Chapter 14: Not Good Enough, Learning something new

Arc 1: The System Of Unlimited Cunning

Chapter 14: Not Good Enough, Learning something new

Arriving at the tower, Jett went to the final floor. Upon arrival, he found multiple doors open. He chose one, placed 12 spirit stones inside the box, and entered the room. A few seconds later, the arrays started, and Jett began his cultivation.

After 6 hours of cultivating, Jett emerged from the room with a gloomy expression. He realized that the lightning and wind arrays were no longer sufficient, particularly the lightning array. Due to his temper and absorption of tribulation lightning, these weaker arrays provided little benefit. Additionally, he had absorbed enough wind that it no longer significantly contributed. As for the Qi array, while effective, spending 2 spirit stones per hour on it was not advantageous.

Jett didn't leave the tower, but instead, he stayed on the final floor and sat down in the lobby, deep in thought. "I could go find more techniques to learn and absorb to increase my strength, but even then, there's a limit to it. Should I learn every technique the speed clan has to offer? That seems somewhat pointless since it would divert my time from cultivating towards reaching the Golden Core Stage."

While Jett was lost in thought, some people arrived at the final floor. When they saw Jett just sitting and noticed that there were multiple doors open, they became confused. Nevertheless, they decided to enter the rooms.

While lost in thought, Jett was reminded of his first day in the tower. When he entered a room and saw the array, he was utterly captivated. He yearned to learn its secrets. "Hold on, I could learn how to build arrays and create ones even more powerful than those in the tower."

After determining his course of action, Jett rose and exited the tower, heading for the library. Upon arrival, he approached the instructor stationed there and inquired about the location of information on arrays. 

"We do not have any books about that in the library. You would need to inquire with the clan leader or vice clan leader," the instructor replied.

Upon hearing this, Jett promptly departed for Jong's house. Upon arrival, he knocked on the door, and Jong's wife answered. She promptly led him to Jong's meeting room and informed him that she would notify Jong of his presence. Before long, Jong arrived.

"Jett, is there something you need?" Jong inquired.

"I would like to ask if you have any books on arrays that I could study," Jett replied.

"Why would you ask that?" Jong asked, clearly perplexed by Jett's request.

"The arrays at the tower don't suffice for me anymore. I need more powerful arrays that I can utilize," Jett explained.

"I see. I do have some books you can read and study. However, I must caution you that the cost of creating arrays isn't inexpensive, especially those stronger than the ones in the tower," Jong warned.

"I understand," Jett replied.

Jong guided Jett to his library and retrieved several books for him. They all bore titles like <Basics of Arrays>. "You can start with these. If you require assistance, I can connect you with an elder who oversees the arrays in the tower."

"Thank you very much," Jett expressed his gratitude before leaving Jong's house and returning home.

Upon returning, Jett promptly went to his room and delved into studying the books. He gained valuable insights. Although none of the books explained the process of laying out arrays, they did elucidate the basic structure and the meaning behind the symbols on arrays.

While reading, Jett realized that he couldn't currently create every type of array. However, he could construct two of them: a higher-tier Qi array and a lightning array. He still needed blueprints for them, but he possessed all the necessary components. Creating the Qi array required only spirit stones, but element-based arrays necessitated special ingredients of that particular element. Fortunately for Jett, he had acquired the <Thunder Mushroom> earlier, which could serve as a foundational component for generating potent lightning. This is also why he couldn't create a wind array, as he lacked a suitable base ingredient.

After about an hour of studying, Jett heard a knock at his room door. He got up and opened it. It was, of course, Jang-mi telling him that dinner was ready. Following Jang-mi downstairs, they arrived in the kitchen to eat.

"You've been locked in your room for the past few hours. Is everything okay?" Jang-mi asked.

"It's more than okay. I got some books about arrays from your father that I've been studying," Jett replied.

"Why are you studying arrays?"

"The arrays at the tower are no longer sufficient. While the Qi arrays are still decent, it still costs 2 spirit stones per hour just to use them. I'd rather create my own."

"Why are the arrays lacking?"

"The lightning array is lacking because I've been tempering my body and absorbing lightning from the tribulation I just had. As for the wind, I don't benefit from absorbing it anymore."

"Why don't you learn more techniques?" Jang-mi asked, handing Jett more rice.

"I thought about that, but right now, what I need most is to cultivate to Golden Core Stage. It would require more focus on learning each technique and then absorbing materials for them, which would divert my attention from cultivating."

"I see. If you need any help, I'm always here for you. I can also try to persuade my father to provide you with the materials you need for the array," Jang-mi said, smiling.

"That's alright. If I do need help from you, I'll ask, but I don't want to take things from your father."

"Alright," Jang-mi said while collecting the plates from the table and washing them.

Jett returned upstairs and continued his studies. He gained further insights, some of which he had already contemplated but hadn't been able to confirm. Low-level arrays, at least, don't require spirit stones to be activated. They only necessitate spirit stones for creation and repair. Therefore, the expense associated with arrays in the tower is primarily for repairs.

Technically, arrays that don't gather Qi, like the lightning array, do require spirit stones to operate. The smaller ones don't, as they can be powered by a Qi array gathering. However, for high-tier arrays, a significant number of spirit stones will be needed to keep them running.

Jett began to feel tired and glanced outside. Spotting the moon directly above him, he decided it was time to sleep. The following day, Jett headed for the tower with the intention of studying the arrays themselves.

Upon arrival, he swiftly ascended to the top floor, placed 4 spirit stones in a box, and entered the room. Even though he had the option to deactivate the arrays, he no longer needed to concern himself with the intensity of the lightning and wind. He also wished to observe the arrays in action while conducting his studies.

While studying the array, he observed that he could mentally construct a blueprint of it. This newfound ability would facilitate the process of deciphering the blueprint and reduce the likelihood of making repeated mistakes.

Reflecting on this, he resolved to visit each of the other floors to study the arrays there as well. However, he still had about an hour remaining on this floor. After thoroughly examining every detail of each array, he dedicated the remaining time to cultivation before exiting the room.

He proceeded to each floor, patiently waiting for an available slot, and then spent an hour scanning the arrays. During this process, he discovered that each type of array shared several identical sets of symbols. Additionally, he realized that with more blueprints, he could potentially create arrays through trial and error, even without specific instructions. It dawned on him that he had been foolish not to realize this sooner.

How could arrays come into existence if someone didn't experiment and learn through trial and error? It was only natural that he could follow the same path as those ancient creators. He chided himself for not realizing this sooner.

Having spent six hours in the tower scanning the arrays, he decided it was time to return home for the day. He planned to complete reading the books he had acquired and then, the following day, visit Jong's house to request blueprints and more comprehensive books.

Upon arrival, he opted to read in the living room while awaiting Jang-mi's return, so he could assist her with cooking. When she arrived, and found Jett waiting, Jang-mi had a big smile on her face. When she arrived and found Jett waiting, Jang-mi greeted him with a big smile. They swiftly prepared and enjoyed their meal. Following that, they simply relaxed in the living room, with Jett engrossed in his reading. Jang-mi also picked up a book to read, ensuring she wasn't just sitting there idly. Occasionally, she would ask Jett about things, and he would respond. They both retired to bed not long after.

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