Vol 1 Chapter 6 (1/2)

Chapter 6

Chapter One First Show of Ability

The three horned horses moved forward steadily in front of the carriage. In order to guarantee speed, Roth had specially bought two horned horses for riding.

After formally entering the Forest of Neversetting Sun, Aofeng and the others got off the carriage. Mistress Su Ya and Liao Ya stayed inside the carriage to rest. Mo Ling and the other three youths looked around the forest interestedly at the rich flora, the moonlight falling through the leaves like stars, and the flickering lights of fireflies.

“Whoa! Big Brother Zhui Yun, look, so beautiful!” Mo Ling pointed at a nearby swarm of fireflies and called out joyfully.

Aofeng look in that direction and narrowed her eyes slightly. She warned, “There are far more beautiful things in the forest than this, the color of nature will occasionally enchant you. Sometimes, the more beautiful something is, the more poisonous it is, it is better to be careful.”

Mo Zhu saw Aofeng give a meaningful smile and thought that she liked things like this. He hurriedly asked, “Zhui Yun, you like these? Don’t be afraid, how about I catch a few for you?”

Yu Fan was already glaring disdainfully at Aofeng as Mo Zhu spoke. Yu Fan walked forward to capture them as he sneered. “A coward is a coward, you don’t even dare to catch some fireflies. I think you should go back when its early! Mo Ling, you like these, I will catch them for you!”

“Really? Then I will wish our great Young Master Yu of the Snowstorm Mercenary Company to come back successfully … …” Aofeng pulled Mo Zhu’s warm hand. She raised an eyebrow and looked on as Yu Fan walked without any caution towards the ball of light.

Roth saw this and shook his head helplessly from the side. Seventh Young Master, can you not just watch as the world turns to chaos. Pitiful Yu Fan, just a few words and you are “motivated” by this devious person into a trap. This person kills without blood! This Seventh Young Master really had comprehended the highest state of being shameless and devious!

But Roth did not expose Aofeng. He didn’t like young people like Yu Fan whose eyes were on top of their head. It would be good to give Yu Fan a lesson and have other people become mentally prepared.

Yu Fan was satisfied that he had gotten there first. This time, he would obtain Mo Ling’s affections. He reached out to seize the fireflies. However, he suddenly felt the black area in front of him wasn’t quite right.

Dark! Extreme darkness so that not even one thread of moonlight reflected off.

The surrounding vines shuddered lightly, and a large and cold thorn-filled mouth suddenly opened from the darkness.

“Ah!” Yu Fan jumped in fright at the enormous mouth that abruptly appeared and gave a high scream. He tried to crawl out of the bush in a panic but he tripped and fell down with a “thump.” Vines had wrapped around his feet at some unknown time like metal chains. A great force came from above, and Yu Fan was pulled towards that enormous mouth.

Three exclamations of surprise sounded. The young people didn’t react in time, freezing there and not knowing what to do. Yu Fan looked at the great mouth growing closer and almost peed his pants.

At this moment, a long broadsword pierced the enormous mouth behind him with a “pew!” Dark green fluid spilled from that strangely shaped vine, and the vine quickly withered.

Of course Aofeng was not so goodhearted to save Yu Fan. Roth finally acted at the last moment.

“Uncle Roth, it’s so fortunate you are here.” Mo Ling patted his chest and sighed with lingering fear. “What is that? So scary?”

“Maneating Vine, it is not a magic beast, but is no less dangerous. It will attract b.u.t.terflies in the day, and fireflies in the night, creating beautiful illusions to lure other beings. Then it will use its tentacles to pull the prey in and swallow them.” Roth walked forward and pulled his broadsword back out. He cut off the vines that were wrapped around Yu Fan and picked the pale boy out. He said coolly, “The Forest of Neversetting Sun is full of things like this. Just like Zhui Yun said, if you do not pay attention, even I may not be able to save your lives. You have come here with me to get stronger, put away your playful att.i.tudes!”

After the fright just now, the trio didn’t dare to enter the darkness. They felt as though every blade of gra.s.s and tree were terrifying. They nodded anxiously.

“Don’t be afraid. Actually, you just didn’t detect it in the chaos. An adult Maneating Vine is something that someone with the strength of a five-star swordsman can protect themselves from. A normal vine wouldn’t even be a threat to a three-star swordsman. When they wrap around you, cut its tentacles in time, and then cut down its crown.” Aofeng smiled serenely, and patted Mo Zhu and his sister’s shoulders comfortingly. She walked forward and then cut down the pouch at the center of the dead Maneating Vine. The green liquid inside had already bled out.

“Zhui Yun, what are you doing?” Su Jian asked curiously.

“The pouch of the Maneating Vine is filled with extremely corrosive liquid but is also a hard to come by herb. After cleaning, it can be used to make longevity-lengthening wine. Of course, it is rare for vines to grow pouches this big and useful. The majority will shatter with a touch. This thing is worth a few hundred obsidians.” Aofeng casually tossed the wrinkled little pouch in her hand up and down before giving it to Mo Zhu to look.

Mo Zhu held it in his hand, his face slightly hot. He thought happily, the first person he gave it to was me! Not even Ling’er!

“Zhui Yun, can you give this to me?” Mo Zhu looked over in antic.i.p.ation.

“Of course, if you like it, take it.” It wasn’t worth a lot, and with the sword master Roth here, the good stuff was up ahead. Aofeng did not care.

Mo Zhu was very happy and hurriedly put the item in his spatial ring. These people were of high status and every one of them had a spatial ring.

“Zhui Yun, you know so much,” Su Jian smiled and said with surprise. The three’s admiration of Aofeng grew. While Aofeng was “weak,” he knew a lot, especially about exploring the forest. He knew much more than they did.

Yu Fan finally managed to calm down and his face was darker than the night. At this time, he realized that Aofeng had deliberately set him up. This person had clearly known that there might be a maneating vine there, but did not tell him! More irritating was that the other showing off afterwards! When he thought of this, Yu Fan felt his teeth itch.

“Alright. We should depart.” Roth, the person responsible for training, was not polite at all. He snapped the whip in his hand, urged the horned horses to run. “Both swordsmen and magisters are combat professions. You all have good endurance, try to keep up with my horse on your feet. Notice everything in the surroundings. There will be dangers of all kinds appearing at any time. We have just entered the forest. Experience the environment, do not fall behind, the first person will get a good reward.”

The carriage moved forward at a slow pace. When Mo Zhu and the other four heard “reward,” they became alert and hurriedly started running. This speed was not hard for them, even the weakest, Mo Ling, could keep up.

Of course, this was only when there were no disruptions.

There were many maneating vines at the border of the forest. They could not compare to the large maneating vine that had attacked Yu Fan, but they were nuisances that occasionally reached out to trip people. Other than Aofeng, the remaining four each had a sharp knife to cut off those detestable tentacles. Even so, after a while, each person had a few tears and holes in their clothing, and they were in unbearable suffering.

Mo Zhu and the others started to understand why Aofeng’s clothing upon arrival at the Hyde Corporation was so damaged. This was just a little while. If they walked for a day, wouldn’t they be naked?

On the other hand, Aofeng did not use any weapons at all. She seemed to be prescient and was not just unusually lucky. There almost weren’t any maneating vines where she pa.s.sed. Even if there were, she could easily avoid them with her light yet strange footwork. After walking for a while, Aofeng, the “weakest of them all” was the least disheveled. Her long black robe was still perfect, and everyone wondered at the lack of damage.

However, the Imperial School only admitted geniuses. These people were outstanding talented, and not weak in power. They adapted quickly and only lacked experience. Soon, it became difficult for the maneating vines to trip them, and they would be able to chop their way free quickly if they were caught.

What surprised Mo Zhu and the others was that no matter how they increased their speed, they could not overtake Aofeng far ahead of them. Aofeng’s speed that was like a ghost seemed, changing with the speed of their pace. If they were fast, the other was fast. If they were slow, the other would slow down.

“d.a.m.n it! How come I cannot catch up with the useless country b.u.mpkin! I’m stronger than him!” Yu Fan wanted to die when he found he could not catch up to Aofeng no matter how hard he tried.

“Big Brother Zhui Yun is so strong. Up

until now, his body has not left the cloak!” Mo Ling found something else astounding and exclaimed softly. She wondered inside, was Big Brother Zhui Yun really just a seven-sword magister?

“Yes! Still so elegant and enchanting. Mo Zhu, if he comes to Karroll, your t.i.tle as the first young master of the imperial capt.i.tal will go to someone else.” Su Jian laughed and said as he ran.

Mo Zhu looked at Aofeng. The forest wind brushed back the other’s hair, the exquisite face was pressingly handsome, the red lips tightly pressed, there was a fatal seductiveness peeking through the aloofness. The long black robe moved in the wind and outlined the body. The silver light shone down on the other’s body. Unconsciously, Mo Zhu went into a daze. When he managed to refocus, he bent his head down with a red face, his voice as small as a mosquito’s buzz.

“I … … I cannot compare to him, he … …”

Before he finished speaking, Aofeng suddenly stopped up ahead. Everyone else paused and then came next to Aofeng. Roth also frowned slightly and stopped the carriage.

“Zhui Yun, is there a problem?” Su Jian walked forward and asked. Without realizing it, Aofeng, who knew the dangers of the forest, took over the commanding role in their minds, even though she was only a “seven-sword magister.”

“Magic beasts are coming!” Aofeng listened for a while and her expression grew slightly more serious. “Also, it’s a herd!”

Hearing the rumbling in the distance, it was evident they were not flying magic beasts. Their steps were heavy, and could not be the fleet-footed wolf packs. Aofeng’s heart shook and she guessed it was most likely the ones that were called the killers of the Forest of Neversetting Sun, the Forest Boars that were the most common in this region.

After enduring hards.h.i.+p in the forest on the way here, the young people did not have the arrogant demeanor any longer. They recognized the dangers of the Forest of Neversetting Sun. Each person’s nerves tensed, even the proud Yu Fan was not an exception.

Roth glanced with praise at Aofeng. He had seen everything up until now, and he had been shocked. He hadn’t expected this Seventh Young Master to be so competent. Even he didn’t have a true measure of the other’s strength. At the very least, the other was not any weaker than Mo Zhu, the best of this young genius team. The other had sensitive senses and had noticed the danger at the same time as him.

“It’s the Forest Boars, these dangerous magic beasts are not as gentle as the maneating vines. You have to be careful.” Roth drew his broadsword. “Boom.” It stabbed into the ground in front of him. A thick burst of sword energy flowed from his hand into the body of the sword. Using the sword as the medium, a battle energy barrier appeared, and wrapped around the entire carriage.

Not as “gentle” as the man-eating vines?

Hearing this, they faced each other and wanted to cry. Uncle, are you trying to scare us? Even such gentle things were so scary, then what were the dangerous magic beasts like?

The group members had terrified expressions but Roth was relaxed. “While it is the first time you are fighting magic beasts, don’t be so nervous. Forest Boars are usually six-star magic beasts, if you cannot endure, you can retreat behind my battle energy barrier. Do not force yourself. Zhui Yun, you were the first to arrive just now, this is your reward!”

A black light flashed and something was tossed towards Aofeng. Aofeng reached out to receive and her fingers came into contract with what seemed to be a piece of ice. She gripped it and looked. It was a black and simple curved dagger that did not s.h.i.+ne with light.

“Ferrotungsten!”

“This ferrotungsten dagger, is named the “Vanquisher of Armies,” Roth nodded and said with a faint smile.

“Teacher, you are so biased. Last time, when I asked you for a ferrotungsten weapon, you didn’t give one to me.” Su Jian complained depressedly. A ferrotungsten short blade was something that could not be found on the market, obtaining one was not a matter of cost. Even Mo Zhu and his sister felt slight envy.

“It’s not that I didn’t give you the chance, who was not able to catch up to Zhui Yun? How about another try, I have something else good here.” Roth chuckled. His hand flashed and he took out another blade from the spatial ring. It was a long black sword that was both thin and light.

“This is also made from ferrotungsten, and masterfully crafted. It is thin and flexible, and can be worn around the waist like a belt. It is sharp as a sword, nimble as a whip, and effective when used appropriately. It is called “Cicada Wing.” If you want this, bring out your skill. Are you not geniuses of this younger generation?” Roth said to the group as he winked at Aofeng.

Detecting Roth’s bias and intention to help her, Aofeng’s gaze moved and he threw a grateful look towards the other. Roth smiled slightly and imperceptibly nodded. He knew this Seventh Young Master was of few words. It was already rare for someone as aloof as the other to give such an expression to him.

A famed swords should be given to a hero. As a sword master, Roth admired those who were strong. After interacting with Aofeng a few times, he could see that this little guy had unlimited potential in terms of mentality and strength. He did not object to helping such a diamond in the rough on their path to growth, and also whip his unaccomplished disciples along the way.

This group of young people did not know that His Excellency Roth that they respected had sold them a lie. Stimulated by the thoughts of obtaining a great weapon, each of them were alert, and prepared to fight. While they were of different star levels, their actual fighting strength was about the same. Each person was confident in themselves.

“Cicada Wing, it is mine!” Yu Fan said confidently as he summoned his magus beast. Under his feet, the silver pattern of a one-star senior magister flashed and a nine-star magus beast Forest Combat Bear suddenly appeared.

“No, it’s mine!” Su Jian drew the two-handed sword from his back and waved it.

Mo Zhu summoned the two-star spirit beast Marked Panther, Mo Lin summoned the nine-star magus beast Mountain Civet. Aofeng gripped the Vanquisher of Armies she had just gained. The rumbling had almost reached them. Soon, the enormous tusks of the Forest Boars that were the height of a man appeared in view.

Large group of forest boars rushed out of the forest in all directions, forming a dense circle. There were so many that they inhaled in shock as they charged at the group!

The tusks of the boars were full of power. If one was. .h.i.t head-on, most people would be split apart where they stood and could only die.

“Kill!” A soft and cold shout. A few threads of killing energy came off Aofeng. The black shadow flashed and shot forward before the others like a ghost!

“Zhui Yun! Don’t be ras.h.!.+” Mo Zhu called in shock. He hadn’t through that Aofeng didn’t even think of defense and charged directly into the stampede of boars. His handsome face flushed in urgency, he stamped his feet. A seven-sword magister going into a herd of six-star magic beasts without even their own magus beast, wasn’t that seeking death?

“Dumba.s.s without any team spirit!” Yu Fan swore in fury. His eyes searched all over for Aofeng’s figure but he had no time before the enormous tusks of the boars were already stabbing towards him!

“Careful!” Su Jian’s two-handed sword managed to make it in time, chopping down the head of that forest boar. The blood drenched the two of them!

“Guard yourself, you don’t need to worry about him!” Roth’s voice sounded by their ears. The four paused slightly. Thinking that Roth would definitely perform a rescue, they did not worry. They moved back-to-back to form a small circle and started to fend off the forest boars around them.

These four were really geniuses of this generation. Each person’s cautiousness during the fight fight had increased after experiencing the man-eating vines.

At the start of the attack, they only just managed to hold on against the ma.s.s of boars. However, not fifteen minutes later, the four had learned how to work together. The three magus beasts and the for fighters managed to kill and hold a small perimeter. The more they fought, the better they became, and they finally managed to get a chance to breathe.

“This is great, only true battle can test us!” Mo Ling shouted excitedly. The sharp blade in her hand that was mixed with magus power repeatedly stopped the charges of the forest boars. Beside her, the cute mountain civet it swiped with its sharp claws. With a few swipes, it could blind a boar. Then after Mo Ling gave a few more strikes, this boar fell down.

“Ha, look, I’ve already killed so many boars. I’m the one that won the contest this time” Su Jian cut off the head of a boar and shouted.

“No, it’s clearly me.” Yu Fan also shouted, “The ones that my bear killed also belong to me, I have more than you.”

“It shouldn’t count like that!” Su Jian shouted with a dejected face.

“Stop arguing, it’s useless how many you kill, look over there!” Mu Zhu’s shocked tone attracted the attention of the other three people. The three raised their head despite being occupied and the three pairs of eyes bulged at almost the same time!

In the distance, under the light

light of the moon the bodies of the forest boars were scattered on the ground. It almost formed a large circle around the four of them. No wonder the four of them felt less pressured. The surrounding boars had been held off by these corpses and could not charge in.

At the end of these corpses, a ghostly figure like that of an asura held a short black dagger as it moved in a near impossible path. Everywhere it pa.s.sed, there were the wails of the boars. Each time the blade flashed, a boar fell. The long black cloak floated as the figure jumped, and revealed tight black fighter garb. Under the moonlight, the exquisite face was cold and cruel, the nimble figure was enough to enchant millions of females!

“Co… … country b.u.mpkin … …” Yu Fan’s voice trembled as he gaped. He looked forward. He didn’t seem to see Aofeng killing a group of boars, but an ant destroying a group of dragons … ….

“How is this possible! He … … he’s only a seven-sword magister!” Su Jian covered his mouth in terror. Even with the Vanquisher of Armies in hand, it still was a great shock for someone to easily kill a boar with a single blow.

His Excellency Roth was alright, he was a sword master, an existence that was extremely high up in the continent. They, a younger generation, could not be spoken off in the same sentence as him. But compared this youth that was about the same age as them, and even a few years younger, they, who had been praised as geniuses, were so much weaker than this youth, where … … where did this demon come from?

They were not the only ones to feel shocked. Even Roth felt a wave of amazement. Aofeng’s sharp and precise movements and cold expression did not seem like that of a youth in their second decade. This was a warrior that was used to killing, and frequently moved through danger until they were numb to it! How old was he? Where did the other’s battle experience come from?

“Stupid! Even like this, you still think that Big Brother Zhui Yun is a seven-sword magister, your stupidity is incurable! Big Brother Zhui Yun is just not willing to show off his strength!” Mo Ling rolled her eyes as she spoke. Her gaze could not move away from Aofeng’s body. The flying long black hair, the black robes that rose with the wind, the body that was not large but nimble, those crisp movements when striking with the black dagger formed a strong shadow that imprinted on the young girl’s heart.

If a girl was able to marry him, wouldn’t they feel safe? Mo Ling narrowed her eye as she thought.

Yu Fan stared depressedly at Aofeng. For the first time, he had a strong feeling of failure. Looking at Mo Ling’s expression he knew he had lost completely.

Mo Zhu showed a joyful smile, he was just happy that Aofeng possessed great power.

“Aah … … my ferrotungsten weapon … …” Su Jian sobbed.

The four had stopped fighting and were almost pushed over by the boars.  They refocused and continued to cut down the boars near them. The magic beasts that were like tofu in Aofeng’s hands were opponents they struggled with. The more the four fought, the more they felt that Aofeng was a freak.

Aofeng didn’t have any time to pay attention to their thoughts. At this time, she was in a strange state. Through the moon, her Moonlight Footwork was performed smoothly like water.

When she was with Liao Ya, she rarely went to provoke herd-type magic beasts. Today, she really enjoyed herself in melee combat. Her Moonlight Footwork that she hadn’t used since she came to this world was performed three times. Adding on the magic power unique to this world, she had made a small but significant progress on modifying this close-combat footwork.

With a dart, she flashed next to a forest boar and she moved her hand back in a slice. Without even looking back, she spun in another direction, elegant as though she was dancing. Aofeng’s body was as light as a sparrow. She easily pa.s.sed through the packed singular of forest boars. The clumsy boars could not stop here steps.

“Such unique footwork, who did this little guy learn from?” Everyone else was busy but Roth was idly watching from the carriage. The broadsword in front of him formed a barrier as hard as steel. All of the forest boars that slammed into the barrier would wail and retreat.

Looking at Aofeng’s nimble and ethereal steps, Roth was shocked again. He felt that Aofeng was full of riddles that people could not see through.

Pa.s.sing through the singular of forest boars, Aofeng was not in a hurry to kill as many boars as possible. She was not a bloodthirsty person. Her black and bright eyes quickly scanned through the great number of forest boars to search for the leader of the herd. If she could kill the boar leader, than this group of six-star rabble would scatter.

Yu Fan and Su Jian who were panting from fighting saw Aofeng’s idle figure that moved back and forth through the boars and almost spat blood in anger. They were almost unable to move, the other was stepping on the boars … …

After a time, the four young people finally understood why the herd-type magic beasts of the Forest of Neversetting Sun were so powerful. People were not made of steel, they would get tired. Facing the seemingly endless tide of forest boars, Mo Zhu and the three others felt exhausted.

“We cannot continue like this, go back to Uncle Roth first. This is not a school compet.i.tion. These magic beasts will not be restrained against us.” Su Jian gritted. He once again swung the two-handed sword and said to the three beside him.

Mo Zhu and the others nodded. Their goal of familiarizing themselves with battle had been achieved. They had no reason to keep expending energy. The four decided to open a path but did not notice a boar that had a different color of fur compared to other forest boars and had very long and sharp tusks sneaking closer.