Sophia fidgeted on her seat as she looked at the man in front of her. A man of legend. A man who could become her teacher and give her his entire legacy. To say today was the turning point in her life might be an understatement. And she was aware of it. Which is why she was so anxious to the point that whenever she spoke, she stuttered.

He wasn't the kind of man anyone could face easily. And Sophia was bearing the weight of that statement. It took her minutes of chatting before she found the opportunity and took it. She brought up her sincerity. She took out a manual and push it on the table towards Hae-Hyuk as she said: "Please, Master Hae-Hyuk, accept this token of appreciation"

Hae-Hyuk picked up the book. The cover read 'One over Another, Soul for two' and he recognized it as a soul sea technique. It wasn't difficult to recognize since it was one of Isla's technique and he knew her rather well to say the least. He looked at the fidgeting Sophia and thought 'She couldn't be thinking this is the sincerity I asked of her, right?'

However, the more he thought of it, the more it seemed plausible. He was close to laughing and it was difficult to supress his amusement. To think this girl tried to bribe him, a technique master, with a technique. He didn't know what to think. Was she dumb or too brilliant for him to comprehend? Still, he wasn't going to rebuke her for trying such an approach. He wouldn't accept her with this though.

He decided to put on a little show.

He took the book, nodded and pocketed it. Then, he thanked Sophia and went back to the random chat they had before as if nothing happened. It was quite fun to see the expression on that young woman's face. She seemed unsure of what was going on. The situation might have been a little too much for her.

...

As Sophia politely left Hae-Hyuk's quarters, she thought back to what happened. She couldn't understand. She showed her sincerity yet he brushed it off as if nothing? What was the matter? Was her sincerity not expressed? Or was it not enough? Yes, it had to be that. This was a mighty master, a single technique was not enough to move him!

She became serious an encouraged herself before moving back towards the treasury. She planned to find the perfect techniques and gift them to him.

...

A moment later, Isla entered Hae-Hyuk's quarters. He was sipping tea. She took a seat in front of him and served herself one. She drank a little before she asked: "How did it go?"

Hae-Hyuk was unable to contain the little smile from appearing on his face as he took out a manual and sent it to her. She grasped it and saw the title. It was one of her techniques: 'One over Another, Soul for two'. Why was this book here? She looked at Hae-Hyuk questioningly.

And he told her: "That's your daughter's sincerity"

As she heard this, she laughed. Then she hanged her head in her heads: "My goodness, this girl, what am I to do with her"

Hae-Hyuk chuckled as he told her: "I gave her such an easy test yet she can still fail, she sure has talent"

Isla glared at him for a second before she retorted: "At least she brought out a valuable technique. Aren't you slightly swayed too? Techniques are the most precious to a technique master"

Hae-Hyuk answered back: "They are also our domain of expertise. I saw you use that one, I already know it"

Isla nodded. It was true after all. This guy could learn a technique simply by seeing it once. That's why he was so fearsome and famous. She looked at him. Then, she asked: "So, what now? I hope you didn't reject her?"

Hae-Hyuk shook his head sideways as he answered: "I gave her a week, she can try as many times as she need. That being said, I wonder how many more times she will fail"

Isla sighed again. She knew she couldn't go and tell her daughter about the real requirement but this was going to be a problem. Would she really fail such a simple test? He wasn't even asking for much... For the role of a legacy disciple to be sold this cheaply was already beyond common understanding. And yet, was that price still too expensive?

She got up and left. She wasn't in the mood for fun. She couldn't help her daughter directly but she had to do something...As for Hae-Hyuk, he guessed what she was up to but had no reasons to interfere. A powerful background was part of one's self and using it to reach one's goals was not only encouraged but a must in this world.

Going slightly back in time, as Jin and Min-Su left Hae-Hyuk's room, something happened. They crossed paths with Sophia. Then they saw her enter Hae-Hyuk's room. Both Min-Su and Jin weren't aware of what was going on behind the scenes and Min-Su's guess was that she was going to be a bride for one of them.

Jin looked at him as if a fool but after a moment, he figured it might be possible. This world had such practices where the Master picked the disciple's bride. If that was true, he hoped it would be for Min-Su. As such, he teasingly said: "Congratulations on your marriage, Senior"

Min-Su angrily rebuked: "Marriage my ass!" She was a beauty alright but she was a dangerous one. He didn't want to be with someone like that, someone who could bring problems along her path.

After joking for a few more moments, they left. As they were going down the tower, Min-Su glanced at the book in Jin's hands and asked: "Are you going to study it right away?"

Jin nodded.

And Min-Su asked something else: "Can I study with you?"

It wasn't unexpected as it was something important. Every cultivator would have to go through this choice and being prepared beforehand was a must. This was truly the kind of choice that could shape their entire futures.