In a large hall of a mansion, Ikasa sat opposite Sang Yi. Xin Ruo stood by his side while the members of Nian Clan stood behind Sang Yi.
The morning rays of sun glimmered on Ikasa, enhancing his charisma. His mere action of taking out two glossy manuals from his storage space seemed breathtaking and glamorous because of the lighting.
"Brother Sang, these are the two High Grade Cultivation Techniques in my possession. These are the energy path diagrams depicted in those manuals."
Ikasa spoke, placing the two embossed manuals on the table between them. He gently pushed the manual and the hand drawn diagrams towards Sang Yi, asking him to take a look.
Sang Yi looked into Ikasa's eyes as he picked up one of the diagrams placed on the table. His stormy gray eyes studied Ikasa, a young man from a Tier-3 City who claimed to possess something that many powers from tier-2 Cities did not have.
Sang Yi looked at the schematics of the Energy Path intended and his eyes widened. He had never seen an Energy Path as incredible as shown in the diagram. It encompassed almost the entire body and was almost twice as long as any ordinary High Grade Technique.
In fact, he would believe it if he was told that this was a Top-Grade Technique!
"A Top-Grade Technique? It is too good to be true…."
Sang Yi mumbled as his forehead wrinkled with frown.
'How can a small power from a tier-3 City possess such an incredulous Cultivation technique? Judging from the fresh ink, this diagram was drawn recently.'
A dark thought came to his mind. Suspicious of being taken advantage of, Sang Yi looked up. As he stared at Ikasa, his eyes turned into narrow slits.
"I am a straightforward man. Does that mean I am easy to fool? Do you people think I am a gullible idiot?"
Sang Yi spoke in a cold voice, throwing the diagram of intended Energy Path on the table.
Over the night, Sang Yi had enough time to think about the wondrous manuals propounded by Xin Ruo. His pessimism didn't allow him a shred of hope to believe that the manuals were as amazing as she said.
'It is impossible for a tier-3 City level power to have decent martial arts for sale, let alone High-Grade Cultivation Techniques,' His mind said.
Still, he decided to take a look, going against his inner voice that constantly said that he would be disappointed.
Ikasa looked at Sang Yi and understood what might be the problem from his mumbling. The man sitting before him was afraid of being duped. He was unable to believe in the authenticity of the manuals because of how long the energy path was.
"When you see everything with prejudiced eyes, one even fails to recognize the opportunity in hands."
The owner of the GHBG spoke words of wisdom while looking pointedly at the young leader of the Nian Clan.
Sang Yi was startled by how accurately the words described his current condition. His heart was sent into turmoil by his words.
'Should I trust him or not?'
A conflict erupted in his heart around this question. His mind said that it was impossible for the diagram to be true. But he wanted to trust the small hope that had sprouted in his heart when he first heard of these manuals from Xin Ruo.
"Are these manuals…. real? Is that Energy Path genuine?"
Sang Yi asked with doubt and hope.
Ikasa saw the same anxious expression reflected in the eyes of the four people standing behind Sang Yi.
A serene smile bloomed on his face as Ikasa gently nodded yes in response. His tranquil expression glowing in the golden rays of morning sun made people want to trust him.
Sang Yi once again picked up the scroll depicting the Energy Path he had thrown on the table.
He still could not believe the authenticity of the diagram, so he passed it to his companions with a question.
"Do you think this might be real?"
The four huddled together and discussed excitedly. They were enamored by the ingenious route carved through the body. The Energy Path meandered and turned, enabling the energy to reach even the difficult to access areas of the Spiritual Body.
A small smirk formed on his face as he saw them chatter with admiration while studying the Energy Path.
'They are unable to believe the energy path of the [Dumb Belle's Guide to Strength]. Wouldn't their brains stop working if they saw the Energy Path of [Around the Body in 80 Breaths]?'
Ikasa gloated in his heart as he waited for them to come to a verdict. A few breaths later, they had still not finished their discussion.
Ikasa's patience was running thin. He interrupted their debate and asked, "Is there anyone whose Energy Path conflicts with the path shown in the diagram?"
The five of them looked at Ikasa with confusion. Still, none of them replied positively.
Assured that using his Manual would not cause deviation in Energy cultivation, Ikasa tossed the [Dumb Belle's Guide to Strength.] to the girl with the smallest tattoo.
"Open that manual and read the first few lines."
Ikasa ordered authoritatively. The girl felt the aura of Slaughter God she had witnessed inside the Rift. She quickly followed his instructions.
Sang Yi furrowed his brow with slight displeasure seeing Ikasa mistreat his companions, but he did not say a word.
The girl was surrounded by an energy vortex as soon as she did as Ikasa said. Her comrades panicked and looked at Ikasa for answers.
Sang Yi stood up abruptly and leaned forward on the table, trying to look more imposing as he questioned Ikasa with gritted teeth.
"What did you do?"
Ikasa simply smiled and calmly reclined back into his chair. Without a hint of discomfort, he replied, " I am just proving the authenticity of my manuals."
"She," Ikasa pointed to the girl consumed by the gust of energy with his chin, "will provide the proof. If her Energy Path is different from the one shown in the Diagram, I will give you 100 Dings of Prime Gold Ores."
His declaration caused eyes to widen and jaws to drop.
The members of Nian Clan could not believe Ikasa's offer. They quietly muttered '100 Dings', as they looked at the energy cocoon formed around the girl.
They didn't know what they should wish for; For the Energy Path to be the same as the diagram or for it to differ!