The reason why he can't recognize characters might actually be because his arithmetic skills are too strong. When he looks at written words, what he sees isn't the text itself, but rather the geometry of arithmetic—length, height, and so on.

As the amount of this data increases, he naturally becomes confused, and then his head starts to hurt...

If all the characters were standardized and uniform, he might be able to recognize them. But there are different scripts—cursive, seal script, regular script, clerical script, running script, and so on. Under each major script, there are also various styles. This makes it even more impossible for Brian Clark.

Also, when he was learning to read before, someone would use a regular script textbook to teach him, but then ask him questions in their own running script handwriting, leaving him completely bewildered.

Now, when he sees those densely packed characters, his headache gets even worse. Even if someone were to teach him each script one by one, he would still learn very slowly, as most of his attention is focused elsewhere.

And all of this, Brian Clark will never figure out, and maybe it will always be this way—carrying the label of an illiterate. However, even though he has become a complete and utter country bumpkin illiterate, he has been compensated in other areas. In this balance of gains and losses, there seems to be a hidden arrangement by fate.

Chapter 13: Everything Is Number (Part 2)

“You really do care about money above all else, huh? Fine, let’s go with Tai Xuan Sect.” Emily shook her head, then decided to start with Tai Xuan Sect. She didn’t really care which sect she chose, as long as she could continue cultivating.

Of course, with their current abilities, it was a bit difficult to get into Tai Xuan Sect. Emily could only hope to become an outer disciple, and only in an ordinary sect—compared to the ordinary sects of the Seven Star Nation. The same went for Brian Clark as a chores disciple.

The two of them were quickly eliminated by Tai Xuan Sect, but this was within their expectations. The reason they started with the best was simply because you could try out for every sect, so why not start with the top ones?

Originally, Brian Clark would have followed his own ranking, but to accommodate Emily, they started with the four great sects. Although he felt the cost-performance ratio wasn’t high, these sects did have their intangible benefits, so it didn’t really matter.

Next were the other three great sects, and they were eliminated again. It seemed that Olivia Harris had already succeeded—she and that “genius” youth had already entered Lingyun Sect.

“One must have self-awareness; luck isn’t something you can just stumble upon.” Olivia Harris noticed what Brian Clark and Emily were doing, and since she had already entered Lingyun Sect, she naturally felt a bit proud—especially the kind of pride that comes from putting others down. It felt great.

“Don’t block the way. Don’t you know you’re not exactly small?” Brian Clark said, then walked past Olivia Harris, pulling Emily along without the slightest pause.

“……”

What, I’m not exactly small? Olivia Harris was furious inside. She hadn’t expected the other party to completely ignore her sarcasm and instead mock her in return.

Of course, Olivia Harris didn’t show it. She didn’t think it was worth it to argue with them. In front of her newly joined sect, she decided to let it go.

But what Olivia Harris didn’t expect was that while she let it go, someone else stood up for her—because this person wanted to show off and raise his status in Olivia Harris’s eyes. This person was the “genius” youth from Brian Clark’s village.

“Stop!” The “genius” youth blocked Brian Clark and Emily’s path.

“Another one blocking the way, and even bigger. Oh, it’s David Thompson. Do you need something from me?” Brian Clark seemed to have just noticed him. What he said earlier about size was just a habitual calculation, not directed at anyone, and certainly not meant as an insult.

“Apologize to Olivia immediately!” David Thompson said coldly.

“Apologize? Why?” Brian Clark hadn’t even noticed Olivia Harris just now. In his eyes, there was only the next trial. Whoever was in front, he would have said the same thing.

Not only him, but even Olivia Harris and David Thompson were wondering why. They suddenly realized—how exactly should he apologize? Should Brian Clark apologize by saying Olivia Harris is very small and couldn’t possibly block the way? Wouldn’t that be even more ridiculous?

“Say you’re sorry,” David Thompson said coldly, unable to just let it go.

“Oh, sorry. I think I said you’re not exactly small. I was wrong. You’re very small, much smaller than me. But even so, you can still block the way.” Brian Clark replied.

“……” David Thompson was silent, and Olivia Harris felt like crying. She had known this apology would be a loss, but she hadn’t expected it to be such a loss. The people around them were all smiling, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Lose your temper? The angrier you get, the worse it looks!

So, they could only watch as Brian Clark walked away, swallowing their anger...

“Qingyun Sword Sect.”

After a few more failures, Brian Clark and Emily arrived at the trial grounds of Qingyun Sword Sect. With their current abilities, it was still a bit difficult to get in, but they had to try.

When opportunity is in front of you, no matter how slim the chance, you have to give it a shot.

“Your aptitude is very ordinary. Go try a sword match.”

The Qingyun Sword Sect’s trial had one more step than the others: they had to test your swordsmanship to see if you were suited to practicing the sword. Qingyun Sword Sect only cultivates sword techniques, which is quite different from other sects.