Chapter 14: Soul-Locking Mirror

The human body contains countless meridians and acupoints; though cultivators can turn their gaze inward, they do not know which meridians and acupoints allow Qi to flow smoothly, and which do not.

Some are even dead meridians and dead acupoints; one misstep could lead to qi deviation and explosive death.

Therefore, a cultivator seeking strength must study the “Human Meridian and Acupoint Array Diagram.”

It is the accumulated wisdom of countless generations, an invaluable treasure.

Cang Luo silently muttered good fortune—better late than never; just in time, only one copy remained—he’d take it first.

Cang Luo reached out happily, but at that very moment, the last copy of the “Human Meridian and Acupoint Array Diagram” was snatched away!

Cang Luo froze with his hand outstretched, internally screaming “What the hell!”—filled with regret.

What’s going on!?

Who? Who took the last copy?

Cang Luo clenched his anger and turned to the culprit—but when he saw the face of this “thief,” he was instantly awestruck, his fury vanishing instantly.

The thief who snatched the book was a sweet-faced young girl, her soft, slightly chubby cheeks, her large, glistening eyes fixed eagerly on the book in her hands.

Cang Luo stared, suddenly realizing she bore an eight-tenths resemblance to the female clerk he’d just met.

Not just her face—her figure matched too.

Cang Luo couldn’t help but wonder: are all women on the Yuanwu Continent so curvaceous?

Or does Qi cultivation naturally enhance breast size?

“Cough, cough!”

Cang Luo cleared his throat to signal he had arrived first—that book belonged to him.

On Earth, Cang Luo would never compete with a beautiful girl for a book—he might even strike up a conversation, ask for her WeChat.

But this was another world; this book was vital to his cultivation—he had to fight for it.

Hearing the cough, the girl instinctively turned toward the sound—and saw a senior brother awkwardly reaching out, staring at the book in her hands.

Instantly, she clutched the book to her chest, her big, glistening eyes pleading as she whispered: “Ah! Senior Brother, are you also waiting for this book?”

Seeing how tightly she held the book, as if unwilling to let go, Cang Luo felt stuck.

What should I do? Fight her for it?

I can’t do it!

But if I miss this one, when will the next shipment arrive? Even if it does, I might not get it.

The “Human Meridian and Acupoint Array Diagram” was clearly far more popular than the other two books—every copy vanished the moment it hit the shelf.

This one remained only because it had been buried at the bottom, unseen—until I found it, only to have it snatched before I could claim it.

“Senior Brother? Don’t you want it? Then I’ll take it.” The girl, seeing Cang Luo’s silence, turned to leave, afraid he’d change his mind.

“Wait.” Cang Luo suddenly had a flash of inspiration—a perfect solution.

The girl stopped, turned back, gazing at him with pitiful eyes, then reluctantly held the book out before him, pleading: “Senior Brother, could you please lend it to me after you’ve finished reading?”

Oh! She was actually willing to give it up? Cang Luo was surprised, waving his hand: “Little Sister, you’re so adorable—I’d never take your things.”

“Then why did you call me back?” The girl exhaled in relief. Am I really that cute? Does he think I’m just a child because I’m small?

Cang Luo smiled: “Well, Little Sister, lend me the book for a moment—I’ll memorize its contents and return it to you.”

The girl froze, mouth agape: “Impossible? The ‘Human Meridian and Acupoint Array Diagram’ has dozens of pages!”

She was utterly astonished, clearly doubting he could memorize it on the spot—but still handed him the book.

Heh heh! Cang Luo grinned: “Senior Brother has his own method.”

Cang Luo took the book, walked to a corner of the shelf, laid it flat, pulled out his phone, turned it on, ignored the flood of messages, activated airplane mode, then opened the camera.

Click. Click. Click...

Cang Luo photographed every page of the “Human Meridian and Acupoint Array Diagram,” then grabbed the other two books and photographed them too.

Minutes later, after finishing all three, he was about to power off—when, inexplicably, he turned off airplane mode and let the incoming call go to voicemail.

Then he opened WeChat, found the contact “Consultant Zhuge Qing of Wind Forest Volcano,” and sent her photos of the three book covers.

“Hah! Let them wonder.” Cang Luo whispered with a grin.

After sending the photos, Cang Luo was about to power off and return the book—when he noticed the girl standing behind him, tiptoeing, eyes glued to his phone, utterly curious.

Seeing Cang Luo look at her, the girl lifted her head—only reaching his chest—and whispered: “Senior Brother, what kind of treasure is this? So beautiful—it glows.”

Cang Luo, gazing at her delicate face so close, nearly wanted to kiss her—and didn’t mind her seeing his phone.

He casually replied: “Oh, this? It’s called the Soul-Locking Mirror—it can trap the soul of any being in the world.”

Look, I just trapped the soul-essence of those three books inside—now I can read them anytime, anywhere.”

As he spoke, he opened his photo album and showed her each image he’d taken.

The girl’s eyes widened in shock, wonder, and envy.

She pressed herself against him, watching his fingers slide across the screen—each swipe turned a page of the book.

“So amazing! You really trapped the book’s soul! Books have souls?! This is called the Soul-Locking Mirror? Is it a Heaven-grade treasure?!”

The girl grew more absorbed, completely unaware that Cang Luo was staring at her, lost in thought.

Long moments passed. Cang Luo gently shook his head and pointed to the front camera: “Look here.”

“Hmm?” The girl instinctively followed his finger.

Seeing her fall for it, Cang Luo swiftly opened the camera, switched to front mode, and took seven rapid shots—leaving her gaping, pointing at the phone, speechless.

The girl trembled: “S-Senior Brother, what just happened? Why... why am I in there?”

Cang Luo found her panic slightly thrilling—but feared drawing attention, so quickly signaled silence with a finger to his lips.

The girl covered her mouth. Cang Luo leaned close, pointing at her photo on the screen: “Your soul has been trapped inside.”

From now on, you’re mine—I can look at you whenever I want.”

She stood frozen, eyes glazed.

Cang Luo tucked his phone away and strode confidently into the hall’s inner room to select a technique—unaware that behind him, a single tear slipped from the girl’s eye...

Cang Luo entered the room storing Grade-Low Yellow-level techniques—it was reasonably spacious.

Roughly two hundred square meters, with only three bookshelves—eight meters long, over a meter tall—placed in the center, no other furniture.

Seeing the shelves, Cang Luo finally understood what the female clerk meant by “choose your technique, then come to me for the technique jade tablet.”

This was merely a technique catalog.

On the top of each shelf sat a wooden plaque, keyboard-sized, inscribed with “Inner Cultivation,” “Fist and Foot Techniques,” and “Body Movement Techniques”—each labeling the category of techniques displayed.

Hanging from the shelves were dozens of dictionary-sized wooden plaques; though carved with text, they contained no technique details—only brief summaries.

At this moment, fifty or sixty outer-disciples in blue robes stood before the shelves, carefully examining the plaques, selecting techniques.

Occasionally they discussed with fellow disciples, some even arguing fiercely over which technique was superior.

Besides the outer-disciples, two clerks maintained order, occasionally offering guidance.

Cang Luo muttered to himself: “This chaos is unacceptable. Needs fixing!”

Once the two worlds connect, I just need to build an app—upload all these techniques, make them accessible for everyone.”

As Cang Luo pondered how to create an electronic technique catalog, a male clerk with a smile approached him.

The clerk stepped before Cang Luo and warmly bowed: “You’re unfamiliar, young brother—first time coming to the Technique Pavilion to claim a technique?”