Chapter 229: The Soulblade Specter?
The previously lively teahouse fell into stunned silence.
Standing before the redwood stage, Luo Wusheng gently furrowed his brows, his gaze shifting toward the entrance.
Several figures bearing heavy swords stepped into the teahouse.
At their lead stood a tall, imposing man, nearly eight feet in height, with a stern and rugged face. Beside him was the man who had spoken earlier—stout, with a square jaw and a thick beard, giving off the impression of a brash warrior.
However, despite his rough appearance, the moment he entered, his aura surged impressively.
"Pe–Peak Golden Core Realm?!"
Someone among the tea patrons exclaimed in shock.
Hearing this, the bearded man lifted his chin even higher, smugness written all over his face.
"Good. Since you can see it for yourselves, you'd best listen and leave quietly as I said."
Luo Wusheng narrowed his eyes slightly.
Just moments ago, he had been calculating the recognition value he earned from telling stories for half an hour.
It wasn't much—after all, the number of guests in the teahouse was limited, and harvesting recognition value in this manner wasn't the most efficient. Still, it had grown steadily.
'If I can maintain this pace, a few hours of storytelling each day should help me accumulate a decent amount before Little Yuli returns from visiting her family.'
Unfortunately, trouble had come knocking sooner than expected.
Yet, Luo Wusheng's gaze wasn't fixed on the brash man who had spoken, but rather on the tall, stern leader.
'Another Nascent Soul cultivator…?'
Why did it feel like Nascent Soul cultivators were appearing far too frequently in Daybreak City?
He had only been in this teahouse for a little over half an hour and had already come across two Nascent Soul cultivators. Including himself—though barely qualified—there were three.
'That's almost comparable to the appearance frequency of Nascent Soul cultivators back in the Royal City. Except for that night when I fought the Netherkin soldier, all the Nascent Soul cultivators I met in the capital belonged to the Six Gate Bureau… including the Empress.'
'Has something happened in Daybreak City? Otherwise, why would so many high-level cultivators gather in such a small teahouse?'
Luo Wusheng stroked his chin, lost in thought.
Frankly, he didn't mind leaving. It would just ruin his mood a little. After all, he could harvest recognition value from storytelling anywhere in Daybreak City. The only loss would be the unique atmosphere of the Jian Tea House.
Just as he was considering his options, the tall, stern man leading the group took a step forward, shaking his head.
"We need this place today to discuss some important matters. We don't wish to be disturbed. Rest assured, we will compensate you for any losses. We ask that you all leave, of your own accord."
His voice was calm yet authoritative.
'At least this one seems capable of reasonable conversation. I wonder how strong he really is if things come to blows…'
While analyzing the man, Luo Wusheng suddenly shifted his gaze toward a particular direction—one he had been subtly observing for some time.
As expected.
The veiled woman was sitting there, silently watching him.
'Why is she looking at me? Has my unparalleled beauty captivated her? Or perhaps she's drawn to my talent, which cannot be concealed?'
Ah, being this handsome is really such a sin.
But he had to admit—she was indeed a beauty.
Even though her face was hidden behind a veil, her graceful figure, refined brows, the glimpse of fair skin, and ethereal aura were all marks of exceptional charm.
Having spent time admiring the peerless beauty of Little Yuli, Bai Xiaoyao, the Empress, and even the mischievous Yao Ji, Luo Wusheng felt his standards had risen considerably.
As he was still indulging in these thoughts, a faint voice arose from among the tea patrons:
"Leave? But… gentleman's story isn't finished yet…"
"Hmm? Gentleman?"
Though the voice was soft, it did not escape the sharp hearing of Golden Core cultivators.
The muscular man had already been growing impatient with the lingering tea patrons. Upon hearing those words, his gaze immediately fell upon Luo Wusheng.
"…A storyteller? And just a junior at that?"
He let out a mocking laugh:
"Ha! You lot are so captivated by some trivial tale spun by a mere brat? The things I've experienced in my life are far more thrilling than any made-up story! Only fools like you would waste time on such nonsense!"
With that, the muscular man took a single, heavy step forward, standing directly in front of Luo Wusheng.
The stark contrast between his towering, muscular frame and Luo Wusheng's lean build was striking.
"Tch. I thought you might have some skill, but you're just a weakling who hasn't even formed a Golden Core. What kind of decent story could you possibly tell?"
Facing the man's scornful gaze, Luo Wusheng clicked his tongue inwardly.
'Is this guy simply holding a grudge against storytellers?'
'If I were to knock these guys out right now… would that earn me a hefty amount of recognition value?'
Luo Wusheng quickly evaluated the situation.
Given his current level, defeating an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator without using his [Phantomless 2.0] was well within his abilities.
However...
His gaze drifted once more toward the only person in the room who genuinely caught his attention—Ling Shuangxue.
Ling Shuangxue was frowning slightly.
The muscular man's dismissive words had clearly irked her. Yet, for the moment, she showed no intention of making a move.
Her eyes lingered on Luo Wusheng, who appeared to be under the man's oppressive aura. Her gaze drifted once more to the wooden shortsword at his waist.
'Given what I sensed earlier about his cultivation level… could it be that he truly is…?'
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
After the tall, stern man had spoken earlier, most of the patrons had been ready to leave. After all, the group had provided them with a graceful way out, and few wished to provoke such intimidating individuals.
However, the muscular man's latest remarks stirred feelings of discontent among them.
They had just been captivated by Luo Wusheng's story—minds still lingering in the thrilling world he had woven.
Now, hearing someone dismiss the storyteller so arrogantly, many patrons felt indignant.
Still, none dared speak out. They feared that any protest might drag Luo Wusheng—the "mere storyteller without even a Golden Core"—into further trouble.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Everyone felt it at the same time—the distinct fluctuation of spiritual energy.
"Wait… this feeling…?"
All heads turned toward the source of the disturbance.
There, a young man sat cross-legged, eyes now wide open and gleaming with ecstatic joy.
"Ha—hahaha! I— I've broken through! I've finally broken through!"
His voice rang out in stark contrast to the tense atmosphere.
Seemingly unaware of how out of place he sounded, the young man pushed through the crowd, stepping directly before Luo Wusheng.
With a deep, respectful bow, he declared:
"Thank you, sir! Your story enlightened my path in the sword, allowing me to break through my bottleneck!"
The teahouse fell deathly silent.
Everyone could see it clearly—the young man had advanced by a minor realm, successfully reaching Peak Foundation Establishment.
"He… broke through? Just by listening to a story?"
The muscular man's expression stiffened.
He stared at Luo Wusheng with growing suspicion.
"N-No— that's impossible! How could some brat without a Golden Core cause that?"
Suddenly, his expression twisted as if he had reached a realization.
"Ha! I get it now. This was all staged, wasn't it? You planned this act from the start, didn't you? Trying to spread rumors that your storytelling can help cultivators break through— all just to squeeze some compensation from us after hearing my big brother offer it earlier?"
"Tch. You think I'd fall for such a cheap trick? I'm going to see exactly what scam you're running here!"
With a sneer, the muscular man lunged forward, reaching for both Luo Wusheng and the newly advanced young cultivator.
'Sigh. Looks like I'll have to make a move after all.'
Luo Wusheng let out a quiet sigh.
A faint flash of lightning began to coil around his fingers.
But someone else moved first.
A flash of cold sword light streaked through the air.
A thin, glimmering blade was suddenly pressed against the muscular man's throat.
"Back off."
The sword light shimmered and vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared.
The muscular man found himself standing behind the tall, stern man—moved without even realizing how.
And standing before Luo Wusheng now was the veiled woman—Ling Shuangxue—her figure as graceful and untouchable as a drifting cloud.
Luo Wusheng raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Just moments before, he had caught a fleeting glimpse of the sword light.
On it, two faint words seemed to flicker—
Soulblade Specter?
- - - - - - - - - -
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