Thousand-Faced Dragon

Chapter 125 The Competition for Candidates

A magnificent hall, a familiar starry sky, and below, a group of candidates who are not entirely at ease.

Rean's prediction that everyone would study diligently for a whole night after confirming the authenticity of the information did not come true.

To be precise, it seems that what everyone is prioritizing is no longer their own studies and the inheritance of traditions.

"Among you, there should be an ambassador from Radiant City sent to Mosodirka. Please be sure to return as soon as possible. The situation in the city has changed. We have identified the Order of the Beasts as our mortal enemy. Please be sure to return for negotiations."

[Candidate #2, Poison Blade, Compatibility: 11%, Satisfaction: 5%]

When a dark elf lady who had always kept a low profile spoke up urgently, everyone involved was quite surprised.

Has the situation changed in just one day?

We've been asleep for a week or even a month, can your city's diplomatic policy be changed so easily?

But no one responded to her words, and things unfolded in the exact opposite of what she had expected.

At this moment, Suliman and Rean were seriously considering whether to return to Menzoderka.

"Could it be an ambush?"

"What conspiracy is there?"

The Dark Elves' reputation and fame are simply too great.

Even after Rose's death, the gods and races that followed didn't fare much better. They probably went from being universally hated to considering her identity before deciding whether to stay away or take action.

After she spoke, she was met with silence again. "Poison Blade" Alexie Tarabal was stunned.

As a noblewoman, she was always protected by her younger sister, and her family was more like a mascot than a person. She was truly unaware of the image of her race among other races.

After all, nobles still care about their reputation, and the circles she associated with were rather special.

"I heard it was a divine decree issued last night. The city lord personally conveyed it, saying that the city would be destroyed by the 'White Deer,' which is why everyone turned to the opposite side."

Victoria V. Unil, unable to bear it any longer, added.

Although she didn't have a good impression of her own people, the city was now truly doomed, which wasn't good for her as a resident.

[Candidate #3, Sage's Hand, 26% compatibility, 19% satisfaction.]

Looking at the satisfaction and compatibility scores, you'll see that even though Kuku hasn't said anything, he still really likes his peers.

As the most outstanding alchemist among the candidates, "Sage's Hand" has already won Kuku's favor.

This "hand of the sage" is not flattery towards Kuku, but refers to the "philosopher's stone," one of the ultimate dreams of alchemists.

But having this name is definitely a plus for Kuku.

The Dark Elves turned to the Oracle? That makes sense.

In theocratic societies, no matter how absurd the behavior and laws may be, as long as they involve divine will and divine pronouncements, they can be justified.

Dark elves are capable of uttering any lie, but they must be careful when it comes to gods, since dark elf gods are all incredibly petty and can truly be punished by the gods for such acts.

"If you return, the city lord should offer a very favorable alliance, at least in the short term, to prevent war."

In fact, many families in the Dark Elf City had already lost confidence in the delegation's return.

Extrapolating from their own experience, most of them believed that the core members of the delegation had already fled, and the remaining personnel were just unlucky souls left behind to wait foolishly.

They even planned to send their own delegation in a few days.

"It is expected that a relative of the city lord will travel to your city to sign the alliance and treaty. But if you are still in the underworld, it would be better for both of you to settle this as soon as possible," Alexne Talabal added. As for who that relative of the city lord was, it was probably unnecessary to say more.

Alexie wasn't entirely sure she could make it, but she would try her best.

Relatives? Or hostages?

Ambassador Sallyman glanced at the princess and saw that the princess's face lit up with joy and she nodded slightly to her, and she understood.

“We will return in two days. We are currently handling some related matters in the underworld.” Returning too quickly is not a good thing either. This also confirms, as Sallyman, that the candidate is indeed in the ambassadorial delegation.

[Candidate #1, Sapphire. Compatibility: 51%, Satisfaction: 0%]

Incidentally, probably no one expected that Suliman and Kuku would be so compatible, with their compatibility seemingly being the most important factor.

Purple Rose's judgment was correct. In a sense, Salman's talent was quite high, but it was not on the normal circuit.

The candidates are not making many guesses or hiding anything from each other now, because Kuku said that this inheritance test should only last four or five days, and there is no need for too much probing.

In fact, Kuku also hinted that he hoped they would decide as soon as possible whether to accept his (with many side effects) legacy.

Originally, everyone thought that what followed would be a very ordinary course, but some people started to take an unconventional approach.

"Lord Kuku. Thank you for your rescue. If possible, I would like to become your successor."

The first to speak was surprisingly the robot who had just woken up.

Ophelia, who was in much better condition than yesterday, immediately made everyone aware of the reason for her change as soon as she opened her mouth.

[Candidate #7, Ophelia (self-chosen). Compatibility: 45%, Satisfaction: 21%]

Yesterday, her compatibility was less than 10%, which means that this repair has completely changed her connection to a lich soul, implying that her future potential may truly be immeasurable.

Her unsportsmanlike act was like throwing a large stone into a lake that was about to return to calm.

“Lord Kuku, I am willing too,” Stephen Philrange, the deer-man alchemist on the ground, quickly said.

He has already reached an agreement with the princess, so how could he possibly give up this time?

The possibility of mental illness is nothing compared to poverty and mediocrity.

[Candidate No. 4, Starry Sky Grand Mage, Compatibility: 16%, Satisfaction: 10%]

Despite adopting a grand self-proclaimed title, he was quite mediocre in every respect, despite being one of the alchemists among the candidates.

"I'd like to too. No, it would be my honor!" The dark elf Victoria immediately chimed in. Anyone who practices alchemy is bound to go mad; a mere schizophrenia is nothing to worry about.

"If it can be passed down, it will be an honor for me and my family." Another dark elf sister also stepped forward without hesitation.

To take control of one's own destiny, how can one expect to pay no price?

One by one, the candidates expressed their opinions. Everyone then realized that their previous hesitation was just a joke. The opportunity was right in front of them, and no one would hesitate too much.

"These side effects are not a problem for us."

Even the mushroom-man, Mushroom, showed a rare willingness to compete.

[Candidate No. 5, from our extended family, 40% fit, 15% satisfaction.]

As long as the alchemist is a master, Kuku gives them a very high initial level of compatibility and satisfaction.

The situation has become quite delicate. Unlike Suer before, this time the candidates have all expressed strong expectations.

It seemed that only the deer girl, number six, remained silent and said nothing.

[Candidate No. 6, White, 22% compatibility, 7% satisfaction.]

Now, only Suliman and this number six have not expressed a willingness to pass the torch.

Rean had expected Kuku to be smug, but he remained quite calm.

His gaze swept over each candidate, seemingly to ascertain their will, but also to observe their abilities and potential.

Then, he shook his head and sighed.

"Not enough, not enough."

Rean, who was watching from the sidelines, was first taken aback, but then suddenly realized what was going on.

Unlike Suer's inheritance, which tests willpower more, Kuku tests ability more. The people in front of us are quite talented, but they are really not enough to inherit Kuku's lifelong research results and knowledge.

"You are too young. Not enough."

Kuku's additional words made Rean understand completely.

Compared to Kuku's life, the "little guys" in front of us are too shallow; they cannot bear the weight of this legacy.

They have no idea what they are about to face; they only have themselves in their eyes. Therefore, they are indeed unqualified!

"Let me show you."

The suddenly revealed deep dreamscape gradually spread throughout the Hall of Heroes.

The knights looked on in realization; this was the dream trial they had experienced.

Meanwhile, the alchemist candidates were dragged inside, their faces filled with bewilderment.

They have a lot to go through.

They had to endure an era of bloodlust, experiencing the fear that their own people could turn mad at any moment.

They will have to endure a long period of torment, the blows that ordinary years bring to their mortal abilities, and the inevitable separations from family and friends.

They will have to go through hell, and experience war after war.

What does killing you have to do with you?

Just because of your race, your skin color, or your position, you deserve to die.

That was a corner of the demonic tide, a past that Kuku once tried to escape from, and thought he had actually managed to escape by sheer luck.

Death after death, failure after failure—compared to the trials of the evil god Sul, this real hell was far more agonizing.

In the process of dying and coming back to life, they also came to understand what it means to be a hero and what war is.

"Is this... the Demon Tide?"

That night, there was no academic work as expected, only one hell after another.

When everything returned to calm, and when the candidates who had died and died returned to the hall and looked at their mentors again, everyone's gaze was different.

However, Kuku still seemed a little dissatisfied, and kept a stern face.

It was already dawn outside, and the sky was about to brighten. One by one, the candidates were helplessly eliminated.

Perhaps, judging from the wishes of the heroes, this will be a legacy that will not be passed down.

When only Rean and Kuku were present, Kuku couldn't help but chuckle.

"Giggle. Scaring them a bit. Pretty cool, huh?"

"Impressive, impressive." Rean vaguely guessed that this was a common tactic used by teachers.

I have an opportunity, but I'm not obligated to give it to you; it depends on how you perform.

Perhaps you think you've already obtained the inheritance, or that the inheritance is destined to be yours. Only by revealing your true nature can you make a real choice. Rean has used this trick before, so it's not anything new.

This move also confirmed another of Rean's guesses.

"You seem to have already decided who to pass on the legacy to?" Rean was somewhat surprised. There really weren't enough candidates in front of him. Was Kuku really that easy to talk to?

"Hehe. Guess." He remained mysterious.

"I knew I should reveal it; after all, we're the same person." At that moment, Rean remembered that they were the same person.

“No, you’ll be seen through,” Kuku said directly.

"How could that be? I keep my mouth shut, okay? How could I be seen through?" Rean was very confident; he would never reveal his secrets.

(End of this chapter)