With heavy steps and burning resolve, Zhen Huan and Yun Sha left the ruined Tian Village behind. As they walked through the charred remains, Zhen Huan extended his hand, conjuring controlled flames from his palm. One by one, he burned the bodies of the fallen villagers—giving them the only burial he could offer.
Yun Sha walked beside him, her expression solemn.
"We'll head to Long City first," she said.
Zhen Huan nodded. "Okay."
The dirt path stretched before them, the crimson sky casting long shadows behind their backs as they continued toward their next destination.
After a while, Yun Sha turned toward him with a curious look.
"Well, where are your parents?" she asked.
Zhen Huan stared ahead. "I don't know if I have any," he said quietly. "I grew up in that village. Never saw my parents. And the villagers… they didn't know much about me either."
His voice trailed off, a faint bitterness hidden beneath it.
I don't even know who my parents are…
Yun Sha raised an eyebrow. "Then how'd you get those clothes? They look expensive."
Zhen Huan's eyes flicked down to his black robes. A moment of hesitation passed as he thought.
Damn, I got them from the system… What should I tell her?
He forced a smile. "Oh… I got them from my master."
The words came out before he could stop them.
Shit… Master? Why did I say that? I don't even have one. What if she asks more questions?
As expected, Yun Sha tilted her head, interest piqued. "And who is your master?"
Zhen Huan quickly looked away, avoiding her gaze as his mind scrambled.
Think, think… something crazy enough she won't ask more...
"Well…" he said after a pause, "my master lives in outer space."
There was a silence.
Phew. Hopefully she won't push further…
Yun Sha blinked. "Outer space? What kind of place is that?"
Zhen Huan shrugged. "I don't know. My master never told me."
She gave him a long, skeptical look, but didn't press further.
The two continued on, walking through the fading light of dusk.
Night had fallen by the time Zhen Huan and Yun Sha found themselves running along a narrow mountain path. Jagged peaks loomed around them, casting long shadows under the pale moonlight. The only road to Long City cut through the mountains—a lonely, winding route where the silence of the night was broken only by their swift footsteps.
Zhen Huan glanced at the towering cliffs around them.
This place… it's completely unfamiliar to me.
Yun Sha looked back mid-run and called out, "Should we stop? It's already night."
Zhen Huan replied, his voice steady but alert, "We can stop, but I don't think this place is good enough to rest."
He didn't say the other part aloud.
Something… or someone is watching us.
And he was right.
Far above, perched silently on a rocky ledge, a masked figure stood in the shadows. Cloaked in black and draped in silence, the figure watched the two cultivators with eerie calm. His gaze lingered on Yun Sha, a twisted smile forming beneath the mask.
Then, in the blink of an eye, he vanished.
Zhen Huan suddenly felt the weight of that unseen gaze disappear. He came to a stop and slowly looked toward the mountainside where he had felt it strongest.
Yun Sha noticed and halted as well. She turned back with a curious frown. "What's wrong? Did you sense something?"
Zhen Huan's eyes narrowed as he scanned the rocky ledges.
"No… no, everything is fine."
But he wasn't convinced. His instincts had been sharpened since awakening the Sword of the Inferno, and they were rarely wrong. His body had grown stronger, and so had his senses—something had definitely been there.
He turned back toward Yun Sha. "Let's go."
Without another word, they continued down the mountain path, their silhouettes framed by moonlight, pressing onward toward Long City.
Outside the Stone Path of Long City – Sunrise
The first golden rays of the sun spilled across the horizon, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and pink. Long City stood proud ahead, its towering white walls gleaming in the morning light. The massive city gate loomed open, revealing a bustling world within.
Zhen Huan and Yun Sha walked side by side toward the entrance, their shadows stretching long behind them.
Zhen Huan stared at the gate with wide eyes. "This gate is massive…"
Yun Sha glanced at him with an amused look. "You think this is massive? Compared to gates in the bigger cities, this one is small."
Zhen Huan's mouth opened in disbelief. "So you're saying there are gates even bigger than this?"
"Of course there are," Yun Sha replied casually.
They passed beneath the stone archway and entered Long City.
Inside, the streets were already alive with activity. Merchants shouted from colorful stalls, peddling everything from shining spirit stones to roasted beast meat. The scent of spices, sweat, and incense blended in the air. Crowds of people bustled through the streets, some bartering fiercely, others laughing, hurrying, or simply strolling.
Zhen Huan stopped in his tracks and turned in a slow circle, taking in the vibrant chaos around him.
What… I thought Long City would be like a bigger village, but this—it's like the cities from Earth…
Yun Sha stood calmly beside him, her face composed as if this was all routine. She looked at his expression and smirked. "Huh, you're amazed."
Zhen Huan nodded while still glancing around. "Yeah… this place is alive."
A few steps ahead, he spotted a large sign hanging above a stall built with clean wooden panels and decorated with beast bones. He approached it out of curiosity. The shop's name was carved in bold letters across the top: Beasts Butler.
Yun Sha followed him and raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to sell beast body?"
Zhen Huan nodded, then pointed toward the sign. "Yeah, but… why is the shop named like that?"
Yun Sha looked at the sign, her eyes narrowing as she read it. Her expression shifted slowly—confusion giving way to disbelief, and then to something unreadable.
She turned to him. "What the fuck is this?"
Zhen Huan scratched his head and let out an awkward laugh. "How should I know?"
As they stood there, the flow of pedestrians continued behind them. One elderly man walking by overheard their conversation and stopped beside them. He wore a rough traveling robe and carried a small sack over his shoulder.
The man pointed at the shop with a shake of his head. "Boy, you must be new here. If you're looking to sell a beast's body, you'd best try another place. The guy running this shop—he's not right in the head."
Then he walked off, muttering to himself.
Yun Sha and Zhen Huan exchanged glances.
"Well…" Zhen Huan said slowly, "I guess we're not selling here."
Inside the "Beasts Butler" Shop
Suddenly, with a loud creak, the wooden door of the shop swung open. An old man stepped out, his white hair tied loosely behind his back, and his wrinkled face carrying a strange mix of sharpness and mischief.
He squinted at Zhen Huan and shouted, "What, are you not even coming inside?"
Zhen Huan blinked, then pointed to himself. "Ah… are you the shop owner?"
The old man lifted his chin proudly. "I'm Gu Longtian. So, are you coming in or not?"
Zhen Huan turned toward Yun Sha, who simply raised an eyebrow. The two exchanged an uncertain glance.
"Ah… fine," Zhen Huan replied awkwardly, following behind the old man.
Where have I gotten myself stuck now?
Gu Longtian turned and walked into the shop without another word. Yun Sha let out a sigh and stepped in after him. Zhen Huan followed behind her.
The interior of the shop was dimly lit by floating spirit lamps. The air was thick with the scent of beast blood and tanned leather. Dozens of beast hides hung from the walls—some were scaled, others furred or spiked. Bones and fangs were arranged in display cases, while jars filled with preserved beast eyes lined a wooden shelf.
"This is my shop," Gu Longtian said, waving a hand with pride.
Zhen Huan looked around in mild surprise. So many high-tier beast parts… the outside didn't give away anything about how serious this place really is.
Gu Longtian narrowed his eyes as he stared at Zhen Huan.
That energy... it's faint, but ancient. Not from any normal person. Where have I felt it before?
Zhen Huan turned to the old man. "Im Zhen Huan and I want to ask someone outside said you're not in your right mind. But you seem normal enough."
Gu Longtian chuckled. "I get that a lot," he said, eyes glinting. "But let's say I've seen more than most."
Then, his tone changed. "I'll tell you the truth… but I want something in return."
Yun Sha stepped in immediately. "What do you want to know?"
This old man is suspicious. Something's off about him.
But Gu Longtian ignored her completely, eyes fixed on Zhen Huan. "So, do you accept?"
"No," Zhen Huan replied bluntly. His expression didn't change.
Why should I tell him anything I know?
Gu Longtian blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Huh… You reject me just like that?"
This brat is sharper than I expected.
Yun Sha laughed lightly. "Zhen Huan, let's get out of here. We'll find another place."
The moment she turned, Gu Longtian's calm demeanor cracked slightly. He raised his hand. "No, no—wait! I was only joking, truly. I just want to ask a question."
Zhen Huan narrowed his eyes. "What question?"