The battle in the eastern mining district spread through Biji Great City within a single day. When Yan Luo and I descended the stairs, the entire inn was abuzz, with every ranger whispering excitedly amongst themselves.
“Damn, the Blue Lightning Sword is truly formidable; first, he killed the Scarlet Flood Dragon, and now he’s managed to slay the Young City Lord of Shabaik!” A group of dozens of young rangers were gathered around a table in the main hall. The one speaking animatedly was the warrior we had met in the mining district, the one who had coordinated their efforts—he was recounting the events as if he had witnessed them firsthand. Yan Luo and I exchanged a startled glance. We confirmed our current attire was inconspicuous. Since we both wore Daoist helmets yesterday, we weren't worried about our true faces being seen. The only reason Huayu recognized me was because of the Hundred Battles Blade, and Yan Luo’s signature spell, Instant Burst, would render her unrecognizable unless she cast it. Thus, feeling secure, we put on casual clothes and quietly took a table not far from the group.
“You’re famous now,” Yan Luo whispered.
“And you’re one to talk,” I retorted dryly.
“I heard Shabaik has already dispatched Gold-Rank Assassins to hunt down Blue Lightning,” a young man dressed as a mage excitedly told the crowd. “Blue Lightning’s reputation has grown exponentially these past few months.”
“Exactly! They say silence precedes a thunderous arrival. To dare kill the Young City Lord of Shabaik—he is an exemplar for people like us!” Another warrior in light armor looked utterly awestruck, making me profoundly uncomfortable. Yan Luo, meanwhile, regarded me with an odd expression, plotting something unknown.
“Alas, I wonder how long he can keep this up,” the warrior said with concern. “I heard Shabaik not only sent out Gold-Rank Assassins this time but also issued a Blood Hand Edict: anyone providing a clue to Blue Lightning’s whereabouts will receive a reward of three hundred million gold!” It seems Shabaik is dead set on taking his life.”
“There’s more,” another person added. “If someone manages to kill him, they will be directly promoted to be a Hall Master among Shabaik’s Nine Branch Halls.”
“Add the bounty from the Raging Dragon Gang’s Execution Order, and the total gold reward jumps to five hundred million,” a ranger, no older than eighteen, exclaimed, his eyes glittering with greed, drool nearly escaping his mouth.
“Heavens! That’s money one couldn’t spend in several lifetimes!” someone immediately shouted in amazement. “That price is even higher than the bounty once placed on the pursuit and killing of Sky Sword Zhan Luo!”
“Damn, what if I ran into him? Wouldn't that be something?” a burly warrior sighed. “That’s a full five hundred million gold, plus a Hall Master position among Shabaik’s Nine Halls. Gods, even striving for several lifetimes wouldn't reach that level!”
“Yes, if you ran into him, we’d be waiting to erect a monument in your honor,” a young woman dressed as a Daoist remarked sarcastically beside him.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” the burly warrior challenged, clearly displeased.
“I advise you, if you meet him, run immediately. They say this guy kills without batting an eye,” the female Daoist warned. “Furthermore, he’s despicable and unscrupulous, stopping at nothing to achieve his goals. Only Li Xie has ever defeated him in combat, but even Li Xie was played around until he was dizzy. Everyone else either had their heads cleanly sliced off by his blade or their throats pierced by his sword.”
“That’s true. Killing the Scarlet Flood Dragon relied on a sneak attack, and this time, killing Huayu, they say he teamed up with the Crazy Woman Yan Luo of the Divine Moon Palace,” several mages chimed in support. “Perhaps this guy doesn’t have any real skill.”
“You can’t say that. Remember, Huayu was ranked in the top fifty experts on the Marfa Master List, and Yan Luo was ranked past eighty. In terms of pure strength, even if the two teamed up, they shouldn't have been able to kill Huayu. Not to mention Shabaik had three Bronze-Rank Assassins alongside Huayu. The fact that Yan Luo and Blue Lightning succeeded through a surprise attack only suggests Shabaik’s people were lacking in skill,” someone immediately countered.
“That’s fair,” the young Daoist admitted thoughtfully. “It seems Blue Lightning’s ranking is indeed too low. Perhaps that’s why Huayu underestimated him, leading to his death. I reckon his true strength puts him in at least the top fifty!”
“Good heavens! Is this guy really that strong? Who among you has actually seen him?” another mage immediately hit upon the crucial point.
Yan Luo and I listened intently, slightly astonished by their debate.
“No, no one has ever seen his true appearance; his age and gender are unknown,” the leading warrior confessed, his face alight with admiration. “But someone said he shouldn’t be older than twenty.”
“Really? Not older than twenty?” Several mages immediately became interested and instinctively scanned the surroundings. “Perhaps this guy is right here among us.”
“Ah!” Yan Luo and I nearly jumped up in alarm.
“Stop dreaming!” the leading warrior said sternly. “A master who moves like a phantom—why would he mix with us?”
“Then what’s his background, what sect does he belong to?” a young mage asked.
“We don’t know, hah. But information about him is currently the hottest commodity. The only solid clue Shabaik released is that Blue Lightning and the Crazy Woman Yan Luo seem to have something going on. His name is Xing—that’s the only actionable thread they gave us,” the leading warrior said proudly.
“What? Something going on with the Crazy Woman Yan Luo?” Several people immediately gasped.
“Oh my god, that can’t be real. Doesn’t that kid want to live anymore, daring to get involved with the Crazy Woman Yan Luo?” Several mages looked utterly horrified.
“Heh heh, admit it, now that’s capability! Everyone says the Crazy Woman Yan Luo is cold and aloof, giving no pleasantries to anyone, yet here she is appearing in the mining district with Blue Lightning. What does that tell you?”
Ugh! Does gossip travel in this world too? Feeling slightly uneasy, I glanced at Yan Luo, only to see her face currently contorted with murderous intent, directed at the warrior spewing all this information.
The others also wore expressions of deep contemplation.
“If those two are truly together, then in the future, they’ll just wipe out anyone they encounter,” one mage stated gravely. “It’s rumored that Blue Lightning seems immune to magical attacks.”
“Last time at Kunlong Mountain, he stubbornly endured over a dozen powerful mage bombardments as if nothing happened. We thought his Dou Qi energy was incredibly potent then. Only when he and Yan Luo killed Huayu did it reveal that his actual Dou Qi level was merely at the level of Early Crimson Moon stage,” another young Daoist observed gravely.
“I heard about that too. I wonder if it’s true or not.”
“This is data published by Shabaik; it should be accurate,” someone confirmed.
“So, does that mean he possesses some kind of super equipment that resists magic?” a mage asked in horror. “If that’s the case, isn't Blue Lightning the nemesis of every mage?”
“That’s very possible. I think Shabaik is so desperate to kill Blue Lightning partly because they covet the treasures he carries.”
“What kind of treasure is it, that it’s so powerful?” a mage asked, terrified. “If such a treasure truly exists, then we mages might as well pack up and leave!”
“Whether it exists or not, one thing is certain: he’s in huge trouble now,” several people sighed.
“Thinking of it that way, it makes sense why he’d team up with Yan Luo!” the young Daoist said with a grave expression.
“How so?” Others were instantly drawn in by his words.
“Think about it,” the young Daoist analyzed. “If Blue Lightning truly possesses an artifact that makes him immune to magic, how many people could stand against the combined force of him and Yan Luo? Blue Lightning is incredibly fast, and the Crazy Woman Yan Luo’s instant-cast magic is terrifyingly efficient. With one approaching and one far, coordinating their attacks, Yan Luo can lock onto an opponent and attack relentlessly without worrying about friendly fire against the magic-immune Blue Lightning. And Blue Lightning just needs to keep the opponent tied up. Facing a combined assault from two masters who both excel in speed, who could possibly withstand it?”
“Ah!” Everyone gasped in shock. “Heavens, that’s a super dual attack of magic and physical power—absolutely impossible to defend against!”
“In that case, Huayu’s death wasn't entirely unjust.”
Both Yan Luo and I were stunned by their deductions. Wasn't that exactly the strategy we used against Huayu yesterday?
“Kid, I’ve actually wanted to know for a while,” Yan Luo whispered, her voice low. “Tell me, why were you completely fine after taking my magic? You don't actually have some treasure on you, do you?”
“Hehe, this and that,” I could only manage a strained laugh. The Demonic Devouring Body was one of my ultimate trump cards; it would be best if it remained undiscovered. Unfortunately, after the battles at Kunlong Stockade and the eastern mining district, sharp eyes had noticed my apparent immunity to magic. Though their inference about magic-resistant treasure was slightly off the mark, it wasn't far from the truth.
“No more 'this and that,' spit it out!” Yan Luo pressed, clearly resolved to get an answer.
“Fine, fine, I’ll tell you.” If I could, I wouldn't have revealed this secret so soon. However, I considered Yan Luo a comrade with whom I had shared life and death; telling her shouldn't be an issue.
“Actually, I don't have any treasure on me,” I whispered. “Because I am naturally born with the Demonic Devouring Body, I am immune to magic. Do you understand now?”
“.............” Yan Luo’s eyes went wide as saucers, staring at me dumbfounded. “What did you say? Demonic Devouring Body?”
“Ah!” I exclaimed in shock. The girl was clearly overly stunned and almost blurted out my secret! Frightened, I immediately clamped my hand over her mouth.
“Mmmph!” Yan Luo’s eyes stared fixedly at me, her expression a strange mixture of shame, annoyance, and a hint of bewilderment and confusion.
Ah! Only then did I realize what I had just done. I felt a soft, warm sensation under my hand—my palm was covering her delicate lips. I quickly removed my hand.
Yan Luo was even more embarrassed, looking as though she wanted the earth to swallow her whole. This was the first time I had ever seen her show such an expression. Was she shy? A strange feeling washed over me. Her flushed cheeks made my heart skip a beat.
However, the ongoing discussion nearby quickly pulled our attention back.
...................................
“There’s more than that. The latest edition of the Ranger’s Handbook contains all the data on him,” the leading warrior proudly pulled out a small booklet.
“Height approximately six feet (about 1.68 meters), appearance unknown, age unknown. Proficient in blade techniques and swordsmanship. His weapons are a strangely styled long blade and a long sword. Everyone, keep your eyes peeled! If you see anyone wielding these two weapons, you’ve struck gold,” the warrior read aloud while scanning the room. “Of course, if you’re unlucky, having your head sliced off by his blade is also quite normal.”
Haha! A wave of laughter swept through the crowd again.
“I don’t believe this guy is that amazing,” soon, several assertive warriors stood up to challenge the claims.
“Heh heh, bravery is good in a young man, but not knowing your limits can easily cost you your life,” an older Daoist immediately adopted a paternal tone. “No one knows exactly how fast the Blue Lightning’s sword is, but one thing is certain: as of today, no one has ever claimed to block one of his sword strikes.”
“Even Li Xie only managed to physically resist his attack using incredibly strong Dou Qi, which shows how fast he is. If Li Xie’s Dou Qi had been slightly stronger then, he likely wouldn't have escaped death either.”
“Is it really that exaggerated?”
“In short, keep as far away from him as possible.”
......................................
“Now he can’t avoid becoming famous!” Yan Luo murmured to herself.
“This is all your fault. Ever since meeting you two, nothing good has happened. Now look, I’m being painted as a despicable, unscrupulous, bloodthirsty great devil.”
“A Great Devil! How imposing! In the future, if you run into trouble, just flashing your weapon will scare others pissing themselves.”
“Yes, and then you’ll spend the rest of your time running for your life. While I don’t know what these Gold-Rank Assassins are like, since Shabaik officially sent them, they certainly won't be pushovers.”
“Heavens, you don’t even know about Gold-Rank Assassins?”
“The Gold-Rank Assassins are the most terrifying killers on the entire Marfa Continent. It is said that once they target someone, none have ever survived.”
“For thousands of years, Shabaik’s Gold-Rank Assassins have been the most feared presence in the ranger world, and it is thanks to them that Shabaik has dominated the continent for a millennium, so much so that even the two royal houses dare not provoke them lightly.”
“Just how strong are they?”
“What do you think of Huayu’s and Li Xie’s strength?”
“Very strong. In a one-on-one fight, I am no match for them.”
“Every single one of those Gold-Rank Assassins is significantly stronger than Huayu and Li Xie. Moreover, they always deploy in groups of three—a Daoist, a Warrior, and a Mage. Even top-ten ranked masters on the Marfa Master List, if they encounter them, have only the option to flee for their lives.”
“............” I gasped in horror. “If we run into them, won’t we be dead?”
“Yes, it will be certain death,” Yan Luo confirmed.
..................................
Dragon Shadow Manor was located fifty li south of Biji Great City. From afar, wisps of cloud and mist drifted, vaguely revealing several villa-like structures scattered harmoniously among the verdant greenery, creating an ethereal, dreamlike sense of unreality. This reminded me of the opening scene of the movie Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain. I never thought such scenery could exist in reality.
“Truly worthy of the Dragon Shadow Manor. Just looking at it from here makes one feel it’s extraordinary,” Yan Luo exclaimed in awe.
“En. If a giant dragon suddenly emerged from there, I wouldn’t find it surprising at all,” I murmured instinctively.
It took us nearly two hours to reach the foot of Dragon Shadow Mountain. Now closer to the Manor, we could clearly see that it was built into the mountainside, extending upward in terraces. The peak pierced the clouds, completely invisible to our sight.
As Yan Luo and I arrived at the main gate, a dozen green figures flashed out, blocking our path and sharply demanding, “This is the Dragon Shadow Manor. Unauthorized personnel are forbidden from approaching!”
Ah, so there were gate guards. Yan Luo and I paused slightly, but quickly understood—how could the residence of the current Sword God lack even basic security measures? Although the environment was superb and it was a rare tourist destination, one truly couldn't approach without a certain status. Even the renowned Yan Luo in the ranger world looked visibly tense watching the dozen or so “guards.” With our eyesight, we could tell these guards were all masters at the High-Rank Crimson Moon level. If a fight broke out, Yan Luo and I wouldn't gain any advantage. Considering the strength of the gate guards, the people inside the Manor couldn't possibly be weaker.
Realizing this, I quickly rummaged through my spatial pouch and pulled out a visiting card, respectfully handing it to the leading “guard.” “Please convey our regards.”
“You are here by the request of Old Master Lu?” The guard looked slightly surprised.
“Yes.”
“We apologize for any offense. Please forgive us.” The lead guard respectfully handed the card back to me. “The Manor Master is currently out on business and is not within the estate.”
“Ah.” Yan Luo and I felt a surge of disappointment, yet we were reluctant to leave. “May we ask where the Manor Master has gone and when he is expected to return?”
“We do not know where he went,” the lead guard stated. “However, he should be returning in about seven days.”
“What a pity. It seems we will have to visit another time.”
“Guests who have traveled so far, if you don't mind, please stay at the Manor for a few days,” the guard leader seemed hesitant. “Old Master Lu is a close friend of the Manor Master. Mengzhong and Biji are separated by thousands of miles; it’s rare for you to make such a journey, isn't it?”
“This…” Yan Luo and I exchanged a glance. It seemed Lu Tong and Jian Li shared a profound friendship; the stark contrast in the guard leader’s demeanor before and after seeing the card clearly showed that. Truthfully, I was also unwilling to leave just like that. The guard leader’s invitation was exactly what I desired. “Then, we shall impose upon you.”
“Not at all,” the lead guard showed obvious pleasure. “In fact, I am good friends with Old Master Lu’s disciple, Lu Zhao.”
“You know Brother Lu Zhao too?” I was overjoyed.
“Yes, I do,” the lead guard replied happily. “How is Lu Zhao doing now?”
“Heh heh,” I chuckled weakly. “He’s doing well enough.” In reality, I had only met Lu Zhao once, yet this guard leader assumed I was a confidant of Lu Tong. This was understandable; if I weren't a confidant or deeply acquainted, why would Lu Tong give me his Dragon Shadow Manor visiting card?
“You all wait here,” the lead guard turned and commanded.
“Yes,” the dozen or so Crimson Moon experts replied in unison.
“I shall escort you inside,” the lead guard offered.
“We appreciate the trouble.”
“Are you disciples of Old Master Lu?” the lead guard asked as we walked, clearly showing great interest in my identity through our conversation.
“No,” I answered shortly.
“........” The lead guard looked slightly taken aback. “Are you here to seek instruction then?” He scrutinized me up and down.
“Heh heh, you could say that,” I smiled. “That’s what Uncle Lu meant. How did you figure that out?”
“Nothing, just guessing,” the lead guard replied.
...................
Throughout our casual chat, I learned the lead guard’s name was Jian Shang, a disciple of Jian Li. Lu Zhao had gotten along well with Jian Shang while training at Dragon Shadow Manor. I benefited from Lu Zhao’s association, and because I referred to Lu Tong as Uncle Lu, Jian Shang mistook me for some relative of Lu Tong’s, making him even more deferential. Of course, I made no move to correct him. Yan Luo, however, kept giving me strange looks, clearly unable to fathom my background either.
Dragon Sound Pavilion was located halfway up Dragon Shadow Mountain. I had initially assumed the so-called pavilion would resemble the traditional Chinese covered pavilions for shelter, but I realized how utterly wrong I was upon seeing it. It was a massive, five-sided structure, built from materials I couldn't identify. It was as high as a seven-story building and spanned over 150 meters in diameter. It resembled the modern Pentagon in America, just not quite as vast.
Before the main gate of Longyin Pavilion lay an immense lawn, clearly designated as a training ground. As a renowned grand sect of Qi specialization, Longying Manor certainly had the facilities for it. Yet, surprisingly, not a soul was in sight just then.
We passed through the long, formal entrance corridor and finally arrived at the inner sanctum of Longyin Pavilion.
Our reception was handled by a woman of about forty, likely the manor's stewardess. After a brief discussion with Jian Shang, the stewardess arranged lodging for Yan Luo and me.
“This is the Outer Court of Longying Manor,” Jian Shang explained. “You can explore everywhere except for the Inner Court that leads to the summit; the scenery is quite good.” He added, “To the south lies the Longying Academy, where the disciples of Longying Manor cultivate their skills. If you’re interested, we can visit there first.”