Chapter 43: Turns out I've pretty much done it all!
This was precisely why, in the grand hall, Timothy could completely conceal his presence and ensure a fatal strike on the remaining five.
Quietly leaving the Mystic Realm with Emily, Timothy took her to a secluded village tavern to rest.
A pot of clear wine was placed before them. Timothy filled a cup for Emily and then handed her a book titled "The Uselessness of Spiritual Partners." "I'm not much of a reader, so I'm counting on you to keep your promise and tell me about this book," he said.
"Don't call me 'miss,' aren't you going to ask my name?" Emily said, her voice filled with hurt.
"Uh, so what is your name?" Timothy asked.
Emily sighed, her lips barely parting as she slowly revealed her real name: "Emily."
"Oh, Emily," Timothy nodded nonchalantly.
Seeing this, Emily almost burst into tears.
She had revealed her true name to see if Timothy remembered her at all.
After all, Timothy had participated in a tournament that was essentially a martial contest for marriage. If he had cared even a little, he should have remembered her name!
But it seemed he had no recollection whatsoever!
Timothy's participation in the contest was just about the fight, showing no interest in her at all!
Why, why are there men like this in the world!
Being a princess, Emily had never been treated this way.
Tears swirled in her eyes, but she forced herself to hold them back.
There was no helping it,she had been foolishly smitten.
Once she finished explaining "The Uselessness of Spiritual Partners," she was determined not to have anything to do with Timothy ever again, forever!
Yes, that's right!
With tears in her eyes, Emily forcefully held back her emotions and petulantly flipped open "The Uselessness of Spiritual Partners."
"Ever since I was little, I've aimed to emulate Goddess Sylvia, and not long after I learned to read, I read this book, 'The Uselessness of Spiritual Partners.' So, I can't guarantee much, but my understanding of this book definitely surpasses countless others," Emily said, caressing the worn cover of the book with a hint of nostalgia.
Her expression grew serious, and after clearing her throat softly, she began to explain the contents.
"'The Uselessness of Spiritual Partners' starts with the argument that men are useless. Men only slow down my sword-drawing speed. Thus, true achievement can only be reached by keeping away from men."
Suddenly, Emily heard a stifled laugh.
Looking at Timothy, she saw only his serious and meticulous expression.
"Did I hear wrong?" Emily continued, "To reject a spiritual partner and succeed in cultivation, one must first control one's own heart. No matter how sweetly a man talks or what tricks he uses, you must never believe him, never be swayed."
Emily paused slightly and said, "Look here, the book even includes a direct quote from Goddess Sylvia."
"A direct quote?" Timothy looked in the direction she indicated, and coincidentally, he recognized those words, written in Goddess Sylvia's elegant script.
But compared to now, they carried a hint of youthful naivety.
The content was: "Like some cunning men who try to capture a woman's heart with love letters, thinking they're being very romantic. I don't understand—just a love letter, what's so appealing about that? It's nothing but useless sweet talk. Not just one letter, even if you gave me a hundred, a thousand, I would never be moved!"
This time, Timothy couldn't help but burst out laughing.
He couldn't believe that Goddess Sylvia had such a naive period.
It was just too adorable!
He suddenly felt an urgent desire to take this passage back to the Sky Sanctuary to show Goddess Sylvia.
Emily looked puzzled.
Could it be that Timothy had some kind of epiphany from hearing Goddess Sylvia's profound words?
Indeed, it could be possible—after all, these were the profound insights of Goddess Sylvia on the great path!
Even understanding just one percent of it could be immensely beneficial to anyone.
Emily continued, the subsequent content and elements were just as rich as before.
This included repeated admonitions from Goddess Sylvia: "Never date boys, never hold hands with boys, never kiss boys, and definitely never bring boys back to your sleeping quarters..."
After hearing all this, Timothy had one reaction.
"Turns out I've pretty much done it all!"
Dating, holding hands, bringing someone back to the sleeping quarters.
Everyone knew Goddess Sylvia as a cold and majestic figure, no man dared approach her lightly.
But no one knew she was also a big hypocrite who said one thing and felt another!
Timothy immediately grabbed Emily's hand excitedly: "Thanks for explaining, I suddenly feel enlightened. I want to go back to the Sky Sanctuary to reflect on this. Could you lend me this book? I promise to return it after I've studied it thoroughly."
Caught off guard by the hand-holding, Emily was stunned, immediately feeling embarrassed and indignant: "The goddess said, never hold hands with boys..."
"It's okay, just think of me as a good sister."
"..."
If it had been any other man touching her, Emily would have felt disgusted.
But facing Timothy now, her mind was a complete mess, plunged into chaos.
"I'll lend it to you, then."
Reluctantly pulling her delicate hand back, Emily blushed and nodded slightly.
"Thank you, Miss Emily. Today, I'll cook myself as a way to repay you."
Taking "The Uselessness of Spiritual Partners," Timothy headed to the tavern's kitchen.
He was in a great mood today, and the ordinary skills of the tavern chefs certainly wouldn't satisfy him.
"Esteemed guest, you wish to cook yourself?"
The waiter quickly came over, eager to assist.
"Yes, I'm in a good mood."
Timothy rolled up his sleeves, ready to unleash his top-level culinary skills.
The waiter, knowing how to keep the conversation going, immediately smiled and said, "What good thing happened today to make you so happy?"
Timothy replied, "Nothing big. Just went to the Valley of the Undead, killed seven Mystic Core old demons, acquired the legendary treasures of three Holy Emperors, repelled Holy Emperor Vorenus, and then dispersed the Ninefold Thunder Tribulation, that's all."
The waiter: "..."
I've seen my fair share of blowhards, but this guy, spouting off without a script and still managing to sound smooth, was a first for me.
The waiter couldn't help but retort, "Come on, don't try to fool me. I might not have any special training, but I know just how terrifying those who do can be."
"Someone called the 'Holy Emperor' can move mountains and seas with a wave of his hand, and split the heavens and earth in anger.
"You're talking fairy tales here."
Timothy, slicing his steak, chuckled, "And what if I told you it's all true?"
"I might not be the most educated, but I'm not dumb, okay? Don't treat me like a fool," the waiter slapped his chest confidently. "Anyone can boast, right? I could even say Goddess Sylvia is my wife!"
"Oh?"
But after his remark, the waiter watched in horror as Timothy lifted the gleaming chef's knife in his hand.
A chill ran down his spine:"I was just shooting the breeze, man! Don't lose your cool! Ah, ah!"
But it seemed, it was already too late.
Soon, the kitchen was filled with one scream after another.
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