Volume One, Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Eight: The Library

The wound caused by the exotic thin sword was not particularly deep, but it still pierced through Ning Chengfeng’s palm, necessitating a trip to the infirmary for treatment.

As the siblings stepped out of the Third Ability University infirmary side by side, Ning Chengfeng did not forget to turn back and wave goodbye to the pretty nurse.

"I’m not saying you can’t challenge Mo to a duel, but could you please stop using that kind of language to address him? If other teachers or students hear it, it will cause a great deal of trouble for Mo De," Ning Chengfeng whispered, continuing to persuade his now-calmer sister as they walked.

"But he only got first place in the Grand Assessment by cheating!" Ning Muyu argued, though she kept her voice low.

"Do you have any proof that he cheated?" Ning Chengfeng sighed inwardly, looking at his sister, who remained stubborn even after calming down.

"Do you have any proof that he didn't?" Ning Muyu retorted.

"The burden of proof lies with the accuser," Ning Chengfeng said, feeling somewhat speechless at his sister’s circular logic.

"First, his scores are impossible for a human to achieve. Second, he didn't participate in the Grand Assessment with the rest of us; he was given a separate, private session the next day," Ning Muyu listed her evidence righteously.

Ning Chengfeng opened his mouth, wanting to refute the first point, but realized he actually agreed with her. Was it really possible for a human to get a perfect score in every single category of the combat assessment? Having participated in the Grand Assessment himself, he knew exactly how difficult those tasks were.

"So... are you questioning the integrity of the examiners, or are you accusing the entire Ability University Management Committee of being unable to spot a single student cheating?" Deciding to shift his target to avoid her sharpest points, Ning Chengfeng changed his tactic.

"The Management Committee? Hmph!" Ning Muyu scoffed coldly. "Don't forget, among the thirty-three winter camp participants, the only so-called 'specially invited student' comes from that guy’s school, Tian Shui High!" The implication was clear: if the committee could provide a special pass for one person, they could certainly open a back door for another.

"I don't see you holding such a grudge against that girl, though..." Ning Chengfeng muttered softly.

"I have no interest in people who rely on special privileges and still rank below me," Ning Muyu said with disdain.

Ning Chengfeng rubbed his temples, his head aching. "Regardless, you are not allowed to call him those names in front of others, and the duel will have to be postponed."

"Why should I? I just—"

Before she could finish, Ning Muyu swallowed her words. Ning Chengfeng held up his bandaged left hand and shook it before her eyes.

"You never know your own strength. If you accidentally hurt Mo De and it affects his cultivation after entering the 'Sealed Consciousness Tower,' the consequences will be dire," Ning Chengfeng said, poking her pouting cheek. "If you actually prevent him from training in the tower, it wouldn't be impossible for the faculty to revoke your own eligibility."

"Hmph." Ning Muyu didn't say anything else, only grunted in response.

Seeing that his sister had finally compromised, Ning Chengfeng let out a long breath. Entering the "Sealed Consciousness Tower" at the Third Ability University was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; he certainly couldn't let his sister ruin her own future—and Mo De’s—out of anger.

***

The discomfort from the sudden shift in her abilities continued to plague Su Ziwen’s mind. Waves of dizziness rose and fell, causing her to knit her slender brows repeatedly along the way.

Once back in their room, supported by Mo De, she said tiredly, "I’m fine, just a bit exhausted."

"Did something go wrong with your cultivation?" Mo De felt increasingly uneasy about her sudden fatigue.

"There were some changes, but I don't feel it’s a bad thing." Su Ziwen had always trusted her intuition. She could sense that this mutation had been brewing within her for a long time, lying dormant until today when it finally gathered enough strength to complete its transformation. It was a good thing, even if the aftermath felt quite unpleasant.

"That’s good then." After hearing her explanation, Mo De hesitated but ultimately trusted his class monitor’s sharp intuition.

He tucked the blanket around her and went to pour a glass of water. When he returned, he found that Su Ziwen had already drifted into a light sleep. Her cold expression had softened, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.

Setting the water glass down on the nightstand, Mo De reached out and removed her glasses, placing them right next to the glass where she could easily reach them.

After all, the monitor’s glasses were not like Mu Qing’s tea-colored sunglasses. Those old shades were an heirloom passed down by a certain someone; no matter how terribly Mu Qing slept, they remained indestructible.

Quietly exiting the room, Mo De checked the time on his phone. It was still early, and he had time to visit the library located at the intersection of the four campuses before lunch. After hearing Senior Sister Yu Jiuchuan mention the Third Ability University library, he had become quite interested in it.

During the chaotic era at the end of the Old Calendar, when disasters were frequent, "books"—items not essential for survival—were not valued. Countless precious volumes were lost or destroyed, and many historical records were discarded. The surviving rare books and manuscripts had been collected by the rebuilt libraries and preserved as precious cultural treasures of humanity.

The Third Ability University library was one of the first to be reconstructed, and its collection was unimaginably vast. Standing before the immense, towering library building, Mo De couldn't help but sigh at the sheer number of books stored within.

He pressed his wristband against the security scanner. With a beep, his identity was verified, and he was granted access to the sea of books.

The first-floor lobby was neat and bright, with a massive directory in the center detailing the various sections and their contents. Standing before the map, Mo De found himself at a loss as to where to begin.

*If only Senior Sister Jiuchuan were here,* he thought.

Suddenly, his brow arched. He felt a gaze land upon him. But unlike the cold look he had felt the previous night, the gaze fixed on him now was filled with curiosity.