Genius of the Five Great Academies

Suddenly, a tall figure appeared at the classroom door.

The hushed discussions in the classroom abruptly stalled, and everyone's gaze instinctively turned in that direction. Then, a group of teenage boys and girls guiltily pulled out exercise books and pretended to discuss problems, burying their heads in their books as they put on an act.

The newcomer was Liu Wenjun. Expressionless, she walked back to her seat and set the bag in her hand on Zhou Yao's desk.

It was a luxurious three-tier lunchbox, steam carrying a fragrant aroma drifting out from within. The rich scent of braised pork mingled with the clean fragrance of rice, filling the air. Seeing this, the others nearby instinctively swallowed, their eyes brimming with envy.

Zhou Yao glanced at the lunchbox but did not open it and start eating right away. Instead, he asked bluntly, "Just tell me what you want."

He knew Liu Wenjun's personality too well. This young lady never did anything pointless; there had to be some scheme behind delivering him a meal.

Liu Wenjun swept her gaze across the classroom. Wherever her eyes passed, the students lowered their heads one after another, pretending to focus on their studies.

At that sight, Liu Wenjun's expression finally softened somewhat. Lowering her voice, she said, "I'll treat you to a meal if you accompany me to the library this afternoon. I need to find some reference books on mythological fundamentals, but those books are in the restricted section..."

"No problem." Zhou Yao immediately opened the lunchbox, and its aroma rushed up at him.

He picked up his chopsticks, lifted a piece of braised pork, and put it into his mouth. The alternating layers of fat and lean meat melted on his tongue, the savory fragrance of the sauce blending perfectly with the meat.

Zhou Yao took big mouthfuls of food, then added, "But let's make this clear: I'm only accompanying you. I'm not handling anything else."

A trace of amusement flashed through Liu Wenjun's eyes. She pushed up her glasses. "Don't worry. I just need someone to keep watch for me."

After a pause, she added, "Oh, and if we get caught, just say I forced you to go."

Zhou Yao nearly choked on his food. Rolling his eyes, he said, "What kind of terrible plan is that?"

"As long as it works." Liu Wenjun said it as though it were only natural, then took out her textbook and began reviewing her lessons.

While eating, Zhou Yao observed Liu Wenjun. Though this young lady usually looked like a serious top student, she had a few unusual little hobbies in private. Similar incidents had happened more than once over the past month or so.

After finishing his meal, Zhou Yao wiped his mouth and casually asked Liu Wenjun, "By the way, have you heard of Fortune Shop?"

Liu Wenjun's movements paused slightly, and an odd expression surfaced on her face. She put down her pen, turned toward Zhou Yao, and looked at him. "Why are you asking about that?"

"I was browsing Yin Mountain City's local forums recently and saw a few posts advertising Fortune Shop, so I wanted to ask about the store's background."

Ever since Zhou Yao had seen Fortune Shop selling the Square-Inch Artifact Refinement Art the previous night, he had considered going there to make a trade.

Although Zhou Yao had previously visited many of Yin Mountain City's shops and black markets, he had only used the panel to inspect mythological materials and had never conducted a transaction directly. To avoid exposing himself, he planned to ask Liu Wenjun for relevant information before going.

Liu Wenjun's delicate brows furrowed slightly. After pondering for a moment, she said, "The owner of Fortune Shop is something of a notable figure among Yin Mountain City's Mythic Walkers. He came from one of the Five Great Academies and stepped into the Scavenger rank as early as his freshman year. He was considered a genius."

A trace of confusion flashed through Zhou Yao's eyes at Liu Wenjun's explanation. "What was a genius from the Five Great Academies doing in Yin Mountain City?"

The Five Great Academies were a golden signboard within the Federation. Among the tens of thousands of examinees in Yin Mountain City each year, there might not even be one admitted to one of the Five Great Academies. Being considered a genius even among those academies, where talents gathered like clouds, showed just how extraordinary that person was.

Yin Mountain City was merely a fourth-tier small city under the Federation's jurisdiction. Whether in terms of economy or mythological resources, it ranked at the very bottom of the Federation. No matter what, a genius from one of the Five Great Academies should not have fallen to such a place.

Liu Wenjun gave Zhou Yao a somewhat hesitant glance, but then lowered her voice and said, "This concerns a secret. You can't tell anyone else."

Zhou Yao immediately nodded and made a gesture of zipping his lips. "My lips are sealed."

Only then did Liu Wenjun continue. "Although the owner of Fortune Shop reached the Scavenger rank in his freshman year, he did not follow the traditional system of the Five Great Academies.

"It is said that before becoming a Mythic Walker, he accidentally obtained an incomparably rare mythological material. He chose to extract its traits and incorporate them into himself, thereby advancing into a Mythic Walker.

"After advancing, he gained an extremely special mythological trait, but it also cut off his path forward."

"Normally, one must collect five mythological traits at the Scavenger rank and bring one's own traits to perfection before advancing.

"However, because that owner's mythological trait was so special, every attempt he made to absorb new mythological traits resulted in rejection, damaging his foundation.

"He had clearly advanced to the Scavenger rank in his freshman year, yet by the time he graduated as a senior, he had still only absorbed one trait. Advancement remained a distant dream.

"In the end, a Seer from one of the Five Great Academies pointed out a path for him, saying that he could find the opportunity for his advancement in Yin Mountain City. That was why he had traveled thousands of miles to this barren land."

After hearing her account, Zhou Yao's expression changed slightly.

The moment Liu Wenjun mentioned the Seer of the Five Great Academies and an opportunity for advancement, Yin Mountain Metro was the first thing that flashed through his mind.

Could the owner of Fortune Shop have come for Yin Mountain Metro?

But Yin Mountain Metro had appeared two months ago. Why had the owner of Fortune Shop made no move?

Thoughts whirled through his mind, but outwardly, Zhou Yao remained composed as he asked, "How long has the owner of Fortune Shop been in Yin Mountain City? Has he found the opportunity for advancement the Seer spoke of?"

Liu Wenjun shook her head and sighed. "He has been in Yin Mountain City for five years. He even deliberately spread his name around at one point, hoping to learn something about advancement from the local Mythic Walkers, but he has gained nothing to this day. Those forum posts you saw were probably the messages he put out before."

There was a touch of sympathy in her voice. "A genius has been trapped here for five years like this. Who knows how much longer he can hold on?"

By this point, Zhou Yao more or less understood the situation. He lowered his head to look at the empty lunchbox, while his mind raced at full speed.

The owner of Fortune Shop had spent five years here without finding the opportunity, whereas Yin Mountain Metro had only appeared two months ago. Unless that Seer had predicted the mythological invasion five years in advance, the two were most likely unrelated.

According to Liu Wenjun, this genius from the Five Great Academies has only absorbed one mythological trait. Even if he possesses other abilities, he is at most on par with the Yellow Wind Little Sage. Trading with him means I won't have to worry about him harboring evil intentions.

Zhou Yao narrowed his eyes, his mind already made up.

Tonight, I'll trade for that Square-Inch Artifact Refinement Art!