William felt a rollercoaster of emotions as he read the quest details. Disbelief was at the top as he read what he was required to do, but the reward quickly hooked his attention.

The thirty-level bump was exciting, sure, but not something William was particularly attracted by. That would happen in due time, even without the quest, so there was no reason to drool over it.

However, the Heaven-Tier Martial Skill?

That definitely deserved William’s full attention. It was something that only the best of the best in the Sect would have the chance to glimpse. Even in a sect focused on combat, only the inner disciples might have access to a few Heaven-Tier skills.

There was one thing that the reward didn’t mention.

“Is this Heaven-Tier skill going to be compatible with me?” William would have a reason to discard the quest outright if it wasn’t.

“All of these rewards are from me,” Sophia said with a smirk, “Finding one that’s compatible will not be a problem.”

William nodded slowly, wondering if that meant the rewards were negotiable. As fantastic as it sounded to his Qi Gathering realm ears, it didn’t match what the quest was asking of him.

Thinking of what he needed to do to get those rewards brought him back to reality. He would assuredly die in the process, so what was the point of thinking about any so-called rewards he would never enjoy?

The unreasonable quest made William wonder if this Sophia was a fraud, which obviously wasn't true since she could see the system messages. Or maybe she was desperate enough to be forced to pick someone as weak as him.

William’s mind blanked when he realized she was possibly reading his mind right then. He glanced at her to see she was waiting patiently for his answer.

“Did you have more questions?” Sophia asked right when William’s mind had settled on denying the quest.

“I thought you could read my thoughts.”

“I would rather not waste more of the remaining will in this incarnation when I already confirmed you are worthy,” Sophia replied, as if this was all supposed to be obvious.

That made sense in isolation, but William was confident that his mind had been read at least twice so far. Still, if a ‘Dread Empress’ said otherwise, who was he to argue? Besides, he already felt he was pushing it by declining this quest.

This wasn’t the same situation as when William declined the quest the snake gave him. That had been done via the system without the snake’s knowing. On the other hand, Sophia was asking him directly for an answer. Not that using the system would keep it secret since she could apparently see the alerts too.

“I’m still too weak,” William started his well-used spiel for avoiding undesirable situations, “I wish that—”

[Dread Empress Sophia has connected with system functions]

[Dread Empress Sophia is attempting to modify a Main Quest]

[Allow: Y/N]

William cut himself off to read the alerts before glancing at Sophia, who was still staring at him in the same way, patiently, as if she would be getting her desired response from him in the end.

[Allowed]

[Modified Reward| Quest: Seize control of fragmented realm stone]

[Reward: +40 Levels | Heaven-Tier Martial Skill]

[Accept: Y/N]

The assumption of being able to negotiate the quest rewards like they were in a street market turned out to be true. However, the additional levels offered did nothing to change William’s mind. Mainly because it didn’t change that it wasn’t likely that he would live to enjoy them.

“The rewards aren’t the issue,” William firmed his heart and pushed on, “That serpent guarding all those spirit fruits was ridiculously strong. I—”

“Spirit Severing,” Sophia interrupted, “That ugly thing is in the Spirit Severing Realm.”

Wiliam shuddered, wondering if that meant the master of this place was at the same level as Daoist Chen. Still, this gave him an even more concrete reason to stay as far away from this quest as possible.

“Right,” William nodded, “Spirit Severing. That basically means instant death for me.”

“Do you think I would send someone from Earth to a pointless death?”

William knew it was rhetorical and knew that the privacy of his thoughts was suspect at the moment, but the doubt he felt couldn’t be stopped from filling his mind.

However, that didn’t affect the words that left his mouth. “Of course not! But how can I get this realm stone if someone like that guards the place?”

“I never said you’ll have to go against that ugly thing, did I? The only reason you even have a chance of succeeding is due to your low realm. I would have preferred if you didn’t abuse the oasis to absorb so much Qi and break through so many minor realms, but anything below Foundation Establishment is still acceptable.”

William wondered if Sophia’s disgust toward the snake had anything to do with her insistence for him to take the quest. However, the brief gap he took to think of a reply was apparently too long for the seemingly patient Sophia.

[Dread Empress Sophia has connected with system functions]

[Dread Empress Sophia is sending a possible addition to Main Quest]

[Dread Empress Sophia is attempting to modify a Main Quest]

[Allow: Y/N]

“Allow it.”

The flat tone from Sophia made William instinctively follow the order.

[Allowed]

[Modified Reward| Quest: Seize control of fragmented realm stone]

[Reward: +25 Levels | Heaven-Tier Martial Skill]

[Accept: Y/N]

[Quest: Accept Dread Empress Sophia’s previous quest]

[Information: Dread Empress Sophia wants you to accept the quest ‘Seize control of fragmented realm stone.’]

[Reward: A companion to show the path to the fragmented realm stone | Upgrade of Spatial Stone]

[Penalty: Loss of Dread Empress Sophia’s favor]

[Accept: Y/N]

William glanced over the decreased level gain rewards before looking at the newly offered quest. He pressed his lips together when he read the description, and then the penalty.

So William had to decide between angering an immortal cultivator or doing the same to the master of this Shard. Those were not good choices to have.

As for the reward that came with the new quest, William thought the tradeoff of gaining fifteen levels was worth it. His spatial stone being upgraded was nice, but the companion was far more critical in his mind. Hopefully, it would allow him to survive this.

William still must have looked unwilling because Sophia interrupted his thoughts.

“This is all I can do for you,” Sophia’s expression finally changed from patient understanding to annoyance, “This incarnation’s will has a limit. If you feel this isn’t enough, feel free to decline.”

Since Sophia was the one setting the parameters of both these quests, William wondered why the penalty of the second had to be so personal.

It was basically her telling William that he either accepted the quest or he was dead to her. At least, that was the way he interpreted it.

Not wanting to delay any longer, he quickly selected yes for both quests.

[Accepted Quest | Accept Dread Empress Sophia’s previous quest]

[Accepted Quest | Seize control of fragmented realm stone]

[Completed Quest | Accept Dread Empress Sophia’s previous quest]

William flinched when a burst of light was emitted from Sophia and was rapidly absorbed by the black stone resting on his chest.

“Very good,” Sophia sounded satisfied, “I wish you luck, William. I’m sure we will meet again. Stay alive until then.”

William noticed Sophia’s tone becoming more emotionless with every word spoken.

“And don’t believe what you read about me. It’s all fal… If you have no other questions, please exit the safe zone.”

He blinked, realizing that Sophia had fully returned to her previous state. To make sure, William asked, “Could you repeat that?”

“I sense that you are in the fifth level of Qi Gathering. You will be given time to acclimate to your new surroundings. Please return to this safe zone for recuperation before the limit.” The Sophia-doll continued, “If you have no other questions, please exit the safe zone.”

That pretty much confirmed it. William felt that he was almost robbed by how short that interaction was. Still, the simple fact that an immortal had spoken to him might have made other cultivators go mad with jealousy. It would have been ideal to ask more questions, but it wasn't to be.

He noticed movement in the corner of his eyes and snapped his head in that direction, eyes widening at seeing a school of fish lazily swimming by. He hadn’t been aware that the aquatic life had returned. Perhaps Sophia leaving had something to do with that.

Speaking of life, William wondered where his promised companion was.

As if to answer that, a small form swam into his line of sight just outside the bubble and stared at him.

William blinked, thinking this couldn’t possibly be what Sophia promised him. Then it waved.