Tarthocas : Chronicles of the Transmigrating Scribe

As Ling Xuan completed the Lake of Reflections, he couldn't help but be surprised by the sight he saw.

There was just a single cabin with The Masked Man standing in front of the door watching as Ling Xuan came closer to the cabin.

"Now this is interesting." The Masked Man spoke with interest apparent in his voice.

"You're the first person to complete the trial this year so congratulations!" The Masked Man congratulated Ling Xuan.

"Thank you, Senior!" Ling Xuan respectfully bowed.

"Ah! No need to refer to me as a senior, I'm not that old, you can refer to me as Brother Weiyu." The Masked Man waved his hand signaling Ling Xuan to stand.

"I understand, Brother Weiyu!" Ling Xuan was happy as getting to call someone brother was the first sign of developing a friendship.

"If I can obtain Brother Weiyu's friendship then my backing will get stronger!" Ling Xuan decided to thus build an amicable relationship with The Masked Man.

"Anyways, come on inside the cabin, mate. We have a long time before The 4th Test concludes." The Masked Man gestured to Ling Xuan to follow him.

The door to the cabin opened with a creak and inside Ling Xuan saw that there was no type of chair or table, just a teapot and a few windows.

"Come sit." The Masked Man called out to Ling Xuan to sit on the floor, which he agreed to.

"Do you want some tea?"

"Ah yes, I'd like some, thank you." Ling Xuan quickly agreed.

"Alright, here it is." The Masked Man quickly gave a cup of tea to Ling Xuan immediately the moment he agreed.

"That was fast!" Ling Xuan was surprised by Weiyu's speed.

"Hahaha, impressed, right? It's a technique I was taught from a young age, how to do things fast." Weiyu spoke with pride apparent in his tone.

"Ah, I see." Ling Xuan spoke as he took a sip of the tea.

Instantly, he felt his body getting more refreshed and Qi starting to circulate inside his body.

"This tea is magnificent!" Ling Xuan couldn't help but exclaim.

"The tea you're drinking is made from a very rare and special herb that grows only near Mythical Carcasses." Weiyu explained as he removed his mask to drink his cup of tea as well. His hair flowed down his shoulders as his eyes sparkled blue.

As Ling Xuan looked at Weiyu's appearance, he couldn't help but remember a certain someone once again.

"Wait a second, he looks extremely familiar to Shang Zhang!" Ling Xuan exclaimed inwardly.

First it was their way of speech and now appearance, could it be that the person in front of him is actually Shang Zhang?

"No, the possibility of Weiyu being Shang Zhang is slim. If it had been him, he would've greeted me as his junior brother considering his personality." Ling Xuan refused the thought, yet he had only met Shang Zhang for a short while so he couldn't be sure whether his assumption was correct or not.

"Hmm, as we are waiting, why don't you ask me some questions regarding Cultivation? I'm quite an experienced person, you know." Weiyu gave the opportunity of a lifetime.

"Of course, Brother Weiyu! But are there any rules that I'm supposed to follow while asking?" Ling Xuan asked while suppressing his happiness. Information was something he craved dearly as only with sufficient information could he use the Computer to better efficiency.

"Hmm, rules you say." Weiyu scratched his chin and thought for a moment.

"Yes, how about this: you can only ask me questions related to Cultivation and nothing else, and the moment someone else reaches the cabin, you cannot ask me any more questions. I think that these rules should be understandable and good, right?" Weiyu came up with a few rules and asked to which Ling Xuan nodded.

"Well, now that all the rules have been set, it's your time to ask!" Weiyu snapped his finger.

Ling Xuan quickly gave his first question.

"Brother Weiyu, firstly I would like to ask about the cultivation realms themselves. Why are all the names just states of proficiency?" Ling Xuan asked an uncommon question to see how much in detail this senior brother would explain.

"That's a very good question which not a lot of individuals have ever asked someone probably." Weiyu, who had expected the question to be about improving one's strength, was surprised.

"Well, the answer to your question is quite simple. One's cultivation improves through practice of their techniques, and so the names are based on the mastery of mortal techniques during the Age of Dust. An apprentice has just begun their journey to power, starting to train in a specific technique. An Adept has surpassed the basics and demonstrates significant proficiency compared to an apprentice. Now, you might wonder, what distinguishes them from an expert? It's straightforward: an Adept has moved beyond the beginner stage and shows remarkable skill. An expert, on the other hand, has achieved exceptional mastery of the technique, comprehending its complexities and using it to enhance their power. It typically takes at least twenty adepts to challenge a single expert, and even then, victory is uncertain." Weiyu paused, taking a sip of tea before continuing.

"This tea is truly nice, right junior Xuan?" Weiyu asked Ling Xuan.

"Yes, yes, it's quite nice. Can you continue your answer?"

"No need to be so impatient, Junior. Where was I? Ah yes, the master!"

"The Master, as well as the name states, someone that has achieved total mastery of the technique and has reached the peak of mortal power! They are usually the main overseers of the 2 Great Forces as the Grand Masters are mostly secluded elder-like personalities."

"As Masters are the peak of mortal power, does that mean that Grand Masters are—" As Ling Xuan was about to ask, Weiyu raised his hand.

"I'm getting there to be a patient individual, Junior." Weiyu sighed.

"Sorry, Brother Weiyu, it's just that I'm simply too excited." Ling Xuan blushed in embarrassment.

"It's fine. So, Grand Masters, as you have realized, are beings that have gone beyond man's limit of mortality and can live as long as they so desire. The term 'Grand Master' in this context refers to obtaining the Perfection of One's very being and thus is the ultimate state any life form can achieve!" Weiyu revealed to Ling Xuan.