After Jiang Nannan left, Zhu Ziyang washed up, took out Mu En's notes, and began to read them while half-lying on the bed.
"Light, the heart's desire, omnipresent!"
Mu En truly lived up to his reputation as a Level 99 Limit Douluo; a single sentence on the title page revealed the essence of the Light Attribute.
The Light Attribute has very distinct differences compared to other natural elements. This is because Light is not only a natural element but also a special energy, an energy that exists within the order of living beings.
Mu En's notes meticulously recorded methods for cultivating the Light element. These methods were like gospel for other Light Attribute Spirit Masters, but for Zhu Ziyang, who possessed Ultimate Light, they seemed somewhat redundant.
Zhu Ziyang was more interested in the techniques and methods for applying the Light Attribute recorded later in the notes, as these were what he lacked.
The library did contain many cultivation handbooks from Light Attribute Spirit Masters, mostly from successive Supreme Pontiffs. However, the Supreme Pontiffs' Spirits were the Angel Martial Soul unique to their clan. Although they possessed the Light Attribute, they were primarily focused on the Sacred Attribute, and their handbooks mostly contained insights on cultivating the Sacred Attribute. In terms of mastery of the Light Attribute, they couldn't compare to Mu En.
Mu En's notes were clearly completed within the last hundred years and were not within the Super Library's collection timeframe. Therefore, if Zhu Ziyang hadn't become Mu En's disciple, he probably wouldn't have obtained this Light Attribute treasure trove.
"...The primary nature of Light is illumination, that is, dispelling all darkness and mist..."
Zhu Ziyang extended his palm, and with a thought, a dazzling ball of Light gathered, instantly illuminating every corner of the dormitory. Even the shadowy areas beneath the bed and table, which were usually obscured, were illuminated without exception.
"Heh!" Zhu Ziyang chuckled lightly, saying, "Isn't this something anyone with hands can do? Does it really require special training?"
Though he spoke with disdain, he understood clearly in his heart that his ability to manifest Light so easily was entirely due to his Ultimate Light.
Every element is incredibly proud; without an ultimate attribute, how could one gather countless elements into a solid form without any prior practice?
"...Light is omnipresent, gathering light to form brightness, heaven and earth becoming one..."
"Method of Borrowing Light?" Zhu Ziyang murmured, his eyes thoughtful, "Is it really reliable? Teacher specifically marked it, stating that it's impossible without an ultimate attribute. He probably considered this point. The Light element is notoriously arrogant among natural elements!"
Zhu Ziyang continued reading Mu En's notes.
——
After the freshman assessment, this batch of freshmen officially became students of Shrek Academy's Outer Courtyard. Now, they only needed to ensure they passed the annual exam before the start of each academic year, ensuring they didn't repeat a grade more than three times, and they could basically graduate smoothly from Shrek Academy.
A peaceful yet tense academy life began.
"You two, hurry up, will you?"
At the main gate of Shrek Academy, Tang Ya looked at the leisurely Zhu Ziyang and Bei Bei behind her with a helpless expression, urging them on.
"Xiaoya, why are you in such a hurry? The exchange fair lasts for three days, doesn't it? This is only the first day!" Bei Bei said with a wry smile.
"Precisely because it's the first day, we should go early! Otherwise, all the good stuff will be snatched up by the senior students from other grades!" Tang Ya said righteously.
"It's not that exaggerated, is it?" Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but say, "I've inquired, there are only thirty to forty core disciples in the entire Outer Courtyard."
"What do you mean, 'only thirty to forty people'?" Tang Ya couldn't help but widen her eyes, then said to Jiang Nannan beside her, "Nannan, is there anything wrong with what I said?"
"Both you and Brother are right, but in any case, let's go first," Jiang Nannan said, her eyes also filled with anticipation.
"Mm-hm! Exactly!" Tang Ya nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Under Tang Ya's urging, the four quickly headed towards Shrek City.
By this time, half a month had passed since the freshman assessment ended. Zhu Ziyang and the other three were preparing to go to Shrek City to attend the exchange fair hosted by the Nine Treasure Chamber of Commerce.
In half a month, Zhu Ziyang and the others hadn't seen much improvement, except for Tang Ya. Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan hadn't used the Soul Ascension Pill they received. Zhu Ziyang planned to use it when his spirit power reached Level 39, while Jiang Nannan intended to use it when she reached Level 29. Tang Ya naturally had no such plans; for her, increasing her spirit power was currently more important.
After receiving the Wood Spirit Pill and mystic water pill that Bei Bei had prepared for her, with the simultaneous boost from the three pills, Tang Ya actually managed to break through directly from Level 23 to Level 26 in one go. Among the three pills, the Soul Ascension Pill was actually the cheapest. The Wood Spirit Pill was a high-grade pill, and its effect for Tang Ya's Blue Silver Grass Spirit was comparable to a top-grade pill. Although the mystic water pill was also a mid-grade pill, its value lay in its rarity. As a pill monopolized by a reclusive Sect, the mystic water pill possessed powerful effects such as cleansing marrow, refining veins, and enhancing aptitude.
Because her spirit power continuously broke through and her aptitude was enhanced, Tang Ya's pressure greatly decreased. Her naturally lively disposition was completely unleashed, and her highly infectious laughter could be heard almost every day.
Soon, they arrived at the Nine Treasure Chamber of Commerce in Shrek City.
The Spirit Master Exchange Fair is an annual grand event in Shrek City, led by Jubao Pavilion and jointly organized by the five major chambers of commerce, integrating auctions, transactions, and exhibitions into a large-scale exchange fair.
This year, it was the Nine Treasure Chamber of Commerce's turn to host it.
As core disciples of the Outer Courtyard, Zhu Ziyang and the other three had all received invitations. Furthermore, as newly promoted core disciples this year, they could choose one item priced under one million gold coins for free at the exchange fair.
"Wow! It's so lively!" Jiang Nannan exclaimed in surprise upon entering the Nine Treasure Chamber of Commerce.
The Nine Treasure Chamber of Commerce had five floors. Except for the top floor, which was the auction house, the other four floors were filled with stalls and shops. At the same time, each floor was crowded with people, bustling with noise and excitement.
"What do you say? Should we explore together or separately?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Let's go separately," Bei Bei said, a smile on his face.
"Alright," Zhu Ziyang immediately agreed, then took Jiang Nannan's hand and said, "Then we'll get a head start, Nannan, this way."
"Oh!" Jiang Nannan replied, then waved to Tang Ya and said, "Xiaoya, see you at the dorm."
Tang Ya didn't respond, because she had been pulled away by Bei Bei.
"Nannan, I'm going to check out the stall over there," Zhu Ziyang said, pointing to the area displaying Spirit herbs and medicinal ingredients.
"Okay, I'll come find you later," Jiang Nannan stopped in the pill exhibition area and nodded in response after hearing Zhu Ziyang's words. Although she wanted to be with Zhu Ziyang, she still had something unfinished to do and could only temporarily part with him.
Zhu Ziyang arrived at the Spirit herb and medicinal ingredient area, randomly chose a stall, and walked over.
"Blazing Flame Flower, common Spirit herb, a rare fire-attribute plant, can enhance fire element resistance. Price: ten thousand gold coins."
"Ice Mist Flower, common Spirit herb, an ice-attribute Spirit herb, grows on the edge of the Extremely North Land, and is food for some ice-attribute Spirit Beasts. Can enhance the spirit power of ice-type Spirit Masters. Price: eight thousand gold coins."
"Millennium Bamboo Heart Grass, common Spirit herb, a Spirit herb that Parasites inside bamboo-type Spirit Beasts, can enhance the toughness of plant-type Spirit Beasts or Spirits. Price: fifteen thousand gold coins."
Zhu Ziyang looked, thought, and verified as he went, and the relevant knowledge in his mind was instantly strengthened and modified. At the same time, he didn't forget to grumble, "Why are they all common Spirit herbs?"
He continued walking forward and arrived at another stall.
"Flying Cloud Grass, high-grade Spirit herb, a wind-attribute Spirit herb that only grows on rock walls above five thousand meters. Its growing place is often accompanied by the high-grade Spirit Beast Flying Cloud Ghost Carving. It can enhance the spirit power of wind-type Spirit Beasts or Spirit Masters and improve bloodline strength. Price: three hundred and fifty thousand gold coins."
"Azure Fruit, high-grade Spirit herb, a Spirit herb that is transparent like azure jade throughout. It has the function of enhancing meridian toughness and strengthening the physique. Price: eight hundred thousand gold coins."
"..."
Zhu Ziyang looked at the exhibits on the stall before him, nodding repeatedly. The Spirit herbs here were all high-grade Spirit herbs, and the varieties were all rare treasures that were usually hard to see.
His gaze lingered, then suddenly his eyes lit up, and he walked towards a Spirit herb with white petals.
"clear heart, high-grade Spirit herb, a beautiful flower that grows on mountain peaks. It can enhance mental force and strengthen the Spirit. It is an extremely rare Spirit herb. Price: one million gold coins."
After seeing that clear heart, Zhu Ziyang immediately decided to choose it. Spirit herbs that can enhance mental force are inherently rare; finding one means one less!