Chapter 10: The Librarian

Lin Jiufeng was shocked.

One Yuan in time.

129,600 years.

Was this still within the limits of an Ancient Overlord?

When the turbulence of his breakthrough finally settled, he opened his eyes and clenched his fist gently, sensing the surging power within him. At this moment, even without utilizing any cultivation techniques or energy, his sheer physical strength alone could annihilate an opponent of the same realm.

This was an ascension of life itself.

"Am I evolving toward the path of the Primordial Gods and Demons?" Lin Jiufeng murmured to himself.

He vaguely recalled that during his breakthrough, he had let the natural progression of his life ascension unfold unchecked. Yet at some point, his Divine Demon Body Refinement Technique had activated on its own, subtly altering the process.

And just like that, he shattered the lifespan limits of the Ancient Overlords and reached 129,600 years.

One Yuan in time—an unimaginable number for any other human or even other races.

Who else could claim such a lifespan at the Twelfth Prohibition Stage?

Lin Jiufeng could.

"To ordinary beings, this may seem unfathomable. But I walk the path of the Primordial Gods and Demons. Their lifespans are boundless, their existence eternal so long as heaven and earth persist. Compared to that, a mere Yuan in time is only the beginning."

As understanding dawned upon him, Lin Jiufeng calmed himself.

His goal was to replicate the path of the Primordial Gods and Demons in the present world. There was no need to compare himself with other races.

With his mind set, Lin Jiufeng stood up, carefully restraining the power surging within him. He stepped into the courtyard, adapting to his newfound strength.

A quick calculation revealed that his breakthrough had taken only a month—far shorter than anticipated.

Originally, he had expected it to take at least half a year, perhaps even a full year, since his goal had been not just a simple breakthrough, but a true ascension of life itself.

Breaking through was easy. If he had only sought a mere advancement in realm, he could have done it anywhere, even in the wilderness. There would have been no need to come to the Holy Angel City.

But ascending one's life tier was another matter. It required an immense influx of spiritual energy, the support of the Dao itself, and an unpredictable amount of time.

So a single month was astonishingly fast.

Looking toward the neighboring chamber, he saw that its doors remained tightly shut. Within, an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy flowed into the body of the Sacred Beast Qilin.

He, too, was undergoing a transformation—activating his bloodline, receiving an inheritance. His process would take much longer.

Lin Jiufeng did not disturb him. After fully adapting to his newfound strength, he quietly left the courtyard and set out to explore the Holy Angel City.

This city had reshaped his perception of the Dimensional Battlefield.

He had once thought of the battlefield as nothing more than a realm of endless slaughter, a brutal warzone governed solely by the law of the jungle—where the hundred races waged relentless, chaotic conflicts.

But now, he discovered that even within the battlefield, there existed a place of civilization and prosperity.

A Library Hidden in the Bustling City

Night fell. A cool evening breeze swept through the streets.

As Lin Jiufeng wandered through the Holy Angel City, he observed the many races that roamed its avenues. Yet humans were a rare sight. And when he did see them, they were relegated to the lowest ranks—servants, menial workers, never figures of power.

A glimpse into the city was enough to grasp the state of humanity in the Dimensional Battlefield.

As he strolled further, his eyes fell upon a modest library nestled amid the bustling streets.

A small, quiet library, standing still amidst the constant tide of passersby.

Few people entered.

There was no greeter at the door, no attendants inside. Only warm, gentle lamplight illuminated the space.

Intrigued, Lin Jiufeng stepped closer, noticing a piece of parchment posted outside the entrance. The words upon it were simple:

"Hiring a Librarian!

No salary. Access to all books."

That was all.

Judging by the paper's faded color, it had been there for a long time, ignored by all.

Unsurprising—who would take a job with no pay?

Even if unrestricted access to books was a perk, few would consider it worthwhile.

But Lin Jiufeng was tempted.

If the collection was vast, then this library could be an invaluable source of knowledge about the Dimensional Battlefield.

He still had eleven months left on his lodging—plenty of time to read.

With that thought, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

Upon entering, he immediately sensed a shift in space.

His vision expanded.

The interior was far larger than the exterior suggested.

Three stories high. Hundreds of towering bookshelves neatly arranged in rows. Each shelf was packed with books, their spines lined in an orderly fashion.

Between the shelves were seats of varying styles, designed for comfort and ease.

A well-planned space—spacious, elegant, pleasing to the eye.

"A spatial fold?" Lin Jiufeng mused inwardly, suppressing his surprise.

He scanned the library but saw no one.

Softly, he called out, "Is anyone here?"

A cool, crisp voice responded.

"Yes."

A woman's voice.

Descending from the second floor, a woman appeared.

She was breathtakingly beautiful.

Dressed in an elegant violet robe, her long hair coiled into an intricate updo, she exuded an air of refinement. Her tall, graceful figure bore no visible difference from that of a human.

Yet Lin Jiufeng noticed a single detail that set her apart.

A badge pinned to her chest—an emblem shaped like an angel's wings.

A mark of the Holy Angel Race.

He glanced at it once, then looked away. His tone remained composed as he spoke.

"I saw the hiring notice outside and came to ask—are you still looking for someone?"

Yes, after seeing the vast collection here, Lin Jiufeng had already made up his mind.

Salary was irrelevant. The books were all that mattered.

The woman halted a few steps away, examining him with a neutral gaze.

"You are human?"

Lin Jiufeng nodded slightly.

"Have you ever organized a library before?"

"I have over a hundred years of experience."

The woman raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. "A hundred years? You do realize there is no salary here."

"As long as I can read the books, I have no complaints," Lin Jiufeng replied.

"A scholar, then. Very well. Work for a few days, and we shall see."

"Understood. My name is Ah Jiu. May I know how to address you?"

"Madam Xin," the woman answered. "You may read any book here, but you must not damage them. If visitors come, serve them well. Once they leave, ensure the place is clean. Your work hours are four shifts per day. The rest of the time, you may come and go as you please. Do you understand?"

"I do." Lin Jiufeng nodded solemnly.

"Good." Madam Xin turned away. "I'm leaving now. If you stay, just turn off the lamps when you leave."

With that, she departed, not the least bit concerned about whether Lin Jiufeng would damage the books.

Lin Jiufeng watched her go before turning to the vast collection before him.

Slowly, he began browsing through the bookshelves.

Then he found it.

A shelf dedicated to human literature.

It was only half-full.

Unlike the other shelves, which brimmed with books, this one stood only partially stocked.

Lin Jiufeng let out a soft chuckle.

"Even our written history is scarce here?"

He pulled out a book, settled into a chair, and began to read.

This translation captures the essence of the original while adapting it to fit Western fantasy conventions. Let me know if you need adjustments!