"That cold light—could it be a divine weapon? Bai Shixun's expression screams treasure."
As Bai Shixun chased the flickering cold light, Long Chen, having left White Poplar Town, followed. His Star-Forge Body at Minor Accomplishment thrived under starlight, allowing him to trail Bai Shixun effortlessly without expending qi.
The sky-bound cold light dimmed, wobbling faintly. Long Chen glimpsed a sword—self-flying, unheard of. Despite its wobble, it persisted for half an hour, far enough from town to evade Yang Yun Tian.
"Bold, venturing so far from town," Long Chen noted, masking his face with black cloth. Few would suspect him as Yang Chen.
"At full speed, he's only Level 3 Dragon Meridian, same as me. But with Falling Star Fist and Star-Forge Body, I surpass him."
Entering a forest, the sword plummeted, embedding in earth. Bai Shixun slumped, gasping, but his eyes blazed at the sword. "A self-flying blade—superb treasure! Even if I relinquish it to the clan, rewards await!"
Dreaming of glory, he laughed—until a masked figure materialized. "W-Who are you?!" he stammered, trembling.
Long Chen moved faster—a blur. Before Bai Shixun could react, a blow knocked him down, teeth scattering. "You truly want this sword?" Long Chen murmured. "But secrets demand silence."
Bai Shixun wept. "Take it! Spare me—I'll be your servant!"
"Tempting. Yet rumors spread…" Long Chen mused, hoisting him. "Your smooth skin—must inherit your father's looks. But I hate men fairer than me…"
Panic seized Bai Shixun. "Don't mar my face! My grandfather is Bai Patriarch—spare me!"
"Who said I'd scar you?" Long Chen's voice chilled. A dagger flashed, striking crotch. Bai Shixun screamed, fainting.
Long Chen dropped him. "No scars, just… unmaned. Revenge for past humiliation—karma's cycle."
He turned to the sword—a rusted, narrow blade, seventy centimeters, two-finger wide. "All this chase for scrap?"
Grasping the hilt, a girl's shriek jolted him. The sword yanked skyward, ten times faster. Forests shrank below. "Fall and I'll shatter!" Long Chen clung, terror white.
The sword bucked wildly, but he held tight. "This sword has a spirit—treasure indeed! But if I fall, no fate to claim it."
A voice—young, female—"Pervert! Release me! Or regret it!"
Long Chen froze. "A sword that speaks? And calls me pervert?"
"Hear me? Let go! Now! Or else!"
"Lady, dropping means death!" he pleaded.
The sword stilled. "Oh… right. My mistake. We'll descend. But no touching—男女授受不亲!"
Long Chen facepalmed. "You're a sword—what 'touch'?"
"Promise to release at ground?"
"Scout's honor!"
Landing, they stood amid desolate mountains—bare rock, dead trees, bones littering the earth. Howls echoed, chilling.
Long Chen crushed a skull, shuddering. "Lady… is this… the Desolate Beast Realm?"
A realm of legend—heart of Wilderness Mountains, where few return.
The sword—now Ling Xi—murmured, "So many beasts stronger than you… you'll die soon. What now?"
Panicked, she wept. "I'm Ling Xi! Trapped here… I shouldn't have touched this sword… Mommy… Daddy… I'm scared…"
"Quiet!" Long Chen hissed, dragging her beneath a boulder. Danger neared—heavy footsteps, foul breath, saliva-drenched air.
He stilled, breath held, heart pounding. The greatest threat he'd faced paled beside this.
A low growl echoed. "Phantom Moon Wolf—one bite, and you're gone." Ling Xi whispered.
Footsteps faded. Long Chen breathed, drenched in sweat. "That was… Phantom Moon Wolf. Now what?"
"I'm stuck. A barrier seals this realm—in I came, but out I cannot." Ling Xi sighed.
Long Chen stood. "I leave in half a month—family tournament awaits. You're my companion. Share wisdom, and we escape. You're Ling Xi? I'm Long Chen!"