"There's no first in literature, and no second in martial arts.
I'm sure you understand this as well. With so many books, my attention was immediately drawn to this place.
So, after asking the Clairvoyant about the matter, I came here. I stayed for a month.
I was excited to see what I could find, and wrote comments and notes on many of the books.
Then I met that fellow.
He called himself the Bookworm, and as soon as we met, we entered the realm of scholarly discussion.
I was still young at the time, and we both had strong opinions about what we agreed on. So we argued and discussed, and before we knew it, another month had passed. "
"The two of us appreciated each other's talents. Although we'd only known each other for a short time, we became good friends.
Our world seemed to be filled with nothing but books and scholarship. I learned a great deal during that time.
You can say that if I hadn't had that discussion with him, I wouldn't have been able to ascend again. "
"Midway through our second month, we had a major disagreement on a scholarly issue. We'd been tired for a long time, and both of us weren't in the best of moods.
But neither of us wanted to admit defeat.
So we made a bet, with the Skyfire Library at stake. If he lost, he'd leave, and leave the library to me.
If I lost, I'd have to find a collection of books that couldn't be less than the Library's, and not more than fifty percent the same. "
"To tell you the truth, I fell in love with this place over the course of those few months. I agreed on impulse.
Then we invited a number of prominent scholars to participate in a debate between us. "
At this point, the Keeper paused.
His eyes were filled with disappointment and disappointment.
"You already know the final result.
I stayed here.
He chose to leave.
Before he left, I regretted my decision. I told him he could stay, but his temper was too bad.
However, that guy's temper was too bad. He ignored me and walked away on his own.
He was gone for thirty years. "
"Thirty years later.
When he returned, he found me and asked for a rematch.
The stakes were the same as before.
But by that time I was already a Paragon, thanks to my progress in my studies.
He wasn't a match for me.
Before he left, he vomited blood.
I was very clear about his condition. He was by no means inferior to me academically, but he was limited by his physical condition and could not advance further.
That's why he can't experience things of another level. That's why he's inferior to me. "
"This matter.
After so many years, it has become a huge regret in my heart.
Now that he thought about it, he probably didn't have much lifespan left.
I don't know how much blood, sweat, and tears he spent on the Skyfire Library. I hope he can return.
However, after that competition, he had never seen him again.
He used his communicator to contact me, and told me he'd never be able to defeat me in this lifetime. But if one day his disciple could defeat mine, he'd let his disciple reenter the Skyfire Library. When I die, he'll inherit the library. "
"I agree.
Perhaps it was because I felt indebted to him, but I hoped that he could come back.
Therefore, in the past decade or so, I have actually been doing research along his lines. Through my understanding of another level, I have been studying his theory.
The more I studied him, the more I admired him.
In truth, although the methods of academic research are different, in the end, they all lead to the same goal.
I wasn't wrong, and neither was he. "
The Keeper seemed tired, and closed his eyes. "If he were willing to come back, I could at least extend his life for a long time. It would be a treasure for all of humanity."
Lan Jue asked, "What do you need me to do?"
He knew that if the Keeper had revealed all this to him, there must be something he needed him to do.
The Keeper smiled. "Tomorrow, after the National Eastern University's competition, I want you to take the Accountant and this.
Give it to him.
Tell him he didn't lose that year.
Tell him I'm dying, and that he should come back and take over the library. "
Lan Jue jumped to her feet. "Your body …"
The Keeper chuckled. "Aren't you supposed to be a smart kid?
You can't even see through this little trick.
If he comes back, he'll call me an old liar. Once he's here, he can forget about leaving. "
Lan Jue heaved a sigh of relief. He knew all too well what the Keeper meant to the Eastern Alliance. He wasn't just a Paragon, he was the father of Eastern Alliance research, the godfather of science!
If something were to happen to the Keeper, it would be a tremendous loss to the Eastern Alliance's scientific community.
Lan Jue caught the chip the Keeper tossed to him with a small smile. "Don't worry, I'll do my best."
The Keeper nodded. "Go then.
If he has any tests in mecha combat, then I'll leave it to you.
My grandson is too impetuous, you'll have to teach him a lesson.
But I'm sure he'll be able to help you on this trip.
I'll get you a leave of absence from the university. "
Lan Jue was speechless. Another leave of absence? She could count on one hand the number of times she'd attended classes since she'd entered the university.
The Keeper smiled. "It's not far, you'll be back in no time. At most I'll miss one class.
I've heard you've received a good deal of approval from the university. Although I don't think what you teach will be of any use, I'm sure you won't mislead your students.
Go about your business.
Oh, and don't forget to help my grandson pick up girls. "
Lan Jue's heart was filled with reverence for the Keeper's words, but when she heard his last words she couldn't help but laugh. This old fool.
She rose to her feet and left.
The Keeper watched as Lan Jue left, then slowly rose to his feet. His face was as frail as a candle in the wind. He walked to the window and looked out.
"I'll be waiting for you, old man.
How I wish I could relive the past!
You know, I've prepared many, many things for you that you can't even imagine.
Don't you want to see what it's like?
Come on. "
Lan Jue had only just returned to the Zeus Jewelry Shop when she received a message from Zhou Qianlin's Soulcaller gem. She informed him that she would be working late into the night, and that she wouldn't be coming home. She'd be staying at the Institute's dormitory, and that he didn't need to pick her up.
Saving her the trouble of picking her up was convenient.
Lan Jue went straight to the Underground World, where Huali and Chu Cheng were sparring in the sim pod.
Lan Jue didn't see them, so she went to the front of the shop.
"Boss." Mika greeted her with a smile.
"Mm.
Mika, how are our power gems in stock?
How many A-ranked gems do we have? "
"There are twenty-three A-ranked gems, all of different sizes," Mika said.
As you've instructed, A-ranked gems are not to be sold unless you have a special relationship with them. "
Lan Jue nodded. "How about this. Pick out a few that suit your Disciplines, and equip them for each of you.
As for what you want, you can decide. "
Mika's eyes lit up. "Boss, are you taking us out again?"
Lan Jue chuckled. "You always want to go out and have fun. But I'll be going out in a few days.
You don't have to go this time.
Xiu Xiu, Guoguo, come with me.
You and Kerr stay here and watch the shop. "
Mika pursed her lips. "Don't you like me, boss?" she retorted.
Why aren't you taking me? "
Lan Jue shrugged. "Fine, you're the boss here. I don't care, and the shop can't be closed forever.
Next time I'll take you and Kerr out.
Also, the Dark Citadel and the Pontiff's Citadel will be here soon. That's why I asked you to choose your gems. "
As soon as Lan Jue mentioned the two Citadels, Mika's face changed. She no longer tried to act coquettishly. She nodded. "They'd better not provoke me."
Lan Jue patted her shoulder. "This is Skyfire Avenue.
Not the Western League.
It'll be fine.
Alright, those two are still fighting. I don't think they'll be out for a while. I'll head back first.
Guoguo, get ready. We're leaving the day after tomorrow. "
"Yes, boss!" Lin Guo-guo bounced to her feet in excitement.
Lan Jue returned to his quarters and resumed his meditation.
He'd been diligent lately. He still had a lot to learn from his last trip to Taihua.
He also needed to stabilize his realm.
Early the next morning, Lan Jue pedaled his bicycle to the National Eastern University. This time, however, there was a different person on the back seat.
The Accountant looked at the bicycle with curiosity. He laughed. "Jewelry Master, this thing of yours is an antique!
But it's interesting.
Since when did you become so childish?
Not a verti-car, but a bicycle. "
Lan Jue replied. "It's called getting close to nature. Experiencing it.
Green travel, low carbon life! "
The Accountant laughed. "Alright, interesting. I'll get one myself. Then I'll be able to go to school with you every day."
Lan Jue looked at him suspiciously. "You're still going to school after the tournament?"
The Accountant nodded. "Of course!
I'm a good student.
It's called experiencing life. "
With the Accountant by her side, Lan Jue didn't need to stop at the corner. He rode directly to the university's gates. There were already two people waiting there, looking out anxiously.
(To be continued …)