I can see experience bars after being transported to another world.

The footsteps continued.

The door was pushed open, and sunlight flooded in instantly.

Then the door closed, and the world went dark again.

Lu Yuan was the only one left in the bookstore.

And the badge on the table.

Lu Yuan sat on the old wooden stool, not leaving immediately.

Quiet.

The flame of the oil lamp flickered gently, and the shadow cast on the bookshelf swayed accordingly.

He was thinking about the conversation he had just had.

The other party released a limited amount of information, but each piece was carefully selected.

He knew about the shell.

He knew about the vast ocean of knowledge.

He can see "colors," and he knows it.

But he was unaware that he had reached the second tier, nor was he aware of the new abilities he had gained.

This means that although this person is powerful, he is not omniscient.

His knowledge was limited to what could be observed externally.

The activation of the shell in the Viscount's mansion triggered a seal fluctuation, which he could sense, though strange, he could also explain.

He probably behaved just averagely while staying at home, but he could probably have noticed something by observing from the sidelines.

It seems there is always a pair of eyes lurking in the shadows, watching the Night's Watch members involved in the inner city.

Lu Yuan reached out and picked up the badge.

The metal felt slightly cool.

Turn it over and look at the back. It's not smooth, and there are faint inscriptions on it.

As Lu Yuan's fingertips slid across the surface, a trace of knowledge lingered within.

At the edge of my field of vision, grayish-white text slowly danced:

You have encountered new knowledge... Special Inscription...

[Taboo Studies - Seeker of Knowledge: +0.2...0.4/100]

[Current Status of Bronze City: +1...2/50]

Lu Yuan remained silent for a moment, then put the badge into his pocket.

He won't join, at least not now.

But he wouldn't lose the badge.

And one more thing.

When Morris mentioned Laurene, his tone was dismissive, as if it were a closed chapter.

This means that the project of the Tower of Learning has moved to the next stage.

Alternatives have also been found.

Although it is unknown whether the so-called replacement is the three missing noble students.

But what is certain is that the promise he obtained with 800 points saved Laurina, but it did not prevent anything from happening.

"I'm really weak! How could this person be so arrogant..."

Standing up, Lu Yuan took one last look at the bookstore.

The books on the bookshelf were neatly arranged, with no signs of having been read.

The teacup on the table had gone cold, with light brown tea stains remaining at the bottom.

The "North Sea Navigation Records" next to it was still open.

Page 73. The Abyss Rift.

He memorized the page number, then pushed open the door and stepped into the sunlight.

The night watchmen who were hiding on the street outside saw Lu Yuan come out, and after confirming that he was safe, they pretended to be nonchalant and left.

When I got back to the branch, it was a little after 11 a.m.

Less than an hour had passed since we set off.

Raymond was waiting in the conference room.

Helen was there too, her notebook open.

Seeing Lu Yuan enter, Raymond put down the documents in his hand.

"Have you seen the person?"

"I saw him."

Lu Yuan sat down opposite him.

He recounted the entire conversation.

Every word the other person said, every action they took, the layout of the bookstore, the books on the table, the ripples on the wax seal, and that badge.

But he omitted two things.

First, the other party mentioned that the seal pattern trembled when the shell was activated.

Lu Yuan believed that someone within the Night's Watch must have discovered this, and with a little investigation, they would be able to trace it back to him.

But as long as the Night's Watch doesn't bring it up, he won't say it either.

Once the seashell is in your hands, it belongs to you.

Second, his analysis of the aura emanating from Maurice.

This involves the perceptual abilities of those seeking knowledge of taboo subjects, and explaining it would require too much explanation.

The rest, not a single word was omitted.

Raymond listened without interrupting.

Helen's pen moved quickly across the paper.

After Lu Yuan finished speaking, the room was quiet for a while.

"What was his attitude when he mentioned Laurene?" Helen asked first.

"It doesn't matter," Lu Yuan said, "like he's talking about something that's already over."

Helen paused for a moment, then continued writing.

Raymond stood up and walked to the window.

The sunlight from the window shone on his face, but his expression was somber.

"A knowledge-transcendent being of at least the third rank or higher, using an alias, is roaming the inner city, directly connected to the disappearance case, and there's an organization behind him..."

He didn't finish speaking.

"A person who is highly efficient is not a scholar," Helen added.

"Yes." Lu Yuan nodded and continued, "The Tower of Learning still has some concerns."

"This person is different; he's making direct contact with the target, and it's more like he's...recruiting."

'And it might be more than just the third rank.' Lu Yuan thought to himself.

Raymond turned around and looked at Lu Yuan.

"What do you think his connection is to the missing persons case?"

"A direct connection," Lu Yuan said. "All three missing persons received invitations, and the invitations involved 'knowledge.' And everything about this person is related to the sea of ​​knowledge."

He then continued.

"But I'm not sure if he was the one who carried it out or the one behind it."

"The two people in the abandoned house last night, without Maurice, had a different aura."

"However, the information I received from Morris indicates that he and those two were at least in a cooperative relationship."

"It could also be taking advantage of a relationship," Helen added.

"Anything is possible."

Raymond remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he spoke, his voice returning to calm.

"Keep the badge safe."

He glanced at Lu Yuan.

"We'll have a meeting this afternoon to report on this matter, along with the previous leads."

"Your role will remain unchanged for now; you'll still be the team's advisor. But from now on, you'll be in charge of keeping an eye on Morris's side."

He paused.

"Regardless of the attitude from above, what needs to be done still needs to be done."

Lu Yuan looked at him.

Raymond's face showed neither anger nor helplessness.

There was only a quiet steadfastness.

"Go back and rest first. We'll be back for the meeting at 3 PM."

"OK."

Lu Yuan stood up and walked out of the conference room.

When we got back to the alchemy workshop, it was almost noon.

Laurena stood at the worktable, holding a mortar and pestle, her movements light and focused.

She looked up when she heard the door open.

His gaze lingered on Lu Yuan's face for a moment.

"You're back?"

"Um."

Laurinna did not ask any further questions.

They simply handed him a new bottle of sanity potion.

"Drink it."

Lu Yuan glanced at it, then swallowed it.

[Sanity: +10...83/120 (Total)]

Last night, I naturally recovered 15 points, which is beyond my usual recovery effect. This should be an additional effect of the Perfect Potion.

Laurina glanced at Lu Yuan's expression, then turned back to continue grinding the ink.

Several bottles of freshly made medicine were placed on the worktable. They were of excellent quality and had her handwritten labels on them.

Lu Yuan sat down by the window.

Sunlight streamed in through the window and fell on Laurena's profile.

Her expression remained calm and composed. Lu Yuan withdrew his gaze, took out the badge from his pocket, and flipped it over in his palm.

A small patch of light reflected off the metal and landed on the ceiling, swaying slightly.

Then he put away the badge, picked up the mortar and pestle, and began processing the medicinal herbs he would need that afternoon.

The clanging of the mortar and pestle echoed in the room. One clang after another.

[Medicinal Herbs: +0.1...19.1/50]

[Pharmacology: +0.1...32.3/50]

Experience is pulsating slowly.

Outside the window, the sun is shining brightly.

I wonder how many more days this will last.