C29 Eighth Grade Reward Sun Moon Lotus Core Stone

"What are you thinking? How could you possibly think the martial arts secrets would just be openly available?" Qing Anqi said with a hint of exasperation.

The library wasn't what Lee Yu had pictured—a place with a sweeping monk and shelves crammed with secret martial arts manuals. Instead, it was akin to the Blue Star Library.

"The name does lend itself to wild imaginings," Lee Yu remarked. "So where do I go to learn these martial arts secrets? Is it like the lesson today?"

"Of course not," Qing Anqi replied, shaking her head, yet she continued to explain with patience.

The Qing family, with its vast network of branches, couldn't afford to teach everyone—the costs alone would plunge them into financial deficit. Thus, their teaching approach was more about learning in exchange for service.

Classes for opening the meridians at the Ninth and Eighth Grades were available all year round. Any family disciple eager to learn could attend the local school, which also offered spirit crystals at a discount to accelerate their realm cultivation.

Upon reaching the Seventh Grade, when the spiritual energy within the body becomes liquid, one could start learning some martial arts secrets. However, these were no longer free; family members had to undertake missions to earn contribution points for access.

"Now I get it," Lee Yu mused. This strategy not only cultivated the family members but also motivated them, preventing any freeloaders—a multifaceted benefit indeed.

"Hold on, the library we're talking about isn't just any old library, right? You need contribution points to enter?" Qing Anqi brushed Lee Yu's hand away. "Stop messing with my hair. It's a hassle to fix if it gets disheveled."

"The hassle isn't mine," Lee Yu chuckled, then inquired, "But I don't have any contribution points. How am I supposed to get in?"

"Are you looking for trouble?" Qing Anqi snapped, delivering a sharp kick to Lee Yu's knee. "Just walk in. Don't you know about your status as a seedling from your father? All these places are freely accessible to you."

Seedling status? Lee Yu turned his head curiously, and Cui, who had fallen half a step behind, caught his inquisitive look and explained, "I mentioned it to the Young Master last night."

Lee Yu winced from his toothache and said, "Fill me in on the details once we're back."

Without much delay, Lee Yu and his two companions boarded a carriage drawn by exotic beasts. The library was a considerable distance away, and since many areas within the clan forbade high-speed movement, flying, or leaping over walls, a variety of unique transportation methods were in place. For instance, Lee Yu noticed a large python with six chairs strapped to it, which Cui explained was for shuttling children to and from the martial arts training field.

"Wow, you live and learn," Lee Yu mused, but then he thought, if he hadn't acquired the system, he'd never witness such modes of transport on Blue Star.

The creature moved swiftly, and they soon arrived at their destination. Stepping out of the carriage, Lee Yu beheld a grand three-story building sprawling before him. The structure resembled a cylinder from the outside, adorned with intricate carvings that would make every nook a social media sensation back on Blue Star.

Each side of the building had four entrances, bustling with people coming and going.

Inside, Lee Yu and Qing Anqi were approached by three boys, around eleven or twelve years old. The ringleader's eyes sparkled upon seeing them, and he hurried over.

"Anqi, what brings you to the library? What a coincidence, I was just about to go in myself," the boy chirped.

Lee Yu observed the trio who had been heading for the exit, particularly the outspoken leader. He silently gave the boy a mental thumbs-up.

"Zixuan, I've told you before, don't call me that. And shouldn't you be at your martial arts class this afternoon?" Qing Anqi's face was a picture of amusement. She was certain Qing Zixuan's schedule didn't include the library—how did they bump into each other here?

"Is 'Anqiqi' not a nice nickname?" Qing Zixuan replied with enthusiasm. "I just came to find some material and realized the atmosphere here is great. I'll join you for class later!"

"Great atmosphere, huh? Are you planning to live here from now on?" Qing Anqi teased.

Lee Yu watched the exchange between the two youngsters, bemused. 'Anqiqi' really didn't have a nice ring to it, he thought, shaking his head. And as for the 'great atmosphere'—how could such a young kid appreciate that?

The library was bustling with people, the sounds of their comings and goings creating a cacophony akin to a marketplace. How could anyone find the atmosphere conducive to reading in such chaos? But for those intent on perusing books, a simple application of spiritual energy to block out the noise could conjure a haven of silence.

Qing Anqi, ever the picture of patience, had Qing Zixuan trailing him like an unshakeable plaster. Eventually, what started as a trio expanded to a quartet, while the two boys who had been with Qing Zixuan excused themselves for class—or so they claimed. Lee Yu overheard Qing Zixuan quietly instructing them to cover for his absence.

Was he really going to such lengths just to chase a girl at such a young age?

"What's the deal with him?" Lee Yu gestured with a nod towards Qing Zixuan, lagging slightly behind with Cui.

Cui was a more frequent presence than Hong, particularly on outings. Her professionalism as a maid was undeniable; even Lee Yu, who could be a stickler on Blue Star, found no fault in her. Yet, in another light, it seemed Cui kept a vigilant eye on every aspect of Lee Yu's life. Not that it bothered him—he wasn't an undercover agent from a rival family, after all.

"Young Master Qing Zixuan is the grandson of the second elder, with his father at the helm of military affairs," Cui informed, her knowledge of such details meticulous and ready for when they might be needed.

"Ah, I see," Lee Yu responded, understanding the implications. A scorned suitor often spelled trouble, a trope worn thin by countless TV dramas.

Unaware of Lee Yu's thoughts, Cui watched him study Qing Zixuan intently before he turned his attention to the surrounding books.

Ding! "Congratulations, host, for a successful check-in. You've earned the eight-star reward: the Sun Moon Lotus Core Stone."

Lee Yu wasn't there for the scenery. His attention was split between the physical world and the system within his mind.

"System, what's the function of this Sun Moon Lotus Core Stone?" Lee Yu delved deeper into the system, examining the newly acquired item.

It was a time-related treasure, capable of accelerating the passage of time in one's surroundings.

"I don't think I'll need it... Wait, no!" Lee Yu stroked his chin, realizing that this was precisely the treasure he urgently needed. "System, can I use this in the Otherworld? What's the maximum time acceleration I can apply?"

With Huang Xiu's high school exams looming, and his need to solidify his position within Qing's, spending one or two months seemed inevitable. Operating on a 1:1 time ratio would make it challenging to manage affairs effectively in both worlds. However, if he could manipulate the time flow in the Otherworld...

Imagine, a single day passing on Blue Star could equate to several days in the Otherworld. Such an adjustment would allow him to synchronize his responsibilities across both realms seamlessly.

For use in the Otherworld, the rate could be cranked up to tenfold.

"One day on Blue Star equals ten days in the Otherworld?" Lee Yu was taken aback by the revelation. He had anticipated a modest increase, perhaps two or three times the normal rate, but this was beyond his expectations. "System, use the Sun Moon Lotus Core Stone to set the time flow in the Otherworld to ten times the standard rate."

With the successful deployment of the Sun Moon Lotus Core Stone, the tenfold acceleration of time was now in effect.