'This makes things much more intuitive.' Su Chen couldn't help but nod to himself.
The second advancement condition for Secret Magic Apprentice was also revealed, but it was different from what Jiang He had described.
[Secret Magic Apprentice Advancement Condition 2: Raise the Candle Fire Refining Technique to the Mastery level.]
'Wasn't it circulating it ten times?'
Su Chen subconsciously pondered this, then had a sudden realization: other people in this world had no way to measure proficiency.
They could only use "ten circulations within a minute" as the standard.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask, "What about the Delirious Words Trial?"
Jiang He explained, "The Delirious Words Trial requires you to be in a sealed room, draw an inverted cross with blood, and resist an unknown Mental Interference. The longer, the better, but you absolutely cannot exceed forty seconds."
Su Chen thought to himself, 'The details she described are also very different from what's on my panel. In other words, these people are just fumbling in the dark. They aren't sure what level is actually needed to take on a profession.'
'But I know the most perfect method of advancement.'
"Are these the requirements for a perfect advancement?" Su Chen pressed.
"I didn't lie to you," Jiang He said sincerely. Combined with her current attire, it added a certain bewitching charm.
Su Chen, however, noticed Jiang He's face growing redder. The Potion's effects were probably wearing off. He secretly raised his guard and said, "Is it time to make the blood oath?"
As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on Jiang He. If there was any chance she would go back on her word, he would strike without hesitation.
Jiang He stared at him, sighed, and stood up. "I need your blood."
Su Chen bit his finger, only to see Jiang He expose her chest—a stretch of pale skin. "You need to draw the blood oath sigil on my chest. I'll do it. You haven't practiced, so your hand won't be steady."
Su Chen glanced over her, inwardly surprised. He hadn't looked closely before. 'This woman... is definitely a stunner.'
'But for now, I should focus on the blood oath.'
Jiang He took Su Chen's finger and smeared the blood across her chest. Perhaps because of the blood acting as a base, the sensation was quite delicate.
A moment later, a bizarre symbol the size of a baby's skull was outlined on her chest. Su Chen carefully checked it against the book in his hand, taking over ten minutes to confirm it was identical before finishing the final stroke.
Jiang He was in no mood for teasing now. She looked up at Su Chen, her lips parted, and she uttered a string of syllables.
The bloody symbol on her chest seemed to faintly glow with an eerie light. As if granted life by some power, it transformed into crimson vipers that quickly spread across Jiang He's entire body before disappearing.
"It's done."
Having given him this leverage over her, Jiang He seemed much more relaxed. She sank into the soft leather sofa, her whole body swallowed by it, and rubbed her brow.
Su Chen also felt a strange sensation, a sense deep down that told him Jiang He's life was now indeed tied to his.
For the time being, with this thing in place, he and Jiang He should be on the same side.
"What was that scandal you mentioned before?"
"Don't push your luck!" Jiang He's eyes widened, her chest heaving as she said angrily, "I've already made a Blood Oath Contract with you, and you still want more?"
"Just curious," Su Chen said casually, eyeing her.
"Tomorrow, take the Borrowing Letter to Southwind Academy. I'll take you to handle the paperwork then." Jiang He picked up where she had left off earlier.
She was also doing this to keep him under her observation. The Blood Oath Contract wasn't easy to remove, and she still had to deal with the assassination attempt. She didn't want Su Chen running around freely.
Of course, there was another reason. The people behind the assassination attempt would definitely be curious about what happened tonight.
On paper, Su Chen was just a refugee, which made him perfect bait.
"Okay." Su Chen nodded. This had been the original owner of this body's goal, and now it was his as well. He also needed a channel to learn more about things.
An awkward silence fell between them. Both had their own ulterior motives and didn't quite trust the other, but this was the best they could do for now.
"I'll be going then," Su Chen said.
"Wait, how are you going to go back with your clothes torn to shreds like that..." Jiang He called out to him abruptly, then said coolly, "Follow me."
She led Su Chen to a walk-in closet and picked out an outfit for him: a slim-fit, black woolen overcoat, a gray shirt, and straight-legged black trousers. The clothes were a decent fit.
"Your husband's?" Su Chen asked casually, standing in front of a full-length mirror. He adjusted the details of the outfit and smoothed down his messy hair.
He touched his cheek. 'This face is top-tier. Otherwise, Jiang He wouldn't have taken an interest.'
Especially now that he had become a Warrior, his physique had filled out. Combined with this outfit, he had the air of a "beast in fine clothing."
Jiang He leaned against the side, her head tilted against the mirror. Her legs were crossed, and her sleepwear was still in tatters. Her gaze was fixed on Su Chen's face.
He was a far cry from the skinny, weak little thing she'd wanted to bully and play with before.
The Su Chen now had a completely different aura, as if he'd transformed from a puppy into a wolfhound.
"Yeah," Jiang He's throat bobbed. Her legs shifted against each other, but she turned away. "You can go now."
"Um..." Su Chen hesitated slightly. Jiang He scoffed, "Don't even think about it. I like to play with others, not be played with."
"No, that's not it. Is there anything to eat?" Su Chen shook his head. The adrenaline from the intense fight was probably wearing off, and he was only now feeling the hunger signals from his body—an extreme hunger.
Jiang He's expression froze slightly.
...
CLATTER—
Another porcelain plate was set aside, joining a stack that was already half a person tall.
"...The advancement conditions for a Rope Master are very simple. You just need a meticulously woven rope and several thousand weaving repetitions. That's basically it."
"A meticulously woven rope... does it have to be a Tier One Item?" Su Chen couldn't help but ask.
"A Tier One Item?" Jiang He scoffed. "Not at all. The materials just need to be a little better than average. Tier One Items are extraordinarily valuable. A Rope Master could sell themselves and still not be able to afford one."
She made no attempt to hide the disdain in her voice. "That kind of lower-grade profession has no future. Maybe they get a chance to become an Illusionist, or if they're lucky, a Puppet Master, but that's their ceiling."
Su Chen didn't stop eating, but his panel was already open.
[Tier One Lower-Grade Profession discovered—Rope Master. May take on the profession upon meeting the conditions.]
[Rope Master Advancement Condition 1: Obtain one meticulously woven hemp rope, no less than 1.5 meters in length.]
[Rope Master Advancement Condition 2: Complete three thousand rope bindings with no fewer than thirty knots each.]
'It really is simple.'
"Isn't there a more powerful profession above Puppet Master?" Su Chen couldn't help but ask.
Jiang He emphasized, "A Puppet Master who advances from a Rope Master has no future. There should be something above Puppet Master, but I don't know what it is."
Su Chen's movements paused slightly. He realized there were other secrets to the profession advancement sequences.
"BURP—"
Putting down his plate, Su Chen let out a satisfied burp. "Thanks for the hospitality. See you tomorrow."
He stood up, turned without a moment's hesitation, and left the dining room.
"The person who brought you here is still outside."
BANG!
Jiang He's gaze faltered. She stared at the closed door, her expression shifting.
'A Tier One Professional, yet he's completely ignorant of so much "common knowledge."'
'Just what is the secret behind this Su Chen?'
...
"An artificial sun?"
Outside the door, Su Chen looked up. A massive, grayish-yellow light source hung in the sky, emitting a somewhat dim glow that barely illuminated the road.
Streaks of scattered light crisscrossed the sky. 'Some kind of track system?'
But the firmament above the light source was terrifyingly black, without a single speck of light, let alone any stars.
'It wouldn't be like this even on a cloudy day... Fog. Black fog...' Su Chen frowned, thought for a moment, and then followed the memories in his mind, searching for the way out of this area.
Blue fluorescent lights hung from iron poles along the road, illuminating small patches of the area.
In a dark corner farther away, a pair of pale blue eyes watched Su Chen's retreating figure. A voice, tinged with surprise and gradually lowering, spoke. "He didn't... die? And he's even wearing my clothes..."