Chapter 34: Explode = Genius?

Chapter 34: Explode = Genius?

He was still in the cavernous room, but Elder Yu led him to the center instead of standing near the entrance, where a translucent, palm-size stone had floated down from the ceiling.

“Before we start, choose the path you want to take. Do you wish your testing to emphasize the Path of Alchemy or the Path of a Sentinel?”

William wanted to throw out Alchemy instinctively but also wasn’t keen on picking the latter. With the name it possessed, choosing the Path of a Sentinel just sounded like it was focused on combat. He would usually be happy to pick that, but this was a Sect that was clearly focused on alchemy and healing. It would be a shame if he didn’t take advantage of it.

“Excellent,” Elder Yu stated, to William’s surprise, “Choosing the Path of a Sentinel is the wise decision. Little Yin would be happy to see that you followed her advice.”

William vaguely remembered that Qin Yu, the guard that let him in, mentioned something about a Sentinel after Lan Yin talked to him, but that couldn’t be considered advice. Either way, he wasn’t happy that Elder Yu pushed him onto something he wouldn’t choose. Correcting an Elder wasn’t the best idea, but this would be the foundation for his future. He couldn’t be passive about it.

“Elder Yu,” William interjected before she continued speaking, “I was actually going to choose Alchemy.”

“That would waste your talent,” Elder Yu shook her head, “And I’m sure I heard you say you’d prefer the Path of a Sentinel. Are you saying I misheard?”

William wasn’t saying that at all. He was saying that she was forcing him to dismiss alchemy. But why bother giving him a choice if she didn’t want him to make his preferred pick? However, when Elder Yu emphasized the path he was to take, he felt a bone-chilling sensation run through his body as if he was being warned not to say the wrong thing.

With great reluctance, William murmured, “No, Elder Yu. You didn’t mishear. I chose Sentinel.”

“Good. Let’s start the testing,” Elder Yu said blandly, “This will be a formality with your talent, but regulations must be followed. Place your hand on the Meridian Evaluating Gem.”

[Side Quest Available | Join the Jade Healing Sect]

[Reward: ? | Penalty: Refusal of entry into the Jade Healing Sect]

[Accept: Y/N]

William’s mood was lifted with a side quest finally activating, even if this one had a penalty. He quickly accepted the quest and placed his hand over the translucent gem.

[Side Quest Added | Join the Jade Healing Sect]The initial posting of this chapter occurred via N0v3l.B11n.

When nothing happened after he touched the gem, William glanced at Elder Yu to see her showing a frown. It might have been easier to brush off if it had been anyone else. However, even though he had only recently become acquainted with Elder Yu, he had witnessed a range of emotions that never seemed to extend beyond a cold indifference.

William guessed that an obvious frown on Elder Yu was the equivalent of Lan Yin yelling angrily or Li Xinyue falling into a furious rage.

That erased most of William’s doubts. Switching cultivation techniques would be absolutely necessary if one desired to reach the higher realms, and that was something he wasn’t worried about at all with the system he possessed.

“I’ll do it,” William said firmly.

“Very well,” Elder Yu accepted before placing a hand on his shoulder, shifting him into a location that seemed like a library.

As William looked around the room, noticing the numerous disciples browsing through the shelves of books, Elder Yu waved a hand toward him.

[+5 HP]

“Elder Yu!”

That one disciple’s exclamation started a cascade that caused everyone within earshot to drop what they were doing and crowd Elder Yu and William.

“Go about your business,” Elder Yu said coldly, making the disciples freeze awkwardly and shuffle back to their previous activities.

“Um, thanks for healing me, Elder Yu,” William said after they were no longer being mobbed.

“You’ll be provided a private room,” Elder Yu ignored his thanks and handed him a well-used manual that suddenly appeared in her hands, “With how close you are to a breakthrough, I will give you two days to succeed.”

Before William could respond, he found himself in a sparsely decorated room stocked with food that would last a few days. It had everything a mortal needed for a short stay, and more importantly, the time was already ticking down.

[Time Remaining: 1d 23h 59m 27s]

William didn’t know Elder Yu meant two days quite so literally, but that only meant that there was no time left. He glanced at the cover of the manual and blinked.

A Beginner’s Guide to Cultivation.

The manual sounded more like a joke to trick unsuspecting mortals than an actual cultivation technique. Still, Elder Yu handed it to William, so he took it seriously and flipped to the first page.

He sat on the provided mat and quickly completed the first several pages. The common adage of not judging a book by the cover undoubtedly applied here.

As he delved into the pages, William felt a sense of familiarity wash over him. It was as if he was transported back to his old world, eagerly binging a book while forgetting everything else. Only, this time there would hopefully be a life-changing reward at the end.