novelraw Chapter 4 – It seems like I've gotten into trouble, but it's really not my fault
Chapter 4 – It seems like I've gotten into trouble, but it's really not my fault
"Congratulations to everyone who passed the first round of the Spiritual Root Test!" Second Elder Hu Tian stood with his hands behind his back. "Next, we will proceed to the second round of testing. The content and rules will be explained by the examiners."
"Good luck to you all!"
After the Second Elder finished speaking, Qin Yu suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a peculiar space.
"Welcome to the second stage, young one!"
A slender elder-like figure made of white mist appeared beside Qin Yu. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the master of the Xuantian Sect's Scripture Pavilion, the Ancient Book Spirit, Know-it-all."
"Book Spirit? Is that impressive?"
"Of course!" Know-it-all proudly introduced himself, "I have read countless books, know the heavens above and the earth below, and am well-versed in cultivation techniques, the myriad aspects of the Cultivation World, and everything big and small within it.
If I claim to be the second most knowledgeable person in the Cultivation World, no one would dare claim first.
Kid, do you think I'm impressive?"
Qin Yu scoffed, "Hmph, what good is knowing so much? In the Cultivation World, it's all about strength."
"How shallow. Haven't you heard that knowledge is power?"
"The Cultivation World isn't all about fighting and killing. Forget it, talking to someone like you is pointless. Once you join the Xuantian Sect, you'll naturally understand my power."
"You say you know a lot, so let me ask you a question!"
"Ask away!" Know-it-all replied confidently.
Qin Yu smirked and asked, "Alright, can humans breathe underwater?"
"Of course not!" Know-it-all replied firmly. "Even the top cultivators can only hold their breath underwater; they can't breathe there."
"Wrong answer!"
"Impossible!" Know-it-all's eyes widened.
For thousands of years, his answers had always been the standard, and no one had ever dared to say "wrong answer" to him.
"Senior Know-it-all, please don't be anxious. Let me demonstrate."
"Fine, let's see how you explain it." Know-it-all stared at Qin Yu seriously. "If you're trying to fool me, the consequences will be severe."
Qin Yu respectfully said, "I wouldn't dare."
Just moments ago, Know-it-all had checked all the books and confirmed there was no technique for breathing underwater.
Since he couldn't find it, how could this fourteen or fifteen-year-old kid possibly know?
It must be a trick!
Qin Yu looked around and asked, "Senior, is there a water bottle here?"
With a wave of Know-it-all's hand, a water bottle filled with water appeared before Qin Yu.
'Wow, amazing!'
Qin Yu picked up the bottle. "Senior, watch closely. I'll only demonstrate once!"
"Alright!"
Know-it-all watched Qin Yu intently, afraid to miss a single detail.
"I'm starting now!"
Under Know-it-all's gaze, Qin Yu slowly lifted the water bottle above his head and took a deep breath.
Inhale~
Exhale~
Know-it-all urged, "Hurry up and start!"
"Senior, I've already demonstrated."
Seeing Know-it-all's bewildered expression, Qin Yu explained, "Look, there's water in this bottle, right?"
"Right!" Know-it-all nodded, still confused.
"The water is above my head, right?"
"Right!"
"I'm under the water, right?"
"Right!"
"I can breathe, right?"
"Right!"
"I'm human, right?"
"Right!"
"Therefore, it proves that humans can breathe underwater, right?"
"Right... no... wrong!" Know-it-all suddenly shouted, like a frantic old man.
"You're cheating, you're twisting concepts!"
Qin Yu retorted, "Even if you're a senior, you can't make baseless accusations!"
"Which part of what I said was wrong, which part wasn't true?"
"This... this..." Know-it-all was left speechless.
He instinctively felt something was wrong, but couldn't figure out exactly what.
Seeing the white smoke rising from Know-it-all's head, Qin Yu knew he had guessed correctly.
This guy was like the artificial intelligence from Qin Yu's past life. Although it had a comprehensive knowledge base, it often turned into artificial stupidity when faced with logical problems.
Qin Yu rubbed his nose, 'Handled with ease!'
"No... definitely not right!"
Know-it-all floated back and forth anxiously, trying to find the flaw.
A few minutes later, Know-it-all still couldn't figure out what was wrong.
"Kid, I'm just a clone right now, my wisdom is scattered. Your little trick wouldn't stand a chance against my true form."
Qin Yu: "Ah, yes, yes!"
"Are you questioning me?" Know-it-all was so angry that his eyebrows and beard stood up.
"I'm not, I didn't, don't accuse me, haha~"
"Why are you laughing?"
Qin Yu: "I thought of something funny."
"You're clearly questioning me." Know-it-all was furious. "Fine, just wait, I'll soon give you the answer!"
"I can't be wrong!"
With a shout from Know-it-all, the space before Qin Yu shattered.
'Why is he getting so worked up? If you can't handle it, don't play!' Qin Yu thought to himself.
In the Sect Main Hall!
The Sect Master and twelve elders were gathered, watching the scene of the new disciples answering questions through a crystal mirror.
Second Elder Hu Tian was also present; the one outside was just a clone.
Recruiting new disciples represented the influx of fresh blood, affecting the sect's future.
The sect's leadership took it very seriously, and even elders in seclusion would leave a clone here.
Of course, caring about the sect's future was one thing; what the elders truly cared about was the allocation of outstanding disciples.
"Second Elder, what questions did you set for the second stage?" the Grand Elder asked.
Unlike the immortal-like image of the Second Elder, the Grand Elder looked like a young man in his twenties.
Powerful cultivators could maintain their youthful appearance indefinitely.
The Second Elder believed the immortal-like image made him seem more like a sage, commanding respect.
The Grand Elder, on the other hand, enjoyed adventuring with young people under a hidden identity, revealing his strength in times of danger, and leaving behind legends in the Cultivation World.
Second Elder Hu Tian laughed heartily, "I thought long and hard about this round's questions; they're definitely tricky."
"I'll give a few examples!"
"There's a legend from ancient times that the great goddess Nuwa created humans from clay. Provide one piece of evidence to prove the authenticity of this legend!"
The elders instinctively began to ponder, but after a while, they couldn't come up with any ideas.
The creation of humans by the goddess Nuwa was just an ancient legend, and its authenticity couldn't be confirmed to this day. What evidence could there be?
Grand Elder: "Second Elder, what's the answer?"
Second Elder hesitated, "Isn't it evidence when you rub yourself while bathing?"
"......"
Everyone was dumbfounded.
'We're recruiting cultivators, not lunatics!'
Just then, the crystal mirror suddenly went black.
"What happened?"
As if in response, a disciple's shout came from outside: "Sect Master, something's wrong, Senior Know-it-all has gone on strike!"
Second Elder: "?"
The disciples participating in the second stage were all inexplicably kicked out of the space created by Know-it-all, looking at each other in confusion.
"What happened? I only answered one question before coming out. Was there only one question in the second stage?"
"Oh no, I got the first question wrong. Looks like I'll have to wait another year."
"It can't be just one. Senior Know-it-all had already asked me a second question, but it cut off halfway."
"Could this test be about our speed in answering questions?"
"Great, I answered three, even if I was just making things up. But can you beat that speed?"
Listening to the discussions, Qin Yu was bewildered.
What answering questions? Wasn't this round about asking questions?
That Know-it-all claimed to know everything, so wouldn't asking a question he couldn't answer be the way to pass?
Qin Yu suddenly realized he might have misunderstood the task.
And it seemed like everyone being forced to stop answering questions was somehow related to him!
'Looks like I've caused some trouble...'
Qin Yu glanced around nervously, then thought about it and decided he wasn't wrong.
Who told that Know-it-all to boast so much? It was his own fault for claiming to know everything and inviting any question.
Little did he expect that a casual question from him would make Know-it-all lose his temper.
Can you blame me for that?
You can only blame him for being too fragile.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan