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

After the "surgery" at the clinic was over, Lu Yuan did not rush to rest.

Lawson's alienation was just the beginning.

Now that the "dream" has begun to rapidly erode reality, he must seize more leverage as soon as possible.

In the afternoon, shortly after Lawson left, Lu Yuan changed into a clean black trench coat and took the expensive box of [Oriental Antique Ink Blocks].

They headed to Old John's Tavern, which wasn't far away.

After passing through layers of checks, Lu Yuan placed the badge in the lion's mouth, as the metal gate slowly opened.

The library remained deathly silent, the pale light casting a desolate glow.

"Who? Wasn't there no borrowing notice today?"

A lazy, somewhat impatient voice came from the ceiling.

Lu Yuan looked up and saw a dark shadow hanging upside down on the chandelier, like a bat resting.

Lu Yuan looked closely and saw that it was the book spirit, "Ink".

"It's me, the thing I promised you."

Without wasting any words, Lu Yuan took out the exquisite red brocade box from his pocket and gently opened it.

A rich and unique scent of ink instantly filled the air.

This is not one of those cheap alchemy inks from the supplies department, but a genuine antique ink block from the East, aged for decades.

"Glug—"

A very distinct swallowing sound came from the ceiling.

The next second, the dark figure that had been pretending to be aloof suddenly dripped down from the chandelier and landed directly on the table in front of Lu Yuan.

At this moment, the ink, like a puppy, was wagging its non-existent tail wildly at the brocade box.

Lu Yuan couldn't help but find it somewhat ridiculous.

Are the treatment of extraordinary beings who can serve as librarians in the Night Watchers' Library really that bad?

Lu Yuan pushed the brocade box over.

"Wow!"

The ink let out a cheer, and the entire black mass instantly expanded, like a giant mouth that completely enveloped the ink stick.

With a series of teeth-grinding "crunch crunch" sounds, the runes on Ink's body flashed with rhythmic light.

After finishing chewing the ink block in his mouth, Mo Shui realized that Lu Yuan was staring straight at him.

Mo Shui suddenly felt a little embarrassed, so he pretended to cough before speaking:

"Wait, you're not going to ask me for a favor, are you...?"

Lu Yuan smiled and slowly said, "I need advanced books on mental defense and deep-sea creature illustrations. The more detailed, the better."

These were requirements that Lu Yuan had already considered.

One of Lu Yuan's ideas was mental defense.

Based on what we've experienced over this period, whether it's the [Deep Sea Kin], Brent's mutated uncle, or the aggregate in the sewers...

They all share a common characteristic: when you look directly at them, your reason will suffer a violent shock! (The mind is reason, and will be referred to as reason from now on.)

From the conversation between Morgan and Hans, we know that apart from extraordinary knowledge, other extraordinary paths do not result in very high sanity values.

This made Lu Yuan suddenly realize how someone with such low rationality could remain in control when faced with something bizarre.

There is only one answer: they all have ways to improve their rationality.

Lu Yuan knew he had a high chance of not getting the alchemical items that boosted sanity, because when he went to the resource exchange point, there were plenty of alchemical weapons, but not a single sanity alchemical item.

Therefore, it is highly likely that there are methods to improve one's rational resilience that one is unaware of.

As for the deep sea, that's even simpler. Most of what Grim Port is currently experiencing is related to the deep sea, so it's always good to know more.

"belch--"

Ink let out a black burp, rolled its beady eyes upward, and glared at Lu Yuan.

"I knew it, none of the Night's Watch members are any good..."

As Ink muttered to itself, it pulled the ink block that Lu Yuan had given it closer to its chest.

Although this was against the rules, the ink still opened its mouth and spat out two thick books covered in black slime.

The Basic Structure of Rational Barriers

Deep-Sea Life Illustrated: From Egg to Adult

"The knowledge content of these two books is just right for someone like you who's just embarked on an extraordinary journey of reading!"

"Remember, there won't be a next time! Just leave it there after you've finished watching."

As Ink spoke, it fluttered its little wings, grabbed the red box, and flew off to who-knows-where.

Lu Yuan didn't care. Mo Shui, the administrator, was obviously a proud little thing, talkative, and soft-hearted.

"Very interesting."

Lu Yuan picked up the book, found a chair near the bookshelf, and began to read "The Basic Structure of Rational Barriers".

Reason is an indispensable resource for humanity in facing the nature of the world, but the strength of reason is related to innate factors. In order to find ways to improve reason, I propose...

As Lu Yuan delved deeper into the reading...

The gray-white text on my retina began to flicker.

[You have gained a more holistic understanding of reason; you have acquired new knowledge. Taboo Studies - Seeker: +1.]

[Analyzing the construction method of the sanity barrier... You have a basic grasp of how to use sanity, unlocking a new skill: Basic Sanity Barrier (1/3)]

Just as Lu Yuan was immersed in absorbing knowledge, Ink appeared out of nowhere and casually said:

"By the way, I'll give you some free information."

"A couple of days ago, a guy who smelled like rotten fish came to check the archives."

Ink said with a disdainful tone, "Even though he was wearing strong perfume, I could smell something off about him."

"However, everything he did was legal, so I ignored him."

Lu Yuan's hand, which was turning the pages of the book, suddenly stopped: "Who did he investigate?"

"We investigated many people, including you, of course."

Ink extended black tentacles and drew a circle on the table. "He looked through your employment file and marked quite a few names."

Lu Yuan's pupils suddenly contracted.

Is someone watching me?

It's worth noting that Lu Yuan's name was deliberately omitted from the report, and even his contributions were converted into points, all in order to reduce his visibility.

Before joining the company, they were recruited under the guise of recruitment, and quite a few people were recruited under that guise.

Lu Yuan was just one of them; the people the Night Watch brought in were a mix of real and fake, all for the purpose of protection.

But clearly, that person was of a very high rank, and they bypassed the report and found out his background.

Lu Yuan thanked the ink.

Suppress your unease and don't prepare to sit idly by and wait for your doom.

"Ink, put this book away for now, I'll read it next time I come back."

Mo Shui nodded somewhat helplessly, then swallowed the book whole.

After leaving the library, Lu Yuan did not leave immediately, but instead went to the supplies management office.

The base's main hall was empty and exuded a somber atmosphere.