Chapter 109: Teaching Without Discrimination

The Hall of Heroes, this time, welcomed inevitable chaos.

Even cloaked in mist, it does not mean one can truly conceal their identity.

Body type reveals part of it, accent reveals another; when certain racial languages are spoken, one's origins are inevitably exposed.

"Vehkveyn? Sovngah Vivecgarl? (Where is this? What kind of secret art built this hall?)"

The rapid trill unique to Dark Elf speech revealed the speaker's identity.

But the next moment, everyone silently moved away from her. Even denizens of the Underworld never considered Dark Elves friendly or approachable.

What struck the observer Li En as peculiar was that her only fellow in the hall was the one who had run the fastest and farthest.

Mist covered everyone; the early arrivals and latecomers had formed two distinct groups, mutually wary.

The latecomers were not all from beneath the earth. Two beasts from Huicheng wandered in foolishly, still silent, carefully observing.

Li En's earlier act of kicking someone may have frightened them.

Everyone was observing. Though they could not comprehend the situation, the divine, otherworldly scenery alone had made them realize this might be an opportunity.

"This is the Hall of Spirits, the sanctuary where ancient heroic souls return to this world." A confident young female voice echoed through the hall, revealing her status as a seasoned one.

"Dragon Hunter" Dainya stepped forward, striving to project the demeanor of a senior, beginning to explain the current situation to the newcomers.

"This is the second opening of the Spirit Inheritance. I am Dainya D. Alishé. I will not hide my identity." With that, she deliberately dispersed her mist.

"You should recognize me—I am the Princess of the Kingdom. If you trust me, come to me." She still sought to seize control of the Hall of Spirits.

But Li En's expression turned peculiar. Dainya surely knew what manner of monsters had just arrived; she still thought they were all from Huicheng.

Using your princess status to rally followers and claim dominance in your kingdom is fine—but not here.

"Furry filth. Stinking long-tailed swine." Indeed, the Dark Elf woman who had spoken earlier instantly spat venom.

She did not know the full situation, but years of struggle had taught her one rule: never let the "enemy" hold the initiative.

Instantly, the Princess froze. What? Is this really the kind of racial hatred a Shouren princess should hear? Isn't this my own country?!

How dare you insult me like this—do you even plan to survive in Huicheng or the Kingdom?! The Princess's brows shot up in fury.

"Puhahaha." Li En burst out laughing, and his uncorrected voice drew attention from others.

After all, he stood beside the Spirit who was brewing medicine—clearly, he was no ordinary figure.

"Silence. Show respect before the Sage Kuku." He spoke—and confirmed his "official" status.

Kuku? What kind of name is that?

". am Kuku. You've likely never heard of me—I'm no famous spirit, no great hero." Kuku sighed. These mischievous children.

Within Li En's line of sight, Kuku shifted his train of thought.

It seemed Kuku still cared a little for the dignity of ancient heroes.

From Li En's perspective, he saw the mist-shrouded Sariman covering her mouth and pointing at him and Kuku—as if she had recognized them.

"Red Dragon Sage Kudraken?! The strange sage who loved to assume the form of a kobold? No—how could any alchemist not know your name? Your Serenity series potions remain the standard neutralizers for countless high-grade alchemical and magical concoctions."

Again, it was the Dark Elf woman—she was clearly an alchemist, perhaps the reason she was chosen.

The Dark Elf who had moments ago snarled at the Princess now bowed with reverence and humility, even curtsying with her skirt.

". am Kuku. Kobold alchemist Kuku." Kuku sighed, growing more exasperated.

Li En struggled to suppress his laughter—he had asked the same question among the mages.

Kobold Kuku? Never heard of him.

Red Dragon Sage Kudraken? Some records exist.

But don't expect many mages to know him—accurately speaking, ninety-nine percent of mages have never heard of him, even if they've used his invented spells.

Only specialized alchemists encounter his knowledge in certain advanced theoretical studies.

This does not mean his achievements or techniques are meaningless—his greatest work is now inseparable from all life.

Everyone uses its upgraded, expert versions—yet only specialists bother to memorize his name.

But for those who truly know.

"Your achievements are destined to echo eternally. You filthy-furred princess—how can you not recognize this sage? Your ignorance is terrifying. All of you owe him a debt!"

At these words, the surface dwellers exchanged glances—they truly did not know who this sage was.

But not everyone was ignorant—Li En noticed a new male beastman entering, his face filled with surprise.

He too was a high-rank alchemist—he had recognized the legend.

After a moment's thought, he stepped forward.

"Princess, this is Sage Kudraken. He invented most of today's Serenity potions and cured beastman diseases, including Blood Rage."

Most beastmen still looked dazed, utterly unaware of what this meant—their past lives knew no such diseases.

But Dainya's expression turned startled. With her ancient lineage, she recalled this debt.

"Sage of Serenity? He's a kobold?" She spoke, then quickly covered her mouth—comparing a dragon to a kobold was the ultimate insult.

"Exactly! Kuku is a kobold!! Not a red dragon! Not a great evil dragon!" Kuku, long suppressed, finally revealed his true form.

His words instantly made the atmosphere peculiar.

"Hmm. History often contains subtle recording errors. It's perfectly normal for a Red Dragon Sage to be a kobold." Li En chimed in immediately.

He had no intention of wasting the entire night debating whether the spirit was a red dragon or a kobold.

After hesitation, Dainya continued, interpreting Kuku's achievements from her perspective.

This legendary sage ended the most agonizing instinctual disease of beastmen, putting an end to the era when afflicted beasts turned on their limbs and loved ones.

It was on this foundation that beastman branches could finally merge, giving rise to the great beastman empires.

In a sense, the Dark Elf's claim that all beastmen owed Kuku a debt was true.

"The Serenity potion? Isn't that just the Serenity flower formula? Just grab a handful and mix it." This surface alchemist clearly hadn't studied well.

Or perhaps these younger generations truly had no need to know such ancient, useless knowledge.

Young alchemists need only know how to use materials and drugs; mid- to high-rank scholars must study pharmacology and ingredients; only archaeologists actively dig into these ancient secrets.

The Princess herself didn't fully understand—she only knew a dragon sage had ended the beastman bloodline disease and created a series of Serenity potions.

Neither she nor the Dark Elf alchemist realized that some things, seen daily, lose their perceived value and significance—no one noticed how hard-won they were.

"The Serenity flower was cultivated by this sage, from nothing, over one hundred and twenty years." Li En spoke at last.

In that moment, everyone understood.

They looked at the unassuming kobold on the platform—no trace of mockery or doubt remained.

If all this were true, it was indeed a feat capable of changing the world.

The title "Sage" was entirely deserved—perhaps even granted during his lifetime!

"A hundred years to cultivate a single main ingredient? Unbelievable."

"Impossible to comprehend—how did he do it?"

"One man ended a race's innate flaw? No, it couldn't be just one man—but still, absurd."

The murmuring alchemists now realized the difficulty—within their knowledge system, it was utterly impossible.

They would verify it later—but with this premise, verification would not be difficult.

Unlike the pitiful Princess, a single well-timed remark from Li En had effortlessly seized the initiative.

Everyone unconsciously turned to him. Li En had no need to introduce himself—this appropriately distant "Spirit's emissary" role was enough.

"Princess, could you explain to these newcomers the specifics of the Spirit Inheritance ritual?" Li En passed the ball directly to Dainya.

This was mainly because he was too lazy to waste words—not because he pitied the girl, who had just crashed again after stepping out the door.

Delighted to receive the ball from Li En, Dainya immediately perked up—this she could handle.

She sensed something off about this inheritance, yet still refused to relinquish control of the Hall of Spirits.

If the Magic Tide was approaching, these Spirit Inheritance candidates were destined to become a powerful force.

For public and private reasons alike, she would not give up control.

"The Hall of Spirits is the sanctuary where ancient heroes return. You've likely heard similar legends—it is an opportunity to gain inherited power. This is the second opening. The first was a righteous knight—"

Even the defiant Dark Elf alchemist now listened patiently.

Li En realized—this chaos, in a way, was beneficial. This power likely never belonged solely to any one race.

Who knew what race the next "Li Ensu" would be?

Given that this is currently the Beastman Era, the likelihood of another race being chosen is higher.

Li En also noticed a mismatch on Kuku's side—perhaps none of these present individuals were truly suited to inherit his power.

The first to enter was a Mind Flayer—a highly evil, unique creature, yet one of the most renowned psychic races of this plane.

The second was the Mind Flayer Brain Cluster—a monstrous heap of brains, one of the world's strongest psychic energy users, naturally possessing a psychic network and multiple, collective consciousness.

Mushroom folk also possess innate psychic networks and are said to achieve collective consciousness.

Liches are generally not weak in this regard either; that Yisi machine-like being likely had innate multithreading.

"Perhaps from the very beginning, these Yizu with abnormal neural structures were better suited to inherit Kuku's power."

Li En sighed. Normal humans likely could not inherit a power destined to cause schizophrenia.

All he could do was guide slightly, hoping this inheritance wouldn't fall into terrible hands.

". he previous inheritor has already obtained a second-rank transcendent profession, with limitless potential. He gained partial Spirit traits and a combat system. If he continues, he may become another historical hero." After receiving Dimon's permission, Dainya revealed part of the information.

The promotion was over. All eyes turned to Kuku on the platform—beyond respect, now came longing. Who would refuse such a chance to ascend in a single step?

Who would truly be content with mediocrity?

But at this moment, Kuku scratched his head, seemingly surprised.

"Ha—who said the inheritor is limited to one?"

In that instant, everyone froze.

Right before everyone's eyes, Kuku began to undergo binary fission.

Another Kuku stepped out from its body.

"How can you be so arrogant as to believe you alone can inherit all of Great Sage Kuku's knowledge?"

One Kuku walked up to the Princess, a sneer on his face.

"I will give you knowledge—if you prove your ability."

One Kuku approached the dark elf alchemist and produced an exam paper.

Soon, each candidate stood before a Kuku.

"Come, let me see your ability—see what I can teach you. As long as you have the capacity to take it, I will give it all." This, truly, was Kuku's teaching without discrimination.

Day one is only for introductions and probing? Kukus can complete all preliminary trials and deliver tailored teaching plans!

(End of Chapter)