Starting with photographic memory, I've worked my way up to become a martial arts immortal.

After making several turns, Jiang Yuan soon arrived at a dilapidated courtyard. A plaque hung on the door, with the words "Chengfeng Study" written in a flamboyant style.

He took a few deep breaths, suppressing his earlier displeasure, and put on a smile again.

You can't hit someone who's smiling.

For someone from the lower class like him, following this ancient precept is always the right thing to do.

Otherwise, if you offend someone unintentionally by being cold-faced, you'll have nowhere to turn to complain later.

He reached out and rang the bell hanging at the door, then stepped over the threshold.

"Shopkeeper, I've come to return the book."

An old man was lying on the counter inside the room.

Hearing the noise, he put down his book, raised his eyelids, and said, "It's you again, kid. Finished reading?"

"certainly."

Jiang Yuan glanced at the books the old man had put away, but didn't pay them any mind.

He pulled out an object wrapped in oil paper from his lower back.

He carefully peeled back the oil paper, revealing the travelogue he had read the night before. He handed it to her with a grin: "It's intact. Don't take my deposit this time."

"Last time you stained my book with medicine, deducting twenty coins from your account was too lenient." The old man snorted in dissatisfaction, his eyes filled with suspicion. "Did you even look at the book you borrowed from me, you big brute? Why are you coming here more and more frequently lately?"

"No, not at all." Jiang Yuan chuckled. "Any new books?"

"Look for it on the second shelf of the first bookshelf."

The old man lowered his eyes, his mind returning to the book in his hands. He had only asked out of curiosity, and since the guest didn't want to answer, he didn't bother to press the matter further.

The customer across the street was quite an oddball. Despite being a rough, uneducated laborer, he had come here to borrow books more than half a year ago, a first for him in years.

He didn't know how much time had passed when he wiped the drool that had dripped down his face and was about to turn to the next page when a hand suddenly stopped him.

"Wait, I haven't finished watching it yet."

A deep voice rang in his ears, startling the old man: "You brat, you scared me to death!"

Jiang Yuan smiled憨厚ly and gave a thumbs up: "Shopkeeper, you're still going strong for your age!"

"Stop talking nonsense, have you made your choice?" The old man patted his chest, still shaken.

"Here." Jiang Yuan took out a book with a black cover.

The old man glanced at it, then his tone returned to its usual calm: "Same as always, five coins!"

"Cough!" Jiang Yuan suddenly coughed twice.

"Fine, you're a regular customer, I'll give you a discount this time." The old man sneered, his face full of resentment. "I never expected someone with such thick eyebrows and big eyes to be so cunning."

"Thank you for the compliment, Manager."

Jiang Yuan happily laid out four copper coins on the counter, and without leaving, found a corner to sit on the ground and started reading.

"That's strange, aren't you taking it home to see today?"

"I'm not working today, I'm just relaxing here," Jiang Yuan said without looking up.

The old man pursed his lips, ignored him, and didn't try to shoo anyone away.

Although having an extra laborer in the shop might not look good to other customers, he didn't care.

He was delighted to have a like-minded companion by his side.

Jiang Yuan sat cross-legged on the ground, intently staring at the book in his hands.

This is a miscellaneous book belonging to the mythology category, which tells the story of the existence of gods and immortals in this world in ancient times.

Mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas are all managed by deities, who are appointed by immortals residing in the Thirty-Three Heavens.

The book's contents are absurd, and much of the content is clearly fabricated by the author.

Although Jiang Yuan did not believe all the stories in the book, he felt that many myths were not entirely unfounded.

[Study experience points +1]

……

Noon arrived quickly, and the old man in the shop brought him food and invited him to eat with him, but Jiang Yuan politely declined.

One should always be wary of others; although he knew the old man, they were not close.

Furthermore, the fact that the old man was willing to lend him books was already a great favor.

Back then, he visited many bookstores, but the shopkeepers and clerks were unwilling to hire him because he was a laborer. Only the old man didn't care about his status.

The books in this shop didn't contain classics or general histories, only tales of the strange and supernatural, but he didn't care, as long as it improved his skills.

He joked with the old man in the morning and unexpectedly got a discount of one cent. He silently accepted this kindness, but he was unwilling to go any further beyond the boundaries between shopkeeper and customer.

Jiang Yuan took out a wild vegetable pancake and silently began to eat it.

As a manual laborer, I rely on my physical strength for a living, so I can't eat too badly on a daily basis, otherwise my body will soon break down.

Even so, he was not actually living any better than other poor people; in this kind of world, he was just struggling to survive.

He opened the panel and looked at it.

[Skill]: Study (Perfect 998/1000)

"It's almost time."

As he approached the next stage of breakthrough, Jiang Yuan lost the excitement he felt the night before and felt more at peace.

He has already planned the next skill to be recorded.

···

The docks outside the city were bustling with activity, and the air was filled with a foul, fishy stench.

Many boatmen, their backs bent, chanted as they pulled the boat toward the shore, while laborers, carrying high stacks of sacks on their shoulders, walked heavily toward the cabin.

Zhang Yong walked through a group of refugees squatting on the side waiting for work, came to a secluded spot, took out a steamed bun, and took a hateful bite.

"Brother Yong, it's already noon, why hasn't that kid come yet?" Li Han walked over and greeted him, puzzled.

"How would I know?" Zhang Yong said irritably. "Where's Sun Hao?"

"Here we come!" Sun Hao shouted from afar, attracting everyone's attention.

Sun Hao ducked down, went to Zhang Yong's side, and handed him something.

"Brother Yong, have a big meat bun. You won't have the energy to work at night if you only eat steamed buns, hehe." Sun Hao said with a lewd smile.

Zhang Yong took a bite of the meat bun, his mouth greasy, and his expression softened. "Did you guys have a great time last night?"

"It's so beautiful!"

"Would you like to play again?"

The two exchanged a glance: "Of course we want to."

"Find that kid right now. He hasn't shown up all morning. He probably sensed something was wrong." Zhang Yong finished his meat bun in a few bites, but still not satisfied, he grabbed another one and stuffed it into his mouth.

Sun Hao glanced down at the last one in his hand, quickly stuffed it into his mouth, and muttered, "No way. This kid looks a bit silly, especially when he smiles, he's kind of cute in his silliness."

"Stupid? Don't treat anyone like a fool in this world," Zhang Yong said, exasperated.

Li Han watched intently from the side, swallowing hard. "If that's what you're saying, this kid is definitely a bit strange. We've known him for so many days, but he still hasn't told us anything. All we know is that he's from the countryside."

"That's right, I was careless this time. Next time I see him, I must find out where he lives, and then things will be much easier."

Zhang Yong's eyes were cold: "This kid is good-looking, he'll definitely fetch a good price if we sell him, and then the three of us brothers can live a carefree life again."

"Okay, I'll do whatever Brother Yong says."