A Chaotic World

Lu Tianzi was startled by Inscription Master Nanbai's fierce reaction.

Lu Tianzi did not bear any ill intent. He was purely asking out of curiosity since Inscription Master Nanbai seemed to be emanating a friendly atmosphere when he asked if there was anything else they needed.

Had he known that he would offend the other party by doing so, Lu Tianzi would definitely have chosen to keep his mouth shut.

Even Nanqing Haowen's expression turned solemn as he turned towards Lu Tianzi, hurriedly sending him a voice conveyance.

"Brother Nanlu, I know you might be eager to learn about how inscriptions work, but your method of clarifying matters is a little untactful. Quickly apologise to Inscription Master Nanbai before things get out of hand."

Lu Tianzi did not have to be told twice.

He was still intending to stay in Bluenight City for a while longer, and was already looking forward to enjoying the benefits of joining the Nine Suns Sect. There was simply no reason to establish bad ties with the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower out of pride.

Lu Tianzi quickly clasped his fists towards Inscription Master Nanbai, "I apologise for my earlier words. Hopefully Inscription Master Nanbai will not take it to heart."

"I do not need empty words of pleasantries," Inscription Master Nanbai snorted, completely disregarding Lu Tianzi's apology. "If you are not able to give me a proper explanation today, then I would just have to lend a hand to the esteemed elders in the Nine Suns Sect in disciplining their unruly juniors!"

"This might be a little inappropriate, don't you think so?" Nanqing Haowen furrowed his eyebrows, not expecting Inscription Master Nanbai to be so stubborn.

To his shock, Inscription Master Nanbai actually ignored his words altogether, continuing to stare down Lu Tianzi!

Inscription masters were always well sought out by many influential powers, thus it was not surprising for them to be a little arrogant. But even so, it was rare to see one who chose not to give the Nine Suns Sect any face, especially after Lu Tianzi had already taken the initiative to apologise.

Unfortunately, Inscription Master Nanbai was an Origin Core realm martial artist after all, renowned as one of the best inscription masters of the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower.

How could such a lofty character be willing to receive an insult from a junior and take it lying down?

"Well then, I guess I would just have to explain myself," Lu Tianzi sighed helplessly.

"Brother Nanlu?" Nanqing Haowen was surprised by his companion's courage.

In his eyes, Lu Tianzi had only browsed through a few jade slips in the open library for two short hours, so how could he come up with any proper explanations?

Not just Nanqing Haowen, but Inscription Master Nanbai had the same thoughts in mind as well.

Just two hours ago, this kid was still completely clueless about the etiquette of inscription masters, testament to the fact that he had no clue about the occupation whatsoever.

Unless his previous behaviour was acted out on purpose, there was no way that Lu Tianzi would be able to come up with any substantial explanation.

This was also the main reason why Inscription Master Nanbai had felt especially insulted.

After all, a complete newbie was actually challenging his professional decision. How could he not feel like his authority was being undermined?

What would his colleagues and subordinates think if they got to know about this?

If he did not teach this kid a lesson right now, how would he be able to hold his head up high within the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower in the future?

"Let me hear just what led you to even think of trying to correct my decision!" Inscription Master Nanbai looked at Lu Tianzi with disdain in his eyes.

Lu Tianzi took a deep breath before speaking, "As Inscription Master Nanbai said, being of the Yin attribute, the Thousand Winters Inscription is able to augment the Yin aura within any medicinal herb. This way, the medicinal efficacy of any herb posssessing Yin properties will be boosted to a level far above its original level."

"That is common knowledge that even aspiring inscription masters will know of, so what is your point exactly?" Inscription Master Nanbai sneered. "The Darkwater Grape contains properties that tend towards the extreme Yin. According to you, there should not be a problem with placing the Thousand Winters Inscription!"

"Here is where the problem lies. The Thousand Winters Inscription would have worked for other herbs of the Yin property, but not the Darkwater Grape," Lu Tianzi disagreed.

"And why is the Darkwater Grape so special in your opinion?" Inscription Master Nanbai snorted in disdain.

Facing such blatant disregard from the elder, Lu Tianzi had to forcefully calm himself down before he continued, "The Thousand Winters Inscription might possess the Yin attribute, but the problem is that this Yin attribute is born from the ice element. The Darkwater Grape is a fruit which spreads its medicinal efficacy by means of its plentiful fruit juice. However, the ice element of the Thousand Winters Inscription will partially freeze the medicinal juice of the Darkwater Grape, causing it to coagulate."

Hearing up to here, Inscription Master Nanbai seemed to be slightly surprised, the look of contempt from before was now replaced with a deep contemplative frown.

This change naturally fell into the eyes of both Lu Tianzi and Nanqing Haowen, causing the latter to look at Lu Tianzi with astonishment.

Lu Tianzi grinned as his confidence soared, "The coagulation of the medicinal juice will slow down the absorption rate of the nutrients from the Darkwater Grape, causing the overall efficacy of the fruit to fall. So how is it still suitable in this case?"

"On the other hand, since the Dual Stars Inscription is not of the ice element, it will not face such a problem…" Inscription Master Nanbai continued for Lu Tianzi this time, rubbing his chin with his fingers in contemplation.

"Inscription Master Nanbai is wise," Lu Tianzi nodded.

Coincidentally, one of the few jade slips he had browsed through earlier was on the topic of medicinal inscriptions. In it, both the Thousand Winters Inscription and the Dual Stars Inscription were mentioned, allowing Lu Tianzi to understand the basic properties of the two inscriptions.

Even so, had it not been for his in depth understanding on the field of herbalism, he would never have been able to link the two subjects and establish the fact that the Thousand Winters Inscription was actually not an ideal inscription in this situation.

This was what caused the difference in judgement between Lu Tianzi and Inscription Master Nanbai.

Of course, the current Lu Tianzi was only capable in the theory department.

If Lu Tianzi tried to draw up any of these inscriptions right now, he would only end up embarrassing himself.

"You are right, the Thousand Winters Inscription truly seem unsuitable for the Darkwater Grape," Inscription Master Nanbai looked at Lu Tianzi with a meaningful gaze.

Inscription Master Nanbai might possess a lofty status in the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower, but at his core, he was still a person who pursued the pinnacle of the art of inscriptions.

Even though his mistake was exposed, he was only feeling grateful for the opportunity to learn from this one small detail that he had never focused on in the past.

As Nanqing Haowen watched from the side, he felt as though the world was spinning around him.

This junior of his had only just started reading up on the art of inscriptions barely two hours ago, and yet here he was correcting an established elder of the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower.

As if that was not enough, the elder actually agreed with Lu Tianzi's assessment!

This was akin to admitting his mistake in front of juniors!

To force an elder into doing so, just how amazing was that?

As he thought, this Nanlu Tianzi was no simple character at all!

"Then about Brother Nanqing's Darkwater Grape…" Lu Tianzi glanced hesitantly at the jade box in Nanqing Haowen's hands.

Even though Inscription Master Nanbai had finally admitted his mistake, the Thousand Winters Inscription had already been placed on the fruit itself.

This was already a fact that could not be reversed.

Any inscription, once placed, was almost impossible to remove without damaging the original item.

For something as delicate as the Darkwater Grape, it would probably end up losing at least twenty to thirty percent of its original medicinal efficacy.

Thus, to switch inscriptions was not a feasible idea at this point.

But if they just let things be, wouldn't it mean that Nanqing Haowen had suffered a loss by patronising the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower?

Inscription Master Nanbai understood what Lu Tianzi meant, and let out a helpless smile, "To compensate for the mistake, the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower will return the fifteen beast cores collected earlier, as well as pay a Darkwater Grape of our own, complete with the Dual Stars Inscription."

With a wave of his hands, the fifteen beast cores from before flew towards Nanqing Haowen, who immediately stored them into his spatial ring.

"As for the Darkwater Grape, I will tell my subordinates to prepare it. It will be ready for collection by noon tomorrow," Inscription Master Nanbai added.

"Thank you for your kindness!" Nanqing Haowen lit up with joy.

What a bargain!

Even though placing the Thousand Winters Inscription on the Darkwater Grape was not the perfect choice, it still increased the medicinal efficacy of the fruit by a small margin.

Yet not only was he allowed to retain his original Darkwater Grape, he was even about to be given another one for free.

This must be good karma for agreeing to show Lu Tianzi around the city!

He had definitely made the right choice to bring Lu Tianzi along with him this time!

"Thank you for your kindness!" Lu Tianzi showed his gratitude as well.

He might have felt irritated by the inscription master's rude gestures initially, but Lu Tianzi now had quite a good impression of the elder.

Lu Tianzi knew that given the status of Inscription Master Nanbai, it would be simple for him to disregard their complaints if he wanted to.

After all, he did inform them beforehand that he would be placing a Thousand Winters Inscription on the Darkwater Grape, and they had not objected to it. If anyone was to be blamed, it would be themselves for not having done their own research despite lacking the required knowledge.

The fact that Inscription Master Nanbai was willing to compensate them for the matter was a genuine display of generosity.

"This young man, I don't think I have gotten your name?" Inscription Master Nanbai asked.

"Nanlu Tianzi," Lu Tianzi answered.

"Nanlu Tianzi," Inscription Master Nanbai spoke solemnly. "Would you be interested in joining our Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower?"

"Eh? Join the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower?" Lu Tianzi was surprised by the sudden invitation.

"That's right," Inscription Master Nanbai nodded. "Your conclusion from before is not something that can be memorised. It requires flexible thinking and a thorough understanding of inscriptions in general. If you are able to show such a level of application after just two hours in the open library, I believe you definitely possess the talent to become an inscription master."

"I am afraid that is not quite possible," Lu Tianzi politely declined. "After all, I am currently waiting for the selection test to enter the Nine Suns Sect."

"That is not an issue at all," Inscription Master Nanbai shook his head with a smile. "The Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower might be a powerful influence on its own, but it is actually more like a formal gathering of inscription masters, so even members of others sects are allowed to join. In fact, you definitely would not be the first one from the Nine Suns Sect who joined the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower."

"Is that true?" Lu Tianzi turned towards Nanqing Haowen for confirmation.

The last thing Lu Tianzi wanted was to lose the chance to enter the Nine Suns Sect because he joined the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower.

After all, even though the occupation as an inscription master was tempting, cultivation was still the most important thing!

"What Inscription Master Nanbai says is indeed true," Nanqing Haowen nodded.

Nanqing Haowen himself had tried to become an inscription master to join the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower in the past, so he was very clear about this matter.

"If that is the case, then I will be more than happy to join the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower!" Lu Tianzi finally exclaimed as he beamed with joy.

As long as the two were not in conflict, Lu Tianzi would definitely jump at the chance of joining the organisation!

After all, this Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower was considered quite a strong influence within Bluenight City as well. Being able to gain the backing of a second influence other than the Nine Suns Sect meant that Lu Tianzi would only be more protected within the city.

Apart from that, and perhaps more importantly, now he should be able to obtain the resources he needed to study the art of inscriptions!

The high cost of practising inscriptions was one of the main factors that made Nanqing Haowen give up on becoming an inscription master.

If the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower could provide Lu Tianzi some help in circumventing this issue, then that would be for the best!

"I am glad you made the right decision," Inscription Master Nanbai was satisfied with the response. "However, you still do not meet the basic requirement to the join the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower. If you truly wish to join us, you need to pass an inscription master test to become an official inscription master. Only then would you be qualified to formally join the Heaven Constellations Inscription Tower. For now, you can have the honour of being my assistant when I handle future inscription requests!"

"Be your assistant?" Lu Tianzi felt the corner of his lips twitch uncontrollably.

Why did he feel like he had just been conned into providing free labour for this Inscription Master Nanbai?