I Refused To Be Reincarnated
Chapter 592: Banned from the Library!

Chapter 592: Banned from the Library!

Adam pinched the bridge of his nose and nodded reluctantly.

But in truth? He didn’t want to give a single inch to uncertainties. His dan tian was extraordinary—the seed of a world. Developing it using anything but the best technique sounded unacceptable. However, he could saturate it with Qi without breaking through.

He tapped his finger on his creased brow, thinking of what he could do to justify the delay. Didn’t Julius learn powerful techniques in the Qingming sutra? Maybe he could do the same and show them to Shen.

Convinced, he smiled at Shen.

"I’ll start tonight. I’ll borrow battle techniques tomorrow to complement the cultivation."

Shen sighed in relief.

"Excellent, Adam. You’ll learn to manipulate your Qi better with the techniques. I can show you some suited to your level and elemental affinity if you want."

"I prefer discovering them myself." Adam shook his head and rose to his feet. "I appreciate the offer, though."

Shen glanced between him and Misha, his worried voice echoing. "Your desire for independence is a great asset in the cultivation path. But too much is worse than not enough. Ponder these words on your way back." He raised a finger, his tone solemn. "Don’t try techniques above your realm, or you’ll risk injuries, perhaps even death."

He paused, hesitating before his gaze steeled.

"I know your names will reverberate through the realm in a few years, but don’t forget that many hands are always better than two. Learn to accept help."

Adam shrugged but still cupped his fists respectfully and left for his shop.

Shen was right. Shepard’s help, Marina’s teachings, and the four valley guardians’ training had been invaluable. It was just that neither he nor Misha needed help anymore, at least not from someone under the spiritual ascension realm or magus level.

’But I don’t mind helping. I bet I’ll surprise you soon.’

He chuckled at the thought, drawing Misha’s sparkling gaze.

"What trick are you planning again? I hope it’s not one of those annoying pranks." She chopped his head, a playful smile curving on her lips.

"You didn’t guess yet?" He placed a finger over his grin. "I guess I’ll surprise you too before the end of the month, then."

Misha scrutinised him for a second, then raised her thumb. "I hope it’s worth the mystery, mister magic."

Chuckling, they walked hand-in-hand to the shop’s second floor.

Once inside, they sat crossed legs. They leaned against each other’s backs, their calm breathing bringing them a sensation of tranquillity as they began cultivating.

Even though it was the first time Adam actively absorbed Qi, he didn’t feel it was hard. After all, he had supervised Julius’ growth from a clueless baby to a dashing fifteen-year-old cultivator.

Exploiting his experience, he stretched his senses to his dan tian as his eyes glowed. He saw twirling gray wisps of life force drift around him and absorbed them with a sharp breath.

With a thought, he syphoned the life force into his meridians and guided it to his dan tian. Of course, he breezed through the process with his Masterful Qi Manipulation passive, even if he didn’t refine the quality with a cultivation technique.

Soon, notifications rang in his ears, informing him of a slight 0.1 increase in stats and bringing a smile to his lips.

Engrossed in the sensation of improvement, he didn’t notice that his absorption rate increased and that Misha’s back shuddered.

Unable to endure anymore, she turned after a few minutes and flicked his forehead.

"Leave some for me, too!"

"What? Oh!" The air had become barren, only a few wisps twirling shyly. And somehow, it made him scratch his head and chuckle. "Sorry, I didn’t realise I absorbed everything."

She rolled her eyes and leaned forward before a soft kiss landed on his cheek.

"Be mindful next time." Then, she slid under the blanket and gestured for him to come to bed.

After a goodnight kiss, they fell asleep with broad smiles, satisfied by the business’ first day and anticipating the library’s visit.

***

They woke up at sunrise the next day, the fresh air ruffling their hair, and their flushed faces turned to the library.

Before going, they welcomed Xiu Ying for her first day of work. He gave her twenty pills to sell before he and Misha visited Shen and shared breakfast with him. Of course, Adam said he had no question about the cultivation technique and that everything was smooth sailing.

Not forgetting to thank Mei Lan for the delicious dishes, they bid them goodbye and finally went to the sect’s library.

Towering closest to the mountain, the building inspired a sense of ancient elegance with its red pagoda and pillars. Inside, he saw an elder recording a pile of booklets behind a large wooden table.

His steps echoed on the immaculate slabs as he approached the elder and cupped his fists.

"Good morning, Elder. We’d like to browse the sect’s collection and borrow a few battle techniques."

The elder put his brush down and raised his head, a frown creasing his brows as he sized their inner disciple’s robes.

"I’ve never seen you before. Who’s your master, children?"

Why did it matter? They exchanged a glance, rolling their eyes before Misha answered.

"Elder Shen Wu."

The elder’s eyes narrowed. "This reclusive old coot? Ha! Since when does he raise disciples instead of counting the sect’s possessions?" He smoothed his gray moustache, a sly grin tugging at his lips. "Why don’t you become my disciples? I’ll guide you much better than him." He leaned closer, whispering. "He’s hiding it, but he only has a few years to live because of some illness."

"We know." Misha shrugged. "So what? Maybe he’ll heal. Even if he doesn’t, he’s an honest cultivator. Do you really want us to betray his trust for a few advantages?" Her voice grew darker, and her golden eyes narrowed. "Would you trust someone like that?"

"You..." The elder’s jaw clenched before he exhaled. They were kids. It was normal if they didn’t place their interests first. But he couldn’t push too much without raising suspicion. "I offered you a path to greatness. Don’t regret today’s refusal in a few years."

Adam snorted. This elder was a poisonous viper. Join him? He was just trying his luck. Either Shen suddenly took two disciples because of their talents or because he felt the end was approaching. In both cases, the elder wouldn’t lose anything and could dismiss them anytime if they weren’t talented enough.

He clicked his tongue as the old viper pointed a finger at a flight of stairs.

"The manuals for new disciples are on the first floor. Why don’t you skip them? Those for foundation-building realm students are much better."

Adam nodded, chuckling.

"We’ll skip them, too. I bet those for soul transformation realm experts are on the sixth floor, right?" He gestured to Misha to follow him. "We’ll start there."

The elder paled, and his lips quivered. The kids would die without a doubt if they tried such high-level techniques! Worse, he’d face Shen’s accusations if he didn’t stop them but would lose face if he did.

He gritted his teeth, cursing their eagerness.

"Wait! Foundation-building realm techniques are the limit. The worst you risk is a little backlash. Above this level, only death awaits you. Anyway, I won’t allow you to leave this place with them!"

However, Adam smirked and stepped on the stairs with Misha.

"Who said we’ll leave? We can try a few here."

The elder slammed his palm on his desk, his face flushed. "You’re banned from this library until Shen shoves some common sense in your heads! Leave before I kick you out myself."

Misha rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Why is every elder about to ban you from his building each time you speak?"

"The first time was my bad, but now?" He let his voice linger and turned to the elder. He can’t ban us, anyway. Right, elder?"

The viper opened his mouth to retort, but he cut him off.

"Think about it a little more. Elders Shen Wu and Xu Fei are not the type of people I’d want to annoy. So we can stop this farce here or let it blow up."

He sneered, watching the aged man’s veins throb on his forehead as his fist clenched and unclenched on the desk.

’Must feel painful to be played by kids. Serves you right for trying to hurt us.’