Chapter 146 - 143: Scholars’ Association Hall

Chapter 146: Chapter 143: Scholars’ Association Hall

After Li Heng spoke, the guards said nothing more and went back to maintaining order at the South City Gate. When his turn came, they waved him through without any issues.

"Chief! That scholar... aren’t we supposed to ask for his place of origin?"

"There’s no need for extensive questioning of a traveling scholar at the Soul Warrior realm. If he were a Great Soul Warrior, then we would need to conduct a strict investigation. Besides, he doesn’t have the aura fluctuations of a barbarian, so an investigation isn’t necessary."

"Chief! Do you really think that scholar is here to find a sage and pursue his studies? The only people who’ve entered the city recently are a few Courtesans from Mu Hai City. What great sage could there possibly be...?"

"That’s enough! Stop talking about other things. He’s just a Soul Warrior, which is nothing special in Li Liang City. Guarding the gate is your duty."

As they watched Li Heng’s retreating back, the guards continued to mutter amongst themselves. But when one of them suddenly mentioned that the city seemed to have only Courtesans and no great sages, he trailed off as if he’d had a sudden realization.

Similarly, the squad leader seemed to realize something as well. He immediately silenced his subordinate, changing the subject and ordering the men to focus on guarding the gate.

After entering the city without a hitch, the first thing that greeted Li Heng’s eyes was a bustling crowd.

Eighty to ninety percent of them were common folk dressed in simple linen. Street vendors, some with shoulder poles, hawked their wares amid the endless stream of people.

Most of them were selling all sorts of food.

The closest stall to Li Heng was a small one selling noodles. The savory aroma wafted toward him. He glanced over and saw that customers were paying with some kind of Copper Coins.

’This is so different from Meteor University! This is a true ancient city!’ Li Heng marveled.

The authentic charm of this ancient city was something Meteor University’s imitation style could never replicate. Li Heng simply stood there for a moment, savoring the novel experience this ancient atmosphere offered.

Watching the bustling commoners, Li Heng gradually felt an inexplicable sensation stir within him. It was just like the rain he had encountered upon first entering the Desolate Moon Islands Secret Realm—he was slipping into a profound, mysterious state.

But unlike before, the feeling came and went in a flash, lingering for only a few seconds before vanishing completely.

’I should go check out the Scholars’ Association Hall.’

Since he received no system notification about the change in his state, Li Heng wasn’t sure what had just happened. However, he felt it wasn’t anything bad, so he didn’t dwell on it. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

After composing himself, he decided to first explore Li Liang City. He already had a destination in mind: the Scholars’ Association Hall that Ma the Sixth had mentioned.

Li Liang City was huge. Many parts of it looked similar to the campus of Meteor University, which made sense to Li Heng. After all, Meteor University had been built right on top of Li Liang City, so it was only natural for the facilities to be similar.

Huh?

As he walked, Li Heng took in the sights of Li Liang City and asked passersby for directions to the Scholars’ Association Hall.

But as he continued on his way, he realized the path he was on seemed strangely familiar, as if he had walked it before.

He slowly put it together: the path he was on resembled the one Wen Ruyan had led him down at Meteor University on the way to the Xisha Area.

There were some differences, but for the most part, Li Heng recognized it. The rows of detached wooden houses, each with its own courtyard, were etched into his memory.

Next to the row of detached wooden houses stood a seven-story building with soaring, gilded eaves. Couplets hung on plaques to either side of the entrance. In the very center hung another plaque, inscribed with the three words: "Scholars’ Association Hall."

Taking a deep breath, Li Heng strode into the hall.

Unlike the common folk in the city, the names displayed above the people in the hall weren’t as casual as "Lao Liu" or "Lao Qi." Their attire was also more refined.

A few people still wore simple linen, but they were in the minority and kept to themselves.

Most of the men, who looked like scholars, were gathered in small groups. Some were drinking around round wooden tables, while others were huddled around tables laden with Xuan paper and bamboo slips, deep in discussion.

Li Heng’s arrival on the first floor caused no stir. The scholars milling about merely glanced at him before returning to their own business.

However, a man with a goatee wearing an indigo robe emerged from behind a counter and approached him.

"Sir, may I ask your business at the hall?"

"I am a traveling scholar from a distant land. I heard that Liang City is home to great sages, so I came here in hopes of finding a master to study under."

Li Heng’s system information told him this man was the manager of the first floor of the Scholars’ Association Hall, and just an ordinary person, not a Soul Master. Even so, Li Heng maintained a polite demeanor.

"Sir, are you a Soul Master? If not, you may only remain on the first floor. If you are skilled in the literary arts, we can offer you preferential treatment for food and lodging. If you are a Soul Master, please proceed to the second floor, where someone will attend to you."

"Thank you."

After thanking the man, Li Heng started up the stairs to the second floor. When the scholars on the first floor saw this, some of their expressions changed. Others looked annoyed with themselves for not trying to strike up a conversation with him earlier.

The goateed manager, however, said nothing. He simply wore an unsurprised expression before turning back to his work.