“Why? What’s wrong with that mirror?” Lu Sheng asked, taken aback by Hongfang Bai’s reaction.
“A serious problem,” Hongfang Bai whispered. “I’ve heard of an organization composed entirely of Anomalies. They’re extremely well concealed and go by the name Three Sacred Gates. They’re shrouded in mystery and absolutely not something to trifle with. If you ever encounter them, it’s best to stay away. I don’t want to be dragged down with you.”
“Even you are wary of the Three Sacred Gates, given your strength?” Lu Sheng asked with mild curiosity.
“They’re troublesome,” Hongfang Bai replied flatly. “You don’t understand because you’ve never truly dealt with them. Their methods are bizarre beyond measure. To begin with, Anomalies exist in countless forms. No one knows how many types there really are. You’ll understand once you meet them.”
Lu Sheng recalled his first encounter with that mirror. He had been forcibly dragged into it. Worse still, the Anomaly had possessed three distinct modes and fought to the death without any room for negotiation. It had indeed been troublesome.
“Forget it. You wouldn’t believe me no matter how much I say,” Hongfang Bai continued. “What you encountered was most likely a Collector from their organization. A low-ranking operative tasked with gathering life force. If you ever see those white stained-glass mirrors again, be careful.”
She hopped down from the table.
“Alright. I’m going to take a shower. I’ve said what needed to be said. The rest is up to you.”
Lu Sheng did not stop her. He watched as she left the room, then sank into thought.
‘Aside from the Noble Families, there seem to be numerous factions even among demons and ghosts’, he reflected. ‘Wandering Heart Society is one. Ashoka Manor is another. And now the Three Sacred Gates… an organization built entirely around Anomalies.’
He sat quietly for a moment.
‘I still have over fifty units of Yin Qi unused. Perhaps I can upgrade Yang Extreme Dao once more.’
“Deep Blue”.
The Modifier screen emerged.
He glanced over his current status.
Yang Extreme Dao: Grade Three.
Special Effects: Amplified Strength Level Thirteen; Anti-Tremor Level Ten; Reinforced Defense Level Ten; Scorch Level Six…
‘Yang Extreme Dao is formed through complete mastery of all hard body skills. It is a pure outer-force art, governing the strength of my physical body and flesh.’
‘Previously, I advanced straight to Grade Three in one leap. By integrating Yin and Yang inner Qi, I can enter Destroyer Mode. But now… it seems I’m lacking Yin Qi…’
His gaze paused, disappointment flickering through him when he failed to see an Extrapolate option behind Yang Extreme Dao. He then shifted his attention to his inner force techniques.
Ultimate Crimson Nine Furies Skill: Level Nine.
Special Effects: Inner Qi Detonation, Strengthened Blood Web.
Yin Yang Jade Crane Aquarius Qi: Level Nine.
Special Effects: Yin Crane Web, Yin Extreme Mode.
Though the Modifier listed them as separate skills, Lu Sheng could clearly sense that the inner Qi within his body had already fused into a single whole. Yang circulated externally, while Yin resided deep within.
Outwardly, Ultimate Crimson Nine Furies Skill formed the core of his destructive power. Inwardly, Yin Yang Jade Crane Aquarius Qi acted as an anchor, stabilizing his body and shielding it from being scorched by the overwhelmingly violent Yang-attribute inner force.
Without Yin Yang Jade Crane Aquarius Qi, Lu Sheng knew he would never be able to endure or control such a ferocious Yang-based art.
‘In other words, if I want to continue upgrading my inner force, I must raise both Yin and Yang techniques together as much as possible.’
His thoughts continued to unfold.
‘Right now, I have just over fifty units of Yin Qi left. At best, I could upgrade only one of them. But breaking the current balance would invite backlash. Side effects would be unavoidable.’
‘Better to hold onto the Yin Qi for now. I’ll upgrade both at once when I’ve accumulated enough.’
He stood up and calmly returned the book to the shelf.
“Men.”
“Yes, sir!”
A guard pushed the door open, stepped inside, and dropped to one knee in salute.
“Prepare the carriage for a trip to Tea Town. Relay my orders. Xu Chui will accompany me with one squad.” Lu Sheng’s voice was calm and decisive.
The guards stationed at his side were elites among elites, each one granted the highest clearance within the sect. They were handpicked warriors, ready to lay down their lives at a moment’s notice. Every one of them worshipped Lu Sheng with near-fanatical devotion and had been implanted with the Yin Crane Web. Their loyalty was absolute.
“Yes, sir!” The guard accepted the Sect Master’s command medallion and withdrew.
At first, Lu Sheng had planned to conceal his identity for the journey. After a moment’s consideration, however, he abandoned the idea. Moving openly, with men at his back, had its advantages.
With his orders issued, he remained alone in the study, gazing through the window at the sky beyond. Wisps of cloud drifted lazily along the horizon, briefly veiling the waning sun of late autumn.
He stood there for a time, lost in thought. Then, with a quiet sigh, Lu Sheng pushed the door open and stepped out of the study.
…………
Three days later, in Tea Town.
Beside a massive wine urn in one of the town’s wineries, a Taoist in green robes slowly fished a handful of copper coins from his pocket and began to count them.
He glanced up at the bustling, lively scene inside the winery. With a solemn expression, he pinched his fingers together and started calculating.
The Taoist was handsome and square-faced, his features upright and dignified. Paired with his serious demeanor, he looked every bit a wise and learned cultivator. A neatly trimmed black goatee rested on his chin.
After several calculations, his already grave expression darkened further.
“I’ve run out of money…”
The winery owner had long noticed the Taoist lingering by the wine urn. At first, he paid him little mind. But as the man’s expression grew increasingly grim, unease crept into the owner’s heart. Recent strange incidents in town surfaced in his thoughts. He quickly finished giving instructions to the waiters and walked over.
“Excuse me, Taoist,” the owner asked cautiously. “May I ask if something is wrong with my winery? You’ve been standing here with such a solemn expression…”
Hearing this, the Taoist took a deep breath.
“This humble Taoist’s name is Wan Hezi,” he said gravely. “I happened upon your establishment by chance and felt compelled to perform a divination. Yet the moment I did, I sensed something was amiss…”
“May I ask what seems to be the problem?” The owner was a believer and immediately grew anxious. He hurriedly waved a waiter over and ushered the Taoist inside.
Half-protesting and half-complying, Wan Hezi was invited into the winery. He took a seat and was just about to explain when—
“Senior Apprentice Brother Wan Hezi?” A customer slowly rose to his feet, staring at the Taoist in disbelief.
Wan Hezi turned around, equally stunned.
“Junior Apprentice Brother Yan!?” His eyes darted about before he quickly pasted on a smile and shuffled over. “So Junior Apprentice Brother Yan is here as well! What a coincidence!”
The man who had stood up was the travelling cultivator Yan Kai. Ruddy-faced and broad-featured, Yan Kai looked even more upright and righteous than Wan Hezi himself.
Yan Kai looked at Wan Hezi with a helpless expression, unsure whether to laugh or cry. He knew his senior apprentice brother’s flaws all too well. Wan Hezi had little real ability, yet loved to play the part of a holy man, swindling others out of food and wine. Judging by the righteous, solemn look plastered on his face now, he was clearly about to con the winery owner out of a few drinks.
“Come, come, come. Senior Apprentice Brother, sit here,” Yan Kai said, quickly intervening. “It’s been so long since we last met. Sit down and let’s talk. Where have you been all these years? And where’s Master? I went back to the mountain and couldn’t find a single soul.”
The moment Wan Hezi realized there was a free treat waiting, he immediately lost interest in the winery owner. After offering a few perfunctory, placating words, he squeezed his way over and plopped down beside Yan Kai.
Duan Rongrong, who had been sitting next to Yan Kai, was shoved aside and immediately puffed up in annoyance.
“Oh! Rongrong’s here too!” Wan Hezi’s eyes lit up the moment he spotted her. “Come, come. Let Senior Apprentice Brother give you a hug!” He leaned over shamelessly.
Duan Rongrong folded her arms and snorted. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Sister Bingyuan, Senior Apprentice Brother Wan Hezi?”
“Er…” Wan Hezi’s enthusiasm froze on the spot. With an awkward cough, he reluctantly pulled his hands back.
“And just because Brother Yan Kai is your junior apprentice brother doesn’t make me your junior apprentice sister,” Duan Rongrong continued coldly. “No wonder Sister Bingyuan wants nothing to do with you. Tsk, tsk, tsk…”
She scooted farther away, her face full of disdain.
“Ai… don’t be like that. Senior Apprentice Brother has his reasons…” Wan Hezi sighed helplessly.
“By the way, Senior Apprentice Brother,” Yan Kai said, switching to secret channelling, “did you come here because you heard the legends surrounding this town as well?”
Secret channelling was an art unique to their lineage, usable only by those who shared their bloodline.
At that, Wan Hezi nodded. His expression turned solemn once more as he replied through the same method. “To be precise, I came in pursuit of an extremely powerful individual. Have you heard of Wandering Heart Society’s Chao Long?”
“Chao Long? Wandering Heart Society?” Yan Kai echoed in confusion. “No, I haven’t. Could Senior Apprentice Brother explain?”
Wan Hezi let out a long sigh.
“This Chao Long is a terrifying figure,” he said gravely. “In the archipelago east of the Song Nation, his name is enough to silence crying infants. You have no idea how powerful he is. Every move he makes sends ripples through the demon tribes of the east.”
He shook his head. “Yet for some unknown reason, he suddenly headed west, into the Northern Lands. Who knows what he’s after?”
Yan Kai had no clear grasp of Chao Long’s true strength, but his own purpose lay elsewhere.
“Regardless of what he wants, it has nothing to do with us,” Yan Kai replied. “I came here to investigate the rumored Unlaughing Master of Tea Town.”
“Unlaughing Master?” Wan Hezi frowned. “You mean the one who forces people to tell him jokes in a stone house deep in the mountains?”
“That’s right…” Yan Kai began.
Before he could continue, the thunder of hooves erupted outside the winery.
A formidable procession clad in black athletic robes advanced slowly through the streets, escorting an imposing line of carriages. Hawkers and townsfolk alike hurried to the sides, clearing the way in haste.
At the center of the formation was a luxurious black sedan trimmed with red, borne aloft by eight powerfully built men.
Most striking of all, the procession was guarded by the Winged Honor Guard and armed soldiers.
“What a grand display!” Wan Hezi exclaimed, eyes wide as he watched.
Yan Kai, however, focused on the banners fluttering above the convoy.
“It’s the Crimson Whale Sect,” he said quietly. “Why are they here?”
“And it’s the Sect Master himself!” Duan Rongrong added, having recognized the insignia as well. They had spent time in the Northern Lands and were familiar with the Crimson Whale Sect.
This was the undisputed number one sect of the region. Its Sect Master was someone they knew all too well, the Lu Family’s former young master.
“It’s the Lu Family’s eldest young master…” Duan Rongrong whispered.
“No,” Yan Kai interrupted softly. “He is the King of Sabers of the Northern Lands. Lu Sheng.”
“King of Sabers of the Northern Lands?” Wan Hezi scoffed. “What an overbearing title. Isn’t he afraid of being crushed by it?” He snorted softly. “If the Serpent of the Eastern Seas, Chao Long, ever hears of this, I fear this so-called King of Sabers will be in serious trouble.”
“That’s not so certain,” Yan Kai shook his head. “Sect Master Lu Sheng rose with a speed that can only be called miraculous. His power is unmatched throughout the Northern Lands. More importantly, he’s ruthless, calculating, and deeply entrenched in his networks. With strength and influence like that, he’s no ordinary human. If those two were to clash, who would prevail is far from clear.”
Wan Hezi shook his head again, his expression heavy. “No… you don’t understand what makes the Serpent of the Eastern Seas so terrifying.” His gaze dimmed as old memories surfaced. “Wait until you see him strike. Only then will you understand how he came to dominate the eastern archipelago, and why countless experts live beneath his shadow.” A flicker of fear crossed his eyes.
Yan Kai did not argue further. He could tell his senior apprentice brother had been thoroughly shaken by Chao Long. Yet Yan Kai himself had met Lu Sheng. He knew this man was a ruthless wolf, one who acted without restraint and showed no mercy.
And this was the Northern Lands.
Anyone who dared provoke Sect Master Lu on his own territory was inviting catastrophe.
If those two truly came to blows, Yan Kai did not believe Lu Sheng would be the one to fall.
“No matter what,” Yan Kai said quietly, “neither of them are people we can afford to offend. We just need to stay out of their way.”
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