53 Tampering (1/2)

Han De chose the same location for his next lesson. Even if he chose an underground bunker with layers upon layers of formations, it wouldn't really matter in the end. After all, if the tribulation could penetrate the Grand Array, nothing would be able to protect him anyway.

However, he was still deeply concerned about the Heavenly Tribulation, so he decided to keep things very basic while keeping a watchful eye for any of those creepy black flowers.

The lesson started with a basic introduction to mathematics. Han De was a paper salesman on Earth, so even though he wasn't really good at math, he was still somewhat proficient at it. He directly ignored the local numerals and taught them Arabic numerals instead. He already taught it to Tan Renshu, so it didn't matter if his disciples knew about them as well. Thankfully he was able to keep his mouth shut about the Latin alphabet in his drug-fueled discussion with Tan Renshu.

He was a cultivator and had a cultivator's memory. While he could remember anything that happened in this world with amazing clarity, any memories that involved Earth still worked as if he was a normal human. Some things were hazy, sometimes he would remember things he forgot, sometimes he would forget things he should've remembered.

He really had to rack his brains to get some useful math out of it. Thankfully volume 1 of the formation standard scripture had filled in some of the blanks.

The main reason he wanted to teach them math was to teach them about formations and alchemy. Any of these girls could become a legendary alchemist or a legendary formation master. As an MC, not even the sky was the limit.

After he was sure that they understood everything, Han De switched to talking about formations. Then alchemy. And finally, herbalism. He really didn't want to talk about the last one, but somehow he ended up talking about it anyway.

To his surprise, all three were very interested in all three topics. Even Yao Qing kept asking him questions about them. All three were clearly benefiting a lot from this.

”These were just the bare basics. If you want to learn more, just ask, and I will write down their standard scriptures for you.” Before Han De could move on, Ning Bi raised her hand.

”Master, could I have a copy of those scriptures? I wish to study all three!”

From the side, Yao Qing and Jin Shu also expressed their desire by nodding. Han De thought about it for a while.

'This shouldn't be a jack of all trades master of none situation. They are probably just curious and wish to learn more, rather than trying to master them. Later they can choose which one to focus on at their leisure I guess.'

Han De simply nodded, before he could move on, Jin Shu asked something else.

”Master, is your version of the herbalism scripture based on the standard scripture that can be found inside the Archives?”

Han De answered it ”Yes” without thinking, but he immediately regretted it. Jin Shu nodded with enthusiasm. It seemed as if she had a look at the herbalism scripture before. Not surprising considering her Wood element roots.

'Ah shit, I can't refuse now can I.' Han De's face inadvertently turned solemn. The formation and alchemy scriptures weren't that long, but he definitely would have to divide the herbalism into many chunks. He made a quick calculation in his mind. Just with the 9874 herbs of the first volume alone, he would have to write down more than 20000 pages. Even with imprinting it into a spiritual jade slip it would take forever.

He suppressed the urge to sigh and looked at his enthusiastic disciples.

Of course he had no idea, but all three regularly went to the sect lectures at least a few times a week thanks to Ning Bi's insistence.

For Yao Qing this was an opportunity to gauge the sect and adjust her behavior so that she wouldn't display any knowledge that she shouldn't know. Her master's lessons were the only learning opportunity for her. She obviously wouldn't miss the chance to receive scripture modified by a primordial master.

Jin Shu was used to the metaphorical language, and with the boost from the removal of her bloodline, she benefitted the most from open lectures. The more she learned, the more she wanted to learn. She was grateful to her master for removing the parasitic bloodline. However, deep down, she respected him more for his knowledge, and his willingness to share it.

Ning Bi though, still had trouble with the open lectures. Unlike others, she only started cultivating a little over two months ago. Even normal disciples had an advantage over her, they all started learning and cultivating from an early age.

With the appearance of Yao Qing, and Jin Shu, she was very happy. But as time went on, a pressure that even she wasn't aware of was building up. She wanted to be like her elder sisters who seemed to be able to comprehend anything without any trouble. Although whenever she asked a question, they would try their best to answer it, she was still concerned deep down. She wanted to do more! She wanted to do better!

[Calibration Complete]

[No Changes Detected]

[Considering Options...]

[Considering Options...]

[Considering Options...]

[Considering Options...]

[Considering Options...]

[Could not find a suitable option]

[Issuing a Quest]

[Quest: Vigil]

[Difficulty Level: B]

[Status: Issued]

[Summary: Your extremely talented disciple is feeling insecure about her abilities. Although your other disciples were a positive influence on her so far, the difference in their abilities has caused a seed of doubt to form in her heart. As her master, you must carefully nurture her! Help Ning Bi resolve her insecurities.]

[Requirements: For the next 27.2 days, Ning Bi must not be more than 5 meters away from your main body.]

[Time Remaining: 27.2 days]

[Success: 1000000 Profound Points]

[Failure: Ning Bi will no longer be host's disciple]

[Current Distance 4.9541 meters]

A persistent indicator that was pulsating in red color appeared in Han De's field of vision. According to the quest, he was only 5cm away from losing Ning Bi as a disciple. He was just a thumbs distance away from failure. Immediately Han De closed the distance between him and Ning Bi.

[Current Distance 2.4751 meters]

The indicator turned yellow, but it stayed on his vision. He ignored the puzzled look of his disciples and facepalmed.

'System, are you serious about this? Really? Do you really think you can solve her issue like this? In what world would such a method work? And a million points?!'

Naturally, there was no response.

Han De took a deep breath. Various thoughts were going through his mind, all of it boiled down to two options.

'Either there is a bug in the System, or the Syst-'

'A million points for this, that's actually not that bad! I just need to find a valid excuse so that this won't get misinterpreted by everyone else...'

The System was always very concerned about Ning Bi. It even gave a quest for her first bottleneck. The core disciple requirement was only at 32 points, and Ning Bi had 35. Perhaps her talent was so great that even the System was fawning over her.

Han De wasn't about to reject a godsend gift like this. Although the difficulty rating was making him wary, he still had to try. A million points was on the line!

The disciples were certainly oblivious to his concerns. From outside, their master started doing that horizontal eye movement again. They were all familiar with this and were extremely curious, but of course, they couldn't ask.

Han De couldn't think of anything but the million points, but he realized everyone was staring at him. He quickly switched to his Hidden Expert persona. Before Ning Bi and Jin Shu interjected, he was about to talk to them about their builds.