Stuck in a Chinese novel

Chapter 220: A price

The gears in Wei Jun's head turned at breakneck speed. It wasn't long before he arrived at one singular conclusion.

The system update.

It wasn't just the system that was updating, the story and everything else, it was the entire world that was updating, and in doing so, changing.

However, changing to what? He had no idea about that. He had a good guess, and it had something to do with the world laws.

Still, he wasn't knowledgeable enough to arrive at a conclusion. But he knew who could help him in that regard.

Unfortunately, that conversation would have to wait because Wei Jun couldn't afford to give anything in this one. Already, at Wei Jun's extended silence, the old man was looking at him as if he was onto something.

"Co--" Wei Jun was about to speak when the system hurriedly interrupted him.

[Don't speak host!]

Wei Jun clamped his mouth shut, not saying another word even when the old man looked at him suspiciously, Wei Jun remained silent and asked the system, 'What?'

[It wouldn't have been a problem had you spoken before you figured something out]

[But now you have a clue]

[You say anything else, he would figure out you're lying]

[He has the spell active]

Wei Jun's expression remained the same but he panicked slightly inwardly.

And that panic increased when the old man asked, "You were saying?"

Wei Jun looked at the old man, thinking of a way to bypass that spell but there wasn't enough time for the system to explain the mechanics of the spell.

Wei Jun remained silent and just looked at the old man who smiled because he knew what that meant. Wei Jun knew something and he had also figured out about the truth spell.

But, he had to answer regardless. Whether he knew or not, an answer was a must.

The pressure on Wei Jun, which was bearable up till now, suddenly increased. And it wasn't just any increase. It wasn't long before mana penetrated Wei Jun's skin and began to wreak havoc on his insides.

Wei Jun endured. He still didn't use Qi. Besides, using it was useless. He could tell that there was no way he would be able to counter that pressure with his tiny power.

But….

'Now it's personal, you old fu*k.' Wei Jun had finally constructed a grudge. Even if he didn't kill the old man, he was going to at least beat the cr*p out of him.

The mana that was penetrating Wei Jun's body wasn't meant to harm him. It was just meant to deliver pain, just pain, and that was why no matter what, the mana in his body remained on the surface level and just harmed his skin and insides of it.

No damage was delivered to his internal organs.

Suddenly, the pressure disappeared. When Wei Jun began to bleed from his eyes and the pain became unbearable, the pressure suddenly disappeared.

But it wasn't because the old man had taken mercy on his soul. No. It was simply because there was an even bigger pressure outside, felt throughout the building, a pressure of Qi.

And it was a familiar sensation of Qi. Wei Jun recognized that familiar sensation of Qi.

'The sect master.' Wei Jun thought as he panted, his body aching from all over the place.

[HP -50]

He had lost a whopping 50 points of HP and the old man wasn't even trying to hurt him yet.

'Maybe some other day.' Wei Jun thought as he tried to endure the pain. He couldn't consume a healing pill lest he gave away a hint of his tricks.

"Haha." The old man let out a small chuckle as he continued, "That old man still has the same way of showing his presence."

The old man stood up and passed Wei Jun as he said, "Let's go. Your ride's here."

Wei Jun stood up. With great effort, he took a step and stepped forward. A lightning bolt passed through his whole body as pain from the injuries assaulted him but he still managed to endure all of it and took another step.

Finally, he arrived at the door where the old man was still waiting for him. The old man opened the door and stepped outside.

Outside, Melissa and Natasha were still present and when they saw their master come out, they both bowed in greeting.

However, it wasn't long before Wei Jun appeared in their view as well. Bloodied and obviously in pain, both of them were horrified by his look.

However, only Melissa remained horrified. For some reason, Natasha was overcome with anger. She didn't know why and she didn't care why. She was just angry.

She ignored her master and bolted towards Wei Jun, putting her arm under his shoulder to support him while also applying the [Heal] spell on him.

It was a five-second incantation and those five seconds were hard for Natasha because Wei Jun was heavy, but she didn't let go of him.

Soon, Wei Jun felt well as something warm traveled through his entire body.

[A part member has used a skill on you]

[Effect has been enhanced by 30%]

[Hint: The better the bond with the party member, the better the effect of the party member's skill]

[HP +40]

It wasn't long before Wei Jun's entire health was almost healed. His weight on Natasha lessened but she still didn't let go of him.

She was still angry, at her master too, but she managed to keep her outburst contained. Still, she was angry and it was clearly evident in her eyes.

The old man didn't fail to notice this small detail as well. He was left to wonder why this was because according to his knowledge, Natasha and Wei Jun shouldn't have been in contact for long.

Wei Jun gave an appreciating glance to Natasha and nodded for her to let him go. He was also puzzled at the intense emotions he felt whenever Natasha was concerned and she was also currently angry for him.

It was obvious there was something more to the party system than just the skill effect. Wei Jun hadn't just checked the system about it yet.

Though he made a reminder to check it out as soon as he returned to the empire.

Of course, Melissa didn't miss this small detail as well and she was also wondering about this because according to her, nothing special had happened ever since Wei Jun saved their lives at the gate.

That small detail was put on hold when a man in his fifties slowly landed in front of them. Yes, he was flying and yes, he could feel Wei Jun's presence from the start.

"I see you have something that belongs to me." The sect master said with a smile.

"Oh? I wasn't aware you treated your disciples as things." Although they both spoke in their own native language, they both understood each other perfectly.

"How I treat them is up to me. Now, return him to me." The sect master got straight to the point.

"Of course, such a precious prospect should be returned."  The old man replied before he added, "For a price, of course."

Just like the sect master was blatant, the old man was blatant as well.

'If they fought, who would win?' Wei Jun asked the system.

[If that young man kept his strength limited to Qi grandmaster, then it would be a tough match even though he would be going against a seventh circle mage]

[However, if he used his original strength, even a nine-circle mage would have a tough time]

[That is why mana is dangerous to Qi users]

[To even the scales]

[Otherwise, even a Qi sense cultivator can defeat a second circle mage]

[Likewise, a Qi grandmaster can easily defeat a seven-circle mage if there is no mana danger factor]

Wei Jun nodded inwardly. A Qi grandmaster was the sixth stage user in the cultivator realm whereas seventh circle mage meant one rank higher than the cultivator in the universal scale.

Still, the match was close because cultivators have a stronger body than mages and once they managed to get close, mages cannot defend themselves properly.

Spells took a long time to be cast and Wei Jun firsthand had seen that mages without physical fighters to buy time for them were easy targets.

Like, the time it took Natasha to cast the [Heal] spell was more than enough for Wei Jun to snap ten necks.

Wei Jun returned his attention to the heated stares between both men before the sect master simply pulled something out of his robe pocket.

It was an herb of some sort.

The sect master tossed it to the old man who hurriedly but carefully caught it with his mana and preserved it. Wei Jun could tell from the wide eyes of the old man that that herb was something precious.

"Let's go." The sect master turned to Wei Jun and simple extended his hand.

Chapter Explore:

Wei Jun stepped forward but before he did, Natasha handed him something. Wei Jun looked at her and she smiled and said, "Let's talk later."

Wei Jun nodded and stored whatever it was in his pocket from where he transferred it to his inventory.

As soon as Wei Jun grabbed the sect master's hand, they both disappeared from the spot in front of everyone's eyes.

Melissa looked at Natasha who was a little sad and wondered what had happened while the old man was too ecstatic to care about anything. He jumped and left for the headmaster's office. After all, a precious treasure had been given for practically free.

He had to let the entire academy know.