The Library's Scrap Paper

With Zhang Meng, a loyal "number one fan," blocking the front, Xu Qian's life became even more comfortable. Zhou Kang saw him as "dependable and hardworking," Zhang Meng "followed his every word," his colleagues thought he had "some skill but wasn't a bad person," and the prisoners found him "difficult to mess with but fair." He was simply the model student of interpersonal relationships in the Heavenly Prison.

One day, Zhou Kang summoned Xu Qian to the duty room again, a slight expression of "giving you an easy job" on his face.

"Xu Qian, Old Liu at the library is getting old and can't sort things out by himself. There are quite a few discarded scrolls and miscellaneous items piled up. Go over there and lend him a hand, clean them up," Zhou Kang said while drinking tea. "That place is quiet and not as filthy as the prison. It's a good assignment."

The library? Xu Qian's heart stirred. He had been there a few times before and had even "stolen" a lot of miscellaneous knowledge there, even finding a fragment of the Turtle Breath Art and the basics of formation runes. It was truly a treasure trove!

"Yes, Captain Zhou, I'll go right away." Xu Qian put on a "grateful" expression, though his heart was already blooming with joy. [Time to restock!]

He skillfully made his way to the library, located on the outer perimeter of the Heavenly Prison. Pushing open the heavy wooden door, the familiar scent of aged paper and dust mixed with the air.

Old Liu, who managed the library, was dozing on a desk piled high with scrolls, his saliva almost reaching his beard. Hearing the commotion, he groggily lifted his head. Seeing it was Xu Qian, he weakly waved his hand, "Oh, it's little Xu... Zhou Kang sent you? Here, those piles in that corner over there are all useless scrap paper. Take a look, bundle up what can be sold, and throw what can't be sold directly into the stove to burn..."

Xu Qian followed the direction he pointed and saw several "mountains" of books piled in the corner. Various yellowed, damaged, and even worm-eaten books, scrolls, and loose pages were piled high, covered with thick dust, clearly untouched for a long time.

[Good heavens, this is all knowledge! How can it be called scrap paper!] Xu Qian cried out in his heart, but outwardly he respectfully replied, "Alright, Old Liu, you rest. I'll handle it."

He rolled up his sleeves and began the "cleaning" work. Of course, his method of "cleaning" was rather unique.

He first roughly sorted the books, his movements appearing quick but actually slow. Every time he picked up a book or a stack of loose pages, he would carefully brush his hand over the cover and inner pages, secretly activating the Longevity Dao Fruit.

Faint streams of knowledge, like streams flowing into the sea, merged into his mind.

[Acquired trace 'Former Dynasty Law' knowledge.]

[Acquired trace 'Local County Annals' information.]

[Acquired trace 'Analysis of Inferior Pills' insights.]

[Acquired...]

Most of it was useless miscellaneous knowledge, or too incomplete for the Dao Fruit to bother deducing. But Xu Qian didn't mind; even a mosquito's leg is meat, and there's no such thing as too much knowledge.

While "absorbing" knowledge, he picked out the truly tattered and worthless scrap paper and set it aside. As for those that seemed to contain some content, or were made of special material, he quietly gathered them in another spot.

Just as he was clearing the bottommost pile of books, which were almost rotten with mold, his finger brushed against a thick booklet whose cover was almost falling off, the paper black and brittle. Suddenly, the suction from the Longevity Dao Fruit intensified significantly!

[Acquired 'Detailed Explanation of Basic Talismans' (fragment) knowledge.]

A stream of information, much more systematic and clear than the previous miscellaneous knowledge, poured into his mind! It contained the principles of drawing dozens of the most common basic talismans, stroke order, spiritual energy (qi) guiding techniques, as well as the identification and rudimentary crafting methods for some common talisman paper and ink!

Although the content was incomplete, with many advanced talismans and exquisite methods missing, as an introductory guide, it was simply perfect!

[Talismans?!] Xu Qian's heart skipped a beat! This was a good thing!

In this Immortal Martial World, talismans were a genuine form of supernatural power! Although this was just a damaged basic explanation, it meant he might have the ability to master the creation of practical talismans like the Fireball Talisman, Gentle Breeze Talisman, and Vajra Talisman! Even the lowest level was a supernatural method! Whether used for offense, support, or escape, it had great potential!

He suppressed his excitement and carefully pulled the nearly falling-apart book from the pile of scrap paper. He brushed off the thick dust, revealing a few blurry seal script characters on the cover—'Detailed Explanation of Basic Talismans' (Lower Volume).

Only the lower volume? No wonder it was treated as scrap paper. But for Xu Qian, having the basic part was enough!

Holding the book, he walked over to Old Liu, who was still dozing, and softly asked, "Old Liu, this book... it seems quite thick. Does it also need to be disposed of?"

Old Liu squinted at the tattered, moldy-smelling book and dismissively waved his hand, "Oh, that... I don't know which corner it was dug out from. Only half of it is left, and it's about drawing talismans, like gibberish. Who can understand it? It's all trash! You like it? Take it, take it, it's taking up space!"

Xu Qian: "!!!"

[Trash?! You call this trash?! This is the stepping stone on the path to becoming a talisman master!] Xu Qian cried out internally, while trying his best to maintain a calm expression.