The grand library of the magic school, a labyrinth of towering bookshelves and hushed whispers, felt different now. To Bai Chun, it was no longer just a repository of knowledge, but a potential map to salvation, or perhaps, destruction. He still held the Cosmic Seed, its gentle pulse a constant reminder of the burden and power it represented. Xiulan walked beside him, her usual vibrant energy tempered by a newfound seriousness.
"Where do we even start?" Xiulan murmured, gazing at the countless shelves. "Ancient history? Advanced magic? There are thousands of books here."
"The orb hinted at 'attunements' and 'profound magical sources'," Bai Chun said, scanning the sections. His eyes landed on a dimly lit corner labeled "Forbidden & Ancient Arts." A faint hum seemed to emanate from it, almost imperceptible, but clear to his enhanced senses. "And it also mentioned 'Cosmic Seeds'."
They moved towards the restricted section. A wizened old librarian, with spectacles perched on his nose and a perpetually stern expression, looked up as they approached. "This section is for advanced scholars only," he rasped, his eyes narrowing at the glowing orb in Bai Chun's hand. "What is that?"
"A recently discovered artifact from the catacombs," Bai Chun replied smoothly, recalling the school's policy on such finds. "We believe it holds immense magical significance and may be related to ancient protective wards." He didn't lie, not entirely, but he certainly didn't reveal the true scope of the orb's nature or the terrifying visions it bestowed.
The librarian's eyes, though suspicious, seemed to gleam with a flicker of professional curiosity at the mention of ancient wards and the catacombs. He gestured with a bony finger. "Return it to the school's artifact vault after your research. For now, specific texts only. What are you looking for?"
"Anything on Cosmic Seeds, universal mana flow, or interdimensional threats," Bai Chun stated, his voice low.
The librarian's bushy eyebrows shot up. "Ambitious, aren't we? Such topics are highly theoretical, even for masters." He shuffled through a dusty card catalog, muttering to himself. After a moment, he pointed to a few sections and a single, unadorned book. "Start with 'The Lesser Known Planes' – it touches on cross-dimensional energies. And this," he said, pushing a thin, leather-bound volume across the counter, "is a historical account of a phenomenon referred to only as 'The Great Unraveling'."
Bai Chun took the book. Its cover was blank, save for a single, arcane symbol etched into the leather. It felt cold to the touch, despite the warmth of the Cosmic Seed. As he opened it, no words appeared. Instead, the symbol on the cover seemed to pulse, faintly mirroring the orb in his hand.
"It's blank," Xiulan whispered, peering over his shoulder.
"No," Bai Chun said, his eyes fixed on the pulsing symbol. "It's… reacting. The orb is activating it."
As if in response, the etched symbol on the cover brightened, and shimmering lines of energy began to spread across the blank pages, coalescing into ancient script. It was a language he'd never seen, yet the Cosmic Seed seemed to translate it directly into his mind.
"...when the fabric thins, and the Void whispers, the Seeds awaken. Not of this world, nor any single world, but born of the great cosmic forge. They are the guardians of the weave, the last bastions against the consuming entropy. Many have fallen. Few remain. Seek the Nexus Points, for there, the true power of the Seed can be drawn, and the ancient song of resistance may yet be sung..."
The message was fragmented, cryptic, but the core meaning resonated deeply with his visions of the unravelling threat. The orb wasn't just a guide; it was part of an ancient defense system. And his purpose, it seemed, was intrinsically linked to its awakening and the search for these "Nexus Points."
"We found something," Bai Chun breathed, looking up at Xiulan, his eyes filled with a new, daunting understanding. "Something very old, and very important."