Early the next morning, Lin Ciyan was in the hotel restaurant.
He enjoyed his breakfast slowly.
A "Gradient Bread" drink that changes its texture depending on how many times you chew it, and a Soul Power drink that is said to be refreshing but tastes like mint toothpaste.
"This technology tree... is a little crooked." He complained while eating.
As soon as I put down my cup, Tang Wulin and his group walked in.
"Good morning, Brother Lin!" Xie Xie greeted him carelessly and sat down across from him, "Do you really want to go to the Tang Sect branch today?"
"Well, let's try our luck." Lin Ciyan nodded, took another sip of the weird drink, and frowned slightly.
"You don't have a game today?"
"Day off." Gu Yue said calmly, sitting down next to him, his silver-purple eyes swept over Lin Ciyan, "Tang Sect branch is in the west of the city, do you need me to lead the way?"
"No, I can find it myself." Lin Ciyan smiled, "You guys have a good rest, the competition is important."
"Mr. Lin..." Tang Wulin hesitated for a moment, then said, "If Tang Sect needs any proof or recommendation, I can help. I have some... connections with the Tang Sect."
He spoke implicitly, but Lin Ciyan knew that Tang Wulin was the adopted son of the Tang Sect's current sect leader Tang Ziran. It would not be an exaggeration to call him the "Prince".
"Thank you, but I don't need it for the time being." Lin Ciyan waved his hand, "I'm just going to look up ancient books and information. It's a trivial matter. If I really run into trouble, I'll ask you for help."
This was said in a flawless manner, which not only acknowledged the sentiment, but also left room for oneself.
Tang Wulin nodded and said no more.
After breakfast, everyone sent Lin Ciyan to the door of the hotel.
"Mr. Lin, if we find any clues about Dragon Valley..." Gu Yue suddenly spoke in a very soft voice, "Please let me know."
Lin Ciyan glanced at her and saw a complicated look in those silver-purple eyes - expectation, vigilance, and a hint of unspeakable emotions.
"Okay, I will tell you if I have any news." He agreed readily.
Waving goodbye, Lin Ciyan turned around and merged into Heaven Dou City's early morning crowd.
He did not go directly to the west of the city, but first took a detour to Heaven Dou City's commercial district and bought some local specialties - a few packs of futuristic snacks, a bottle of "Spirit Perception Tea" that is said to enhance Soul Power's perception, and a set of commemorative badges with the Spirit Pagoda logo.
"You're here, I have to bring some souvenirs back." He muttered, "I don't know if I can still use them when I bring them back..."
[System prompt: In the state of leisurely strolling, Slacking Value+25]
[Current Slacking Value:23,655]
Very good, mosquito legs are also meat.
Chengxi, Tang Sect Technology Building.
This is a three-hundred-meter-high silver building, its surface covered with streamlined soul-guiding patterns, shining brightly in the sunlight.
On the top of the building, two simple characters "Tang Sect" are suspended in the air in the form of holographic projection, where classicism and technology are wonderfully blended.
"It's so impressive." Lin Ciyan looked up and walked into the hall.
The interior of the hall is even more sci-fi, with figures reflected on the smooth mirror-like floor, and holographic light screens floating around. Staff members wearing Tang Sect uniforms hurried past, and the Tang Sect badges on their chests shimmered.
"Hello sir, what do you need?" A smiling receptionist came up to us.
"I want to check some ancient books and information." Lin Ciyan directly explained the purpose of his visit, "About ancient legends, secret realms and the like."
The receptionist's eyes moved slightly. "Do you have an appointment? Or... do you have a recommendation from someone inside the Tang Sect?"
"No." Lin Ciyan said calmly, "I am just a traveling scholar who is interested in ancient history. I heard that Tang Sect has a rich collection, so I came here to visit."
When he said this, Holy Radiance Qilin Martial Soul behind him slightly released a breath - not a coercive one, but an auspicious aura that made people feel good.
The receptionist was stunned for a moment, and his attitude was obviously more friendly. "That's it... Then please go to the ancient books reading area on the third floor to register."
"However, I would like to remind you that some confidential information requires permission to view."
"Understood, let me take a look at the public part first." Lin Ciyan smiled.
Under the guidance of the receptionist, he came to the third floor.
The environment here is completely different from the sci-fi feel of the lobby. It is more like a traditional library - solid wood bookshelves, paper books, and the air is filled with the faint fragrance of ink.
Several young disciples wearing Tang Sect costumes were immersed in reading. When they heard the sound of footsteps, some of them looked up and then lowered their heads.
Lin Ciyan walked to the registration office, and the person in charge was a gray-haired old man, wearing reading glasses, who was slowly sorting out the borrowing records.
"Old sir, I would like to check the information about the Ancient Secret Realm." Lin Ciyan got straight to the point.
The old man raised his head and looked at him through the lenses. "Dragon Valley? Young man, are you interested in this?"
"Doing academic research." Lin Ciyan said without changing his expression, "I heard that Dragon Valley is the place where the ancient dragon clan fell, and Dragon Soul Beast may exist in it. This will be helpful for my... Martial Soul research."
He released a hint of Holy Radiance Qilin at the right time.
A glint flashed in the old man's cloudy eyes. "Your Martial Soul... is very unusual. No wonder you are interested in the dragon clan."
He stood up and walked tremblingly towards the depths of the bookshelf. "There are not many records about Dragon Valley, and most of the collections of the Tang Sect are fragments. Just wait..."
A few minutes later, the old man came back with a stack of yellowed ancient books.
"That's it." He put the book on the table. "Most of it is a collection of travel notes and legends. The authenticity needs to be verified."
"The only thing that is more reliable is the handwriting of a senior Tang Sect five hundred years ago. He claimed to have seen Dragon Valley open with his own eyes."
Lin Ciyan's eyes lit up. "Where is the manuscript?"
"It's not here." The old man shook his head, "That's the collection of the Inner Hall. You need permission from a core disciple or above to view it."
"And... I heard that a copy of the manuscript has been sent to the Tang Sect branch of Star Luo City, where there is more research on this kind of the Ancient Secret Realm."
"Star Luo City branch?" Lin Ciyan's heart moved.
"Yes, Star Luo Federation has a long history, and many ancient ruins are there."
"Tang Sect has specially set up 'Ancient Secret Realm Research Institute' in Star Luo City's branch, and the collection of relevant information is more complete than ours." The old man explained, "If you really want to study in depth, I suggest you go there and take a look."
Lin Ciyan nodded, this information is very important.
He thanked the old man and began to look through the ancient books on the table.
Most of the content was indeed as the old man said, vague and full of exaggeration and imagination. But there were a few details that caught his attention--
A book named <Records of Secret Realm Oddities> mentioned. "The beginning of Dragon Valley, a period of ten years, guided by the starlight, the destination of the dragon soul."
Another travelogue wrote, "When I was at Southern Star Luo Territory, I saw a crack in the sky and a roiling dragon shadow. I suspected that Dragon Valley had appeared. However, the crack was fleeting and could not be traced."
Southern Star Luo Territory...