How to become a Beyonder

At the head of the Bronze Long Table, Zhou Mingrui had already given his reply.

Shrouded in the gray fog, his back stiffened slightly. His gaze remained fixed on Lin Chuan as he waited for the man's next words, hoping to judge whether he was friend or foe, where he had come from, what he wanted, and how much he knew.

After Zhou Mingrui said, "You're here," the curve of Lin Chuan's lips deepened slightly. Rather than answer immediately, he shifted his gaze away from Zhou Mingrui and looked over Audrey and Alger again.

This time, he studied them a little more closely, like an elder sizing up younger people he had just met, with just the right amount of curiosity and friendliness, without being intrusive.

Then he spoke, his tone a little lighter than before, with the faintest hint of amusement:

"Yes, I'm here."

"But... actually, I shouldn't be here," he added. This time, however, he spoke in Chinese.

Lin Chuan didn't look at Zhou Mingrui's expression, which was probably one of utter bewilderment by now. It wasn't that he wasn't curious about young Zhou's reaction, but that he couldn't see it. Through the gray fog, he could make out only a silhouette, not any expression.

"Tsk."

He inwardly lamented the situation. They had all been roommates hanging like cured meat above Sefirah Castle, so why did the first one here get dibs?

Zhou Mingrui had been the first to establish a connection with Sefirah Castle. If Lin Chuan didn't want to trigger its defenses and get kicked out, he could only remain here as an "ordinary person."

In a situation like this, whenever something didn't make sense, all he had to do was curse the Celestial Worthy inwardly. Everything was the Celestial Worthy of Heaven and Earth for Blessings' fault anyway.

Of course, whether he was an "ordinary person" or "a man who reached heaven beneath the universal radiance" was open to interpretation. In plain language: take a guess.

Lin Chuan tilted his head slightly toward Audrey. After a moment's thought, he greeted them politely in Loenese:

"Are you two our new friends? It's a blessing to happen upon others-fate has brought us together. Is there anything you need my help with?"

The instant Zhou Mingrui heard that sentence in Chinese, his train of thought snapped completely.

But... actually, I shouldn't be here.

He could speak Chinese.

It was as though a pot of boiling water had exploded inside Zhou Mingrui's head. Countless thoughts surged up, each fighting to come first:

Was he a transmigrator? Had he also transmigrated because of the Luck Enhancement Ritual? When had he arrived? How long had he been in this world? What had he meant by that remark? Had he literally meant he shouldn't be here, or was he quoting a line?

And did he actually know me? Was that "long time no see" meant for me? Then how had he recognized me?

Who could it be? Someone who knew me... wait, transmigration?

Lin Chuan?!

No, no, no. Calm down, calm down, calm down, calm down-

New friends? Help? Alger's wariness was mixed with excitement, and his heart pounded wildly. He realized that everything he had encountered today might prove to be the greatest danger of his life... or its greatest opportunity.

I still can't act rashly. Alger forced his emotions under control. He had heard Lin Chuan speak in a completely unfamiliar language after saying, "Yes, I'm here."

Having joined the Church of Storms and spent years sailing the seas, he believed he knew something of all the world's major languages: Loenese, Feysac, Intisian, Lenburg's language, and even a scattering of native dialects spoken on the seas.

Yet Alger had never heard a single word of that string of syllables Lin Chuan had uttered. Years of experience told him that, when faced with something he didn't understand, he should always remain as cautious as possible.

Of course, the main reason was... someone else had been asked as well.

Audrey pressed her lips together slightly. She, too, had heard Lin Chuan's unknown language, but she wasn't particularly curious about it. Or rather, something more important occupied her mind.

She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Alger across from her. He remained silent, his eyes lowered and his gaze resting on the bronze tabletop, as though he were absorbed in studying its patterns.

He was hesitating. Audrey recognized the gentleman's caution. He was waiting for someone else to speak first.

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Lin Chuan was in no hurry. He merely smiled, keeping his gaze on them as he quietly watched the scene around the long table. At the same time, he wondered whether the great Mr. Fool had something on his mind, remaining silent and putting on that aloof act.

He had originally thought Audrey would immediately repeat her question about "how to become a Beyonder." Perhaps, having already asked Zhou Mingrui, she worried that asking again would seem presumptuous?

How interesting.

So Lin Chuan curled a finger and tapped the edge of the long table, drawing all three people's attention:

"It seems you're both very cautious. That's good. On this road, caution is a fine virtue. It often helps people live a little longer."

He paused, his gentle gaze settling on Audrey. "I heard someone ask how to become a Beyonder just now. That was you, wasn't it?"

Audrey froze for a moment, then nodded. A flicker of delight and nervousness at being noticed crossed her emerald eyes. "Y-yes, Your Excellency. I've always yearned for the world of mysticism..."

At the same time, Alger subtly adjusted his posture so he could hear the conversation clearly without appearing overly interested.

Zhou Mingrui did the same. He struggled to suppress his surging emotions and waited intently for Lin Chuan to continue, all while controlling his movements to maintain an air of casual composure.

Lin Chuan nodded lightly. Rather than answer Audrey's question directly, he turned his head and tipped his chin slightly toward Zhou Mingrui, speaking with an easy, natural air, as though sharing common knowledge:

"As for that question... the answer is actually very simple. If you want to become a Beyonder, there's a route that's the most orthodox, the most comprehensive, and the most convenient. You could call it perfect."

With that, he stopped at just the right moment, looking thoroughly entertained as he adopted an air of waiting for someone to ask him to elaborate.

Upon hearing Lin Chuan say that the method was very simple, Audrey unconsciously leaned forward slightly. Her hands rested together on her knees, her fingertips whitening from the pressure. But she quickly realized she had lost her composure and discreetly relaxed her grip.

She swiftly glanced around to make sure no one had noticed her little movements, then looked up at Lin Chuan and asked earnestly and directly:

"Then... may I ask what that method is?"

At last, Lin Chuan had received the follow-up question he wanted. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, and with a composure that could only be described as mischievous, he answered unhurriedly:

"It's very simple. Find the Blasphemy Slate, then take a look at what's written on it, and from there

choose whichever Pathway you like best. Then you can become a Beyonder with ease."

Having said that, he leaned gently back in his chair. Even without seeing his expression clearly, they could distinctly sense his delighted air of "See? Wasn't I right?"