Chapter 12: Affinities and the Pavilion's Secrets
The next morning, Lin Xuan found Elder Danfeng waiting for him in the alchemy courtyard, hands clasped behind his back.
"Before you run off to bury yourself in the Scripture Pavilion," the elder began, "we should determine exactly what your elemental affinities are."
Lin Xuan offered a polite nod. "As Master wishes."
Danfeng led him into a side hall lined with glowing crystal pillars. "These affinity crystals will respond to your qi when you touch them. They will display your natural strengths and guide the type of arts you should focus on."
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The Test
Lin Xuan placed his palm against the first crystal.
It flared instantly, a deep, scorching crimson. Fire affinity—no surprise there.
The next crystal erupted into a storm of silver arcs. Lightning affinity.
The third… shimmered oddly, rippling with a distortion that seemed to bend the light itself. The attending disciple gasped. "Space affinity?! That's—"
Elder Danfeng raised a hand to silence him, but his own brows were drawn together. "Such strong reactions… Fire, Lightning, and Space? These are not common combinations."
He stepped back, studying Lin Xuan. "Your qi channels must have been altered, likely from some great opportunity or body refinement treasure. The triple affinity means your cultivation potential is far greater than most. But you must be careful—such affinities draw eyes."
Lin Xuan felt a twinge of relief. He didn't need to fabricate an explanation—Danfeng had done it for him. "I… see. That must be it."
The elder nodded, clearly satisfied. "For now, you should acquire techniques that build on your strengths. A defensive art for your survival, and an offensive art to make use of these elements. The Pavilion's first three floors will have much to offer you."
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The Scripture Pavilion
The tower loomed ahead, its white stone walls etched with ancient runes. Disciples streamed in and out, but the jade token at Lin Xuan's waist granted him a clear path past the guards.
Inside, rows of carved shelves stretched endlessly upward, each holding neatly sealed jade slips and scrolls. The air smelled faintly of aged paper and sandalwood.
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First Floor — introductory arts and foundation manuals. Not worth his time.
Second Floor — more refined techniques, suitable for inner disciples.
On the third floor, his steps slowed. Here, each manual radiated a subtle pressure, the weight of real power.
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Choosing the Arts
For defense, a jade slip caught his eye: "Aegis of Shifting Skies"—a barrier technique that merged elemental qi into a layered shield. Most cultivators could only merge two elements, but with his triple affinity, the barrier could be reinforced far beyond its standard limits.
For attack, he found "Heavenstorm Lance", a spear art forged for lightning cultivators, with branches for incorporating fire or wind. Its advanced forms could tear open space itself for devastating thrusts.
He tucked both under his arm.
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Unwanted Attention
As he descended, a pair of inner sect disciples stepped into his path. The taller one eyed the jade slips in Lin Xuan's hand, then his plain outer disciple robes.
"Outer disciple?" the man sneered. "You shouldn't be on this floor, much less holding techniques meant for core disciples."
Lin Xuan's expression didn't change. "Direct disciple of Elder Danfeng."
The shorter disciple frowned, clearly recognizing the name—but instead of backing down, he smirked. "So the rumors are true. The old man picked up a stray. Let's hope you can survive long enough to make use of those techniques."
Lin Xuan walked past without a word, but his mind noted the encounter. Word of his status was already spreading—and not all of it was welcome.
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Back in his courtyard, he set the two manuals before him, eyes calm but resolute.
With Aegis of Shifting Skies for defense and Heavenstorm Lance for offense, his path forward was clear.
And if anyone tried to take it from him… they'd learn exactly what triple affinities could do.
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