It was hard to believe there existed such a prodigious individual in the world—someone capable of memorizing books in less than two hours, books that would take ordinary people months to merely read through.
If it were just memorization, Qingque might not have doubted herself so much. But he wasn’t merely memorizing—he was comprehending and delving into the hidden depths of the material!
Is his brain some kind of crystalline processor or what?
For a moment, Qingque worried that Chen Lin might rip off his human facade to reveal a gleaming metallic body and yell, “It’s too late, organic lifeform!” before wreaking havoc.
“Old Chen… can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“You’re not some kind of disguised mechanical race, are you?”
Seeing Qingque’s jittery expression, Chen Lin could easily guess what she was imagining. He rolled his eyes and retorted, “If I were a tin can, do you think I’d need you to fetch me books? I’d just scan the whole library myself.”
“That… makes sense.”
Finally convinced her new friend wasn’t some strange automaton, Qingque, still groggy from interrupted sleep, dragged herself into the maze of towering bookshelves.
Having experienced this sudden cognitive shock, sleeping no longer felt important to her. Normally, if she’d been working late in the library, she’d have felt like her soul had wandered off somewhere. But now, she was consumed with curiosity, eager to see just how Chen Lin managed to read.
Within five minutes—faster than her previous quarter-hour search—she returned with a pile of books stacked even higher than before.
Her earlier sluggishness had simply been an act of laziness. But now, Qingque’s interest was piqued, and curiosity had turned into motivation. For someone like her, overtime was acceptable—but only if it was for a good reason or the right person.
In this case, satisfying her curiosity was more than enough incentive.
“Thanks.”
Chen Lin eagerly rubbed his hands together and dove straight into one of the books. As he’d said earlier, he was addicted to studying now.
When he entered a focused state, Chen Lin was like a starving refugee encountering a table full of delicacies—unable to stop himself once he started.
Qingque pulled a chair over and sat across from him, her jaw dropping to a point where it could probably fit a light bulb.
Chen Lin was flipping pages at a speed that defied logic. Each page barely lingered in his grasp for more than a second or two before being turned, sometimes even less.
Is it even possible to read at that speed?!
A giant question mark seemed to hover over Qingque’s head as she recalled a ridiculous scam from decades ago on the Xianzhou. Back then, some con artists had set up hidden training institutes, claiming they could teach people to read tens of thousands of words per minute. Supposedly, the most talented could even finish an entire book in just one minute.
Her family had fallen for it and enrolled her in one of those courses. The young Qingque had come home utterly bewildered.
Her parents had insisted, saying, “We’ve already paid; you have to go.” Left with no choice, she endured two weeks as the institute’s most reluctant victim. While others furiously flipped through books, she leisurely picked out stories she liked and read them at her own pace.
There had even been a contest, where Qingque was the only one calmly reading amidst hundreds of frantic participants. She’d been mocked by the other parents, but she knew better than anyone that the entire operation was a scam.
In the end, fed up with the idiocy, Qingque had reported the institution to the Cloud Knights, who promptly shut it down, finally granting her some peace.
Now, watching Chen Lin’s reading style, Qingque began to wonder if that scam might not have been a scam after all. Could it be that I didn’t learn it back then because I wasn’t focused enough?
Her brain short-circuited.
One by one, Chen Lin worked his way through the books, flipping, absorbing, and understanding them with terrifying efficiency. It had been ages since he last read anything, and now, with books in hand, his eyes felt like cameras capturing images to be processed by his superhuman brain.
The only downside was that this intense concentration left him completely detached from the outside world.
Every ten books or so, Chen Lin would glance at the event chain’s progress bar before diving back into his ocean of knowledge.
Qingque handed him book after book without a word, and the two worked in tandem. The vast library was filled only with the soft rustle of turning pages.
Handing books, reading books, handing more books…
For over an hour, Qingque kept repeating her motions, afraid that even a slight delay would make her seem slow.
If she couldn’t even keep up with someone reading, how could she ever hold her head high as the Diviner Division’s resident slacker? She’d be the laughingstock of all who revered her philosophy of procrastination as an art form.
Before she realized it, Qingque reached for another book only to find none left in the cart. She stared, dumbfounded, as the entire load of books had already been devoured.
While Chen Lin was still finishing the last one, Qingque sprang into action, darting between shelves and hauling more books and scrolls back and forth, sweat dripping down her face.
—
In the Diviner Division’s main hall, Fu Xuan stood with a composed smile as she spoke with the towering, broad-shouldered Jing Yuan, whose ever-relaxed demeanor radiated warmth.
The two were discussing the details of Chen Lin’s recent actions—saving several Cloud Knights who had been on the brink of succumbing to Moyin Syndrome, a near-demonic corruption.
The deep blue carpet underfoot muffled Jing Yuan’s pacing footsteps as his flowing robe trailed slightly behind him. His expression betrayed no thoughts. “My dear younger brother is quite capable. This should put your mind at ease, Fu Xuan.”
Fu Xuan, brimming with righteousness, replied, “Since when have I ever doubted? General, perhaps you’ve grown weary of your position. Why not step down and let me take over instead? Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
“Oh?” Jing Yuan’s gaze sharpened. Fu Xuan’s usual frustration with him—especially over his unapproved trade agreements with foreign entities—seemed to have vanished, replaced with this calm poise.
Could it be that his younger brother’s visit had achieved this transformation?
Fu Xuan’s growth was truly impressive.
All thanks to my dear brother, Jing Yuan thought, if only he were a Xianzhou native.
Fu Xuan continued, her tone crisp and resolute, “Your younger brother’s brilliance rivals my own. A rare gem among men, destined to become a figure of renown.” She spoke as if Chen Lin were her personal protégé. “Compared to saving countless Xianzhou lives from Moyin Syndrome, what’s a mere trade agreement worth?”
Jing Yuan picked up on a curious word in her speech.
“Your younger brother?” He offered a sly smile. “What profound discussions have you and my brother shared? I, as a mere general, might glean some insights from your wisdom to better guide him.”
Fu Xuan’s lips curled slightly as she hummed and recounted every word exchanged with Chen Lin, sparing no detail. Jing Yuan listened in stunned silence, his face twitching with each revelation.
As expected…
Fu Xuan’s “soft spot” had been thoroughly exposed.
At that moment, Fu Xuan stood with her hands on her hips, radiating smugness and a subtle, self-satisfied smile.
“Sigh, Chen Lin and I spoke at length and found ourselves kindred spirits. He then sought to form a bond of camaraderie with me, and I, seeing his potential, softened my heart and accepted him as a sworn younger brother. Later, I heard he had already forged such a bond with the General. I trust the General won’t hold it against me for stealing a bit of affection and overstepping workplace hierarchy?”
Your younger brother is my younger brother, and you are my superior. Isn’t it only fair for you to step aside?
As this thought crossed her mind, Fu Xuan’s heart soared with delight, though her face remained calm and composed.
To most, her demeanor still appeared aloof and distant.
“Everyone loves talent, Fu Xuan. Proceed as you see fit, but be prepared to shoulder any regrets.” Jing Yuan’s voice rumbled, deep and steady.
“I value loyalty and righteousness,” Fu Xuan replied with a serene smile. “As the eldest sister, I shall naturally guide and support my younger siblings. Rest assured, General.” Her tone grew even more assured. “I have granted my dear younger brother unrestricted access to all records and scrolls below the third floor of the library. He may peruse them freely.”
Jing Yuan’s eyebrows lifted in surprise before a knowing smile crept across his face. “Excellent. Fu Xuan, your generosity is commendable. With your guidance, my younger brother is in safe hands. If you can retain him here by proper means, you may well be hailed as the greatest talent of the Xianzhou in a millennium!”
“I still have other matters to attend to. Fu Xuan, I’ll leave you to your work.”
“Take care.”
As the communication ended, Jing Yuan’s projection faded from the Diviner Division’s main hall. Fu Xuan stood there, her lips twitching slightly as she reveled in her success.
“Well, well, General, it seems the tables have turned for once.”
Her spirits lifted, Fu Xuan felt light and refreshed.
Meanwhile, at the Shen Ce Palace, Jing Yuan sat at his desk, rubbing his temples. Things had taken an unexpected turn, though not one of great consequence.
Whoever caused this mess can clean it up themselves. If you don’t stumble a few times, you’ll never understand the perils of the world.
Younger brother… please don’t break my future Diviner…
Unaware of Jing Yuan’s thoughts, Fu Xuan noticed through her jade talisman that the library doors were still open, and Qingque, the librarian, had yet to clock out.
“Qingque rarely acts appropriately. Managing people like her is an art in itself. It seems I’m finally getting the hang of it.”
Recalling her earlier words about looking after Chen Lin, Fu Xuan felt it would be heartless to ignore the situation entirely.
I may as well check on the library, she decided, and demonstrate my scholarly prowess to my newfound younger brother. Especially in front of a novice in the field, using technical terms will effortlessly enhance my authority in their eyes.
Fu Xuan did enjoy flaunting her expertise. After all, it was moments like these that silenced any dissent about her bid for the General’s position.
Settled, then!
With most of the Diviner Division’s day shift already gone and only a few staff members on duty, Fu Xuan, who normally would have returned home to rest by now, set aside her dinner plans to visit the library instead.
Navigating the Diviner Division was second nature to Fu Xuan, and she soon arrived at the library’s main entrance.
The doors were wide open, but the librarian’s desk was conspicuously empty. Fu Xuan’s brow furrowed.
However, as she stepped inside, she spotted Qingque running back and forth between the bookshelves and reading tables, arms full of books.
Gone was the usual Qingque who lounged in her chair napping or stacking cards during work hours. Instead, she was a picture of exhaustion—a model employee.
Before Fu Xuan could say anything, her gaze landed on Chen Lin, seated amidst towering piles of books, flipping through them at an impossible speed. Her first thought mirrored Qingque’s earlier one:
Who are you trying to fool with that act?
But before she could speak, Qingque, still clutching an armload of books, frantically shook her head and gestured for Fu Xuan to stay quiet.
Chen Lin, completely absorbed in his studies, was oblivious to the two women watching him like he was a monkey in a zoo. His mind was consumed with hexagrams, lines of divination, and the interplay of yin and yang. Nothing else registered.
Finally, the event chain brought him back to reality.
[Xianzhou Secrets—Diviner Division’s Legacy]
Our scientist Chen Lin has astonishingly mastered the esoteric arts of the Diviner Division at record-breaking speed, becoming one of the rare foreign scholars to comprehend their teachings through mere text.
This unprecedented feat is destined to become a legend within the Diviner Division.
The empire’s reputation has greatly increased due to this remarkable achievement.
Mutual Victory! We’ve won twice! (Chen Lin gains the permanent trait “Auspicious Pathfinder”; Sociology Points +57,414; Event Chain Completed.)
Chen Lin jolted upright, the book still in his hands. As he raised his head, he met two pairs of eyes staring intently at him.
Before he could react, a string of words appeared in his vision:
[Heaven’s Blessings]
“Primordial, prosperous, beneficial, steadfast.”
“As Heaven moves with strength, a nobleman acts with ceaseless self-improvement.”
[Fu Xuan Questions Your Study Methods]
Great Misfortune: Fail to address her doubts, leaving her with the impression you are a fraud. Fu Xuan will grow wary and distance herself.
Misfortune: Attempt to challenge her expertise and disprove her assertions academically. Fu Xuan may feel inadequate and suspect ulterior motives.
Fortune: Humbly accept her guidance, conceal parts of your knowledge, and display a willingness to learn. Fu Xuan will regard you as a prodigious talent and engage with you regularly, unknowingly fostering goodwill.
What…?
Chen Lin stared blankly for a moment before pulling up his personal interface. Amid the densely packed list of active and inactive traits, a new icon had appeared: an eight-trigram motif.
[Auspicious Pathfinder]
This leader has mastered the ancient arts of the Diviner Division, enhancing their innate abilities. They can predict the auspiciousness of actions within a certain range. Their endeavors often lead to good fortune and avoid calamity.
-
During government service:
-
Emergency FTL jump losses -100%
-
Ship disappearance time -90%
-
Negative outcomes in Void Expeditions are eliminated
-
Psychic intensity may achieve unknown effects at higher levels
-
Chen Lin blinked, gripping the book tighter. What kind of power-up is this?
—
T/N: I like numbers :3c
This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗? by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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