Library Pavilion

The Semi-Puppet Eleven acted uncharacteristically, taking the initiative to reach out and grab Chen Jin's sleeve. A look of urgent longing flickered in his eyes, and he practically dragged Chen Jin toward the door.

He has waited for this moment for far too many years.

The two hurried one after the other toward the Libationer's residence.

The morning light was perfect, and the number of students moving about the Academy was steadily increasing.

At first, no one paid any mind to the handsome, elegantly dressed stranger, until someone caught an inadvertent glimpse of his unique left eye, which shimmered with a faint, ghostly blue luster.

"Is... is that Eleven?" someone stopped and hesitated.

"Impossible, right? Eleven is clearly..."

"But that eye... it couldn't be anyone else!"

Whispers rippled outward like waves. More and more people recognized him, yet no one dared to step forward to confirm it.

They could only stare in stunned silence at the Semi-Puppet automaton that had once huddled in corners with his head bowed low. Now, he stood with his back straight and his face clean and bright; though he remained silent, his features were clear and composed, as if his very soul had been replaced.

Eleven remained indifferent to all of this. He kept a tight grip on Chen Jin's sleeve, walking with hurried steps through the crowd, heading straight for the place where the Libationer usually practiced his quiet meditation.

The door creaked open, and Libationer Jiang Yan was reading a scroll at his desk.

Before he could even look up, Eleven let go of Chen Jin, stepped forward quickly, and knelt before the Libationer without a moment's hesitation.

This time, he knelt perfectly straight, lifting his head so that the Libationer could clearly see his now-complete face.

Before Chen Jin could explain his intentions, he saw Eleven bow his head solemnly toward the Libationer.

Seeing that Eleven remained kneeling, Chen Jin offered a respectful bow to Libationer Jiang Yan and said in a deep voice, "Libationer, the mechanisms in Eleven's throat are intricate; ordinary means cannot restore his voice. I wish to study the Art of Puppetry so that I may personally resolve this deep-seated ailment. I hope you will permit me to peruse the relevant classics and study them in depth."

Jiang Yan stroked his beard and smiled, his gaze sweeping over his foster son with gentle pity before he turned to Chen Jin. "The foundation of Jixia Academy is to open sources, gather wisdom, and teach without discrimination. Anyone with a heart for learning may seek knowledge here. The Library Pavilion holds ten thousand volumes; it is open to you, and you are free to roam its depths."

His tone shifted slightly, carrying a deeper meaning. "Moreover, most Mohists in the Academy belong to the Qi Mohist lineage, who are most set in their ways. Since you hold [Mo Mei] in your hand, even without my permission, who would truly dare to stop you from studying the Art of Puppetry?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jin immediately understood the subtext of the Libationer's words.

Before Chen Jin could respond, the voice of Ren Tu echoed in his ears.

Jiang Yan (Current Libationer of Jixia Academy) wishes to open all the books and classics of Jixia Academy to you and personally guide you through the essence of the various schools of thought, in exchange for the Mohist token [Mo Mei] in your possession.

Do you agree?

Yanfu Walker, please note: The books and classics of Jixia Academy are [Skill Visualization Objects].

Spending Yanfu Points to study them allows for Skill Visualization. Visualization has a certain chance to grant related skills, and visualized skills do not occupy skill slots.

The success rate of visualization is related to the strength of the Walker's relevant specialization.

Jiang Yan, the current Libationer of Jixia Academy, is proficient in the academics of the Hundred Schools. His personal guidance is profound yet accessible, allowing even beginners to grasp the deep essence of the various philosophers.

After accepting his guidance, you can gain 1% to 70% specialization in the academics of the Hundred Schools, with the specific value depending on individual talent.

Yanfu Walker, please note: As Libationer, Jiang Yan is busy with official duties. He can personally guide you at most 7 times a day. Please use these opportunities wisely, Walker.

Suppressing the wild joy in his heart, Chen Jin immediately took the pitch-black [Mo Mei] from his robes and offered it with both hands to Jiang Yan's desk, his demeanor sincere.

"Libationer, you are too kind. This item is precious; I dare not claim it as my own. Coming here, I have already benefited from your generosity in allowing me to stay, repairing my equipment, and gifting me spiritual elixirs. I am already deeply grateful for such kindness; how could I continue to hold this token and overstep the rules?"

He paused for a moment, his voice growing steadier. "I implore you to take back [Mo Mei]. I wish to study diligently as a student, hoping to soon grasp the essence of the Hundred Schools and help Eleven regain his voice."

Jiang Yan nodded with a smile, gestured for Chen Jin to follow, and took the lead, guiding him toward the Library Pavilion, which was built into a massive natural rock formation.

It had seemed magnificent from afar, but seeing it up close was truly breathtaking.

The entire Library Pavilion was ingeniously embedded within the steep cliff face. The entrance was a massive rock cavern, slightly chiseled and renovated, appearing both ancient and imposing.

Outside the cave, ancient trees towered overhead with vines hanging down. One could faintly see narrow plank roads carved into the stone wall, winding upward toward other hidden caves and secret archives higher up.

There were no luxurious decorations on either side of the entrance, only bronze lamps that had weathered the elements, standing silently in their mottled state.

Stepping into the cave, the light dimmed, but then soft glows illuminated the space—these were numerous night-pearls and light-imbued ores embedded in the cave walls, providing stable lighting that would not damage the scrolls.

The air was filled with a faint scent of insect-repellent incense and the unique, clean aroma of bamboo and wood. The temperature and humidity were perfectly constant, clearly the result of special arrangements.

Inside the massive natural cavern, countless neat niches and thick wooden shelves reaching several stories high had been carved out by hand, a scale far beyond anything one could imagine from the outside.

These shelves extended layer by layer along the curve of the rock wall, reaching into the high, deep recesses beyond the reach of sight, like a labyrinth and vast ocean of knowledge.

The books were categorized and arranged in perfect order on the shelves:

Confucian School: Classics such as the Book of Songs, Book of Documents, Book of Rites, Book of Music, and Spring and Autumn Annals, along with numerous commentaries, the bamboo slips neatly bound with ox-hide cords.

Taoist School: The Tao Te Ching, Dao Yuan Jing, Ten Great Classics, Zhuangzi, and others, with some silk scrolls stored in jade boxes.

Mohist School: The Mozi, Mo Bian, and Defense of City Gates, along with a vast number of independent scrolls containing mechanical blueprints and summaries of the Art of Puppetry, wrapped in specially treated leather.

Legalist School: The Book of Lord Shang, Shenzi, Shen Buhai, Han Feizi, and others, the bamboo slips thick and heavy, exuding a cold, stern aura.

Yin-Yang School: The Zouzi, Discourse on the Succession of the Five Virtues, and numerous records on astrology, calendars, and omens, with some scrolls even depicting complex star charts and incantations.

Military School: Military treatises and strategies such as The Art of War, Wuzi, Sima Fa, Weiliaozi, and Six Secret Teachings, displayed separately in their own section.

School of Names: Sophistical and curious books involving debates on names and realities, such as the Gongsun Longzi and Huizi.

Nongjia School: Books on farming, agriculture, and soil identification, such as the Shennong and Yela.

Diplomat School: Works on political strategy and rhetoric, such as the Guiguzi, Book of Su Qin, and Speeches of Zhang Yi.

School of Syncretism: Works such as Yin Wenzi and Shizi that draw upon the strengths of various schools.

School of Medicine: Medical bamboo slips and meridian charts such as the Pulse Classic and Examination of Spirit through Five-Colored Pulse.

In addition, there is a vast, ocean-like collection of unofficial histories, miscellaneous notes, local gazetteers, ancient legends, and even folk songs and poems that are difficult to categorize into any single school.

The voice of Ren Tu rang in his ears:

"Yanfu Walker, please note: the school most compatible with the Earth-type inheritance is the Nongjia School."

Jiang Yan's voice echoed leisurely through the vast, silent Library Pavilion, carrying a hint of pride and solemnity: "What is stored here is the crystallization of our human wisdom, a testament to the contention of the hundred schools. Young friend Chen, they are now open to you."

"Where do you intend to begin your studies?"

Chen Jin did not hesitate: "The Mohist School."