Playing inventor in a cultivation world

"Ho? A ten year old girl already at the Peak Beginner Stage? Impressive."

The handsome Elder of the Cloud Peak smiled, his eyes resting on Ariana’s figure as she stepped before the others.

Elder Wang smiled and nodded. "I believe she is a perfect seed for the Winter Peak."

Elder Tian nodded calmly, barely able to conceal her interest. With no one fighting with her over the girl, she claimed her.

"Ariana Moonveil now belongs to Winter Peak."

After announcing this, the Inner Court disciple moved onto the next.

"Siegfried Reyes. Age thirteen, fire element affinity, Peak Beginner Stage cultivation, and a six-ci-aptitude."

Seeing another six-ci-aptitude kid appear, Elder Tarus didn’t hesitate to speak.

"The boy has a fire affinity. Summer Peak claims him."

The handsome Cloud Peak Elder seemed interested, but decided to concede the boy to Elder Tarus.

This made the bald man smile proudly. Although the boy’s cultivation was low compared to his mates, it was only because of lack of cultivation resources.

’I will forge him into a great, fire cultivator!’

"Siegfried Reyes now belongs to Summer Peak."

Moving onto the next, the disciple called another important figure.

"Seraph Skye. Age eleven, water and wind element affinity—or more, Initial Advanced Stage cultivation, and a six-ci-aptitude."

Seraph stepped forward, his white hair and rainbow eyes immediately catching the attention of the elders.

"Wait... a wind and water affinity...?" Elder Tarus blinked in disbelief.

Elder Solace; the Cloud Peak Elder, turned to the Inner Court disciple.

"Are you sure what you are reading is correct?"

The disciple shivered and immediately nodded.

"... Or more... Am I the only one who heard that?" Elder Tian whispered, her gaze locked onto Seraph’s rainbow eyes.

The others turned to Elder Wang who had organized the entrance examination, expecting a confirmation from him.

Elder Wang’s expression was serious. "It is just as you have heard. He’s eleven years old, a cultivation at the Initial Advanced Stage, a six-ci-aptitude, and a possible variety of affinities beyond the water and wind he has displayed."

The atmosphere instantly became heavy, and their profound eyes fell on Kaiser.

The boy felt his heart tighten, but remained composed. Instead of focusing on them, he conversed with Halo within.

’Is this your plan, to hide my talent and attract attention using the affinities? Then once I go on a deeper level, I can have my talent reexamined privately?’

Halo agreed. ["You’re right. Although I asked you not to hide your talents, exposing it in public would be disastrous. Enemies of the Soul Cross Sect would immediately strike you, preventing them from gaining you as a disciple."]

It continued.

["But if you reveal it privately, probably to an elder, they would do the same thing your Clan Patriarch did. Though I can guarantee you’ll get more cultivation resources that way. And your requests for invention materials will be accepted."]

Seraph nodded inwardly, ’In essence, I’ll become a treasured child—nice.’

"I’ll be claiming this child."

Elder Wang said calmly, his voice drowning the others.

"Huh? Elder Wang, you can’t be serious, right?" Elder Solace asked, blinking in surprise. "This... isn’t this supposed to be an argument between the Cloud Peak and Winter Peak? Why is your Solstice Peak interfering?"

The man remained unfazed. "The Solstice Peak does not need a specific affinity to claim any disciple. That means I can also join in."

Elder Solace became speechless and turned to Elder Tian.

The woman faced Elder Wang, a curious look in her eyes.

"We all know your ambiguous documentation of his possibility of having more affinities is intriguing. If you truly wanted him, you shouldn’t have documented it. What game are you playing, Elder Wang?"

Finally, the man raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You think I’m playing a game? I’m merely being honest and displaying my integrity. Everyone should have a fair competition over him."

Elder Tarus suddenly sneered. "No wonder you placed his name closer to the bottom. You saturated everyone with nice talents, and now you want to claim the biggest fish. Not possible."

With his bald head glinting, he grinned.

"I’ll be joining this. I want him for my Summer Peak."

Instantly, the expressions of the other elders became grave.

"You!" Elder Tian hissed, but reigned in her anger. With all the elders of the four peaks now gunning after Seraph, only one option remained.

Elder Wang smiled in a carefree manner. "You want us to decide it by cultivation level?"

His smile rattled the other elders. Had he broken through without their knowledge?

Elder Tarus noticed this and shook his head. "Let us decide by rolling a die."

"Oh?"

The others were surprised, including Elder Wang. It seemed Elder Tarus wanted to leave everything to luck.

"Risky, but I’m in." Elder Solace nodded, exhaling softly.

Elder Tian and Elder Wang also agreed to this level of decision.

"How about I join in too?"

A soft voice spread, gentle and unsuspicious. However, it made the elders freeze for a split second before they turned to the speaker.

It was a beautiful woman in red robes made of fine silk. Her luscious lips were painted red, and her black eyes gleaned like the night.

The existing disciples that had come to watch immediately fell to their knees and greeted.

"Greetings to the Soul Peak’s Elder Song."

Their voices were loud and synced, making it sound like a thunderclap.

The woman smiled and gently landed on the ground. The other elders cupped their fists to her while the disciples remained kneeling.

"It’s nice to see you all once again."

She smiled at the elders.

"Hah... I didn’t expect to see you here, Senior Sister." Elder Tarus grinned, his lips trembling faintly.

"Oh." Elder Song covered her lips, releasing a soft sound that made men shiver. "I was merely passing by and heard you guys discussing an interesting matter, so I decided to drop by."

She took a glance at Seraph, making the boy freeze. It felt as if she had heard his thoughts.

["Who asked you to comment about her long hearing?"] Halo quipped sarcastically.

’Tch...’

Seraph snorted, conveniently avoiding the woman’s eyes.

She smiled gently, then turned to Elder Wang, her expression indignant.

"You had such a hot commodity among this year’s selections, yet you didn’t inform me or my sisters. How cruel~"

Elder Wang’s expression became strained. "It’s not... like that, Elder Song. I just... thought you might not really be... interested. After all, you haven’t attended any of our selection for the past five years, right?"

The woman leaned back dramatically, "Ehhhhh?"

She shook her head with a bashful smile. "That’s not it. We merely do not have enough time to participate in these troublesome things."

Elder Wang rolled his eyes. ’Right. I remember seeing you guys relaxing in the pool. Ugh.’

He almost had a nosebleed remembering that sight, but he had to control himself.

"Is that so...?" He tilted his head, then nodded. "It’s no problem, Senior Sister. You can join us in playing the game."

A delighted expression appeared on her face, and she immediately turned to Elder Tarus.

"Junior Brother, where is the die?"

While they decided the rules among themselves, Seraph lowered his head. He could sense the gazes of all the disciples around him. Some were filled with amazement, some were filled with suspicion, some were full of jealousy, while one was filled with malice.

’Malice?’

Seraph turned to the person, realizing it was Marcus Cang. He could almost ready the guy’s thoughts on his expression.

’All this attention should have been mine!’

Clicking his tongue, Seraph turned away from him. Instead, he delved into his own personal feelings. How did he feel, seeing his choice being decided by a group of powerful people?

Was he happy to be a treasure in their eyes?

Was he dejected that he couldn’t choose by himself?

Was he annoyed that his choice had been turned to a game by others?

He felt... none. None at all. It was just that searing empty feeling in his heart, like a void that could never be filled.

["And you still think this is my fault?"]

Halo suddenly asked, its tone serious.

["Do you think it is my manipulation that made you feel like this?"]

Seraph didn’t answer—no, he couldn’t.

Halo sighed and continued. ["This is merely a result of plot synergy."]

’Plot synergy?’ Seraph blinked.

Halo replied, calmly giving a light explanation. ["Plot synergy occurs when your creator achieves a level of connection with you, and can thoroughly express you as a whole."]

Although Seraph still didn’t understand, his eyes sharpened.

’A creator?’

A beautiful voice and an enchanting scent interrupted his thoughts.

"Hello there, Junior Brother~"

Seraph instinctively took a step back, head snapping up to look at the person.

It was Elder Song of the Soul Peak.

Seeing him expression, she leaned forward and smiled. "Junior Brother, look! I won you over."

She said, holding up the die that showed the six dots.

"Oh." Seraph blinked, then nodded. His gaze unconsciously drifted from her face, to her neck, then below.

’Oh goodness...’