Chapter 63: Sword Qi Grass and Apology

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Sword Qi Grass and Apology

Name: Sword Qi Grass

Category: Soul Energy Item

Value: Rare

Effects:

1. A primary ingredient for crafting Sword Qi Pills.

2. If consumed by an ordinary person, there is a very low probability of unleashing a one-time burst of Sword Qi.

3. If consumed by someone with extremely high talent in the Sword Way, there is a very low probability of comprehending non-elemental Sword Qi.

4. Direct consumption has side effects, including diarrhea and cramps.

[Consume 1,000 Soul Energy Points to upgrade this item?]

—

Name: Ten-Year Sword Qi Grass

Category: Soul Energy Item

Value: Exquisite

Effects:

1. A primary ingredient for crafting high-quality Sword Qi Pills.

2. If consumed by an ordinary person, there is a low probability of unleashing a one-time burst of Sword Qi.

3. If consumed by a Soul Pupil Realm practitioner, there is a chance of unleashing a one-time burst of Sword Qi and a very low probability of comprehending non-elemental Sword Qi.

4. If consumed by someone with extremely high talent in the Sword Way, there is a low probability of comprehending non-elemental Sword Qi.

5. Direct consumption has the side effect of stomach pain.

[Consume 10,000 Soul Energy Points and 1 Legendary Point to upgrade this item?]

He had to refuse the upgrade yesterday. That night, Li Heng simply ate some noodles and went to sleep, and as soon as he woke up the next day, he started grinding Dungeons.

Since he was short on Soul Energy Points, Li Heng spent the entire morning in Wolf King Mountain. He would kill the Blood Wolves on the mountainside and severely injure the Blood Wolf King, avoiding the summit, then exit the Dungeon and immediately re-enter.

Once he had a surplus of Soul Energy Points, the first thing he did was upgrade the Sword Qi Grass that Wang Junde had given him last night.

Back on Earth, Li Heng had only ever seen something like Sword Qi in TV shows and novels. Besides, it just sounded cool and powerful.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t tempted.

But after upgrading the Sword Qi Grass to a Ten-Year Sword Qi Grass, Li Heng wasn’t very satisfied with its properties. Not only did they seem mediocre, but it also came with side effects!

So, he didn’t rush to consume it. He just stuffed it into his Space Stone, deciding to wait and see what to do with it later.

’Let’s see... there are still nine days until the Secret Realm College Entrance Exam. I should hurry up and max out my two Soul Energy Skills!’

Although the Secret Realm College Entrance Exam involved "complete exploration of a secret realm," Li Heng wanted to play it safe and continue improving his personal abilities.

’After all, this is the college entrance exam. The stronger I am, even by a little, the better I’ll score. I won’t even think about getting first place or anything like that, though.’

’I just hope I can get into a first-tier Soul Energy University and choose the major I like without being reassigned to another one.’

However, just as Li Heng was about to enter the Dungeon again, the phone he had left on his desk suddenly rang.

Hm?

’A local, unknown number?’

"Hello? Hi, is this Li Heng?"

"Hello, you are...?"

"I’m Lin Tao. We were on the same team last time."

’Lin Tao?’

’No wonder the voice sounded a little familiar.’ After realizing who the caller was, Li Heng also felt a surge of curiosity.

’Why would Lin Tao suddenly call me? And where did he get my number?’

As if sensing Li Heng’s thoughts, the person on the other end of the line explained, "I got your number from our classmate, Bai Shasha. I’m calling this time because I wanted to apologize to you."

’Lin Tao... apologizing?’

’Wait, where did that flat-chested loli get my number?’

Li Heng was a bit bewildered. First, he couldn’t figure out why Lin Tao would suddenly call to apologize. Second, he had no idea why Bai Shasha would have his contact information.

’I remember only giving my contact information to our homeroom teacher and the class monitor, Lei Huailun. I didn’t give it to anyone else. Maybe the flat-chested loli got it from one of them?’

’But what would that flat-chested loli want my number for?’

"Um... Lin Tao, what exactly are you apologizing for?"

Li Heng didn’t understand Bai Shasha’s intentions, but she wasn’t the priority right now. He directly asked Lin Tao why he was suddenly apologizing.

"Li Heng, I bear undeniable responsibility for you having to tear your Teleportation Talisman to escape last time. It was my fault for not confirming the correct route, which is how we ended up in the Ice Lake District. I also failed to warn everyone promptly. And at the critical moment, instead of telling everyone to retreat immediately, I went to check on my soul energy pet. That’s what led to you having to teleport away! I’m so sorry..."

Lin Tao’s tone was extremely sincere. Towards the end, there was even a hint of shame and remorse in his voice.

...

While Lin Tao was filled with shame, Li Heng was just confused.

’All this for that?’

’Honestly, if Lin Tao hadn’t brought it up, I would’ve already forgotten about it. I’ve been killed by those Cold Ice Pythons in the Dungeon who-knows-how-many times by now.’

Li Heng had already put the Cold Ice Pythons from the Fallen Jiao Icefield Secret Realm out of his mind.

’And if he really wanted to get technical about it, he should be the one thanking Lin Tao.’

’After all, it was because Lin Tao did such a good job of getting them lost that they ended up in the Ice Lake District, allowing him to record the "Ice Jiao Lake" as a Dungeon. Who knows how long he would have had to wait otherwise.’

’In fact, without Lin Tao, Li Heng wasn’t even sure if he could have successfully recorded Ice Jiao Lake as a Dungeon at all.’

"Oh! That! I’m fine, so don’t feel burdened by it, Lin Tao. I was actually worried that teleporting away would cause trouble for the rest of you. I was hoping you guys wouldn’t blame me! If that’s all this is about, then please don’t worry about it. This is your number, right? I’ll save it now."

Li Heng never thought it was a big deal to begin with. After a few polite exchanges, he was ready to end the conversation and get back to grinding Dungeons.

"Li Heng, I..." Hearing Li Heng’s casual tone and how he was comforting him instead, Lin Tao was momentarily at a loss for words.

"I’m really fine, Lin Tao. The Secret Realm College Entrance Exam is coming up soon. We both need to get in the right mindset and work hard!" Li Heng tried to end the conversation again.

"I... Alright! If there’s a chance, I hope we can be teammates again, Li Heng."

After saying this, Lin Tao hung up. He still felt a pang of guilt, because, in his mind, Li Heng probably had no idea.

This mock college entrance exam wasn’t just for cultivating outstanding students; it was specially held to select the city’s Top Ten Outstanding Talents.

Lin Tao himself had only been told about the selection of the Top Ten Outstanding Talents on the last day in the Fallen Jiao Icefield, by the proctor, Manager Lin.

Making it into the top ten meant securing a spot in the National Designated Secret Realm Exam!

The National Designated Exam wasn’t just an honor everyone envied; it was also a guaranteed ticket into one of the top-ranked Soul Energy Universities in the country!

He couldn’t say for sure about others, but Lin Tao was convinced that if Li Heng had stayed until the final day, a spot in the top ten would have definitely been his!

Among their peers, Li Heng’s Swordsmanship and speed were the most formidable Lin Tao had ever seen. That one sword strike against the Frost Spider, in particular, was still seared into his memory.

Although Lin Tao had apologized, he still didn’t dare tell Li Heng that his mistake had possibly cost Li Heng the chance to be selected for the top ten.

Nevertheless, after making the call, Lin Tao felt a little lighter. He took a deep breath and muttered to himself.

"I really need to train harder too. I just wonder... how will Li Heng be training these next few days? If he finds out that the city will be holding more selections for the top ten outstanding students later on, he’ll definitely still blame me, won’t he..."