KNOCK KNOCK.

A gentle knock sounded, followed by the respectful voice of the maid, Qiu Lan, from outside the door.

"Senior Brother, Steward Zhou Heng from the True Inheritance Courtyard is here to distribute this month’s resources."

"Please have Steward Zhou wait in the living room. I will be there shortly."

Fang Han composed himself and answered in a steady voice.

After tidying his robes, Fang Han stepped into the living room.

Steward Zhou Heng was already seated, accompanied by two servant disciples holding trays.

"True Inheritor Fang, my apologies for the intrusion."

Upon seeing Fang Han, Zhou Heng’s face broke into a warm smile as he rose and cupped his hands in a salute.

Compared to their first meeting, Zhou Heng was now clearly much warmer and more respectful.

In just one month, Fang Han had soared to sixteenth place. His potential was now undeniable, making him someone worthy of this True Inheritance Courtyard Steward’s earnest friendship.

"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhou. Please, have a seat."

Fang Han returned the salute, and both of them sat down.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhou Heng got straight to the point. "True Inheritor Fang, please give me your True Inheritance Token. I will transfer this month’s contribution reward for ranking sixteenth on the True Inheritor list."

As he spoke, he took the quaintly shaped Inheritance Jade Inkstone from a servant disciple behind him.

Fang Han handed over his True Inheritance Token. Zhou Heng operated it skillfully and, a moment later, handed the Jade Token back.

"18,450 points."

Fang Han infused a strand of Inner Qi into his Identity Token and glanced at the number displayed on it—18,450.

His balance last month was 6,450 points, and now it was 18,450. This meant he had received a full 12,000 Contribution Points as a reward.

Even though he had expected the reward to increase significantly with his higher rank, receiving twelve thousand Contribution Points all at once still sent a tremor through Fang Han’s heart.

This amount far exceeded what was needed to exchange for a top-level Martial Technique, leaving a substantial surplus that could support his high-intensity Cultivation for a very long time.

"The Contribution Points reward for 16th place on the True Inheritor list is 12,000 points. True Inheritor Fang, please confirm."

Zhou Heng said with a smile.

"The Contribution Points are correct. Thank you for your trouble, Steward Zhou."

Fang Han nodded and put away the Token.

Zhou Heng smiled and picked up two bottles from the tray of a servant disciple behind him. They were the size of ordinary Pill Bottles, made of a jade-like material, and were a lustrous white.

Three powerful, cyan words were inscribed on the bottles in an ancient script: Earth Spirit Pill.

"This is this month’s rare resource allotment for True Disciples: two bottles of Earth Spirit Pills, ten pills per bottle. Please inspect them, True Inheritor."

Zhou Heng handed the two Jade Bottles over.

Fang Han reached out and took them. They felt slightly heavy and were warm to the touch.

’I wonder what these Elixirs are worth. Can they compare to the Earth Vajra Pills?’

He had been looking forward to the Vajra Pills, which could directly strengthen his physique. After all, a powerful body was the foundation of a Martial Artist, crucial for withstanding blows and recovering in actual combat.

Unfortunately, this month’s rare resources weren’t Vajra Pills.

After a moment of contemplation, Fang Han looked up at Zhou Heng, his tone carrying a perfectly measured hint of inquiry.

"Steward Zhou, the Vajra Pills distributed last month were extraordinarily effective. Why have they been switched to this type of Elixir this month?"

"There’s something you may not know, True Inheritor Fang. Vajra Pills are extremely difficult to refine. The main ingredients required, such as the Vajra Bodhi Fruit and the Dragon Elephant Fruit, are all incredibly rare medicinal herbs. They have long growth cycles and are very difficult to harvest."

Zhou Heng explained upon hearing his question.

"Even for the Sect, our inventory is not abundant. We cannot guarantee that we can fire up the furnaces to refine them every month, let alone guarantee that these pills will be distributed monthly."

He paused, his tone tinged with a bit of wistfulness.

"The type of rare resources True Disciples receive each month is not fixed. Instead, they are distributed on a rotating basis according to the current storeroom inventory."

Realization dawned on Fang Han, but it was accompanied by even greater surprise.

Even a behemoth like the Qingxuan Sect, one of the Seven Sects, couldn’t guarantee a stable supply of Vajra Pills. This just went to show how precious they truly were.

It also gave him a deeper appreciation for the value of his monthly rare resource allotment.

"I see. Thank you for clearing up my confusion, Steward Zhou."

Fang Han nodded, his gaze then falling to the Earth Spirit Pills in his hand.

"Then what are the effects of these Earth Spirit Pills? How do they compare to the Vajra Pills?"

"Earth Spirit Pills are refined from dozens of rare Spirit Grasses, a process that takes the Elders of the Pill Hall a great deal of time."

"Their main effect is to aid Cultivation. The pure medicinal power they contain far surpasses that of True Spirit Pills, and it is more easily absorbed and refined by Martial Artists, making them extremely effective for advancing one’s Inner Qi Cultivation."

Eager to build a good relationship with Fang Han, Zhou Heng explained in detail.

His tone grew more serious.

"In terms of preciousness, Earth Spirit Pills are in no way inferior to Vajra Pills. In fact, because of their direct benefit to one’s Cultivation, some disciples value them even more highly."

"After all, Vajra Pills focus on tempering the body and solidifying one’s foundation, so the improvement in strength isn’t particularly obvious. Earth Spirit Pills, on the other hand, concretely accelerate the accumulation of Inner Qi."

After hearing the explanation, Fang Han understood.

Vajra Pills were for "Foundation Establishment," while Earth Spirit Pills were for "acceleration." They had different focuses, but both were among the Sect’s most top-level resources.

"I’ve learned a lot. Thank you, Steward Zhou."

Fang Han thanked him sincerely.

"It’s my duty. You’re too kind, True Inheritor Fang."

Zhou Heng smiled and cupped his hands in a salute.

"The resources have been delivered, so I won’t disturb your quiet Cultivation any longer. Farewell."

After seeing Steward Zhou Heng off, Fang Han looked at the two bottles of Earth Spirit Pills in his hand and felt the whopping 18,450 Contribution Points in the Token he carried. A flash of anticipation crossed his eyes.

’I have enough Contribution Points now. It’s time to head to the Library Pavilion and exchange them for that top-level Swordsmanship technique I’ve been dreaming of!’

Without further delay, he put away the Earth Spirit Pills, strapped on his Flowing Wind Sword, and headed straight out the door, making his way toward the Library Pavilion on the slopes of Qingxuan Mountain.

The Library Pavilion was as imposing and solemn as ever. Stepping inside, he was greeted by the scent of books and the palpable weight of time.

Following a familiar path, Fang Han walked directly to the staircase leading to the upper floors.

However, just as he was about to step onto the stairs leading to the fifth floor, a gentle voice sounded from his side:

"Fang, hold on a moment."

Fang Han paused and turned his head. Behind the counter, Elder Mo, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, was setting down a scroll and looking at him with a smile.

Elder Mo still wore his simple green robes. His face was gentle, and his eyes were clear, as if they could see right into a person’s heart.

"Elder Mo."

Fang Han hurried forward a few steps and bowed respectfully.

This Elder, who guarded the fourth floor of the Library Pavilion, had given him a lot of advice on Cultivation Techniques and had always looked out for him. Fang Han had always held a deep respect for him.

"No need for such formalities."

Elder Mo waved his hand dismissively. His gaze swept over the True Inheritance Token at Fang Han’s waist, a flicker of imperceptible admiration in his eyes as he spoke warmly.

"Are you heading to the fifth floor to exchange for a Cultivation Technique?"

"Yes, Elder. This disciple wishes to exchange for a top-level Wind Element Swordsmanship technique," Fang Han answered truthfully.

Elder Mo nodded and explained.

"The floors above the fourth floor of the Library Pavilion house the Sect’s top-level Cultivation Techniques and even more profound Martial Arts."

"Since few people exchange for them, there are no additional Elders on duty. I have always managed it myself. If you wish to exchange for a Cultivation Technique, you can do so through me."

Only then did Fang Han understand that the secret manuals on the fifth floor and above were all managed by this Elder Mo.

’To be so trusted by the Sect and entrusted with such an important guardianship... this Elder Mo’s strength is likely even greater than I imagined.’

He cupped his hands in a salute again.

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Elder."

Elder Mo stroked his beard and asked, "You wish to exchange for... a top-level Wind Element Swordsmanship technique?"

Fang Han contemplated for a moment before saying, "This disciple is not familiar with the collection on the fifth floor. Could I ask the Elder for guidance? What top-level Wind Element Swordsmanship techniques does the Sect have available for exchange?"

"The Sect’s collection of Top Martial Arts is small to begin with, and they belong to different elements. There is only one top-level Wind Element Swordsmanship technique, called the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting. It costs twelve thousand Contribution Points to exchange for it."

Upon hearing this, Elder Mo glanced at Fang Han with some surprise. ’Coming to exchange for a new Swordsmanship technique means he must have cultivated the Wind Shadow Annihilation Sword to Perfection.’ Briefly calculating the time it must have taken, he couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. He then said,

"Furthermore, to exchange for Top Martial Arts, one must be a True Disciple, a Steward, or an Elder. You are now a True Inheritor, so you meet the requirement. If you have enough Contribution Points, you may exchange for it."

"Only one?"

Fang Han was slightly taken aback, not expecting the options to be so limited.

’Then again,’ he thought, ’Top Martial Arts are incredibly precious. The Qingxuan Sect wasn’t founded on its Swordsmanship, so having even one top-level Wind Element Swordsmanship technique in its collection is already quite remarkable.’

"This disciple wishes to exchange for the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting."

Fang Han no longer hesitated and handed over his Identity Token.

’Since there are no other options, and this is the only top-level Wind Element Swordsmanship technique in the Sect, I have no choice but to get this one.’

"Alright."

Elder Mo said no more. He took out an ancient Inkstone covered in profound runes and placed Fang Han’s Identity Token on it.

A faint light flashed, and twelve thousand Contribution Points were deducted.

Elder Mo then handed the Token back to Fang Han and turned to close the heavy metal door of the fourth floor.

He took a key made of a material that was neither metal nor wood from his robes and said to Fang Han, "Follow me."

The two of them ascended to the fifth floor.

The door to the floor was shut tight, forged from some unknown, sturdy metal, and looked extremely solid.

Elder Mo inserted the key into the lock and turned it gently. The door slid open silently.

The space on the fifth floor was much smaller than the one below. There were only a few bookshelves, but each was crafted from rare, precious wood that exuded a faint, clean fragrance.

The secret manuals displayed on the shelves were even scarcer, all recorded on gold foil or some kind of animal hide, giving them an ancient and mysterious appearance.

Elder Mo walked straight to a shelf marked with the word "Sword" and took out a dark-cyan metal box, about a foot and a half long and a hand’s breadth wide.

The body of the box was cold and heavy to the touch, its surface engraved with patterns of clouds and wind.

"This is the secret manual for the Nine Swords of Sky Splitting. It includes an appendix with the Cultivation insights of a predecessor. It must not be copied or circulated, and it must be returned within half a month."

Elder Mo solemnly handed the metal box to Fang Han.

"This disciple understands. Thank you, Elder!"

Fang Han accepted it with both hands. It felt heavy.

With the exchange complete, Elder Mo relocked the fifth floor and descended the stairs with Fang Han.

After thanking Elder Mo once more, Fang Han left the Library Pavilion with the Swordsmanship manual, his heart thrumming with excitement.

Upon returning to Villa Thirty-five in the True Inheritance Courtyard, Fang Han had just stepped through the gate when Qiu Lan, who had been waiting at the entrance, hurried up to him and said in a low voice,

"Senior Brother, you’re back. Senior Sister Yun Muyao is here to visit. She has been waiting in the living room for a long time."

’Senior Sister Yun Muyao is here?’

A hint of surprise flashed in Fang Han’s eyes.

During the last incident with the Law Enforcement Hall, it was entirely thanks to Yun Muyao’s intervention that he had avoided punishment.

He had always been grateful to her for that.

Although Yun Muyao had acted mainly for her younger sister, Yun Qianyue, the favor was real.

However, the two of them hadn’t interacted much. So far, they had only met twice.