Chapter 130: The Library

Beast Research Institute.

Ye Die walked toward the laboratory with a cold expression.

“Good morning, Director!”

“Good morning, Director…”

Two researchers passed by, offering their greetings.

Ye Die acted as though she had not heard them and continued straight ahead.

Watching her retreating figure, the two researchers whispered, “The director doesn’t seem to be in a very good mood.”

The other nodded. “Yeah. She usually responds whenever we greet her, but today she didn’t even acknowledge us.”

Ye Die’s voice drifted over from a distance.

“You’re both too idle, aren’t you?”

“Go clean the entire institute from top to bottom. If I find even a speck of dust, you can forget about receiving a single coin of research funding!”

The two researchers went deathly pale. Not daring to say a word in protest, they hurried away with their mouths shut.

Ye Die returned directly to the laboratory and slammed the door behind her.

She took a deep breath, forcing her emotions back into calm.

A moment later, she walked toward the workbench.

The next second, her eyes narrowed when she saw the completely empty table.

…

“Xu Han, are you all right?” Shui Lingyao asked softly as she approached him.

Xu Han shook his head and replied with a smile, “I’m perfectly fine. Don’t worry.”

Tie Shan stepped forward and thumped Xu Han on the chest with his fist, laughing. “You’re seriously incredible!”

“You actually made it through the second floor of the Beast Tower as a freshman!”

Qin Xuanyi nodded with a sigh. “Yeah. Even the few of us working together didn’t get through many waves.”

Xia Ling chimed in, “Those beasts were far too strong.”

“Though the main problem was that our front line wasn’t strong enough. We couldn’t withstand too many of them.”

Tie Shan retorted, “I wasn’t strong enough? When all of you were injured by the beasts, I was the only one holding the line!”

Xia Ling gave a soft snort. “I’m not teaming up with you next time.”

Tie Shan was left speechless.

Su Li merely smiled at the side without saying anything.

“If you don’t mind, you can team up with the two of us next time,” Shui Lingyao said with a smile. “We’re short on damage output and support.”

“Sure, sure.” Xia Ling nodded happily.

The ponytailed girl also came over to Xu Han and said with a smile, “Junior Xu Han…”

Xu Han greeted her with a smile. “Senior Shen Meng, what brings you here too?”

Xu Han had a particularly deep impression of this beautiful senior with the ponytail.

Shen Meng beamed. “I just came to see how you were doing. I’m glad you’re all right.”

“I have to say, you were unbelievably cool! Clearing the second floor of the Beast Tower all by yourself!”

Xu Han scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed.

He invited everyone into his dormitory, where they chatted for a while.

With so many people around, the usually quiet dormitory instantly became lively.

At Xia Ling’s urging, everyone prepared dinner together.

Only after the meal did they finally disperse, still reluctant to leave.

Once he had seen everyone off, Xu Han lazily stretched out on his bed.

He released Little Tiger and Little Hawk into the living room so they could get some air.

They could also keep watch in case any unwelcome guests arrived.

After all, he was now being watched by the Abyss Church.

If they could tamper with the Beast Tower, he suspected they might be able to interfere even while he was in his dormitory, provided they truly wanted to make a move.

So he had no choice but to take precautions.

Just as Xu Han was drifting into sleep, Little Tiger suddenly raised its head in the living room and stared toward the door, letting out a low growl.

Little Hawk opened its eyes as well and fixed its gaze on the entrance.

Arcs of electricity danced across its body, ready to launch an attack at any moment.

Xu Han’s eyes flew open.

“Someone’s here?”

Little Tiger gave a slight nod.

Knock, knock, knock—

A knock sounded at the door.

Xu Han quickly got dressed and went to the entrance.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

A slightly playful voice came from outside.

Recognizing the familiar voice, Xu Han opened the door.

Standing outside was a woman dressed in a crimson traditional robe.

It was Hua Piaowu.

Xu Han looked puzzled. “What brings you here?”

A faint smile curved Hua Piaowu’s lips. “What? Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

Xu Han stepped aside to let her enter.

Hua Piaowu walked into the living room as though she were at home and greeted Little Tiger and Little Hawk.

Seeing that she was a familiar face, the two beasts lowered their guard.

She glanced around the living room. “Hmm… This dormitory is pretty nice. Though it does seem to be missing something.”

“Missing what?”

“A lady of the house.”

Xu Han was covered in black lines.

Seeing his awkward expression, Hua Piaowu covered her mouth and burst into laughter.

“Pfft… I’m only teasing you!”

“I came to tell you something.”

“I was also chosen by the principal to join you in exploring the secret-realm ruins.”

“How do you feel? Aren’t you happy? With such a powerful teammate as me, you’ll have an extra layer of protection!”

Xu Han stared at Hua Piaowu in surprise.

He knew about her identity.

Her mother was the head of the Dragon Nation’s intelligence agency, after all!

How could her mother have agreed to let her go somewhere so dangerous?

When Hua Piaowu saw that Xu Han did not react, she immediately furrowed her brows.

“What? You’re not happy?”

Xu Han rubbed his chin. “This time… you won’t lead us the wrong way again, will you? Miss Directionally Challenged?”

Hua Piaowu’s pretty face flushed with anger.

How was she directionally challenged?

That had been an accident!

Exactly! It had been an accident!!!

She glared at Xu Han and threw out several harsh remarks, such as, “Even if you died, I wouldn’t spare you a second glance.”

Then she stormed off in a huff.

After seeing his guest out, Xu Han was finally left in peace.

He lay back down on the bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Xu Han yawned, got up, and washed.

He then left the dormitory.

Golden sunlight spilled across the lake, making its surface glitter.

The fresh morning breeze brushed over his face, sweeping away the heaviness of sleep.

Xu Han was in an excellent mood.

It truly was an A-rank student dormitory.

The moment you moved in, you had nothing left to say about it.

After tidying himself up, he headed toward the university library.

The library was located on the mountain behind the campus.

To reach it, one had to climb nine hundred and ninety-nine steps.

As Xu Han climbed, a massive building resembling a miniature palace appeared before him.

He could not help marveling at it.

A building this magnificent would be a landmark at any other school.

Yet at Dragon Nation University, it merely stood atop the rear mountain.

If not for some particular need, many students probably would not visit the place even once during their four years at university.

Xu Han walked straight inside.

The library was divided into a central hall and four sections to the east, south, west, and north.

All four sections were filled with books arranged according to different classifications.

The center was a vast open space furnished with tables and chairs.

It served as an open study hall where students could read and study.

Although Xu Han had arrived early in the morning, quite a few senior students were already seated inside, studying.

These upperclassmen had awakened life-class or support-class professions.

Because improving their combat strength was difficult, they had chosen another path: study.

After all, enhancing their theoretical knowledge could allow them to find work at the university or in other places that required professionals in their fields.

They could still earn a respectable salary.