The strongest warrior of the Great Qian Dynasty

Hearing Li Qingshan's refusal, Xiao Ruoqing didn't mind. Instead, she nodded thoughtfully and said:

"That's fine then. Anyway, he's just a worker. The fact that Grandpa Guo thinks highly of you shows that you have quite a talent for martial arts. If you marry into the Marquis's family in the future, you'll definitely have a place there."

These words immediately changed the expressions of everyone present.

Marrying into a noble family!

This is an amazing opportunity that countless people would kill for!

This is practically like achieving instant success; many people want to do it, but don't even have the opportunity.

Li Qingshan frowned.

Why do these people even think of marrying into another family?

Can't they take the initiative?

Not wanting to continue the conversation, Li Qingshan changed the subject:

"I heard that the Prince of Zhenbei is not very old, but he has already become a Grandmaster-level expert."

There are also rumors that breaking through to the Venerable Master realm can greatly prolong lifespan, reduce changes in appearance, and even allow one's appearance to remain incorrupt for a hundred years. Why is this Master Guo...?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ruoqing pondered for a moment before dismissing her attendants.

The second young lady's face unusually showed a solemn expression as she spoke with great care:

"Li Qingshan, the fact that Grandpa Guo has taken a liking to you shows that you have exceptional talent and are very likely to break through to the Grandmaster level in the future. And your relationship with my eldest sister is also very special, so I consider you one of my own."

After a pause, as if giving Li Qingshan a chance to process the information, Xiao Ruoqing slowly said:

"As far as I know, there are three methods to break through from the True Qi realm to the Grandmaster realm in martial arts cultivation."

I do not practice martial arts, so I do not know the specifics, but I do know that the Prince of Zhenbei likely broke through using the most advanced methods, which is why he is different from ordinary people.

His current level is not that of a grandmaster, but rather the legendary Celestial Realm, a level rarely seen even once in a thousand years.

Celestial beings?!

Li Qingshan kept recalling the descriptions of the Celestial Realm in the "Secret Essentials of True Qi"—

"The Celestials are not human; they are comparable to immortals on earth. They are in harmony with the four seasons; their actions bring natural disasters, and their anger causes celestial changes..."

Perhaps the descriptions in "The Secret Essentials of True Qi" are a bit too extreme.

However, it is also possible to achieve this in the world of martial arts.

Li Qingshan grasped another key point: only those who have broken through to the Celestial Realm to a great extent can truly conceal their appearance.

In other words, Guo Xiaotian's breakthrough to the Grandmaster level was largely achieved through the use of elixirs!

So that's why he didn't realize he was practicing the "Purifying White Lotus Mantra" and treated himself like an ordinary person?

Various thoughts began to swirl in Li Qingshan's mind.

Xiao Ruoqing did not linger there. After exchanging a few more polite words, she hurriedly headed towards Tiantong Academy.

Guo Xiaotian's appearance sometimes represents a signal, and even more so, a will.

……

They left the Marquis's residence.

This time, Li Qingshan did not return directly to Shuiyun Pavilion, but instead headed towards the largest bookstore in Lin'an City.

Yong'an Bookstore.

Upon entering, Li Qingshan was greeted by a strong stench of rotting books mixed with the stench of ink.

The intensity of this aroma is comparable to that of a tuberose barrel.

However, the students and scholars passing by seemed to be immersed in this atmosphere, their faces showing a look of intoxication.

Many people were even whispering among themselves while looking at the books on the bookshelf, as if they were commenting on something.

Li Qingshan attracted the attention of the shop assistant as soon as he entered the store.

The waiter, dressed in a black uniform, was just an ordinary person, but he moved with extraordinary agility, dodging several customers and quickly running to Li Qingshan. He whispered:

"Sir, what kind of books would you like to read?"

Our library contains a vast collection of books from various schools of thought and numerous historical records; whatever you need, we have it here.

As Li Qingshan looked at the book's categories, he asked:

"Do you have any books about martial arts training?"

That's right, Li Qingshan came here to brush up on his knowledge of martial arts.

Although his cultivation level was quite high, his attack methods and common sense about martial arts were extremely shallow.

"Well... sir, to be honest, the books in our library are for scholars. While we do have the martial arts books you're looking for, they may not be properly stored. Please forgive us."

Li Qingshan nodded and sat down at a table, gesturing for the waiter to fetch him the book.

Taking advantage of this moment, Li Qingshan observed the people coming and going in the library.

Some people have white hair, yet their lives are extremely impoverished. Their robes are patched with several of the same color, and they hurry to and fro.

Some people are very arrogant, looking down on everyone they meet. They wear gorgeous clothes, have a high status, and leave after looking down on everyone.

But more often, however, were young students with slightly furrowed brows, constantly flipping through books, occasionally scribbling something in their notebooks, before quickly leaving with a few thin books.

This small bookstore perfectly showcases the diverse lives of scholars.

"Sir, all the books you requested are here."

The waiter arrived with several books, looking somewhat disheveled.

Li Qingshan frowned slightly.

These few books are just like "The Secret Essentials of True Qi," which only talks about random things and cannot achieve one's purpose at all.

Seeing Li Qingshan's displeasure, the waiter quickly spoke up:

"Please don't be angry, sir. I only brought some catalogs. There are too many books on martial arts, and even quite a few on cultivation, so I brought the catalogs to broaden your horizons."

Li Qingshan was delighted and casually gave the waiter some silver coins. He then immediately began to look through the book catalog.

Sure enough, Li Qingshan noticed many things he had never paid attention to during his usual cultivation just by glancing at the table of contents.

In a short time, he benefited greatly just from looking at the catalog.

……

As dusk fell.

Wu Ziming, who had just finished his work and was about to return to the backyard to cultivate, saw Li Qingshan holding a book and quickly greeted him.

"Shopkeeper, you're back?"

Li Qingshan nodded, and was about to return to his room when he remembered something and said:

"You've been working hard lately, so here's a little bonus for you. You can read more martial arts books in your spare time, which will greatly benefit your training."

Wu Ziming nodded thoughtfully, but his mind was full of doubts.

After all, although there are a few books of leisure in Shuiyun Pavilion, they have absolutely nothing to do with books on martial arts and cultivation.

Where can I find books on martial arts training?

Could it be that I'm going to look at that book in the shopkeeper's hand with him? It looks like a table of contents to me.

Before Wu Ziming could speak, he saw a dark mass of figures approaching Shuiyun Pavilion in the distance.

"This must be Shuiyun Pavilion. The 3,672 martial arts books your manager ordered have arrived!"

Four shop assistants from Yong'an Bookstore, pushing a cart full of books, grinned at Wu Zimin, revealing their white teeth.