"If you managed to master the Blazing Fire Sword Technique in just two years, why not try for a far greater goal!" "I believe that if you put your whole heart into it, nothing can stop you."

"This... perhaps you are right. If I haven't even tried, then giving up means I’ll never have a chance to succeed." Thinking back, I never expected to master the Blazing Fire Sword Technique in only two years. This shows that nothing in life is absolute; once you take the first step, the goal is not far off.

"Thank you." If it weren't for Yan Luo's encouragement just now, I might have sunk into depression for quite a while longer. I had considered this problem before, but I subconsciously ignored it, unwilling to dwell on impossible things, preferring just to do what I could, taking things one step at a time. But hearing Yan Luo now, perhaps establishing a Dragon-Rank Guild isn't as unattainable as I imagined.

"It's just that reaching this goal solely through my own power... how easy can that be?"

"Who says you're alone?" Yan Luo countered. "Aren't we partners?"

"You're willing to help me?" I looked at Yan Luo in surprise.

"Helping you is helping myself," Yan Luo replied. "You could say our goals are aligned. I want to revitalize the Moon Sect, and you want to defeat the Crimson Moon Demon. To achieve either, we must possess immense strength. Given that, why shouldn't we join forces?" Yan Luo added, "Just like how we managed to defeat the Zuma Guardian together."

"En." Thinking of my unique Demon-Devouring Physique and Yan Luo's powerful instant-cast magic, it felt as if we were naturally paired—I couldn't imagine any other combination maximizing our individual strengths as well as ours. I figured Yan Luo felt the same way. Moreover, she had been a hall master in a major guild before, possessing rich administrative experience; the role she could play in forming a guild in the future would be incalculable.

"To be honest," Yan Luo sighed, "since the near annihilation of our forces in the Coffin of Death, my standing in the guild has plummeted." "Think about how highly the Sect Master once regarded me; to fall to this state because of my carelessness... Although I'm not overly obsessed with fame, power, or status, I don't want to disappoint the Sect Master's expectations."

"Victory and defeat are common occurrences in warfare; why hold onto it so tightly?"

"Easier said than done. But that's how this world is; sometimes, one defeat makes it impossible to recover." Yan Luo looked unwilling. "But I am unwilling to concede defeat like this, and I dislike having people watch me with that sort of pitying gaze."

"I think I understand your predicament."

Humans are strange creatures. Sometimes, saying things out loud makes one feel significantly better, like right now. I felt as if the barrier between Yan Luo and me had vanished. I believed we were now partners who could mutually trust each other.

"So, what are your plans next?"

"If we can seize the Zuma Idol during this opportunity, I think I will finally have something to report to the Palace Master. Even if I leave the Divine Moon Palace later, I won't have any regrets."

"Are you insane? Don't you know the Zuma Elder is a monster beyond our capacity to handle?" I was utterly shocked. Honestly, I never expected Yan Luo to harbor such a wild idea. So, this was her ultimate goal all along. For a moment, I felt uneasy, almost as if I’d been played, especially after considering her one of my own just moments ago.

"I'm not insane." Yan Luo continued, "Just listen to the rest of the plan. If I'm not mistaken, once Longyuan Feixue and the others finish clearing the path, the final assault against the Zuma Elder will surely be led by the masters of the Four Great Renowned Sects and the City Lord of Sabac. If any agreements have been reached with the Dragon Shadow Villa, Crimson Moon Villa, and Flowing Cloud Villa on other fronts, then you might even see your Master there. Ultimately, defeating the Zuma Elder requires these monstrously powerful experts. But even so, it will be impossible for them to kill the Zuma Elder outright. The most likely approach would be to lure the Zuma Elder away from the altar, seize the Zuma Idol within the altar in the ensuing chaos, and then retreat quickly."

"But even so, we barely stand a chance. Furthermore, if my Master does appear, wouldn't my actions be directly opposing him? He knows my identity all too clearly."

"You don't need to worry about that. If your Master truly shows up, at worst, the Divine Moon Palace and the Dragon Shadow Villa can split the treasure equally after we succeed," Yan Luo reasoned. "Two people sharing is much better than seven. I believe your Master understands that logic."

"Heh, you always dream up the best-case scenario." It seemed Yan Luo was determined not to abandon this plan. "Fine, even if what you say is plausible, how can we possibly approach the Zuma Elder and snatch the Zuma Idol amidst so many powerful enemies watching, and then escape unharmed? We won't just be facing the Zuma Elder; we'll have those terrifying old monsters to contend with as well."

"Not 'we,' but 'you!'" Yan Luo stated.

"What? You want me to face them alone?" I nearly jumped up. Did she think I was an immortal?

"Exactly. This plan, from start to finish, must be executed by you alone." Yan Luo sounded excited. "Others might fail, but you can." Yan Luo scrutinized me again with that intense gaze. "The Zuma Elder's most powerful trump card is the formidable Blazing Fire Thunder—a combined Fire and Lightning magic attack. Once unleashed, the sheer area and devastating power of his magic are beyond ordinary imagination. For most people, this is absolutely fatal damage. But for you, who are naturally immune to magic, it has no effect whatsoever. Therefore, you are the only one with a chance to get close to the Zuma Elder."

"But even if I get close to the Zuma Elder, it's still incredibly dangerous," I said with a wry smile.

"In comparison, his physical attacks, while fierce, offer you a chance given your skills." Yan Luo reasoned. "I think, with your speed, escaping the Zuma Elder shouldn't be difficult."

"Heh." I offered a bitter smile. "I truly don't know what you're thinking. While I'm confident in my speed, it's not as exaggerated as you imagine. The Zuma Elder has managed to survive until now; I suspect both his magic and physical attacks are impossibly strong, or he would have been eliminated long ago. And even if I can temporarily shake off the Zuma Elder, do you think I can evade the pursuit of those old geezers?"

"You don't need to worry about that. As long as you secure the Zuma Idol, I have a way for you to escape safely," Yan Luo said confidently.

"Escape safely?" I was stunned, unable to imagine what method Yan Luo could possibly have to make that happen.

"Heh, don't doubt me." Yan Luo pulled a green scroll from her pouch. "Do you know what this is?"

"A Town Portal Scroll!" I gasped. Yan Luo was holding a Town Portal Scroll! In fact, in all my time in the Marfa World, this was the first time I had ever seen one. These special magical items, spoken of only in legend, were now virtually extinct. It was hard to comprehend how Yan Luo managed to produce such an item. In an instant, I suddenly understood why Yan Luo was so confident. If my Demon-Devouring Physique, combined with my speed, and the help of a Town Portal Scroll, the chance of success wasn't zero. It was high—at least over fifty percent.

"I can't believe you recognize that thing as a Town Portal Scroll," Yan Luo said, clearly surprised.

"I've only heard the legends surrounding the Town Portal Scroll, so I recognized it with just one glance," I murmured. "But the legends say only a handful of these scrolls exist, and they are all kept by the Royal Family. How did you obtain this?"

"This is a hereditary treasure of my family," Yan Luo revealed. "It can only be used once! I would never use it unless it was the absolute last resort."

"A family heirloom? How many of these fine things do you possess?"

"Only one." She continued, "Well? Do you have the confidence now to secure the Zuma Idol?" Yan Luo added, "Even if something untoward happens, this Town Portal Scroll will guarantee your life."

"Fifty percent chance of success."

"That's enough," Yan Luo agreed.

"But what about Qian Yue?"

"Let's leave this place first," Yan Luo suggested. "Then you can circle back. That way, no one will suspect us. As for Qian Yue, we can make arrangements once we are outside."

We discussed the details of the operation until past midnight. The destination for the Town Portal Scroll's recall point was the White Sun Heavenly Gate, which surprised me. The journey from here back to the White Sun Heavenly Gate would take at least half a month. Therefore, Yan Luo and I agreed that regardless of success or failure, we would meet at the Lucky Dragon Inn in the White Sun Heavenly Gate. As for the specific micro-actions, we would have to play it by ear.

"Do you feel like I'm using you?" Yan Luo finally asked, a hint of guilt in her voice.

"A little."

"Actually, I just want to repay a debt to the Palace Master, as I failed her expectations," Yan Luo confessed. "You didn't have to agree."

"You know perfectly well I wouldn't refuse," I replied somewhat testily.

"Consider this my debt to you this time," Yan Luo said. "Including the incident in the mining area last time, I now owe you twice." Yan Luo looked at me with a complicated expression.

"If we're partners, bringing up debts ruins the camaraderie."

"I just need to give the Palace Master an accounting. After this, I will fully support you in achieving your desires," Yan Luo promised.

"I..." I was momentarily stunned. Looking at Yan Luo’s calm face, I felt an overwhelming surge of emotion. Perhaps this was the last thing Yan Luo, as a member of the Divine Moon Palace, could do.

"What if I lose my life during this operation?" I suddenly recalled this critical point.

"Then I will continue to help you fulfill your unfinished wish," Yan Luo replied evenly. "That should put your mind at ease, right?"

"You..." I was almost struck dumb. "Couldn't you say something encouraging instead?"

"I'm just stating the facts."

"Rest, sleep." I rolled over and collapsed onto the bed. I had finally felt touched, but her single sentence ruined the mood entirely.

"Don't forget, you are the Blue Lightning," Yan Luo called out. "What in the world can capture lightning? So, I never even considered that possibility."

"..........." Was that supposed to be encouragement?

............................

The next morning, we got up and left. Of course, it wasn't just the three of us who departed. In truth, the more observant people had already sensed that the young elites from the Four Great Renowned Sects were present, meaning something significant was about to happen. Many left early to avoid trouble, but a larger crowd stayed behind, eager to watch the excitement.

Our departure went largely unnoticed, as we weren't familiar with the locals here. Even the members of the Roaring Tiger Sect had only exchanged a few words with us.

Naturally, after escorting Yan Luo and the others to the fourth level, I quietly turned back to begin executing the treasure-snatching plan. My appearance had changed significantly again. My hair was now brown, my eyes blue, and my face looked much rougher, appearing to be in my early twenties. The only unchangeable aspect was my thin, wiry frame. However, just to be safe, I equipped the Taoist Skeleton Helmet, while wielding a Decisive Saber. I wore heavy armor and adorned myself with Zuma jewelry. This entire ensemble was commonplace within the Zuma Temple, usually seen on members of small guilds who had just reached the early stages of the Crimson Moon realm and lacked the backing of wealth or influence. Having gathered such equipment was already an achievement, and it ensured I wouldn't attract undue attention.

The flow of people heading toward the Zuma Hall was incessant. Most of them, judging by their gear, were disciples of Sabac or the Four Great Renowned Sects. There were also some from smaller guilds, and quite a few lone wanderers—like myself—who bore no guild insignia. Clearly, they were all heading to the Zuma Hall to witness the spectacle.

By the time I returned to the Zuma Hall, the area was already packed. The small wooden shed couldn't possibly accommodate this many people; by a rough estimate, there were over five thousand present. Most of them were mid-level to high-level fighters who had fought their way here through sheer numbers, perhaps just to catch a glimpse of the four young elites. It was the same psychology as modern-day idol worshipers.

Most of the Crimson Moon experts had entered the inn. The riffraff were left outside.

Since I couldn't get into the inn, I found a corner to sit down and waited patiently for the show to begin.

The chaotic noise of discussion continued around me, everyone excitedly debating the exploits of the Four Great Young Elites. However, I wasn't in the mood to listen.

Finally, around noon, the legendary Four Great Young Elites appeared before the main entrance of the Zuma Pavilion.

Leading the group was a tall young man with a rugged, imposing appearance. He walked with the confident stride of a dragon, and his gaze carried an imposing, soul-stirring aura. His armor was nearly identical to that of the Roaring Tiger Mountain Range. He must be Hu Xiaoshan Ye, ranked third among the Four Great Young Elites.

Next, two people walked side-by-side. The one on the left was about the same height as the large Beilong, but his physique was exaggeratedly muscular—sinews like steel cables subtly bulged, making onlookers’ hearts pound. Good heavens, if this guy entered a bodybuilding competition right now, the championship would undoubtedly be his. Judging by his build alone, this must be Xiong Batian, one of the Four Great Elites.

Walking alongside Xiong Batian was a graceful young man whose skin was fair as jade, his features handsome to the point of being nearly effeminate. I suspected if this fellow wore women's attire, he would be an unparalleled beauty. However, his cold, arrogant expression, coupled with eyes as icy as an autumn pool, deterred anyone from harboring even a shred of disrespect in his presence. This was Ying Zhen Kuangren, ranked fourth among the Four Great Young Elites.

Trailing behind them was a young woman. With just one glance, I felt a sense of awe and unreality. It was hard to imagine such an ethereal, pure beauty existing in this world. Her tall frame, encased in light leather armor, didn't seem cumbersome; instead, it accentuated the soft beauty of her curves, lending her an indescribable elegance and grace. With delicate eyebrows, bright eyes, and an oval face, she was the epitome of beauty—a perfect living replica of Little Dragon Girl, only if her cyan hair and green eyes were swapped for black. This was Longyuan Feixue, the strongest among the Four Great Young Elites. No one knew exactly how powerful she was, but there was a saying: Xiong Batian, Hu Xiaoshan Ye, and Ying Zhen Kuangren, even combined, were no match for her. This attested to the staggering level of her strength.

However, following Longyuan Feixue were several others whose armor bore the distinctive White Tiger insignia of Sabac. One tall figure seemed vaguely familiar. After careful scrutiny, I almost cried out: wasn't this Li Xie, the one I tricked in the mining area last time? What a small world; it seemed fate had brought us together again so soon.

Fortunately, he didn't recognize me at all.

As soon as the four of them appeared, the surrounding area fell silent. Everyone stared blankly at them, causing the group following behind to be largely ignored. But I kept my attention fixed. Following Li Xie and the others was another group; judging by their armor, they were likely young elites from the Four Great Renowned Sects or Sabac as well, with representatives of Taoists, Mages, and various other classes. Each carried an air of arrogant pride, possessing a commanding presence that seemed to look down on everything. It was understandable; being disciples of renowned sects, they had every right to this demeanor. Although the Four Great Renowned Sects founded themselves on martial arts, this did not imply their magic or Taoist arts were lacking. Every major sect balanced martial arts, magic, and Taoism equally, with parallel development. It was just that their martial arts talents tended to overshadow the disciples of the other two disciplines, making them appear less prominent.

"Roar! Shanye! Feixue, Tianxia, Kuangren!" Someone started the chant, and immediately, a frantic, tidal wave of sound erupted around us.

The entire Zuma Hall was electrified; everyone was cheering and shouting for their idols with abandon.

The scene was no less intense than a modern superstar's live concert. Excitement surged through the crowd, everyone utterly thrilled.

"See that? That's Longyuan Feixue."

"So beautiful! I can't believe the number one ranked expert among the younger generation is such a stunning woman."

"You'd better not get any funny ideas, or ten heads wouldn't be enough to save you."

"Heh, how would I dare."

......................................

"Everyone, quiet down!" A long, deep male voice enveloped nearly the entire Zuma Hall. The volume wasn't deafening, so it wasn't harsh, but consider this: I was a full fifty meters away, yet his voice remained clear and resonant. This demonstrated the astonishing level of his sonic cultivation. Looking toward the source, the voice belonged to Hu Xiaoshan Ye.

"Today, the four of us have come here to clear the final three levels leading to the Zuma Elder's home—the Zuma Guardians," Hu Xiaoshan Ye wasted no time and got straight to the point. "If you are interested, join us. Consider it an exercise in group coordination." Hu Xiaoshan Ye continued, "Of course, there will be rewards. Everyone who participates in this operation, regardless of background or sect, will receive a reward of ten thousand gold coins. Is anyone willing to join?"

"Roar! We are willing!" Someone immediately shouted loudly, and the entire assembly plunged back into pandemonium. It had to be admitted that Hu Xiaoshan Ye was a natural leader, especially with that voice serving as an inherent megaphone. Before long, under his direction, everyone was assigned clear roles.

The plan was simple: all Taoists would follow Longyuan Feixue's command. Hu Xiaoshan Ye's arrangement held deep meaning, as most Taoists were female, making Longyuan Feixue the most suitable commander.

Warriors would be led uniformly by Xiong Batian. Everyone cheered this arrangement, as Xiong Batian's imposing physique was the obvious ideal model that warriors aspired to.

As for Mages, they would be led by Ying Zhen Kuangren. The crowd had no objections. After all, he was one of the Four Great Elites. Even though his temperament was somewhat aloof, the idol factor was immense; even with Ying Zhen Kuangren's cold response, the Mages were ecstatic. If there was anyone dissatisfied with these arrangements, perhaps it was only I in the entire hall. I had long wanted to witness firsthand how fast Ying Zhen Kuangren's quick sword truly was, and now that I finally had the chance, to miss out was truly a bit regrettable.

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