bookbashuk Chapter 20: School Life - Buried in Studies, Yet People Have Changed
Chapter 20: School Life - Buried in Studies, Yet People Have Changed
The next day·
After finishing his morning exercise on the third-floor balcony at dawn, Zhang Xun headed straight for the Tiandou Library.
When he discovered that apart from the middle-aged man managing the library, there was no one else there, he realized that this place might not be as focused on theoretical learning as the education commissioner had said.
Even though this is one of the most prestigious universities, it's only something he cares about. After all, he's old and has the necessary skills, so he can focus on his studies.
After putting the books he had borrowed the day before back in their original places, Zhang Xun walked through the library corridor, searching for the historical materials he needed.
"Are you just going to stay here and not go to class?"
Chen Xin glanced at the time and questioned the student who had spent his first day of formal enrollment in the library.
Zhang Xun climbed the escalator and casually took out a thick book made of animal hide from the shelf. It was very well maintained, and you could smell the leather as soon as you opened it.
He turned to a page, and a smile spread across his face as he looked at the diagrams. Only then did he speak softly in response.
"I have reviewed the course records. The courses at the Heavenly Dou level are mainly focused on cultivation and combat. The only course that is not of this type is the extracurricular practice conducted in the Soul Hunting Forest."
"These things don't mean anything to me."
Having found a well-ventilated and sunny spot, Zhang Xun had just sat down when he saw an acquaintance quickly go up to the second floor.
It was the young prince Xue Qinghe from yesterday. This time, he was not surrounded by a large number of guards, but only by two maids dressed in fitted casual clothes.
However, the other party clearly did not recognize him, since he was wearing a long robe and hood.
He glanced over with some surprise, then disappeared into the rows of bookshelves.
Zhang Xun shook his head and continued flipping through the pages, when he heard a mental transmission in his ear.
"Two Title Douluos have arrived in this area."
Chen Xin raised her eyes, her gaze sharp; the other person was just outside the dome.
Between people of the same level, unless they have special stealth-type soul skills or soul bones and soul tools, they basically cannot hide their whereabouts.
"Ignore it." Zhang Xun continued his work, recording potentially useful information while flipping through the pages.
Although Xue Qinghe was a major client, he had no obligation to help someone he didn't know well.
His gaze swept across the pages of the ancient book. Although the characters were in classical Chinese, he had no trouble reading them, having long been proficient in such languages.
All of them were made of parchment and sewn together; the two-inch-thick books had only thirty-odd pages, and they were finished in the blink of an eye.
He shook his head helplessly and sighed, "Why do these guys write autobiographies as soon as they become famous?"
The first half focuses on the historical changes of the city-state, while the latter half celebrates the rise of the nobles within it.
Finding information can sometimes be tedious, boring, and even largely useless.
Xue Qinghe took a stack of information on soul beasts and left.
The two titles also disappeared, and it's certain they weren't guards for this prince. If the Heavenly Dou royal family had guards of that caliber assigned to a prince, his life would be safe.
However, when Zhang Xun used his magic to look up and observe the qi, he saw that Xue Qinghe was surrounded by black and red entanglements, clearly indicating that his death was imminent and there was no way he could be safe.
Yesterday's advice was more than enough; if I were to speak frankly, I would be forced to get involved, so it's better to leave it alone.
Time always flies when you're focused on doing something.
The sun and moon revolve in the sky, and Zhang Xun's three points form a straight line.
A month has passed.
After spending so much time watching historical figures stir up trouble like dragons in the wind, Zhang Xun woke up somewhat dazed.
All he wants to complain about now is that the book collection's classification is too sloppy!
The book title is so bizarre, it's like the author has been obsessed with journalism, managing to categorize many nonsensical things together.
However, what remains consistent is the complete absence of any records about pre-city-state civilizations, but rather a great deal of unofficial history about gods and deities. Whether it's true or not is unclear, but it's certainly quite fantastical.
Looking at the incredibly interesting historical materials, he bought breakfast, greeted Zhang Susu, who had become much more withdrawn, and then set off for his daily mission point.
I returned to my usual spot in the library.
The chief of the Education Commission, Meng Shenji, was already seated to the side, as if waiting for the resident librarian sitting in the chair next to him.
Meng Shenji, the chief educator of the Education Commission who was obsessed with studying martial spirit theories, finally discovered that this newly enrolled student had not attended a single class.
He only found out by asking the teacher, because the teachers in the Tiandou Class had no idea that there was a new student named Zhang Xun!
He heard that Zhang Xun liked reading, but he didn't share that opinion! You read books in your study?
Zhang Susu, on the other hand, is quite famous in the Tianwei level; she is an ordinary person who works very hard.
"Zhang Xun?"
"Um."
Zhang Xun, who was munching on something that looked like roasted corn, turned his head and asked, "What's wrong, Mr. Education Commissioner? Haven't you eaten?"
Looking at what the other party handed over, Meng Shenji's eyes twitched involuntarily, as if he could feel his blood pressure rising.
However, considering that the other party had not violated school rules, and that there was a gray-haired man floating in mid-air in the corner, he tried his best to control his emotions.
"As a student, you should have no problem following the course schedule, right?"
Looking at the book, Zhang Xun casually asked, "Will it affect graduation?"
The Education Commission remained silent.
It really doesn't affect anything. Moreover, since most of the students in the academy are from noble families or have powerful backgrounds, the teachers have a tacit understanding to ignore things if they can. If you ask me, I'll teach you; if you don't ask, then you can go practice and fight in the arena.
Those who can make it into the Heavenly Dou Class are basically either geniuses or geniuses with great perseverance. Here, it doesn't matter at all; it all depends on self-discipline.
But you haven't shown your face at all in the month since school started, you're truly unique.
After hesitating for a long time, Meng Shenji finally blurted out that he had fabricated school rules.
"The graduation regulations clearly state that graduation depends on the mentor's evaluation and the student's own soul power level. If you don't work hard, I won't help you graduate."
"No, there isn't one. I've read the school rules handbook; they're all just moral guidelines, and they're not very binding."
"It's happening today. I'm the education commissioner, and my rules are the rules! Now get to class!"
"If I remember correctly, today is Sunday, no classes."
"..."
Hearing this, Chen Xin, who was in the corner, burst out laughing; he really couldn't hold it in.
After a few words, the originally serious atmosphere became much more cheerful.
After finishing his roasted corn, Zhang Xun took out some of his past research and theoretical conjectures.
"Alright, I'm not joking with you anymore, Education Commissioner."
As he spoke, he opened the cover and pushed the thick book toward Meng Shenji, whose face was gradually turning red.
The other party glanced down and saw the titles: "Speculation on Impurities in Soul Rings," "On the Feasibility of Positive Mutation in the Absorption of Martial Souls and Soul Rings," "On Whether There is a Two-Way Promotional Connection Between Mental Power and Soul Power," and "Soul Power and the Physical Body..."
The table of contents alone invigorated him; these were writing styles and arguments he had never encountered before.
Meng Shenji's large hand trembled slightly. He didn't speak, but simply turned the first page quietly.
[Speculation on Impurities in Martial Souls: (Excerpt)]
Assuming the spirit is a flower, its essence is a flower. However, during the process of acquiring spirit rings and its gradual evolution, the petals transform into blades. While this makes it stronger from a combat perspective, for a flower, this is an impurity; it shouldn't become a blade. It can be sharp, but once its essence changes, it loses its purity.
Perhaps these reasons exist because it has become difficult to improve one's soul power level. Perhaps the soul rings have provided him/her with extraordinary skills and power, but they have also brought more pressure and impurities.
Only high-level or even top-tier martial souls will be unaffected, or minimally affected, by the negative influence of spirit rings, and will only receive positive amplification.
People in Douluo Continent tend to express their emotions directly through their facial expressions and body language, and generally do not hide them.
Meng Shenji's fondness for theoretical research was something he had already made clear to Zhang Xun. He knew exactly how to deal with the other party. His purpose in coming here today was not to read the book, but to show this to the other party and pique his curiosity.
I also wanted to discuss my own conjectures about "pre-civilization" with the other party, as long as I didn't mention those "heaven-defying" theories, since I couldn't reveal them.
"Did you conduct this research independently?"
After reading one of the articles, Meng Shenji felt enlightened; these studies were unprecedented.
"It was researched by my master." Zhang Xun did not specify. After all, he was still a child at heart. He could have the reputation of a genius, but there were some things he really couldn't accept.
"Could you be that renowned theorist?"
Hearing this, Zhang Xun was slightly puzzled. "I studied under Zhang Jiao, and I've never heard of the title 'theoretical master' before."
"I thought your father's teacher was Master Yu Xiaogang. I was being presumptuous."
"Yu Xiaogang?"
Upon hearing the name prompt, Zhang Xun instantly recalled the other party's information: the other party claimed to be a master.
As for the master's research, it seems to be some basic theories. Because it's not important, Zhang Xun didn't take notes at all, and the junior college library didn't include it. He hasn't even looked at it yet.
What impressed Zhang Xun most was not the theory, but the incredible thing he did.
He had an improper relationship with his sister and eventually got married.
Let alone the five degrees of kinship, their fathers were brothers by blood. This fact shocked Zhang Xun's rather open-minded values at the time.
"What works has he written?" Zhang Xun asked politely.
Upon hearing this, Meng Shenji looked down at the thick, thesis-like books, hesitated for a moment, and then got up and took a small notebook from the bookshelf.
Zhang Xun took the item and saw that the palm-sized cover read "The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul".
The text was brief and didn't even require turning the page; the entire content was right there when you opened it. After glancing at it, Zhang Xun narrowed his eyes and realized that things were not so simple.
"Is that all? As a master of theory, he must have done a lot of research, right? My master has more than a dozen books of research materials like the one you just mentioned."
"..."
The other party's silence was deafening.
Meng Shenji suddenly realized that the theoretical masters he had previously admired seemed to be heading in the wrong direction.
The two of them simultaneously lowered their heads to look at the books in their hands, ceasing their discussion.
A moment later, Zhang Xun broke the deadlock.
"Um, Professor Meng, as I've mentioned before, I have a particular fondness for history. I wonder if you know of any historical records from the period before the city-state civilization of Douluo Continent?"
Hearing this, Meng Shenji asked with slight surprise, "You've researched it to this extent?"
He closed his eyes in thought, tapping his fingers lightly on the wooden table, and then shook his head.
"I don't remember it. I went to Xingluo Royal Academy for an exchange for a period of time before and visited their library. It shouldn't be there either."
"There are many historical records from the city-state period. If there were historical records that could prove an earlier period, they would certainly have been preserved, but I can confirm that I have never seen them."
"If you're looking for it, the Spirit Hall's Great Library is actually the best place."
"The predecessor of the Spirit Hall was the Church that believed in the Angel God. In addition to using the Douluo Calendar, they also seem to be using the Angel Calendar internally, which is said to have been in use for more than 10,000 years, longer than the known history of the Douluo Calendar plus the history of the city-state."
Zhang Xun nodded. In that case, it was indeed a good place, but he didn't want to get involved with any forces deeply entangled with "God" right now. It wasn't safe. He'd wait until he was stronger before making any moves.
In the original story, the final enemy of the angel god is the one who inherits the position of angel god.
I really don't understand why a deity who is clearly on the side of justice would be portrayed as a villain.
"I have a few more questions to ask you, Meng Shenji Education Committee Member."
"Speak freely, I will tell you everything I know."
"From which era did the soul tool originate? If it was the city-state era, then it was much more barbaric than it is now, and this kind of thing doesn't seem to be a product of that era. But if it was earlier, there is no historical evidence to support it."
Meng Shenji fell silent for a moment.
Seeing his reaction, Zhang Xun knew that the other party also didn't know, so he had no choice but to continue speaking.
"I've made a hypothesis: if there existed an era before the city-state era, perhaps ten thousand years ago or even earlier, that was even more prosperous and where soul tools were prevalent, do you, the Education Commissioner, think that's possible?"
He stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly.
"That's only natural, otherwise it's impossible to explain how these soul tools, which cannot be disassembled and repaired even now, have been passed down."
"So that means the existence of soul tools is predicated on the existence of a prosperous civilization in the past, right? Then the question is, why is there so much historical evidence from the city-state era, which is earlier than that civilization, that clearly shows that the era was very backward? They were clearly closer to that era."
Upon hearing Zhang Xun's words, Meng Shenji realized that something was amiss with history.
"Destroyed? That shouldn't be the case. Even if an entire country was slaughtered, the lineage shouldn't be this severe. But..."
He muttered to himself, got up and paced back and forth, feeling a sharp point on his head. Then, without looking back, he walked into the library corridor, frantically searching for something.
Seeing his reaction, Zhang Xun decided not to stay in the library any longer.
It can now be concluded that regardless of whether the Spirit Hall has historical records, much of history has been deliberately erased. As for the 'pre-civilization,' it can be basically concluded that it definitely existed.
After tidying up the things I had just shown him, I walked towards the courtyard gate.
As a scholar seeking truth, is what he lacks experience? Is it knowledge? No, if he is truly committed to this, then what he lacks is actually curiosity about the unknown. He is the seed planted by Zhang Xun. If he really wants to understand, he will take the initiative to go to the Spirit Hall to exchange and learn.
Just as they left, they saw the First Prince Xue Qinghe walking over. He was dressed simply, with his eyes narrowed and a gentle smile on his face. His whole demeanor was much more refined.
Surrounding him were men and women dressed in various luxurious robes, making a ruckus about the spring hunt, the first prince's victory, and the emperor's three-day banquet on a snowy night.
Even though the appearance hadn't changed much, Zhang Xun felt that the other person was different from when he met him last month. In addition, there was a fluctuation of the two Fire Separation Talismans that he had sold last time.
He used his magic to observe the aura, but he could not see the deathly aura that had surrounded him before.
It seems the calculation was correct; the person is gone, which is a bit of a pity, as he was a good customer.
Zhang Xun didn't want to get involved, so he turned around and left.
Xue Qinghe, who was constantly responding to those around him, slightly opened his eyes and looked at the only person who had left.
Why doesn't he try to curry favor with the prince? Is it because he is indifferent to fame and fortune?
I feel like I've seen this somewhere before, like that time in the library?
After thinking it over, he resumed responding to his surroundings.
He's just a bookworm, nothing to worry about.