"There are five floors in this building," Gail explained, as the beggar beside her looked around with interest.
Apollo gazed upward, spotting the stairs leading to the upper floors. His eyes then drifted around the room, noticing the shelves filled with scrolls and books, which almost reached the ceiling.
Chairs and tables were scattered throughout, where martial students studied their materials. Some sat on the floor, books on their laps as they meditated, their eyes closed in concentration.
There was also a reception area nearby, where students lined up to get approval to take books and scrolls outside. Martial students were in charge of granting permission.
The structure reminded Apollo of his time as a college student in his previous life.
"Do you want to see the Battle Techniques and Cultivation Techniques?" Gail asked.
"I will, but I want to start with books on the world, politics, history, and common knowledge," Apollo answered.
Gail appeared confused. "Pardon me for asking, but why are you interested in those?"
"Just curiosity," Apollo said.
"I see. Then follow me," Gail replied, dropping the subject. She didn't understand Mr. Beggar at all but decided to guide him without further questions.
Soon, they reached the far end of the first floor, where fewer people were gathered.
"This is where you'll find common knowledge," Gail said. "Some of these books and scrolls date back thousands of years. Feel free to explore."
"Thanks," Apollo smiled. "Where can I find the battle techniques and cultivation techniques? So I don't have to ask later."
"They're on the upper floors. Outer Disciples can access the second floor, Inner Disciples can go up to the third, and seniors can reach the fourth. Only Elders and the Headmaster can enter the fifth floor, unless someone is granted special permission."
"Got it," Apollo nodded. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Gail smiled before waving. "I should head to the third floor. I need a technique to help boost my strength."
"Good luck," Apollo said, watching her disappear around the corner.
With a sigh, Apollo shook his head, turning back to the rows of bookshelves stretching for dozens of meters.
He observed the variety of books. They came in different colors and sizes, some as thick as a person's thigh, others as thin as a cicada's wing.
He looked behind him, greeted by the same scene—endless shelves forming a hallway of knowledge.
"Where do I start?" Apollo muttered with a bitter smile. He regretted not asking Gail for recommendations but decided to make the best of it. Walking to the nearest shelf, he randomly picked a book, intentionally avoiding the scrolls.
As he opened the book, he was greeted by an image of two people—one man and one woman—on top of each other. The title above them caught his eye.
"The Secret Of Being One: The Proper Way To Penet— Hold the f*ck up!" Apollo hurriedly slammed the book shut, his face turning red. After taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, he decided to try another book. Strangely, it didn't seem that odd to him that such a book was hidden among the thousands of others in this corner of the library.
With so many books and scrolls, these might even be considered common knowledge.
Apollo grabbed another book, opened it, and sighed with relief when he saw the first page without the perverted imahes though regretted afterwards when he read the title.
The Secret Of Being One Prequel: The Body Is Blank, One Must Know How To Heat It Up.
His hands shook as he placed the book back. "What the f*ck? A prequel? Seriously?! I refuse to believe this will happen again!"
In frustration, he grabbed another random book and opened it to the first page.
"The Secret Of Being One Series Three: Ecstasy Through Physical Touch and— F*ck!" Apollo cursed. "I just want a normal book!"
Fuming, he was about to shove it back onto the shelf but paused. Who the hell was this insane author? He reopened the book and scanned the bottom right corner for the author's name.
The moment his eyes landed on it, his body tensed, and his hands clenched the book tightly.
"Zhang the Great..." Apollo muttered, his eyes narrowing coldly. Gail's words about the old man echoed in his mind, and he realized he had just been the victim of one of Crazy Zhang's pranks. "I'll wait for your revenge, huh? We'll see."
Apollo sat on the floor, staring hopelessly at the bookshelf, overwhelmed by the thousands of books before him.
If he wanted to find what he was looking for, it could take forever. In the end, only one solution came to mind. Even though he didn't want to do it, he had no choice.
With a resigned sigh, he brought up his Status Screen.
Spirit Cultivation: None.
Physique Cultivation: 1st-Step Qi Condensation Stage.
Attributes: Lightning
"Forty-five Alm Points," Apollo stared at the number. He had barely managed to earn back what he'd wasted on his last use of the Wish Me Luck item.
Next, he summoned the System Store, and a new interface appeared beside the Status Screen.
"Show me items that will help me find the books I'm looking for in this place," Apollo ordered the System. Within seconds, the store sorted itself, displaying the items he had requested.
His eyes quickly settled on the first item, which was also the cheapest.
Basic Locator: Find anything the user desires. Input the type of item, and if the user comes close, the Basic Locator will emit a beeping sound.
Apollo didn't bother checking the other options; he immediately decided on the first one.
As soon as he bought it, his Alm Points dropped by five.
The interface vanished, and a white light materialized in front of him, turning into a black circular object.
Apollo caught it—it resembled a compass, but instead of a magnetic needle, there was just a button and a directional display.
Pressing the button, a message flashed in his mind, asking for the item he was searching for.