In Xiao Tianhao's courtyard.
Dusk had already fallen. After returning to his room with a rich haul from the Trial Secret Realm, Xiao Tianhao immediately used the Profound Space Pearl to purify the Demon Beast blood.
Most of the purified blood was made into various Inscription Patterns Scrolls.
Today, he had made one more type of Inscription Patterns Scroll than yesterday: a control-type scroll, drawn with the sap of a Silver Rank Demon Beast called an Azure Vine that he had found that day.
As expected, the control-type Inscription Patterns Scrolls he crafted also reached Gold Rank. They could unleash a mass of vines that bound enemies firmly in place. The vines were incredibly tough; anyone below Black Gold Rank would be unable to break free within fifteen minutes.
The next day.
Xiao Tianhao stretched. He had not gone out for two days, and a thought suddenly occurred to him: he wanted to visit the Sacred Orchid Institute's library to learn more about Glory City's history and secrets.
He still knew too little about this world. Broadening his knowledge would be worthwhile and would also help him grow stronger in the future.
The Sacred Orchid Institute's library.
A faint scent of books and ink permeated the library. Tall bookshelves stood like silent guards, neatly arranged along both sides of the hall and reaching all the way to the vaulted ceiling.
Sunlight streamed through the skylights, casting dappled light and shadows across the floor. The shelves were filled with ancient books and secret tomes, some with yellowed covers bearing the traces of passing years.
It was exceptionally quiet, with only the occasional rustle of turning pages.
Xiao Tianhao wandered through the library, his gaze sweeping over the shelves. He hoped to find more information about this world among these books.
"There really aren't many people in the library," Xiao Tianhao murmured as he walked and looked around. He had barely encountered anyone. Then, rounding a corner, he suddenly spotted Nie Li and his group.
Nie Li, Du Ze, Lu Piao, his own roommate Wang Hu, as well as Wei Nan, Zhu Xiangjun, Zhang Ming, and the others were sitting cross-legged there, cultivating their Soul Force.
Hearing footsteps, they opened their eyes. The sudden sight of Xiao Tianhao startled them, then delighted smiles spread across their faces.
"Tianhao, you finally came out! I haven't seen you in so long! I missed you to death!" Lu Piao suddenly let out a strange cry and rushed over to hug Xiao Tianhao.
Xiao Tianhao darted aside. Lu Piao lunged at empty air and nearly lost his footing and fell.
Xiao Tianhao quickly grabbed the back of his collar, keeping him upright.
Nie Li, Du Ze, and the others could not help putting their hands to their foreheads.
"Lu Piao, why are you still so reckless?" Du Ze truly did not know what to do with this good friend of his.
Once Lu Piao regained his balance, he turned around and scratched his head.
"I just got too excited when I suddenly saw Tianhao!"
Xiao Tianhao smiled and walked over, looking at the others. Lu Piao and Du Ze had both broken through to Bronze One-Star. Wei Nan and the others were a little behind, but they were close too.
Nie Li's Heavenly Dao Divine Art progressed slowly, so his Soul Force was actually the weakest. Xiao Tianhao said, "I've been busy training lately. It's been a while. You've all improved quite a bit since a month ago."
At that, Lu Piao perked up.
"Of course! I've been cultivating all day long. If my grandfather knew his grandson was working this hard, he'd be so happy he'd climb out of his grave."
Zhang Ming mercilessly exposed his lie. "Hey, hey, hey, Lu Piao, stop making things up. I've caught you sleeping several times while we were cultivating. Du Ze and Wang Hu are the ones who've been cultivating all day long."
"Yes, we really have been working hard lately. We've finally made some progress," Nie Li said to Xiao Tianhao with a smile.
"It's rare for all of us to get together. Let's take a break today and relax a little." Unbothered by having his lie exposed, Lu Piao immediately made a suggestion.
Wang Hu chimed in, "Yeah, I agree."
He really had been cultivating hard lately. More importantly, since they had run into Xiao Tianhao today, there was no harm in relaxing a little.
"I'm fine with anything," Du Ze replied, finding Lu Piao's behavior rather amusing.
Xiao Tianhao was quite happy too.
"Sure, but I want to learn a few things this morning. Let's go this afternoon."
After exchanging a few pleasantries with everyone, Xiao Tianhao turned to Nie Li and said earnestly, "Nie Li, I'm very interested in the writing systems of the old Divine Empire, Wind Snow Empire, and the other empires. Could you explain them to me?"
Nie Li nodded. "Of course. Each empire's writing system had its own distinctive features and held a wealth of history and culture..." With that, he began explaining in detail.
Drawing on his powerful Bronze 5-Star Soul Force, Xiao Tianhao devoted his full attention to learning.
His mind was quick and his memory exceptional. In just two hours, he gained a deep understanding of the various empires' writing systems and essentially mastered reading, writing, and using them.
"Tianhao, your learning speed is simply astonishing!" Nie Li could not help exclaiming.
"Yeah, Tianhao, if you took the ancient text translation exam, you'd definitely get a good score," Du Ze added.
In fact, Nie Li had told them that anyone who wanted to cultivate to a profound realm first had to become a master of extensive learning.
Thus, under Nie Li's guidance, they had also read some books on inscription patterns, battle techniques, and related subjects. However, they all learned very slowly.
As they chatted, they suddenly heard a lively discussion nearby.
Xiao Tianhao turned to look and saw a crowd gathered together, talking about something.
"This Battle Armor I have is called Flame Nether Armor. It's Bronze Rank, and you couldn't buy it on the market for less than a hundred thousand Demon Spirit Coins!"
A student proudly showed off his red Battle Armor. He was tall, and clad in Battle Armor, he looked rather heroic.
His name was Chen Lin Jian, a scion of a pinnacle family and a member of the Saint Nether Family's direct line. At fifteen, he was already Bronze 5-Star and would soon advance to Silver.
Among the Three Major Pinnacle Families, the Saint Nether Family was the wealthiest. Chen Lin Jian enjoyed considerable prestige among the students and had a large group of followers.
"With this Flame Nether Armor on, you're invincible below Silver!"
"What awesome Battle Armor!"
Several girls nearby looked on enviously, and quite a few cast flirtatious glances at Chen Lin Jian.
"It's yours!" Chen Lin Jian tossed the Flame Nether Armor to one of his followers.
After watching this scene, Xiao Tianhao understood: they were going to the Ancient Orchid City Ruins.
He exchanged a glance with Nie Li, and they walked over together.
Apart from the Shadow Demon Spirit Lamp that Nie Li wanted, there did not seem to be anything else there.
Still, it was worth taking a look. What if there were other treasures that had yet to be discovered?
He could also take the opportunity to meet the beautiful Huyan Lanruo. Having come to this world, he was not opposed to having several women.
Xiao Tianhao and Nie Li approached.
Xiao Tianhao spoke first.
"You're going to the Ancient Orchid City Ruins, right? Could the two of us join you?"
A trace of surprise crossed Chen Lin Jian's face. He did not understand how Xiao Tianhao knew he intended to explore the Ancient Orchid City Ruins. They had been making their preparations in secret and had told no one.
If their families found out, they would certainly stop them.
"Who are you two?" Chen Lin Jian's tone grew harsher, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Xiao Tianhao."
"Nie Li."
Chen Lin Jian's followers began mocking them.
"Have you two even broken through to Bronze? And you want to come with us to the Ancient Orchid City Ruins? We don't want to drag along two burdens."
Chen Lin Jian looked Xiao Tianhao up and down and sneered. "The Ancient Orchid City Ruins are fraught with danger. They're no place for you."
The people around him joined in the jeering laughter.
Xiao Tianhao said nothing. His powerful Bronze 5-Star aura erupted in an instant, seemingly making even the surrounding air tremble.
Chen Lin Jian and the others were stunned. They had never expected someone as young as Xiao Tianhao to possess Bronze 5-Star strength already.
In fact, after the Profound Space Pearl had transformed him, Xiao Tianhao's bone age had become sixteen, making him a year older than Chen Lin Jian.
However, he looked very young, about the same age as Nie Li and the others.
He and Chen Lin Jian were both Bronze 5-Star, but he had only been cultivating for a little over half a year. Scions of great families like Chen Lin Jian had been cultivating since childhood.
After displaying his strength, Xiao Tianhao successfully joined the expedition to the Ancient Orchid City Ruins. Nie Li talked his way into joining as well.
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