Chapter 51 – The Diligent Li Zixuan

Library Second Floor.

Sandalwood bookshelves stood in neat rows, with gilded silver pillars towering throughout. Each pillar was carved with ancient star charts, profound and esoteric, while Star Power drifted between the books, making the entire second floor extraordinarily luxurious.

It was as if the celestial star sea had descended to the mortal realm.

When Qin Yang stepped onto the second floor, the man and fox moved forward leisurely, as if strolling across the vast river of stars.

Witnessing this magnificent spectacle, Qin Yang couldn’t help but blurt out “Holy shit!”, immediately drawing a look of disdain from Xiaobai.

What kind of reaction was that?

These books gathered here were all treasures collected by the Curator of Jianghai City, containing the wisdom and insights of numerous martial arts predecessors.

And all you could say was “Holy shit”?

Noticing Xiaobai’s expression, Qin Yang glanced sideways at her, making her quickly turn away to avoid his gaze as she pointed toward nearby Acquired Realm experts:

“Master, feel free to browse without worry. These people are all under my illusion and won’t be able to break free for quite some time.”

“How long can you maintain this approximately?”

“That depends on how long you want to read, Master.”

“???”

Hearing this, Qin Yang was momentarily stunned.

So overpowered?

I can read for as long as I want?

Xiaobai’s illusion technique is truly heaven-defying!

Observing this, Qin Yang couldn’t resist stealing a glance at a nearby Acquired Realm expert, noticing their vacant eyes and unfocused pupils, though he had no idea what kind of illusion Xiaobai had trapped them in.

But he estimated they wouldn’t wake up anytime soon.

“Not bad, not bad, this is perfect.”

Qin Yang set Xiaobai down from his shoulder and waved dismissively: “Alright, go play somewhere else. Don’t disturb my reading.”

His tone was cold and emotionless, as if discarding a useless tool.

“You!”

Xiaobai’s fur bristled as soon as her paws touched the ground, ears standing straight up. Just as she was about to get angry, she met Qin Yang’s indifferent gaze.

“You… take your time reading, Master… This servant won’t disturb you anymore.”

With these words, Xiaobai transformed into a white-haired little girl, barefootedly skipping across the star-strewn floor, frolicking innocently among the bookshelves.

After sending Xiaobai away, Qin Yang headed to the swordplay section to examine the treasured sword dao explanations.

A dazzling array of book titles came into view: “Supreme Emotionless Sword”, “True Explanation of Crimson Sun Sword Intent”, “Profound Yin Nine Swords”… enough to make one’s eyes spin.

Qin Yang selected several volumes to skim through, his eyes scanning line after line of text.

Soon,

he had memorized every word in the books perfectly, imprinting them all in his mind.

“It’s about time to refine One Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate.”

Qin Yang recalled the sword techniques at his disposal.

Currently, he only had two noteworthy techniques.

One was the Emperor-Rank Martial Art “Sky-Slicing Sword Draw”. This technique was already sufficiently advanced and didn’t require improvement for now, nor could it be enhanced currently.

But his other sword technique, “One Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate”, had significant room for improvement.

“Integrating ten thousand sword daos into a single technique, surpassing the master who taught you – that’s what true invincibility means.”

Thinking this, Qin Yang felt anticipation growing within him and continued browsing the swordplay collections.

After memorizing two Innate Realm techniques, he checked the time on his phone.

He was still on duty,

and his trip to the second floor was essentially stealing leisure during busy hours – using a bathroom break as an excuse to slack off. He needed to return to his post eventually.

With this in mind,

Qin Yang glanced through the contents of the books he held, committing everything to memory before returning them to the empty shelves. Then he called out to the playing Bai Li:

“Come here, Xiaobai. We’re going back.””Oh, coming, Master.”

Xiaobai sprang into action at the sound, bending to transform back into her fox form before trotting over and leaping onto Qin Yang’s shoulder, curling into a fluffy ball.

Then, stepping with the Seven-Star Dragon Step, Qin Yang silently left the second floor and returned to his post on the first floor to continue working.

…

While pushing a cart of books to reshelve them, Qin Yang closed his eyes to organize his memories.

In his mind, all the swordplay techniques he had collected were reassembled with his thoughts, characters peeling away into phrases before merging into the Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate technique, making rapid progress.

“Tsk, isn’t this pretty much the same as automated cultivation?”

Several days passed.

Qin Yang’s life could be described as exceptionally relaxed and comfortable.

His daily routine followed a simple two-point line—clocking in at the Library from home.

During work hours, he’d sneak off with Xiaobai to the second floor, pull out two new Innate Sword Technique manuals to absorb insights, and enhance his mastery of One Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate.

After work, he’d return home to enjoy dishes cooked by Xiaobai—Mapo Tofu, Double-Cooked Pork Slices, Braised Pork Chops… rotating through regional cuisines from all over without ever repeating a meal.

…

On this particular day, Qin Yang and Xia He were slacking off together as usual, while Xiaobai lounged lazily on the railing, quietly listening to their conversation.

“Hey, Old Qin, look over there—that girl’s here again.”

Xia He, taking a drag from his cigarette, suddenly gestured for Qin Yang to look toward the rest area.

Lᴀᴛᴇsᴛ Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ꜰʀᴇᴇᴡᴇʙɴ(ᴏ)ᴠᴇʟ.ᴄ(ᴏ)ᴍ

Under the gentle noon sunlight, Li Zixuan sat at one of the tables, a thick stack of books piled high on the surface, as if immersed in a sea of literature, serene and dignified.

“Why is she working so hard, Old Qin? With such great talent and still grinding like this—how are us ordinary folks supposed to keep up!”

Xia He grumbled, taking an agitated drag before flicking his cigarette butt away, extinguishing it with a wisp of Star Power.

Li Zixuan had visited the Library many times over the past few days.

Seeing such a genius still so diligent instantly gave Xia He a significant sense of crisis.

Fortunately, noticing that Qin Yang remained as nonchalant and idle as ever put his mind at ease.

“Who knows? Maybe she has other things on her mind.”

Qin Yang brushed it off with a few casual words, glancing at Li Zixuan in the distance while idly stroking Xiaobai beside him.

The affectionate gesture caught Xia He’s eye, sparking intense envy as he reached out to pet Xiaobai’s back.

But the moment his hand extended, Xiaobai bared her teeth with a fierce growl, making him quickly retract his hand in fright.

“Damn, Old Qin, your Xiaobai is seriously fierce.”

Xia He complained, “I want to pet her too—can you, as her master, give me a chance?”

“Next time, for sure.”

Qin Yang replied with a grin, “You can keep dreaming for now.”

Xia He: “……”

Their conversation drifted across the crowd in fragments, reaching Li Zixuan’s ears and causing her to frown slightly.

“So noisy.”

Her mood was irritable, weighed down by immense internal pressure; even the slightest disturbance could stir anger within her.

Soon, the prodigy disciple of the Grassland Sword Saint would arrive in Jianghai City.

Time was tight, and as the representative of Jianghai Martial Arts Academy, she had to master One Sword Opens Heaven’s Gate to perfection as quickly as possible—she absolutely could not lose.

Otherwise, Jianghai Martial Arts Academy would lose face, and she’d disgrace her teacher.

Thinking this, Li Zixuan felt the pressure mounting like a mountain.Anxious fury surged within, making even the book in his hands feel utterly obscure. The once steadfast Sword Heart began showing signs of fragmentation.

This restless energy unwittingly radiated outward, accidentally intercepted by Qin Yang’s spiritual perception.

“Old Qin, stop staring at her like that. Don’t tell me you’re still holding onto hope?”

Seeing Qin Yang’s fixed gaze on Li Zixuan, Xia He remarked.

“……”

Qin Yang didn’t respond but instead furrowed his brows. His heightened sensitivity allowed him to instantly perceive…

There was something profoundly wrong with Li Zixuan at this moment!

(End of Chapter)