As the newly accepted Outer Disciples began to disperse from the grandeur of the Reception Hall, their hearts buzzing with a mixture of excitement for their new lives and trepidation for the challenges ahead, Su Chan turned to his martial sisters. The Fairy Peak viewing platform was now mostly empty, the main spectacle of the recruitment having concluded.
"Senior Sister, Junior Sisters," Su Chan began, his voice calm and even, "I have a small, unexpected matter to attend to in the Outer Sect area. You all should return to Fairy Peak first. I won't be long; I'll rejoin you shortly."
Fang Xin, her beautiful eyes holding a knowing glint that Su Chan didn't quite catch, nodded with her usual grace. Having read his latest diary entry just moments before, she understood perfectly well what "unexpected matter" her usually homebody Junior Brother suddenly had. His clumsy lie about having "work" in the Outer Sect was almost endearing in its transparency, given what she now knew. A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on her lips. "Very well, Junior Brother Su Chan," she said, her tone that of a responsible elder sister. "Attend to your business, but do come back quickly. Master will want to hear about the recruitment results, and it's best we report together." She didn't expose his flimsy excuse, a silent acknowledgment of the secret game he was playing.
Ning Youxi, her cheeks still tinged with a faint blush from her earlier flustered thoughts about Su Chan, nodded shyly. The diary's revelation about Ye Fan targeting her, followed by Su Chan's clear intent to intercept one of Ye Fan's opportunities, filled her with a confusing mix of fear (for Su Chan's safety in confronting a 'Son of Destiny') and a burgeoning, unfamiliar sense of security. She offered a small, almost inaudible, "Be careful, Second Senior Brother."
Lin Ruo'er, equally aware of the diary's content, simply gave Su Chan a bright, encouraging smile. "Don't be too long, Senior Brother! We can practice that new sword form when you get back!"
With understanding nods and a final glance from Fang Xin that seemed to convey a silent "good luck," the three beautiful figures turned and, with the graceful movements befitting disciples of Fairy Peak, began their ascent back towards their secluded, ethereal home. Su Chan watched their retreating forms for a moment, the elegant sway of their robes, the way their hair caught the light. He swallowed, a little harder than necessary, a complex mix of protective instinct and something else, something he couldn't quite name, stirring within him.
Then, shaking his head slightly to clear his thoughts, he turned his gaze with renewed, steely determination towards the direction of the Outer Sect Scripture Pavilion. Time was of the essence. Ye Fan and the other new disciples would be heading there soon, if they weren't already arriving.
With a speed that belied his current Qi Refining realm (a subtle manifestation of the Chaos Divine Body beginning to optimize his physical functions), Su Chan navigated the pathways of the Outer Sect, his True Disciple robes marking him as someone of importance, causing many of the bustling Outer Disciples to step aside respectfully.
He soon arrived before the Scripture Pavilion, a stately, multi-storied pagoda that exuded an ancient, scholarly aura. Its wooden beams were dark with age, and the air around it seemed to hum with the faint resonance of countless techniques and accumulated wisdom. Two Outer Disciples, acting as guards, stood at the entrance. They straightened immediately upon seeing Su Chan's attire and the True Disciple token subtly displayed at his waist.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Su Chan!" they chorused, bowing respectfully.
Su Chan offered a polite, almost curt, nod in return. "I wish to browse the first floor," he stated simply.
"Of course, Senior Brother. Please, enter," one of the guards said, stepping aside with a gesture of welcome.
Su Chan strode into the pavilion. The first floor was vast, filled with towering shelves packed with countless scrolls and jade slips, each containing a Mortal Grade technique. The air smelled of old parchment, aged wood, and the faint, almost imperceptible tang of spiritual ink. A few new Outer Disciples were already present, their faces alight with awe and excitement as they tentatively browsed the offerings, their voices hushed with reverence.
At a large desk near the entrance sat an old, wizened Outer Sect Elder, his eyes half-closed as if in perpetual meditation. This was Elder Liu, the custodian of the Outer Sect Scripture Pavilion's first floor. Su Chan approached and offered a respectful bow.
"Disciple Su Chan greets Elder Liu."
Elder Liu's eyes fluttered open, a flicker of mild surprise registering as he recognized Su Chan. It was rare for a True Disciple to visit this humble first floor, filled as it was with techniques they had long since surpassed. "Ah, True Disciple Su Chan," he rasped, his voice like dry leaves rustling. "An unexpected visit. What brings you to these dusty old shelves?"
"Just a moment of idle curiosity, Elder," Su Chan replied smoothly. "Perhaps a desire to revisit the fundamentals."
The Elder gave a slow, understanding nod. "The roots are as important as the branches. Browse as you wish, young man." He then closed his eyes again, seemingly returning to his meditation.
Su Chan didn't waste another moment. Recalling the details from the novel, he moved with a quiet, purposeful stride towards the more obscure sections of the pavilion – the less frequented corners, the shelves that looked a bit more neglected, where dust lay thicker on the scrolls. He scanned the rows, his eyes, enhanced by his now clearer spiritual sense, searching for any scroll that seemed out of place, or unusually ancient, or simply… overlooked.
After several minutes of methodical searching, his gaze fell upon it. Tucked away at the very bottom of a rickety shelf in a dimly lit alcove, almost hidden behind a stack of more common-looking manuals, was a thin, unassuming scroll. It was bound with a simple, frayed cord and its parchment was yellowed and brittle with age, bearing water stains and the distinct scent of neglect. It looked, for all intents and purposes, like forgotten trash.
This has to be it, Su Chan thought, his heart giving a slight, anticipatory thump. He carefully picked it up. The title, barely legible in faded, archaic script, read: "Shadow… Steps… Fragment…"
Bingo.
Just as he unrolled a small portion of the scroll, confirming the chaotic, almost indecipherable diagrams and fragmented text that the novel had described Ye Fan struggling with, a crisp, mechanical notification sounded in his mind.
[ Ding! Detected Host has successfully intercepted a Minor Opportunity belonging to the Son of Destiny (Ye Fan) for the first time!
Opportunity: Fragment of 'Shadowless Steps' (Peak Earth Grade Movement Technique).
Congratulations to Host! As a reward for your first successful interception, the System has upgraded the intercepted opportunity!
Reward: Complete 'Shadowless Steps' (Peak Earth Grade Movement Technique) – directly imprinted into Host's sea of consciousness! ]
Su Chan froze, his eyes widening in genuine, profound surprise. A torrent of intricate information, profound insights, and complex bodily movements flooded his mind, settling into his sea of consciousness as if he had spent decades painstakingly mastering them. The complete, unadulterated essence of the Peak Earth Grade movement technique, 'Shadowless Steps,' was now his.
A complete set? Just for intercepting it? He had expected to get the fragment, which would have been a significant boon in itself. But the system had directly upgraded it to the full, unblemished technique! I had no idea the system would offer such a direct and powerful upgrade for a first-time interception! This… this is incredible! A wave of pure, unadulterated delight surged through him, quickly followed by a cold, sharp thrill of triumph. This was a massive advantage, far exceeding his initial expectations.
He quickly composed himself, glancing around to ensure no one had noticed his momentary lapse. The other new disciples were still engrossed in their own searches, and Elder Liu remained in his meditative state.
Looking at the fragmented scroll still in his hand, Su Chan realized he still needed to go through the motions of selecting it. He then picked up a very common, Low Mortal Grade Qi circulation manual, something utterly unremarkable, as his "cultivation method."
With a glance at an internal chronometer – a skill cultivators developed to sense the passage of time – Su Chan realized that enough time had passed. Ye Fan and the bulk of the new disciples would be arriving at the Scripture Pavilion any moment now. He needed to leave.
He approached the reception counter near Elder Liu, where a diligent-looking senior Outer Disciple was handling the registration of selected techniques. Su Chan presented his True Disciple token and the two scrolls.
"Disciple Su Chan wishes to register these techniques," he said calmly.
The senior Outer Disciple took the scrolls, his eyes widening slightly as he saw Su Chan's True Disciple token, then widening further in puzzlement as he registered the common Qi circulation manual and then the tattered, fragmented "Shadow Steps" scroll. "Senior Brother Su Chan… this… 'Shadow Steps'… it appears to be an incomplete, almost damaged, Mortal Grade fragment. Are you certain?" he asked, a hint of confusion in his voice. It was highly unusual for a True Disciple to select such a seemingly worthless item.
"I find it… intriguing," Su Chan replied cryptically, offering no further explanation.
The disciple, though still perplexed, didn't dare question a True Disciple further. He quickly completed the registration. "It is done, Senior Brother."
"Many thanks," Su Chan said, retrieving his token. With a final nod to Elder Liu, he turned and strode out of the Scripture Pavilion, a subtle, almost invisible spring in his step. The complete 'Shadowless Steps' technique was already settling comfortably within his understanding, its profound principles clear as day.
As Su Chan departed, the senior Outer Disciple at the counter shook his head, muttering to himself about the eccentricities of True Disciples, before turning his attention back to his duties.
Meanwhile, as Ye Fan and a large group of other newly accepted Outer Disciples were making their way towards the Scripture Pavilion, their hearts filled with anticipation, Ye Fan suddenly paused, a strange, inexplicable sensation washing over him. It was a fleeting feeling, like a cold breeze on a summer day, a sense that something he should have had, something that was almost his, had just… vanished. He quickly checked his ring, his meager pouch of spirit stones, his disciple token. Everything was physically present.
Strange, he thought, frowning. It must be lingering disorientation from the Illusion Heart Formation, or perhaps I'm just tired after all the excitement. He dismissed the odd feeling, his focus returning to the promise of new techniques and the beginning of his meteoric rise.
[System Notification to all Heroines (Appearing shortly after Su Chan's reward was granted)]
[System Broadcast: Host Su Chan has successfully intercepted a Minor Opportunity from the Son of Destiny, Ye Fan.]
[Details: Acquired and received a system-upgraded, complete version of the 'Shadowless Steps' (Peak Earth Grade Movement Technique), which was originally a fragmented opportunity for Ye Fan.]
[Son of Destiny's Luck Value has decreased.]
[(New Luck Value will be reflected when Ye Fan's panel is next viewed by diary holders.)]
The heroines, scattered across the Holy Land and beyond, received this notification. A collective wave of surprise, intrigue, and for some, a dawning sense of excitement, passed through them. The game had just become even more interesting.