Chương 339: Truths and Lies (XXV)

There were more windows to sort through, but I paused for a moment as I saw a reward that only I could use--a true rarity. I took out the Blossoming Eternity from one of the spatial rings, spawning it in front of myself--it was a flat blade about thirteen inches long, perfectly symmetrical, with a gemmed-out center from the handle to the tip. There were exactly twelve crystals protruding on both sides of the blade.

At the moment they sported a rather dull hue--gray and lacking any luster--though I imagine that will change when I attack. The handle itself was rather ornate, curving out and back in like a twirling mustache, with inlaid motifs of lotus flowers carved into its material, which I couldn't really recognize. Grabbing it, the handle felt... smooth. It honestly looked as though someone took flower petals and rolled them around a piece of wood, but the feeling under my finger suggested it was some high-end leather.

I swung it around a few times without using any Qi, and it felt rather pleasant; it was light, but not too light, and it would leave a slightly pleasant aroma behind when it would cut through the air. It wasn't exactly a world-ender by any means, but... it was mine. And it was goddamn beautiful.... I wonder, though, will everyone and their mother make fun of me in this world because of the flower motif? They shouldn't, no?

I mean, not that it would mean anything to me, to be honest, but it would be kind of annoying. Eh. Who cares? Once I load up all these crystals and unleash the ultimate attack, I will have them kneeling beneath the mountain of flowers, begging to be--khm. Pulling back, pulling back. Putting it away, I stretched for a moment before I looked over the remaining few windows, all of which had to do with Dai Xiu and Wan Lan breaking through into the Spirit Manifestation Realm.

[--congratulations, Host, on guiding two of your Disciples into breaking through into the Spirit Manifestation Realm] [Disciple Dai Xiu has successfully formed Enduring Wind Spirit] [Disciple Wan Lan has successfully formed Undying Spirit] [...] [Special Rewards have been granted] [...] [Reward 1: Paradox-Cycle Reversal Array (+ x2 sets of materials)] [...] [Paradox-Cycle Reversal Array (???) -- a formation of unknown origin, said to have been created during the Second Epoch of Silence, a period of time that is, to this day, entirely shrouded in mystery, as there are no physical records of anything that transpired in this nearly ten million year long period. The array itself has only been activated once, revealing its perverse nature; all accumulated damage by those who create it is rewound across the echoes, parts of it mirrored back onto the hostiles caught within the formation's limits. The inscription within its innermost core rings wholly true: Blood shall soak the skies, and death shall be our song. Note: the Array is an existing element within the world, though its current whereabouts are unknown. Deploy it with caution] If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. [...] [Reward 2: Writ of the Eras (???)] [Writ of the Eras (???) -- a single-page tome detailing recognized epochs of time] [...] [Reward 3: Ephemeral Comprehension Array (???) (+ x10 sets of materials)] [Ephemeral Comprehension Array (???) -- a rare variant of a more well-known 'Martial Comprehension Array', it offers far greater boost to comprehension of martial arts at the expense of it being temporary. Lasts 1h per a set of materials and massively increases comprehension, with a slight chance of triggering Enlightenment] [...] [Reward 4: Disciples Wan Lan and Dai Xiu have gained new traits] [Wan Lan has gained 'Undying Spirit (Epic)' Trait] [Undying Spirit (Epic) -- a Dao Path of the Undying has been opened; an indomitable spirit that is nigh-impossible to break, she will find the will to endure and fight even in the most desperate situations] [...] [Dai Xiu has gained the 'Shattering Fist (Epic)' Trait] [Shattering Fist (Epic) -- a Dao Path of the Fist has been opened; learning and mastering Fist Arts is far easier, all Fist Arts gain bonuses to their effects, and every Fist attack gains a barrier and armor-penetrating property] Hooh. When Long Tao broke through, I 'only' got the big ol' chariot. Does that mean that the chariot is worth as much as all of these 4? Nah.

It's probable that I don't really have that much to do with Long Tao's breakthroughs, as it's kind of his own thing (the fact that I get anything is already amazing), whereas Dai Xiu is entirely my doing! And Wan Lan is... well, partially my doing! There's honestly so much to digest, but I realize that I can't because there is a pair of eyes staring at me inquisitively and a smirk to boot just beneath them.

"You've woken up," I said.

"Slept great," Long Tao replied.

"I'm glad. You almost died, you know?"

"Wouldn't be the first time. That I almost died, I mean," he added with a shrug and a quick follow-up.

"Right," I smiled faintly.

"That healing art you've taught us... it saved me," he said, his tone rather serious for a change.

"That's why I taught it to you lot," I said.

"To save you. How are you feeling?"

"Like I almost died." well, he's joking, so it can't be that bad.

"Were you here the whole time?"

"Yes. I had nothing better to do within a city full of ruin and dead than sit here and watch you take a nap."

"..." he rolled his eyes and smiled.

"We can't stay for long."

"We won't. We're leaving tonight."

"... hm?"

"What is it?"

"Nothing. I just tried cultivating and... it was a bit faster."

"Oh. How fascinating."

"Indeed. You had nothing to do with it?"

"How could I have anything to do with increasing your cultivation speed?"

"..."

"If you've healed up, go out and help your brothers and sisters."

"Ah. How cruel of you, Master." Though he said that, he did get up and stretch.

"Making a man who almost died work so quick."

"No, I'm not."

"Hm?"

"I'm making a boy who almost died work." His eyebrows twitched for a moment before he turned to leave, not saying another word. I sighed, standing up as well and dismissing all system windows. I'll sort out all the rewards as we go out, but, for now, I have some guilty conscience to exorcise. Once more it became evident that nobody else could see or even sense Eternity--not even when it was sitting on Long Tao's head in the shape of a strange cone.

I had to pretend it wasn't even there just to not burst out into laughter. It makes sense, I suppose; this thing here that has latched onto my shoulder in the shape of a strange flower is likely the oldest living thing that exists. But that brought up another conundrum--the system knew about it. Rather, it knew everything about it. On top of that, it allowed me to be the one anomaly in the world of the oldest living relic in the world. A thing that ignores the very concept of time, for time doesn't exist for it.

Somehow, some way, I'm the first one to be an anomaly in its world.... it does beg the question: just what in God's name is the system?