Chapter 163: The Leak
The rest of the day went by fairly quickly, and Anji found herself having spare time in the evening for the first time in a week. Her notes and book collection had also grown considerably. Pearl dropped by with her earlier to give her some books recommended by Senior Researcher Mo. There were no additional chores, as she had done them all before eight in the evening.
Drying her hair, Anji looked at the pile of new books. Should she take a look at them first? Her shifu did not ban her from reading books that she had at hand. These were given to her by other people, even if they came from a library. Anji followed the rules. A little concession should not hurt. After all, loopholes would always exist for those who needed a way out.
Deciding to start with Researcher Xi’s textbooks, Anji poured through the pages effortlessly. Even if the Academic Central had many weird people, their knowledge and effort remained top-tier. Were all talented academics crazy? What was the Academic Zone Disease? Anji wrote a letter back to the Celestial Dragon Sect, including an inquiry about this unknown disease, to Doctor He. The symptoms were similar to a mental illness that made controlling emotions difficult.
While Anji occupied herself that evening reading Researcher Xi’s notes, various people in the Mystical Qilin Sect busied away, working hard to improve Anji’s situation. In the Academic Central, Researcher Xi reassembled the dissected talismans she received from the child and modified them to work on a new invention that would change how laundry duties worked forever in the sect. At the same time, Senior Researcher Mo was making his way to the Observation Tower, where the other senior researchers were gathered. They agreed to hold a weekly meeting to discuss the successor’s initiation trials.
After teleporting up to the highest security room, Senior Researcher Mo entered a room and greeted the other senior researchers who had taken time out of their busy schedules to attend the important meeting.
"Where’s the sect leader?" he asked.
Another senior researcher who looked almost as old as Anji’s father shook his head.
"She hasn’t returned to the sect yet. However, we received word yesterday that she would be delayed by another week due to complications. We should also send more people discreetly to keep an eye on the northern barrier. The leak was located there."
The leak... that’s right. There was a reason why Anji was situated in the western district on top of all the other convenient amenities. Not only was it the furthest place from the northern barrier, but it was also Yan Ping’s strongest fortress. Her cottage might be shabby on the outside. However, it was the safest place because she erected many invisible traps and barriers in case an emergency occurred.
"Is she investigating the culprit alone?" a female senior researcher asked. "Do we have new information?"
Shaking his head, the senior researcher from before explained how the spiritual messenger Yan Ping sent only briefly summarised her urgent situation.