William Bennett was slightly taken aback when he heard this, but upon recalling the Zhao family’s newly issued clan rules, he immediately understood.

　　“Elder, please speak.”

　　William Bennett understood that without absolute strength, he had no right to bargain.

　　The white-robed elder said expressionlessly, “Disciples at the second level of martial arts may only enter the first floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion. On the first floor, there are many low-level martial arts, as well as a few intermediate ones. Core clan disciples may choose up to two intermediate martial arts or four low-level martial arts to take out and practice, for a period of two months; branch clan disciples may choose at most one intermediate martial art or two low-level martial arts, for a period of one month.”

　　After hearing the rules, William Bennett took a deep breath. “I understand, elder.”

　　The rules of the Xuanwu Pavilion made a huge distinction between the treatment of core and branch clan disciples.

　　Whether in the number of choices or the time allowed for practice, branch clan disciples were at a clear disadvantage—about half as much as the core clan disciples.

　　“Good! You may enter now. You have half an hour.”

　　With the white-robed elder’s permission, William Bennett slowly stepped into the Xuanwu Pavilion, a place he had always dreamed of…

Chapter 005: Choosing Martial Arts (Part 1)

　　The Xuanwu Pavilion was the martial arts stronghold of the clan, housing a collection of martial arts manuals passed down through hundreds of years of the Zhao family’s history, for the younger generation to study and comprehend, ensuring the clan’s continued prosperity.

　　Often, the quantity and quality of martial arts manuals could be used to measure a family’s strength and heritage.

　　William Bennett remembered that in the Zhao family of Qingye Town, where he used to live, there was nothing like this institution.

　　The Xuanwu Pavilion was divided into three floors.

　　The first floor contained a vast number of manuals, mostly low-level martial arts, with a few intermediate ones.

　　The second floor was said to house the essence of the clan’s martial arts manuals, mostly advanced, and even a handful of top-tier martial arts!

　　But to enter the second floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion, one needed to be at least a true martial artist at the fourth level of martial arts.

　　As for the highest, third floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion, it remained shrouded in legend and had never been opened to outsiders…

　　For William Bennett, not to mention the second or third floor—even the martial arts manuals on the first floor were things he could only dream of before.

　　In the Zhao clan, he had neither background nor exceptional talent. Previously, he had only practiced the Flame Steel Fist, a basic technique that was far inferior even to low-level martial arts.

　　Now, having advanced to the second level of martial arts, he was finally qualified to enter the first floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion and choose a technique of his own.

　　“The Zhao family truly deserves to be one of the three great families of Yuyang City, standing above hundreds of other families.”

　　William Bennett stepped onto the first floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion, feeling a bit tense.

　　On the first floor, he could see a few scattered Zhao clan disciples, all making the most of their time to select techniques suitable for themselves.

　　According to the rules, the time allowed in the Xuanwu Pavilion was only half an hour.

　　Therefore, everyone who entered the pavilion was racing against the clock.

　　“Half an hour—I need to choose one intermediate technique, or two low-level techniques.”

　　William Bennett took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the rows of bookshelves.

　　On the first floor of the Xuanwu Pavilion, there were thousands of martial arts manuals, each about half an inch thick. To pick one or two suitable ones from such a vast sea of manuals was truly not easy.

　　“‘Stone Shattering Palm,’ ‘Furious Dragon Fist,’ ‘Willow Leaf Star-Picking Sword,’ ‘Heavenly Wind Step’…”

　　All kinds of martial arts manuals dazzled William Bennett’s eyes.

　　Swish! Swish! …

　　William Bennett quickly flipped through the first pages of these martial arts manuals.

　　These manuals usually had a comprehensive overview on the first page.

　　“‘Gale Blade’: Blade technique as swift as the wind, as fierce as thunder, relying on speed to win. Requires first level of martial arts, average difficulty. Martial arts grade: low-level.

　　‘Furious Dragon Fist’: Can enhance the practitioner’s internal qi and blood, instantly condensing it to overwhelm opponents, with astonishing explosive power. Requires second level of martial arts, relatively high difficulty. Martial arts grade: peak intermediate.

　　‘Heavenly Wind Step’: A close-combat footwork technique that uses slowness to control movement. When mastered, allows one to contend with several opponents of the same level without defeat. Requires first level of martial arts, but demands a certain level of comprehension. Martial arts grade: intermediate.

　　‘Iron Steel Sand’: A body-tempering technique to enhance physique and defense. When fully activated, can withstand attacks from opponents of the same level. Those who master it can resist blades and swords with their flesh. Requires second level of martial arts, high difficulty, demands great willpower and perseverance. Martial arts grade: intermediate.

　　…”

　　“The martial arts manuals in the Xuanwu Pavilion are indeed far superior to basic techniques…”

　　William Bennett was overjoyed, focusing mostly on the intermediate martial arts.

　　After just a quick look at a dozen or so manuals, William Bennett was already tempted several times.

　　However, the Xuanwu Pavilion had its restrictions. Having advanced to the second level of martial arts, he could only take out one intermediate martial arts manual at most.

　　If only he could take a few more…

　　William Bennett felt quite unwilling and a bit resentful: “Branch clan disciples can only choose one intermediate martial art, while core clan disciples can choose two.”

　　To speed up his selection, William Bennett secretly activated his left eye.

　　Even without deliberately using his left eye, William Bennett’s reading speed was already far above average.

　　Now, using the ability of his left eye, his speed increased more than tenfold…

　　Swish swish swish…

　　William Bennett’s left eye flickered rapidly as he flipped through the martial arts manuals at a terrifying speed.

　　He only needed a glance at each manual to see everything clearly.