Chapter 49: The Book Enthusiast

The realm of immortals is truly unfathomable, for to become an immortal is to transcend mortality, wielding terrifying divine powers and extraordinary methods. They can even trace causes back to their roots and take lives directly across the barrier of karma.

Even with immortal Qi lingering within his body, Qin Changsheng would still be nothing more than a target for slaughter before an actual immortal.

Therefore, he had to strike before the figure in white achieved immortality.

Otherwise, once the figure in white became immortal, they would undoubtedly realize he was still alive, and killing him then would be effortless.

Or perhaps the figure in white already knew he survived, simply waiting for an opportune moment to strike.

"Indeed. The Dean is a true sword immortal; his power and realm are far beyond ours. Who knows how long it will take us to reach such heights," Zhou Peng sighed. Although he was a genius in his own right, in the presence of a real sword immortal, he still felt his own insignificance and helplessness.

"The path ahead is long and far, yet I will search high and low," Qin Changsheng said. He knew that a sword immortal was not his ultimate destination, so he remained unperturbed.

"What a magnificent phrase—'the path ahead is long and far, yet I will search high and low.' Brother Qin possesses a truly splendid literary talent," Zhou Peng praised upon hearing these words.

Upon entering, the two were settled in by senior disciples, each receiving a small immortal cave dwelling, marking the official beginning of their studies at the Sword Academy.

Because of this, Zhou Peng and Qin Changsheng parted ways.

In reality, Dean Liu He of the Sword Academy had personally greeted the new disciples at the gates hoping to discover a few talented individuals to cultivate. Consequently, once inside, they did not see Liu He again.

At the time, both had concealed their true depths and had not responded to Liu He's sword intent.

Thus, neither received any special preferential treatment.

After joining the Sword Academy, Qin Changsheng gained the privileges of a disciple, spending most of his time running to the Pavilion of Scriptures. Possessing the Immortal Pupils, he found learning effortless; the profound Dao rhythms were instantly clear to him upon a single glance.

In just one month, he had finished reading numerous foundational sword formulas.

Yet, despite having been at the Academy for so long, he had not once laid eyes on Nangong Ruoxi. Ever since becoming the Holy Maiden of the academy, Nangong Ruoxi had lived in deep seclusion, making her difficult for ordinary people to encounter. Since Qin Changsheng had not revealed his true identity, crossing paths with her was naturally impossible.

Zhou Peng, on the other hand, had gradually made a name for himself within the Sword Academy over the course of a month. Unlike the low-profile Qin Changsheng, Zhou Peng fully exercised his talent as a social butterfly, eager to converse with everyone he met.

Thus, after displaying a certain degree of strength, within a single month, the new disciples of the entire Sword Academy had tacitly come to look to him as their leader.

Though the two had kept in touch initially, contact eventually faded.

This led Qin Changsheng to marvel inwardly. As expected of someone emerging from the imperial family, his mastery over political maneuvering and human hearts was truly distinct.

Aside from reading and studying, Qin Changsheng utilized the conveniences afforded to an academy disciple to visit other scriptural pavilions, reading an immensely eclectic range of texts. He read whatever fell into his hands—swordsmanship, arrays, alchemy, artifact forging, and even divination and heavenly secrets were not spared.

However, his clearance level was not high, limiting him to foundational texts. After all, he was merely a newly admitted junior disciple without a master to guide him, nor had he displayed top-tier talent to catch the eye of any supreme elders.

Aside from reading and studying, Qin Changsheng practiced the little monk's Indestructible Golden Body and occasionally performed the elderly-style Tai Chi divine arts, living a rather carefree and pleasant life.

Time flew, and before he knew it, a full year had passed.

Zhou Peng had risen to become the senior brother of the new generation of disciples, his cultivation realm "breaking through" to the Nascent Soul stage as naturally as water flowing into a channel, marking him out as a prized seed disciple to be cultivated.

Meanwhile, Qin Changsheng continued reading, gradually fading into obscurity.

Even Zhou Peng, who had once claimed to be his soulmate, seemed to have forgotten him entirely.

Qin Changsheng was not surprised.

Monsters crawling out of the abyss of the imperial palace were difficult enough to keep alive; those who survived and grew up all possessed extraordinary tricks, and anyone daring to hide their identity while wandering about freely was an absolute freak.

Therefore, he suspected Zhou Peng harbored alternative motives—perhaps attempting to secure the Academy's backing. After all, rumors whispered that the Great Zhou Emperor's lifespan was nearing its end, compelling every imperial prince to prepare accordingly.

Qin Changsheng was not in a hurry to seek out the figure in white either, knowing full well that achieving immortality was no simple matter. Even for the transformation of spirits, many required a hundred years, while attaining sainthood demanded one to two hundred years of comprehension.

As for attaining immortality, the vast majority fell short at the very last hurdle. Thus, the figure in white would not ascend so quickly, even if she possessed the potential.

Qin Changsheng lived in the Academy much like an elder in a secluded mountain sect, spending nearly every day in the Pavilion of Scriptures reading and studying, devouring every technique and mastering every discipline he laid eyes on.

While others read selectively, he swept through texts indiscriminately like a broom, progressing without exception or blind spots from the very first book on the bottom shelf.

Later, once he had mastered the Indestructible Golden Body to its pinnacle, he simply took up residence within the Pavilion of Scriptures to read day and night.

Within a year, he had finished every single foundational text on the ground floor.

Now, gazing up at the second floor of the pavilion, a trace of anticipation flickered in his eyes.

Yet, before he could ascend to the second floor, he was informed that his clearance level was still insufficient, as he remained only a one-star disciple.

Star ratings represented a disciple's contribution points within the academy. Generally, advancement required undertaking numerous tasks and making substantial contributions. Over the past year, Qin Changsheng had done nothing but read, failing to complete a single task, nor had he earned any point rewards for cultivation breakthroughs.

Because he had not broken through either.

"It seems I need to acquire some contribution points, otherwise the knowledge I wish to study will remain restricted," Qin Changsheng sighed softly.

He produced the academy's contribution ledger, which detailed various methods for earning points. For instance, slaying demonic beasts yielded points scaled to their tier, and exterminating evil entities worked similarly.

Alchemy, artifact crafting, array arrangement, herb cultivation, and hunting down rare materials were all listed.

One particular task instantly captured Qin Changsheng's attention.

Search for the Origin of Yin and Yang, rewarding one million contribution points...

Upon seeing this task, Qin Changsheng's breathing turned rapid.

A one-star disciple required no points, but advancing to a two-star disciple required ten thousand points, a three-star disciple required one hundred thousand points, a four-star disciple required five hundred thousand, and one million points could directly elevate one to a five-star disciple!

Above five-star disciples were the personal direct disciples, and above them stood the holy sons and holy maidens.

Furthermore, the entire Pavilion of Scriptures—whether the main tower or the auxiliary pavilions—only had five floors. This meant that virtually all attainable cultivation techniques and secret manuals within the academy could be read once accessible. As for the strictly guarded esoteric secrets, even holy sons and holy maidens were not guaranteed clearance.

Besides, the task description did not specify the exact quantity of the Origin required.

If he casually lopped off a piece the size of his fist to hand in, it should be fine, right?

"Originally, I had no desire to trade it, but the reward they're offering is simply too generous."

Qin Changsheng drew a deep breath.

For the first time in a year, he stepped out of the Pavilion of Scriptures.

Over the past year, the new disciples of the academy had all transitioned into senior disciples.

Many had achieved massive breakthroughs in their cultivation realms.

Only Qin Changsheng had remained continuously buried in books within the academy. As time passed, many people had taken notice of the constant figure reading inside the pavilion, affectionately bestowing upon him the title of "Book Fool."

The moment he stepped outside the pavilion, a wave of murmurs rippled through the surroundings.

"The Book Fool has walked out of the Pavilion of Scriptures! Good grief!"

"Quickly notify Young Master Guo; the gambling pool he set up finally has a result!"