Chapter 430: Map of Darkness, Seven Great Treasures
The moonlight shone into the bedroom, casting a silver glow.
Sun Mo sat on the bed and looked at the five tattered maps in front of him. The content was blurry and he couldn’t discern them.
“Congratulations host, you’ve collected all five of the tattered maps. Would you like to combine them into a map of darkness?”
Hearing the system’s notification, Sun Mo heaved a sigh of relief. He was afraid to be told that there were repet.i.tive copies of the same one. He’d feel upset then.
After all, to an unlucky guy, there wasn’t anything worse, only the worst!
Thankfully, Sun Mo wasn’t a complete gone case.
“Combine!”
As Sun Mo said this, the five tattered maps suddenly glowed in green light and floated. They then gathered together and abruptly burst out in a brilliant glow.
“F*ck!”
Sun Mo cursed and quickly shut his eyes, turning his head away. This f*cking strong light is comparable to the light released by an electric welder. It was really blinding.
Not only the eyes. Even the skin on his face had a scorching feeling. Thankfully, it disappeared very quickly, sustaining less than a second.
Ding!
“Congratulations, you’ve received one of the maps of darkness—Greenhaze Forest.”
“The Greenhaze Forest is located in the Darkness Continent. It is a virgin land that hasn’t been excavated by the people from the nine provinces. Therefore, this place is filled with treasures!”
“Brave young man, go excavate the wealth that belongs to you!”
The system congratulated, still in its emotionless tone as if it was just reading things from the book.
The glow on the map disappeared and it landed on the bed.
“That’s it?”
Sun Mo was stunned.
“What else do you want?”
The system was baffled.
“Introduction. Isn’t this too simple? Why is it called the Greenhaze Forest? Or maybe, where exactly it is in the Darkness Continent?”
Sun Mo continued to ask.
“Host, I’m a support system that helps you to become an absolute great teacher. I’m not a nanny. Please rely on your own capabilities and don’t think of relying on me for everything you do, okay?”
The system reproached.
“...”
Sun Mo felt like cursing out.
“I heard that amongst humans, some of them still rely on their parents for a living. Please do not become someone like that! That’d be too embarra.s.sing!”
The system advised.
“Quickly kneel and take your leave!”
Sun Mo didn’t wish to talk to the system anymore. He even wanted to beat it up.
The name Greenhaze Forest should be related to the forest. He just had no idea where it was located.
Sun Mo looked at the map and activated the Divine Sight.
“One map that records a certain domain in the Darkness Continent. The material is an unknown beast hide. As a unique dye has been used, there’s no need to worry about it being washed when soaked in water. However, it is scared of fire. Please take care of it properly.”
It was extremely simple data, the same as if there wasn’t any.
“I know that it isn’t that easy for an unlucky guy to strike it rich!”
Sun Mo felt upset.
The map was about one meter in length and half a meter in width. It felt quite good to the touch, just like those top-notch leather coats.
The content labeled on it included various routes, monsters, and terrains. Even the distribution of water resources was very detailed. There were also seven treasure chests located in different positions.
Out of these treasure chests, there was one diamond-shaped one, one golden one, three bronze ones, and two black-iron ones.
“The treasure chests represent the treasures here, and their colors represent the value of the treasures?”
Sun Mo asked.
The system didn’t give a reply.
Sun Mo looked at this map of darkness, feeling some happiness, but still mostly helplessness.
Sun Mo had spent a big half of the year gathering the five tattered maps, only managing to gather them all after opening many chests.
This was definitely something good. Although he didn’t study geography, he felt that this map wouldn’t lose out to a military-used map. Even the alt.i.tude and monsters’ locations were labeled. However, Sun Mo had no idea where this Greenhaze Forest was at.
This meant that even if there was an astonis.h.i.+ng treasure here, he couldn’t take it out.
“What a trap!”
Sun Mo sighed and put the map of darkness away. He then lay down to sleep. However, he couldn’t manage to sleep, and he got up to head to the old Headmaster’s private library.
“I hope that I can find some leads!”
Sun Mo prayed.
...
Li Ziqi usually wouldn’t stay in the Central Province Academy’s student dorm. One reason was that it wasn’t safe. Another was that if she didn’t go home, it’d attract her aunt’s attention.
The little sunny egg knew that Sun Mo was very talented, but her aunt didn’t. After all, her teacher didn’t even have a single star. Therefore, to avoid unnecessary trouble, she could only keep it a secret from her aunt for the time being.
As for the guards, Li Ziqi had given them the order to not leak news of this. If any of them were to dare to speak of this matter recklessly, they’d be given serious punishment. However, after this 1-star examination, the little sunny egg wouldn’t have to worry anymore.
She was certain that given Sun Mo’s capabilities, he’d definitely be able to become a great teacher.
“If only Teacher Sun could rise to 3-stars in a year.”
Li Ziqi mumbled and was about to greet her aunt when she heard an amicable voice that she hadn’t heard of for a very long time.
“Cousin!”
Qi Siyuan ran over happily.
“Cousin?”
Li Ziqi was stunned. A smile then beamed on her innocent-looking face. “You’re back? How have your studies been for the past year?”
“If you didn’t ask about my results, we could still be good siblings!”
Qi Siyuan felt gloomy.
Li Ziqi covered her mouth and smiled. She knew that her cousin’s apt.i.tude was very good. After all, he had relied on his own capabilities and not the reputation of his family to enter the Skyraise Academy.
“I’ll go greet aunt first and then we’ll talk overnight!”
Amongst the siblings, Li Ziqi and Qi Siyuan had the closest relations.h.i.+p.
Not long later, the two of them sat in the garden of their backyard. All sorts of local specialties that Qi Siyuan had brought back from Jing Province were placed on the stone table.
“Give them a try. These are new pastries that have just been released this year from Suji Bakery. I got their chefs to make them personally!”
Qi Siyuan was doing his best to please Li Ziqi.
“Thank you, Cousin!”
Li Ziqi smiled sweetly.
The two chatted over tea and the atmosphere was very good. A short moment later, Qi Siyuan hesitated before asking the question.
“Cousin, what is with that Sun Mo?”
The amicable atmosphere was like the warm temperature in a sunny spring. However, as Qi Siyuan said this, it felt as if a chilling wind had swept by, making everything freezing cold.
“You went to look for Teacher?”
Li Ziqi shot up abruptly, her countenance changing and turning cold. She knew that her cousin was very concerned about her and thus would definitely go look for Sun Mo to get him to absolve their teacher-student relations.h.i.+p.
“I...”
After seeing his cousin’s over-agitated reaction, Qi Siyuan knew that he had underestimated Sun Mo’s influence in her heart.
“Cousin, you suffered, right?”
Li Ziqi had panicked out of worry and then calmed down. She couldn’t help but smile.
“Why do you say that?”
Qi Siyuan rolled his eyes. (Am I that inferior to that Teacher Sun in your heart?)
“Teacher is very amazing!”
When Li Ziqi said this, her big eyes were filled with admiration. Qi Siyuan was annoyed when he heard this.
“Aren’t you overestimating him too much?”
Qi Siyuan pouted.
“Anyway, in my heart, Teacher is the most amazing teacher in this world!”
Li Ziqi pouted and threw a small tantrum.
“Even my mother wouldn’t agree, let alone Uncle. Hence, I might as well take care of it right now. Once it is exposed, it’ll be harmful to him!”
Qi Siyuan persuaded his cousin.
Once the news of this was exposed, his uncle would try to control the negative influence to the smallest perimeters. He’d definitely make Sun Mo disappear from this world.
“I know, but I hope that you can help me keep it a secret!”
Li Ziqi looked at Qi Siyuan. “Cousin, don’t tell aunt about this matter first. Can you help me to keep it a secret for half a year?”
“What use would half a year be?”
Qi Siyuan was speechless. “Is he going to become a 7-star great teacher in half a year?”
In his uncle’s heart, Li Ziqi’s teacher must at least be a 7-star one.
“7-star is too difficult and needs time. But 2-star will definitely not be a problem!”
Li Ziqi chuckled.
“2-star?”
Qi Siyuan was stunned and he looked at Li Ziqi in surprise. “Aren’t you being too confident about him? I went to find out about him, and that guy isn’t even a 1-star great teacher!
“He’ll be one next year in spring. Then, in three months, he’ll clinch the t.i.tle of a 2-star great teacher!”
Li Ziqi firmly believed. “The only thing holding Teacher back now is time. That’s why I’m asking you to keep it a secret. Teacher might become a 3-star great teacher in autumn next year.”
“Your boasting is getting more and more far-fetched!”
Qi Siyuan let out a tsk. If Sun Mo was a 3-star great teacher, then he’d be an honored guest at the Prince Consort Manor because it’d be a tremendous leap from 2-star to 3-star.
To put things simply, as the examination for the 3-star great teacher was very difficult, this was why this t.i.tle was extremely valuable.
“I’m not boasting. Teacher has already comprehended seven great teacher halos and grasped three secondary occupations. Moreover, he is already at the divine force realm. He just needs to comprehend two more halos to be able to partic.i.p.ate in the 3-star great teacher exam.”
Li Ziqi was very confident.
She hadn’t seen Sun Mo using Model Teacher and thus had no idea that Sun Mo’s great teacher halo had increased to a terrifying eight.
“What?”
Qi Siyuan thought that he had misheard. “What did you say?”
Li Ziqi repeated it again.
“Impossible!”
Qi Siyuan cried out loud and even jumped up from the stool. His voice was so sharp as if a big burly guy had thrust a steel rod into his b.u.t.t hole.
“Why is it not possible?”
Li Ziqi frowned, not liking how her cousin was doubting Sun Mo.
“That Sun Mo is 20 years old this year. You’re telling me that he has comprehended seven great teacher halos?”
Qi Siyuan smirked. “You think that great teacher halos are Chinese cabbages and can be easily bought in the market? Based on the official data released by the Saint Gate, the average time taken for a great teacher to comprehend a great teacher halo is two years. It then becomes increasingly difficult thereafter. Those rare halos might even take three years or longer.”
“Teacher is a genius!”
Li Ziqi retorted.
“The Skyraise Academy is considered a top-notch famous school in the nine provinces, right? I’ve only seen only one new teacher who is this amazing in school. Do you know who that is? One of the Skyraise Academy’s headmaster successors! How amazing must he be to be able to receive such recognition?”
Qi Siyuan’s tone turned solemn. “Tell me right now. That Sun Mo has such standards?”
“It’s Teacher Sun. If you were to call his name outright again, I’m going to hate you!”
Li Ziqi was angry.
“Alright! Alright! I’ll call him Teacher Sun!” Qi Siyuan pleaded, “Ziqi, I admit that there are geniuses in this world. Teacher Sun is also a genius. However, he isn’t an unrivaled genius. Therefore, it’s impossible for him to rise by three stars in a year!”
“And three expert-grade secondary occupations... This isn’t something that can be brought up easily. They require a tremendous amount of effort to learn. Sun Mo is 20 years old. It’d probably take a few years just to finish reading the books for these three subjects!”
Qi Siyuan felt that Li Ziqi might have been deceived by Sun Mo.
“That’s why Teacher Sun is an unrivaled genius!”
Li Ziqi retorted.
“Alright, then how do you explain the divine force realm? My G.o.d, I’m considered a genius as well, right? I work hard too, right? But someone who cultivates daily like me is only at the spirit-refinement realm and has opened over 30 acupoints. I’ve not even touched the doors of the blood-ignition realm. However, you’re telling me that the 20-year-old Sun Mo is at the divine force realm?”
Qi Siyuan picked up an apple and took a bite. “You think cultivation is like eating fruits? It’s impossible to become a fatty with a single bite!”
“To be honest, I feel that comparing Teacher Sun against you is a sort of humiliation!”
Li Ziqi chuckled.
“I can’t be bothered to debate with you!”
Qi Siyuan was pondering how he could convince his cousin.
“I’m not going to debate with you either. Anyway, Teacher is at the divine force realm. I saw it with my own eyes. He’s at the very top even in the ‘D’ Grade league tournament test!”
Li Ziqi was very calm. (You guys don’t know how good Teacher is, so I won’t hold this up against you guys.)
“Cough cough!”
Qi Siyuan choked and coughed a few times. Only after spurting out the apple piece did he look at Li Ziqi in astonishment. “You saw it?”
“That’s right. It’s not as if there’s a way to fake it.”
Li Ziqi didn’t wish to discuss this topic anymore. “I’ll just ask you one thing. Will you help me to keep it a secret?”
“If he can rise by three stars in one year, forget it, this is asking for too much. If he can consecutively pa.s.s the 1-star examination in spring and the 2-star examination in summer, I’ll help you to keep it a secret!”
Qi Siyuan looked at Li Ziqi solemnly. “If he can’t do that, then you can’t stop me from taking action anymore!”
“Alright!”
Li Ziqi smiled and pinched up a small piece of pastry, taking a small bite leisurely. “I’m telling you, you’ll definitely lose!”
“Ziqi, it’s not a good habit to be arrogant!”
Qi Siyuan spoke in a preaching manner that a senior would do.
“Teacher will definitely not have any problem with the 1-star great teacher exam. He has met all the rigid requirements. The remaining thing is just on whether his students can go up the Greencloud Rankings. I’m telling you that this will be a piece of cake!”
Li Ziqi was very confident.
“Relying on you?”
Qi Siyuan chuckled.
“It might be a little tricky for me, but my younger martial siblings will have no problem with that.” Li Ziqi a.s.sessed Qi Siyuan. “Cousin, I’m not trying to deal you a blow, but give them a year, they’d definitely be able to crush you then!”
“That Teacher Sun has other students?”
Qi Siyuan frowned.
“Of course. Many students want to acknowledge Teacher Sun as their teacher, but he isn’t taking them in!”
As the eldest martial sister, Li Ziqi was the first to discover Sun Mo’s talent and potential. Therefore, she felt very proud of her judgment.
“Pardon me for being direct. What can he teach you guys?” Qi Siyuan pouted. “Ziqi, shall we have a sparring?”
“You understand that I have poor motor skills, but you still want to spar against me?”
Li Ziqi was angry. She picked up a fruit and smashed it at Qi Siyuan.
“So you haven’t learned anything at all?”
Qi Siyuan frowned. It seemed that there was even more reason to absolve this teacher-student relations.h.i.+p.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’ve learned a lot of things!”
Li Ziqi was very proud.
“Such as?”
Qi Siyuan had just finished his question when a golden halo suddenly erupted on Li Ziqi. It almost radiated half the garden.
“F... F*ck!”
Qi Siyuan cursed, looking very stunned.