The next morning.
Lu Yuan woke up early and practiced Shadow Step in the courtyard for an hour.
Compared to yesterday's clumsiness, his movement was noticeably smoother today. Though he couldn't quite reach the level of "leaving afterimages," at least he could move freely within a three-zhang (about ten meters) radius.
*"System, check current status."*
[Host: Lu Yuan][Bloodline: F-Rank (Sealed)][Realm: Body Tempering Stage Four][Experience Points: 45][Skill Fragments: Basic Swordsmanship (Mastered), Basic Body Technique (Mastered), Combat Instinct (Fragmented), Energy Manipulation (Novice), Shadow Step (Novice)]
*"Experience Points finally back in the positive."*
Lu Yuan nodded with satisfaction.
After completing the "Building Reputation" task yesterday, he had earned 150 Experience Points. Combined with the 200 Experience Points from killing the assassin, that made 350 total.
But since he spent 350 on Shadow Step, only 45 remained.
*"Still need to keep earning Experience Points."*
He sighed, just about to head to the kitchen for something to eat, when suddenly a commotion came from outside.
*"Quick! Move all this to the Third Prince's residence!"*
*"Be efficient! Today is a big day!"*
A big day?
Lu Yuan frowned, walking to the door to take a look.
A group of people was marching toward his courtyard, carrying various boxes and decorations.
The leader was about forty years old, wearing luxurious robes, with a goatee and a sycophantic smile on his face.
*"Your Highness the Third Prince!"*
Seeing Lu Yuan, the man immediately jogged over to bow.
*"I was sent by the Second Prince to deliver your ceremonial attire!"*
Ceremonial attire?
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.
*"What kind of attire?"*
*"As you know, in three days is the grand bloodline assessment."*
The man explained with a fawning smile.
*"The Second Prince said, as a prince, how could Your Highness attend the assessment without proper attire?"*
*"So he specifically had me bring these—"*
He pointed at the boxes behind him.
*"Fine silk robes, jade belts, boots, and various accessories."*
*"All personally selected by the Second Prince."*
Personally selected?
Lu Yuan coldly laughed internally.
Lu Ming being so kind?
*"Leave them here."*
He said dismissively.
*"Yes, Your Highness!"*
The man repeatedly agreed, waving his hand to have his subordinates carry the boxes into the courtyard.
Before leaving, he leaned close to Lu Yuan's ear and lowered his voice:
*"Your Highness, the Second Prince asked me to relay a message."*
*"What message?"*
*"He said—"*
*"'Younger brother, you are the person I trust most. Just do your best in this assessment. No matter the result, I'll take care of you.'"*
With that, the man left with his people.
Lu Yuan stood in place, a playful smile curling his lips.
The person I trust most?
Take care of me?
Hmph.
He turned and walked into the courtyard, opening one of the boxes.
Inside was a luxurious silk robe, with exquisite material and fine embroidery, clearly very valuable.
But Lu Yuan's attention wasn't on the clothes.
In the box's hidden compartment, he found a slip of paper.
Only one line was written on it:
*"Third watch, the ruined temple west of the city."*
The signature was a symbol—a coiled snake.
The Shadow Guild's contact code.
*Interesting.*
Lu Yuan tucked the paper into his pocket.
Lu Ming, Lu Ming, you really are working hard to get me killed.
First sending an assassin, then delivering "attire"—this chained scheme, this coordinated plan, is quite well-played.
Too bad you met the ninety-ninth rebirth version of me.
*"System, check missions."*
*"Mission list updated."*
*[Special Mission] Turning the Tables*
*Mission Description: Discovered Lu Ming's contact person. Head to the Ruins Temple and reverse-control the Shadow Guild assassin.*
*Mission Reward: 300 Experience Points.*
*Bonus: Shadow Guild Core Intelligence ×1*
*Accept mission?"*
*"Accept."*
Lu Yuan looked at the sky outside.
It was morning, still over ten hours until the third watch.
Enough time for him to prepare.
---
During the day, Lu Yuan used his time for cultivation and planning.
First, he used his remaining 45 Experience Points in the system store to purchase a Beginner Energy Pill formula, then had the plump aunt from the kitchen buy some herbs from the pharmacy.
*"System, how many pills can this formula produce?"*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"Materials are complete. Can produce Beginner Energy Pills ×3."*
*"Estimated time: One hour."*
Refining pills required a furnace and fire. Lu Yuan didn't have a furnace, but the system said it could use "System Refinement."
The cost: an additional 100 Experience Points.
*"Deal."*
Lu Yuan gritted his teeth.
Since Experience Points were negative anyway, might as well spend them first.
*"Refine Beginner Energy Pills ×3."*
*"Deducted 100 Experience Points."*
*"Current available Experience Points: negative 55."*
*"Refining..."*
*"Refinement complete."*
*"Obtained: Beginner Energy Pills ×3."*
*"System notice: Beginner Energy Pills can increase cultivation efficiency by 50% for a short duration, lasting one hour."*
Three pills in hand, Lu Yuan examined them—they were warm, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.
Decent quality.
He stored the pills carefully and began thinking about the next steps.
The ruined temple west of the city.
That was a dilapidated building outside Qingstone City, supposedly once a City God Temple, but mostly destroyed during the Catastrophe.
Later it became a gathering place for beggars and homeless people.
The Shadow Guild choosing to meet there, it seemed they wanted to keep a low profile.
*"System, I need to know the Ruins Temple's layout."*
*"Map generated."*
A simple map floated into Lu Yuan's mind.
The Ruins Temple was located three li west of the city, covering quite an area, but most of it had collapsed.
The only intact building was a small hall in the back courtyard, roughly the size of three or four rooms.
The map marked three "danger points"—should be Shadow Guild sentries.
*Three sentries...*
Lu Yuan stroked his chin, thinking of countermeasures.
His Shadow Step was only at Novice level—fine against ordinary people, but not enough against experts at Body Tempering Stage Seven or higher.
*"System, is there a way to enter the Ruins Temple without alerting the sentries?"*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"Suggested plan: Enter from underground."*
*"There is an abandoned sewer under the Ruins Temple. The entrance is in the grass about two hundred meters east of the temple."*
*"The sewer leads directly to the back hall of the Ruins Temple."*
*"Not expected to alert sentries."*
Two hundred meters east, in the grass?
Lu Yuan nodded.
This plan was feasible.
---
Third watch.
The night was dark as ink, stars sparse, moon bright.
Lu Yuan changed into black night clothes and quietly slipped out the back door of the Third Prince's residence.
The streets were completely empty, only occasionally a stray cat passing by.
Lu Yuan activated Shadow Step, his figure ghosting through the alleys.
His speed was fast, but the sound he made was minimal.
This was the essence of Shadow Step—moving at maximum speed with minimum disturbance.
*"System, how far?"*
*"Distance to destination: three hundred meters."*
*"Turn left ahead, enter the alley."*
*"After another hundred meters, there's a manhole cover in the grass on the right."*
*"Open it to enter the sewer."*
Following the system's guidance, Lu Yuan quickly found that manhole cover.
It was covered with thick fallen leaves and grass, invisible unless looked at carefully.
He squatted down and forcefully slid the cover open.
A stench of rot rushed up.
Lu Yuan frowned, held his breath, and jumped down.
---
Inside the sewer, it was pitch black.
Lu Yuan took a glow pearl from his backpack—the cheapest tool in the system store, only 10 Experience Points.
The glow pearl emitted a faint green light, illuminating a three-foot radius.
*"System, direction."*
*"Go straight two hundred meters."*
*"Watch your step, there's water."*
Lu Yuan moved forward carefully.
The sewer did have water, depth about to his knees.
He activated energy, forming a thin shield on his body to block the filth.
*"Two hundred meters..."*
As he walked, he recalled the Ruins Temple's layout in his mind.
The three sentries were located at: the temple gate, the side hall, and the roof of the back hall.
If entering the back hall from underground, the first thing to face would be whoever might be inside.
*"System, how many people are in the back hall?"*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"Based on heat signatures, there are two people in the back hall."*
*"Power assessment: One at Body Tempering Stage Seven, one at Body Tempering Stage Six."*
Two people.
One at Seven, one at Six.
Lu Yuan's current realm was Body Tempering Stage Four.
If he fought head-on, he definitely wasn't their opponent.
But he had the system.
*"System, any way to deal with two people at higher realms than me simultaneously?"*
*"Analyzing..."*
*"Suggested plan: Use traps."*
*"Flammable materials are laid out in the back hall. Can create an explosion."*
*"The explosion can cause practitioners below Body Tempering Stage Seven to be momentarily stunned."*
*"Time window: Three seconds."*
Three seconds.
Enough.
*"System, what do I need to create an explosion?"*
*"Need a fire starter and oil."*
*"Fire starter can be purchased here, price: 5 Experience Points."*
*"Oil can be obtained nearby, thirty meters east there's a storage point."*
*"Estimated to obtain: Oil Bottles ×3."*
*"Each bottle can cover about five square meters."*
Three bottles of oil were enough to cover the entrance area of the back hall.
*"Purchase fire starter."*
*"Deducted 5 Experience Points."*
*"Current available Experience Points: negative 60."*
*"Obtaining oil..."*
*"Obtained successfully. Oil Bottles ×3."*
*"System notice: Please be careful with your personal safety when using oil."*
Personal safety?
Lu Yuan curled his lips.
He never did anything he wasn't confident about.
---
[End of Chapter 4]