Chapter 36: Elder Sister, What Would You Do? (I)

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Elder Sister, What Would You Do? (I) Ling Bai looked at the suddenly appearing woman in surprise. For a moment, he didn’t recognize who she was. In a fleeting instant, a fragmented scene flashed before his eyes. In a platinum crystal palace, the woman was also standing in front of him, her gaze fixed upon him. Golden six wings fluttered softly behind her, and her red lips curled into a faint smile. "Elder Sister, why are you here too?" Steadying the book in his hands, Ling Bai temporarily set aside the sudden images that had flashed through his mind. "More than why I’m here, I’m curious why you’re standing dumbfounded at the door." Han Ruoruo’s stunningly beautiful face was like a lotus emerging from water. The cinched waist design of her red Inner Courtyard uniform accentuated her waistline, making it appear as supple and graceful as flowing water. "I came to read for a while, but found out that my access level isn’t sufficient." Ling Bai said helplessly. Who would have thought that Shrek Academy would install a spirit guidance access control on the second floor of the library? A newcomer like him didn’t even have the qualifications to enter. "Want to go in?" Han Ruoruo tilted her head. Ling Bai noticed her slightly swaying silver earrings and a playful, elfin smile he hadn’t seen before. "Since I’m already here." Ling Bai uttered a classic line without hesitation. Han Ruoruo was instantly convinced. "You have a point. Since you’re already here, wouldn’t it be a pity not to take a look inside? Come on, your Elder Sister will take you in!" She swiped her academy badge on the spirit guidance access control system, and the melodious voice promptly sounded: "Student Han Ruoruo, you possess red-level reading access for the Inner Courtyard Library. Welcome to the second-floor restricted area for borrowing and research. A gentle reminder: every page is a precious asset of the entire continent. Please cherish and protect all the books in this area." Han Ruoruo pushed open the heavy pearwood door, and an aura of ancient history and antiquity washed over them. The pure wooden decor of the second floor cast a slight deep brown hue on their faces. "That voice..." Ling Bai suddenly realized. "Is it yours, Elder Sister?" "Correct, but there’s no reward," Han Ruoruo joked. "There used to be a teacher specifically responsible for the second-floor restricted area, but ever since the Spirit Guidance Department developed the access control system, the library has become an unmanned area. Most students in the academy only care about practical combat. Compared to the Mimesis Training Ground and the Spirit Dueling Arena, the library is the place everyone is least willing to visit. When it came time to record the audio, I was the only one the academy could find." Han Ruoruo continued, "I have always believed that books record the experiences of our predecessors and the blessings they pass on to future generations. Whether an ordinary person or a Spirit Master, one should never stop learning until the coffin is closed. But whenever I mention this, I can see the contempt on their faces, which I really dislike. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen anyone else in the library, except you, Little Junior Brother." Her eyes sparkled. Earlier, while showing Ling Bai around the Inner Courtyard, she had subtly hoped he would visit the library more often, and he hadn’t disappointed her. "Reading and learning broaden the mind and sharpen one’s vision, benefiting one’s actions." Ling Bai stepped past Han Ruoruo and headed toward the rows of wooden bookshelves. "I may not have read as extensively as Elder Sister, but I will keep reading." Han Ruoruo was stunned for a moment. Her crystal-clear eyes curved into a delightful arc of joy. "If everyone were like you, Little Junior Brother, I believe the academy’s students would develop in a much more well-rounded way." "Elder Sister, reading cannot be forced upon anyone." Ling Bai replied casually as he flipped through the book titles. "That’s true. Even Lexuan couldn’t stand it. She used to advise me that the knowledge a Spirit Master needs is basically learned in Shrek’s Outer Courtyard. As Inner Courtyard students, we should focus more on increasing our spirit power and immersing ourselves in practical combat." Han Ruoruo walked opposite Ling Bai, a row of bookshelves separating them. Their mottled shadows showed through the gaps between the books. "Big Senior Sister is being a bit too hasty in her judgment. There are many things in books that are worth Spirit Masters studying carefully. Six years in the Outer Courtyard is far from enough to understand the entire world of Spirit Masters," Ling Bai said frankly. In his previous life, there were plenty of people who couldn’t grasp the basics of mathematics even after twelve years. There’s no reason to believe that a mere six years in the Outer Courtyard could teach students everything a Spirit Master should know. Han Ruoruo covered her mouth and laughed. "You can only say that to me. Don’t talk about it carelessly outside. It wouldn’t be good if Lexuan found out." "Alright, I’ll listen to Elder Sister." Ling Bai pulled out a pitch-black book from the shelf, the thickness of five encyclopedias combined. He found a seat by the window on the second floor and sat down. Unlike Ling Bai, who only took one book, Han Ruoruo held a stack of books piled higher than her head. She sat across from him and placed the ’book tower’ beside her with a heavy thud. After the sound faded, the library fell into a prolonged silence. Both were intelligent people who understood the art of giving each other space. Sunlight poured through the window, spilling over their hair. It gleamed like gold, reminiscent of precious silk. After an unknown amount of time, Ling Bai straightened his slightly aching back and his gaze fell upon Han Ruoruo across from him. She was still engrossed in her book, her jade-like hand supporting her fair chin. From Ling Bai’s angle, he could see the young woman’s slender neck and collarbone, the pale pink skin resembling delicately painted peonies. A few strands of hair clung to her skin like the stamens of a flower. Bluish veins extended downward from the flower-like collarbone, taking root and disappearing beneath the depths of her clothing. Library, morning, sunlight, Elder Sister... He suddenly thought, without any particular reason, that if this were his university in his previous life, this would probably be the place where a couple’s feelings first blossomed. Ling Bai smiled and continued turning the pages. A few minutes later, Han Ruoruo raised her hand to brush aside a strand of hair that had fallen over the tip of her nose. Her gaze lifted, meeting the unreasonably handsome and clean face of the young man across from her. Fragmented sunlight fell into his warm and serene golden eyes. After a while, seeing Ling Bai still lingering on the same page, Han Ruoruo couldn’t help but ask softly, "Little Junior Brother, is there something you don’t understand? Do you want me to take a look?" "Hmm?" Ling Bai looked up, his golden eyes meeting Han Ruoruo’s concerned gaze. After thinking for a moment, he nodded and closed the book. Because of this, Han Ruoruo saw the six large characters on the black cover: "Chronicles of the Continent’s Evil Spirit Masters" Han Ruoruo’s delicate brows knit slightly. The ’Chronicles of the Continent’s Evil Spirit Masters’ recorded the lives of numerous Evil Spirit Masters over the past millennia, including the heinous deeds that incurred both divine wrath and human anger. Shrek Academy kept it to help students understand the evil and terror of Evil Spirit Masters, and to foster a sense of justice and a lifelong resolve to oppose them. "Little Junior Brother, is there... something you don’t understand?" Han Ruoruo asked hesitantly. The ’Chronicles of the Continent’s Evil Spirit Masters’ was essentially a collection of biographies, not a complex tome difficult to understand. Ling Bai shouldn’t have trouble comprehending it. "Elder Sister, we are enemies with all the Evil Spirit Masters, right?" "Of course!" Han Ruoruo’s tone was resolute. Having been in the Inner Courtyard for many years, she had encountered Evil Spirit Masters while carrying out surveillance assignments. After witnessing their cruelty and viciousness firsthand, she harbored no sympathy for any of them. "Then, Elder Sister..." Ling Bai patted the black book and asked: "If you had awakened an Evil Martial Spirit, what would you do?"