"All right."
After they exchanged contact details, Yanqing cupped his hands in farewell.
"It's getting late, so I'll take my leave."
He already couldn't wait for Lingchen's upcoming lessons.
"Mm."
"Oh, sir, you said you used a scythe. Could I watch a demonstration? If it's inconvenient, please forget I asked. I just couldn't resist the chance to see something new."
It was a new weapon to him, after all. There were people on the Luofu who had tried using scythes; Xianzhou natives generally believed that anything with a sharpened edge could be used to cut someone down.
Unfortunately, in actual combat, a scythe was an extremely awkward weapon to swing, with its long handle and curved blade. Sometimes it could even get in its wielder's way or injure them.
As a result, no one on the Luofu used that weapon anymore. Even if someone did, it was only for juggling acts.
"Don't you want to learn from me? Once you pass my training, I'll show you. You can even experience it firsthand. Consider that your final reward."
To ensure Yanqing followed his guidance, Lingchen made up his mind.
Once Yanqing had grown enough to satisfy him, he would give the boy a demonstration. It would serve as motivation, too.
Of course, the main reason was that his system rewards hadn't arrived yet. Once everything was settled, things would be much easier.
"All right. I understand."
At the Seat of Divine Foresight, Jing Yuan was still writing reports. Normally, he would already have begun his evening wellness routine by now.
But Lingchen's arrival had given him an opportunity to work overtime.
"General, I'm back."
"You're back. How did it go?"
Working hours were over, and some of the staff at the Seat of Divine Foresight had already left. Those who remained were working overtime.
"Mr. Lingchen is quite nice. The Master Diviner got along well with him, too."
Yanqing scratched his head, carefully recalling their meeting.
Although they had only spoken briefly, he felt certain that Lingchen was a good person.
"Is that so... did you ask him for guidance?"
Jing Yuan looked at Yanqing with a smile. If his request hadn't been successful, Yanqing wouldn't have looked so happy.
As for Fu Xuan, it seemed Lingchen really was lawful good, or at least neutral. Otherwise, given her temperament, she probably would have contacted him to explain the situation already.
"Yes." Under Jing Yuan's gaze, Yanqing lowered his head in embarrassment.
He knew it was a little inappropriate. Who asked a visitor for instruction when they had only just arrived as a guest?
But as a swordsman, he simply couldn't help himself.
"Mr. Lingchen agreed to teach me."
"Oh? I didn't expect him to know swordsmanship as well."
Jing Yuan was somewhat surprised.
"No, he doesn't." Yanqing quickly shook his head. "He said he only knows some kind of scythe combat style at present. But as an Emanator, he must have other things he can teach me."
Although Lingchen's words had made Yanqing abandon the idea of sparring with him, what else could he do when the man had said he didn't know how to use a sword?
As for fighting Lingchen while he wielded a scythe, since Lingchen had called it a reward for passing his training, Yanqing would look forward to it as one.
Besides...
"He also said he might know swordsmanship in the future. Developing a sword style doesn't happen overnight. I think he may have already started learning, so I can't fall behind either."
Even though he had already "guessed" that Lingchen was learning swordsmanship, Yanqing didn't consider teaching him. Everyone had their own path of the sword. Since Lingchen could learn on his own, he must have a complete framework of his own. Trying to teach him would only be superfluous.
And as for learning from him... Yanqing guessed that Lingchen was probably studying the basics, which was why he had said he would know swordsmanship in the future. If it was just the basics, there was naturally nothing for Yanqing to learn.
The Luofu's swordsmanship had been passed down for thousands of years and had long since reached an exceptionally high level.
Yanqing didn't believe any sword style from the outside could surpass the Luofu's.
"Still studying and training hard even after becoming an Emanator... this Mr. Lingchen is rather like a certain general of the Xianzhou. Perhaps they would get along, too."
Jing Yuan felt even more reassured about Lingchen.
"Yanqing, since he's willing to teach you, make sure you learn diligently."
"Yes, General."
"You're really learning swordsmanship?"
P.S. Please boost the stats!
Chapter 23: Collecting the Rewards
At Fu Xuan's home, the pink-haired girl was looking at Lingchen in surprise.
"What makes you say that?"
Never mind the girl's surprise; Lingchen himself was rather surprised.
When had he said he was learning swordsmanship?
The girl bit down on her straw and took a long pull of milk tea.
The rich milkiness blended with the delicate fragrance of tea and flowed into her stomach. Waves of warmth rose from her belly, easing her mind. The sheer satisfaction made Fu Xuan narrow her eyes.
Now this was milk tea. What had she been drinking before? Surely it had just been garbage mixed with creamer and tea flavoring, then diluted with water.
"Didn't you just say you would know swordsmanship in the future? I didn't expect to misjudge you. I thought you were somewhat like Jing Yuan, but now it seems you're a warrior type as well."
"I'm not learning swordsmanship."
Contrary to Fu Xuan's expectations, Lingchen shook his head.
"Then were you deceiving Yanqing just now?"
"No. I like spontaneous inspiration. Perhaps one day, while reading a story, I'll comprehend the true essence of the sword and grasp that sword style outright."
"Hmph. If you don't want to tell me, forget it. I happen to be tired, so I'll turn in first. You should get some rest early, too."
"All right, then. Good night."
Fu Xuan's steps faltered before she continued toward her bedroom. A very quiet "good night" drifted through the air.
Since coming to the Luofu-no, ever since she was little-she had never heard anyone say good night to her.
Not even her family had said it. Hearing those words so suddenly, her heart had involuntarily skipped a beat.
[Ding. Automatic settlement in progress. Please note: to ensure accurate and clear settlement, the system has classified the power tiers of this universe.]
Automatic settlement meant that Lingchen didn't initiate the settlement himself, but waited for it to occur when the time ran out.
Compared with manual settlement, automatic settlement offered a greater chance of receiving better rewards.
He had asked about this while shopping that afternoon, which was also why he had waited until now.
According to the system, manual settlement could be used to farm power, because the system only allowed a maximum of three character cards to be used at once.
The system hadn't warned him earlier, merely stating that he could use all three, because he had only received three cards when he checked in. He hadn't exceeded the limit when using them.
Still, Lingchen could understand.
After all, he would only accumulate more character cards from check-ins. If he kept hoarding them-for instance, until he faced Dominicus-and then maneuvered events to bring about the true resurrection of Ena the Order, even a mostly complete resurrection would be beyond his ability to withstand.
To ensure his safety then, he would inevitably receive a character card at least extremely close to an Aeon's level. Using all his cards together would let him instantly surpass everything, leaving no sense of experience throughout the whole process.
In that case, he probably wouldn't use any character cards before then. After all, the power of an Emanator of Elation alone was enough to protect himself.
Rather than a restriction, this spared him some indecision and let him experience more of life. He wouldn't need to keep saving everything for one massive windfall, and could instead improve gradually.
Behind the scenes, the system was there to ensure he lived a healthy life.
[Ding. Scanning... character card baseline: Herrscher.] Character card peak: Emanator level. Settlement based on the host's dialogue, actions, and changes in character card energy levels...] [Congratulations, host. Rewards obtained: top-tier Pathstrider imaginary energy; the concepts of [Decay] and [Erosion] within the Herrscher of Rebirth's [Death], and [Purification] within [Life]; the concept of [Annihilation] within the Herrscher of Fire's [Fire]; the concept of [Seizure] within the Herrscher of Domination's [Domination]. All concepts are Emanator-level authorities. Herrscher of Rebirth's Emanator-level Scytheblade Combat Style, with access to the intent [Death or Life].]
After the rewards are settled, the authorities are no longer complete.
The system hadn't rewarded him with complete authorities.
Lingchen had used three cards. Although each had yielded rewards, none was a complete concept. They were only "manifestations" or "phenomena" of an authority.
[Ding. Rewards have been settled. Please collect them, host.]
"Still, this is pretty good. It even exceeds my expectations a little."
Lingchen collected the rewards, feeling the power of [Purification] in his hand.
His cards came from the system, after all. This single aspect alone amounted to the complete authority of another Emanator.
He had learned this while using the Emanator-level character cards, so he wasn't greedy. The rewards were already a tremendous haul.
After all, his delivery of the dialogue hadn't been particularly good.
For [Fire] and [Domination], he had only used their powers without reciting a single related line. This was a dialogue check-in system, and the most important-indeed, the primary-factor in settling character card use was reciting dialogue.
He had only spoken more lines for the Herrscher of Rebirth, and even those were merely a few combat lines.
The circumstances hadn't been especially suitable, after all.
System, you gave me extra rewards, didn't you?
Lingchen said it with certainty.
[Ding. The host previously asked about a beginner's gift pack. Although the system has no such item, since the host asked, the first settlement has been treated as a beginner's gift pack, thereby fulfilling the host's wish.]
Although the changes to Lingchen's body could already have counted as a beginner's gift pack, his physical traits hadn't all come from the system. The system had merely protected him. He had acquired those traits through exposure while passing through the [Tree] and the [Sea]. In a sense, he had obtained them himself.
So the system really had given him extra rewards. As expected of his wonderful system.
What if there hadn't been a beginner's gift pack?
[[Fire] has no dialogue, so as compensation, using its power grants one concept; [Domination] would grant no concepts; [Death] and [Life] would randomly grant one concept; intermediate imaginary energy would be awarded.]
The original rewards really were pitiful.
Lingchen sighed inwardly. The difference between the system's original and current rewards was enormous.
And it looks like, without the right stage and enough dialogue, even if I can use a good card at the time, the rewards afterward will still be lousy.
P.S. Please send flowers and votes.
Chapter 24: Can't I Come Out?
Still, that makes it more interesting.
The corners of Lingchen's mouth lifted slightly. If he could earn rewards just by casually saying a few words, it would actually be rather dull.
But those purification pills are useless now. Still, I can keep them.
The night passed uneventfully. Although he was staying in Fu Xuan's home, Lingchen had no trouble sleeping in an unfamiliar bed and slept soundly. Especially since he had gone through a battle, met an Aeon, met a Xianzhou general, and met the Master Diviner right after arriving in this world... that whole string of events had indeed left him mentally exhausted.
The next day.
Since she had established the day before that Lingchen was essentially harmless, Fu Xuan got up early the next morning and headed to the Divination Commission.
She had a mountain of work and little time to stay home watching Lingchen.
The only reason she had freed up so much time yesterday was that she had assigned some of her work to Qingque.
"The Central Starskiff Haven has some lovely scenery, too."
Having just come out for a morning stroll, Lingchen spotted a petite figure in green sitting with her back to him at a square table nearby.
Beside her were three female Vidyadhara.
"Pong!"
"Kong!"
"Win off a kong! Hehe, I won..."
Just as he approached, Lingchen heard a voice brimming with barely concealed excitement.
"Self-draw..."