Ten days.
In his office, Chen Mo closed the final book with a satisfying thump and let out a long breath. A relaxed smile crept across his face.
Half a year.
It felt both long and short. But in that time, he had read more books than most people could manage in several lifetimes. Even with his enhanced memory and comprehension, the sheer volume had left him dizzy more than once.
A thousand books.
Honestly, if it weren't for his rational side holding him back, he would've felt poetic enough to write a celebratory sonnet.
Chen Mo quietly returned the books to their shelves. As he placed the last one back in its place, he noticed something strange—his mind felt unusually calm.
What he really hoped now… was that the next level of the Science and Technology Library wouldn't require him to read another thousand books.
After tidying up, Chen Mo lay back on the office sofa and closed his eyes.
The golden gate towered before him—one hundred meters high, carved with arcane symbols and glyphs. Its surface pulsed with a heavy, ancient presence, both mysterious and majestic.
The first time he saw this door, it had felt alien. Now, it felt familiar… yet somehow grander than before.
Chen Mo pressed his hand to the door.
With a deep groan, it slowly creaked open, and a flood of white light poured out, engulfing him.
When the brilliance faded, he stood once again inside the library—bookshelves rising hundreds of meters above, stretching endlessly in all directions.
Chen Mo walked forward and opened the dark red book resting on the central table.
"Here you are," said Shu Lao, the old librarian, nodding approvingly. "You managed to finish 1,000 books in six months."
"That's only okay?" Chen Mo asked, puzzled.
"More or less," Shu Lao shrugged. "Your brain isn't normal—superior memory, enhanced comprehension. If you'd gone all-in, you could've finished in under four months. So no, it's not exceptional—but it's good enough."
"Well… I guess I won't gloat, then," Chen Mo said dryly.
"But it shows you're balanced," Shu Lao continued. "You're not just a bookworm. You've also built a strong foundation. That matters."
"Old Shu, can I start unlocking tech now?" Chen Mo asked eagerly. "New upgrades?"
"You can. But you don't need to take specific tech just yet."
"Why not?"
"Because you've finished the first-level permission task. You're now unlocking the next level. The 'Trainee' tier of technologies will become fully available to you—take whatever you like. No need for guided drops."
"As you progress, more of the library will open up," Shu Lao said. "At the highest level, every book in this library will be yours."
Chen Mo nodded, eyes gleaming.
"Technologies at the Trainee level are foundational. They're prep work for the more advanced stuff later," Shu Lao added.
"What's the next level after this?"
"After 'Trainee' comes Technology Apprentice."
Shu Lao stepped forward and touched Chen Mo's forehead.
"The upgrade process may be unpleasant," he warned, "but it's for your own good."
"Understood."
The moment Shu Lao activated the process, Chen Mo felt like his brain had been thrown into a high-speed blender.
Dizzying vertigo hit him like a freight train. His legs gave way. His face turned pale, and cold sweat poured down.
"Ugh—urk—"
He dropped to the ground and retched violently onto the floor.
It took several minutes for the spinning to stop. Eventually, Chen Mo wiped his mouth, staggered to his feet, and groaned.
"Feels like I just spun around the Earth at ten revolutions per second…"
"That was your brain being rapidly restructured and optimized," Shu Lao explained with a grin. "Congrats. You're now officially a Technology Apprentice."
"I don't feel very apprentice-y."
"That's normal. But here—this is your reward."
Shu Lao snapped his fingers. A book appeared in front of Chen Mo.
Seismograph Technology and Manufacturing
Chen Mo's eyes widened. "Wait—is this for early earthquake detection?"
"Correct. It provides warnings five hours in advance within a 50-kilometer radius."
"Hisss…"
Chen Mo sucked in a breath. "That alone could save millions of lives."
He was instantly excited. Even without any other breakthroughs, this one tech was enough to change the world.
"Let me take it," Chen Mo said eagerly.
"You're an apprentice now. You can take it yourself," Shu Lao replied, pointing at the book. "Place your hand on the cover."
Chen Mo obeyed. The book slowly faded from sight, and data streamed directly into his mind—principles, schematics, materials, calibration procedures… everything burned itself into his memory.
The seismograph was no longer just a concept. He understood it, inside and out.
"From now on, you can choose any Trainee-level tech from the red book. Just request it, and it will appear."
Shu Lao waved his hand, drawing Chen Mo's attention away from the seismograph. "Now for your apprentice-level mission."
He raised a finger, and eight beams of light fell from above, forming eight glowing books, floating in a wide circle.
"These represent the eight core domains: Applied Physics, Chemical Materials, Biomedicine, Computer Science, Ecology, Electromechanical Systems, Military Technology, and Energy."
Chen Mo stared at the floating books. Each had a title indicating the field, but no mention of the specific technology inside.
"These are just introductory representatives," Shu Lao said. "Your task is to complete all eight. You must develop the technology within each book. Only when you finish one does the next become available."
"I see," Chen Mo nodded.
"These eight cannot be shared or taken directly from the library. You must develop them yourself, from scratch."
"So... back to work," Chen Mo muttered.
"You're also granted two new functions," Shu Lao said. "First, you can now optimize any Trainee-level or lower tech. Second, your monthly tech drop has been canceled. You're on your own now."
Chen Mo felt a strange mix of excitement and reluctance.
"Old Shu… will you still be around?"
Shu Lao's expression softened. "Not until you complete the apprentice-level techs. From here on, it's all on you."
Chen Mo looked down for a moment.
They'd been like mentor and student for months. Saying goodbye felt like sending off a friend.
"Remember, your goal is to reach the highest authority in this library. Do that, and we'll meet again."
"I will," Chen Mo said quietly.
Shu Lao smiled one last time before his form faded into golden light and vanished.
Chen Mo stood alone in the glowing chamber, eyes on the eight mysterious books. Each one was a new challenge—unknown and massive in scale.
But for now, he didn't reach for them.
There were things to take care of in the real world.
With a final glance, Chen Mo exited the library.