REALM OF MYTHS AND LEGENDS

Chapter 1151 Insight and Willpower

"Witnessing your performance in the trial dungeon so far, I have to admit, the rumors I've heard about you don't seem as exaggerated anymore, Palace Master Izroth." Autumn Winds said.

"Well, all the rumors surrounding Palace Master Izroth are a little too unbelievable. Before today, I always dismissed it as a bunch of nonsense. Now, some of them don't seem as far-fetched." Steel Mountain commented in a straightforward manner.

He then continued, "I'm also curious as to how you survived taking a direct hit from the lightning. Even at my full strength, I'm not confident in tanking that kind of destructive attack."

Izroth could see the curiosity in everyone's eyes and could not help but to inwardly shake his head.

'Since I can't move onto the next trial while those three are still in the middle of the second and third trials, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give them some insight. After all, it's difficult to realize what took place without experiencing it directly.'

"Since you are all interesting, then I don't mind sharing. Besides, if you're lucky, perhaps it will give you some clues regarding your own professions if you have one." Izroth said in a carefree manner.

He then explained, "I believe that these two trials were created with the intent of testing two things. The first is one's insight. The second is a person's willpower."

"Insight and willpower..?" Haishe muttered to himself.

When the second and third trials first began, the golden text left behind by Franz Winsor mentioned something about lending a helping hand in realizing something invaluable if one wanted to craft high grade pills.

Naturally, due to these words, everyone present expected it to be something along the lines of a secret crafting technique or some unique pill recipe. They even considered that possibility of Izroth and the other Apothecaries having to fight a monster with a high-ranked fire core. However, for it to be something like insight and willpower was unexpected.

"While I'm not an Apothecary, I am a grade two Inscriptionist. Having good insight is a given if you want to go far as an Inscriptionist or anything you do for that matter. What I don't understand is the willpower part. Then again, I guess no player has gotten to a point in their profession where it might be a necessity." Haishe said as he rested his fingers on his chin while he pondered.

"While I am unsure about every profession, if one wishes to reach the peak of the Apothecary profession, possessing a strong willpower is one of the requirements. After a certain grade, pills will start to resist—some even launch direct counterattacks. If your strength is too weak or you lack willpower, controlling such a pill will be a hopeless task. While I lack definitive proof, I am sure that something similar exists for the other professions." Izroth stated.

He then continued, "I recommend not thinking too much on it. Right now, all you need to know is that having good willpower will significantly increase someone's chances of making it far along the profession path they choose."

Haishe and the others present got a decent grasp on Izroth's words. There were still some parts that they did not fully comprehend, such as a pill being capable of launching its own counterattack. But, they definitely understood that, even if someone's focus was their profession, strength and willpower were two things that could not be neglected. Of course, insight fell into that category as well.

"As for this trial, it is a bit interesting. While on the ridge, one's mind will become unfocused and clouded to that point that thinking becomes its own challenge. There is also a sudden wave of dizziness that washes over you, increasing the difficulty standing straight let alone crossing such a chaotic ridge. However, the solution to pass these two trials aren't all that difficult once you discover its secret." Izroth explained.

...

A few moments ago...

Right as Izroth stepped into first lightning bolt, nothing happened as he stood there with his eyes closed, relying on his Energy Vision Sense and other natural senses.

'As I thought, this lightning bolt—it's just an illusion.'

The reason Izroth was not instantly disqualified despite the lightning bolt constantly striking down nonstop at his location turned out to be because it was just a harmless illusion. However, one would be wrong to think that the same applied for all the lightning bolts.

'At first glance, this challenge seems impossible to pass. But, most of the lightning bolts on this ridge are an illusion. There are only a few real lightning bolts that have to be avoided in order to reach the end.'

Thanks to his Energy Vision Sense, Izroth was easily able to differentiate between the real and fake lightning strikes. Though even without his Energy Vision Sense, Izroth still had a way to tell the real and fake lightning apart. And, it was by the intervals in between their descend.

The fake lightning struck constantly and left zero room for someone to pass through. This was even more so with the stat and skill restrictions in place. On the other hand, the real lightning struck in patterned intervals. As long as one was able to discover the pattern of the real lightning and did not harbor fear of the fake lightning while under the effects of the Mind of Solitude, their dizziness would go away.

'Since I've already seen through it, I should finish this quickly.'

With this thought, Izroth sped through the ridge with flawless timing, avoiding the real lightning strikes while casually moving through the fake lightning. As he traversed the ridge, to those looking from outside, he appeared to be leaving behind random afterimages of himself within the lightning strikes. But, this too, was merely an illusion. It was most likely in place to prevent the other challengers from just following the exact movements and timing of whoever passed.

In just a few handful of seconds, Izroth reached the end of the ridge as he opened his eyes. Not long after, he was transported off the ridge.

...

After Izroth explained what happened to Haishe, Autumn Winds, Steel Mountain and Mystic Lock, they were left momentarily speechless.

"He found all of that out in less than a minute..?" Haishe thought to himself with furrowed brows.

Haishe knew that Izroth was a skilled combatant. He also understood that Izroth, the founder of the Mystical Realm Palace and someone who was at least a grade three Apothecary, was incredibly resourceful. After the whole situation with Sage Falls and the Headhunter Syndicate, it was well known by now that he was cruel to his enemies. But, from how Izroth interacted with those he were close with and Sleeping Gardenia, it became clear to everyone observing him that he treated his allies well.

For him to also be this intelligent and perceptive on top of all of that, he was most likely a great strategist as well. This made Haishe ask himself an important question.

"Every time I think I have a decent understanding of his current capabilities, he keeps on surpassing my expectations. This guy... Just what is his weakness?" Haishe thought to himself.

Haishe let out a heavy sigh as a weak smile found its way onto his face.

"It's a good thing I didn't join the battle back then. Otherwise, we would have become irreconcilable enemies. That idiot Silent Steps had no foresight. He's still causing this much trouble after having been pushed out." Haishe mulled over.

As Izroth and the others carried on their conversation, a little more than four minutes passed since the start of the second and third trials.

As time went on, the effectiveness of the dizziness grew weaker, allowing Pill Master, Blue Quill and Iron Cauldron to actually stand upright as well as gain some breathing room to think.

"Why did the difficulty of the trials increase so drastically?!" Blue Quill scowled as he gathered himself.

"I don't know. But, at this rate, we'll fail and won't be able to compete in the next trials." Iron Cauldron said with furrowed brows.

"How did that brat manage to reach the other side so fast without being hit by that ruthless lightning?! What kind of cheating method did he employ?! I refuse to believe he's facing these trials fairly!" Pill Master growled angrily.

Since Izroth and Haishe were not around to hear him, Pill Master could finally let out all the anger that had been building up in him.

"That's right! Even if Palace Master Izroth is better than the two of us, I would be willing to reluctantly accept it. But, to finish before a grade three Apothecary like you, Elder Pill Master, surely he must have some kind of help that we don't know about. We should complain to the leader and get him to force Palace Master Izroth to cough up that method to the rest of us." Blue Quill stated as he backed up Pill Master's claim.

He then asked respectfully, "Elder Pill Master, surely, you must have a way for us to get out of this in one piece. Whatever your instructions are, I'll follow them without fail."

Pill Master stroked his beard and gave a nod of approval as a gleeful smile formed on his face.

"Blue Quill brat, you aren't too bad. As long as you follow my instructions, I'll make sure we all pass the trial. After this is all over, I'll be sure to teach you a thing or two about pill crafting. If you're able to show some promising results, I won't be against taking you in as my disciple." Pill Master said confidently.

Iron Cauldron stood quietly as he looked at Pill Master and Blue Quill while listening to their conversation unfold before him.

"These two... What the hell are they talking about right now?" Iron Cauldron thought to himself, befuddled.

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