60: Stargazer

Qin Chuan returned to the manor with a bewildered expression.

He felt that something about today's events was off.

Firstly, it was confirmed that Wang Zhongshu had used him as bait.

Secondly, establishing contact with the children of those general families was also true.

But a mist shrouded both matters.

The only thing connecting them was the word 'Abyss'.

So, the question arises: if the Abyss Fissure in Qiao City is sealed, where did this demon (or devil?) who infiltrated Chang'an come from?

And where were those general families and the Great Zhou military, sharpening their blades, aiming?

Unless—there were other Fissures, or battle zones!

Within the manor, while studying, Qin Chuan did not forget to search for books and materials in Yingtian Academy in the Virtual World.

Although many of the records there were clearly from a different era than the current Great Zhou, he could learn more about the myriad heavens.

For example, the modes of interaction between various civilizations, their common aspirations, and their enemies.

Unfortunately, he still hadn't found the reason for the past demise of this world's civilization.

It was as if the heavens had fallen in an instant, without warning, let alone any records.

“Sigh.”

Sighing, Qin Chuan decided not to keep burying himself in books.

Currently, his Haoran Righteousness had also reached the third rank.

According to the Great Zhou's ranking system, he could almost compare to some martial arts grandmasters.

However, his application methods were still very immature.

Initially, Qin Chuan was confused by the ranking system.

For instance, Child Scholar and Martial Apprentice were both considered within the first rank (Level 1).

But undoubtedly, a Martial Apprentice could easily defeat dozens of Child Scholars.

At the second rank, for Cultivated Talent and Innate, if the two were to fight head-on, the Literary Dao and Martial Dao still couldn't compare.

However, at the third rank, for Literary Dao Recommended Man and Martial Dao Grandmaster, things started to become more nuanced.

With full preparation, a Recommended Man with deep cultivation could laugh at a 'common brute'.

As for higher ranks... Martial Dao and Literary Dao couldn't compare, unless it was that handful who truly reached the peak, but there was still a gap.

Qin Chuan shook his head, pulling back these chaotic thoughts.

Now was not the time to research the comparison between Literary Dao and Martial Dao.

The key was that while he had the third-rank Haoran Righteousness, his actual methods were incomparable.

In this regard, self-study was time-consuming and laborious; he felt he could learn from another perspective.

Wang Zhongshu definitely couldn't teach him at the moment, so...

“You want to go to school?”

At the gate of the manor, Wang Zhongshu, who was leaving in a hurry, was stopped by Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan continued with his prepared words:

“Yes, among three people, one must be my teacher. These past few days, I have been meditating quietly in my room.”

Wang Zhongshu nodded: “Hmm, your idea is correct. It's also my fault. I understand.”

With that, he said no more and hurried away again.

Qin Chuan: ?

You understand? You understand nothing!

What to do then? Wang Zhongshu had already run off, so Qin Chuan could only hope that he had truly heard him.

The next day.

A bright letter lay on the table, signed by the Libationer of the National Academy.

In other words—an admission notice from the National Academy!

Qin Chuan: “Wang Zhongshu’s master can be trusted! He really gets things done!”

He glanced at the admission notice, and after confirming the enrollment date, he instantly felt less anxious.

That evening, Qin Chuan entered the 'National Academy'!

—Naturally, it couldn't be the National Academy in Chang'an; it couldn't be that fast.

But, he could enter the National Academy in the Virtual World!

[Login Device: Checking login qualifications for the registrant, Chen Chuan, meets the requirements for entering the 'National Academy'.]

Indeed!

He had guessed correctly; this space in the Virtual World was definitely connected to reality.

He had just received the admission notice for the Chang'an National Academy, and the Virtual World immediately met the admission requirements.

Qin Chuan didn't know through what channels it received information from reality, or if it was directly linked to... the Heavenly Dao?

None of that mattered anymore; what was important was what was inside the National Academy in the Virtual World?

In reality, the result was not entirely fruitless, but rather, he gained very little.

“Don't you even have a library in your National Academy?”

Speechless, he could only wander around the empty National Academy.

Finally, he did find something!

'observatory'!

[Chen Chuan, your identity is 'Student', and your usage time for the observatory per ten-day period is: fifteen minutes.]

What is this, there's even a time limit?

Qin Chuan frowned, looking at the incomprehensible device before him.

Isn't it just an astronomical telescope?

—However, when he actually used it, he immediately retracted that thought!

In the silent, boundless primordial chaos, a continent emitting a faint white glow was like a shooting star.

It was hurtling through the murky space at a speed Qin Chuan could not comprehend.

In the ethereal realm, information from the observatory was transmitted into Qin Chuan's mind.

'This is the world you currently inhabit.'

Qin Chuan exclaimed: “This, this is the Da Zhou World?!”

His eyes widened, and he carefully observed the mountains, rivers, and vegetation on it; indeed, it was the beautiful landscape of the Great Zhou.

Not only that, he also saw countless specks of light from the vast sea of Haoran Righteousness within it.

Qin Chuan found Chang'an's location with hardly any effort.

This was partly because of his familiarity with maps, and partly because—Chang'an was the brightest!

Even within the Great Zhou, which was like a chessboard of stars, it was the most dazzling!

In the center of Chang'an City, two of the most brilliant light specks in the entire Great Zhou gathered together.

Qin Chuan's gaze focused—magnify, magnify again!

Then, his perspective suddenly sank.

Over city walls, past eaves, through walls—

Finally, a brightly lit hall appeared before Qin Chuan.

At the same time, a conversation came through—

Qin Chuan instantly recognized it as Wang Zhongshu's voice.

“Your Majesty, these extraterrestrial demons are not of the Nine Provinces; they are inherently cruel and come from the 'Abyss'. Who shall we prepare our troops for?!”

Accompanying Wang Zhongshu's stern shout, a piercing gaze from above looked over!

A female voice sternly said: “Who dares to spy on the palace?!”

Qin Chuan shifted his view away at the fastest speed, but it was still a step too late.

Waves of stinging pain surged through his mind.

His brain was trembling!

“Why are you so fierce? How was I supposed to know that was where you were talking...”

The state of seeing stars lasted for a long time before Qin Chuan felt a little better.

“Phew, what bad luck!”

After this incident, Qin Chuan no longer dared to casually look around and research.

Taking advantage of the last remaining time, he suddenly raised his perspective to observe from the height of the entire world.

Then, he discovered a point he hadn't noticed before—

Before the Da Zhou World, which was like a shooting star, two hazy celestial bodies were leisurely arrayed.

One side, the star was dim, as if hiding countless stars.

The other side, crimson surged, with distorted light and shadows appearing from time to time.

The edges of these two worlds were already in an overlapping state.

According to the 'Da Zhou World's' direction of movement, although it wouldn't directly collide with these two worlds, a close pass was absolutely certain!

As for what these two worlds were, Qin Chuan already had a good idea in his mind.

Main World VS Abyss!