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It must be said, the number of secret manuals on the first floor of the library was truly astonishing—over a hundred wooden shelves were placed here, all filled with martial arts manuals.

However, the quality of these martial arts manuals was, at best, only at the upper tier of the Mortal Rank. Many of these manuals were extremely common and ordinary; the only reason they were placed here was for the family to boost their numbers and put on a show.

“Tiger Fist, Raging Storm Kick, Falling Lotus Finger, Fish Leaps Three Steps... What a mess!”

Looking at the dazzling array of martial arts manuals, Edward Carter was almost overwhelmed, and couldn’t help but curse inwardly. Many of the martial arts manuals on the first floor of the library were so ordinary that if you threw them on the ground, no one would even bother to pick them up.

Among the three great families of Burning Town, the The Carter Family had the shortest history and the shallowest foundation. So, in order to save face, the ancestors of the The Carter Family stuffed many common manuals onto the shelves to make up the numbers, so as not to be laughed at by members of the other two families.

But as a result, it was tough for Edward Carter. Trying to find the manual from his past life’s memories among so many was no easy task.

Unknowingly, an hour passed, and Edward Carter still hadn’t found the manual from his memory, while the little girl was already leaning against a shelf, dozing off sleepily.

At this moment, Brian Carter’s voice came from outside the door: “Elder Harris, I’ve chosen my manual.”

“[Po Jun Fist]!” Elder Harris’s voice sounded surprised. “Brian Carter, you’re now at the third level of Warrior, just meeting the minimum requirement to practice a Spirit Rank martial art. Are you sure you want to choose this one?”

“Yes, this is Grandfather’s wish.”

“Oh.” Elder Harris said no more.

“Haha, with Young Master Han’s genius, how could there be any problem cultivating [Po Jun Fist]? Unlike a certain unrelated person, who can only choose Mortal Rank martial arts.” David Carter’s laughter rang out, gradually fading away.

At this moment, Edward Carter was still wandering in front of row after row of shelves, frowning as he searched carefully. He was not impatient; decades of hardship in his previous life had already forged his terrifying patience.

“Brother Mo, haven’t you chosen yet? I’m hungry.” The little girl woke up from her nap, her stomach growling with hunger.

“Huh!”

Out of the corner of his eye, Edward Carter suddenly saw an old, worn manual scattered in the shadows at the corner of the wall.

The cover of the manual was covered in dust, and only two characters could be vaguely made out—Hui Feng...

“Hui Feng!”

Picking up the manual and brushing off the dust, Edward Carter saw the full name of the martial art, a look of joy flashing in his eyes. “That’s right, this is the one.”

“Come on, let’s go.”

Holding the manual, Edward Carter went to the entrance to register with Elder Harris.

“Hmm, [Hui Feng Sword Finger]? A mid-tier Mortal Rank martial art.”

Looking at the [Hui Feng Sword Finger], Elder Harris frowned. “Edward Carter, you’re the patriarch’s grandson, and I watched you grow up. Let me nag a bit—The Carter Family’s martial arts are known for their fist techniques. This manual is for sword finger cultivation, which may conflict with our The Carter Family’s foundational fist techniques. Also, I’ve looked through this [Hui Feng Sword Finger] in my early years; it’s quite difficult to cultivate, and its power doesn’t match up to fist technique manuals of the same rank. Are you sure you want to choose this one?”

“Elder Harris, I understand. I just found the [Hui Feng Sword Finger] rather unique and wanted to take it back to study.” Edward Carter replied with a smile.

In fact, Edward Carter also guessed that, precisely because the The Carter Family was famous for its fist techniques, all the The Carter Family disciples and guards focused on practicing fist arts. Moreover, [Hui Feng Sword Finger] was a mid-tier Mortal Rank martial art and not easy to cultivate. There were over a hundred mid-tier Mortal Rank manuals on the first floor of the library, so over time, no one was interested in it.

“All right then.” Elder Harris shook his head and said no more.

After registering, Edward Carter smiled and left with the little girl.

Watching Edward Carter’s departing figure, Elder Harris shook his head again and muttered, “I thought that after eight years, this kid finally broke through to the Warrior realm and would be a bit more steady in temperament. Who would have thought he’s even worse than when he was six, actually choosing a sword finger technique to cultivate? It will definitely affect his progress in fist techniques, and the gap with Brian Carter will only grow wider. Sigh, for Richard Carter to have such a grandson, it’s truly a tragedy.”

Pa!

Opposite him, a long tree branch holding a chess piece dropped it onto the board, and an old voice came from the tree: “Old Man Harris, focus on the game, don’t worry about anything else. Even if the The Carter Family is turned upside down, what does it have to do with us?”

“After staying in the The Carter Family for so many years, there’s always some attachment. Do you think I’m as heartless as you?” Elder Harris glared at the big tree and said, “Why don’t you use your ‘Spirit Turtle Divination’ to predict the future achievements of these two brats, Edward Carter and Brian Carter?”

“Hmph! Old Man Harris, do you think I can’t see through your little scheme? You just want to predict their achievements to foresee the outcome of the The Carter Family’s two factions’ struggle.”

The old voice in the tree paused, then said proudly, “The talents of these two brats aren’t even worth me using the ‘Spirit Turtle Divination’. Even eight years ago, when Edward Carter was at his best, he wasn’t qualified. You’d better save it. Play chess!”

Elder Harris shook his head helplessly, picked up a chess piece, and placed it on the board.

Chapter 9: The Trajectory of the Wind