Unknown Intrusion

Chapter 62 - Favorability Decreases by One
"How does it feel?" Cheng Shenxing asked.

"I feel completely different... I have a very special feeling." Su Yu seemed unable to express the specific feeling.

Cheng Shenxing concealed his surprise and carefully observed Su Yu. After a brief silence, he nodded and stepped aside.

"Let's check it first."

It still has the luxurious black leather cover, which is already covered with the marks of time. A rusty chain locks the whole book from the back, and you can barely see its name from the badly worn cover.

The Beginner's Book

Su Yu remembered what happened last time. He raised his arm horizontally above his head, and suddenly a faint, moon-like light shone on the cover below.

Then the light grew brighter and brighter, as if the moon were about to step out of the book, and the rusty chains vibrated and became brand new.

Peng——

I eagerly opened the book and flipped to the back. The ink writing from last time was still on the paper, slowly emerging.

[Su Yu, Beginner Meditation, Stage 4]

Right before their eyes, the words vanished as if erased by an eraser.

[Su Yu, Beginner Meditation, Perfect and Flawless]

"It's almost unbelievable, Su Yu, you, you actually achieved perfection!" Mr. Cheng looked at it again and again, as if he suspected there was something wrong with the book, checking it several times.

"Your progress is a bit fast, but the perfection is even more surprising!"

Su Yu felt a chill run down his spine and quickly asked, "Are perfect scores rare?"

"Of course!"

"You must understand that everyone is different, just as no two leaves in the world are exactly alike!"

"Meditation methods also have their own inherent characteristics; what suits one person may not suit another."

"Even the most refined and widely practiced basic meditation techniques only have an average of 70-80% suitability."

"Therefore, once you reach about 70-80% completion, you can take a magic potion or perform a ritual to accelerate your advancement."

“It can be perfect, which means you don’t need any potions or rituals, which saves a lot of money,” Mr. Cheng murmured, but it was clear that this wasn’t about money.

Su Yuxin was startled, because it wasn't done through his own meditation at all, but through the system and the soul crystal.

"Maybe I'm just particularly suited to this meditation method?"

"No, it was shown from the beginning that it was far from a good fit for you."

"That's strange... How come you suddenly increased your speed so much? I thought there was no need to say it now."

"Could it be... that I still underestimated your talent?" Mr. Cheng asked with some doubt.

"not good!"

"We still underestimated the power of the cheat system!"

"The meditation technique was 100% perfected, and the result was excessively genius-like!"

Su Yu felt a mixture of regret and relief.

Fortunately, it's not a big deal.

"Fortunately, it was at Mr. Cheng's house."

In the future, I should be more discreet and try not to reveal my special qualities.

Cheng Qiaoqiao was still fussing over the hair at her temples, supporting her cheek with one hand, and couldn't help but steal a glance at Su Yu before quickly turning away.

"Alright, no need to think about it anymore. Even the most perfect bean is still a bean; there's not much difference."

Putting aside his initial surprise, Mr. Cheng regained his composure.

"The subsequent advancements are supposed to be based on further deepening of the foundation. You've just advanced a little ahead of time, so there's no need to make a fuss."

That being said, everyone present knew perfectly well that things were not that simple; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so surprised.

Judging from Mr. Cheng's eyes, there was clearly more to say, but it was not appropriate to say it.

Out of the corner of her eye, Su Yu saw the Song family's daughter. Unlike Qiaoqiao, who would steal glances, she turned her face away openly and stared at Su Yu in a daze.

It was that look in his eyes that inexplicably made you feel a little sorry for him. "You're already a quasi-professional; the path you take from here is crucial, and I hope you'll choose carefully."

Aspiring professional!
Before Su Yu could say anything, Song Qiongyao stood up in surprise. Her black dress spread out like a lotus flower beneath her, carrying a faint and elegant fragrance.

"Mentor, you mean... Su Yu is already a quasi-professional?" Her tone was shocked. "Isn't that... a bit too fast?"

Su Yu could even hear the tremor in the voice.

"Isn't there still an adjustment period, and... a period of arduous training?" Her voice choked up, clearly indicating a sense of existential doubt.

"Hmm... Logically speaking, yes." Mr. Cheng hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly, carefully choosing his tone. His gaze towards the Song family's daughter also carried a hint of reassurance.

“But—” he said, trying to keep his voice as calm and soft as possible.

It evokes the image of someone carefully holding a tray filled with fragile, shaky glasses.

It was precisely this cautious and protective attitude that made Cheng Qiaoqiao unable to resist casting her gaze.

"In this world, there are always some people who are the exception among exceptions."

"They can do it easily, something that others might not be able to do even after going through countless hardships."

"We usually refer to such people as geniuses."

genius!

This suddenly appearing term seemed to have captured Song Qiongyao's entire attention.

She stood frozen in silence for a second or two, her lips moving slightly as if she were speaking, before slowly sitting down.

He seemed to have suffered a great blow.

The posture of the girl in the black dress sitting there is reminiscent of withered and dull flower petals; one can sense the oppressive atmosphere emanating from her without even looking closely.

"...Qiong Yao, don't be too sad." Cheng Qiaoqiao pursed her lips cutely, her face full of worry, and tugged at her sleeve: "I'm here with you."

As she said this, Song Qiongyao seemed like a frightened little animal, her slender shoulders trembling slightly, and then she cast an indescribable glance at Su Yu.

How can I describe the complex meaning in that gaze?
Envy, resentment, jealousy, helplessness, pain...

Su Yu was speechless, only feeling a deep sense of empathy.

There have been many times in the past.

He also envied others who possessed things he didn't have.

Other people have expensive toys, but I can't afford them...

Others can travel all over the world at will, while I've only ever walked to the overgrown weeds in the next town...

Even if you work your hardest and try your best your whole life, you still can't match someone else's pocket money in a year.

So, most of the time, my gaze is probably like that too, right?

This gaze awakened countless memories from Su Yu's past and present lives.

Song Qiongyao, she's envying me.

Without needing to ask, Su Yu was already certain of the matter.

Song Qiongyao slumped onto the table, covering her face with her arm to avoid looking at him; her shoulders trembled slightly.

[Song Qiongyao's favorability -1]

and many more!

Did something special just pass by?

Su Yu was about to offer some comfort when he glanced at the system records.

[Song Qiongyao's favorability -1]

Another important red notification popped up, causing Su Yu to freeze instantly, his body stiffening.

"Song Qiongyao hates me!"

"I'm too much of a genius, she must have been discouraged."

Su Yu felt a sense of urgency and even felt a little wronged. He had no talent or cheat codes, so how could he blame him?
(End of this chapter)