Infinite Awakening: My Exp Doubles Everyday Chapter 2: Basic Knife Technique

Outside his modest shack, Xiang Yu sat atop a weathered boulder, his hair dancing in the mountain wind as he looked out over the vast Azure Cloud Sect. He had finally managed to send Li Yao away by feigning an illness that demanded quiet meditation. The image of her worried expression and her hesitant departure remained vivid in his mind.

"I apologize, Junior Sister," he whispered into the breeze. It wasn't that she lacked beauty—she was, in fact, stunning by any metric. However, Xiang Yu prioritized survival over romance. According to every cultivation novel he had ever encountered, Pursuing the female lead was essentially a death sentence. The logic of martial arts tales was clear: interfere with the protagonist’s love interest, and a violent end was guaranteed. It was simple math.

"I would prefer a billion years of boredom over a single day of glorious death," he sighed, shifting his gaze to the glowing blue interface floating in his field of vision.

He had hardly poked around his system since his sudden arrival in this realm—not that there was much to see. The display was stubbornly sparse, featuring only one capability: double experience, which triggered every 24 hours. He was frustrated by the lack of a visible timer. If it reset at midnight, he might currently be squandering his limited doubling window.

"Twice nothing is still nothing," he grumbled, scrolling through his vacant status screen. "I must find a way to start my Cultivation before this day concludes."

Deciding not to waste another moment, Xiang Yu rose and brushed off his simple attire. He set his sights on the Scripture Pavilion, one of the ten primary hubs of the Azure Cloud Sect. These facilities were each managed by an Elder; his own Mountain Heart Pavilion was under the command of Elder Guo Shantian.

From the fragmented memories of the body's former owner, he knew that Elder Guo had rescued him from a mortal village following a devastating massacre. He had been discovered as the solitary survivor, a lone orphan of a brutal war.

"The classic protagonist origin story," Xiang Yu scoffed while navigating the winding trail toward the Scripture Pavilion. "I just hope I'm not a secret prince or a hidden genius. I have no desire for ancient blood feuds or royal duties. I’m quite serious about living for those few billion years."

The Scripture Pavilion soon came into view, a grand monument of masonry and polished timber reaching toward the clouds. Straightening his back, Xiang Yu walked inside, immediately becoming the target of numerous judging gazes.

"Is that the useless Senior Brother from Mountain Heart Pavilion?" a voice murmured nearby, loud enough to ensure he heard it.

"I’ve heard he possesses no spiritual roots whatsoever," another mocked openly.

"Quiet, he’ll overhear!" a third whispered, followed by a burst of stifled giggles.

Xiang Yu maintained a stoic face. He had no urge to engage in the typical protagonist behavior of face-slapping these arrogant Young Masters; such actions only invited catastrophe. It was better to be a laughingstock than a target. To him, being overlooked was his best defense.

Reaching the service counter, Xiang Yu performed a respectful cupped-hand salute. "Xiang Yu is here to request a scripture," he announced, keeping his voice balanced—neither too bold nor too submissive. He didn't want to provoke the person guarding the path to knowledge.

The scripture dean glanced up, his eyes flashing with recognition. "Well, if it isn't the Senior Brother of Mountain Heart Pavilion?" His voice was thick with poorly hidden disdain.

Xiang Yu felt a pang of annoyance but kept his composure. "Indeed, that is me."

"My apologies," the dean sneered, slouching back in his seat. "We don't provide scriptures to those incapable of Cultivation."

Internally, Xiang Yu lamented his misfortune. He was on his first day in a new world and couldn't even secure a basic manual.

...

Xiang Yu remained still, meeting the dean's rejection with a calm resignation. The administrator's mocking grin confirmed that this was a deliberate slight rather than a strict rule. With a small nod, Xiang Yu turned to depart, his steps sounding throughout the now-silent hall.

What did they expect? Did they think he would shout, "Thirty years in Hedong, thirty years in Hexi, do not look down on the young and poor!" like a scripted hero? In reality, such a display wouldn't bring justice; it would bring a swift death. There was no point waiting thirty years for revenge when the dean could kill him with a flick of his wrist right now.

Xiang Yu understood the mechanics of this world better than the locals did. Protagonists shouted; side characters stayed quiet; cannon fodder made threats. He refused to be any of them.

He was nearly at the exit when a powerful voice boomed through the building.

"Stop!"

Xiang Yu’s heart dropped, though he turned back immediately. An imposing figure stood in the center of the room, wearing dark blue robes that seemed to pull in the light. The white-bearded man radiated a presence so thick that even Xiang Yu’s dull senses could feel it.

Elder Guo Shantian. His Master.

"Xiang Yu is my personal disciple," the Elder declared, his voice as heavy as a falling mountain. "By what logic does he lack the right to a scripture?"

‘Oh no,’ Xiang Yu thought. ‘I appreciate the backup, Master, but please don’t start a scene. I don’t need this dean holding a grudge until I’m vulnerable.’

The Elder’s Qi flared, creating an invisible wave that forced nearby disciples to recoil. "Are you attempting to intimidate my Mountain Heart Pavilion?"

The dean’s face turned pale, and sweat began to bead on his brow. He immediately switched to a subservient smile and bowed low. "It is not a refusal, Elder," he stammered with newfound respect. "However, to receive a scripture, one must first master an external technique to the Minor Success level."

Elder Guo turned his sharp gaze toward Xiang Yu, evaluating him with eyes that had seen centuries of change. Xiang Yu felt a flicker of guilt seeing the disappointment there; the Elder had clearly hoped for more.

"As he said," Elder Guo spoke to Xiang Yu, "you aren't ready for scriptures yet." He tugged at his beard. "Would you like to attempt an external technique first? Once you reach Minor Success, you may return for a scripture."

Xiang Yu bowed perfectly and smiled. "This Disciple thanks the Master."

"No need for such formality," Elder Guo said, waving him off. "Just ensure you learn it well." Internally, the Elder sighed. The boy’s reserved nature seemed unfixable. Where was the burning ambition required to survive as a cultivator?

"What rank do you desire?" the Elder inquired.

Xiang Yu recalled the ranking system from his memories. Techniques were categorized as Basic, Low-grade, Mid-grade, High-grade, Superior, Profound, and the legendary Divine. Better ranks granted more power but required immense talent. Many had ruined their Dantian trying to learn techniques they couldn't handle.

Xiang Yu answered without a second thought, "I will take the Basic rank."

He had no illusions about possessing some hidden, heaven-defying talent for high-level arts.

The Elder wasn't shocked by the modest request. He reached into his spatial storage and pulled out a slender, leather-bound volume.

"This is the Basic Knife Technique," he said, tossing it to Xiang Yu. The young man caught it with both hands, holding the simple book as if it were a holy relic.

The manual felt unexpectedly heavy. Looking at the cover, Xiang Yu saw characters that had been smoothed over by the hands of many previous students.

"Practice diligently," Elder Guo commanded. "Once you hit Minor Success, see me for your scripture."

Xiang Yu gave a final respectful nod and left, hugging the manual to his chest. Even though he hadn't secured a scripture, he felt a spark of triumph. Having any technique was a start. He didn't expect to master it in a day, but with his doubling system, even the smallest gains would eventually snowball into power.

"Perhaps I can hit the Beginner stage before the day resets," he pondered, gauging the time left. No matter how tiny the experience gain, doubling it repeatedly would eventually change everything.

As he walked back to his secluded hut, Xiang Yu felt a new sensation—not quite hope, but the beginning of an opportunity.