Chapter 682 - Gold and Glitter (X) (Patreon)

Wow.

That one's definitely deserving of a 'wow', I gotta say. And here I was, worried that he won't stack up to the others. Pshaw. It's Zhao'er! Of course he'd stack up to the best of 'em!

[A remarkable feat has triggered a set of rewards][...][Reward 1: Next Sword Art has its point cap increased to 5,000; Host still has to spend the points][Reward 2: Drawing Blade of Light (peak-Myth)][Reward 3: Crescent-Cut Stele (Dao)][...][Drawing Blade of Light (peak-Myth) -- a light sword infused with the trace of Dao of Light, its sharpness unparalleled among its ranks. Cannot be wielded normally, however, but only as a draw weapon. Causes all draw-related arts and bonuses to be increased by 50% across the board, and reduces the physical strain of repeated sword draws. Has an inscribed ability to unilaterally disperse all Darkness Domains under Dao tier. Weapon cannot be destroyed][...][Crescent-Cut Stele (Dao) -- a strange, palm-sized object that contains a lingering trace of Primordial Sword Will. Legends suppose that it is the first Sword Will ever manifested, produced by Dao itself. Studying it, however, is extremely dangerous; those lacking in talent when it comes to Sword will find their own Will slowly shaved down and eroded until there is nothing left. Those worthy, however, have a chance of manifesting their own Sword Will. Note: Crescent-Cut Stele is an existing object that hasn't been seen in nearly half a billion years; if discovered that it is in Host's possession, it may lead to unpredictable consequences][...][Good luck, Host!]

No, no, my 'wow' was premature. I should have held it in and waited, because, by God, this is now in the realm of wowzah squared. Honestly, just one of these rewards would have filled me up like a forty-pound stake, but all three got me feeling like a freakin' Santa Clause during the 'morning after'. I'm so full I might just explode.

Even if all three rewards are clearly intended for Zhao'er, it's not like I'll never have another Sword-obsessed disciple. They, too, will get to learn the art I'm yet to make, and they, too, will get to observe the stele. The sword itself is pretty much Zhao'er-exclusive as I don't think I'll come across another dumbass who will give it his all for the art of weapon drawing.

... and now that I think of it, the created sword art will probably also be for Zhao'er as I already have something I can quantifiably call 'cool' in mind. So, alright, maybe only one of the three nuclear rewards will be useable by others, but still. Seriously, wowzah.

I hardly had the time to settle my heart before a mirage flashed in front of me and a young boy--no, can't even pretend anymore. Xi Zhao was now at least six-three, his shoulders broader than mine, yet still quite lean. On the other hand, his face was still beaming youth, and the utter lack of beard just reinforced it. Still, can't call him young boy anymore, that's for sure.

He's become a fine young man.

"Master, I've broken through successfully!" he said, falling down to his knees and kowtowing. Despite me repeatedly telling them all not to do it, it's like... in the one ear and out the other.

"Hm, good job," I said. "I'm extremely proud. Come, sit," I said, taking out two bowls yet again and pouring some wine into them. "Let your Master toast you."

"A-ah, yes!" he exclaimed quite excitedly, sitting up with a wide smile and taking the bowl with shaky hands. Is it really that big of a deal to share a drink with me? Huh. We downed it in one go, with him coughing a bit after the fact. All the same, I took out the sword and laid it onto the table between us.

"This is your first reward," I said. "Once you've familiarized yourself with it, come find me. Also, think for some time about what kind of an art do you want. Be creative, alright?"

"Y-yes, Master," Zhao'er's hands still continued shaking as he reached over and grabbed the sword.

The thing was about thirty inches long, actually; it did weigh practically nothing, but in appearance it was far from a 'short' sword. It was about two fingers wide, its blade flat and straight, though rimmed with golden light that repeatedly shimmered. The guard was threaded with red gold, sprawling out symmetrically, while the handle was leatherbound.

Zhao'er took it and lifted it up--as soon as he did, resonance rippled out, sharp and biting to the point that my poor furniture immediately got cut into. Just holding it, he looked quite majestic.

"Do you like it?" I asked.

"... I love it," he replied. "Master, are you sure I can have this sword? I'm fairly certain, if you sold it, you could get about a thousand Divine-tier Spirit Stones."

"Hm, as if there's a soul in this godforsaken world that can afford that sword," I rolled my eyes. That's exactly what I need--even more eyes on us. "Take it and wield it as justly as you can. And you lot, why are you peeking in like stalkers? Either come inside or go away." by now, everyone had climbed up here and were staring at us from varying points of the small pavilion--I'll seriously have Shufen install some locks on this damn thing. May as well be an open field as it is now.

"What do you think, Brother Tao?" Zhao'er immediately went to Long Tao and handed him the sword; the latter took it, frowned as it sliced once or twice and nearly destroyed the pavilion (thankfully, the kids quickly blocked the biting Qi of the sword), and nodded a few times.

"A fine sword," wow, holy shit. Long Tao actually praised it? "Master's collection keeps surprising me more and more. Those coffers and vaults, Master... just how deep do they run?"

"I'll keep digging even if there's nothing left if it's for you kids," I replied. "Anyway, why did you all come?"

"To see what you'll give him," Xiu'er replied immediately. "Master, you better prepare an even better gift for when I break through into the Void Transformation Realm!" my eyelids twitched for a moment as I foresaw my future. System, I hope you'll keep spitting out crazier and crazier things, all so I can live up to the expectations of these little gremlins.

"Haah, yes, yes, Xiu'er. Master will prepare a very special present for you."

"I'll break through tomorrow," Shufen said. "What will you give me?"

"..." practically everyone whipped their heads and looked at her. All the same, she shamelessly endured it and just stared right at me, unflinching. Wow. That actually deserves some praise. "A pat on the back? What do you mean, what will I give to you? I gave you a home, I cured you, I--"

"--bla, bla, bla. I'm your Disciple, just like all these brats here. Just because I'm marginally older than them doesn't mean you get to treat me any differently. So, generous Master, you better prepare something nice for me tomorrow. Otherwise, my poor heart might just break."

"I'm pretty sure you don't even have a heart, you old crone."

"And now you have to prepare me a second gift," she said. "Master, Master. You can't just call beautiful maidens crones, and especially 'old' crones. That's just cruel." I'll never understand why people here are still so sensitive about their age. I mean, yeah, compared to the rest of us, she's fucking ancient--but I'm pretty sure there are thousands of people against whom she comes off as a child, too. Oh well.

"Fine, fine. My apologies, o' ye, what'd you say you are? Ah, a beautiful maiden. I'll prepare a gift worthy of a beautiful maiden."

"... why do you make it sound like you'll give me a pretty dress and a mirror?"

"I'll give a gift worthy of a beautiful maiden." a few chuckles, and a few more stifled laughs later, everybody finally dispersed as I stood up and stretched. For a moment I considered taking out the stele, but I'll first have to confer with Long Tao to see how to handle it because, as always, the system was fairly vague about 'worthiness' and such.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure the system won't give me anything special for Shufen breaking through into the Foundation Establishment Realm so... what the heck do I even have to give that old thing? I better find something, just in case.