Leo Moon moved to a room.

Leo Moon got ready for dinner.

Leo Moon attended dinner.

The events of that night became blurry snapshots on Ben's head. His mind was exhausted, and he was unmotivated.

Leo still put up with it and tried to participate, but he felt even more alienated.

He saw one angry face and a pleading for more in the middle of all this, and they were like sparks, waking him up.

'I wonder when will she become decisive?'

They all had dinner, and after some drinks with even more people. Ben noticed how happy they all were.

But feeling a bit tired, after spending enough time, Ben tried to leave the hall.

Right outside, he encounters a young teenage girl waiting for him.

"Good evening, Sir Moon," she said in a formal tone and attitude.

"My master sends her regards and this gift. On behalf of the Volcano Sect, I come to show our gratitude. In addition, my master and the Sect Leader also send their willingness to meet if you have any requests."

'Formal and precise. While willing to meet, granting it isn't specified. Also, for the girl to use her master name in such a way, they must hold a very high position.'

His eyes felt cold to her, but a smile appeared when he received the box.

Taking a look inside, Leo noticed a book, a few pieces of old paper, and a letter on top.

'Quite extravagant.' He thought.

After taking a casual look at the formal letter, Leo closed the box.

"Please thank your master back on my behalf. Tell her I'm overly satisfied with the gift and wish Eloise a full and speedy recovery. And that I'll keep your sect goodwill in mind."

He didn't mention a meeting or further requests. So the girl only bowed again and departed at a leisurely pace.

Leo went straight to his room, not minding the eyes around anymore. The encounter seemed to have woken him out of some trance.

'Are they baiting me like there is no tomorrow? Or else, why would they put in isolated pieces of knowledge like this?'

The old papers consisted of one pill recipe, one defensive array drawing, and a stealth technique.

After looking at their level, Ben concluded the tree pieces should be high-end knowledge from the Volcano repository. However, they alone don't do much.

'Those aren't some secretive knowledge. However, perhaps they aren't sure I can predict their level? Or maybe, this is only them showing their intention at what kind of stuff they would be willing to provide me if asked within limits. Anyway, if they were trying to entice me, this is useless. Not because it isn't great, but because I can't use this since those need a strong cultivated soul.'

Storing the old papers away in his new ring, Leo looked at the old book at the bottom of the wood box.

'Now, this is interesting.'

["INSIGHTS"] was written on the book hardcover in vibrant white color.

From it, some fluctuation in energy radiated. The paint was very refined. And the rest of the book materials was too. Everything was of the highest quality.

The book could last a long time. Not hundreds but up to millions if even only slightly well stored.

Inside, information wasn't only stored in the text but in the paper itself. Although, the most valuable unit was the original. A copy that passes through vigorous quality requirements was still invaluable.

Unfortunately, a copy of a copy loses even more of its initial quality, remaining by then not even one percent of the original. As a result, keeping the original book in perfect conditions was a must, as only in this way can such knowledge disseminate further.

However, the loss of extra information didn't stop people from copying those books. Even if it was only the text, those are still words of a great character.

For instance, Ben has read the book ["INSIGHTS"] long ago, but he could only get his hands on an energyless copy. By then, the deep insight from the book was unavailable, and the content left was only its shell.

While Leo did know Volcano still had the original, he never thought he would receive an original copy. Since each copy costs an astronomical amount, a long time, and a ridiculous effort, even an organization like Volcano gifted such a thing rarely.

Because he understood its rarity, he couldn't wait and read it immediately.

He took the book in his hand, feeling its material. Next, he carefully opened it and looked at the first page.

["Insights by Chloe Volcano"]

'It truly is... a copy of the famous book from their most long-lived leader, Chloe. She wasn't the strongest, the smartest, nor the craziest. But since she kept living and the time she spent leading the Sect, Chloe became their most famous ancestor. According to the rumors, she was older than me when she finally passed away. That puts her in the top 50 of the most long-lived individuals from known history.'

Not wasting time, Ben began to read the book.

[INSIGHTS

This book is for my family that will keep on living. Good luck.

Written by Chloe Volcano.

Chapter 1:

We all begin by seeking strength. However, at the end of becoming powerful, there is only weakness.

...]

'Weakness...'

Every word was as beautiful as Ben remembered. But they were now intertwined with powerful intent.

Because the book radiated energy settled in specific ways, when you read it while using all your senses, the reader could grasp the author's will.

This technique uses the same fundamental principle that complex fields like Refinement, Arrays, and Alchemy employ. However, this is a purer form of implementation. The book only has one objective: to cause an allusion by exciting the reader's senses.

Whatever one takes from such a piece of art still depends on their ability, knowledge, and willingness to practice.

Because of its subject, ["Insights"] was a popular book. But not between high-level characters. Chloe's most famous legacy didn't aim at her peers or those who craved strength. This book found its place in-between the novices and mortals due to its marvelous take on longevity and well-being.

However, due to ["Insights"] nature, it wasn't as widely spread, not even within the ranks of the Volcano Sect. Unquestionably, Chloe reached heights few have ever reached towards longevity, but how can a Sect like Volcano stand the test of time if they couldn't defend themselves? Because of that, even Chloe herself left strict orders to limit access to this work.

As a result, the book, which anyone without context would believe to be a must-read for every Volcano's successor, wasn't part of their primary teaching material. And it was all because Chloe's achievements were within the pacifist realm, a path not fitting in such a war-filled world.

[... My earnest advice would be: do not consider your body a weapon only. Foremost, your body must be YOU, so treat yourself with care, with the same affection you would treat your cultivation, with the same respect you would treat your soul. ...]

'Such advice would only be applicable to those with a high-quality soul. How would you cultivate if you had no talent in doing so? To lack such characteristics is unreasonably common.'

Before everything else, Chloe Volcano was a scientist. Her book went into great detail to explain how she achieved every given insight. For example, her work began when she observed her two older twin brothers. While watching them cultivate and change, her curiosity about different paths was born. And from that day on, she never stopped inquiring about everyone around her, more and more.

[... My brothers were bright stars in my sky. By going farther first, they led me to a new path. To my fortune, I had little talent. I could not be impatient.

...

My gratitude first goes towards my close family as they cared for me. However, it was my Sect that made my achievements possible. As only it could provide me the comfort to explore uncharted areas. ...]

'Now, I remember that wasn't something like this a famous quote back on Earth too? Something like, you need the basic needs before innovating. Why did I miss this last time?'

Because the book included more than words, Ben's was slow. As a result, he went on reading through the night.

[... Be patient. Be careful. Washing your internal network, as mentioned, will bring incredible results corresponding to one's sensitivity towards techniques.

...

Value your blood. I would advise using a complete blood refinement for anyone seeking mastery in technical fields.

...

The mentioned meditation method will turn your soul robust around your heart. While the initial results will be considered substandard, I found the corresponding development crucial when stumbling to achieve stable longevity.

...]

["Insights"] gave remarkable details of Chloe's research and her conclusions on diverse topics. Often, she stopped her mixed-in autobiography and provided examples and their related relevancy. Every piece of advice had a context, and each had its limitations.

The whole time, Ben focused on reading. He compared his conclusion to hers and tried to excavate hidden meaning while sensing a bit of Chloe's will.

Ben turned down a few invitations the next day and stayed in the room.

[... We are allowed to improve ourselves. We can choose how to evolve and how to better ourselves. So when deciding which path you must take, do so cautiously. When deciding what to do to yourself, do so carefully.

...

If you may select longevity, you must know why. Clear your mind so that your entire body doesn't crumble away even before its time. What do you seek? Be clear.

...

To this problem, the solution would often be discipline. Hence, cultivate it as much as you do your soul and body.

...

The full moon perfectly contrasting the black sky was the best view I have ever seen. Those mountains seem to affect people in a way that would make anything seem spectacular. ...]

Ben kept on reading. Without him even leaving the room once, the second night came. Nevertheless, he didn't stop. Later, he noticed the second day arriving, and he eventually stopped. However, before getting ready for the auction, he stored the book away inside his chest to keep it safe.

'Good thing I used quite a bit from inside already, or it wouldn't have fit.'

While he took time to read, Ben noticed his weird mood swings.

He wasn't feeling like himself lately, almost as if he was floating around aimlessly.

"Maybe reading in this state wasn't a good idea."

Leo took a deep breath and turned around.

Looking in a mirror, Ben talked to himself: "What is happening? Am I losing myself?"

He looked so disregarded. And while he always looked old, his eyes now seemed to lack any spark.

"What are you doing?" Leo talked to himself.

"Who are you?" Ben had a staring contest with himself in the mirror.

"Am I dying?" Philip pondered.

But knocks on the doors interrupted him. Someone came to confirm if Leo was going to the auction.

And since it would take him another week and a half to finish carefully reading the book, Leo chose to go. Maybe it would help him out, he hoped.