The Origin of Anomalies

When the Disciple Token spoke of being the most knowledgeable existence, it deliberately paused, cleared its throat, and then said:

"Ahem."

"I joined the Heaven Defying Sect ten years ago and passed the most difficult disciple trial in history with flying colors."

"Eight years ago, I became the top inner disciple, recognized by all the elders. They vied to take me as their disciple, but in the end, it was the Grandmaster who emerged from seclusion and took me under his wing."

"Five years ago, I emerged from seclusion, already the foremost prodigy in the Cultivation World. At the same time, I acquired all the knowledge of the Heaven Defying Sect. I know everything."

"Now, the Heaven Defying Sect has decided to let me be responsible for cultivating new disciples. The Grandmaster said that seeing new disciples as young as you can help me remember the path I took and never forget my original intention."

"However, I didn't expect to encounter you."

"Heh heh~ Ning Ri, I'm truly surprised to see you among the new disciples."

"You, with the same potential as me, shouldn't be like this."

"I am now a renowned figure in the Cultivation World. By all rights, you should also be a rising star. I didn't expect that while I walk alongside other elders of the Heaven Defying Sect, you would still have to participate in this disciple trial and start anew."

"I'm a little disappointed, a little regretful, but... it's fine. I've never been a petty person. Since you have such good fortune now and will be cultivated by me."

"I will definitely make you understand what cultivation is!"

The Disciple Token's voice was light and airy, yet tinged with a subtle arrogance and disdain.

It was a display of superiority.

While it wasn't overtly looking down on him, Ning Ri felt an inexplicable surge of anger.

After a moment's thought, Ning Ri said, "Switch to manual."

As soon as he spoke.

The Disciple Token fell silent again.

After a long pause, it said:

"Your question is too complex for the Token to understand. Please rephrase your question."

Ning Ri chuckled, a hint of smugness on his face, but it quickly turned into speechlessness.

What am I even arguing with a Disciple Token for?

What's the difference between this and arguing with a smart customer service assistant on the phone?

Then, Ning Ri calmed himself down, treating it like an AI, and asked, "Hello, since you're going to cultivate me, you need to answer my questions properly."

Disciple Token: "Alright, I'll do my best to satisfy you."

Ning Ri: "Then let me ask you, what is an Anomaly?"

Disciple Token: "You don't even understand this?"

As it spoke, an unconcealable sense of superiority emanated from it.

Ning Ri: "?"

Just answer the question, man, why are you asking me back?

Didn't I choose the warm and caring option?

The Disciple Token continued, "However, given that you're still at this cultivation level after so many years, I assume you wouldn't understand. So, I've already prepared a summary for you. I'll read out some key points."

Ning Ri grunted; this sounded more like it.

Disciple Token: "When the Grandmaster personally taught me, he once told me..."

"An Anomaly is called an Anomaly because it is a place with countless rules that differ from the normal Cultivation World."

"Those rules are strange, absurd, and bizarre... If you don't act according to the rules, you will face harm, pain, and even death. That's why they are called Anomalies."

"Hmm, I remember the Grandmaster saying that Anomalies are divided into Innate Anomalies and Acquired Anomalies."

"Innate Anomalies evolve from Secret Realms. Oh... I forgot, you've wasted too much time and don't know what a Secret Realm is. It's really..."

Ning Ri: "?"

Disciple Token: "Let me start from the beginning."

"Our Cultivation World has countless small worlds. These small worlds are Secret Realms."

"In the beginning, unclaimed Secret Realms had no restrictions. Only after cultivators took control of a Secret Realm would they change the entry requirements and methods."

"Until one day, something happened in the world, and the Secret Realms underwent a drastic change."

"Unclaimed Secret Realms became extremely bizarre, and claimed Secret Realms also fell into chaos, resulting in countless deaths and injuries."

"And this, is the Innate Anomaly!"

"Do you understand?"

After listening, Ning Ri nodded slightly. So that's how it is. But he said, "You explained it terribly. I don't understand."

I need to stress-test the Disciple Token's personality programming.

If I can provide optimization suggestions to the developers of the Disciple Token, maybe I can earn some contribution points.

The Disciple Token became somewhat annoyed after hearing this. "How can you not understand this... Never mind. Since you don't understand, I'll explain it to you again..."

Seeing this, Ning Ri quickly stopped him, "No need to say more, I understand. Next, let's talk about Acquired Anomalies."

The Disciple Token said, "Acquired Anomalies are generated after powerful individuals perish. Some speculate that after the world underwent drastic changes, Anomalies invaded the bodies of these powerful beings, ultimately creating places of Anomaly."

"These Acquired Anomalies are more dangerous and terrifying than Innate Anomalies, and also very complex."

Upon hearing this, Ning Ri suddenly understood and then asked, "Then what is taming Anomalies?"

The Disciple Token scoffed, "Taming Anomalies? Do you even need to ask? It naturally means controlling them. Has your comprehension ability deteriorated to this extent?"

As it spoke, it displayed a profound sense of disappointment.

Ning Ri: "..."

What are you disappointed about?

Oh well, I chose this persona myself. Next time I'll pick a normal one.

Then, the Disciple Token continued, "Taming Anomalies is an uncontrollable ability. No one knows what actions can lead to taming an Anomaly."

"Some people simply act according to the Anomaly's rules and eventually gain control of it. Others need to constantly divine the future, and eventually control the Anomaly. Still others rely on constantly cooking and preparing meals, and eventually control the Anomaly..."

"There are no patterns or methods that can be spoken of when it comes to taming Anomalies."

Hearing this, Ning Ri's mind gained a basic understanding of Anomalies.

Ning Ri curiously asked again, "But don't mortals get troubled by Anomalies?"

He had been a mortal for so many years and had never heard of Anomalies...

The Disciple Token retorted, "Of course mortals are troubled by Anomalies! What kind of idea is that? You are too ignorant! Are you truly the Ning Ri I am conversing with?"

Ning Ri was so amused he laughed, "..."

The Disciple Token explained, "The Anomaly that troubles mortals is this: without the help of a cultivator, they cannot obtain the methods of cultivation."

"They must be taught cultivation techniques by a living cultivator in order to cultivate."

"In ancient times, there were mortals who encountered fortuitous encounters and obtained inheritances, establishing themselves as immortals. But nowadays, when mortals pass by such inheritance sites, they gain nothing."

Hearing this, Ning Ri was stunned—

Really?

Then... how did I manage to?

My Qi Refining Art was obtained by chance--

I just picked it up one night.

At the time, I thought I had a fortuitous encounter. Later, when I discovered the technique was the Qi Refining Art and it was incomplete, I even tutted...

But after hearing what the Disciple Token said, Ning Ri's thoughts immediately became subtle...

The Disciple Token continued, "And when mortals have Mortal Anomalies, they will no longer suffer interference from other Anomalies."

"Only after they become cultivators will the Mortal Anomaly be dispelled."

"So, do you understand now?"