The Technique of the Mountain's Might had caught Tian Han's attention. It seemed incredibly powerful, and at the same time, it appeared just as balanced as the techniques Li Shan had recommended. On top of that, Tian Han had a gut feeling—this technique was far stronger than any of the others.
He continued reading through the Technique of the Mountain's Might. The more he read, the more captivated he became, falling deeper under its allure. Time flowed like water as Tian Han immersed himself in the text.
Only minutes remained before his time was up. He was still reading when he suddenly snapped the book shut and muttered to himself,
"Definitely, I'm choosing the Technique of the Mountain's Might. It's balanced like Big Brother Li said, but it looks even stronger."
Tian Han took the book and began descending the library's floors one by one. Before long, he arrived at the entrance. Just before stepping outside, he turned around and looked back.
"This place is truly enormous. Hundreds of techniques—each one unique. Some weird, some powerful and cool. The Immortal World... it's so different from what I imagined."
With those words, Tian Han stepped out of the door and headed toward the exit. He walked with calm, steady steps, his mind racing.
"Did I make the right choice by picking this technique? What if it's not as good as I think it is? Then I'll have disappointed Big Brother Li… Eh, whatever. My time ran out, and I've already picked it. No turning back now."
As Tian Han walked and pondered, he reached the exit. The sunlight hit his face, momentarily blinding him. After a brief squint, he opened his eyes and looked around.
Li Shan was waiting nearby, leaning against a wall. When he saw Tian Han step out, he motioned for him to come over.
Tian Han noticed the gesture and quickly approached, his face a mixture of nervousness and excitement.
Once Tian Han reached him, Li Shan gave him a look that seemed to say,
"So? How'd it go?"
Seeing that, Tian Han's expression became even more conflicted. He wasn't sure himself. The book had claimed the technique was powerful and balanced—but that was just text. Still, with time running out, it had seemed like the best option.
Li Shan saw the uncertainty on Tian Han's face. He was no fool; he hadn't spent years in the fourth-tier section for nothing before finally earning a place in the outer sect. His experience told him that Tian Han hadn't found any of the techniques he'd recommended.
In fact, Li Shan had anticipated this before Tian Han even entered the library. He had deliberately not mentioned how vast the library was, using this as a subtle test—to see whether Tian Han could handle the pressure and make a decision.
For Li Shan, Tian Han choosing a technique wasn't just about selection—it was an assessment. Had the boy passed? Or fallen short of expectations? He'd find out soon enough.
The longer Li Shan remained silent, the more anxious Tian Han became. Just as the tension peaked, Li Shan finally spoke:
"Let's head home, Little Brother Han. You can tell me which technique you picked once we're there."
Tian Han nodded, but then asked with a puzzled look,
"Big Brother Li, why wait until we're home? I can just tell you right here."
Hearing that, Li Shan looked around. Curious students were gathered nearby, eyes locked onto them. It was clear they were dying to know which technique Tian Han had picked.
After surveying the area, Li Shan glanced at Tian Han and gave him a subtle signal with his eyes. Tian Han immediately understood.
"Stupid Tian Han! Can't you see all the people around? If you tell Big Brother Li what you picked here, they'll find your weakness. How dumb can you be?!"
Though naive, Tian Han wasn't an idiot. Li Shan's gesture had made everything clear. Announcing the technique in public would be foolish—someone could research its weaknesses and use it against him later.
Thanks to Li Shan, Tian Han realized this just in time.
As he grumbled to himself internally, Li Shan had already started walking. Not wanting to be left behind, Tian Han hurried to catch up.
Eventually, he did, and the two walked together back to Tian Han's home. Along the way, Tian Han, as always, began asking questions again. Li Shan tried to patiently answer and explain.
But soon, he began to think to himself,
"Should I really kill this kid? Shut up already! Damn brat! How can someone be this curious? How can he talk this much without getting tired?"
As Tian Han's questions kept pouring in, Li Shan was on the verge of losing it. The boy never stopped. One question ended, and the next one immediately followed.
Li Shan was mentally collapsing, seriously contemplating murdering the kid just for some peace.
Meanwhile, students from the outer sect noticed them walking by and started whispering to each other.
"Isn't that Li Shan and the kid brought in by the Honorable Sect Master? They're still together? I thought Li Shan would've gotten bored by now. He always tosses his toys quickly. What's so special about this one?"
Another student responded:
"Maybe he has bigger plans for this kid. We all saw the pills the Sect Master gave him on the first day. Maybe Li Shan's after those."
The first student nodded.
"Makes sense. We're talking about Li Shan—the Rookie Killer. He'll take all the pills, make fun of the kid, then toss him aside. Hahaha! Poor kid. I actually feel bad for him."
As the other student finished speaking, both of them burst into laughter. Just then, Tian Han and Li Shan walked past them and glanced in their direction. Tian Han didn't pay them much mind, but Li Shan shot them a deadly, merciless glare.
The two students immediately fell silent, as if they hadn't been laughing just moments ago. Tian Han found it a bit strange but said nothing, continuing to walk toward home with Li Shan.
As the two walked, the sun slowly began to set and darkness crept in. After a while, they reached the front of Tian Han's house.
Once they stopped in front of the house, Li Shan turned to Tian Han and asked with a serious expression,
"So, Little Brother Han, may I ask which technique you chose?"
Tian Han responded, his voice carrying a trace of nervousness,
"I chose the Technique of the Mountain's Might, Big Brother Li."
Li Shan paused in thought after hearing that.
"The Technique of the Mountain's Might? Have I heard of it before? What kind of technique is this? For him to choose something I don't even know... this kid really is unusual. No matter—I can find out just by reading its description."
Wearing a thoughtful expression, Li Shan looked at Tian Han and continued,
"May I take a quick look at the book, Little Brother Han?"
"Of course, Big Brother Li."
Tian Han handed over the book. Li Shan opened it and began reading through the technique's description. As he read, the look on his face began to change.
His expression was soon filled with pure shock.
"You seriously picked this technique, you crazy little brat? To choose this, you'd either have to know absolutely nothing about cultivation… Or have the kind of confidence that could shake the heavens. You maniac!"
Seeing Li Shan's stunned expression, Tian Han's anxiety started to fade away.
"If Big Brother Li is this shocked, then I must've picked something amazing!
Hahaha! I knew it! Out of everything I saw, this technique really was the best."
As Tian Han silently praised himself, Li Shan slowly closed the book. The shock was still plainly visible on his face.
"Little Brother Han… Do you even understand what the Technique of the Mountain's Might truly means?"
Tian Han was caught off guard.
"It has a deeper meaning? Is that what surprised Big Brother Li?"
Seeing the puzzled look on Tian Han's face, Li Shan sighed deeply. He was now certain the boy had no idea.
Once again, Tian Han had chosen something blindly.
"Little Brother Han, this technique is essentially a body refinement technique adapted for Arcen energy."
Tian Han paused and thought for a moment.
"Body refinement? What's that? Isn't all cultivation done through Arcen energy?"
Li Shan continued explaining.
"Body refinement is a taboo among cultivators. Those who walk that path don't use Arcen energy like we do—they cultivate using life energy. Let me guess, Little Brother Han—you don't even know what life energy is, do you?"
Tian Han's expression confirmed Li Shan's suspicion. Without hesitating, Li Shan kept going.
"Life energy is the force that exists within every living being and represents their vitality. Unlike Arcen energy, it doesn't exist freely in nature. It's only found within living organisms. That's why body refinement cultivators harvest living creatures, absorb their life energy, and grow stronger. And that's exactly why they're called 'demons'—because the path they walk is one only demons could follow. Why do they do it? Simple: power. They don't cultivate like us with Arcen energy. They strengthen their physical bodies directly. Their bodies become so tough and powerful that they can fight against Arcen energy cultivators like us without using any techniques or magic treasures—just with raw physical power. That's what makes body refinement cultivators so terrifying. But today, there are no true body refinement techniques left in the world. Long ago, after a certain incident, the great powers destroyed them all. Since then, people have tried to imitate body refinement using Arcen energy techniques—like the Technique of the Mountain's Might. But unfortunately, no Arcen-based imitation comes even close to the real thing. That's why these kinds of techniques were eventually shelved and forgotten."
Tian Han was stunned by what he had just heard.
Body refinement? Demons? Life energy? He had never even heard of such terms.
With a trembling voice, he asked nervously:
"So… Big Brother Li… does that mean I won't be able to cultivate the T Technique of the Mountain's Might?"
Seeing Tian Han's anxious expression and trembling voice, Li Shan smiled gently and continued speaking.
"No, there's no issue with cultivating the Technique of the Mountain's Might. After all, it's been adapted to work with Arcen energy. But techniques like this—ones converted from body refinement methods—are much harder to cultivate than normal techniques. Of course, the rewards match the difficulty. That's why, although some people try to train with such techniques, they almost always give up due to how challenging they are."
Hearing those words, Tian Han let out a deep breath of relief.
"So, I can cultivate the Technique of the Mountain's Might … it'll just be really hard?That's fine. I've already overcome plenty of difficult things up until now—I can handle this too."
As the two continued talking, the sky darkened completely, and the sun had long since set. Li Shan looked at Tian Han and said,
"Little Brother Han, I should get going—it's gotten quite late. You should get some rest too.But before I go, I have a gift for you."
Li Shan reached into his robe and pulled out a book, then slowly handed it to Tian Han.
Tian Han took the book and looked at the title: Floating Leaf Breathing Technique.
At first, he was confused.
"Why did Big Brother Li give me this? I already have the Floating Leaf Breathing Technique."
Li Shan smiled and explained.
"The one you have is incomplete—and no longer useful to you. That's why I brought you the full version, which includes the second section."
A bright smile appeared on Tian Han's face.
"Thank you so much, Big Brother Li."
"It's nothing. Consider it a small return for the pills you gave me. Anyway, it's time I took my leave."
Tian Han brought his hands together and bowed respectfully to Li Shan. Seeing this, Li Shan smiled and patted Tian Han's head before walking away.
After Li Shan left, Tian Han didn't linger outside. He quietly went inside, and as soon as he entered, a wave of exhaustion hit him.
"I didn't even do that much today... Why do I feel so tired?"
This sudden fatigue struck him as strange. There were days when he trained relentlessly without rest, and even then he didn't feel this drained.
Without thinking too much about it, Tian Han made his way to his room. Once there, he threw himself face-first onto the bed, closed his eyes, and quickly drifted off to sleep.
In his sleep, Tian Han began mumbling softly. And one of the words he uttered was:
"Body refinement…"