Despite his own thoughts on the situation, Xiao could not help but at least want to try to take a shot at acquiring the treasure of this realm early on. When he thought about it previously, he had figured out that it might just be best to wait for the right time on that front, and instead explore areas the original story had never elaborated upon... Places the author had surely not even given a slight moment to imagine.

But it had to be said, the treasure the original protagonist was meant to acquire in this realm was attractive. It could help Xiao progress at a swift pace without missing out on anything due to lacking the sword artefact.

Before checking out uncharted territory, he decided to at least scout out the area and see for himself if it seemed feasible. To begin with, he was far weaker than he should be to have a shot at succeeding right now. The Xiao from the novel had nearly gotten to it before being expelled out of the realm in extremis, before he was kicked out of the realm of the living.

That guy had been alone. So with some assistance, the crimson-eyed youth figured that it should be possible. However, on the off chance that the circumstances differed from the novel, he needed someone powerful.

The two core disciples could definitely fulfil that role, but they were too much of sticklers to the rules. They wouldn’t agree to going on an unknown venture that wasn’t even guaranteed to yield any result. Not to mention, this was purely for Xiao’s own interest. There wasn’t much for someone else to acquire…

There was also Yin, of course, she should definitely have the strength to be of assistance. However, Xiao had only met her a handful of times. It was highly unlikely that she would agree to such a venture. Not to mention, the circumstances seemed to have changed for her as well, as she had been spending her time with another inner disciple that Xiao only knew because he had been with Edrick back in Paradiso.

Clearly not a character mentioned in the story.

That only left one candidate.

Edrick Lucien Anoteros... Powerful, eccentric, and far from being the type to follow the rules. He seemed like the sort that would agree for the simple reason that there would be a challenge, appearing like someone who believed that practical experience was just as valuable as tangible treasures.

Though Xiao wasn’t certain if he trusted that idea of Anoteros that he had made up in his head... Edrick was arguably quite a strange person. He was also a character from the novel who had inexplicably risen from the position of forgettable minor antagonist meant to be face-slapped and left behind, to the position of a respected and powerful figure.

Xiao guessed that there was more to this than it might seem. However, he just didn’t know what it might be that could have caused a change in the script like this one.

In any case, he discreetly approached the noble scion and sat beside him whilst everyone was busy sitting in meditation…

Normally, the disciples of the Myriad-Arm Sect would come out to explore and gather resources in just a few days. By then, quite a lot of the other disciples should already be gone, leaving behind only a handful of small groups and some lone wolves carrying bad intentions.

Classic stuff, really.

“How may I help you, Xiao?” Edrick opened his eyes and addressed him. The flow of inner energy did not stop even as he began speaking. Despite not being around much, the young noble had practised the secret technique thoroughly.

“I have heard of a special treasure within the realm. I am after it, but I lack the strength to do it alone” he went straight to the point as meandering around the subject would only accomplish the opposite of what he wanted.

“What’s in it for me?” Edrick did not refuse immediately, but his expression was unreadable as he closed his eyes again. There was only a small smile on his face.

“Well…” Xiao hesitated. In truth, there was a possibility for another treasure which he had no use for but was still valuable... That one was highly unlikely to appear now due to the conditions that were required for it to manifest.

Even in the original story, the protagonist had only stumbled upon it by pure chance, only to stash it, never for it to ever be mentioned again for some reason.

“...There is another treasure, but the chances of it manifesting are… Slim, to say the least” he decided to be honest, looking around as he spoke in a hushed tone that only Edrick could hear.

“I won’t hide anything from you. The treasure I am after is a special puppet. It is the ultimate teaching tool and teacher in one. As long as you know how to use it, it can teach you countless things to a level that surpasses most masters. At least, that’s what I heard…”

“...The second treasure is much harder to obtain. However, it is a genuine, original and unique all-cultivation technique with a strong emphasis on body cultivation in particular. I don’t know the specifics, but I believe that it provides an enormous boost to those who can cultivate it” Xiao looked around once more.

“The problem, though- Is that this can only be acquired by killing the Red-Skinned Guardian” he finally said, but Edrick showed no particular reaction to even that information.

‘This guy has nerves of steel!’

“I wasn’t aware that you had that sort of information” spoke the emerald elder as he floated around Xiao.

‘It’s a long story, Master… But my sources are credible, don’t worry about it’ he dodged the spectre’s interrogation, waiting for the noble scion’s answer.

“And what are we supposed to do to acquire these items in the first place?” Edrick neither agreed nor refused, keeping Xiao on edge.

The crimson-eyed youth sighed quietly and simply began explaining that the puppet was kept in a dilapidated temple outside the reaches of the forests, behind the mountains that surrounded the area where the disciples appeared upon entering the realm.

Beyond this region, there was far more ground to cover to truly explore the realm. It was supposedly filled with many ruins left by unknown civilisations. It was also said that outside of this region, beasts and resources were even more numerous and of higher quality.

Most of what was said about the regions outside this area was mostly hearsay. However, even Xiao knew little about it. The story had only focused on that one temple. That was it.

“Mmh” Edrick cracked his fingers.

“Sure, why not? You can count me in for that little trip…”