’t just the blade.

Whenever Theo gave something away, the other party might gain, but he always gained more.

"The Armory Peak is the Armory Peak. This isn’t repayment."

"Theo, I owe you yet another great debt."

Kaelen pressed his lips together. He was overwhelmed with gratitude.

At this rate, there was nothing Theo could ask that Kaelen wouldn’t agree to.

"When you take on a sect mission outside, be sure to notify me."

"Regional missions..."

All sect disciples were periodically required to complete missions. It was mandatory.

After all, if the Silent Thunder Sect just stood around doing nothing, no one would uphold its status as the leading faction of the province.

"I have been considering one recently."

"I will take you up on that offer."

Theo accepted readily.

Kaelen’s family held considerable influence in the province. They were a local power. Whatever the mission, their connections would smooth the way.

"Then I will return to study the manual!"

Kaelen finally broke into a smile.

"Go on."