Superhumans of the Dome City-Chapter 1386 - 8: Crown Prince’s Study Companion
Liu Zhongwu was initially astonished, then incredulous, and finally took the token and examined it for about ten seconds before reluctantly handing it back to Gongsun Ce.
"You’ve got such skills, yet you’re still attending school?"
"Yan Qi and Qin Ming are also quite capable, yet they are still students," Gongsun Ce laughed, "Mr. Zhang asked me to come to school, so I have to comply with the arrangement."
"Ah, not everyone can be like them..." Liu Zhongwu waved his hand, a complex expression in his eyes.
He sighed, "No wonder you got into a fight just after arriving; it must not be easy for you... Follow me, I’ll take you to find a private dorm first, on this first day, Mr. Zhang probably won’t schedule any classes for you."
"Thank you." Gongsun Ce cupped his hands, "I have an eccentric nature, I love peace and quiet, and I hope to find a secluded place for study and practice."
"Including you, there are only five disciples in the inner circle of our Imperial Academy. Mr. Qin usually stays at his own residence, it’s actually harder to find a crowded place."
Gongsun Ce nodded, "Indeed, I’m worrying needlessly."
"Everyone here practices the Impermanence Skill, who doesn’t have a few quirks?" Liu Zhongwu chuckled.
Upon learning of Gongsun Ce’s new identity, Liu Zhongwu’s attitude clearly changed, the previous hostility and exclusion disappeared, now hinting at a willingness to befriend a classmate. Gongsun Ce privately chuckled, thinking how Mr. Liu’s skills were still lacking; the future Minister of Taichang certainly wouldn’t be so "obvious," he maintains a polite demeanor with everyone.
The two of them chatted about hobbies, the environment, and other mundane topics as they headed to the west side of the academy. Walking out of a side gate and taking a few steps, they could see a low hill, lush green even in winter, and nestled among the bamboo grove at the base were several small wooden houses, like wooden chess pieces on a green chessboard.
Liu Zhongwu led him to a house at the very corner, introducing, "Our Imperial Academy’s private dorms are divided into ’Mountain’ and ’Water.’ The Water dorms are built by the lakeside, with frequent sounds of water at night, boasting more beautiful scenery than the foot of the mountain, a place favored by Yan Qi and Situ Yi. I guessed you like quiet, so I brought you to see the Mountain dorm first, Brother Gongsun, how do you find it?"
"Just call me Gongsun Ce. This place suits my peculiar nature perfectly, I owe you my thanks." Gongsun Ce expressed his gratitude.
Liu Zhongwu paused, seeing he had no intention of visiting the Water dorm, added, "Yan Qi and Situ Yi can be a bit odd, but fundamentally they’re decent... Since we’re all classmates, it’s best to cultivate good relations both for others and yourself."
Liu Zhongwu had initially come out for some air, still bearing academic responsibilities, and after a few words of advice, took his leave. Gongsun Ce thanked him repeatedly, followed his advice by displaying the wooden token, the wooden house’s door opened automatically, and the words "Gongsun" appeared on the door. The interior of the small wooden house contained only a table and chair, plus a bedside cabinet, wardrobe, and bookcase, with classical lighting—a candle-like Heart Phase Weapon.
"The teachers’ offices are splendidly decorated, while the student dorms are sparse and plain. Yan Qi would probably complain about this for half an hour upon arrival..."
Though small, the wooden house was thoughtfully arranged; as Gongsun Ce entered, the wardrobe opened automatically, the bedding leapt onto the bed and made itself, bringing along a hard and a soft pillow; the writing desk came fully equipped with ink, brushes, paper, and inkstone, with "new" stationery like pens and ballpoint pens also prepared; the wooden bookcase contained only a blank sheet of paper inscribed with "Your wish is granted." Gongsun Ce picked up the paper and, examining it for a while, said to the bookcase, "A latest map of the Divine Capital, please."
Indeed, a rolled-up map appeared out of nowhere in the bookcase, and upon unfolding, it was the latest version updated in June this year. Gongsun Ce took the map, flicked his right hand, and conjured a gray snake out of thin air. The little snake flickered its tongue, toured the room, and then dissolved into mist and vanished.
The disguise of the "lie" power was complete, and Gongsun Ce conjured a bit of Nirvana Flame to set up an anti-summoning array, pointing at his forehead with his hand, attempting to call out to his witch.
(Qiluo, can you hear me?)
(This... wait... just a moment... I’ll scan...!)
A few seconds later, a girl’s delighted yet broken voice came through. Suddenly, a pink bubble rose in a corner of the wooden house, transforming into a cat’s head the size of a basketball under Gongsun Ce’s amazed gaze. With a gentle poke using Telekinesis, the cat’s head opened wide and spat out a screen, forming a strangely-shaped television.
On the television, a pink-haired girl waved excitedly, "Gongsun Ce, can you see the mark~?"
"Its distinct shape is very impressive, quite conspicuous indeed." Gongsun Ce adjusted his glasses, "How long has it been over there?"
"2 hours 46 minutes and 18 seconds," Qiluo answered immediately.
"It’s already noon here... The time flow difference is roughly 3:1, acceptable." Gongsun Ce nodded, "Who else is there?"
Qiluo moved aside, revealing three other girls sitting in a row on the sofa, like family visiting someone in prison. Qin Qianbai greeted him, "Ah Ce, quite a rare setting to find you in such a humble place."
"Don’t describe your boyfriend like he’s some extravagant and arrogant tycoon, alright." Gongsun Ce adjusted his glasses, "Let me report the progress briefly: I successfully infiltrated the inner circle of the Imperial Academy, becoming a bright and shiny university student. After observing for half a day, I’ve discovered two issues. First, this place, the academy, is oppressively restrictive, it practically eliminates the concept of freedom."
Shiyu Ling glared, "You must be kidding, right? You’ve got a private room with nobody bothering you, a window giving you great views of nature, and you’re complaining about being stifled? Any worker in the capital would be furious listening to your gripe!"
"Looks good on the outside, doesn’t it? Reality is another story entirely." Gongsun Ce shook the token, "This thing is a personal token for the inner circle of the academy, created by General Zhenwu using a ’division’ of Heart Phase Weapon; you’ll need to use this token to enter and exit anywhere in the academy, and as long as the main body of the token is in hand, the Calamity Mage can easily divine your every movement through the link. Indeed, this room is a single-person suite, but its bookshelf contains a space-time passage directly connected to the Secretary Office. The Secretary Office, managing books under the Ministry of Rites, is a sub-institution of the Yiji Hall. This bookshelf’s passage can be used for remote book delivery, and consequently, it can allow the Yiji Hall to monitor the students’ activities at any moment."
