This wasn't solely about transferring one's knowledge, it was also about picking one's heir. Giving your entire live's experiences to someone else. Compatibility, talent, expectations, charisma, character, worth... Many things had to be considered. He didn't want to give everything to someone from the start as he believed it to have a negative effect.

If someone was given everything, would they ever question it and search for other things? Probably not. The vast knowledge he had could be considered the greatest spoiling a cultivator could ever be given. If a young man or woman was to be given so much so quickly... He didn't want to think of it.

As for the plant, it was indeed precious. Incredibly so. But it wasn't worth leaving behind a monster, especially one like Sophia. Her awareness of herself and the world was so bad that giving her weapons of mass destruction was hardly something good. And at his level, karma was something he could perceive.

To put it simply:

1) He didn't want to bother with a legacy disciple as it was a pain and dangerous.

2) Sophia was far from the ideal candidate.

He told Isla: "This herb is incredible but I will not take this deal"

Isla quickly interjected: "Don't be too early on taking a decision. You took in two disciples to get it this time. But after you have it, you will need a lot of resources to break through the end point"

"I have accumulated a lot, Isla. This herb could shorten the time I would take, that is certain. But it isn't worth the trade. Your daughter... She can't bear the weight of my knowledge. She doesn't have the judgement and temperament"

"I know that I spoiled her and she is lacking. But what are you losing anyways? You plan to reach the end point! Once you cross over, why would you care what happens here?"

"We are both at the peak of the expert realm, you know why just as well as I do"

"Karma? You don't have to care about that. Just teach her so that she won't repeat her mistakes and won't make the worst ones"

"So, you want me to educate your child in your stead too? Let me be direct, Isla. That herb would help me but it is not like I must have it. Teaching Sophia would take time too. Which would take longer do you think?"

"...I didn't want to resort to this but you leave me no choice Hae-Hyuk. You owe me and it is time for you to repay the debt"

Hae-Hyuk glared at her. And she glared back. A long, long, long time ago, a young man aged of only a century and some tried to bite more than he could shew. If not for the timely arrival of a young woman of similar age, he would have died. That was how they met and at that time, Hae-Hyuk swore to the heavens to repay her for saving his life.

It is something that always happen in the lives of cultivators. They experience life threatening events. Some die and some live. Of those who live, it is many times due to the help from strangers. An unwritten rule to help those in need if you can without much risks. Help someone and gain both karma and a favor from the saved.

The favor Isla earned was never repaid. She kept it. All these years. And she brought it back now. They both believed that there would never come a day where it would be used. But things changed when Isla gave birth. Her whole world view twisted and began to revolve around her daughter instead of herself.

Hae-Hyuk understood what she meant by bringing this up. He sighed. To think this woman would ever love someone to this point... Everything began to come together. Hae-Hyuk asked her: "Is that your decision? You are going to sacrifice your future for her own?"

Isla gave him a sad smile but for the first time, it felt like a very honest one. Maybe this was one of those rare moments where she expressed what she truly felt. She told him: "I don't care anymore about the end point and what is beyond it. I have been stuck at the 69th stage for so long... For so long, i took part in that like you, hoping to get it. It always failed. I had kept that stalk with the belief that I would one day use it, you see, ah ah. But, you know, I became a mother"

Hae-Hyuk nodded. He didn't understand the feeling of being a parent but he understood what it entailed. And he couldn't help but admire Isla for her choice. She was putting her kid before herself. Even though she had reached so close to the end point...

Isla continued after seeing that Hae-Hyuk seemed to understand: "I want to watch her grow, to spend time with her and to give her the best I can. I might never get one even if I keep trying but you, you will win this one. Instead of hoping for future benefits, I would rather give the best to my daughter"

Hae-Hyuk answered her: "I understand. I will give her a chance"

Isla smiled brightly as she pushed the box forward once more: "I wouldn't ask for more"

Hae-Hyuk alternated between looking at the box and Isla before asking her one last time: "Are you sure? What if she fails my test?"

Isla chuckled: "It is her opportunity to take hold of. If she can't...It wasn't her fate. And I believe you won't be too hard on her"

Hae-Hyuk picked the box and put it in his ring. Then, he solemnly vowed: "I, Hae-Hyuk, vowed to the heavens to give a fair test to Sophia Crowe. With the heavens as my witness, my debt towards you, Isla, is repaid"

Isla smiled gently as she added: "With the heavens as my witness, I, Isla, agree"