He glanced once more at the crimson bead that recorded the Eye of Qian Yang, forcibly shifted his gaze, and said to Qiu Ji, "I don’t know why Elder has gone to such lengths to assist me? Jiang Wang’s merits are slight, and frankly, I feel somewhat guilty at this moment."

There was a hint of surprise in Qiu Ji’s eyes; he clearly had not expected that at this time, Jiang Wang would still have the patience to refrain from reaching out.

"Lord Jiang, a prodigy of our nation, you are to represent Qi Country in battle at the Guanhe Platform," he said with an even more sincere smile. "If I can be of assistance to you, that is to assist Daqi and Your Majesty as well. How satisfying it would be! This matter breaks no rules; it only requires a bit more effort to memorize. Why would I hesitate?"

His words were truly well-spoken.

The most important was the phrase "breaks no rules," which convinced Jiang Wang. This meant that even if Qiu Ji were to ask for something later, it would also be "within the rules."

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Wang clasped his hands and replied, "Then I shall thank Elder for your kindness."

Qiu Ji smiled without a word.

Jiang Wang then said to the Guardian of the Technique repository, "I choose the Eye of Qian Yang."

For the first time, the Technique Guardian, who was entirely clad in armor, spoke. Previously, during his interactions with Qiu Ji, he would simply inspect the seal without uttering a word.

"Please, do as you wish," his voice was muffled, conveying a sense of suppression. "Once you have made your choice, this technique will be sealed for three years. Within these three years, no second person will learn it."

This was actually quite an advantage; even the most powerful techniques lose value when too many people learn them.

For the world is full of countless geniuses, and the more widely a technique is spread, the quicker it is likely to be deciphered.

Without another word, Jiang Wang reached out and grasped the fiery red bead, his Divine Soul Strength briefly touching it, and the related records of the Inner Mansion section of the Eye of Qian Yang flowed through his mind.

Closing his eyes to savor the feeling, when he opened them again, he was full of admiration.

Although it was just a fleeting glimpse and far from mastery, the Eye of Qian Yang had already brought him pleasant surprises. Truly worthy of a secret technique inherited from Yang Country!

The once-unified sun-rising nation of the Eastern Region left behind legacies that, even just on the Inner Mansion Realm level, could be described as exquisite. Compared to the Soul Stealth Snake technique he had stumbled upon himself, it was indeed beyond comparison.

Jiang Wang carefully placed the crimson bead back onto the stone tray.

The Technique Guardian said no more, simply placing his palm against the stone shelf, and the stone tray abruptly closed into a sphere, enveloping the crimson bead inside.

Then, the entire stone sphere began to "sink," descending into the stone base that resembled the surface of water.

It would not reappear until three years from today.

During this time, even if someone were rewarded with access to the Technique repository, they would not be able to learn the Eye of Qian Yang.

Jiang Wang was very disciplined and did not inquire further about the Technique Guardian. After learning the secret technique of the empire, he followed Qiu Ji out of the repository.

The two retraced their steps back, and before long, the Technique Guardian had vanished.

Jiang Wang did not know how he disappeared, nor did he want to know.

The Great Qi Empire was mighty in the Eastern Region and naturally also wealthy in the East.

The value of the various treasures stored in the imperial treasury was immeasurable.

Who knows how many powerful guards were stationed there.

To ask less and see less, to keep one’s curiosity in check, was the proper course of action.

Qiu Ji, as one of the eight Writing Eunuchs of the Ministry of Rites, had been to this place countless times but still kept his eyes straight ahead.

This was an excellent example to follow.

Walking steadily with Qiu Ji, they passed through checkpoint after checkpoint, repeatedly verifying their identities before they could leave the treasury.

Exiting the city within a city, they were still within Xiong City.

By now, Linzi had fallen into night.

The sky was dotted with stars, and the night lights of Linzi City blazed like a dragon.

The Little Eunuch, who had been waiting outside the treasury, lifted the curtain of the sedan chair early.

Qiu Ji, with his hands clasped, headed towards the sedan chair in the palace.

Taking a couple of steps, Jiang Wang said, "I truly don’t know how to thank Elder for today’s events!"

The other was one of the eight Writing Eunuchs from the Ministry of Rites; frankly speaking, he had no means of assisting the other party right now.

Qiu Ji didn’t seem to take it to heart and turned to look back at him with only a smile, "Let’s just consider it building a good rapport."

Then he bowed and entered the sedan chair.

The palace’s sedan chair slowly went its way.

Jiang Wang stood alone outside the treasury, silent for a moment.

Looking up at the star-embedded night sky, he headed towards Xia Shan Villa.

Thinking about it, every time he came to Linzi City, he was either busy with various matters or shut away practicing cultivation. The sedan chair arrived, the horse-drawn carriage departed.

He rarely had this experience of walking alone on the streets of Linzi.

Amidst the bustling crowd, he "drifted" freely, quietly savoring the secrets of the Eye of Qian Yang amidst the prosperity.

This technique was inherited from the great Yang Empire that once united the Eastern Region and vied for the supremacy of The Heavens. Even as a mere section of the Inner Mansion Realm, it was still astonishingly dominant.

At the outset of its cultivation, one had to draw the fierce sunlight into one’s eyes at high noon, supplemented by Divine Soul Strength and through a Secret Technique, infuse it into the eyes.

Once it was mastered, it would be possible to wield the Power of Qianyang and claim victories in battles on the Spiritual Soul Level—undeniably formidable indeed.

Compared to the Fire Realm Art, which he was still exploring, the Eye of Qian Yang, with its complete cultivation method, was undoubtedly much easier to master.

Unfortunately, it was not high noon at the moment, so he could not test it immediately.

Setting aside the Eye of Qian Yang secrets that he’d meticulously read through, Jiang Wang did not relax. Instead, he continued to develop the Fire Realm Art.

In this way, he slowly strolled, deeply immersed in the boundless mysteries of the Technique world.

...

...

Chao Yu was just at that moment, passing by in a slowly moving carriage, when she spotted the young man walking freely amidst the crowd.

Noticing his leisurely stride that so harmoniously blended with the people on the streets of Linzi, yet maintaining a unique poise, like a star or the moon.

"Who is that?" asked someone beside her.

"Jiang Wang."

"The one who covertly learned your sword technique in the midst of battle?"

Chao Yu let down the curtain of the carriage window, "He’s someone worthy of my blade."

The lights of the Human World, the stars above, she considered both distinctly shining in their own right.

Not a sound from the carriage’s steeds.

Amid the silence, the carriage headed towards the outskirts of Linzi City.