The next day.
Rather than looking for Mo Fan, Zhou Haoyu took a flight straight to Xianyang, and then transferred from Xianyang to the Ancient Capital.
Upon arriving in the Ancient Capital, he headed first to the Hunter Alliance.
The Candle Dragon Vessel possessed the ability to refine Soul essences, and if the Ancient Capital had anything in abundance outside its walls—it was undead. A perfect place to harvest plenty.
If he could push Mid-Tier Thunderbolts to the fourth level, combined with his Profound Yang Golden Thunder, its destructive power could rival a High-Tier spell.
Despite it being five or six in the afternoon, the Hunter Hall was still packed—typical for the Ancient Capital, since the undead only really appeared at night.
There were even quite a few wounded inside. Hunting monsters was dangerous to begin with; in a city surrounded by undead, it was doubly so.
Zhou Haoyu paid them no mind and was about to go take a mission when he suddenly noticed a short figure.
The man was small, with a slightly greasy and sinister look.
[Activation Condition: Two days from now, head to Yangyang Village and arrive safely.]
"Young man, first time in the Ancient Capital?" the short man asked, walking over with a grin.
"Mm." Zhou Haoyu replied coolly.
"Haven't found a party to team up with?" the short man guessed.
"No," Zhou Haoyu said. "In a couple of days I plan on heading to Yangyang Village and need a guide."
"Looking for a guide?" The short man lit up immediately. "Then you've found the right person—that's exactly what I do!"
He patted his chest proudly, looking exceptionally smug despite his average appearance.
"You?" Zhou Haoyu said with clear skepticism.
The short man snorted dismissively, raising his voice. "Young man, don't look down on me. Out here in the Ancient Capital, what matters most isn't strength, but how familiar you are with the undead and the terrain. I'm not bragging—mages die out there every day, even High-Tier mages, but every time I go out, I come back alive!"
He raised his chin even higher—but with his build, it only made him look funnier.
"So how much to hire you as a guide?" Zhou Haoyu asked directly.
The short man's eyes immediately gleamed—clearly thinking he'd run into a big spender.
After a quick calculation, he raised one finger. "Ten million."
Zhou Haoyu silently noted the price. For him, that was still acceptable.
Besides—it would be a chance to see the Parthenon Temple Saintess, Asharuiya.
"Alright. Two days from now it is."
The short man was elated—and also suddenly regretful. Should've asked for more… Ten million so casually? Was this young man from some major power?
"By the way, I want to take some missions first, but I'm not familiar with this area—could you show me around?" Zhou Haoyu added.
The short man immediately looked troubled. He really didn't want to accept that request—going outside the city to hunt undead was dangerous.
Yet at the same time, he was reluctant to lose such a golden goose.
Ten million for two days! That was worth several dozen commissions…
"You only need to lead me to the areas—I'll kill the monsters. Two million, flat price," Zhou Haoyu said.
The short man's eyes sparkled. Danger? What danger?! Two million for one night's guiding? That was top-class model money!
Zhou Haoyu went and selected a few suitable bounties—almost all were to clear Warrior-level undead.
The short man stared in shock as the missions were registered—completely dumbfounded.
Did I agree too quickly…?
Normally, it took an Intermediate mage team to kill a single Warrior-level undead.
Even confident mages rarely risked going outside alone at night—that was when swarms of undead hunted in packs.
He had thought this upscale youngster wanted a simple little job. After all, young heirs usually only came to the Ancient Capital either for fun—or for clout.
No way would they actually fight undead…
Yet this guy had taken seven or eight missions—to hunt Warrior-level undead—was he courting death?!
"Big Bro… I'm just a lowly guide… you're not trying to drag me to the grave, right?" he muttered nervously.
Zhou Haoyu couldn't be bothered to explain. He simply blinked and appeared right in front of the man, gently patting him on the shoulder.
A chill shot down the guide's spine—cold sweat immediately poured down.
Space Element!
And… a High-Tier Mage!
"Any more questions?" Zhou Haoyu asked calmly.
"N-no… no questions!!"
The short man cursed inwardly—who would've thought this student-looking princeling was actually a High-Tier Mage?!
Absolutely ridiculous!
Thank goodness he didn't offend this person earlier… with his level of ability, Zhou Haoyu wouldn't even need to rely on any background to kill him.
After nightfall, Zhou Haoyu followed the short man to the watchtower at the outer city wall.
"To leave the city at night you either need a permit, or you must be a Hunter Master‐rank…" the short man explained before suddenly turning and asking, "Right, I forgot to ask—you're a student from the Ancient Capital Academy, right?"
"No. I'm from Imperial Capital Academy," Zhou Haoyu replied without hiding anything.
"Imperial Capital Academy?!"
The short man was stunned. Imperial Capital Academy was undoubtedly China's top academy… producing a High-Tier mage was nothing unusual.
But still—
"I thought… you were from the Ancient Capital Academy…"
Before he could finish, Zhou Haoyu had already stepped up to one of the guards and presented his hunter license.
"Hunter Master?!"
The guard examined it closely, and on seeing those four words, exclaimed aloud.
That shout wasn't quiet at all, and immediately drew attention from everyone on the watchtower.
All eyes snapped toward Zhou Haoyu in disbelief—he was a Hunter Master? Had to be kidding!
It wasn't that they hadn't seen Hunter Masters before—just never one so young!
"You're even a Hunter Master?" the short man's voice trembled. What kind of monster did I run into…?
A High-Tier Space Mage and a Hunter Master…!
"Zhou Haoyu?"
Just then, a crisp female voice came from one corner, sounding a little uncertain.
Zhou Haoyu turned toward the source.
In a corner of the watchtower stood a girl in a fitted school uniform, looking at him with astonishment. She was surrounded by several others wearing the same uniform—clearly students from the Ancient Capital Academy.
"Zhou Min?"
Seeing the girl, Zhou Haoyu's eyes showed a hint of surprise.
What a coincidence…!
"It really is you!" Zhou Min exclaimed, both shocked and delighted. "When did you get to the Ancient Capital?"
.....
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