Chapter 198: Ancient Martial Paths
Inside the wedding residence, Skylar slowly opened her eyes.
The first thing she noticed was silence. The second thing she noticed was that Tony wasn’t there.
The third thing she noticed was that she wasn’t particularly surprised.
A sigh escaped her lips. For a brief moment she almost expected him to have run toward Madam Lan again. After all, that would’ve been normal. That would’ve been familiar. That would’ve been the Tony she knew.
Yet when she questioned her personal servant, the answers only confused her further.
"The young master entered the family library last night.... He never left. He is still there."
Skylar stared at the servant in disbelief. "What is this fellow planning?"
***
The first rays of morning sunlight had yet to appear over Sky City, yet the Clark Family library remained illuminated by dozens of formation lamps.
Most members of the family were still sleeping after the wedding celebrations that had continued deep into the night. Servants moved quietly through courtyards while guards changed shifts along the walls.
Inside the library, however, Tony hadn’t slept at all.
Several thick books lay scattered across the table around him. Ancient martial manuals, historical records, cultivation theories, clan archives, and forbidden technique discussions formed a chaotic mountain of information.
If any elder entered and witnessed the scene, they would probably suspect possession by an evil spirit.
The original Tony had never willingly entered this library.
Not once.
The current Tony looked as though he intended to devour every book inside it.
His eyes remained fixed on a yellowed volume titled Origin Martial Paths and Ancient Foundations.
The deeper he read, the more shocked he became. The current cultivation system used throughout the modern world was incomplete.
Not slightly incomplete.... Severely incomplete.
Ancient cultivators didn’t merely cultivate spiritual energy. They cultivated concepts. Some followed sword paths. Some followed destruction paths. Some followed elemental paths. Some followed beast paths. The most talented individuals created their own paths and forced heaven itself to acknowledge them.
Modern cultivation felt crude compared to what these records described.
"No wonder the spirit told me knowledge is the true reward."
Tony slowly closed the book. For the first time since entering the Dream Realm, he felt genuine excitement.
If he could memorize even a fraction of these theories before leaving, the benefits would be unimaginable.
His thoughts suddenly paused.
The title Origin Martial Paths continued echoing in his mind. The concept felt familiar.
Too familiar... Then realization struck. The Heaven Devouring Origin Scripture...!
His own cultivation method contained the word Origin.
Tony immediately reopened the book. Page after page disappeared beneath his gaze. The more he read, the more questions appeared. And every answer seemed connected to even older mysteries.
Eventually he leaned back and rubbed his forehead. "Ancient people really had too much free time."
The moment he stood, a familiar voice echoed nearby. "That’s the first intelligent thing you’ve said all morning."
Tony froze.
Slowly turning his head, he discovered Skylar standing near the entrance.
The woman wore simple blue robes instead of ceremonial wedding clothes. Without the elaborate wedding decorations, she appeared even more beautiful.
Unfortunately... She also appeared even less friendly.
Skylar crossed her arms. "Most newly married husbands spend their first morning with their wives."
Tony nodded. "Reasonable."
"They don’t usually spend the entire night hiding inside libraries."
Tony nodded again.
"Also reasonable."
Skylar narrowed her eyes.
"You seem unusually calm for somebody being insulted."
Tony smiled.
"You’re too beautiful to be intimidating."
The woman immediately regretted coming.
Why did every conversation with this man become exhausting?
Tony closed the book and stood.
Skylar glanced at the table.
The sight nearly caused her to choke.
Dozens of books. All opened... All apparently read. The original Tony would rather jump into a river than voluntarily read.
Something was definitely wrong. "You actually read these?"
Tony looked confused. "What else would I do with them?"
Skylar stared silently. The urge to hit him became stronger.
Before she could continue questioning him, Tony pushed her out and sat back before desk with a serious look.
***
Meanwhile...
Emma Rock silently stood atop a nearby rooftop, her gaze fixed on the brightly lit library window in the distance. Earlier tonight, she had followed Tony with a completely different intention.
The moment she learned that he had married Skylar inside the Dream Realm, an inexplicable irritation rose inside her heart. She didn’t care whether this world was real or fake.
She didn’t care whether the marriage would disappear once everyone left the Dream Realm. The mere thought of Tony spending his wedding night with another woman was enough for her to decide on a simple solution.
Kill him.
As a servant within the Sky Family, approaching the bridal residence wasn’t difficult. She had already prepared several opportunities. If Tony entered the wedding chamber and behaved like a newly married husband, she intended to strike without hesitation.
Instead, the situation developed in a way she never expected.
Tony left the bedroom. The fool actually locked himself inside the Clark Family library.
Hours passed.
Emma watched from afar while Tony remained seated beneath the spirit lamps, surrounded by mountains of books. Ancient records, martial manuals, cultivation theories, and historical texts covered the entire table.
Every time he finished one book, he immediately reached for another. His expression carried complete concentration, as though the wedding, the bride, and the entire city no longer existed.
Emma’s brows gradually furrowed. This wasn’t the Tony she knew.
The Tony she remembered would rather chase women for three days straight than spend three hours reading books.
Yet the man before her looked completely absorbed. Slowly, the killing intent in her eyes weakened. Not because she had changed her mind. Because curiosity had replaced anger.
"What exactly happened to you, Tony Clark?" she muttered softly while continuing to observe the strange man inside the library.
On the other hand, Tony is thinking about how to use this limited time wisely. He is looking for unique skill which he can’t find with system or wealth.
***
Tq for the power stones and Golden tickets. I will release a bonus Chapter tomorrow.
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