The next morning, Li Wei left his room.
His injuries had not fully healed, but walking was no longer a problem. More importantly, Zhao Yuan had not appeared again.
That absence made him uneasy.
So he didn't waste time.
The Azure Sect Library Pavilion stood quietly at the edge of the outer courtyard.
It wasn't tall—only three floors—but for outer disciples, the first floor was already precious. It held basic cultivation manuals, common techniques, and low-grade elemental arts.
Li Wei entered with Wang Hao, the fatty waddling beside him.
"So many books…" Wang Hao muttered, eyes shining. "If I had money, I'd live here."
Li Wei didn't respond. His gaze swept the shelves calmly.
He wasn't here to browse.
He was here to survive.
Wind, fire, water, earth…
His fingers paused.
A thin, worn manual sat quietly between thicker books.
Wind blade: Wind Condensation Technique
Li Wei took it out.
The moment his eyes skimmed the first page, something strange happened.
The words felt… familiar.
Not remembered—understood.
As if the circulation paths, the compression points, the release patterns—he already knew them.
Li Wei frowned slightly.
"…So that's how it works."
He didn't dwell on it.
All-elemental affinity meant comprehension speed far beyond normal. There was no need to overthink something that clearly belonged to him now.
He closed the book.
From the second floor, a figure paused mid-step.
A senior sister, dressed in light blue robes, glanced down casually—then frowned.
Just now…
She felt a flicker.
Sharp, fleeting, like wind gathering and dispersing in an instant.
But when she looked again, all she saw was a quiet outer disciple holding a book.
She shook her head lightly.
"Probably nothing."
And continued on her way.
Outside the library, Li Wei handed the book registration token back and turned to Wang Hao.
"Thanks."
Wang Hao blinked. "Huh? For what?"
"For bringing me here."
The fatty scratched his head and grinned. "Don't die."
Li Wei nodded.
Then he left.
Back in his room, Li Wei sat down—but didn't start cultivating immediately.
I can't waste time.
One seal had already almost killed him.
The Heavenly One-Second Law wouldn't grow gentler just because he was careful.
He needed power.
Enough power that when hostility descended, it would end in one second.
He was just about to begin—
A knock.
"Li Wei?"
Su Qing stepped in, holding a small jade bottle.
"I brought you something," she said softly. "A cultivation pill. It's not high-grade, but it'll help."
Li Wei hesitated.
He didn't like owing people.
But she placed it in his hand anyway.
"You need it more than I do," she said, smiling.
"…Thank you."
She hesitated at the door, then added, "Oh—Zhao Yuan left the sect this morning. He took a mission."
Li Wei's eyes narrowed slightly.
"When will he return?"
"I don't know," Su Qing replied. "But… you don't need to worry for a while."
After she left, Li Wei stared at the pill in his palm.
A while.
That was all the time Heaven was willing to give him.
He swallowed the pill.
Sat down.
And closed his eyes.
"This time," Li Wei said quietly,
"I'll cultivate longer."
The wind outside the window stirred.
And did not stop.