He arrived at Ziwei Academy's specialized information library, akin to the academy's internet cafe, where numerous pieces of information a lord might desire were available.
Each information room was a private cubicle, allowing for focused research. The cost was 100 spirit coins per hour, which posed no obstacle to him.
Zhou Yan entered a private room and sat in a seat resembling a ship's cabin, logging in with his student ID.
After verifying his fingerprint and facial scan, he could access the information he sought.
He searched for data concerning crystal stones on the Canglan Continent and found a significant amount of information.
Energy crystal stones were a very common source of energy, and he learned of several ways to obtain them.
The first method was through crystal stone mineral veins, where one could search for and mine them.
The second method involved hunting monsters. A list of crystal stone monsters was provided, ranging from level ten to the maximum level of one hundred, all detailed comprehensively.
Furthermore, information about their locations, monster photos, and data was thoroughly explained.
These monsters had been hunted extensively, leading to their current scarcity. Locating high-level monsters above level fifty was no longer easy.
The listed locations also included coordinates on the Lord Continent.
To reach these coordinates, he would need to purchase coordinate stones for those locations and then use the Lord's Heart to teleport to the designated area, thus reaching his destination.
The price of coordinate stones varied depending on the value of the destination. Only places of high value had dedicated coordinate stone crafters.
Moreover, the method for crafting coordinate stones was a closely guarded secret, a commercial mystery that ordinary individuals could not easily obtain.
As he attempted to view more information, he discovered it required payment, though the price was not steep, only one thousand spirit coins. Once purchased, the information was permanently accessible.
He understood the hard work of those who compiled this information, and the fee demonstrated their professionalism.
Additionally, this information had been verified, and there was no need to worry about inaccuracies. If the data were false, he could report the provider and receive a reward.
After payment, he acquired a considerable amount of information.
It indicated several areas where crystal stone mineral veins were located, with one being the largest and most abundant, known as the "Crystal Stone Production Area."
It was named so due to its prolific output of crystal stone mineral veins.
However, the area was quite dangerous, and lords below level fifty were advised against venturing there.
Even for lords above level fifty, it was recommended to wear equipment of at least Dark Gold quality, ideally possessing a few escape-type skills, and to reach above the seventy-heaven realm before going.
Furthermore, it was suggested that their army's quality should ideally be D-grade, with a minimum of ten thousand soldiers, each at level fifty, equipped with at least Golden sets, and preferably having learned several skills.
Several difficult-to-deal-with monsters were listed as appearing in that area, requiring immense power to overcome.
The details regarding mining tools, personnel, skills, and items were all meticulously laid out.
This impressed Zhou Yan greatly, acknowledging the professionalism of the compilers. He felt the thousand spirit coins were well spent.
Of course, these were merely suggestions, and the specific plans would still need to be made based on each individual lord's situation.
The information also included maps of numerous crystal stone mineral veins, over a hundred in total. As the region was vast, not much smaller than a planet, this was all they had managed to collect, with further exploration still required.
There were also maps and coordinate stones for sale. This location was indeed listed as a shop on the Canglan Continent.
To travel to the Crystal Stone Land, one would need to purchase relevant maps and coordinate stones from the trading market.
The information also cautioned that the area was extremely unsafe. If lords encountered others, they were advised to be wary, as they might be ambushed. Therefore, it was best to prepare for the worst-case scenario and be ready to teleport back to their territory if outmatched.
Several notorious bandit groups known for operating in the area were specifically mentioned. These were international criminals, wanted by all nations on the Canglan Continent.
Without formidable strength, venturing there was ill-advised.
Crystal stone mineral veins were essential for upgrading many buildings. While low-grade crystals were plentiful, high-grade ones were scarce. Five-star and above energy crystal stones were exceedingly rare on the market.
Many lords specializing in mining these stones had no trouble selling their yield, often cooperating directly with large corporations and selling their collected stones to them immediately.
Consequently, it was incredibly difficult to purchase five-star and above energy crystal stones from the market.
Without connections, acquiring them was nearly impossible.
Even with connections, the price would be several times higher than the market value, making it highly uneconomical.
He hadn't collected much in his travels to other worlds. The only efficient way was to mine them himself.
This naturally entailed high risk, but finding a profitable crystal stone mineral vein promised a steady stream of wealth.
What kind of adventurous lord would they be without taking risks?
Zhou Yan was quite confident.
As long as he didn't encounter a lord at maximum level, he doubted anyone could truly keep him. Besides, if it was too dangerous outside, he could simply remain within the confines of his territory.
He had no worries about anyone breaching his territory's defenses.
To put it bluntly,
His territory, in its current state, would make even max-level lords retreat.
His territory was replete with top-tier buildings, and his defense towers were also top-tier. Who wouldn't be afraid?
If they dared to attack, a few volleys would reduce them to dust.
Memorizing the name of the shop, he left the information library.
Unexpectedly, as he exited, he encountered a familiar face and quickly called out, "Teacher Leng Yue."
Leng Yue's exceptionally beautiful face showed surprise and genuine astonishment upon seeing Zhou Yan. She asked, "You're here to check information too?"
"Yes, I plan to research the origins of some materials."
He deliberately omitted mentioning his intention to visit the "Crystal Stone Production Area." If she knew about such a perilous place, she would surely try to stop him.
"Oh, I'm also here to look up some information. Some materials are indeed very difficult to find; I've searched the entire market without success." Leng Yue replied, some materials indeed being quite troublesome.
Although not all teachers were lords, many of them were. They not only taught students but also managed their own territories.
Furthermore, the compensation for teachers at Ziwei Academy was excellent, coupled with unique resource rewards that money couldn't buy, which explained why they chose to teach there.
Ziwei Academy itself was a remarkable institution, and many aspired to become teachers but lacked the qualifications.
Not every lord was like him, unconcerned about money and able to procure materials from myriad worlds.
He could acquire any material that could be bought with money, his only deficiency being high-level resources that money couldn't secure.
These could only be obtained through time and diligent collection.
"I wonder what materials you're looking for. Perhaps I can help."
If they weren't rare, he wouldn't mind selling them to her. However, if he needed them himself, he wouldn't simply give them away to curry favor with a teacher.
He wasn't a sycophant; he was merely a student offering assistance if possible.
It was that simple.
Leng Yue had also heard some things about Zhou Yan, knowing his background was quite mysterious and that he seemed very wealthy. Coupled with his prowess in the current trial battles, any teacher who had taken in a beginner disciple was aware of him.
"It's Void Stone. I've been searching for this item in the trading market for a long time without any luck," Leng Yue replied.
Void Stone, he actually had some. He certainly wouldn't sell the high-grade ones. He had no shortage of the five-star and below quality, in fact, he had many leftover and had kept them.
"What? You actually have those?"
Leng Yue was greatly surprised. She had searched the entire trading market and found none, yet one of her students possessed them. She believed the rumors of Zhou Yan being backed by a very mysterious force.