Have You Heard of Winterbane

Grace took first place and was awarded a Jade Permit on the spot.

Within the Jade Permit, the authorization of the six Elders of the Spirit Alliance was sealed.

As long as she activated the Jade Permit at the array entrance, Grace could enter the mysterious Celestial Library for four hours.

She treasured the Jade Permit and carefully stored it in her space.

Tomorrow, she’d finally be able to enter the Celestial Library...

On her way back to the dorms, Felix Xi was waiting for her.

His expression had returned to normal—which meant, basically, no expression at all.

Grace walked over and asked, “So? You can’t help but admit I’m the boss now, right?”

Felix Xi hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Can you really help me?”

“Of course! Just tell me!” Grace replied cheerfully.

"Have you ever heard of Winterbane?" Felix Xi asked.

It took Grace a moment to respond, "Huh?"

"I’m serious about saving my mother," Felix Xi said. "She’s been poisoned by Winterbane. Maybe only the Celestial Library has a cure."

Grace rubbed her temples.

Then, suddenly, she whipped out her Celestial Sword and held it to Felix Xi’s neck. "Tell me, what exactly are you testing me for?"

Felix Xi frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I should be asking you that!" Grace retorted. "Who are you really? What do you want?"

"Are you sick or something?" Felix Xi asked, clearly annoyed.

Grace looked at him—he really didn’t seem to be faking it. Suspicious, she lowered her sword and said, "My mom’s also been poisoned by Winterbane. She’s only got two months left!"

Felix Xi stared at her for a long moment, then suddenly laughed. "Is the world really this full of coincidences?"

It was the first time Grace had ever seen him smile, and honestly, it was kind of charming.

Grace said, "Alright, I’ll trust you—for now! If I find a cure in there, I’ll share it with you. Tomorrow night, wait for my news at the usual spot."

Felix Xi nodded.

...

The next day, the Spiritual Alchemists who had finished their training began leaving the Spirit Alliance one after another.

But they were allowed to keep their accommodations for three more days.

If anyone wanted to sightsee and play around in Sigil City, they could stay longer.

At dawn, Byron White took Grace to a quiet chamber deep within the Spirit Alliance.

"Each of the Eastern, Southern, Western, and Northern Alliances has an entrance to the Celestial Library," Byron White told her. "This is the Eastern Alliance’s entrance."

Grace was confused. "The Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern Alliances are so far apart—can you really enter the same Celestial Library from different entrances?"

Byron White smiled, "Have you ever heard of the Soul Vessel?"

Grace shook her head.

"People have bodies, but also souls. The fusion of body and soul is called the Soul Vessel," Byron White explained. "It’s your Soul Vessel that enters the Celestial Library—not your body."

"Soul Vessel..." She really had never heard of that before.

"A soul alone can’t touch anything. But once you’re inside, it’ll feel just like your body is there. That’s your Soul Vessel at work."

"So that’s how it works..." Grace nodded.

Isn’t that just like the Ancient Tower Realm inside her own body?

"The Celestial Library is a special space created by the President of the Spirit Alliance. Your body can’t enter—only your Soul Vessel can," Byron White said. "Once you enter the array, just activate the Jade Permit and go in. Don’t worry about your body’s safety—this quiet chamber is protected by an array, so no one can harm you."

Grace nodded, "Got it. Thank you, President!"

"Go ahead, I’ll be waiting for you to come out!" Byron White said with a smile.

Grace nodded and walked in.

As the door closed, the array activated.

She took out the Jade Permit, ready to activate it as Byron White had taught her—when suddenly, she spotted a strange insect.