Chapter 1964

The Ancestor opened his eyes. His gaze, already wise, now held a profound simplicity, as if he had returned to his true, unadorned self.

"Zhu Yanyi, did you see the Ancestor’s problem long ago?" Xi Muzheng asked, relieved that the breakthrough was successful.

Zhu Yanyi glanced at her. "Did I need to look? She couldn’t break through after years of seclusion. It had to be a mental block. On a battlefield against evil, what mental issues exist? Only post-war trauma or guilt over the war.

The Ancestor didn’t fight, so he had little trauma. With his power, trauma was unlikely. So it was guilt. What war-related guilt could affect him? Only us, the students of the Sage Academy."

Zhu Yanyi sighed. "I didn’t know each tree on the back hill represented a fallen senior brother or sister. But when I saw you digging for relics, I understood. I saw deep guilt in the Ancestor’s eyes then. I didn’t know she was the Ancestor yet. Later, on the flying boat, I realized who she was. Then I knew why she couldn’t advance."

Breakthroughs require talent, diligence, and opportunity. The Ancestor had talent and diligence, but his heart knot remained. Without resolving it, opportunity would never come. No matter how many centuries he secluded himself, he would not advance.

Xi Muzheng understood immediately. The Ancestor also understood Zhu Yanyi’s true intent. She looked at her and said, "Zhu Yanyi, thank you."

"Thank me for beating you up?" Zhu Yanyi grinned mischievously.

The Ancestor paused. "Can we not mention the beating?"

"No. It’s a glorious part of my history. Who knew I was so capable? I organized everyone to punch the Ancestor once. Senior brothers and sisters, do you feel better?" Zhu Yanyi asked playfully.

"Much better." Everyone laughed, ignoring the Ancestor’s unhappy expression.

Actually, the Ancestor was happy. He had broken through, and his heart knot was gone. Looking at these students, he knew that with proper training, the Sage Academy would rise again.

In fact, the Sage Academy had already risen. He didn’t know this yet. When they returned, he would learn that even with only seventeen students, they had become the top of the five schools. But that was for later.

"Is it okay to beat me like that?" the Ancestor asked helplessly, though he felt light-hearted.

"Of course," they answered in unison.

Beating the Ancestor was unthinkable before. Now they had done it. Why feel ashamed? Besides, everyone did it. Since everyone punched him, he couldn’t blame anyone individually.

Xi Muzheng worried the Ancestor might get angry. He coughed. "Let’s keep this quiet."

"It’s fine to tell people," Zhu Yanyi said. She pulled out a rocking chair, lay back, and rocked comfortably. "There’s nothing to hide. The Ancestor sacrificed herself to heal our trauma by letting us punch her. People would praise her righteousness."

Xi Muzheng paused. She looked at her. "Zhu Yanyi, this is wrong. I’m revoking your unlimited library access."

"Revoke it. I’ve finished all the books anyway. Even if you don’t revoke it, I won’t go often," Zhu Yanyi said, waving her hand carelessly.

Xi Muzheng choked on her saliva. she stared at her in disbelief. "You’ve finished all the books in our library?"

"Yes," Zhu Yanyi waved. "When I heard about the Linlang Trial Ground, I worried about when I’d return. So I spent two months reading everything.

I mostly skimmed and recorded it in my mind to digest later. I’ve been busy, so I haven’t had time to digest it."

She looked at Xi Muzheng. "Now I’m back. I have time to digest the knowledge in my mind. Why go to the library?"

Xi Muzheng was speechless. After a long moment, he said, "You finished the entire library in two months? Do you have photographic memory?"

"Does that matter?" Zhu Yanyi asked, as if it were trivial.

"Of course it matters. Look around. How many of us have photographic memory?" Xi Muzheng said.

"I think you’re overthinking it, Dean. You just need to categorize the books. Martial arts, elemental cultivation, medicine, herbs, etc. Organize each category in your mind, and you won’t forget."

Zhu Yanyi tilted her head. "Think of it this way: instead of endless memorization, treat your mind like a library. Arrange the library books into categories in your mental library. Then you won’t forget."

"Can you do that?" Xi Muzheng asked.

"At least I do," Zhu Yanyi answered seriously. "First, build your mental library. It’s hard for ordinary people, but not for cultivators. Our spiritual sense is stronger. If handled well, anyone can achieve photographic memory."

Xi Muzheng thought for a moment. "Let’s all try it when we return."

She didn’t know the result, but if it worked, it would be great news for the Sage Academy students.

As healers, they needed to absorb more knowledge than others. Medicine involved many fields: medical formations, crafting medical tools, growing herbs, etc. All this knowledge could apply to healing, depending on each person’s focus.