Chapter 62: Sword God Phantom, Sealed Divine Stele
At this moment, a system prompt sounded in his mind.
"Accept!"
Zhou Han silently responded.
[Quest accepted successfully.]
[Awakening Quest 2]: In the Visualization Hall, successfully comprehend a technique of Gold-grade (or higher).
Soon, the second step of the awakening quest appeared on the virtual panel.
After seeing Zhou Han enter, Nie Tianchen sat cross-legged and began meditating.
He believed that within just a few minutes, Zhou Han would come out.
After he came out, there were still some things to explain,
so Nie Tianchen chose to stay.
As the guide for the swordsman awakening class,
Zhou Han now counted as half his disciple,
so he naturally intended to take good care of him.
"Oh? Old Nie, bringing in another newcomer? Looks like you've found a peerless genius this time, haha…"
A mocking, sarcastic voice rang out beside Nie Tianchen.
It was full of ridicule.
"Jiang Xiong, watch your words, or don't blame me for being rude!"
Nie Tianchen's expression turned cold, his brows slightly furrowed as he spoke indifferently.
The man who arrived was named Jiang Xiong, a burly figure radiating a bloodthirsty aura.
He was the guide from Falling Sakura City and had quite a few grudges with Nie Tianchen.
"What? I'm congratulating you in advance for finding a peerless genius, and you're getting angry? Heh…"
It had already been nearly three months since a swordsman successfully awakened in Azure Thunder City.
When that time came, Nie Tianchen would receive fewer resources and even face punishment from higher authorities.
Jiang Xiong's words were nothing short of rubbing salt into the wound.
"Looking for death?"
Nie Tianchen suddenly sprang up from the ground and walked toward Jiang Xiong, killing intent on his face.
"Y-you… don't act rashly! This is the Sword God Hall. Can you bear the consequences of making a move here?"
Jiang Xiong was instantly intimidated by his aura and backed down, quickly bringing up the rules of the Sword God Hall.
Private fighting was strictly forbidden within the hall.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Nie Tianchen's expression shifted before he finally restrained himself.
"You're so certain that the newcomer I brought isn't a real genius?"
"Tch, do you think geniuses grow on trees? In a backwater place like your Azure Thunder City? If you're not convinced, how about we make a bet?"
A sinister glint flashed in Jiang Xiong's eyes. He was deliberately provoking him into a wager.
"What kind of bet? Let's hear it."
"See the kid beside me? He also came today to awaken. Let's bet on whose candidate awakens faster. How about that?"
After Jiang Xiong finished speaking—
"Nikawa Okaban, step forward!"
"Yes!"
The man called forward stood up. He wore a short shirt and wooden clogs.
There was a hint of arrogance in his expression.
He was a player from District 47, Falling Sakura City, and had awakened an S-grade talent.
Originally, his leveling speed wasn't this fast, but he had good luck.
He triggered a hidden storyline and encountered a powerful NPC,
who directly helped him level up, granting him a large amount of experience.
That was how he managed to reach level 25 by the third day, meeting the awakening requirements.
In District 47, he was undoubtedly the top figure, so he had every reason to be arrogant.
Nie Tianchen glanced over him, only finding his name a bit strange.
There was nothing particularly remarkable about him otherwise.
"You think I'm an idiot? I'm not betting. Get lost."
Nie Tianchen refused outright.
He was worried that if Zhou Han failed to comprehend it, he would have to wait three days. There was no way to win.
"I'll do this—I'll use up my once-a-year privilege. If your disciple fails, he can attempt comprehension for the remaining two chances consecutively."
Jiang Xiong directly addressed all of Nie Tianchen's concerns.
His intention was obvious—he wanted this bet.
"Fine, I'll take your wager. What are we betting?"
After thinking for a moment, Nie Tianchen agreed.
Even if Zhou Han failed once or twice,
he believed Zhou Han would definitely succeed on the third try.
He had that much confidence in his judgment.
"I'll put up a Dragon Blood Pill. You bring out your Mountain-Sea Seal!"
Jiang Xiong concealed the sinister smile in his eyes, clearly thinking his scheme had succeeded.
Nie Tianchen possessed many treasures, and the Emperor-grade Mountain-Sea Seal ranked third among them.
But it was still extremely powerful, and Jiang Xiong had long coveted it.
This was the perfect opportunity to take it.
It wasn't that he didn't want to bet for Nie Tianchen's best treasure,
but he feared Nie Tianchen would refuse outright.
So he settled for second best.
Moreover, he showed sincerity by offering the Dragon Blood Pill, which contained the power of dragon blood.
Although the amount was small, the benefits after absorption were astonishing.
"Either way, I won't lose. Even if I put it up, it doesn't matter."
Although the Dragon Blood Pill was extremely valuable, he was confident he wouldn't lose.
After reaching an agreement, their wager officially took effect.
With higher authorities overseeing it, there was no need to worry about either side reneging.
"Nikawa Okaban, go in now. Remember the techniques I taught you."
Jiang Xiong nodded, looking completely confident.
"Yes, Lord Jiang. I'll complete it perfectly."
Nikawa Okaban looked calm, certain of victory.
After he entered the Visualization Hall, Jiang Xiong's grin became impossible to hide.
"Very soon, your Mountain-Sea Seal will be mine. I'll make you bleed heavily."
"Heh, you're that confident? Don't end up slapping your own face."
"Just wait and see…"
…
At this moment, Zhou Han had no idea that a bet involving him was taking place outside.
The Visualization Hall was also located within a void.
It was filled with violent sword energy,
and the air was being sliced apart with sharp buzzing sounds.
As soon as Zhou Han stepped in, he felt an overwhelming aura crashing toward him.
His body instantly became several times heavier, making even movement difficult.
Sword energy continuously slashed at his skin, but fortunately, his defense was strong enough that he wasn't injured.
Suddenly, a towering figure appeared out of thin air.
The sword energy within the hall instantly froze.
Soon, a distant and ancient voice echoed.
"Young one who has entered the Visualization Hall, I have engraved part of my inheritance within the 'Sealed Divine Stele.'"
"By observing the inscriptions upon it, you may obtain the inheritance."
"As for how much you can gain, that depends entirely on your fortune."
"A small hint: the closer you are to the Sealed Divine Stele, the better your comprehension effect."
After speaking, the phantom disappeared into thin air once more.
"This should be a remnant projection left behind by the Sword God to guide newcomers in awakening."
Zhou Han speculated internally, while noticing within the hall—
A massive stone stele stood tall,
emanating an ancient and mysterious aura.
[Sealed Divine Stele]: Forged from the stones of Chaos Mountain, it records part of the Sword God's inheritance.
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