Feng Erxin nodded in a daze. She did indeed want to know. Zhong Shenxiu looked up at her, staring for a full twenty seconds before finally speaking: "I can tell you with absolute certainty, your lectures are utterly idiotic!"
That sentence hit Ma Ke Xin like a bolt from the blue. Poor thing, she had been diligently teaching for several years; even if she hadn't earned praise, she had certainly put in the hard work. Yet, to think she would be spoken to like this, and by one of her own students!
How could this be? Ma Ke Xin felt intensely wronged. She considered her teaching to be excellent—both vivid and clearly articulated. How had it devolved into being called idiotic?
"Perhaps my description wasn't precise enough," Zhong Shenxiu actually smiled again, then continued. "A more accurate statement would be: listening to you lecture is utterly appalling!"
This statement carried immense weight, instantly stunning Ma Ke Xin!
Poor Ma Ke Xin stood frozen there like a wooden carving, watching Zhong Shenxiu and Robin walk away.
As for Zhong Shenxiu, he took Robin directly to the library.
Since they had visited yesterday, this time they navigated the route like old hands. No difficulty whatsoever!
The library they arrived at was massive, spanning five floors, with each floor containing over a dozen rooms. Each room housed books of a specific category.
Perhaps considering that the constitution of a magician was generally weaker, and to spare them the fatigue of climbing stairs, the first three floors were dedicated to magic and miscellaneous subjects. Only the top two floors housed books pertaining to swordsmanship.
Zhong Shenxiu and Robin entered the library and headed straight into Room Three on the first floor, the very place Zhong Shenxiu had frequented yesterday.
With practiced ease, Zhong Shenxiu pulled a book on Light Element Magic from the shelf, placed it on a reading table, and began to pore over it. Every room in the library contained numerous tables for students to read at.
At this moment, several people were already seated at the reading tables. These individuals found it quite strange to see such a young figure like Zhong Shenxiu frequenting the library. However, since noise was strictly prohibited within the library, despite their confusion, they refrained from discussing it.
Robin selected the most fundamental books on magical knowledge as per Zhong Shenxiu's instructions. Zhong Shenxiu planned to thoroughly understand every facet of magic himself before properly teaching Robin! Perhaps by then, he could devise a more suitable training method for Robin—something akin to his improved Dark Magic!
Time flew by. By noon, Zhong Shenxiu had nearly mastered the Level Five and Six spells within Light Element Magic, at least those introduced in these texts. Spells of the same tier shared a characteristic: the density of their magical elemental arrangement was extremely similar, though their structural configurations varied somewhat. Having grasped this trait, Zhong Shenxiu could even create new spell techniques of the same level! Do not doubt him; he absolutely possessed that capability!
Since it was already midday, the students who had been reading began leaving sequentially, presumably heading off for lunch.
Zhong Shenxiu also set down the book he was reading. After a brief moment of consideration, he decided to check out the cafeteria as well. Firstly, it would allow him time to digest the knowledge he had just absorbed. Secondly, he could not let Robin starve while waiting for him!
Robin always submitted to Zhong Shenxiu's decisions, so the two strolled leisurely towards the cafeteria.
If they hadn't come, they wouldn't have known—but arriving, they were shocked!
The cafeteria was packed, almost bursting at the seams. The ceaseless flow of people, the clamor all around, made one wonder if a recruitment drive was taking place!
Zhong Shenxiu disliked such chaotic environments, so he decided to check another cafeteria. At the 'Dublai Magic and Martial Arts Academy,' there was more than one dining hall. However, when Zhong Shenxiu and Robin arrived at the second one, they were momentarily stunned; this place had even more people than the first!
Zhong Shenxiu found it utterly bizarre. Why was everyone rushing to eat at this exact time? It was as if they were desperate to be reborn!
The pair didn't squeeze inside but found a shaded spot outside the cafeteria to sit. They weren't in a hurry; waiting until the crowds thinned before going in wouldn't be too late.
Of course, Zhong Shenxiu didn't just sit idly. He began imparting some knowledge about Cultivation to Robin. Thus, time passed quickly, and it was clearly visible that very few people remained in the cafeteria!
Seeing that it was time, Zhong Shenxiu put the book down and, after a slight pause, decided to head to the cafeteria. Not only could he digest the knowledge he had just gained, but he also couldn't let Robin starve while waiting for him!
Robin always acquiesced to Zhong Shenxiu's decisions, so the two slowly made their way to the dining hall.
They wouldn't have known if they hadn't come, but arriving, they were startled!
The dining hall was so crowded, it was nearly bursting at the seams. The continuous stream of people and the surrounding din made one wonder if a job fair was underway!
Zhong Shenxiu disliked such a chaotic atmosphere, so he decided to check out another dining hall. The 'Dublai Magic and Martial Arts Academy' had several canteens. However, when Zhong Shenxiu and Robin arrived there, they were somewhat dumbfounded; this one was even more crowded than the first!
Zhong Shenxiu found it strange. Why were all the people rushing at this specific time, almost as if they were desperate to get reincarnated!
The two didn't try to push their way into the cafeteria but found a shaded area outside to sit. They weren't pressed for time; going in later when it was less crowded wouldn't be an issue.
Naturally, Zhong Shenxiu wasn't simply sitting still. He started instructing Robin on aspects of Cultivation. In this manner, time passed quickly, and it was evident that the cafeteria was now much less crowded!
Zhong Shenxiu saw that it was his turn to enter. He and Robin stepped inside.
But upon entering, he was stunned once more. Although the cafeteria had numerous serving windows offering various flavors, virtually all the food at every window was nearly gone, plates scraped clean!
It was no exaggeration: finding a few scraps of vegetables on an iron tray would be considered lucky; some windows even lacked leftover soup!
Staring at the empty windows, the anger Zhong Shenxiu felt was profound. These beasts! Now Zhong Shenxiu finally understood why they had been so frantic to rush ahead of everyone else!
Naturally, Zhong Shenxiu was also furious with the academy's cafeteria chefs. How could they, knowing how many "wolves" there were, not cook more food?!
With no other option, Zhong Shenxiu had to take Robin to an outside restaurant for their meal. Zhong Shenxiu secretly resolved that from now on, he absolutely had to bring his own lunch!
The two, as before, did not return to class—and probably never would again! In Zhong Shenxiu's words: rather than listening to that infuriating lecture, he might as well continue studying slowly in the library!
Poor Ma Ke Xin's heartfelt efforts had resulted in this outcome! She hadn't even eaten lunch today and was likely stewing in frustration somewhere!
Upon reaching the library, Zhong Shenxiu resumed reading, but this time he selected material on more advanced Light Element Magic.
As he read the introduction to Level Eight Light Element Magic, his body trembled slightly. An inspiration flashed across his mind, something he almost grasped but couldn't quite articulate.
What was happening? Why did he have this feeling of déjà vu?
Zhong Shenxiu was very surprised. He had only just begun to encounter this Level Eight Light Element Magic, yet he felt a sense of familiarity. This familiarity wasn't related to the extension of the connection from the Light Magic he already knew, but rather felt like he had encountered it long ago.
How could this be? Zhong Shenxiu unintentionally refocused his gaze onto the book, staring intently at the description of the Level Eight Light Element Magic!
Wait! Zhong Shenxiu's body shook again. He finally understood why he felt that sense of déjà vu: this Level Eight Light Element Magic bore a resemblance to some Buddhist Dharma techniques!
This discovery was far from trivial. It was known that all things in the world were connected, some obviously, others subtly. If one could follow this connection like tracking footprints, perhaps the origin, the very essence, of things could be found.
Zhong Shenxiu suppressed the excitement in his heart and began to contemplate the similarities and connections between the two.
Time passed bit by bit. Zhong Shenxiu kept his eyes fixed on that single page, not turning it. His brain was performing calculations beyond ordinary comprehension; the characteristics of Light Element Magic and the various aspects of Buddhist supreme skills were laid out in his mind. Through constant sifting and comparison, the connection between the two grew increasingly clear.
Robin noticed the change in Zhong Shenxiu's expression, but she asked nothing, merely standing guard beside him. She knew that at this moment, Zhong Shenxiu was in a state of intense mental concentration and could not tolerate any external disturbance!
"Found it!"
After an unknown amount of time, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly let out an excited roar.
His shout immediately drew the attention of everyone in the library.
Zhong Shenxiu then realized his momentary lapse, but he made no attempt to conceal it. Instead, he picked up the book from the table and said to Robin, "Robin, we're going back now!"
At this moment, he was eager to prove whether his discovery was truly viable! If his assumption was correct, he would be opening the door to an entirely new domain!
Robin was somewhat perplexed by Zhong Shenxiu's sudden behavior, but she could discern from the fiery light in his eyes that her master must have discovered something significant again!
Zhong Shenxiu led Robin to the librarian's counter. He placed the two books he was holding onto the counter and said plainly, "Checking out books!"
The librarian was a middle-aged woman. She looked at Zhong Shenxiu and Robin with surprise, taking a long moment to process the request!
"Hey, I said, checking out books!" Zhong Shenxiu reminded her with a hint of impatience in his tone.
He was currently excited and thrilled; he didn't want to waste any more time here!
Or rather, he was in his optimal state; every passing second held the potential to spark more inspiration!
"So young and already borrowing books!" The middle-aged woman smiled, paying no mind to Zhong Shenxiu's sharp tone.
Why would anyone bother arguing with a child?
"Do you have a library card?" the middle-aged woman asked again.
Zhong Shenxiu, too impatient for idle chatter, simply placed his library card on the counter as an answer. With women like this, the more you indulged them, the longer the conversation would drag on!
The middle-aged woman looked at Zhong Shenxiu's card for a while, then delivered a statement that thoroughly frustrated him.
"Little one, this card must be newly issued, right? We have a rule here: new cards can only check out one book for the first month!" The woman glanced at the two books sitting on the counter.
When she saw the titles, she paused again. She thought to herself: Is this child really capable of understanding such highly difficult books at such a young age?
In that moment, Zhong Shenxiu desperately wanted to 'purify' the auntie in front of him. He thought: What kind of ridiculous rule is this?!
"Alright, little one, choose one of these two books!"
Robin was growing increasingly sharp. Hearing the auntie say that, without waiting for Zhong Shenxiu's command, she slapped her own library card onto the counter. Then, she asked in an extremely flat tone, "Can we check out two books now?"