Chapter 313 Blue Star Academy Library
An unexpected encounter with old acquaintances brought Zhou Ming a slight surprise. However, seeing that Xiao Lei and Yang Yi did not come forward to build a connection with him, Zhou Ming simply acted as if he had not noticed them.
Although he felt pleased with his current achievements—and even had a fleeting urge to show off earlier—that was merely a normal instinctive reaction. After all, Zhou Ming was not an emotionless machine.
He had not fallen into such vanity that he would deliberately approach Xiao Lei and Yang Yi just to use two geniuses as a contrast to elevate himself.
As Jiang Lai arrived, Zhou Ming, under his introduction, came to know quite a few peers who had come to watch the competition.
Some of them were there to observe the performance of their juniors, while others intended to recruit talented individuals into their respective factions.
On the path of a Beast Tamer, advancing to the Professional Rank required not only talent as the most basic condition, but also a large amount of resources and an excellent mindset.
Even those fortunate geniuses who relied on talent to become Professional Beast Tamers would, if they wished to go further, almost inevitably require massive resource support.
For certain geniuses without a strong background—or those from small factions or minor families—the major forces among the Alliance’s upper echelon did not mind offering abundant resources to invite them to join.
They could become disciples, marry into families, or sign contracts of varying levels.
Of course, to receive such treatment, these geniuses had to demonstrate their excellence—and the competition before them was precisely such an opportunity.
Time passed slowly. As the Vice Principal of Blue Star Academy appeared, the Beast Tamer Competition officially began.
Through Jiang Lai’s introduction, Zhou Ming also gained a basic understanding of the vice principal.
Yan Zongqing—his strength was at the High-level Transcendent Rank. His profession was Weapon Master, and his Phantasmal Beast was a completely elementalized Storm Giant Eagle. Within Blue Star Academy, his strength ranked second.
As for first place, it naturally belonged to the elusive principal who had already advanced to the Legendary Saint level.
As the competition commenced, Zhou Ming sat in the VIP seats alongside several other Transcendent-level experts, watching the many Beast Tamer geniuses compete.
At first, Zhou Ming found it quite interesting. However, as the number of matches increased, he gradually began to feel bored.
Unlike the other Transcendent experts, he had no juniors competing on the field, nor did he intend to recruit talented Professional Beast Tamers into his faction.
Still, out of respect for Blue Star Academy—and in order to obtain some Transcendent-level Beast Taming knowledge from them—Zhou Ming endured three days of rather dull matches.
The only unexpected event occurred after the competition ended, when Vice Principal Yan Zongqing specifically invited Zhou Ming to go on stage and speak to the many geniuses.
Naturally, Zhou Ming did not refuse such a request. However, his speech was rather formulaic.
After all, he could not possibly teach these geniuses, in such a setting, to act without scruples—or to conduct multiple rounds of human experimentation to personally verify uncertain matters.
The only thing he did was reward each of the top three competitors with a Bloodline Jewel.
This type of material, whose Bloodline Will had already been erased, contained rich life essence.
Whether used by themselves or given to their respective Phantasmal Beasts, it could bring considerable benefits.
Zhou Ming’s generosity stemmed from the fact that all three winners were from Blue Star Academy—and two of them had previously met him in the Endless Forest Sea while accompanying Jiang Lai.
Unfortunately, in just over a year, their statuses were no longer on the same level. Zhou Ming now granted rewards from the stance of a senior.
After finishing these tedious formalities, Zhou Ming finally had the opportunity to meet privately with Vice Principal Yan Zongqing, who was mainly responsible for managing Blue Star Academy.
“Vice Principal Yan, here are one hundred thousand Source Crystal Coins. I hope to enter your academy’s library to obtain valuable Transcendent-level knowledge.”
Zhou Ming spoke directly, placing a full ton of Source Crystal Coins inside the office.
These Source Crystal Coins all came from the Yang Family—they were the most ordinary resources among the compensation they had offered. Thus, Zhou Ming did not mind giving them all to Blue Star Academy.
Of course, if the academy were willing to allow him access to more valuable knowledge, he would not hesitate to offer even more resources in exchange.
“Sir Zhou Ming need not be so courteous. It is only ordinary Transcendent knowledge. Since you were invited to watch this Beast Tamer Competition, it is only proper for us to provide you with a bit of assistance.”
Inside the luxurious office, the two spoke politely.
However, it was clear that Zhou Ming sought more valuable Transcendent knowledge, while Yan Zongqing was only willing to grant access to knowledge of a more ordinary level.
“It is my honor to be invited by Blue Star Academy. I cannot possibly accept benefits for nothing because of this.”
“Please accept this small token of appreciation, Vice Principal Yan. After all, even ordinary Transcendent knowledge is something priceless in the outside world.”
Zhou Ming understood the other party’s intentions and accepted that only ordinary Transcendent knowledge would be provided.
In a cordial atmosphere, the two sides reached a tacit understanding, and Yan Zongqing no longer refused.
Afterward, under the guidance of Jiang Liang, the Director of Academic Affairs, Zhou Ming arrived at the Blue Star Academy Library.
“Sir Zhou Ming, this library has four floors. Except for the top floor, which requires the principal’s approval to enter, you are free to access the other three floors.”
“As long as the books are not taken out of the library, you may read them freely.”
After briefly explaining the situation, Jiang Liang handed Zhou Ming a token, which served as his pass to freely enter and exit the library.
Not wishing to disturb him, Jiang Liang left immediately after giving the token.
Only then did Zhou Ming take the time to carefully observe the library before him.
The building stood four stories tall, surrounded by lush greenery, appearing from afar like an ordinary library.
However, upon entering, Zhou Ming discovered that the entire structure was enveloped by an extremely powerful formation. The surrounding walls were reinforced and enhanced with various runes.
Moreover, spatial storage equipment could not be used within the library.
The feeling it gave Zhou Ming was that of a slumbering beast.
Once disturbed, it would unleash terrifying fury.
“Looks like this is the handiwork of that principal.”
Observing the ancient-style decorations and the quiet atmosphere, Zhou Ming silently speculated.
After examining the surroundings, Zhou Ming ignored the gazes of numerous students on the first floor and walked directly toward the upper levels.
Passing through an energy barrier, he reached the second floor, where only a handful of students were present.
By the time he arrived at the third floor, there was no one in sight. The number of books had clearly decreased, but various Inheritance Scrolls had appeared.
Zhou Ming did not immediately begin reading these valuable materials. Instead, he went to the entrance of the fourth floor.
Looking at the barrier before him, his brows suddenly furrowed.
Because he realized that if he tried to force his way through, he would most likely die there.
Since it could not be forced, Zhou Ming turned his attention back behind him and casually picked up a book about the complete elementalization of Phantasmal Beasts.
His state of mind returned once again to how it had been when he was in the Qinshan Base Library.