Tales Of Demons, Gods, And Libraries

The walk to the Holy Orchid Institute took longer than I was expecting. While it may be established in the central district of Glory City, the size of this city is significantly more massive than what the story implies.

According to the maps I absorbed in the public library, Glory City is roughly 630 square kilometers. The southern wall extends 19 kilometers and is supported by three of the six urban districts, including the central district built along the center of the wall. The other three districts defend the east, west, and northern areas of Glory City. It's easily 33 kilometers from the southern wall to the northern.

While there may be six districts, the central district makes up over 25% of the population of Glory City. It's additionally the home of the major families and organizations.

I'm assuming the placement of the Holy Orchid Institute was a strategic move due to the amount of demon beast attacks the central district holds back. They built the Holy Orchid Institute in the northernmost area of the central district. It makes sense to keep the city's future demon spiritualists close to the most powerful people, but further from the wall in the event of an attack.

Despite the unexpectedly long walk, I was able to reach the Holy Orchid Institute gates as soon as they were opened. An older dignified man wearing what appears to be a grey institute uniform greets me as I walk through the opened gates.

After presenting the gentleman my copy of the scholarship paperwork, he directs me to the lofty and decorative building across the courtyard. The institute grounds are not nearly as large as what I was expecting. Regardless of the modest size, the entire school seems orderly and distinguished.

After signing even more doc.u.ments, I'm given my class assignment and dorm room number. After a well-practiced speech on the expected conduct while on and off-campus, I'm directed to another room farther into the building. This one is much more important to me. Here I'm given school supplies, bed linen, and my stipend of 100 demon spirit coins.

The stern-faced women in charge of issuing out supplies was unexpectedly helpful. She informed me that new linen and writing supplies can be picked up on the first day of each week. She also mentioned my monthly stipend is handed out on the 1st of each month. She was even informative enough to let me know Glory City runs on a lunar month. I tried to give my opinion on how intelligent I thought that to be, but she shooed me off to my dorm before I could get much out.

I make my way up to my dorm room, and quickly organize my few belongings and make my bed. Judging by the single bed in the room, I think it's safe to say I won't have to share my room. Being forced to share a room never crossed my mind, but I still feel relieved an uncomfortable situation has been avoided.

Satisfied with the placement of my belongings, I lock my room door and head out to find the Holy Orchid Institute Library. It's time to do some work.

It doesn't take me long to find the school library. It's a large and decorative three-story building with well-maintained bushes surrounding the exterior walls. Walking into the entrance-way, it is obvious this place houses a much larger collection of books, tomes, and scrolls. The layout is spacious with little alcoves walled off by tall bookcases. It's well lit, and there's a soft smell of parchment in the air.

A roughly cleared throat draws my attention away from the view and to a middle-aged man standing behind a finely carved desk. He seems indifferent to my appearance, whether that is due to the low quality of clothes I'm wearing or just my very presence is undetermined at this time.

I decide to take the intuitive, "Excuse me sir, but could he please tell me a bit about the library?"

The polite request seems to have shifted his indifference into my favor. With a more candid expression, he answered, "Of course. This is the most prestigious library in all of Glory City, we even receive newly discovered books directly from the City Lord's mansion. This building houses 10 private study rooms, a current staff of 17 and over 300,000 books, tomes, and scrolls."

"Wow. That is a considerably more extensive selection than I thought. The public library merely has around 65,000." I'm honestly baffled.

"Oh yes, that is to be expected. But there is one key difference between the public library and the Holy Orchid Institute Library. Nearly all of the books found in the public library were published after the founding of Glory City. Here in the Institute Library, you won't find many of the books contained in the public library, because 90% of the books here all come from previous eras."

"Sadly, due to the stringent requirements and high volume of books needing to be translated, only about a third of our selection has been converted to common. But don't worry, you are free to attempt to read any book present regardless of the language it's written in..." he continues to further explain and describe different areas of the library and its history. I don't want to be rude, but I'm not seeing a break in his talking any time soon. This is possibly the most talkative librarian I've ever met.

Seeing my chance as he pauses to inhale a deep breath, I quickly and loudly express my gratitude and hurriedly move deeper into the library. I don't stop my thanks or speedy pace until I've ducked out of sight.

A quick look around reveals there are no signs indicating the subject of the books contained in each section of the library. While I'm a bit disappointed that I will be randomly absorbing books, I judge it a fair trade to avoid asking the motormouth anything.

He did confirm that there are many different cultivation manuals as well as many other combat related works. It should be possible to create several Heaven's Path books. With that thought, I'm ready to work.

Repeating my cycle of looking through a book to rest after absorbing a bookcase into the Library of Heaven's Path, I make steady progress through the aisles.

During one break, I move my conciseness into the Library of Heaven's Path and grab an untranslated book from the Black Gold Era. Opening the book, I'm disappointed to see it's not translated. A quick thought of the flaws shows the book to have over 62 flaws.

Testing a theory, I look at the book and command, "Compile!". Checking for flaws again, I'm pleasantly surprised to find this compiled copy only contains 33 flaws now. Opening the book again, there are now parts of it that are translated and easily readable to me. It doesn't take me long to confirm that any corrected flaw in a book, will be translated. While that doesn't give me an instant fix, it does provide me with a language key. The language key will allow me to translate the real book with the corrected book from the Library of Heaven's Path.

This brings to mind another theory I'll have to test. If I make a language key for an era, will the Library of Heaven's Path give me a fully translated copy of other books after compiling it with the era language key? This might be unnecessary, but what happens when I am able to remove all the flaws of a book. Will it instantly translate the entire book or just the corrected flaws? This won't be a problem for any Heaven's Path books I create. It will limit me on the number of fighting techniques and alchemy recipes I find in the future.

Let's worry about one issue at a time. Priority number one is absorbing all the books in the institute. Afterward, I need to gain enough demon spirit coins to skip a week hunting horned sheep with the time bomb that is Nie Li. Once that is achieved, I have to come up with a way to pimp that idiot for every bit of knowledge I can get.

Well, back to work.

************************

The ringing of bells outside my window hastily delivers me back to the land of the awake. Looking around at the unfamiliar room, it takes me a moment to recognize it as my new dorm room.

I've consistently been an early riser, but there's not even a hint of sunrise yet! The first day of school should start in two hours. Plenty of time to get ready and make my way over to the dining hall.

As I move down the hall to the communal bathroom, I ignore all the grumbling from my recently acquired classmates. Judging by the ages of the other boys on this floor, it appears these walking zombies will be my new classmates. A closer look doesn't help me in trying to identify anyone from the story.

While going through my morning routine, I thought back on the day before. After eleven hours in the Institute Library, I was able to absorb just over 30,000 books. I won't be capable of repeating that feat now that classes have started, but that's still a tenth completed.

I did check to see if I'm able to produce a Heaven's Path book, but was not really surprised when every subject I tried turned up in failure. I need to get the over-powered cultivation manuals that Nie Li will hand out soon. They're on a completely different level than what is available in Glory City. Nie Li's allows him to merge with seven demon beast spirits. Lu Piao's allows him to gain soul force without even cultivating, and Du Ze's has a very fast cultivation speed.

Combining those benefits would create a ridiculously powerful cultivation technique!

Even if the Library of Heaven's Path may have enough to form a flawless cultivation book now, but I equate that to forming a book on a flawless jab. While a flawless jab would be of tremendous help in any fight, it's still just jab, lacking fight-ending power.

Moving in the herd of classmates to the dining hall, I'm pleasantly surprised to see the number of students. There are hundreds around my age and dozens more that are clearly several years older. I guess that makes sense for a city of half a million people.

I eat my fill on the school's breakfast and grab a few pieces of fruit and cheese for lunch. The school may not provide lunch, but they do provide enough snacks during breakfast to tide most over until dinner.

Finding my classroom was easy. It reminds me of a miniature college classroom with stadium seating for unobstructed views from any seat. There is a large blackboard behind the teaching podium, but all other walls are b.a.r.e. There are small windows lining the back wall, but set too high to see out of. I claim the corner seat in the back to prevent myself from being surrounded by any teenage angst.

A tired-looking teen claims the other seat at my table. Glancing over, he's already placing his head on the table. He has light auburn hair and wearing a dark navy jacket. The quality of his jacket indicates he is a commoner.

Looking at my other classmates again, I start to take note of them. It doesn't take long before all the seats are filled. Of the twenty students, only four are girls. Based solely on the quality of their clothes, there are two boys and two girls from aristocratic families.

It looks like I won't be sharing a classroom with Nie Li and the main cast. Getting in good with the ancient weirdo will be a bit more difficult but not impossible. I will need to make contact with his followers-to-be, and manipulate them to pull me into their circle once it's formed.

My evaluations are interrupted by a muscular man in his early twenties entering the classroom. He's dark-haired and moves with confidence and purpose. Once he reaches the center of the teaching stage, he slowing scans over the students. I'm unsure if he's going for intimidation or trying to memorize the faces of his students.

Once he's satisfied with looking over the classroom, he issues his introduction. He speaks in a rough but steady tone. First introducing himself as Xia Long, a one-star silver rank demon spiritualist, and a bit about his life and family. After he's finished, he has all the students stand up one at a time and follow his example of introduction.

I'm really tempted to implement Kakashi's introduction, but instantly dismiss that idea for a more conventional and bland one. As much fun as it would be to use some of Kakashi's angst, remaining unnoticed would be much more beneficial to me.

The boy sitting at my table introduces himself as Lu Chong, and he confirms he is a commoner. He didn't seem to pay my introduction much attention, just looking over at me for a few moments before laying his head back down on the table.

After the last student finishes her introduction, teacher Xia explains the course criteria. The first month will cover mostly generalized course topics, like history, mathematics, reading, and writing. The second month is a continuation of the general topics but adds in the study of the meridian system. Teacher Xia stresses that no one should attempt to cultivate until they possess a thorough understanding of the meridian system. Ignorance could lead to death or even cripple your pathways. He seems to think death is a more attractive alternative to losing the ability to cultivate.

Without further delay, teach Xia dives right into teaching.

After six hours of supposed classroom instruction, I'm at long last free of whatever that was. Giving credit where credit is due, Xia Long is a notable public speaker, and it's easy to tell he possesses a deep understanding of the basics. However, the past six hours of my life can be summed up in one word; propaganda. Every single topic was a propaganda filled campaign for the glory of Glory City!

For reading, we were instructed in the proper pronunciation of propaganda! For writing, we were coached on the proper characters of propaganda! History comprises just a collection of Glory City propaganda stories! Even our math problems were worded in propaganda examples!

I'm all about patriotism and pride in your culture, but that was borderline brainwashing! It's easy to grasp why nearly all of Glory City fought to the death in the original timeline. They can scarcely be blamed for the level of manipulation the school forces on them. It's all for the survival of humanity's last hope; Glory City and her people... Oh, they're good!

Unfortunately, it appears that I'm not immune to the propaganda indoctrination after all. I'll have to be more mindful of situations like this in the future.

I ignore my surroundings and concentrate on eating quickly. I eat my fill of a hearty traditional meal of meat and vegetables and fill my pockets before departing the dining hall.

I make my way back to the institute's library with a plan to focus on absorbing books on meridians and anatomy. One thing I never considered until today, is the need to understand meridians and their pathways before cultivating. Teacher Xia briefly explained that most cultivation manuals don't explain where a particular meridian or pathway is located. The manuals merely state the order to direct your soul force and the chant to be used.

Fortunately, the motormouth isn't nearby when I enter the institute's library, and I'm able to get directions to the bookcase for meridians and fundamental anatomy. There's a reasonably large selection already translated to choose from. I guess it's not difficult to determine what a recently discovered tome is about when it has ill.u.s.trations.

Putting all other thoughts aside, I get to work on my cycle of absorbing and resting. As much as I hate admitting it, absorbing books are getting really monotonous. While every book I absorb aids me get a bit closer to my goal, it's mind-numbing.

I understand the Library of Heaven's Path is an amazing power to have, but all this work isn't actually making me stronger. I know that once I have enough books, I'll be able to form a cultivation manual that only I can use. But all I'm doing now is walking around a library. I know that soon, it will all be worth it, but right now is a bit discouraging.

If I don't make a change soon, I can see myself getting burned out rather quickly. I think I'll take tomorrow off from the library. Maybe try finding a hobby or even some exercise. If all else fails, I could even try socializing, but that may disrupt my plan to remain unnoticed. Well, guess we'll just have to see tomorrow then. There are still a few more hours before the library closes.

Once I'm kicked out of the library for the night, I make my way to my dorm. A brief trip to the communal bathroom and I hide back in my room. It's enjoyable to get clean, but I'm indeed starting to miss a shower.

As I lay down on my bed, the temptation of checking for any Heaven's Path books is too tempting to ignore. A momentary thought and I'm standing in the middle of a sea of elegant bookcases. Holding down my excitement, I command, "Meridians!"

An untitled book rapidly forms in front of me. I hold the newly formed book and think of its flaws.

[A flawless book on Heaven's Path of Human Meridians. The human body...]

I'm absolutely giddy with excitement, but the more I read, the more I find it impossible to put the book down. Everything seems so resolved and logical, delivered in a concise and structured path. Each sentence is filled with profound knowledge, yet I have no problem understanding any of the concepts. It's practically like a drug, the feelings, and emotions running through me as I pore over page after page is almost addicting.

Once I finished reading the book, I can't stop myself from turning back to the beginning and reading it again, and again. Even the third time reading through, I feel that I missed so much the first two times. After the third read-through, I stop myself from starting a fourth. I have no doubt that I will read this book many more times, and I even plan to slowly examine it once I'm capable of fully controlling myself.

Looking at the closed book in my hands, I decide on the name 'Heaven's Path of Human Meridians'. Like it was always there, the created title appears on the cover.

Riding the feeling of success and invincibility, I try my luck again. I command aloud, "Cultivation Manual!"

Another untitled book appears before me and my excitement level spikes to a new high. Taking hold of the book, I call for its flaws.

[A book created by the Library of Heaven's Path on Cultivation.]

[28 Flaws. Flaw #1...]

Ignoring that, I trying again by commanding, "Unarmed combat!"

Checking the newly created book results in the same as the cultivation manual.

I stop reading after I recognize the number of flaws. The disappointment crushes the high that I've been riding. Seeing a book form convinced me that it would be flawless. Guess not. I know it's not really a setback, but it nonetheless feels that way.

There are, however, well over 250,000 more books to absorb at the institute and possible books from the noble families, organizations, and surrounding ruins. With a bit of time, I'll achieve my goal. I'll just have to do it one step at a time or one book at a time.