NOVEL NEXT Chapter 51: Familiar Inn
Spark diligently finished his meal and was preparing to go on his way… now he just had to find an abode to sleep in.
But before he left, he didn't forget to start a small conversation with the bartender. He needed to know more about the so-called Hybrid Valley — after all, so far all he could see was a village.
Wearing a mysterious, eerie smile, the old lady spoke, "Young man, are you not aware? This isn't Hybrid Valley."
"This small village of ours is nothing but an entrance… the gates to the Hybrid Valley open once every month… you're in luck though, it's about time they opened. Three days from now, you can venture in…" The smile on her face grew wider and wider as she spoke.
Spark didn't take this weird expression to heart. He just asked what he needed to know most. "Is the tale of the Valley creating immortals true?"
The moment he asked this question — though he spoke in a neutral tone, not too loud — the once rowdy bar suddenly became stark silent. Other tourists gazed his way, as though also expecting a response from the lady.
The lady, still cleaning a mug with her napkin, suddenly paused. Her lips pursed as she replied, "You all will just have to wait and find out now, won't you?"
After saying that, she continued cleaning, ignoring them all. Disappointed sighs rang out in the bar. They were all here for the same thing, and they had to know what they were getting themselves into…
But it seemed things would remain a mystery for now.
Three days, huh? I can wait, Spark thought as he exited the bar.
After roaming the streets for a bit in search of an inn, he found himself standing in confusion right before a building that looked too familiar.
Everything about the building had an unsettling familiarity — from the rundown plaque to the slight markings on the door — all had the same details as the inn he'd resided in while in the Yang Empire.
It was just a coincidence, right?
There was no way someone could move an entire building across millions of miles inconspicuously… right?
Putting down his hood and shaking his head, he thought, The weird atmosphere of this village has probably gotten to me. There's no way it can be… it must just be a coincidence.
Then, with that, he stepped into the inn…
Ring!
The bell by the door rang as a little receptionist came into view…
Spark's eyes went wide as saucers. Holy shit! Isn't that little Hai?
Meanwhile, Hai, on seeing a new customer, hopped up all smiles. This time, his father had brought them to a reasonable place. This was their fifth customer today — if this continued, their profit would reach an all-time high.
He bowed as he welcomed the customer in a practiced manner. "Welcome, young visitor. I go by the name Hai. May I know which service you require?"
He didn't recognize Spark. One had to remember — throughout Spark's stay at their inn previously, he was either completely covered with bandages, and the only time he wasn't, his face was too marred to be recognized.
But now, right before him stood a handsome-looking young master. The only similarity between Spark now and previously was his hair and eyes…
Spark responded in a neutral tone, keeping his confusion in check. "How much for a room?"
Hai's eyes lit up as he hurriedly recited, "We offer one gold coin a day — three square meals and utilities included."
Spark dropped three gold coins on the table. Hai took them, giving him a numbered key in return. Then, turning to the left, he informed, "Father, keep watch while I go show the customer his room…"
Following Hai's gaze, Spark saw a familiar elder sitting leisurely on a chair, his eyes half-lidded — and he seemed to be smoking pot?
Spark didn't know how to react. He couldn't tell if smoking pot was something done in this world, but one thing was sure — this father and son duo had more to them than met the eye.
After being shown his room — eerily enough, it was exactly the same room he'd resided in previously…
He went in, shut the door, his expression weird.
He didn't know what to make of all this, but he decided not to bother himself much. After all, he still had a lot to accomplish in three days' time.
His gut feeling told him this trip to the Hybrid Valley wouldn't go as easily as he wished. So he had to make some progress before it opened.
The past nine days had been stressful and hectic, but that never stopped him from researching and practicing. Due to the fact that he had a few artifacts — even though they were of low rank — it was still manageable.
And for the practicing… back on Earth, he had always been restrained. The fear of causing irreparable damage to his surroundings and people if he dared use his abilities without restraint.
But coming to this realm — though it made him weaker and removed him from his status as the top dog — it also gave him the chance he needed to grasp Zenith.
And four days ago or so, he had felt the barrier to Zenith.
It seemed achieving Zenith had something to do with his output evolving — to be able to manifest matter instead of only energy.
Just as his input could now absorb energy from matter, his output would be able to do the same.
If he achieved this, he could get stronger. Not being restrained to energy output alone would expand his battle options and make him more versatile.
By then, he would at least be confident and assured in the journey he was about to embark on…
Glancing at the healing blisters on his palm, he wondered, Was that guy an Essence Weaver or a martial artist?
The more he learned about Will, the more he longed for it… Speaking of Will — he took out one of the artifacts he owned, ready to dive back into practice.
And like that, three days passed in a blink…