Every book is an adventure.

Though volumes on history, biographies, and similarly dull subjects might not offer the same excitement as the chapters of a light novel, the adventure was still hidden within their pages, awaiting the reader's discovery.

Now, as Bubai carefully copied away, he found himself immersed in the lore.

Honestly, it was rather a cliché narrative – droning on regarding how once upon a time, this place was not a desert, etc. etc...

Indeed, there were a lot of interesting tidbits, but many had lost relevance after so many millenniums had passed.

What truly captured Bubai's attention were the details pertinent to the current era, more specifically the recent times.

Though this book was old, it was not completely outdated. Otherwise, Granny Shu would’ve tasked him with updating the information during his copying session.

So, Bubai recognized the possibility of gaining valuable insights into the desert from this book, knowledge that could prove instrumental in his future escape.

Not only that, the book had mixed in knowledge regarding the geography of the Sunfire desert, legends of unspeakable horrors, and even legends of current landmarks, including the Desert Abyss.

“The Desert Abyss was actually left behind by a Saint?” Bubai raised a brow, a frown forming on his face when he realized there were no further details.

What is a Saint? Who is a Saint? How powerful was a Saint?

Alas, narratives like these tend to enjoy leaving the readers hanging, wanting for more. No more details were mentioned, yet some inferences could be drawn.

When Bubai recalled the vast chasm that separated the territories of the Sun Furnace Sect and the Cloud Sword Sect, a geographical split resembling the division of two continents, it dawned on him that the "Saint" mentioned in the text couldn't be the Saint Son and Saintess of the sects.

To have the power to alter the landscape in such a dramatic way, this so-called “Saint” must be a top powerhouse!

Alas, Bubai was uncertain of the number of realms between them and whether there were higher realms beyond, but he was clear a “Saint” was beyond the scope of his current comprehension. It wasn’t a mystery he could explore now.

Nevertheless, this revelation alerted Bubai, heightening his sense of vigilance and wariness towards this world. The water in this world was deeper than he thought.

And only by acquiring more knowledge could he know of these unknown, lurking horrors ahead of time, maintaining both awe and proper wariness towards them.

Certainly, not every page contained interesting or important content, and there were sections that induced utter boredom as Bubai diligently copied through them.

Despite this, he maintained focused attention, ensuring accuracy in his transcription. The meticulousness was not just for the sake of efficiency but also due to the nature of the task.

A single error on a page meant having to recopy the entire page - a consequence that made the thick stack of paper Granny Shu provided all the more understandable. It seemed she had anticipated the challenges and allowed plenty of room for errors.

This was normal.

Copying a thick book, especially one with uninteresting content, was definitely a task that tested a cultivator's endurance, concentration, and patience to the utmost.

While breaks were permissible, hours of continuous copying could wear down the copier's stamina and patience.

As fatigue set in, concentration will deteriorate, and the likelihood of errors increased, fostering a vicious cycle of unceasing copying… until the tester gives up.

This was an inevitable outcome because for most regular cultivators, maintaining prolonged concentration on a task proved difficult.

Even during closed-door cultivation, many cultivators would occasionally take a break from their cultivation, relaxing within their cultivation chambers.

This was a part of human nature, and those capable of unwavering focus stood out in a class of their own, hailed as geniuses of hard work.

These geniuses were unquestionably rare and few. Even if the sect had any, how many would actually sacrifice cultivation time and come to complete the mundane task of copying books?

Bubai wasn’t arrogant enough to consider himself a genius. Hence, here he was.

Merlin's beard, how he wished he was a machine. Alas, he wasn’t.

Thus, making errors was an inevitable part of the copying process, especially as the strain of the long-term task began to take its toll.

In this Book Pavilion, it was rather challenging to discern time, but Bubai surmised that the day had long been over!

The book he was transcribing, while not the thickest, certainly demanded much more than a few hours for accurate replication, and any errors threatened to prolong the process even further!

Fortunately, Bubai's mysterious green Qi proved invaluable in preserving his condition - maintaining his mental clarity and alleviating the strain on his hand. This aid significantly reduced the number of errors he made during the tedious task.

Plus, years of toiling in the Cloud Sword Sect had granted him sufficient time to learn some essential life skills, including reading and writing in the language of this world. This was a set of skills that goes hand-in-hand and was vital for understanding cultivation manuals devoid of pictures and diagrams.

These basic skills definitely eased his copying process. It was always easier to reproduce words he understood rather than copying unknown symbols.

Regarding his physical endurance… with his strengthened body, coupled with the rejuvenating effects of his green Qi, playing demanding games with women for an entire day posed no challenge, let alone copying a book.

Of course, he still brought some rations to stave his hunger to cover up his uniqueness.

After numerous hours of dedicated effort, Bubai finally neared the conclusion of his painstaking work...

Here, on the last page, he encountered a hand-drawn map of the Sunfire Desert, painted with careful yet somewhat faded ink strokes.

Clearly, this book proved to be not just a test of his writing skills but also a challenge to reproduce intricate drawings.

“To the north is the border of the Cloud Sword Sect territory, to the West is the border with the Millenial Lotus Alchemy Sect, to the East is the Deathshade Sect, and to the South…”

It was blank, as if there was nothing there. However, Bubai’s hunch suggested it was probably intentionally omitted, possibly restricted information that involved some higher-end knowledge.

Basically, locked behind a pay-wall, just like the more detailed versions of the maps for all sect territories.

Meanwhile, the hand-drawn map's quality was notably inferior, making it challenging to even gauge distances between landmarks, which was most likely the reason it was left in the free information section...

Drawing the final stroke on the completed map, Bubai carefully picked up the paper, gently blowing on it to expedite the ink's drying process. "Phew. Finally done. Fortunately, my hand didn’t shake at the last moment."

Placing the sheet on the table to dry, Bubai moved to collect the dried sheets laid out on other tables, adding them to the stack arranged on a stone stool nearby. Glancing at the final batch still drying, he remarked, "As long as there are no interference, it should be dry enough to turn in."

Seating himself on the ground, Bubai closed his eyes, resting his somewhat drowsy mind.

Book Pavilion. Front Desk.

“Not bad. Not bad at all. Young Bubai, you did not disappoint this old lady.” Granny Shu commented with a smile as she sifted through the stack of paper on her desk, her beady eyes locking onto Bubai, “Though you barely meet the requirements for this task, this old lady will make an exception and take you in.”

The well-rested Bubai nodded, reciprocating the smile as he bowed slightly, “Disciple Mo Bubai thanks Shu Po Po for her leniency.”

“Good. Fufu… From now on, as long as you don’t bring the materials and books out of the pavilion, you can complete the copying at your own pace.” Granny Shu, satisfied with the result, stashed the newly copied sheets into her satchel along with the writing tools, leaning back into her rocking chair.

“Whenever you are ready, you can come to this old lady and I will assign you your next task.”

With proper etiquette, Bubai bid farewell, “Then, Disciple Bubai will leave first.”

Granny Shu, acknowledging with a nod, closed her eyes and resumed rocking.

Turning around, Bubai made his way towards the entrance of the hall. After a slightly strenuous tug of the door, he shielded his eyes from the sudden onslaught of glaring sunlight.

Once his vision adjusted, he stepped out of the pavilion, and as he descended the stairs, his gaze surveyed the deserted street illuminated by the bright sun, “It’s past noon already. My goodness, it took more than a day...”

All that effort and he didn’t even get paid. Well, it was an investment in his future, so he couldn’t complain.

However, establishing another source of income was definitely on his agenda. Sensing that his condition was still satisfactory, Bubai headed in the direction of the West District.

West District. Twin Towers Plaza.

Glancing at the twin towers that many men and women frequently entered and exited, Bubai felt a fleeting temptation to go for a spin himself. After all, he could undoubtedly accumulate some good memories inside.

In the end, he resisted the urge because he realized… he doesn’t have the money. Hiring other women was a costly affair, with a high probability of being more expensive than raising his own.

Moreover, Bubai obviously lacked anything of value to sell. Had he known he was going to be kidnapped into a dual cultivation sect, he would have found a more lucrative face as his mask.

Well, it’s too late now, and regrettably, he was reluctant to reveal his true face. Uh, even if he did, he will probably still pose no attraction because he possessed no cultivation for others to plunder.

Thus, Bubai continued to trek around the plaza, mentally assessing prices and supplies while actively searching for what he needed.

"Seeking an obedient companion? Look no further! Step closer, fellow juniors and seniors! Witness the exotic wonders of my cultivated scorpions and poisonous insects! Collected from the depths of the Ancient Desert Ruins and raised in the finest conditions, these creatures will ensure obedience after you refine and implant them!"

"Embark on a journey of enlightenment! Join my exclusive classes and unlock the mysteries of cultivation. From postures to techniques to transcendent arts, I guide you on the path to true mastery! Women only!"

"Are you ready to soar to new heights of enlightenment? The Cloud Dreaming Pill is not just a mere concoction – it's a transcendental experience! Ingest this pill, and you'll find yourself closer to heaven, closer to enlightenment!”

Bubai's gaze was drawn to the stall. Cloud Dreaming Pill? That was definitely one of the pills mentioned in his Foundation Establishment method, known for enhancing the effects of the memory Qi gathering process.

Coming to a halt in front of the stall, he met the gaze of the middle-aged man tending to it. “How much for one Cloud Dreaming Pill?”

“This brother really has a good eye!” Crossing his arms, the man declared in a confident tone, "For a discerning cultivator like yourself, I’ll sell you a bottle for a low-grade spirit stone. A small price to pay for a glimpse into the celestial realm and the possibility for boundless enlightenment!"

“No, I just need one for now.” Bubai responded casually, pouring out some spirit rice from one of his pouches.

The middle-aged man's eyes lit up slightly, licking his lips before launching into his sales pitch...