Chapter 2981: Blackboards and Black Banners

Even the layout was incredibly similar.

The door was neither locked nor falling into disrepair.

As it swung open, the interior of this "prime real estate" came into view.

At a glance, aside from feeling slightly more cramped, the sense of familiarity was no weaker than on the outside.

The same simple furnishings, the same narrow windows, the same old wooden stairs...

It felt a bit cramped because this already modest space was filled with hanging curtains.

Yes, curtains similar to those in the White-Headed Sanctuary.

Hanging from ceiling to floor, they chopped the space into fragmented pieces.

Except these were not pure white. They were black with white patterns, entirely covered in abstract, rigid designs.

Given the specific color scheme, Fu Qian was actually half-tempted to view them as blackboards.

On one hand, however, the content on many of these "blackboards" was completely identical, which hardly looked like a brainstorming session.

On the other hand, the layout felt exceedingly oppressive. Opening the door was like being stared down by a crowd from on high.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

And there really was someone there.

Just as Fu Qian was evaluating the room, an unfriendly voice rang out from among the numerous Black Banners, opening with those classic philosophical questions.

Following the sound, he spotted an elderly woman sitting directly facing the door.

She wore blue robes and had black hair. The wrinkles on her face were already quite pronounced, yet despite the deep, severe lines, not a single strand of white could be seen in the hair coiled high on her head.

"Sorry to intrude. I'm just browsing. I'll call you if I need anything."

Even though her unwelcoming stance was incredibly obvious, Fu Qian didn't mind at all. Meeting her gaze with a smile, he offered his apology, playing the part of a thoroughly easygoing guest.

...

Perhaps he was being a bit too easygoing for the setting. The Blue-Robed Old Woman didn't make a sound for a moment, as if reflecting on her own wording to see if she had caused some kind of misunderstanding.

Su Gao didn't say anything either, though she looked thoroughly convinced that Professor Fu could never misunderstand anything.

For a moment, Fu Qian was afforded a rather quiet atmosphere to experience this distinct Laboratory—

"Are you very interested in this place?"

After a stretch of strange silence, the old woman spoke again. Her demeanor had suddenly grown agreeable, and she was no longer trying to drive them out.

"It is indeed quite interesting."

Fu Qian didn't hide it. As he replied, he continued to size up his surroundings, even looking up toward the wooden stairs.

"Oh? What do you find interesting about it?"

The Blue-Robed Old Woman's tone grew even gentler, to the point where she was actually asking for his impressions.

"If every floor is arranged like this, then once you strip away the building, the combined shape of it all would be quite spectacular."

Fu Qian offered his on-the-spot review, gesturing unceremoniously at their surroundings.

"That thought of yours is also quite interesting."

The old woman seemed somewhat convinced.

"Heh... since you're so interested, you can go see for yourself if the other floors are arranged the same way."

She then let out an amiable chuckle, genuinely gesturing for Fu Qian to do as he pleased.

And she was true to her word. She didn't even watch them in a way that might make her "customers" uncomfortable. Instead, she stood up and fetched something from the side. A long handle, thin twigs, shaped like a cone... was that a Broom?

It wasn't some teaching prop; the old woman began sweeping with practiced skill.

...

Swish, swish...

Amid the rhythmic sweeping, the atmosphere was undoubtedly growing more bizarre.

But to be honest, her behavior was inexplicably harmonious with the Black Banners.

With every sweep of the Broom, what little academic atmosphere remained seemed to be brushed away, replaced by the quiet serenity of a shrine.

In the blink of an eye, the old woman swept her way to the wooden stairs, giving the profound impression that her welcome was entirely sincere, as if she feared her guests might find the place too dirty to go upstairs.

In theory, though, this probably had the opposite effect. Even a novice lacking in jianghu experience couldn't help but feel vigilant in the face of such a massive contrast in her attitude.

"The ceiling height doesn't seem any lower than at my place."

Unfortunately, Professor Fu always made a point of being easygoing. He turned to confirm this with Su Gao, acting as if he were afraid people might not know he had his own independent Laboratory.

"It's very close, and the style is similar."

Su Gao was clearly following Professor Fu's lead, answering immediately and without reservation.

"Also, you can find decorative Amber at the top. Even though it isn't carved from a single piece, it still bears some resemblance to your building."

It probably wasn't an illusion; right then, the sweeping sound seemed to pause for a second, as if shocked by Professor Fu's casual flaunting of wealth.

"Indeed."

Naturally, Fu Qian had also noticed the Amber decorations Su Gao mentioned.

They really did add a considerable amount of consistency to the styles of both places.

Furthermore, he had to admit that this kind of luxurious decoration actually fit the current atmosphere much better.

"But this is only the first floor. We still need to go up and take a look to be sure."

But how could Professor Fu admit defeat so easily? He immediately started up the stairs, determined to settle the score for his own Laboratory.

...

It was spectacular indeed.

After easily stepping past the hardworking old lady, Fu Qian quickly proved his earlier hypothesis.

Every single floor really was draped with those Black Banners, and each floor's layout was different.

With every floor he climbed, Fu Qian committed what he saw to memory, easily sketching out the overall structure in his mind.

Moreover, as they went further up, the academic atmosphere vanished completely.

It was astonishingly even more barren than when Professor Fu had first taken over his Laboratory. Aside from the sparse furnishings on the first floor, the higher they went, the more obvious it became that the Black Banners were the main feature. Beneath their hanging folds, the space was completely empty.

And through this emptiness, Fu Qian and Su Gao made their way to the top of the Tower.

He could only say there was still a gap in terms of splendor. If this were a Laboratory at the Academy, such good sunlight would have bathed the entire top floor in a warm golden glow.

But here and now, only a tiny sliver of light filtered in, and even that was completely blocked by the Black Banners, unable to touch the floor.

"So, what do you think?"

While he was drawing comparisons, the Blue-Robed Old Woman's voice rang out once more. She had silently appeared right behind them.

"Not bad, but it's missing something."

Fu Qian offered a serious critique, then gestured toward a specific spot. That was the place where the Gold dial was embedded in his own Laboratory, but here, it was indeed completely empty.

"Mhm... anything else?"

The old woman followed his gaze, still maintaining her smile.

"Of course there is—is it here?"

Fu Qian gave a genuine nod, gestured above their heads, and turned to confirm with Su Gao.

"Mhm."

The latter already had her Curved Sword in hand, and following Fu Qian's gesture, she swung it in a single strike.

Crack—

As the sword light flashed past, there was no shower of falling rubble. Instead, it was as if a box had been opened.

Right above the three of them, a perfectly round head suddenly tumbled out, left dangling there by the long hair at the back of its skull.

Even though the face looked much younger at a glance, it was still easy to tell that its features looked quite a bit like the old lady beside them.