Transcending Dreams

Chapter 36: Using the Skill: Observe

Whatever had angered Lan Yin when she led him to the testing apparently had been resolved. She had been happy, eager even, to tell William about the various buildings in the Outer Court as they passed them.

The first was the Mission Hall, though it was more of an open space than a proper building. There was a singular, bored-looking disciple manning a booth to log what plaques were accepted by the Outer Court disciples. And a good dozen or two were browsing what missions were available for the picking.

The next one, despite being smaller in size, was more visually striking than the clinic. The Library was constructed using white jade adorned with polished wood, giving it a distinctive appearance compared to the other uniform buildings. A larger group of disciples were gathered around the Library, making it the most frequented location in the Outer Court as far as William could observe.

It made him realize that the Outer Court was relatively small. As long as there wasn’t a building blocking his view, he could see every part of the Outer Court with no issue due to the flat ground it was built on. It was like a little oasis surrounded by high mountain walls.

“This will be where you stay if you choose to reside in the Sect,” Lan Yin waved her hand at a complex of buildings that varied in size. It ranged from looking like a hut in a village to a good-sized flat that would fit in a modern city in his old world.

“I’m guessing I would be in one of the tiny ones?” William asked with a frown, though he supposed it wouldn’t be too bad since he doubted the disciples spent much time in their quarters.

“That guess would be correct if you were like other newly admitted disciples, but you are to be a Sentinel. With how few our numbers are, the resources available to disciples on our Path are significant.”

William blinked in surprise and pointed at the most extravagant dwelling. “So I could stay there if I wanted?”

“Not that one in particular, but one that is an equivalent,” Lan Yin nodded casually before adding, “I suggest you stop pointing, Junior Brother Liang. The disciple living there is a pain to-”

“BRAT! HOW DARE YOU!” A roar interrupted Lan Yin’s advice, making her sigh in resignation.

William turned to see a man whose appearance was almost a relief to see. Instead of the commonly seen pretty boys that were everywhere, William could confidently say this man was the complete opposite. He was tall and muscular, with a shaved head that glinted in the sunlight and a scar over one eye that added to his intimidating look.

[Name: Zhang Jun | Level: 64]

“IF YOU THINK YOU CAN TAKE MY HOME-” Zhang Jun’s expression froze before it changed, “Senior Lan! Apologies, I was so angry at this brat that I didn’t see you! Is there anything I can do to help?”

William shuddered at how unsettling it was to see a gangster-like face fawning over Lan Yin.

“This brat, as you call him, is my new junior, Wei Liang,” Lan Yin said blandly, “There’s no reason for him to fight for your dwelling.”

William saw a flicker of jealousy flash across Zhang Jun’s face before a smile replaced it.

“So it’s Brother Liang!” Zhang Jun grabbed his hand and almost shook it off, “If you need anything, just come to me, Zhang Jun!”

William discreetly flexed his hand to rid it of the numbness and said, “Thank you, Brother Jun. I’ll be in your care.”

When Zhang Jun put his attention back on Lan Yin and started acting like a lackey, William began to wonder why the Sect gave a disciple on the Sentinel Path such favor. After all, it was obvious that this was a Sect focused on alchemy, not combat. When Lan Yin mentioned that there weren’t many disciples in their Path, it was either because only the exceptional could qualify or the Sect required great sacrifice from the Sentinels that most weren’t willing to entertain.

William suspected it was a little of both, especially since Lan Yin made it a point to show how favored he would be in the Sect. He was just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Junior Brother Liang has to get settled, Zhang Jun,” Lan Yin cut in between the constant motor mouth, “And I appreciate you watching out for him.”

“Ah, I see,” Zhang Jun said with a strained smile, “It’s no problem, Senior Lan.”

“Good,” Lan Yin said, “Come, Junior Brother, you still need to get the Sect robes.”

William nodded at Zhang Jun before an idea popped up in his mind. He had forgotten that Observe should be available for him at this point.

[-5 Spiritual Energy]

Name: Zhang Jun

Age: 17

Level: 64

Cultivation: Qi Gathering (6th Level)

Health: 1500/1500

Spiritual Energy: 340/340

Spirit: 68

Strength: 59

Stamina: 70

Agility: 55

William followed Lan Yin as he looked through Zhang Jun’s stats in fascination. He would have guessed Strength to be the highest attribute based on his looks, but it was Stamina and Spirit instead. Looks had also deceived William with the outlaw, Zhang Biao, and he almost died for it.

The other curious things he noticed were Zhang Jun’s low health and something called Spiritual Energy. It cost William five spiritual energy to use Observe, and Zhang Jun had a massive amount of it. Why wasn’t he able to see it on his status?

[Stat Added | Spiritual Energy]

William blinked when the system responded to his complaint and pulled up the HUD.

Name: Wei Liang (William Davis)

Age: 13

Level: 12

Experience: 241/1500

Cultivation: Qi Gathering (1st Level)

Health: 1000/1000

Spiritual Energy: 0/5 (20% per Hour)

Spirit: 1

Strength: 20 (16)

Stamina: 10 (8)

Agility: 20 (16)

Luck: 12 (10)

Points: 20

He first noticed that it would take five hours to recover all of his spiritual energy. That sounded ridiculously overpowered if it stayed at the same recovery rate at the higher levels. It would mean he could start blasting, try and hide for five hours before resuming said blasting.

… Perhaps that was more than a little unrealistic. Hiding for five hours from an enemy that required that much firepower was far-fetched.

William guessed that each Spirit point was worth five Spiritual Energy when looking at both his and Zhang Jun’s stats, but he wanted to make sure and assigned a stat point.

[+1 Spirit]

Spiritual Energy: 5/10 (20% per Hour)

That confirmed William’s guess, though this stat wouldn't be of much use currently other than for Observe. That reminded him that he currently had a shit-tier cultivation technique that needed to be changed as soon as possible.

“Senior Sister Yin, when will I pick another cultivation manual?” William spoke up as they entered a tasteful, one-story building that was a short walk from the disciples’ dwelling. It was sparsely decorated and empty except for a woman with her head down and scribbling in a book.

[Name: Wang Mei | Level: ?]

“I’ll bring you to the Library soon. I want to get you an entry token so you can visit without me in the future.”

William murmured a thank you and went back to studying his stats. He had thought that Zhang Jun’s health was low, but he noticed that his own health hadn’t changed from level eleven. With how quickly his health increased as a mortal, William assumed it would continue in the same manner. However, that was obviously wrong.

“Lan Yin!” Wang Mei gasped in surprise, making William gape at how Lan Yin readily opened her arms to pull the woman into a hug, “It’s been over a month!”

“I was busy, Wang Mei,” Lan Yin patted her back, “I was looking after my junior.”

William gave Wang Mei a small wave when the woman looked at him over Lan Yin’s shoulder. He supposed it only made sense for someone like his cold Senior Sister to have a friend like Wang Mei.

It was the stereotype, right? A round-faced, cheerful woman with soft features getting along with the cold, ice beauty.

“How cute!” Wang Mei squealed as William found his cheeks being pinched by the woman. He didn’t know how embarrassed he could get until now, his older mental age dying at being treated like a baby by an attractive woman.

“Stop embarrassing him, Wang Mei,” Lan Yin pulled her back by the collar, “I came here so Wei Liang could get his Sect robes and entry tokens.”

“Ah, right,” Wang Mei smiled sheepishly, “Give me a minute. I’ll get them ready for you.”

William rubbed his red cheeks as Wang Mei disappeared past a door behind her desk. He stared at Lan Yin, who shrugged at him as if to say, “This was normal.”

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