https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-65-Underground-Secret-Base-Deeding-the-City-Center-Deed/12824857/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-67-A-Wagers-100-Million-Psychic-Coins/12824859/
Chapter 66: The Scholar's Sanctum and a Wager
Chapter 66: The Scholar's Sanctum and a Wager
"What should I do during these two hours of waiting?"
Su Yu left Kelthron's residence, leading Tima through the bustling streets.
He opened his quest panel. Currently, he had three active quests: the main storyline quests "Glory of the Golden Sparrow Empire" and "Maiden of Aurian," and the hidden quest "Unfinished Affair with the Centaur" related to Tina.
"Should I go to Aurian now via the teleportation array to start the 'Maiden of Aurian' main quest?" Su Yu stroked his chin.
After a moment's thought, he shook his head. "No, if the main quest there is at a high difficulty or a time-limited task, I might not be able to return on time."
Su Yu dismissed the idea of rushing to Aurian.
Main quests were extremely challenging.
Just like the three-ring quest he completed at Kelthron's place, whether it was delivering a message or infiltrating the earl's mansion, none of these tasks were easy for an average player.
Su Yu managed to complete them only because of his superior equipment and powerful spells, which required a significant amount of effort.
Taking on two main quests simultaneously would be too much for him.
"If I don't go to Aurian, I can use this time to join the Scholar's Sanctum. The headquarters of the Scholar's Sanctum is right here in Golden Sparrow City."
Su Yu hadn't forgotten the invitation from the old mage Pism in the newbie village. Joining the Scholar's Sanctum would provide him with numerous benefits.
Deciding to act on his thoughts, Su Yu asked a city guard for directions to the Scholar's Sanctum headquarters. Following the guard's instructions, he rode Tima toward the location.
The headquarters of the Scholar's Sanctum was located on the southwest side of Golden Sparrow City, alongside various temples of different faiths.
The exterior of the Scholar's Sanctum headquarters resembled a church, but instead of a statue of a deity, the main hall featured a massive stone book sculpture.
Most members of the Scholar's Sanctum were mages who cared little for divine protection and instead thirsted for endless knowledge.
As Su Yu stepped into the sanctum, the bustling sounds of the street instantly vanished, replaced by the solemn silence characteristic of the place.
On either side of the hall, neat rows of bookshelves lined the walls. Many mages in robes were engrossed in their reading, barely glancing at Su Yu as he entered.
Soon, a servant approached from the side, quietly asking, "Sir, is there anything you need assistance with?"
"I'm here to join the Scholar's Sanctum." Su Yu took out the "Scholar's Sanctum Invitation" from his backpack and handed it to the servant.
Seeing the signature, the servant's eyes widened. "This is an invitation from Master Pism!"
He dared not be negligent. "Please wait here a moment. I'll inform Master Haimlech right away!"
"Alright." Su Yu nodded.
After the servant left, he walked over to the bookshelves and began browsing the books, quickly immersing himself in the sea of knowledge.
About ten minutes later, an angry middle-aged man's voice echoed from the entrance of the corridor behind the stone book sculpture.
"How dare he! Has Pism's brain been filled with Psychic Coins? As long as I'm here, I will never allow a nouveau riche to join the sanctum!"
"But Master Haimlech, Master Pism has the authority to make him one of us," another voice replied.
"That doesn't matter! I will not allow the stench of a nouveau riche to taint this sacred place. Where is that nouveau riche?"
Haimlech glanced at the servant.
"There he is."
The servant weakly pointed to Su Yu, who was still flipping through books by the bookshelf.
Haimulaik is a middle-aged mage who appears to be in his mid-thirties, wearing a slightly wrinkled, earth-toned robe.
His complexion is unnaturally pale, likely due to spending long hours cooped up reading books.
However, from the way magic flows around him, it’s clear he is at least a Fifth-Rank Mage, a key member of the Scholars' Sanctuary.
Upon seeing Su Yu, he hurried over with a flurry.
From a distance, he didn’t mince words: “Please leave! The Scholars' Sanctuary firmly refuses to accept any nouveaux riche with brains as muddled as theirs! Even with a personal invitation from Pism, I won’t let you join!”
“Is that so?” Su Yu calmly closed the book in his hand, placed it back on the shelf, and turned to size up Haimulaik.
From Haimulaik’s words, Su Yu gathered what was going on.
This seemed to be an internal conflict within the Scholars' Sanctuary, and he had stumbled right into it!
...
Within the Scholars' Sanctuary, there has been a continuous debate over the management and development of the institution.
Pism and his faction believe the Sanctuary should attract wealthy merchants and nobles, who can pay membership fees to cover the Sanctuary’s daily expenses.
With the money, the Sanctuary could purchase more high-value books, even start its own academic journal to foster exchanges with scholars across the land, pooling ideas and advancing together.
This was why Pism had invited Su Yu.
However, Haimulaik and his faction hold a different view.
They are staunch defenders of the Scholars' Sanctuary’s purity, believing it should remain a sanctuary for scholars, untainted by the stench of merchants and the corruption of nobles.
They also fear that once merchants and nobles join, their experience in business and politics will enable them to infiltrate the Sanctuary’s management and even the upper echelons within a few years.
By then, the Scholars' Sanctuary would be a mere shadow of its former self, reduced to a tool for political and commercial interests.
Both sides have valid points, but currently, Haimulaik’s faction has the upper hand, leading to his brusque dismissal of Su Yu.
Su Yu didn’t mind being called a “nouveau riche,” as he was one. However, being labeled as having a “muddled brain” was another matter.
“Who says nouveaux riche have muddled brains? Many of them are quite well-versed! Take me, for example,” Su Yu said calmly, looking at Haimulaik.
“You?”
Haimulaik scrutinized Su Yu closely.
A mere First-Rank Mage, yet he wore a set of leather armor. This armor seemed infused with a special energy, each piece reaching the rare quality of a First-Rank item.
“Hmm? Not a native? An adventurer from another world?”
Haimulaik had heard of adventurers from other worlds, creations of some powerful being.
However, his disdain only deepened.
“An adventurer from another world? What knowledge could you possibly have? You’ve been in our world for only a few days. How could your knowledge surpass that of scholars who have studied for decades?”
Haimulaik, disinterested, turned to walk away down the corridor behind the statue of books.
But just then, a calm voice came from behind him: “Willing to make a bet, Haimulaik? If I lose, I’ll offer 1 million Spirit Coins!”
(End of Chapter)
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