Chapter 013: Heart-Piercing Dragon Claw Technique

Yesterday’s twelfth chapter title had an issue and was flagged for review. It was just now approved for upload, so I forgot—my apologies!

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The Library Pavilion at Xuyang Academy was built with grand ambition—a seven-story tower that could be seen from afar, rising proudly amid the Academy’s grounds, a symbol of the institution itself.

Xin Lang made his way to the Library Pavilion, first registering, then signing, paying the fee, and finally queuing for his book. He soon discovered that the entire first floor offered only one martial technique: “Dragon-Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms.”

After waiting in line for what felt like ages, it was finally his turn. The librarian, a teacher in charge, randomly drew a battered volume from a pile and handed it to Xin Lang, saying, “New students go to the reading room on the left! Remember, no markings or alterations in the book, or you’ll be fined ten silver coins!”

“Oh…” Xin Lang took the tattered book and entered the reading room to the left. The room was crowded, including several of his classmates. Because borrowing “Dragon-Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms” for an hour cost a whole silver coin, the students were absorbed in their study, paying no attention to newcomers.

Xin Lang found an empty seat and opened the manual. As soon as he turned to the first page, his Upgrade Device suddenly popped up a notification: “Upgrade Device has detected a ‘Common’ grade low-level martial technique: ‘Dragon-Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms.’ Would you like to learn it?”

“Shouldn’t I be learning this martial technique myself?” Xin Lang wondered, but chose to proceed.

The Upgrade Device immediately prompted, “To learn a Common grade low-level martial technique requires 1 Experience Point. Proceed?”

Though Xin Lang felt a pang at the loss of an Experience Point, he wanted to test the Upgrade Device’s learning function. He currently had 2 points, so after using one, he would have one left.

Once he selected “Yes,” the manual for “Dragon-Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms” in his hand was instantly absorbed into the Upgrade Device. The martial techniques section was divided into small slots, and now the first slot displayed a palm icon, labeled beneath: Dragon-Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms!

At that same moment, a set of palm techniques appeared in Xin Lang’s mind—the very ones from the manual.

He felt that after the Upgrade Device recorded “Dragon-Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms,” he had instantly mastered the technique, as if he had practiced it countless times, achieving perfect proficiency.

“Is that all it takes to learn?” Xin Lang was utterly astonished.

When Xin Lang had mastered “Dragon-Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms,” the manual, which had been absorbed by his Upgrade Device, returned to his hands. The entire process took only a blink, and no one in the reading room noticed anything amiss, not even Meng Chuchu, who had been secretly observing Xin Lang; she never noticed the manual vanish from his hands.

Having learned “Dragon-Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms,” Xin Lang didn’t want to waste any more precious time. He handed the manual to the librarian and said, “Teacher, I just borrowed this book, but something urgent has come up and I need to leave. Is it possible to return the book?”

Though it was only a silver coin, every bit saved brought him closer to his main quest’s goal of ten thousand gold coins.

“You can!” the librarian replied pleasantly, but before Xin Lang could celebrate, the teacher added, “However, the borrowing fee is non-refundable.”

“What? Seriously?” Xin Lang protested. “I’ve had the book less than a minute! Could you charge me less, maybe just ten copper coins?”

The librarian smiled kindly. “If you feel you’re getting a bad deal, I suggest you keep it for the full hour before returning.”

Xin Lang’s attempt to save a silver coin ended in failure.

He thought to himself, “When I have enough Experience Points, I’ll learn every martial technique here for free, without spending a single coin.”

Xin Lang left the Library Pavilion, intending to try out the power of “Dragon-Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms.” It was the first martial technique he’d learned, and he felt an eager urge to test it.

He was about to head to the small grove where he usually practiced in the morning, but as he passed his dormitory, he spotted a familiar face.

Xin Lang greeted him enthusiastically, saying to Qian Baidu, who was waiting at his door, “Qian, why are you so late today? I’ve been waiting—I thought you weren’t coming!”

Xin Lang’s warmth made Qian Baidu feel as though they were childhood friends.

“Are you talking to me?” Qian Baidu eyed Xin Lang cautiously, stepping back several paces as Xin Lang approached.

“Of course I’m talking to you! Remember, tomorrow you must be on time—don’t be late like today!” Xin Lang said.

“Uh…” Qian Baidu’s forehead was covered in black lines. He thought, “Is he addicted to beating me up now?”

“Hey?” Xin Lang looked at Qian Baidu and exclaimed, “You’re not worth any points today?”

Not worth points—that’s as good as saying he’s worthless. Qian Baidu was angered, “What did you say? Who are you calling worthless?”

Today’s Upgrade Device quest had disappointed Xin Lang. It was only an ordinary side quest, rewarding just 1 Experience Point, and its difficulty didn’t even merit a single star. That’s why Xin Lang said, “Qian Baidu isn’t worth anything today!”

Unable to explain, Xin Lang changed the subject, “Today I’ll let you make the first move. I won’t hit back until you’ve used all your family’s ‘Common’ grade martial techniques—how about it?”

“You mean it?” Qian Baidu asked.

“Absolutely. Hurry up, my time is precious!” Xin Lang said.

“Fine, then I won’t hold back! Common grade martial technique: Heart-Piercing Dragon Claw!”

Qian Baidu formed his hands into claws and lunged for Xin Lang’s chest.

Xin Lang waited for Qian Baidu’s move to be executed, ready to counter with his newly learned “Dragon-Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms,” when the Upgrade Device suddenly popped up another notification: “Detected Common grade low-level martial technique: ‘Heart-Piercing Dragon Claw.’ Would you like to learn it?”

“What, even techniques not from books can be learned? Incredible!” Xin Lang was both amazed and delighted.

“Learn, learn, learn! How could I pass up a free martial technique?”

Though Xin Lang’s Upgrade Device had only one Experience Point left, he couldn’t let this opportunity slip by.