Chapter 310: Book Exchange
Chapter 310: Book Exchange
Green Pine Street is a street in the affluent northern district of the city.
Lindsey thanked the elderly librarian and set off to visit the collector.
While attempting to repair the teleportation array in the secluded outskirts, he had met a collector in town.
Both types of individuals seemed to be Awakened Beings.
However, when it came to their specific skills, there appeared to be a distinct division. Collectors cultivated their skills through collecting original books, while collectors could unleash incredible power from their collections.
As Lindsey headed north, he began to notice a different scenery.
And this scenery was somehow related to him.
—Stockings.
In other districts, stockings were rarely seen on people.
However, among Awakened Beings, the wealthy, and the nobility, this item was gradually becoming popular.
After all, women were naturally inclined towards beauty, and men were willing to pay for it.
With the approval of both men and women, this product received high praise upon its release, and people were not shy about showcasing this beauty.
At the boundary of the district.
Lindsey also noticed many ordinary people whose lower body attire was changing.
Awakened Beings and the nobility chose this style.
Ordinary people would naturally envy and desire it, and imitators naturally emerged on the streets.
However, Elaine adopted a high-price strategy.
Ordinary people couldn't afford stockings.
So, they used dyed white cloth to sew long socks that imitated the shape of stockings. Although the details were completely different from real stockings, with some styling, they could still display a decent sense of beauty.
"Now even thigh-high socks are making an appearance."
"When will someone wear knee-high socks with a short skirt?"
Lindsey smirked:
"They started imitating within a week; these guys are fast."
Amidst the sighs, Lindsey also realized the problem.
In this world, there existed Awakened Beings known as Artisans.
After the Fourth Stage, Artisans could gradually create truly Extraordinary Items. Although the earlier stages might not have powerful skills, imitating stockings would likely only be a matter of time.
"So, Elaine currently has a first-mover advantage."
"Once the news spreads, and Artisans start making imitations, her business strategy will have to change."
Lindsey did a quick calculation.
The distance between Nine Bays City and Transcendent City was probably three to four months.
In this world, messengers helped deliver messages.
Converting the time for a round trip, it would take a maximum of six months for equivalent quality imitations to start circulating.
As he walked into the northern district, Lindsey noticed a detail.
Between the various districts of Nine Bays City, there were no strict movement restrictions.
However, upon entering this area, the ordinary people wearing thigh-high socks completely disappeared.
Ordinary people naturally revered the nobility and Awakened Beings.
Especially in a large city with a well-established order, the class divide was much more apparent than in small towns like the secluded outskirts.
Ordinary people didn't even need reminders or segregation.
They instinctively set boundaries for themselves, and the impact of power on reality was that clear.
...
Finding the collector was not difficult.
Lindsey opened his Map Skill and asked around on the street until he found someone who knew the collector's location.
In less than half an hour, he stood in front of an unfamiliar building.
The collector's residence had almost no yard; it was a square building that covered the entire plot, resembling a meticulously planned apartment complex.
Lindsey approached and knocked on the door.
Soon, a middle-aged man's voice echoed from inside: "Hello, who are you looking for?"
The door opened, and standing before Lindsey was a man in a yellow sleeping robe, holding a thick, large-format book under his arm.
Lindsey narrowed his eyes, instantly recognizing the Essence within the man.
Combining this man's attire and appearance, the man before him was most likely the owner of this house:
"Hello, I'm Lindsey."
"I'm seeking the Librarian here, to ask for some knowledge-related assistance."
The man examined Lindsey curiously:
"An Awakener?"
Lindsey nodded in acknowledgment:
"Yes."
The man in pajamas immediately made way:
"Then please come in."
The Librarian led Lindsey into the house.
The interior was dimly lit, and a long hallway extended behind the living room, filled with the unique scent of book pages and ink.
"Just call me Arland."
Here lived only the Librarian, Arland.
He offered Lindsey a cup of tea with a friendly gesture and then asked Lindsey seriously:
"Lindsey, what kind of knowledge are you seeking by coming here?"
Lindsey didn't mention his injured arm but spoke his purpose frankly:
"It's like this, I'm looking for the life sanctuary in the forest. But at the library, all the information has been relocated."
"Between the Town Hall and the Librarian, I think you are more trustworthy."
The Librarian smiled:
"Then you've come to the right place!"
"Before the library's relocation, I specifically transcribed many books there."
At this point, Arland changed the subject:
"But this hard work of mine won't be given to others for free, you understand, right?"
Lindsey was straightforward and direct, immediately raising his hand to indicate the other's offer:
"There's a price to pay for a reward, and I completely understand."
Arland replied:
"It's simple, I want books."
"As long as it's something I haven't read, or it can be used to exchange knowledge."
---
The Librarian needed books.
---
Such a request was quite reasonable.
---
Lindsey had just the right thing in his possession.
Beneath Black Mountain, in the frozen city, he had a pile of ancient scrolls sealed in dust; and when leaving the remote border, Lindsey also took a manuscript copy of the expedition team's notes.
These two items were Lindsey's exclusive collection.
The former might involve some danger;
The latter would expose Lindsey's background, and the expedition team's notes held sentimental value, so he didn't want to lose them.
Lindsey weighed his options and still didn't hand over these two items.
He could only pass on the book that had accompanied him for a long time, "The Merchant and the Dragon Maid":
"How about this?"
"Is this 'The Merchant and the Dragon Maid'?"
Arland's expression was somewhat perplexing.
He was about to refuse immediately.
But when he saw the book Lindsey handed over, with its old cover, his heart stirred, and he began to examine it carefully.
Before long, Arland raised his head, and his tone carried a hint of surprise.
"This is an ancient copy of 'The Merchant and the Dragon Maid' published over a hundred years ago!"
"No problem, Lindsey, I'm happy to help. I'll get the information for you right away!"
Arland clenched his fists and walked into the depths of the room.
Soon, he returned with books and writing materials.
The Librarian didn't hand over his collection; instead, he placed his hand on the table, and the power of Essence began to take effect.
Snap—
In the ink bottle, the black liquid rose into the air.
This thin stream of ink seeped into the book's pages, forming words and patterns, and a book's content was copied in the blink of an eye.
In this way, the Librarian made a copy of the information he retrieved and then handed it to Lindsey:
"Lindsey, you can take it back and read it slowly."
"If you encounter any difficulties, come back here, and I'll provide you with the information for free!"
(End of Chapter)
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