"Young Lord, I might have led you here right away but don't think that just anyone can come into this room." The instructor jutted his chest out and proudly said. "The founder is a renowned figure across many worlds. Many people come here just to have a chance at meeting him from a distance hoping that they would catch his eye."
"You seem to have a special relationship with the founder. Only because of this, you are even able to step into this room. Even if you are a one in a million genius, this wouldn't have been possible otherwise."
"I say this to urge you not to waste your opportunity. I hope you will be sincere in your pursuit."
Liam did not understand what he was talking about. He continued to silently listen to the instructor.
"In front of you are the hundred supreme techniques of the academy. These hundred are priceless treasures that anyone would kill to possess or even acquire a copy of."
"There. The soul cultivation technique should be on that shelf."
Liam gave a small nod and quickly walked over to take a look at the small inconspicuous scroll on the golden shelf. It was just an ordinary looking scroll without any special aura or glow emanating off of it like the others.
But there was something about it that made Liam's hands tremble.
Liam gulped and reached for the scroll when he stopped and turned to look at the instructor. "Are you sure that this is the soul cultivation scroll? I apologize if I am too brazen in my questioning. I don't want to accidentally take something else and use my quota."
The instructor laughed. "Yes. Yes. I have been working here for many years. I know every inch of this academy. This is what you are looking for and this is also our only soul cultivation technique."
"I do warn you beforehand that this path will not be easy. Do not make the selection until you are sure that you can commit. Soul cultivation is the most difficult of all dao paths. It is an endless path that takes years and years of hard work."
"There are other alternatives if what you seek is power." The instructor pointed to a few scrolls to his right which clearly emitted an oppressive aura. One look at them and Liam had no doubt that they were superior top-notch offensive skills. These would definitely give him a power up but that was not what he was looking for at the moment.
"I am sure." Liam let out a breath, strengthening his resolve and picked up the scroll. The next moment he received a weird screen prompt.
[Ding! You have received the chance to inherit the legacy of the Soul Lord. Do you wish to accept?]
Liam paused for a moment. Was this in some way connected to his Soulmancer inheritance? Who the heck was this Soul Lord?
He couldn't help but think of the 'founder's' words where he mentioned how many had already walked in the path that he wanted to walk. Was this one such person?
Eitherway, he was only going to gain from any knowledge regarding the soul. He had nothing to lose. "Yes, I accept," Liam affirmed, his voice steady with conviction.
The scroll in his hands began to glow faintly, the light not dazzling but deep and profound. It felt as if the knowledge contained within was syncing with the very core of his soul, intertwining with his essence.
[Ding! You have obtained the Myriad Constellations Technique Part-1]
[Ding! Please obtain mastery in the Myriad Constellations Technique Part-1 to continue the trial for the Soul Lord legacy. Time Limit: 10 years]
Liam's eyes widened as he realized what was happening. Wait. Don't tell me…
"Do I have to be present in the academy to fully obtain the knowledge?"
Thankfully, the instructor nodded with a smile. "Don't be silly. How could there be such a trivial condition? You should be more worried about the time limit for mastery. There have been many before you who attempted the legacy and failed because they failed to master the first part in time."
Liam sighed in relief. He was not really worried about that part. He was pretty sure that he was different from the rest when it came to the matters of soul.
"Before I forget. Here. You also receive this because you have passed the trial." The instructor handed Liam a token. "This is a one time use pass for a meditation chamber that you can use to absorb and assimilate the knowledge."
Liam took the token, turning it over in his hands. It was a simple object, yet he could feel the dense concentration of energy within it, suggesting its connection to some powerful spatial magic. "Thank you," he said, nodding to the instructor. His mind was already racing with plans on how to utilize this meditation chamber to its fullest extent.
The instructor seemed to notice Liam's thoughtful expression and added, "Use it wisely. Those chambers are designed to enhance your focus and comprehension abilities, making it easier for you to grasp and assimilate complex knowledge. They are a precious resource within the academy."
Liam pocketed the token carefully, feeling the weight of the opportunity it represented. "I'll make sure to use it at the right moment. My first priority is to delve into the Myriad Constellations Technique and understand its foundation."
"As you should," the instructor agreed. "Remember, the path of soul cultivation is fraught with dangers, but the rewards are unparalleled. Mastery over one's soul can lead to breakthroughs in power and understanding that few can even dream of."
Breaking this solemn atmosphere, someone cleared his throat in the background. "Any chance I could also take one of these bad boys?" Eldrin spoke up with an awkward smile.
The next second the duo found themselves escorted out to the common public part of the library by the instructor where the guy bid them farewell with a polite smile on his face.