Duosheng Danyuan

"I am Elder Jianshan's junior brother, Jianchen, the 'chen' in 'dust'. At the same time, I am also the managing elder of this ancient alchemy building. For convenience, I usually sleep directly in the bronze cauldron."

As he spoke, Elder Chen yawned, took out an old pipe from the drawer next to the bed in the darkroom, and started smoking it by himself.

This darkroom was just as slovenly as Jianchen's, but it was excessively large. Even with ten of us crammed inside, it still felt somewhat spacious. No wonder Elder Jianchen usually didn't like staying in here.

"According to the rules, students in each class should enter the Ancient Alchemy Scripture Building at a designated time to study the classic texts and scrolls. However, you are newcomers who just entered today, so this rule hasn't been applied yet, which is why you bumped into your senior classmates who were also studying the scrolls. Starting tomorrow, it won't be like this anymore, understand?"

"Yes." Thanks to Elder Jianshan's training, our answers are now much more uniform.

"Hmm. Did Jianshan say how long you're supposed to stay here?"

"Half an hour," the big guy said.

"Oh, alright then, half an hour won't be a problem. You can all go and explore on your own. But there's one condition: if you damage the scroll, you'll pay with your life." The big guy nodded, and then Elder Chen took another puff of smoke, seemingly enjoying himself.

Elder Jianchen spoke softly and calmly, but his words were crystal clear. I didn't think I had misheard the words "pay with your life," nor did I think Elder Jianchen had misspoke.

"..." In the darkroom, only the sound of breathing could be heard for a moment.

"Anything else? If not, let's move out. I've almost finished my cigarette."

"...yes."

With trepidation, we left the dark room with Elder Jianchen and returned to the bronze cauldron in the center of the first floor of the Ancient Elixir Scripture Building.

Neither Elder Jianshan nor Elder Jianchen forbade us from reading the books here, but they both imposed strict restrictions on our reading behavior. Elder Jianshan's words were somewhat subtle, but Elder Jianchen simply put a knife to our throats.

With his warning, everyone moved further away from the scripture shelves, not daring to touch those ancient books that were probably quite worn.

Mustering my courage, I asked Elder Jianchen, "May I go back upstairs for a look around?"

"Of course, anywhere is fine. There are no restricted areas in the Ancient Pill Scripture Pavilion." Elder Jianchen didn't even glance at me. After answering my question, he lifted his feet into the air and flew back into the bronze cauldron, riding on the black mist.

"Is this what a genuine cultivator is like?" I was taken aback by Elder Jianchen's methods.

I've read quite a few cultivation novels, and I've learned a fair share of the various techniques. But when a scruffy old man actually soared through the clouds and disappeared into the earth right in front of me, I was still quite shocked, even though he was only using a simple levitation technique.

Coming to my senses, I refocused my attention on my surroundings. Unlike the Refining Heart Hall and Nourishing Essence Hall, the table next to the bronze cauldron was definitely not provided for just one class, or even for the two classes that would follow us.

Even if we each have one table, there are still more than enough tables.

"As expected, this place is special. But why are the rules the same? In such a large place, activities are organized by class... What is the problem?" Thinking about this, I began to wander alone through the scripture shelves of the Ancient Scripture Building.

In about fifteen minutes, I walked through every corner of the first floor of the Ancient Elixir Scripture Building, confirming what I wanted to confirm, and then planned to go up to the second floor to continue confirming.

"Hey, friend." Before I went upstairs, a cheerful-looking boy waved to me and greeted me.

"What's up?"

"My name is Lin Xu, Lin as in forest, Xu as in reminiscing. What's your name?"

"..." I narrowed my eyes and began to sizing up Lin Xu. I remembered this boy well because he was the one who often made eye contact with me out of the corner of my eye on the street, and he was also one of the few people who hadn't complained about me just now. "Gu Changfeng, is there something you need?"

"Haha, don't be nervous, don't be nervous, I mean no harm." Perhaps my gaze caused Lin Xu to misunderstand, he waved his hand with a smile before continuing, "I just feel that Brother Changfeng is definitely not a reckless person. Whether before or just now, what you did was not something like a headless fly flying around, right?"

"uh-huh?"

"So, I think if we have the chance... we could collaborate?" Seeing that I wasn't buying it, Lin Xu bluntly stated his purpose.

"Let's talk about this later, I have something to do right now." As I spoke, I quickly walked past him and hurried toward the stairs.

"Are you really going up?"

"...What do you mean?" With one foot on the stairs, I turned around and asked, puzzled.

"Right now, we're all on the first floor. If Brother Changfeng goes up to the second floor alone... won't he feel out of place?"

"...I see." Lin Xu's words made me realize that the prompt on my arm wasn't unique to me, but that didn't change my plan. "Thank you, but I still want to go up."

"Take me with you."

"What?" The unexpected situation caught me off guard. Before I could respond, Lin Xu had already caught up and walked to my side.

"With two people, at least we can look out for each other." Laughing, Lin Xu patted my shoulder and went up the stairs ahead of me. "Shall we go?"

"Alright then." I sighed and followed them up the stairs.

Just like on the first floor, I wandered among the prayer racks, only this time with Lin Xu.

"What are you doing?"

"...Just some speculation."

"What guess?"

"..."

"Okay, I was being presumptuous. If we have a chance to talk in more detail later, I think we can share our opinions on this awful place, what do you think?"

"We'll see."

After browsing the second floor of the Ancient Alchemy Pavilion, I hurried up to the third floor.

The higher I went, the fewer the number of sutra shelves there were, and the less time I spent confirming them. I successfully confirmed everything I needed to know half an hour before Elder Jianshan's deadline.

"I'm leaving," I said calmly.

"They're leaving already? We've only been on the third floor for a short while!"

"It's almost time..."

"Come out, we're going to the last place." Elder Jianshan's voice rang out loudly from the main entrance on the first floor.

Lin Xu and I exchanged a glance, then quickly went back downstairs and followed everyone out of the Ancient Elixir Scripture Building.

We traveled in silence, accompanied only by the green flames on both sides of the road.

"The fires by the roadside are ghostly lights. Don't be afraid; they are there to protect you. Wherever the ghostly lights are, you will be safe," Elder Jianshan explained belatedly.

About fifteen minutes later, Elder Jianshan stopped and said, "This is 'Quiet Rest Abode,' which is also your dormitory. There are nine of you... let's divide you into three groups, three people per hut. It'll be neat enough for me to record. I don't care about the group assignments; you can choose freely. I will come to pick you up tomorrow at 9:00 AM to formally teach you how to cultivate as disciples of the Shengdan Academy. Now, it's free time for rest and activities. Understand?"

"Yes."

"If there are no problems, everyone can prepare to disperse. After entering the Quiet Abode, follow the dim light to find the thatched hut."

"Elder Jianshan, I have a question." Amidst everyone's shocked gazes, I raised my hand.

"Oh?" Elder Jianshan glanced at me, who had raised my hand, but instead of showing disgust, he seemed to find it amusing. "What's your question?"

"Do all the disciples in the class have to participate in group work and rest in the meditation hut?"

"...Hmm." After a long silence, Elder Jianshan simply gave a soft "hmm." "Any more questions?"

"Thank you, Elder Jianshan. I'm all set."

"Alright, let's disband then."

After saying this, a thick black mist suddenly rose from where Elder Jianshan was. In the blink of an eye, the mist gradually dissipated, and Elder Jianshan disappeared without a trace, as expected.

"..."

After a moment of silence, the burly man spoke up: "Let me introduce myself. My name is Chen Yu, Chen as in 'east of the ear,' and Yu as in 'universe.' I'm a retired soldier. And you?"

She glanced at Chen Yu and sighed, "Qian Zhe, a doctoral student."

"Zhang Muyun is a photographer..."

"Tang Anran is a model."

"Zeng Yixi, I am a student."

"...Su, Su Wanqing, I was also a student, a high school student..."

"Wang Hao! An athlete."

"My name is Lin Xu, Lin as in forest, Xu as in reminiscing. I am a painter."

"..." Finally, I said, "Gu Changfeng is also a student."

"A lot has happened today, and I think it's necessary for us to exchange ideas and try to find clues as to why we're all here. What do you think?"

"Clues? How do you know we're all trapped here? Perhaps some of us are natives of this world, and what you just said will harm everyone else!" Qian Zhe said with a sneer.

"It's simple, because everyone showed obvious fear in front of that elder. Hmm... especially you."

"Me!" Qian Zhe was somewhat embarrassed and angry, but he did not continue to refute Chen Yu.

"I agree with Chen Yu's point of view. It is indeed necessary for everyone to have a discussion. After so long, I believe everyone can see from our interactions today that, at least among us, there are no dull and strange individuals like the senior brothers and sisters in the Sheng Dan Academy, right?" Lin Xu smiled and took over Qian Zhe's words, trying to smooth things over.

"Yes, that's also my judgment." Chen Yu nodded, quite satisfied with Lin Xu's words.

"W-Where exactly is this place?" Su Wanqing asked timidly, her voice trembling. She was the girl who had been glared at by my senior brother along with me.

"Sigh, I want to know too," Chen Yu shook his head and sighed, "But child, I'm sorry, I think we're no longer in our original world."

"Ah...how could this be?"

"Of course, whether it's this Jian Shan, or that Jian Chen just now, or those so-called senior brothers and sisters before, is there a single normal person among them?" Zeng Yixi smoothly accepted her transmigration setting and spoke without any hesitation.

"Well, I think the teachers at Lianxin Hall are pretty much like normal people... right?" Zhang Muyun chimed in from the side.

"Hmph, all crows are black." Zeng Yixi frowned and shook his head.

"We can talk about these things later. Now, shouldn't we split into groups?" I said, raising my hand.

"Grouping? How?" Wang Hao asked.

"As Elder Jianshan said, we should form groups of three, and each person should find someone they think is suitable," I explained.

"That's true. It's not very nice to stay in this gloomy place all the time. It would be better to divide into groups first and then talk at the Quiet Rest House." Chen Yu nodded, agreeing with my suggestion.

"Okay." "I have no objection." "Alright..."

"Friend, I think we'll definitely be a team, right?"

"...Whatever you want." I said speechlessly, looking at Lin Xu who had unconsciously moved closer to me during our conversation.

"Um, can I come with you?" Su Wanqing, who was not far from us, asked tremblingly.

"I'm fine, how about Brother Changfeng?"

"Hmm... I can too." Looking at Su Wanqing, who was at a loss, I nodded. Like Lin Xu, he was one of the few people who were not hostile to me after I provoked Elder Jianchen.

This naive little girl, though perhaps a considerable burden as a comrade-in-arms, would be a good choice as a teammate in this barren land where basic trust needs to be established quickly to survive together.