7 Public Library

After Lin Xueqin had left, the execution had gone quite well. There are, of course, certain unexpected events, such as Lin Wen reprimanding the Xin Family's Young Master, Xin Wuque. Aside from that, there is also a certain rumor that has spread like wildfire...

The execution was said to be a sham, fake!

The masses criticized Lin Wen for beheading an innocent man in place of Lin Xueqin. After all, during the execution, they had only seen the head wrapped in the sack rolling in the stage, nothing else to prove that it was indeed Lin Xueqin. As of now, a new story comes up, and that is the actual devil is still on the run. This story sent shivers up to the spine...

However, the commotion seemed to continue without a hint of the wave stops.

A new matter blew out— A thief has robbed the Lins' clan treasury!

Everyone in town was debating who the thief was, while some rejoiced at Lin Family's misfortune. At the same time, the issue of the false execution had gradually faded out, providing how high the Lins' authority in the Mulberry Town, but the thief remained the topic of conversation.

The Lin Family was also not tight-lipped at this time. They actually decreed a reward for those who could give out accurate information about the thief...

On the other hand, the cause of the commotion was calmly strolling the street. Lin Xueqin was on his way to the Public Library. He was obviously aware of the rumors and discussion on the town, given the fact that many crowds were discussing it.

However, the outcome dissatisfied him. What Lin Xueqin wanted was to create chaos in town, literally a war between clans. But the townsfolk lacked the courage to antagonize the Lins, which caused him to furrow his brow in frustration.

As expected, it was tough to start a riot in a conquered town...

It was late afternoon when Lin Xueqin arrived at the Public Library. The public library was a three-story building. Its wall was composed of jade stones, which gave it a dazzling and luxurious appearance. However, the darkness was slowly approaching, and the moon would gradually wane, dimming the luminous and bustling library. In two hours, the public library would soon be closed.

Knowing that Lin Xueqin changed his mind and went to the nearby Inn, he could spend the night. He paid for a one-night stay and ate his supper.

His supper was actually delicious, which he did not expect; greasy meat from a fresh wild black pig, fish soup, and crimson wine. Lin Xueqin pondered and came up with a conclusion. Perhaps the reason the cultivation world's cuisine was better than modern food was because of Qi. Since Qi exists here, the cooking would undoubtedly be far tastier than that of the contemporary world.

After eating, he listened to the conversation around him. However, he did not obtain any relevant information, so he went to his room to meditate.

After closing his eyes, Lin Xueqin circulated the Encompassing Concealment Technique.

Now that he has the time to meditate, Lin Xueqin will not waste the opportunity to achieve his goals. After all, he was only a touch short of mastering the encompassing concealment technique.

Without the fragments to aid him in cultivation, Lin Xueqin's comprehension was like a snail that he was rendered speechless. Indeed, without his golden finger, his talent was nothing impressive.

However, talent is not the only factor to consider when pursuing the martial path. The pure heart of martial arts is also present. Lin Xueqin is aware that he lacks talent, but he is determined to achieve immortality, travel beyond the universe, and perhaps return to earth in the future.

Heaven seemed to be aware of Lin Xueqin's existence as his vision became blurred. A moment later, his soul and his predecessor's remnants of soul merged together. Now his comprehension has turned from mediocre into average, resulting in an excellent performance. When daybreak came, his mastery over the encompassing concealment technique had reached the entry of perfection!

"Eh...I actually unlock another function?"

Almost at the same time, he achieved perfection level of the technique; the encompassing concealment technique passed a small amount of information into Lin Xueqin's head — Body Alternation.

Body Alternation refers to the muscles in his body. It includes the bones, tendons, as well as the skin, and the face. It's actually very beneficial to him, for his appearance is known to others in the Public Square.

As Lin Xueqin pondered, he actually felt that the Body Alternation function was more effective than disguising himself with a mask and bamboo hat. It also lowered the danger of being exposed.

After contemplating whether to use it or not, Lin Xueqin had made a decision, so he envisioned an old man in his head. His body then began to alternate.

After half a cup of tea(7-8 min), his appearance had changed to that of an old man with wrinkles. His hair was white, but his eyes had a glint of sharpness within them. His aura was weak, yet it seemed a profound aura was swirling around him, seemingly one that belonged to a retired general. When one casually glanced at him, he would just look like an elderly man. However, if one would scrutinize him, there was a feeling of bloodlust and one-of-a-kind around him. He looked unique!

Lin Xueqin was pleased with his current appearance, so he took the spatial ring from his pocket and placed the mask and bamboo hat inside. He then paused for a bit before also deciding to change into his spare clothes.

The old man was now dressed in a thick, opaque robe which added his mysterious appearance.

Lin Xueqin strolled to the left side of the room, his face mirrored in the mirror. Lin Xueqin was delighted after seeing that his disguise was now flawless.

Then he turned around and activated the invisibility function.

Instantly, his figure disappeared in the mirror. Lin Xueqin believed that he could now conceal himself to a peak early golden core with the perfection stage of the concealment technique. No one could expose him unless he came across a middle golden core realm or a revelation array.

Lin Xueqin had still not deactivated his invisibility function. When he came into the Inn yesterday, his appearance was a middle-aged man wearing a mask. Now that he changed his appearance and aura to that of an old man, he couldn't leave the room. Otherwise, the innkeepers would suspect something amiss.

Having this thought, Lin Xueqin left his room while activating the invisibility function. He had already paid his expense on the Inn yesterday, so he immediately departed. As soon as he went outside, he was greeted by the crisp morning air, oh what a beautiful day.

Lin Xueqin smiled and trekked along a deserted alley. He then deactivated his invisibility function and went in the opposite direction of the way he came.

Soon after, he arrived at his destination— the Public Library.

Although the library is open to the public, one spirit stone is required to enter. The Lin Family owns this library; therefore, it's within expectation for them to suck money out of it.

The public library actually has frequent customers. Depending on how many people visit and stay, they would collect between 100-500 spirit stones per day. Their daily income could sometimes reach 1000 spirit stones. Its monthly income ranges between 20,000 and 30,000 spirit stones, causing the eyes of outsiders to bleed. Such a business is considered a success.

It is just one of the businesses that uphold the Lin Family's assets. Even though their wealth has just been ransacked, the Lins can still survive.

The guards immediately noticed the old man at the entrance. Likewise, Lin Xueqin spotted them as well and paid the entrance fee, five spirit stones, which was equivalent to a five-hour stay in the library.

"One spirit stone equals one hour in the library...This Lin Family is definitely a money grabber," Lin Xueqin thought as he grasped the token with a '5' etched in the center.

A young lady was reclining at the counter on the first floor. As soon as he stepped inside, the young lady stood up and approached Lin Xueqin. She worked here as a library attendant.

"How may I assist you, sir?" The librarian inquired.

"Do you know where I can get the book about the legendary levels of cultivation realms?"

"The legendary levels..." The young lady was slightly surprised. "There are five books about the legendary levels. May I ask what realm's legendary level you are looking for?"

"Spirit refinement stage."

The librarian thought for a moment before opening her mouth. "All right, sir, please follow me."

The young lady brought Lin Xueqin to the second floor. It was still early in the morning, so the library was still vacant. Lin Xueqin only noticed a few customers taking up books, reading, and sitting in the chair on the first two floors.

As they approached the second floor, there was a large number of books on display. As an influential family, the Lin Family is not short on books. In fact, they outnumber the other families in terms of quality and quantity.

After the young lady handed him the book he wanted, Lin Xueqin looked around for a chair nearby. He then noticed a chair by the window, sat there, and opened the book.

The book was titled 'Records of Spirit Refinement's Legendary Levels.' The three legendary levels are known as Man, Earth, and Heaven.

The Man stage is about the awakening of spirit manipulation. At this stage, one has already stepped into the 10th stage of spirit refinement.

Next, the Earth stage indicates that the user has gained the recognition of the spirit manipulation and has awakened it completely, but the user is still unable to use it.

Finally, the Heaven stage means one has harmonized and gains complete recognition of spirit manipulation. The user at this stage can already wield the spirit manipulation.

When one reaches the Heaven stage, one will have the combat prowess of a golden core realm. This ability to defy common sense is alarming!

As he read the essential details of the book, such as how to achieve the legendary levels and theories, words began to float in front of Lin Xueqin.

[Absorb the Record of Spirit Refinement Legendary Levels?]

Lin Xueqin was taken aback, and then he realized. 'So I can also absorb books as well! What a surprise. But should I absorb it? If this book goes missing, I will be the first to be suspected.'

Lin Xueqin considered the possibility of the risk. He calculated in his mind, and three options popped into his head.

The first possibility was to read the book and then leave. However, Lin Xueqin had paid the guard five spirit stones for five hours of stay. The guard would suspect him of stealing if he departed quickly. Thus, Lin Xueqin crashed out the first possibility.

The second option was to absorb the book, activate his invisibility function, and then flee. However, there is a risk involved. The library attendant has counted the number of people who enter the building. When a customer left, the librarian would remove one number from the checklist. It meant that the library attendant was keeping track of how many individuals entered and exited the building. The librarian would undoubtedly notice if Lin Xueqin left using his invisibility function. Coupled with the fact that she had been picked as the librarian, she obviously had an excellent memory to remember Lin Xueqin, who was dressed as an old man and did not leave but vanished. The second possibility had a 30% chance of being discovered, but Lin Xueqin did not want to take the risk, so he crossed it off the list.

This prompts him to consider the third option...reading books for his remaining hours. Then, at the last minute, absorbed the book before leaving. The guards would not suspect him. After departing, he would alter his appearance and attire in the deserted alley. The third option was unquestionably the safest, with a near-perfect 99% success rate.

After deciding what to do, Lin Xueqin stood up and returned the book to its proper place. He then strolled through the library, pondering.

He had already inherited his predecessor's memory, so he knew the essential information in this world. He had nothing to do in the library, which made him regretted paying five spirit stones inside the library.

Who told him to be so rich?

Lin Xueqin sighed and made his way to the first floor. He asked the library attendant, who was lounging in the lobby. "Do you have any books with intriguing origins here, young lady?"

He figured that since he had nothing to do, he might as well read some enigmatic novels.

"There are," responded the young lady. "Here are some novels with mysterious origins. Look at them; they came here to read books like that."

"Oh...A novel with a mysterious origin..." Lin Xueqin was interested and thus looked around at the individuals reading books. Feeling curious, he leaned down and caught a flash of words with which he was well acquainted in his previous world—'I transmigrated, and I picked up attributes.'

What the f*ck...

Lin Xueqin's eyes widened. He leaned in closer to the young man reading the book and noticed the words "Chapter 6" at the top of the pages. He studied the sentences while he followed the young man's gaze...

'This...How? How could such a book exist in this world?'

The young man, who was reading the 'I transmigrated, and I picked up attributes,' cast a weird glance towards the old man on his side before continuing about his business. He turned to the next chapter and flipped the page.

Meanwhile, Lin Xueqin had yet to recovered. Never in his wildest dream did he thought that a transmigrator existed other than him. There was no further explanation he could think of because the 'system genre' had only recently emerged in the contemporary period.

Lin Xueqin frowned, his brows raising each passing second. A moment later, he asked the young man next to him. "Can you tell me who wrote this book, kid?"

The young man put down his book and looked at Lin Xueqin. "Are you interested in it?" he said.

Lin Xueqin nodded.

"Haha, that's to be expected. When I first heard about this type of book, I didn't think it could compete with well-known works... But I was mistaken...this is really good."

Apart from Lin Xueqin, everyone else agreed with the young man.

"The Chosen One is the author of this book." The young man gave a friendly smile. "His name is a little strange, but the book is what matters."

"The chosen one..." Lin Xueqin would remember this name for the rest of his life, but he was pretty interested in the transmigrator. 'This transmigrator dares to call himself 'The Chosen One,' which translates as 'I'm the Protagonist.'

Just thinking of that rendered Lin Xueqin speechless. Perhaps, this transmigrator wasn't aware that there are other transmigrators other than him, so he uses such a bold pen name.

"Thank you very much, young man."

After saying that, Lin Xueqin returned to the young lady. "Are there any other strange books here?"

"Not novels?" The librarian paused and said. "Ah yes, I remember. We have a book that is written in a foreign language. It appears to be from the ancient era. Do you want to read it, Sir?"

"Yes, sorry for the trouble."

"This is my work, Sir. It is fine. I'll be right back; please wait a moment." The young lady smiled as she approached the counter. After a minute passed, she returned with a book in hand.

"Here you go, sir."

Lin Xueqin took the book and sat next to the young man. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Opening them, he flipped the book opened, and his heart leaped in shock.

"This book...It's actually written in Mandarin?!"