While Han Xiao seemed to be reading to Han Xue, he was instead using his System to scan the scrolls he went through, burning a certain amount of Curse Points according to the level of the skills or techniques recorded in the scrolls and books. From her point of view, he didn’t seem to be reading but searching for some keywords in those books or scrolls. However, Han Xiao didn’t care a bit about her opinion.
“Oh, here it is,” he said, picking out an old-looking thin book with a green cover. It read ‘Seasonal Sword Style.’
Ding!
[Would you like to use 100 Shopping Keys to Copy and Modify this sword skill?]
“Why not? Just buy it,” he responded, seeing a thousand Curse Points deducted.
[Total Curse Points: 8567!]
Han Xue glanced over. "Did you find what you were looking for?" she asked, curiosity piqued.
"Yeah, just got it," Han Xiao replied, carefully putting the book back in its place. He continued to scan the shelves, his System working tirelessly in the background.
He moved on to the next section, his eyes lighting up as he found another book with an intricate silver design on its cover. It read ‘Tai Chi Palm Style.’
Ding!
[Would you like to use 10 Shopping Keys to Copy and Modify this palm technique and add the essence of this technique to the Advanced Tai Chi Style?]
“Yes,” Han Xiao confirmed, and another hundred Curse Points were deducted.
[Total Curse Points: 8557!]
Han Xue watched him with admiration and confusion. "You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?"
Han Xiao gave her a brief smile. "Every bit of knowledge helps. You never know when it might come in handy."
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As he continued to scan the scrolls, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The System was proving to be an invaluable tool, allowing him to absorb and modify techniques in a fraction of the time it would normally take.
“Xue Er, you don’t have to stay here with me. It might take a while.”
“Nonsense, I’m staying. Besides, someone has to keep an eye on you,” she teased, though her concern was genuine.
Han Xiao shook his head, amused. “Suit yourself.”
He continued his task, the library's atmosphere providing a perfect backdrop for his clandestine activities. The System worked silently, scanning, copying, and modifying skills and techniques, all while Han Xiao maintained the facade of a diligent student.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Han Xiao had scanned everything he needed. He stood up, stretching his muscles. “Alright, I’m done here.”
Han Xue looked relieved. “Good. Let’s get out of this place. It’s giving me the creeps.”
They walked back through the aisles, Han Xiao feeling more prepared than ever. With the Seasonal Sword Style and Tai Chi Palm Style added to his repertoire, he felt ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.
It was already dark, and as they moved further away from the academia, the path became even darker. Normally lit with paper lamps, tonight the path was shrouded in an eerie silence, devoid of the usual sounds of insects and crickets. There was no one else in sight.
“I feel something is seriously wrong,” Han Xue said with a grim expression as the pup in her hand began whining incessantly.
“There were some flies lurking around us the moment we left the academic library. Just stay calm and act normal. They’re just small fries,” Han Xiao whispered telepathically. “It looks like they’re waiting for the right moment to ambush us.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, her eyes scanning ahead warily.
Han Xiao nodded, thinking, ‘Perhaps the seals have dampened her sensory skills, or maybe the malevolent aura I felt earlier was aimed solely at me. Either way, they've already lost by showing their hand so early.’
Silently, the two continued on their path, acting as if everything was normal. The calm demeanor of Han Xiao seemed to influence the pup as well, who purred contentedly in Han Xue’s arms, munching on pills. As they moved farther away from the academic complex, they reached a deserted area filled with old structures, piles of broken bricks, stones, and garbage strewn across thick grass.
In the darkness ahead, two figures waited for them. One of them was a chubby man Han Xiao recognized, while the other was a scrawny youth dressed in a white robe and hat.
The chubby man pointed at Han Xiao and complained, “That’s him! The unreasonable guy who stole the Boss’s pet and ambushed me. Brother Duan, you have to make him pay for tarnishing our Boss Chu Ren’s reputation.”
“Enough, fatty. Stop lying through your teeth. Let me handle this,” the scrawny youth responded calmly, his eyes landing on the white, fluffy wolf nestled peacefully in Han Xue’s embrace as she fed it two pills at a time.
“Fellow disciples, there may be some misunderstanding between us. My brother here has a loose mouth and a strange mindset. I apologize for that,” he said, bowing slightly. “However, the white wolf over there belongs to our boss, Prince Chu Ren. I’m willing to compensate for anything it has eaten. Could you please return it before our boss notices his pet is missing?” His words were reasonable and polite.
Han Xue glanced at Han Xiao and said, “I thought Little White was yours?”
“Of course she is. And I don’t know any of these people. Xue Er, why don’t you scare them away? We’re already in the middle of an ambush, and now these clowns show up and ruin my mood,” Han Xiao replied. Turning to the intruders, he warned, “Guys, it’s very wrong to lust after someone else’s belongings. Why don’t you all get lost before this escalates?” He could have handled the matter peacefully, but he wasn’t about to let them take the white pup, who held immense value for him. So, he chose to mislead and escalate the situation.
Han Xue understood him. She spoke in a cold tone, “I don’t care who your boss is. The only thing I know is that Little White doesn’t want to go with you. So, there’s no point in being nice and trying to talk this out. Just leave before I stop being nice.”