"Question the rationality of the problems themselves, question the legitimacy of authority, even question the significance of the entire testing system!"
"This way of thinking is the true wisdom for surviving in an absurd world!"
As these words were spoken, the false classroom vanished completely, revealing the true core of the treasure vault.
But at that moment, Ron saw something deeper in the dissipating owl’s eyes.
It wasn’t simple admiration, but a jumble of mixed emotions:
Recognition of the wisdom of the younger generation, and contemplation of his own existential significance.
There was even a trace of... loneliness?
Did the King of Absurdity create these tests to select visitors, or to find those who could understand the solitude in his heart?
In this world full of contradictions, even the creator himself might be searching for some kind of definite answer.
......
The moment Ron stepped into the treasure vault, he felt as though he had entered an entirely different space.
There were no traditional display stands or storage racks here.
Instead, various bizarre-shaped creatures were showcasing priceless treasures with their bodies.
Ron’s attention was first drawn to a gigantic mushroom.
At the top of its cap, a delicate box emitting colorful light rested steadily.
"Look at me! Look at me!"
The mushroom yelled excitedly in a somewhat piercing voice:
"The box on top of me can grant any wish! Any wish at all! Do you want wealth? Beauty? Power? Or immortality? It can give it to you!"
The mushroom’s eyes blinked, and continued in a confused tone:
"But the price is... uh... what again? Whatever, it’s really scary! Haha! It’s scarier than death! But not as scary as death! In short, it’s complicated!"
Ron carefully observed the box through "Extraordinary Recognition."
In his perception, the seemingly exquisite container held a strong allure for him, whispering sweet promises.
Yet it also harbored a chilling malice, like a hungry monster at the bottom of the abyss patiently waiting for its prey.
"That is the Otherworld Treasure Box."
Eve explained softly, her voice clearly tense:
"The legendary ultimate creation that can fulfill any wish, but the cost of using it..."
She didn’t finish, but Ron read fear from her expression.
Recalling the truth he learned from Uther, he fully understood the source of such fear.
As they observed the Otherworld Treasure Box, a light flapping sound echoed from the sky.
A winged desk flew over from the air, an ancient tome spread open on its surface.
The desk’s wings were pure white, each feather shimmering with the glow of wisdom.
But more striking was the desk wearing gold-rimmed glasses, giving it quite a scholarly appearance.
"Look here! Look here!"
The desk announced loudly in a superior tone:
"I carry the ’Extraordinary Comprehensive Guide’—the wisest book in the entire universe! It contains the secrets of all extraordinary systems! Want to grasp the essence of power? Want to understand the laws of the universe? It can tell you!"
The flying desk performed an elegant spin in the air, then smugly added:
"But you know, everyone who reads it ends up bald! Why? Because it’s too brain-burning! The flame of wisdom will burn your hair! Haha! But baldness is a symbol of wisdom!"
It paused, seeming to ponder:
"By the way, is baldness truly unattractive? I think it’s quite handsome... after all, smart heads don’t grow hair!"
Ron stared at the book, his heart started racing.
The ’Extraordinary Comprehensive Guide’ had an irresistible allure for him.
His infinite professional panel needed the synergy of multiple professions to truly exert its power!
But the flying desk’s warning about "baldness."
Though it sounded absurdly funny, Ron intuitively felt there might be a real danger hidden within.
Excessive knowledge intake often causes irreversible damage to the spirit.
"Master, look over there."
Eve pointed to another part of the vault.
There, a giant rainbow python was coiled in a circle, resembling an ancient ouroboros pattern.
In the center of the circle formed by the snake, an irregular crystal fragment floated.
"Young man, young lady..."
The big snake beckoned them with a mysteriously cryptic tone, the voice carrying the distinctive accent of a Divination Master:
"Want to peek at the future? This Possibility Shard can show you all possible life paths, successful, failed, sad, happy ones, all can be seen."
The snake’s head swayed, like a hypnotist with a rhythmic motion:
"Only a mere 99.999999...% of sanity value! Fair deal! Unbeatable price! Think about it, if you can predict the future, you can avoid all traps and seize every opportunity!"
It added enthusiastically, like a merchant:
"Of course, those who see too many possibilities usually go crazy due to choice paralysis. But! Madness is also a manifestation of wisdom! At least it’s better than ignorance!"
Ron noticed that when the big snake spoke, its eyes flashed various colors, like a kaleidoscope changing hues.
Each color seemed to represent a different timeline, a different possibility.
But the more he watched, the deeper he felt a sense of dizziness.