Chapter 6

Both Xiao Yun and Zhang Wei went searching for books on this world.

After they had finally found the books they needed, they put the old history books, which were overflowing from their arms, down onto the table with a thump.

The poor table looked like it was about to collapse if one more book was added—like the final straw that broke the camel's back.

But they couldn't help that they knew nothing.

Xiao Yun had questions, so he turned his gaze to Zhang Wei.

"Do you think we can read this? This is a different world."

Zhang Wei looked at Xiao Yun incredulously.

"Did you not read that plaque outside, or do you not know how to read at all?"

Xiao Yun felt his cheeks heat up, turning red from that answer. He hadn't noticed because, in the modern era, there were storefronts with plaques like this, and it felt natural to be able to read them.

"Okay, let's let it go," Xiao Yun said, trying to brush it off.

"Like your IQ? No. Anyways, this continent seems to be named—"

Xiao Yun was stunned by this response—or should he call it… a joke? From the serious-faced Zhang Wei? His mouth hung open until he quickly shut it—he wouldn't want a mosquito flying in. Trying to forget about this embarrassment, he shook his head like a child and forced himself to listen to what Zhang Wei was saying.

As Zhang Wei read from the book, bringing it close to his face, the sides of his lips curled up slightly in amusement, but he quickly pushed it down.

Xiao Yun and Zhang Wei learned that they were in Xuanhua Continent, a land that harbors martial artists and mages of all kinds. It had existed for multiple eons and had a long history.

This world, Xiao Yun thought, was like ancient China because of the lanterns and robes, but with mages and martial artists, it was more than he could imagine. Immortal-like humans living for hundreds of years and many other things.

The more they read, the more fascinated they became, quickly working through one book after another.

When the sun started to go down, they looked outside and realized they still hadn't gone to the martial artist and mage sections. They separated to get a few books and took them to read in their respective dorms.

When Xiao Yun entered the mage section, he caught sight of pictures of herbs hung up with names. He tried to engrave the herbs into his memory in case he needed them.

He quickly picked out a few books because Zhang Wei was waiting for him to go to his dorm.

As they arrived at Xiao Yun's dorm, he felt awkward, not knowing what to say to Zhang Wei, until something finally came out.

"Goodbye."

Zhang Wei looked expressionless and turned around.

"Goodbye."

'What an awkward moment that was,' Xiao Yun thought pitifully, but this was not the first time today.

As Xiao Yun got back to his dorm, he was more than thrilled to have these books. It meant he didn't have to stay awake at night with his thoughts without sleeping pills.

The mage books he took talked about making magical pills. The contents were similar to Elder Guo's lecture, but they went into more detail, explaining different types of magic pills like healing pills, poison pills, strength pills, and others.

Xiao Yun also picked books about herbs with some really weird names, like:

• Ugly Ginseng

• Moon Balls Herb

Xiao Yun read the whole book, laughing at the ridiculous names all night until his ribs hurt and he became desensitized.

Xiao Yun spent a few days shut in his dorm, reading and learning about the different kinds of pills and herbs. His studious side took over him, and he only went out occasionally to talk to Le Xing or the other disciples. But these days, he didn't even have the energy to walk.

As morning came again, Xiao Yun had dark eye bags. He hadn't had a proper sleep in days. As he lay on the floor rethinking his life choices, he heard his stomach grumble.

"I'm so hungry, but I ran out of snacks."

These past few days, Xiao Yun had been surviving off the original body's snacks, but during the night, he had finished them.

At this point, he was starving, but he didn't know where the cafeteria was—until he remembered his chatterbox of a fellow disciple.

As the loud drum sounded, Xiao Yun stumbled out like a bear emerging from hibernation. His dark eye bags made him look like a raccoon, his body had thinned, and his hair was a complete bird's nest.

He had such a dark aura about him that the disciples moved away, whispering amongst themselves.

Xiao Yun wanted to do an experiment, so he backed up—and the others behind him instantly stepped twenty feet away.

'What is this, COVID? At this point, they're gonna be wearing masks next to me just to not catch my "disease."'

Xiao Yun went to a dorm close to his—it was Le Xing's dorm. He knocked, and emerging from the door was Le Xing.

"Fellow disciple Xiao Yun, how hav—"

Le Xing started, but when he saw his appearance, his mouth shut in disbelief. He had seen him a couple of days before, and he did not look like this.

"…You good?"

Le Xing looked genuinely concerned as he said this.

"Yeah, haha, I just studied for a couple of days and lost track of time. I came out here to ask where the cafeteria is," Xiao Yun explained.

"As a friend and fellow disciple who wants the best for you, I have to say this—you look very… how do I say it? Concerning. So after going to the cafeteria, you should probably take a bath."

Xiao Yun was touched by his concern, though it kinda hurt being told he stank by a friend—even if it was indirectly.

Xiao Yun and Le Xing set out for the cafeteria.

When they arrived, Le Xing told Xiao Yun to remember the directions if he didn't want something like this to happen again. Immediately, he started nagging Xiao Yun until his head hurt.

The cafeteria was serving breakfast. Xiao Yun picked the things he liked, though at this point, he was ready to eat anything served. They both found a table, and Xiao Yun wolfed down the food. Multiple times, he was about to choke from eating too fast.

It was a good thing they were sitting in the corner because this was not a pretty sight. The people at their table looked horrified, unable to believe this little mage could eat so much.

Someone lamented,

"This little mage's eating speed can rival Senior Brother Bai's."

Xiao Yun tuned in to the unfamiliar name but quickly lost interest and continued eating.

When he was done, he separated from Le Xing to take a bath.

Afterward, he went outside for a stroll, looking dignified and proper as if the morning's events had never happened.

Some disciples rubbed their eyes in wonder, questioning if they had imagined the whole situation earlier.

Xiao Yun didn't care if others saw him, but he thanked his lucky stars that Zhang Wei hadn't come while he looked like that—he would have died of sheer horror.

He could already imagine the disgusted look that young master would have given him—like when he insulted Xiao Yun for being dumb.

As Xiao Yun thought of Zhang Wei, he really wondered where he was. Xiao Yun hadn't heard anything from him for a couple of days. He must have been occupied with something, but that might change since their next lesson was in two days.

Xiao Yun had been worried because he knew nothing about spiritual energy, only a little from the books he had. But after getting some general information from Le Xing and other disciples, he learned that the upcoming lessons would cover spiritual energy and pill-making. The new disciples were only starting to learn how to use spiritual energy, so he didn't have to worry too much.

He just had to study a lot to catch up—so he treated it like missing a lot of school days in the modern world.