’Casualties are inevitable on missions. It’s unavoidable.’

Fang Han murmured silently in his heart.

’But that’s exactly why I have to be more careful. From now on, I really need to be more cautious when accepting missions.’

A strong sense of urgency rose from the bottom of his heart.

He had to increase his strength as quickly as possible. Only by possessing greater power to deal with danger could he walk further down the path of cultivation.

Elder Chen Xuan gave a few more solemn instructions before dismissing the class. Unlike usual, there was no cultivation lecture today.

In the heavy atmosphere, the disciples silently left the Inheritance Hall one after another.

Fang Han and Xiao Chen exchanged a look, each seeing the same gravity in the other’s eyes. The two walked side-by-side in silence until they parted ways at a fork in the road.

After leaving the Inheritance Hall, Fang Han didn’t return to his residence. Instead, he headed straight for the Library Pavilion.

His steps were steady, but his heart held a trace of irrepressible anticipation.

His one thousand five hundred and forty Contribution Points were enough to exchange for a desirable Top Grade Sword Technique, solving his current predicament of having reached Perfection in his swordsmanship with no clear path forward.

The number of disciples coming and going on the bluestone path gradually increased.

Fang Han keenly sensed that the gazes falling upon him were more numerous and complex than ever before.

Muttered discussions, like a faint breeze, occasionally drifted into his ears.

"Look, it’s Fang Han!"

"Is that the Fang Han who just joined last year but is already ranked ninety-fifth on the overall list?"

"He just passed his one-year mark since joining, right? What a monster..."

"Shh, quiet down. I heard that he and Senior Brother Chu Feng..."

The gazes held amazement, curiosity, and scrutiny. After recognizing him, quite a few people’s eyes flickered before they quickly looked away. Some exchanged a knowing glance with their companions and quietly distanced themselves.

In the past, Fang Han’s name was mostly known within his own Sub-Branch. Now, his rank of ninety-fifth on the overall list was like a boulder thrown into a lake, causing his fame to spread rapidly throughout the Twelve Courtyards.

It was already exceedingly rare for a disciple to break into the top one hundred of the overall list in their second year. For someone like Fang Han to achieve this just after his first year was practically unheard of in recent generations.

This in itself was enough to attract a great deal of attention.

Coupled with the rumors of his animosity toward Chu Feng, a True Inheritor on the Celestial Pride List, his fame acquired a sensitive and dangerous edge. As a result, while Fang Han garnered attention, he was also subconsciously seen by many as someone to keep a distance from.

Fang Han’s expression remained calm, and he seemed oblivious to the surrounding stares and whispers. The rhythm of his steps didn’t change in the slightest as he soon arrived before the towering, solemn, seven-story ancient pagoda—the Library Pavilion.

After his Identity Jade Token was verified, he stepped directly inside. He didn’t linger on the first, second, or third floors, but walked steadily up the wooden stairs, heading for the flight leading to the fourth floor.

Compared to the third floor, the fourth floor was even quieter. The air was filled with the unique inky fragrance of ancient scrolls and a faint scent of sandalwood that seemed to calm the mind and spirit.

There were noticeably fewer bookshelves on this floor, only a mere seven or eight lining the sides. The tomes on them were arranged far less densely than on the floors below. Each one looked thick and ancient, stored in special silk wrappings or jade boxes, highlighting their extraordinary value.

At the entrance stood a wide counter made of purple sandalwood.

Behind the counter sat an old man dressed in the robes of an Elder, with golden cloud patterns embroidered on his cuffs and collar.

The old man’s hair and beard were completely white, his face lean, and his eyes gentle and serene. He appeared ordinary, but Fang Han’s sharp Spiritual Sense could feel that the aura around him was as deep as the ocean, far beyond what the Steward on the third floor could compare to.

This was clearly an Elder.

The Sect clearly placed more importance on Top Grade Cultivation Techniques than Middle Grade ones, which was why an Elder, not a Steward, stood guard here.

On the counter, similar to the third floor, lay two registers.

One had a deep blue cover, the other a dark red one.

Fang Han guessed that these must be the catalogs detailing the Top Grade Martial Techniques and Top Grade Cultivation Techniques.

He walked to the counter, stopped, and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Elder."

The green-robed elder had been resting with his eyes closed. Hearing the voice, he slowly opened them, his gaze falling upon Fang Han. A flicker of indiscernible scrutiny passed through his gentle eyes, quickly replaced by a faint smile as he spoke:

"There’s no need for such formalities. Which courtyard are you from?"

His voice was mild, carrying the calm composure of a senior, a stark contrast to the silent Steward on the third floor.

"Replying to the Elder, this disciple is from the Sub-Branch," Fang Han answered.

"The Sub-Branch?"

The green-robed elder’s hand, which was stroking his beard, paused slightly. A flash of understanding crossed his eyes, and he chuckled.

"My surname is Mo; you may call me Elder Mo. There aren’t many disciples from the Sub-Branch with enough Contribution Points to reach this fourth floor. If I’m not mistaken, you must be the recently famous Fang Han who just broke into the top one hundred of the overall list, correct?"

"Elder Mo is perceptive. It is indeed this disciple."

Fang Han replied, his expression still respectful.

"Mm, not bad."

Elder Mo nodded slightly, the admiration in his eyes growing stronger.

"Young and promising, good material. Are you here to exchange for a Top Grade Inner Qi Heart Method, or a Martial Technique?"

"This disciple wishes to exchange for a Wind Element Top-Grade Sword Technique."

Fang Han stated his purpose directly.

’A Top Grade Inner Qi Cultivation Method, better than a Middle Grade one, is something I can consider now. But what I need most urgently is a Top Grade Sword Technique.’

"Swordsmanship?"

Elder Mo’s gaze swept over the dark red register on the counter. He pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Top Grade Martial Techniques are far more difficult to cultivate than Middle or Low Grade ones. They have extremely high requirements for comprehension, Inner Qi, and even the understanding of ’Momentum.’"

"For disciples who come to choose, I generally recommend picking a relatively easier Martial Technique."

"But you are different. In just one year since joining, you’ve already brought the extremely difficult Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship to Perfection. You clearly have a high aptitude for swordsmanship. If you were to pick a relatively easy Top Grade Sword Technique, it would be a waste of your comprehension."

As he spoke, he picked up the dark red register and skillfully flipped to a specific page, pointing it out to Fang Han.

"This swordsmanship is called the Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword. It’s an exceptional Wind Element Top-Grade Sword Technique. Its characteristics are extreme speed and uncanny stealth. The sword strikes like the wind, without a shadow or a trace, delivering a killing blow in an instant."

"Although it is more difficult to cultivate than an average Top Grade Sword Technique, once you reach Great Success, your sword flashes will be like the wind, making them impossible to guard against. Its power is immense."

Elder Mo continued his introduction, his tone holding a hint of reverence.

"So, are you interested?"

Fang Han listened intently, his heart stirring.

’The Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword... strikes like the wind, without a shadow or a trace... It complements my Wind-Splitting Swordsmanship and Wind Shadow Step perfectly. It’s practically tailor-made for me!’

Suppressing the joy in his heart, he asked respectfully, "May I ask, Elder Mo, how many Contribution Points are required to exchange for this swordsmanship?"

"One thousand one hundred points."

Elder Mo stated the number, looking at Fang Han calmly, waiting for his decision.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Fang Han presented his Identity Jade Token with both hands. "This disciple would like to exchange for the Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword. I’ll have to trouble you, Elder."

A flash of surprise crossed Elder Mo’s eyes, as if he hadn’t expected Fang Han to be so decisive. He then smiled and said:

"Good! You’ve got guts!"

Elder Mo took the Jade Token and swiped it over an inkstone-shaped device on the side of the counter. A faint light flashed, and the number on the Jade Token instantly decreased by 1,100, leaving 440 points.

Then, Elder Mo turned and walked to a row of bookshelves behind him. He retrieved a foot-long purple sandalwood box with faint cloud patterns carved on its lid.

He handed the wooden box to Fang Han and instructed, "This is the manual for the Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword. It includes an appendix with cultivation insights from a Sect senior. I hope you will study it diligently and not let this ultimate technique go to waste. Remember, the manual must not be shared, and you must return it within half a month."

"This disciple understands. Thank you, Elder Mo!"

Fang Han accepted the wooden box solemnly. It was heavy in his hands, and he could feel the extraordinary nature of the scroll within.

"Go on now. I hope you master it soon." Elder Mo waved his hand, a gentle smile on his face.

Fang Han bowed in salute once more, then, holding the purple sandalwood box, he turned, went downstairs, and left the Library Pavilion.

He returned to Room C-7 without a word. Only after he closed the door behind him did Fang Han’s heart begin to beat a little faster.

He walked to the table and carefully opened the purple sandalwood box.

The box was lined with soft, bright yellow silk. A thin booklet of a peculiar material rested quietly on top. It was neither paper nor silk, but cool and tough to the touch. On its cover, written in ancient seal script, were four powerful words: Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword!

Fang Han took a deep breath, cleared his mind of stray thoughts, took out the booklet, and gently opened it.

What met his eyes were not long passages of text, but a series of exquisite diagrams of a human figure wielding a sword, supplemented by concise yet profound mnemonic verses.

The Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword was divided into twelve stances. Each stance contained multiple transformations and had extremely high requirements for the circulation of Inner Strength, coordination with Body Technique, and even the application of "Wind Momentum." Every part was interlinked and exquisitely designed.

In the diagrams, the small figure adopted various postures. The trajectories of the Sword Techniques were profound and unpredictable—at times like a gentle breeze, leaving no trace; at others, like a sudden squall, radiating killing intent.

The small annotations beside them were even more precious, with every word a gem that pointed directly to the essence of the swordsmanship. They detailed the subtle changes in Inner Qi circulation, the key to combining it with "Wind Momentum," and the crucial points of coordinating with the Body Technique, all of which were exceptionally profound.

An ordinary disciple, even one who had cultivated a Middle Grade Sword Technique to Perfection, would likely feel dizzy and find it incomprehensible upon seeing this manual.

But Fang Han was different.

With the terrifying boost of his thirty-two-times Swordsmanship Talent, his comprehension had reached an unbelievable realm.

Those diagrams and verses, which seemed obscure and difficult to others, seemed to come alive in his eyes. Every stroke, every annotation, was rapidly deconstructed, combined, and deduced in his mind, transforming into an incomparably clear understanding.

Fang Han turned the pages at a leisurely pace, but his eyes were focused. He would occasionally pause, his fingertips unconsciously tracing patterns in the air to simulate the trajectories of the Sword Techniques. At other times, he would close his eyes in deep thought, comprehending the profound principles contained within the verses.

He was completely immersed in comprehending the swordsmanship, forgetting the passage of time.

About an hour later, he had finally read and understood the entire manual from beginning to end, including the appendix with the senior’s insights.

He slowly closed the booklet and shut his eyes. The diagrams of the twelve sword stances, the mnemonic verses, and the Force Manipulation Method had all been replayed completely in his mind. He confirmed there were no omissions, having fully understood and memorized everything.