NTR: Choice Based System

Ye Yang sat amidst the towering shelves of the sect library, a mountain of scrolls, jade slips, and tablets surrounding him.

He had conquered the Yang, Earth, and Water energies, a feat that had once seemed impossible.

Now, his sights were set on the elusive Wind energy, and beyond that, the enigmatic Space energy.

The latter was a realm shrouded in mystery, a whisper among cultivators, its true nature unknown.

He wasn't even sure if mastering space energy was within the realm of possibility, but he wouldn't let doubt deter him.

He picked up a scroll, its title written in elegant script: "The Zephyr's Kiss: A Beginner's Guide to Wind Manipulation." He unrolled it, his eyes scanning the dense text.

It described various breathing techniques and meditation postures, promising to attune the cultivator to the subtle currents of wind energy. He sighed. It was all so… generic. He set it aside.

Next, he picked up a jade slip, cool to the touch. This one was titled "Whispers of the Gale: An Introduction to Aerokinetic Arts."

He channelled his spiritual energy into the slip, activating its stored information. Images of swirling wind patterns and complex hand gestures flashed before his eyes.

It was certainly more advanced than the scroll, detailing basic offensive and defensive manoeuvres using wind.

But it lacked the fundamental understanding he sought. He needed something that explained the very essence of Wind, its relationship to the world, to the human body, to cultivation.

He sifted through a few more, each with its own flamboyant title and convoluted techniques. "The Cyclone's Embrace," "The Tempest's Fury," "The Breeze's Caress."

They all seemed to jump straight into complex applications without laying a solid foundation. Frustration gnawed at him.

He was looking for the equivalent of a child's building blocks, not an architect's blueprint.

"Looking for something specific?" a gentle voice inquired.

Ye Yang looked up, surprised. It was Li Mei, her usual calm demeanour evident in her soft smile.

"Li Mei," he greeted, a flicker of relief in his eyes.

"I'm trying to find a decent wind cultivation technique, but everything I've come across so far is either too basic or too advanced. I need something that explains the fundamentals, the underlying principles."

Li Mei chuckled softly. "You're in luck, then. You happened to run into someone who knows a thing or two about the wind."

Ye Yang raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what makes you such an expert on the subject?"

"My clan," she replied, a hint of pride in her voice, "has a long and storied history of wind cultivation. We've passed down our knowledge through generations."

She reached into her robes and produced a plain-looking jade slip. "Here," she offered, extending it to him. "This might be what you're looking for."

Ye Yang accepted the slip cautiously. "What is it?"

"See for yourself," Li Mei said with a knowing smile.

He channelled his spiritual energy into the jade slip. The information within was surprisingly concise, yet incredibly profound.

It wasn't just a collection of techniques; it was a treatise on the nature of Wind. It described the different aspects of wind – its speed, its pressure, its temperature.

It explained how wind interacts with the other elements, how it influences the weather, and, most importantly, how it flows through the human body, affecting circulation, breath, and even emotions.

The slip detailed specific meridians and acupoints related to wind energy, and how to cultivate them effectively. It was exactly what he was looking for.

"This… this is incredible," Ye Yang stammered, his voice filled with awe. "Where did you find something like this?"

Li Mei smiled. "It's a family heirloom, passed down through my clan for centuries. It contains the core principles of our wind cultivation techniques."

Ye Yang looked at her, a question forming in his mind. "Why are you giving this to me?"

Li Mei's smile softened. "Because you saved my life, Ye Yang. You risked everything to protect me and my companions in the spider woman's lair. I owe you a debt I can never truly repay."

"But this…" Ye Yang gestured to the jade slip, "this is invaluable. It's the kind of knowledge most cultivators would kill for."

"And it's exactly what you need," Li Mei countered. "You have the potential to achieve great things, Ye Yang. I can see it. And if this knowledge can help you on your path, then I'm happy to share it."

Ye Yang was touched by her sincerity. "Thank you, Li Mei," he said, his voice sincere. "This means more than you know."

"Don't mention it," she replied. "Just promise me you'll put it to good use."

"I will," Ye Yang vowed. "I promise."

He spent the next few weeks immersed in the jade slip's teachings. He studied the diagrams, memorized the meridians, and practiced the breathing techniques.

He learned to feel the subtle currents of wind around him, to sense its direction, its intensity, its very essence.

He meditated deep within the library's quiet corners, visualizing the wind flowing through his body, cleansing and strengthening him.

He discovered that wind energy wasn't just about manipulating air; it was about understanding the interconnectedness of all things.

It was about feeling the breath of the world, the pulse of life itself.

As he progressed, he began to experiment with the techniques described in the slip.

He started small, creating gentle breezes, swirling leaves in the air. Gradually, he increased the intensity, conjuring gusts of wind, small whirlwinds.

He started small, creating gentle breezes, swirling leaves in the air. Gradually, he increased the intensity, conjuring gusts of wind, small whirlwinds.

"It's working," he thought, a thrill coursing through him. "The jade slip… it's truly a treasure." He could feel the wind responding to his will, becoming an extension of his own breath.

Another week passed, and the principles within the jade slip began to imprint themselves onto his consciousness.

He spent countless hours meditating, the diagrams of meridians and acupoints burned into his memory.

"The flow of Qi… the connection to the world… it's all becoming clear," he mused, lost in the intricate dance of energy within him.

He practiced the breathing techniques until they became second nature, his lungs expanding and contracting in rhythm with the wind itself.

"Feel it… the breath of the world… it's within me, all around me…"

He was so engrossed in his practice that he barely noticed the passage of time.

The library, with its towering shelves and silent occupants, faded into the background.

His world narrowed to the sensation of the wind, the whisper of its currents against his skin, the subtle shifts in its pressure.

He was losing himself in the trance, the boundaries between himself and the wind blurring.

Another week went by. Li Mei returned to the library to check on Ye Yang's progress.

She had been both excited and apprehensive about his rapid progress.

She knew the power contained within the jade slip, and she also knew the potential dangers of wielding such power without proper guidance.

As she entered the section where she had last seen him, she stopped short, her breath catching in her throat.

Ye Yang was in a deep trance, his eyes closed, his body still. But it wasn't his stillness that alarmed her.

It was the torrent of wind swirling around him, whipping scrolls off the shelves, rattling jade slips, and creating a miniature cyclone within the library.

"Oh no!" she exclaimed in surprise. Although she was astonished to see Ye Yang grasping the concepts in just three or four weeks, the situation was escalating rapidly.

If it continued unchecked, it could wreak havoc on the entire library, destroying centuries of accumulated knowledge.

She knew she had to intervene, to pull him out of his trance before it was too late.

Just as she was about to approach him, a powerful aura descended upon the library, radiating an almost palpable pressure.

Li Mei recognized the aura instantly. It was the unmistakable presence of the Sword Saint God, a figure of immense power and reverence.

She already knew of Ye Yang's connection to the Sword Saint, the rumours of him being the legendary figure's disciple. A wave of relief washed over her. If anyone could control this situation, it was him.

Li Mei quickly bowed her head in respect. "Sword Saint God," she greeted, her voice soft but clear.

The Sword Saint God nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes, sharp and piercing, fixed on Ye Yang.

He raised a hand, and a shimmering barrier of energy erupted around Ye Yang, containing the swirling winds and subduing the miniature cyclone.

The torrent subsided, the scrolls settled back onto the shelves, and an uneasy calm returned to the library.

The Sword Saint God then turned his gaze to Li Mei. His expression was unreadable, but his voice, when he spoke, carried a weight of concern.

"Li Mei," he said, his voice resonating with power, "why did you give your family's secret art to Ye Yang?"