Kumironi could only ensure the scriptures of her own Church weren’t stolen.

’As for the other Churches... they’ll just have to fend for themselves.’

Kumironi had no obligation to warn them.

’In fact, the different Churches have always been in competition. By that logic, I should actually be helping them.’

But Kumironi’s conscience was at war with itself.

In the end, after a fierce internal struggle, Kumironi chose to act as if she had seen nothing.

...

The trio checked into a top-tier hotel. Yuefeng City was a respectable major city, but it was not the capital of the Ruijia Kingdom.

There wasn’t much worth taking note of.

As for the banquet, Izparut turned it down.

Such a banquet would be nothing more than people exchanging pleasantries and offering congratulations; it was nowhere near as important as real business.

Iz left that very night, returning to Kernoya to bring Leng Qingying over.

Kumironi was avoiding reality.

So Lu Cang wandered around the city alone, heading to the local Grand Library.

He was looking for books that contained Secrets.

’Might as well make the best of being here. A new place is bound to have its own unique wonders.’

At the very least, every regional library would have a few books containing Secrets.

No matter where he went, there would always be something new to gain.

After a quick search, he borrowed all the books that contained Secrets.

He didn’t care what the Secrets were about. Since Lu Cang had no intention of returning them, he just treated it as if he’d paid to buy them.

Then, Lu Cang began to roam the entire city.

He was searching to see if the city had any special Restrictions hidden away...

As for the Restrictions on places like weapon shops, general stores, and Potion shops, Lu Cang couldn’t be bothered to look into them.

Messing with the officials was one thing, but Lu Cang felt it would be a bit much to harm the common folk.

Besides, the commoners didn’t really have anything good anyway.

Lu Cang swept his Perception through the interior of their Restrictions, and not a single thing caught his eye.

’That said...’

’...having broken so many Restrictions, I’ve also learned how to set them up. If I had enough materials, I could even create them myself.’

’In fact...’

’...I’m a master of Restrictions now.’

He remembered the details of every Restriction he had broken with perfect clarity. If he were to sell this information, the methods for setting up Level 6 and Level 7 Restrictions would be considered extremely valuable knowledge.

’I hear Ruijia’s Magic is subpar, but their Combat Skills are supposedly exceptional.’

Lu Cang stealthily made his way to the city’s largest academy for Combat Skills.

He put on a Magic Robe as an inner layer to block Perception and reduce his presence.

The entire school was protected by an identity-recognition Restriction. Anyone entering without permission would be identified and discovered.

However, this Restriction was rather crude. In truth, even without using his Talent, Lu Cang could have found a way to hide from the recognition system using his Decryption Scholar abilities.

’But having a Talent and not using it? Wouldn’t that make me an idiot?’

Lu Cang strode right in.

Using Flesh Reshaping, he changed his appearance to that of a middle-aged man. He wore a simple Warrior’s tunic on the outside, with the Magic Robe layered underneath.

The guards paid Lu Cang no mind, letting him walk right in.

If there was a problem with a person, the Restriction would identify it.

Since there was no problem, they just let people pass.

He got in so easily that he couldn’t help but marvel at the lax security...

Then again, it was impossible to conduct strict checks at the main gate of an academy.

Once inside the academy, Lu Cang swept the area with his Perception.

He then headed toward a building in a corner.

The building was small, inconspicuous, and hidden in a corner, but it was protected by an extremely complex Restriction.

It had a Restriction, but no one was guarding the door.

’This Restriction actually has a door.’

’But there’s no one guarding it...’

Lu Cang walked right in.

’This is Ruijia territory, anyway. If I actually get caught, I’ll just run for it... I feel no guilt whatsoever.’

’It’s not like when I’m doing something shady in Lorren, where I’m actually worried about getting caught.’

’I’m not some weakling anyone can stop anymore. If I really decide to run, anyone who tries to stop me had better think twice.’

He pushed open the main door.

After entering, Lu Cang immediately closed the door behind him.

Inside, there were no rows and stacks of Combat Skill manuals. Instead, the entire space contained a single, tenacious Scroll made from Demon hide.

War God Secret Technique—Secret of Cutting

’Better to make a copy first.’

’Even though it’s from the War God and seems straightforward, it would be bad if I triggered some taboo.’

’Besides, it doesn’t look like there’s a Secret hidden within. It’s probably just the surface content, so I don’t need to examine it too closely.’

Lu Cang copied the text and diagrams from the scroll one by one.

He then took a stroll through their Battle Skills Hall.

The academy’s students were also in the Battle Skills Hall. There were quite a few people here, but not a single one noticed Lu Cang.

They must have assumed he was one of the students.

Lu Cang casually picked up a few Combat Skill manuals that interested him. He broke the Restriction preventing them from being placed in a Storage Space and then stored them in his own.

He turned and left without a second thought.

’Hmph, Ruijia.’

’I, Lorren’s Chief Mage, will gladly take these Combat Skills off your hands.’

Lu Cang roamed around Yuefeng City and returned to the hotel with a full haul.

’The enemy’s treasury is truly my personal vault.’

’Is Ruijia really Lorren’s only enemy?’

’What about the others?’

’Sigh, it seems like the other countries besides Ruijia are just small nations. There’s nothing really worth my attention...’

’I wonder what the other five continents across the sea are like?’ 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

’I haven’t even left the Ruelun Continent yet. Who knows when I’ll get to see the others.’

He hadn’t even finished what was on his plate, but his mind was already on what was still in the pot.

Yuna’s Scholar ability could last for about seven days, growing progressively weaker during that time.