Chapter 15: Xiao Yun
“Qinshan Library has arrived. Passengers getting off, please do so promptly.”
Though it was a bright, sunny morning, there weren’t many passengers inside the tram.
This time, Zhou Ming didn’t even need to ask the driver to wait — he smoothly stepped off the tram.
Qinshan Library was the only library in the Qinshan Base open to everyone.
Besides ordinary books, there were also volumes introducing various Ferocious Beasts and biological mutations.
Even fundamental Beast Tamer knowledge could be found here.
Although most of it consisted of basic knowledge, it was already more than enough for Zhou Ming.
His former self had devoted nearly all his energy to meditation in order to condense the Spiritual Seed.
It wasn’t until the last time, when he guided Ironthread Snake No.1 through its mutation, that Zhou Ming realized that with his meager store of knowledge, it would be difficult to continue walking the path of a Beast Tamer.
If nothing else, he needed to build a solid foundation of basic understanding.
Otherwise, even if someone handed him a supreme secret manual, he wouldn’t be able to comprehend it.
The library before him had only three floors, built in a square shape.
The walls bore faint traces of age, exuding a heavy sense of history.
After a casual glance around, Zhou Ming headed toward the interior of the library.
Along the way, he saw several fire hydrants and patrolling security personnel.
It seemed Qinshan Base took the library’s safety quite seriously.
He wondered whether any Beast Tamers were stationed here.
“Hello, what do I need to do if I want to read books here?”
Upon entering the library’s main hall, Zhou Ming immediately noticed the reception desk not far from the entrance and went straight there to ask.
“You’ll need your identification and a library borrowing card.”
“There are monthly and yearly borrowing cards. A monthly card costs only one hundred Alliance Coins and allows unlimited access for a month. A yearly card costs one thousand Alliance Coins and functions the same way, except it’s valid for a full year.”
The female receptionist, who wore her hair in a ponytail, gave a prompt and professional reply upon hearing his inquiry.
“There aren’t any restrictions? I can freely move between all the floors?”
Not wanting to cause trouble, Zhou Ming voiced the questions on his mind.
After all, his understanding of this world was limited to the fragmented memories of his predecessor.
“Yes, you may move freely between floors. You just need to remember: no loud talking, no disturbing others, and no damaging the library’s facilities or books. Borrowed books must be registered and read in designated areas. Aside from that, there are no special restrictions.”
Despite Zhou Ming’s detailed questioning, the receptionist showed no impatience.
Instead, she explained everything patiently.
“Thank you. Please make me a yearly card.”
Zhou Ming handed over his identification and one thousand Alliance Coins, making his choice clear.
“Zhou Ming?”
“Yes.”
Not long after arriving in this world, Zhou Ming had changed his name — from “Ming” (明) to “Ming” (鸣).
Apart from distinguishing himself from his predecessor, he also hoped to live up to his name — to make his voice known to the world.
“My name is Xiao Yun. If you need any help in the library, I can assist you within my ability.”
The young man before her was plainly dressed but polite, leaving Xiao Yun with a good first impression.
After briefly introducing herself, she spoke kindly, though she didn’t overpromise — they had only just met.
“Thank you, Sister Yun.”
Zhou Ming smiled in gratitude toward the kind-hearted Xiao Yun.
She was the second stranger to show him goodwill since he came to this world.
After getting his borrowing card, Zhou Ming didn’t continue chatting with Xiao Yun.
Instead, he headed straight into the library’s inner area.
Bright lights illuminated the interior, and aside from a handful of readers, the space was filled entirely with rows of bookshelves.
“Never thought this poor student would still end up tormented by knowledge.”
Looking at the scene before him, Zhou Ming shook his head with a wry smile, but eventually stepped into the sea of bookshelves.
Guided by the directional signs, he quickly found the books he needed and went to the registration counter.
After presenting his borrowing card and registering the titles, Zhou Ming moved to one of the reading tables arranged nearby, ready to begin his new journey.
The Origin of Beast Tamers
Compendium of Ferocious Beasts
Common Knowledge of Beast Tamers
Fundamentals of Biology
None of these were particularly profound, but Zhou Ming planned to finish these first before tackling other materials.
He had already prepared himself for a long battle.
……
Time quietly slipped by as Zhou Ming maintained a disciplined daily routine.
From late autumn through a snowless winter, then through the calm of spring and summer.
At a window-side table on the library’s third floor, Zhou Ming watched the yellow leaves drifting outside and realized — another autumn had arrived.
It had been exactly one year since he came to this world, and most of his life during that time had been spent inside this library.
With the money he earned as a Rat Exterminator, plus extra gifts from Cold Blade and the others, Zhou Ming hadn’t had to worry about his living expenses this past year.
The only real change was that Zhou Ming had tamed three more Ironthread Snakes.
To raise them, after leaving the library, Zhou Ming would release them into the drainage system, where they hunted Hardfur Rats as food.
Since Hardfur Rats had undergone mutation, their flesh and blood were highly nourishing for ordinary Ironthread Snakes.
During each hunt, Zhou Ming would keep one normal Ironthread Snake in reserve in case of accidents, while letting No.1 lead the others.
After all, if they encountered a large Hardfur Rat colony, an ordinary snake would hardly be able to cope.
After a year, Zhou Ming had not only accumulated a vast amount of foundational knowledge, but his Ironthread Snakes had also reached the peak of their kind.
As for Ironthread Snake No.1, it had reached the level of a half-step Ferocious Beast.
With the potency of its venom now, it could already pose a threat to an ordinary Ferocious Beast — though it still had some way to go before it could face one head-on.
“Zhou Ming, aren’t you eating again?”
As Zhou Ming was lost in thought, recalling the changes of the past year, Xiao Yun’s voice called to him from nearby.
“Sister Yun, you’re here? I’ll go grab something later.”
To save time, Zhou Ming usually ate a heavy breakfast, skipped lunch while staying in the library, and had another hearty meal after leaving in the evening.
“You…”
Hearing his reply, Xiao Yun could only shake her head helplessly.
“I knew you wouldn’t eat, so I brought you some lunch.”
During the year Zhou Ming spent immersed in the library, he came and went with the staff daily.
Xiao Yun had witnessed his diligence firsthand.
Though she didn’t have romantic feelings for him, she regarded Zhou Ming as a younger brother.
Especially after learning about his background, she often looked after him — occasionally bringing him packed meals for lunch.