Volume One: Another World Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Eight-Star Reward—The Sun and Moon Lotus Core Stone

"What are you thinking? How could they possibly make martial arts manuals public?" Qing Anqi said helplessly.

The Book Repository was not at all what Li Yu had imagined—a standard setup with a reclusive monk sweeping the floors and shelves crammed full of martial arts manuals. Instead, it resembled a library on Blue Star.

"Well, with a name like that, it’s easy to let your imagination run wild," Li Yu replied. "So where does one actually learn martial arts manuals? Is it taught like it was today?"

"Of course not," Qing Anqi shook her head, though she patiently began to explain.

The Qing clan was a vast family with countless branches. If they were to teach everyone at no cost, the financial burden alone would quickly plunge them into deficit. Therefore, their educational model was more a blend of learning and contribution.

Lessons on opening the meridians for ninth and eighth grade cultivators ran year-round. As long as any clan member wished to learn, they could attend the nearest academy, where spirit crystals were sold at low prices to accelerate cultivation.

Upon reaching the seventh grade, when the spiritual energy in the body condensed into liquid, students could begin to choose martial arts manuals to study. At this stage, however, these were no longer freely available; clan members had to complete internal tasks and earn contribution points to exchange for them.

"So that’s how it is," Li Yu mused. This approach not only nurtured clan members but also spurred their initiative and prevented freeloaders—truly a win on many fronts.

"By the way, the Book Repository we’re heading to isn’t just any regular one; you need contribution points to enter as well." Qing Anqi slapped away Li Yu’s hand as he reached over. "Don’t mess with my hair—it’s a hassle if it comes undone."

"It’s not my hassle, though," Li Yu chuckled darkly, then asked, "But I don’t have any contribution points. How am I supposed to get in?"

"You scoundrel, are you looking to die?" Qing Anqi kicked him hard in the knee. "You just walk in! Don’t you know your Seed status, given to you by my father? These places are open to you for free."

Seed status? Li Yu turned his head curiously, and Xiaocui, who had fallen half a step behind, met his questioning gaze and explained, "I mentioned it to you last night, young master."

Li Yu grimaced, "Tell me all about it when we get back later."

…

Their conversation didn’t delay them for long. The three of them soon climbed into a carriage drawn by an exotic beast.

Because the Book Repository was quite far away, and high-speed movement or leaping over walls was forbidden in many places within the clan, various transportation tools were provided.

For instance, Li Yu saw a massive python with six chairs strapped to its back. According to Xiaocui, it shuttled children to and from the martial arts training grounds.

What a sight—Li Yu was both amazed and amused. On second thought, if he hadn’t gained the system, he’d never have seen such transportation in a lifetime on Blue Star.

The beast moved swiftly and brought them to their destination in no time.

Upon alighting, Li Yu was greeted by an expansive, three-story building. From the outside, if one looked abstractly, it resembled a giant cylinder, with so many elaborate carvings that, had this been on Blue Star, every corner would be an influencer’s dream photo spot.

There were four entrances in every direction, and people bustled in and out constantly.

Following Qing Anqi inside, they were approached by three boys, about eleven or twelve years old. The one in front brightened at the sight of the newcomers and rushed over.

"Anqiqi, you came to the Book Repository too? What a coincidence, I was just about to go in myself," the boy called cheerfully.

This kid’s timing was spot on! Li Yu watched the three boys, who had originally been heading for the main entrance, especially the boy in the lead, and couldn’t help but give him silent applause.

"Zixuan, I’ve told you before, don’t call me that," Qing Anqi’s smile froze. "Besides, aren’t you supposed to be in martial arts class this afternoon?" She was sure Zixuan’s schedule didn’t include the Book Repository—how did they run into him here?

"Isn’t Anqiqi a cute name?" Qing Zixuan replied enthusiastically. "I just came to look something up and found the atmosphere here really nice. I’ll join you for class this afternoon!"

"If you like the atmosphere so much, are you planning to live here?" Qing Anqi retorted.

Li Yu stared blankly at the two children, barely older than ten, bantering back and forth. Anqiqi truly wasn’t a pleasant nickname, he thought privately. And this atmosphere—child, how can you even say that?

The Book Repository was thronged with people, the cacophony as noisy as a marketplace. What atmosphere could there possibly be? Of course, those truly wishing to read could simply use a bit of spiritual energy to block out the noise and create a quiet space for themselves.

Though Qing Anqi acted exasperated, Qing Zixuan stuck to her like a stubborn plaster.

So, the original trio became a group of four. The two boys with Qing Zixuan, however, had other classes to attend—or so they claimed. Li Yu distinctly heard Zixuan whispering for them to help cover for him.

So young, and already going to such lengths for a girl?

"Who’s that?" Li Yu fell back slightly with Xiaocui, nodding toward Qing Zixuan.

Xiaocui accompanied him much more often than Xiaohong, especially whenever they went out. She was a thoroughly professional maid. Even Li Yu, a born nitpicker from Blue Star, could find no fault with her.

Looked at another way, though, Xiaocui was essentially monitoring his every move. Not that Li Yu minded—he wasn’t some undercover agent from another clan.

"Young Master Qing Zixuan is the second elder’s grandson. His father commands the military forces," Xiaocui replied, reciting information she had memorized in case it ever became necessary.

"I see," Li Yu nodded knowingly. Failing at love and then staging a coup—classic TV drama plot.

Xiaocui had no idea what Li Yu was thinking. She simply saw him staring intently at Qing Zixuan, then turning to quietly browse the books around him.

…

[Congratulations, host. Check-in successful. Eight-star reward: Sun-Moon Lotus Core Stone.]

Li Yu wasn’t here to admire the scenery. He split his attention, immersing his mind into the system.

"System, what does this Sun-Moon Lotus Core Stone do?" he asked, examining the item he had just received.

[It is a time-type treasure. It can accelerate the passage of time in the environment.]

"I don’t think I have any use for—wait!" Li Yu rubbed his chin. This was exactly what he needed. "System, can I use it in the other world? What’s the maximum multiplier?"

Huang Xiu’s college entrance exams were approaching, and Li Yu still needed to establish himself firmly in the Qing clan—a process that could take a month or two. If the flow of time was the same in both worlds, he’d have trouble managing everything. But if he could accelerate the passage of time here…

If one day on Blue Star equaled several days here, he could coordinate matters in both worlds much more effectively.

[If used in the other world, the maximum multiplier is ten times.]

Ten days here for every day on Blue Star—Li Yu was delighted. He’d expected maybe two or three times, but never this much. "System, use the Sun-Moon Lotus Core Stone in the other world. Set it to ten times speed."

[Sun-Moon Lotus Core Stone activated. Tenfold time acceleration is now in effect.]