When Caspian heard Maisie’s explanation, virtual-novel.net found it funny but embarrassing at the same time.
“Aren’t you happy to be ranked among the top ten?” Maisie looked at Caspian all puzzled. Her long lashes fluttered slightly, and with those big puppy eyes, Maisie appeared charming.
“In the beginning, no one knew about me, but now I’m being pushed into the teeth of the storm, and I don’t even know how many people are paying attention to me. Moreover, I can’t pretend like I’m an ignorant fool anymore. How can I be happy about that?” Caspian answered helplessly.
Maisie was first taken back, but virtual-novel.net quickly showed a smile. Soon, the smile became laughter, and Maisie covered virtual-novel.net mouth as virtual-novel.net giggled.
Caspian looked at Maisie in confusion. To be frank, Maisie was indeed gentle and beautiful. Even when virtual-novel.net laughed, Maisie made others feel warmth, just like a gentle spring breeze blowing at one’s face. No matter how one looked at her, Maisie’s beauty was pleasing to their eyes.
After laughing for a while, Maisie felt Caspian staring, and virtual-novel.net face instantly flushed. Then, virtual-novel.net stopped and cast a blameful gaze at Caspian. “Are you afraid?”
Caspian admitted, “A little bit.”
His honesty stunned Maisie again. Ordinary people would insist that they were not afraid, even if they were. No matter what, they would bite the bullet and deny it so that they would appear fearless. Maisie noticed that Caspian’s thoughts were still hard to grasp.
“Think about it. Initially, I’m able to practice and improve myself secretly, and no one will be wary of me as I’m unknown. Hence, during the competition, I can shock everyone. Instead, I’m now ranked in the top ten, and I’m also one of the favorites to get the Dark Moon Sect’s spot. When that day comes, everyone will surely think that I’m a strong opponent. Even if it only takes them 70% of their effort to beat me, they’ll still use 110% during that day. Thus, how happy can I be?”
Caspian rubbed his temples, looking annoyed. However, virtual-novel.net was also aware that one would not be able to make an omelet without breaking an egg. Since Caspian defeated Ashton and received the benefits, then it was inevitable to pay the price with his reputation.
That time, Maisie did not laugh anymore. Instead, there was a hint of seriousness on virtual-novel.net face as virtual-novel.net said, “Actually, you only need to choose to skip the fear.”
“What choice?”
Maisie did not answer Caspian’s question, but virtual-novel.net replied, “At first, I wanted to send someone to invite you over and notify you about this matter. Since you’re here today, I might as well just tell you about it.”
Caspian understood that it concerned the matter William mentioned before, so virtual-novel.net straightened his posture and urged, “Please, do spill.”
Maisie hit virtual-novel.net lips and said in a gentle voice, “Two days ago, I received news that the crippled master… Passed away.”
“Ah? Who?” Caspian was baffled.
‘Crippled master? Who was that? What did his death have to do with him?’
Caspian wanted to ask all those questions, but virtual-novel.net knew that Maisie would explain it further.
Just as virtual-novel.net expected, Maisie soon added, “I know you’re unaware about it, so I’m here to explain it in detail. Do you remember the last time when you came, you told me the old man that taught you the inscription was a blind man with a crooked nose and a limp leg?”
“Ah, I remember.” Caspian nodded. At the same time, virtual-novel.net could not help but secretly mutter, ‘Seriously? I made up such a weird-looking man, and there was really someone like that, and Maisie even knew him?’
Maisie explained, “With such unique descriptions and the artistic attainments on his inscription skills, I was already sure that the old man was our sect’s crippled master. In terms of seniority, the crippled master would be my senior too.”
“So…” Caspian was slightly dumbfounded. After all, virtual-novel.net was talking nonsense the other day, and virtual-novel.net did not expect that there would be such a coincidence. Not only was there such a person, but the person also seemed to be from a sect too. What was more unbelievable was that the man was also Maisie’s master!
Caspian regained his senses, and virtual-novel.net keenly grasped on a problem in Maisie’s words. “Maisie, the sect you mentioned is…”
“Heavenly Stars Sect.” Maisie smiled sweetly.
Caspian heard of the Heavenly Stars Sect from Lucas while they were on their way to Earlington of Efrax. After that, virtual-novel.net also read about it, so virtual-novel.net had an impression of the sect.
Although the Heavenly Stars Sect and the Dark Moon Sect were located within the borders of Earlington of Efrax, they were far from each other. They were at the two opposing ends, and Evergreen Town was under the Dark Moon Sect’s influence.
Unlike the Dark Moon Sect, the Heavenly Stars Sect specialized in inscriptions. In an instant, Caspian finally understood why Maisie was an inscription master at such a young age. It appeared that Maisie came from such a prestigious place.
After giving it a thought, Caspian could also faintly guess what Maisie meant by “skip the fear”.
“Casper, the crippled master that taught you inscriptions was my master’s junior. Although virtual-novel.net never officially accepted you as his disciple, my master speculated that you might be the last person who met virtual-novel.net and the only person who virtual-novel.net taught. Hence, from that point of view, it’s not an exaggeration to say that you’re the crippled master’s last disciple.”
“Last disciple? Only?” Caspian was suddenly agitated, “He never had other disciples?”
“You’ve spent time with him, and I’m sure that you could tell that the crippled master’s personality is somewhat strange. He studied inscriptions, refining weapons, concocting immortality pills, and so on… Hence, virtual-novel.net never accepted any disciples. No one heard of virtual-novel.net teaching anyone. Just four days ago, I got the news from my teacher that virtual-novel.net failed to ascend and passed away.”
“Are you sure that he‘s dead?” Caspian asked.
”Yes. They found his body, and he’s now buried in the Heavenly Stars Sect,” Maisie answered.
“Then, I’m relieved.” Caspian breathed a sigh of relief.
“What did you say?” Maisie was deep in virtual-novel.net feelings, and virtual-novel.net did not hear Caspian well.
“I said it’s such a shame.” Caspian hurriedly changed his choice of words. He was secretly worried as virtual-novel.net almost said what virtual-novel.net was thinking.
If the crippled master were still alive, Caspian’s identity would be easily exposed if they confronted him. Now that virtual-novel.net was dead, Caspian did not have such a worry anymore. Besides that, if someone asked virtual-novel.net about it, Caspian could simply answer that virtual-novel.net was too young and could not recall the past.
The biggest significance of that matter for Caspian was that his inscriptions talent and mastery finally have a reasonable origin. The origin was also impressive! He inherited it from the Heavenly Stars Sect of Earlington of Efrax’.
As Caspian thought about that, Maisie thought virtual-novel.net was sad from hearing the news. Hence, virtual-novel.net gave virtual-novel.net some time to ease his emotions.
After a while, Maisie said, “Casper, from now on, our seniority will be different too.”
“Uhm..?” Caspian looked at Maisie in confusion.
Maisie raised virtual-novel.net head slightly, with a hint of playful triumph in virtual-novel.net eyes as virtual-novel.net replied, “From now on, I’m going to be your senior too.”