For over a decade, Ji Changkong had repeatedly imagined entering the Repository, poring over the ancient texts within, hoping to discover a method to gather his Yuan Force. But now that he had finally stepped inside today, he felt a wave of bewilderment wash over him… For years, every time Ji Changkong attempted to gather Yuan Force, he would feel an inexplicable, burning pain throughout his body—a searing agony so profound and intense that he would often pass out mid-attempt.

Yet, despite this, over seventeen years, Ji Changkong had never once surrendered! As soon as his body recovered even slightly, he would resume his efforts, enduring the heart-piercing pain to gather the internal Yuan Force again and again… Many times, Ji Changkong could vaguely sense the Yuan Force beginning to circulate within him, but the moment that happened, an overwhelming, irresistible stabbing pain would erupt in his skull, instantly plunging him into unconsciousness!

When he awoke, there were never any signs of Yuan Force circulating inside; Ji Changkong could only dismiss it as a fleeting, beautiful illusion just before he blacked out. Seventeen years had passed, and no matter how many times he tried, the result remained the same.

Perhaps this was why Ji Changkong had been frail and sickly since childhood; the harder he tried to gather Yuan Force, the weaker his body became. Countless deep nights were spent waking up in a cold sweat, the very marrow in his bones aching with phantom pain he felt even in his sleep!

No other son of the Ji Family was like him. Even collateral descendants who hadn't yet gathered Yuan Force were robust and rarely ill.

Those disciples who could gather Yuan Force found the process smooth and exhilarating; none suffered the arduous, agonizing struggle he endured! No one in the Ji Family knew the cause of Ji Changkong’s strange condition.

Even his grandfather, Ji Yusheng, who cherished him most in his youth, had to reluctantly give up after repeated, fruitless attempts to help him gather Yuan Force, tacitly accepting the painful reality that Changkong could never become a Heavenly Scholar. Everyone else had given up, but Ji Changkong himself never had!

For seventeen years, countless days and nights were spent in silent solitude, focusing on gathering Yuan Force, enduring the piercing pain, trying again and again until he passed out from the agony! Then, as soon as he regained consciousness, he would immediately continue his efforts, only to faint again… The day Ji Changkong learned that the Ji Family possessed a Scripture Repository holding the secrets and specialized techniques of the Heavenly Scholars, he fixed it as his sole hope!

Now, finally standing within its halls, looking at the rows of shelved texts, Ji Changkong had to force himself to take deep, measured breaths to maintain composure, lest he act rashly. The first floor of the Repository held the most scrolls; stacks of scriptures were sparsely arranged across three rows of rosewood bookcases.

However, upon flipping through a few, Ji Changkong realized that most of the books on the rosewood shelves merely elaborated on the general stages of a Heavenly Scholar or discussed basic cultivation principles—miscellaneous writings. The true scriptures detailing the secret methods and specialized techniques for Heavenly Scholar cultivation were few, all relegated to the smallest bookshelf tucked away in the east corner of this floor.

At this moment, that area was already surrounded by a throng of Ji Family youths, making it seem difficult for Ji Changkong to squeeze in. Watching the dense crowd packed around the east corner, Ji Changkong quietly pondered what approach he could use to push his way through.

Yet, before he could even get close, he felt a powerful force surge into his left shoulder. Caught completely off guard, Ji Changkong stumbled, staggered back several paces diagonally, lost his balance, and landed squarely on his backside.

“Idiot! How dare you block my way!” Ji Changle snorted.

Arriving a moment later, he first shoved Ji Changkong to the ground before casting a contemptuous glance his way, sneering, “A failure like you dares to come to the Repository. Hmph, yesterday, it was because of that single plate of lettuce you served that my father scolded me!

And you actually made the whole Ji clan wait on an empty stomach for you during the assessment! What right do you have, Ji Changkong?

Such airs!” With that, Ji Changle arrogantly glanced at the collateral descendants huddled around the east corner, scrambling to peruse the secret techniques on the first floor, then, not daring to waste more time, he stomped off toward the second floor. Following Ji Changle, the direct descendants Ji Changxiao, Ji Changsheng, Ji Yueqing, and Ji Xiaolian also entered.

“Brother Changkong, you’re here so early?” Ji Xiaolian pouted her small tongue playfully at Ji Changkong and waved a greeting. Ji Changkong, who had just managed to sit up from the floor, forced a smile and nodded to Ji Xiaolian but offered no further words.

Apart from Ji Xiaolian, the other three—Ji Changxiao, Ji Changsheng, and Ji Yueqing—didn’t spare Ji Changkong a second glance. Ji Changxiao and Ji Changsheng immediately stomped upwards to the next floor, while Ji Yueqing, head held high and haughty, pulled Ji Xiaolian toward the east corner of the first floor.

The collateral descendants who had previously packed the east corner, upon seeing Ji Yueqing and Ji Xiaolian approach, began jostling and squeezing each other, miraculously clearing out two spots in that palm-sized area, smiling obsequiously as they invited the two girls in. The Ji Family upheld strict ancestral rules; the status of direct-line descendants far surpassed that of collateral kin!

Of course, Ji Changkong, unable to gather Yuan Force, was an exception to this structure. Even among the direct descendants, any who failed to become Heavenly Scholars existed precariously, forced to swallow their pride and endure, having no recourse in the power-centric Ji Family.

The reason Ji Changxiao, Ji Changsheng, Ji Changle, Ji Yueqing, and Ji Xiaolian—the four direct grandchildren of Ji Yusheng—could treat the collateral disciples with such arrogance was not solely due to their direct lineage, but primarily because they possessed Heavenly Scholar strength far superior to their cousins. Setting aside the three leading young men—Ji Changxiao, Ji Changsheng, and Ji Changle—even the girls, Ji Yueqing and Ji Xiaolian, were stronger than the collateral disciples.

In this year’s assessment, Ji Yueqing and Ji Xiaolian had secured fourth and fifth place, respectively, leaving the collateral disciples far behind! This was the very foundation of their arrogant confidence!

One of the Ji Family’s rules, and the most important one, was enshrined: Strength is supreme! Even a collateral descendant, provided they possessed strength surpassing that of a direct descendant, could act presumptuously before them, and no one would dare utter a word of protest!

With such a rule established, even Ji Changkong’s own grandfather, Ji Yusheng, and his aunt, Ji Wanyun, could only tacitly accept this reality, resorting only to subtle methods to secure meager benefits for Ji Changkong. “Brother Changkong, come over here!

Before we left, Father said the secret manuals and techniques on this east corner shelf are the truly useful ones. Hurry up and come!” Once settled in the corner, Ji Xiaolian waved sweetly at Ji Changkong, snuggling close to Ji Yueqing’s side, attempting to clear a spot for him.

Suddenly, the collateral disciples gathered at the east corner shot gazes like killing intent directly toward Ji Changkong. They stared coldly, conveying that if Ji Changkong accepted the invitation, they would join forces to eliminate him.

They dared not challenge Ji Xiaolian, so they could only threaten Ji Changkong with their eyes. The Ji Family youths were naturally sturdy and tall.

To clear two spots for Ji Yueqing and Ji Xiaolian, the few grown men were already pressed tightly against one another. Adding Ji Changkong into the mix would mean they wouldn't just be close—they would have to be practically embracing!

The mere thought of several broad-shouldered youths clinging to one another, wrapped intimately together, made them shudder with disgust! Ji Changkong was reasonably discerning.

Under the chilling, murderous looks of the collateral disciples, he managed a bitter smile, shook his head at Ji Xiaolian, and politely refused: “Never mind, I’ll look around here first.” “Xiaolian, quickly look at this one, the ‘Azure Lotus Art’—it even has ‘Lotus’ in the name!” Fearing Ji Xiaolian might insist on letting Ji Changkong in, Ji Yueqing quickly pulled out a Heavenly Scholar technique manual and offered it to her. “Oh.” Ji Xiaolian did not press the issue further.

Her attention was instantly captured by the ‘Azure Lotus Art’ Ji Yueqing held. This was Ji Xiaolian’s first time in the Repository, and everything felt wonderfully new; thus, she quickly forgot about Ji Changkong, standing alone on the periphery.

Three days. I still have three days left; there will be an opportunity!

Taking a deep breath, Ji Changkong clenched his fists tightly.