Chapter 194: The Powerhouse
Xin Ma sat in the library behind the reception desk, his usual spot. The scent of ancient paper and the soft rustling of pages created a calm, familiar ambiance. A handful of disciples wandered through the towering shelves, their eyes scanning the spines of countless volumes. Most were searching for techniques to advance their training, their hopes secretly pinned on stumbling upon a coveted Earth Grade Technique hidden within the stacks.
However, not all were diligent. Some, after reading, carelessly left books strewn across tables or discarded on the floor, too lazy or preoccupied to return them to their proper places. It was supposed to be Shan Sha's job to organize the mess, but the old man was far from his prime, and his energy dwindled with each passing year. Knowing this, Xin Ma took it upon himself to maintain order. He would reprimand the thoughtless disciples, his stern gaze enough to make them squirm as they sheepishly gathered the books they'd left behind and returned them to their rightful shelves.
The library was relatively quiet, with only the soft murmur of students whispering to each other. The subtle scent of incense, burning at the corner of Xin Ma's reception desk, gently filled the air.
It had all become routine for Xin Ma; even the once-soothing scent of incense had faded into something ordinary, barely noticed anymore. The job had long since settled into a familiar rhythm in which Xin Ma's body moved through the motions almost automatically, shelving new books, organizing scrolls, and monitoring the disciples without much conscious thought. His mind often wandered to distant places or old memories while his hands performed the tasks that had become second nature.
Lately, Xin Ma's mind wandered more often, especially since Liu Feng had left. They hadn't seen each other frequently since Liu Feng joined the inner sect. But now, with him truly gone, even the occasional, unexpected visits had ceased.
He still didn't know why Liu Feng seemed so rushed when they last met. The only clue was that he mentioned a looming disaster, though Xin Ma could only guess the details.
The librarian trusted Liu Feng. This wasn't the kind of thing the young man would lie about. Xin Ma glanced around for the old librarian, but the man was nowhere to be found. It was typical—the old goat often disappeared at the most inconvenient times.
As Xin Ma relaxed, he sensed a powerful presence approaching the library. A black-robed man entered—his hair dark as ink, with a silvery sheen cascading over his shoulders. His cold, coal-black eyes scanned the room before locking onto Xin Ma.
The man's dark uniform marked him as an inner elder. He walked forward with silent steps, his expression as icy as his demeanor. He didn't even bother with the customary smile of polite authority, clearly indicating his disdain.