In a treasure house, Sun Mo saw the gift Bai Wenzhang wanted to give him.
This was a metallic box that was silver in color. It looked like a speaker and there were various runic lines engraved on its surface.
“What is contained within it exactly?”
Sun Mo was curious.
Such a large treasure house, but there was only a single box placed here? Most probably, the item inside must be exceedingly valuable.
“No idea!”
Bai Wenzhang stared at the box and felt some regret. “I hope you will be able to solve this mystery within your lifetime!”
“Is it so difficult?”
Li Ziqi was shocked.
Something that Bai Wenzhang couldn’t even open? And this was something he also didn’t feel Sun Mo whom he was filled with admiration could solve? How tough must the difficulty of the spirit rune puzzle be?
“It’s not only difficult, but it’s also very troublesome too!”
Bai Wenzhang pointed to the nine squares on the box. “This is the spirit rune lock. If you want to open it, you have to ‘shift’ the runic line patterns to form the correct picture.”
“However, you can only try this once per year. If you attempt it too many times within a short period, it will seal itself for at least several decades or even centuries before you can attempt it again.”
When Sun Mo heard Bai Wenzhang’s words, he was a little speechless. Why did it sound like a mobile phone unlocking function? Besides, he also felt like asking if there was a fingerprint unlock function.
Or maybe even facial recognition?
“This is a battle spoil I obtained after killing over a hundred opponents in the ruins on the fifth level of the Darkness Continent!”
When Bai Wenzhang spoke, his tone was filled with a sense of superiority.
Because being able to head to the fifth level of the Darkness Continent was already an impressive achievement by itself. Moreover, gaining victory over a hundred opponents? This was definitely a matter that could be bragged about for one’s entire life.
“Now, I’m giving it to you.”
When Bai Wenzhang said this, he heaved a sigh of relief. Half of those few most important ‘worries’ he had in his life had been resolved.
“Dean, might I be so impudent to ask you what the third world-class difficulty is?”
Although Sun Mo wasn’t interested in solving puzzles, he didn’t mind taking a look to broaden his horizons. There were no disadvantages to this.
“Have you not already seen it?” Bai Wenzhang teased.
“Ah? That skeleton?” Sun Mo was surprised.
“Mn, the manor rules dictate that one would only be able to see the third question after solving the first two. In truth, other than the deans of each generation and the most outstanding personal disciples, no one would be able to view it.”
Bai Wenzhang sighed ruefully.
“Actually, in the treasury earlier, many ancient spirit runes are similar to the two questions with world-class difficulty. We show them to the public because we wish to expand the manor’s influence and maintain a sense of mysteriousness.”
For some organizations, it was a must to take out a secret treasure that everyone yearned for.
For example, the Central Province Academy. Many great teachers who wanted to get into the Nine Greats looked down on the school. But for the sake of using the darkness illusion dojo to improve themselves, they sought employment in the Central Province Academy.
And from now on, the ecology garden would also become one of the ‘signboards’ of the Central Province Academy.
“Let’s go up!”
After Bai Wenzhang showed everything to Sun Mo, he led him back to the study room.
Creak, the door swung open.
Xiao Feng immediately charged in.
“Teacher, are you okay? Do you want to take a shower and change into a new set of robes?”
Xiao Feng smiled earnestly and rapidly swept his gaze through the study room before sneaking a glance at Sun Mo and Li Ziqi, wanting to see if there was anything different about them.
After that, the silver box Li Ziqi was carrying drew his attention.
“What is this? Why have I not seen this before?”
Xiao Feng suddenly felt very unhappy.
He felt as though he had lost a million dollars.
If Sun Mo knew his thoughts, Sun Mo would definitely tell him that it was not a million. It was a hundred billion.
“Ziqi, pay attention to your diet and rest more. Three days later, I’ll draw the Spirit Permanence Rune for you!”
Bai Wenzhang reminded them and then looked at Sun Mo. “I might as well be the good guy all the way. Get your other disciples to prepare themselves too!”
After hearing this, Xiao Feng grew anxious. “Teacher, your body…”
Naturally, this was an excuse. The main reason was because he was jealous.
Given his teacher’s status and techniques, he wouldn’t act easily. But the moment he acted, it would be for a heavenly high price. Moreover, the other party had to have status equal to his…
Now, he was actually giving freebies?
How many students did Sun Mo have?
Nine, right?
If payment was collected, Sun Mo would definitely go bankrupt countless times.
“Many thanks for Dean’s kind intention.”
Sun Mo clasped his fist. “But there’s no need for you to do so for the others.”
It wasn’t that Sun Mo was showing favoritism. Instead, he didn’t want everyone to nurture the bad habit of relying on spirit runes.
In the Nine Provinces, there had never been a world-class expert that depended on a body full of spirit runes to become famous.
As for Li Ziqi, there was truly no other solution.
“That’s fine too!”
Bai Wenzhang felt very gratified.
“Hehe!”
Xiao Feng was joyful. (Do you know what you have missed out on?)
“In any case, with your current standards, you will need at most ten years to stand equally with me. At that time, when your students require the Spirit Permanence Rune, you can draw it for them personally.”
Bai Wenzhang praised.
“Ah?”
Xiao Feng was stunned. (Teacher’s evaluation for Sun Mo is actually so high?) However, he grew even more depressed as things continued on.
“Teacher Sun, I’m preparing to do an experiment in ten days. I hope that you can be my assistant.”
Bai Wenzhang beseeched.
“Sure!”
Sun Mo agreed straightforwardly.
“Teacher!” Xiao Feng was anxious. “How can such heavy responsibilities be handed to him?”
Xiao Feng felt extremely sour as though a huge lemon had just been stuffed in his heart.
He had been Bai Wenzhang’s personal student for 15 years but never had the chance to be his assistant before. Yan Sui and Cui Shun`en were always the ones assisting Bai Wenzhang.
Because every time an experiment failed, the amount of money lost would be astronomical. Besides, a human life would be lost as well.
“Shut up!” Bai Wenzhang berated. “You are not allowed to be rude to Teacher Sun.”
Xiao Feng was sullen.
“Also, don’t be so impolite in the future. You have to treat Teacher Sun like how a disciple would treat their master.”
Bai Wenzhang warned.
“Based on what?”
Xiao Feng was unhappy.
(He’s even younger than me, but his seniority is higher than mine? I can’t accept it!)
“Based on the fact he is more outstanding than you by ten thousand times!”
Bai Wenzhang’s words were like a steel knife plunged into Xiao Feng’s heart.
“A…am I that inferior?”
Xiao Feng didn’t believe it.
“If you still don’t want to work hard, you won’t even have the qualifications to compare yourself to him a year later.”
Bai Wenzhang sighed.
…
After Sun Mo and the rest walked out from the study room, the others who were waiting outside immediately crowded over.
“Teacher Sun, the treatment effect is very good, and the recovery of the experimental subjects is also relatively well!”
Cui Shun`en looked at Sun Mo with admiration in his eyes.
If it wasn’t for the fact that he was too old, he really wanted to learn the Ancient Dragon Capturing Hands from him.
“You are praising me too much!”
Sun Mo was modest.
“Ai, if you came here earlier, we would be able to save the lives of many experimental subjects!”
Yan Sui felt regret. After that, he grew joyful. “Why don’t you join our manor? It’s also not too late now!”
Everyone immediately stared at Sun Mo with eyes filled with anticipation.
“…”
Sun Mo didn’t know what to say.
Li Ziqi who was following behind secretly smiled. (My teacher almost became your dean.)
“Teacher!”
His students all came as well and hurriedly greeted him.
“Are you alright?”
Ying Baiwu surveyed Sun Mo from top to bottom. After ascertaining that he wasn’t injured, she finally heaved a sigh of relief.
“Where’s Zhiruo?”
Sun Mo frowned. He could understand why Xuanyuan Po didn’t want to come. He must be cultivating. But the papaya girl would surely be here. Given the amount of worship she felt for him, she would definitely be waiting for him at the door every day.
“Senior martial sister is trying to decipher the second world-class difficulty question!”
Xianyu Wei squeezed her way to the front while musing mentally. (Can you guys allow me to show my face?)
Lu Zhiruo saw that Li Ziqi’s performance was outstanding as she followed Sun Mo. But she, as the second senior martial sister, wasn’t good at anything at all. Hence, she grew anxious.
However, just so coincidentally, she had some discoveries at the stone house where the second world-class difficulty question was. She then decided to work harder and seek a breakthrough.
…
For the next three days, other than heading over to check on the recovery situations of the experimental subjects, Sun Mo used the remaining time to understand the Spirit Permanence Rune as well as the detailed information of the operation.
Although Bai Wenzhang would take action personally, Sun Mo still wanted to understand this thoroughly just to be prepared.
If Bai Wenzhang made a mistake, he would be able to step up.
Finally, the time for the operation arrived.
“Eldest martial sister, I’m cheering for you!”
Lu Zhiruo waved her fists.
Sun Mo forbade everyone from following them to the operating room. They could do whatever they wanted outside.
When Sun Mo and Li Ziqi left, Lu Zhiruo sat nervously on the chair.
Her eldest martial sister was about to have a spirit rune tattoo. This was a major event. Hence, Lu Zhiruo was very worried that she wouldn’t be in the mood to try and decipher the puzzle.
“What harvest do you have?”
Tantai Yutang was curious.
“I feel that there are many ferocious beasts in there calling out. Maybe there’s no need to use spirit runes to resolve the situation. I think the key should be the art of spiritual control instead.”
This was her inference after Lu Zhiruo knew that the key to deciphering the first question lay in linguistics and not spirit runes.
“Baiwu, didn’t our teacher bring a silver box back? Why don’t you take it out for us to have a look?”
The sickly invalid was too bored and wanted to find some entertainment.
“Yeah, take it out for us to have a look!”
Qin Yaoguang chirped in.
Ying Baiwu took the box out because she knew that their teacher wouldn’t keep this a secret from everyone.
“You can just look at it, but don’t touch it randomly!”
The iron-headed girl warned.
The few students cast a few glances at it and lost interest.
“As expected, I have no talent in spirit runes!”
Lu Zhiruo sighed. However, she didn’t give up. She simply lay on the desk and stared at the runic lines of the box.
The operation’s duration was a little long. Tantai Yutang and the others waited for a while and lost patience. All of them stood up and left this area.
Only until afternoon did Jiang Leng’s ears suddenly prick up.
“Teacher has returned!”
After speaking, Jiang Leng rushed out.
Ying Baiwu hurriedly followed him.
“Wait for me!”
Lu Zhiruo stood up, but because she moved too fast and her movement was too big, her knee accidentally knocked into the desk’s leg. After that, the silver box on the desk fell.
“Oh no!”
Lu Zhiruo was badly shocked. She hurriedly tried to catch it, but it was already too late.
Pak!
The box fell to the ground.
“Ah, please don’t let it be damaged from the drop!”
Lu Zhiruo was extremely anxious. She placed the box back onto the desk and discovered that the runic lines had all lit up.
Because when she had placed the box back on the desk, she had accidentally touched the spirit rune lock.
“It’s over!”
Lu Zhiruo was badly anxious.
Her junior martial sister Ying Baiwu had told her not to touch it randomly.
“What to do? What to do?”
The papaya girl was worried Sun Mo might scold her. Hence, she racked her brains, trying to think of a solution. “Wouldn’t it be fine if I rearrange the squares of the spirit rune lock back to their original positions?”
“Luckily, I still remember their previous appearances!”
Lu Zhiruo immediately started to act. However, rearranging these runic lines was like playing with a Rubic’s cube. It looked simple but the more you moved them, the more chaotic they would become.
“Oh no, what’s going on?”
Lu Zhiruo was sweating profusely. Her movements of rearranging grew quicker and quicker. This was especially so after she could hear talking voices ringing out right outside the door now. She was so nervous that she could die.
“I’m dead for sure! I’m dead for sure!”
Lu Zhiruo felt tears streaming down her face. “After this, I will not be Teacher’s favorite student anymore.”
Just when the papaya girl was preparing to kneel and apologize for her mistake, she heard the silver box producing a ‘clicking’ sound. After that, it started glowing brightly.
The box opened!
