Xinding browsed the books on the second floor of the scripture library. According to the rules, he could only take one.

The assortment of texts was dazzling, leaving him overwhelmed and unsure of what to choose.

“Immortal Fairy, are there any hidden fortuitous opportunities on the second floor?” the Tofu Heavenly Sovereign asked the Dou Heavenly Sovereign.[1]

The Dou Heavenly Sovereign scanned the area with her immortal consciousness and shook her head. “Fortuitous opportunities like those on the first floor are gone. But there are other fortuitous opportunities.”

“What kind?”

“Do you see that monk sweeping the floor? He’s actually at the Advanced Transcendent Tribulation Stage.”

“To think such an expert is hiding here.” Lu Yang was startled. Luckily, I hadn’t rashly probed with my spiritual consciousness; otherwise, I would surely have been detected.

“Heavenly Sovereign, which book should I choose?”

“Immortal Fairy, which book should he choose?”

“You, Cyan Smoke, come over. Are there any good cultivation techniques on the second floor?”

The Cyan Smoke Venerable Lord came over, meek and obedient. Having lived for over a thousand years as a Transcendent Tribulation cultivator, he had multiple identities and had visited Xitian Temple’s scripture library several times. Among those in the Qingfeng Sword’s small world, he was the most familiar with Xitian Temple.

“How about the Six-Character Dharani Scripture?”

“No, that won’t do. It’s too difficult to learn.”

“What about the Great Compassion Incantation? It can purify the mind and soul.”

“No need. This little monk’s mind and soul are already pure enough.”

“What about the Great Light Incantation? It’s highly effective against soul attacks.”

“It sounds rather ordinary.”

“What about the Lion Roar? It’s a sonic attack that mimics a lion’s roar to intimidate enemies. Although only the first half of it is on the second floor, it should suffice for this little monk.”

“That is acceptable. Xiao Yangzi, have him choose Lion Roar.”

“Little monk, choose Lion Roar.”

“Alright.” Xinding deeply trusted the Tofu Heavenly Sovereign and took the first half of Lion Roar.

~~~

The treatment of martial monks was worlds apart from that of menial monks. Each martial monk had his own chan-meditation courtyard.

Upon returning to his courtyard, Xinding eagerly began reading Lion Roar.

After just a couple of glances, Xinding felt dizzy and found the technique difficult to grasp.

“Heavenly Sovereign, do you know Lion Roar? Could you teach it to me?”

The Tofu Heavenly Sovereign’s monotonous, hoarse voice came from the Qingfeng Sword. “Heh heh, this esteemed one has roamed the heavens and mastered myriad spells and techniques. What could I not know? But teaching you directly would harm you instead. Read it through several times first to gain a basic understanding, and then I will teach you.”

“Yes!”

The Tofu Heavenly Sovereign immediately turned to his golden finger cheat for help. “Immortal Fairy, do you know Lion Roar?”

“What’s there not to know? Lion Roar merely imitates the roar of lion-type demon beasts, bringing out its true intent to stabilize the mind for concentration. It’s just an ordinary technique.”

“Can you teach it to me?” Lu Yang asked, looking at the Everlasting Immortal Fairy with expectant eyes. He hoped to hug the Buddha’s feet and do some last-minute cramming.

“Lion-type demon beasts have never produced any formidable figures. The Suanni Tribe has some ability, but that’s about it. They’ve never produced even a single half-immortal.”

Since it was Lu Yang’s request, the Everlasting Immortal Fairy naturally agreed. But he is a loyal minister of the Great Dou Dynasty. Teaching him such an ordinary technique like Lion Roar won’t do.

If he’s going to learn something, it must be the best!

“Look at Little Ling, Lianyi, and the little white tiger. Their cries are far stronger than Lion Roar.”

“Dragon’s roar, phoenix’s cry, and tiger’s howl?” Lu Yang nodded. This is true, especially for the Qiongqi Tribe. Although they are poor, they have produced two half-immortals, more than the Dragon and Phoenix tribes. That is real strength.

Besides, the lion-type Suanni Tribe is merely a branch of the Dragon Tribe. It’s indeed not worth learning from them.

“Then should I learn their cries?” Lu Yang asked. The roar of dragons, the cry of phoenixes, and the howl of tigers all sound incredibly imposing.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy shook her head. “Of course not. Didn’t I just say? The principle of Lion Roar is to bring out the true intent of a lion’s roar. The stronger the lion you imitate, the more powerful the roar.”

“So?” Lu Yang had an ominous feeling.

The Everlasting Immortal Fairy flashed a clean smile without showing her teeth. “Little Ling and the others are indeed strong, but none of them is as strong as me. Xiao Yangzi, you just have to imitate my voice!

“Let me think. Since they call it Lion Roar, this immortal shall call it Immortal Fairy Shout.”

As she had never taught it to anyone before, she had to come up with the technique’s name on the spot.

Lu Yang. “...”

Immortal Fairy, that name doesn’t exactly make people want to learn it.

However, Lu Yang had to admit that the Everlasting Immortal Fairy’s reasoning was sound. The more accurately one imitates the target, the more powerful the roar.

He gritted his teeth. For the sake of growing stronger, I’ll learn it!

Hearing that Lu Yang wanted to learn it, the Everlasting Immortal Fairy broke into a delighted grin. She chased the irrelevant onlookers away. “Shoo, shoo, shoo. The three of you, stay far away.”

The Cyan Smoke Venerable Lord and the other two were forced to the edge of the small world. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

“Immortal Fairy, how do I learn it?” Since he had decided to learn, Lu Yang gave it his full attention.

“Follow this immortal. Ha—” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy opened her mouth wide like a kitten and let out a soft “ha.”

“Ha—” Lu Yang mimicked her earnestly.

“No, no, no. Imitate my voice. Ha—”

“Like this? Ha—”

“Still not right.” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy corrected him, pointing to her own mouth to demonstrate. “Watch the shape of my mouth.”

Lu Yang stared intently at the Everlasting Immortal Fairy’s mouth, studying every movement. The Immortal Fairy’s red lips are lovely. They pair well with her white teeth and her soft, pink tongue.

“Don’t keep staring at me.” The Everlasting Immortal Fairy pushed Lu Yang’s face aside, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. This feels strange.

Lu Yang looked perplexed. Weren’t you the one who told me to watch?

Oh well, Her Exalted Majesty’s word is law; whatever she says goes.

In just half a day, Lu Yang had learned the Immortal Fairy Shout. After all, being around the Everlasting Immortal Fairy all the time, imitating her voice wasn’t difficult.

“Ha—” Lu Yang reproduced the Everlasting Immortal Fairy’s voice. Its power was astonishing. The sonic waves took shape and shattered a mountaintop.

Next, Lu Yang cupped his hands like a loudspeaker and performed the Immortal Fairy Shout again. Its power increased by another level, even causing space to tremble.

Lu Yang was elated. It’s indeed far more powerful than the Buddhist Lion Roar!

The only issue is that it doesn’t sound intimidating.

“I didn’t lie to you, right? This move is very powerful. Not only can it immobilize enemies, but it also suppresses demon beasts. When they hear my voice, they’ll all be so terrified that they’ll prostrate on the ground!” the Everlasting Immortal Fairy said smugly. Which demon beast didn’t take to their heels upon hearing my voice in the ancient era?

“Heavenly Sovereign, I’ve read it several times. I roughly understand Lion Roar now. Can you teach me now?” Xinding closed the book. He massaged his temples and let out a breath. After spending half a day, he had finally understood the contents of the book.

Lu Yang inwardly groaned. I’d been so engrossed in learning Immortal Fairy Shout that I’d forgotten Xinding was still waiting outside.

Soon, the Tofu Heavenly Sovereign’s composed voice came from the Qingfeng Sword. “Your comprehension is not bad. This esteemed one will first teach you the Shapeshifting Technique.”

1. If you didn’t know already, the “dou” is the same character as in “doufu.” ☜