"Who is it?"

Ning Fan frowned, stepping cautiously toward the entrance of his cave dwelling.

He had reason to be careful.

Just earlier that day, he had used a similar ruse to ambush Zhao Yuankai. He had no intention of falling into the same trap himself.

"Junior Brother Ning, it is I, Shao Hong."

A voice drifted from outside.

"Shao Hong?"

Ning Fan muttered the name. He pulled the door open, revealing the very man who had schemed to bring about Zhao Yuanzhe's demise.

"Junior Brother Ning, I have heard much of your name. Might we speak?"

Shao Hong wore an amicable smile.

"Please, enter."

There was no sense in striking a man who came with a smile. Seeing Shao Hong's polite demeanor, Ning Fan stepped aside to allow him passage.

Inside the cave, the two sat facing one another. Ning Fan went straight to the point.

"Senior Brother Shao, what brings you to my dwelling?"

"Heh."

Shao Hong offered an awkward laugh, rubbing his palms together before carefully choosing his words.

"Ah, I have come to offer an apology. You may not know this, but it is possible that Zhao Yuanzhe sought trouble with you today because of a few words I let slip. Of course, it was never my intent; it was merely a small misunderstanding."

Shao Hong spoke with startling honesty.

He had watched from afar when Ning Fan struck down Zhao Yuanzhe. Truthfully, the sight had left cold sweat running down his spine.

His own cultivation level was on par with Zhao Yuanzhe's, perhaps only a hair stronger.

Had he been the one to face that blow, he, too, would likely have perished at Ning Fan's hands.

But the true catalyst for his visit was witnessing Ning Fan walking toward the Scripture Pavilion, hale and hearty, shortly after the confrontation. Having seen the Ninth Elder land a direct, forceful strike upon Ning Fan, his survival was deeply unsettling.

Whatever the reason for his recovery, Shao Hong knew he had to tread carefully.

If Ning Fan were to uncover that Shao Hong was the architect of that encounter, he would surely harbor a grudge. It was far wiser to come and offer a token of apology.

"Oh?"

Ning Fan gave a slight nod.

So, Zhao Yuanzhe's aggression had been orchestrated by this man? He had been unaware of that.

Since Shao Hong had come in person, it stood to reason he had more to offer than just words. As if on cue, Shao Hong flipped his hand, revealing a token.

"I wish to gift you this token to the Clear White Land. Tomorrow, you may take your Dao Companion and explore the region."

"The Clear White Land is a sealed territory behind the sect, situated directly beneath the Repentance Cliff. It is said that any disciple who suffers a grievance may cast themselves from the cliff; if they endure the ten-thousand-meter gale and survive the descent, their innocence is confirmed."

"'Clear White' signifies precisely that."

"From time to time, the Sect releases a few quotas for entry. Disciples must compete for these tokens, which allow one to bring a partner inside to hunt for heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and various fated chances."

"These spots are incredibly rare," Shao Hong added, emphasizing the value.

"Oh?"

Ning Fan raised an eyebrow.

To think Shao Hong would offer such a precious prize merely to apologize.

"Then I offer my thanks, Senior Brother."

Ning Fan cupped his hands and accepted the token.

"By the way, have you begun learning any combat techniques?" Shao Hong asked.

"Combat techniques? You mean beyond the Yin Yang Profound Scripture?"

"Of course. The Yin Yang Profound Scripture is a dual cultivation method every disciple must master upon entering the Sect. I am referring to combat arts."

"Unlike dual cultivation methods, which are limited to our shared practice, combat techniques are the foundation of a martial artist's strength. High-level arts can even cause one's spiritual energy to mutate, elevating your prowess to an entirely different tier."

"You have yet to learn one, yes? You should head to the Martial Skills Pavilion tomorrow to select a suitable art."

"I shall return to your dwelling tomorrow afternoon. We can depart together for the back mountain; an Elder will lead our group into the Clear White Land."

Shao Hong explained with great patience.

"I see."

Ning Fan's eyes flashed with realization. Could the Tianxuan Heart Sutra be one such combat technique?

He had no desire to reveal the existence of that scripture to others, so he smiled at Shao Hong.

"Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother. I shall visit the Martial Skills Pavilion tomorrow to study a technique."

"Naturally."

Shao Hong stood up, and Ning Fan rose to see him out.

Just as he reached the door, Shao Hong paused and cast a glance toward the depths of the cave.

"Heh, I have yet to meet your Dao Companion."

Ning Fan frowned.

"You shall have your chance tomorrow."

Shao Hong's expression stiffened, but he said nothing further and departed.

The next morning, Ning Fan set out for the Martial Skills Pavilion. Many eyes followed him along the path; the news of the top-ranked disciple being 'near death' had clearly spread, and seeing him moving about in full health caused quite a stir.

He had no intention of hiding. Remaining in seclusion would only be equivalent to admitting he was truly crippled.

The Martial Skills Pavilion was a nine-story structure housing the sect's martial archives. Access to the upper levels was strictly gated by one's status.

"New disciples are permitted only on the first floor," the guardian noted after checking his token.

Ning Fan stepped inside. Rows of bookshelves stretched out before him, packed with bamboo slips containing various techniques.

They were a disorganized collection of everything imaginable.

These techniques were categorized into four ranks-Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow-each further split into High, Middle, and Low grades. The first floor held mostly Yellow Grade, Low-tier techniques, with the occasional Middle-tier, but nothing of high quality.

Ning Fan pulled a slip from a shelf and read it.

He frowned.

It was not that he failed to understand them; it was that they were far too simple.

He examined several more. Compared to the Tianxuan Heart Sutra-which mapped the circulation of spiritual energy with profound, microscopic precision-these arts were crude. They were so rudimentary that they described the flow of energy using nothing more than basic directions like 'up', 'down', 'left', or 'right'.

They could barely be called techniques.

"Utter trash."

Ning Fan felt a sense of disdain. With the Tianxuan Heart Sutra, he found these options entirely beneath his notice.

"The superior techniques must be on the higher floors. Pity that I lack the qualifications for access right now."

"For now, the Clear White Land will have to suffice. I expect there will be plenty to gain there."