Chen Mo turned his gaze to the dark red book resting on the table. He walked over and gently opened it.
It worked.
The book, previously sealed beyond the first page, now allowed him to turn to the second. Before writing his name, it had remained shut.
Scanning the pages, Chen Mo's eyes narrowed.
Each one held a brief description of a technology, and there were a lot of them. His head started to spin just reading the titles.
Computer Virus Killer Code
Field: Computer Science
Permission Level: Trainee
Description: A powerful code capable of eliminating most computer viruses, malicious scripts, and harmful programs.
Soft Ceramic Material Formula & Process
Field: Chemistry, Physics
Permission Level: Trainee
Description: A lightweight, non-conductive, high-temperature-resistant ceramic material with mild ductility. Suitable for car shells, phone casings, computer hardware, etc.
"American" Skin Formula
Field: Biology, Chemistry
Permission Level: Trainee
Description: A topical cosmetic compound that whitens skin, safe for pregnant women. Not edible.
Basic Lithium Battery Tech
Field: Physics, Chemistry
Permission Level: Trainee
Description: A standard lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Basic but practical.
Page after page, the technologies spanned a variety of disciplines—all marked as [Trainee] level. No advanced tech in sight.
Even so, Chen Mo was stunned. Just one of these could reshape entire industries.
He felt torn. Which one should he pick?
Any one of them could earn him a fortune. There were so many options, he didn't even know where to start.
"Shu Lao," Chen Mo turned to the old man beside him. "Got any recommendations?"
"Me? Recommend something?" Shu Lao chuckled. "Plenty of these technologies could make you rich. That's what you want, right?"
Chen Mo nodded. "Yeah, a lot of money."
"Then let me ask you—what's more important: wealth or your health?"
"Health," Chen Mo replied without hesitation.
No matter how much money you had, without a healthy body, it was meaningless. Everyone knew that.
Shu Lao raised an eyebrow. "So… should I tell you to skip picking a tech and go for a morning jog instead?"
Chen Mo laughed. "I mean, I wouldn't be surprised."
"Haha! You're a cheeky one," Shu Lao said, grinning. "But think about this: you pull out a piece of advanced tech—like that lithium battery formula—and release it to the world. You haven't studied it, you can't explain it. What happens when people ask where it came from? You say you invented it? Who'd believe that?"
Chen Mo's smile faded as the reality hit him.
"There are people out there who won't just be skeptical—they'll come after you. If they accuse you of stealing technology, what can you do? You're a nobody. No power. No backing. Can you protect yourself?"
"…No," Chen Mo admitted.
It wasn't paranoia. Life was often messier—and crueler—than the TV dramas.
"So, keep a low profile. Let your roots grow deep before your branches spread wide," Shu Lao said wisely. "Isn't that part of your culture?"
"Then what should I do? How do I pick the right one?"
"You've got two options," Shu Lao replied. "One: pick something profitable, but don't release it right away. Study the field, build your foundation, and wait for the right moment. Or two: pick something you can use right now."
Chen Mo flipped through the book again, frustrated. There were too many entries—some even overlapping—and he couldn't tell which one would be the most practical.
"Pick something that benefits your body," Shu Lao said cryptically. "Go check the biology section. Look for this one: Low-Level Human Potential Development Technology."
Guided by Shu Lao, Chen Mo found the entry in the catalog:
Low-Level Human Potential Development Technology
Field: Biology
Permission Level: Trainee
Description: Enhances baseline human capabilities—boosting vitality, immunity, strength, agility, pain tolerance, and durability.
"Human potential development…" Chen Mo read aloud.
Shu Lao smiled knowingly. "At its most advanced level, this tech can unlock superhuman abilities. The strongest users could shatter mountains, destroy planets—even more terrifying things."
Chen Mo blinked. "That sounds… a bit much, doesn't it?"
"Not at all," Shu Lao replied seriously. "Flight, teleportation, immortality, moving mountains, calling the wind and rain—these myths? With the right technology, they're possible."
He looked into the infinite depths of the library, eyes full of wisdom.
"The ultimate realm of science… is theology."
Chen Mo's breath caught in his throat. He looked around the shelves again. Could it really be true?
Those ancient legends—maybe they weren't just imagination. Maybe they were mankind's instinctive yearning for something greater. Immortality. Power. The divine.
"So those technologies… really exist here?" he asked, scanning the endless stacks.
"Yes," Shu Lao confirmed. "But if you want access, you'll need the highest level of authority. You're nowhere near that yet. Right now, I'm just showing you the cake. You don't get to eat it."
Chen Mo sighed, but nodded. "So… this 'Human Potential Development' one is what I should start with?"
"Exactly. Train your body. Maybe learn a little martial arts. Next time a bookshelf tries to take you out, you'll be ready," Shu Lao said with a chuckle.
Chen Mo smirked. "Fair enough. I was lucky this time, but I might not get a second chance."
"So, this is your pick?" Shu Lao asked.
"Yeah. Health is the foundation. The rest can wait."
Shu Lao nodded approvingly. He raised one hand, and a soft beam of light descended from above. A shimmering book appeared in his palm, almost like a holographic projection.
He gently pressed it to Chen Mo's forehead.
Chen Mo stiffened as an overwhelming surge of information flooded his mind—etched directly into his memory.
Still reeling, he asked, "So I get one new technology per month?"
"Not necessarily," Shu Lao said. "If you want more, study science and engineering in the real world. For every 100 books you finish, you can claim one additional tech. Once you read 1,000, you'll rank up to the next authority level."
"…1,000?" Chen Mo nearly spat blood.
That was insane. The average person didn't read 200 technical books in a lifetime—1,000 was a mountain.
"Sounds impossible, huh?"
"It is."
"It's not," Shu Lao corrected. "You're not 'average' anymore. Your brain's been enhanced. You've got a super-brain now. The Library won't let you sit idle on a treasure hoard—you'll need to earn your access through learning."
"…Got it," Chen Mo nodded solemnly.
"Good. You've been unconscious for a while. You should return. Too much time here isn't good for your body," Shu Lao said. "Later, when you want to come back—just open the red book. I'll be here."
"How do I leave?"
"Close the book."
Chen Mo turned and closed the dark red book. Shu Lao's figure slowly faded.
In the center of the vast library, a golden three-meter-high door materialized.
A black vortex swirled within it, speckled with blue starlight. It looked just like a sci-fi wormhole—straight out of a movie.
Chen Mo took one last look at the endless library.
Then stepped through the golden gate.