Vol 1 Chapter 7 (1/2)

Chapter 7

Chapter One – Travelling Alone

This handsome middle-aged man  with a small moustache was the castellan of the City of Neversetting Sun, Luo Li Daren.

Luo Li spoke so quickly that Mo Ling and the others were unable to stop him in time. When they reacted, Luo Li had finished speaking.

The soldiers who had been making trouble just now collectively inhaled in shock. They felt as through a blade cut through their necks and their heads were about to drop at any time. So Su Jian saying he was the nephew of the empress was the truth! And not just him. Even the empress and some members of the imperial house were here. This matter was big!

Luo Fu’s expression was ashen. He could not withstand the blow and fainted.

“Official Luo Li, there is no need for such courtesy. You have guarded the Fortress of Neversetting Sun for so many years, and developed this place so well that it could defend against the magic beast tides. As to your nephew, he has already received a lesson. Punish him lightly and do not let him do as he has in the future.” Roth finally spoke at this time with a small smile. He lifted with his hand and Luo Li stood up.

Luo Li exhaled in trepidation. It was fortunate their highnesses were unharmed. If something happened to any of them, he would not be spared.

Focusing, he said solemnly to Roth. “Your Excellency Roth, I have come to receive everyone because the Kaya Imperial Court has sent a secret message that I needed to personally deliver to Her Highness the Empress.”

“Secret message?” Roth stilled and suddenly had a bad feeling. He nodded and pointed to the carriage. “Empress Su Ya is inside the carriage. Official Luo Li, please.”

Luo Li did not stand on courtesy. He walked towards the carriage. At this time, Mo Ling’s curious voice sounded.

“Hm, Big Brother Zhui Yun, why aren’t you surprised at our ident.i.ties at all?”

Aofeng moved her gaze back and smiled faintly. “Something that I was already sure about is not a surprise. Do not worry, I will not distance myself from you due to this.”

“What? You … … you guessed our ident.i.ties?” Su Jian shouted as he rubbed his head.

Roth could not bear to keep watching. He shook his head and laughed. “You guys, Zhui Yun saw through you a long time ago yet you were all so smug and wanted to keep it a secret. Zhui Yun knew who you were when he saw me. From you to Mistress, all of you. You just didn’t find out until now.”

Aofeng had known from the start? The four looked at Aofeng with amazement. They didn’t know what to say. The amount of shock they had received in their life added up together was not as much as what they had experienced today.

Yu Fan jumped up suddenly and shouted, “Then the things you said about n.o.bility at Hyde Corporation was on purpose?”

Aofeng shamelessly glared at him and said, “I know you wanted to taste what it felt like to having your ident.i.ty revealed and showing off, wasn’t I trying to satisfy your desire?”

You were clearly toying with this young master! You made me feel happy for nothing for so long! Yu Fan’s face and ears were flushed in embarra.s.sment. But after this, he had to admit his defeat to Aofeng. In terms of intelligence and ability, Aofeng was above them. He had to admit defeat.

The five young people became more chatty after the obstacle between them disappeared. They chatted and laughed easily, and even talked about inviting Aofeng to the imperial palace to visit when the other got to the imperial capital. Just as they were in the thick of conversation, the door to the carriage was suddenly opened. Mistress Su Ya dressed in her long dress came out of the carriage with a grave expression.

“Your Excellency Roth, Zhu’er, Ling’er, we must make an early return to the imperial capital. We are leaving now.” Mistress Su Ya said as she walked towards Aofeng and hugged the other. She gave an apologetic look. “Child, sorry, we have to separate.”

“What?” Everyone shouted. This was too sudden!

Mo Zhu’s clear eyes were locked onto Aofeng with great reluctance. He asked, “Mama, aren’t we going to find the Fire Dragon Fruit?”

Going to find the Fire Dragon Fruit was just an excuse. Mo Zhu’s hope was to stay a while longer with Aofeng. Even though there had not been many words exchanged between them, he felt strangely happy if he could just see the other.

Mistress Su Ya sighed. She shook her head with a frown. “No, we must get going immediately. We are returning to the city with Official Luo right now and will be riding the lion vultures immediately to return. Your Father-Emperor is ill, seriously ill. He needs me to return to his side.”

The nine-star magus beast lion vulture was among the best of the flying magus beasts. In order to cross the Forest of Neversetting Sun, the Kaya Empire chose places with few magic beasts to set up lion vulture stations. Riding the lion vultures, it would only take a fortnight to cross the Forest of Neversetting Sun that would take several months on foot. However, the number of lion vultures was low, and one had to spend great amounts of obsidian in order to ride them once. Also, their use was limited to the n.o.bility and those above second level in their professions.

“What!” Everyone shouted and had expressions of urgency at hearing the news.

His Majesty the Emperor was ill!

This was a great matter. In political terms, this matter was about the stability of the Kaya Empire’s court, and in private, this man was her husband and the father of the children. No wonder Mistress Su Ya was in such a hurry.

“Since that’s the case, you should leave with Mama Su Ya. After a while, I will go to Karroll. We can meet up then.” Aofeng saw them looking back with reluctance and shook her head. She knew that they wanted her to go with them but she had decided to gain experience in Neversetting Sun. In the future, she could go find them when she went to the empire.

Even with a cold expression, the group who had an understanding of her personality still could hear her intentions of comforting them in her words.

“That … … Zhui Yun, you said you will not distance yourself from us. When the time comes, you have to find us.” Mo Zhu bit his lips. Ignoring everyone’s gazes, he daringly took out a faint blue jade pendant and shoved it into Aofeng’s hand. “When you come to the imperial palace, show this to the guards and they will know. I’ll … …I’ll wait for your arrival!”

The mutton-fat warm jade was warm when it entered her hand. With a touch, she knew the quality was not ordinary. There was also a small “zhu” character carved on it. Aofeng turned it around to look and then looked up in astonishment. She was unable to refuse Mo Zhu’s clear yet determined gaze.

While the others felt that Mo Zhu’s action was slightly inappropriate, they could not say more when they heard his words.

Roth’s gaze flashed and he took out the thin Cicada Wing. He gave it to Aofeng. “Little Guy, I promised to give this to you. Take care of yourself. When we meet next time, I antic.i.p.ate you would have become even stronger.”

Aofeng’s eyes glittered. She recognized this sword master Roth’s help. She took the Cicada Wing and then made a rare shallow bow to him before given him a respectful gaze.

Under Mistress Su Ya’s urging, the young people climbed back into the carriage. Liao Ya jumped back to Aofeng’s side. The group followed Castellan Luo Li’s troops. The back door to the carriage was open, and from afar, she could still hear the shouts of Mo Zhu and the others.

“Zhui Yun! I’ll wait for your arrival!”

“Big Brother Zhui Yun, I’m also waiting for you!”

“Company Leader, you are forever our company leader, we will explore the world together in the future!”

“You are the first person that this young master admires, you cannot break your promise to find us!”

Friends were actually very simple. Even Yu Fan who had been at odds with her at the beginning could be called a friend now.

In the forest that had become quiet again, Aofeng looked at the warm jade pendant. Her eyes flashed and she suddenly gripped it tightly. She did not put it away into the spatial ring but hung it around her neck.

After seeing off Mistress Su Ya’s group, Aofeng and Liao Ya rested for a night where they were. On the next day, they headed back into the forest. On their way here, they had learned the general location of where the fire dragon fruit grew from Mistress Su Ya. This was too great a temptation for her at her present level. No matter whether she succeeded or not, she had to try to find it.

Only when one became a spirit magister would they truly be considered beast masters who could use magus beasts to a.s.sist them, could they order magus beasts into an armor transformation

to form the useful and beautiful magus beast armor to protect their bodies. Their offensive power would increase greatly. There was a tangible difference between spirit magisters and senior magisters. Aofeng wanted to become strong as fast as possible.

Liao Ya and Aofeng were fast on their feet. After leaving Mistress Su Ya’s group, they were even faster. Using their outstanding perception, they avoided the large magic beast herds. The human and the wolf quickly got closer to the Soul Breaking Cliff where the Fire Dragon Fruit was maturing.

Translator Ramblings: Goodbye … for now.

Chapter Two Crimson Forge

After travelling for five days, Aofeng and Liao Ya gradually came close to the Soul Breaking Cliff. There was an enormous mountain range in the Forest of Neversetting Sun people called the Death Mountain Range. This was where the Forest of Neversetting Sun was truly dangerous. While the Soul Breaking Cliff was only a small out cropping along the perimeter of the forest, it was still where high level magic beasts resided.

In a little place like Qin City, a sacred beast was valuable because the rumor was that the sacred beast was in its infant stage and it was rare for one to be alone. However, in the Forest of Neversetting Sun, high star magic beasts were not rare, and there were even divine beasts. But even if one was able to kill divine beasts, they would be unable to tame them unless they were some of the best beast tamers, a grandmaster tamer came. Average beast tamers could not even tame adult spirit beasts.

As to the emperor beast tamers that could tame super-divine beasts, no one knew if the continent even had any.

“We’ve found many high star magic beasts. I don’t know if there is anything in here.” Avoiding a large group of ice lake flies, Aofeng and Liao Ya walked out from behind some hidden bushes. She looked towards the peak of Soul Breaking Cliff that was in the distance.

“Master, I feel the presence of several high star spirit beasts from that cliff. There could even be sacred beasts. It most likely will not be easy to get that Fire Dragon Fruit,” Liao Ya warned Aofeng. “Spirit beasts above seven-stars will usually not gather in large numbers unless there is a sacred beast that dominates and controls them.”

“Sacred beast?” Aofeng frowned and made a decision. “Then we will not be the first ones to test this! I saw many mercenaries coming this way along our way here. There are also many explorer groups. Their goal is most likely that fire dragon fruit. We should not be impatient. Let’s wait for a few days at the base of the mountain. When there are many people, it will be easier to sneak in.”

Liao Ya could deal with normal spirit beasts, but if a group came, he could not kill them all. Also, he had just become a one-star sacred beast. If there really was a sacred beast up on the cliff, he might not even be a match for the other beast.

No wonder they had sent court protector-warriors to come harvest the fire dragon fruit. Without someone as strong as Roth, it would be difficult to achieve the goal.

“Ah!” A wave of screams came from the distance. The odor of large amounts of corpse-eating ghouls wafted far.

Aofeng turned back for a glance. Another group of unfortunate people had appeared. The Forest of Neversetting Sun was a ruthless world where the strong ate the weak. Things like this would happen multiple times every day. Anyone faced the danger of dying at any time. In this kind of environment, one’s desire to grow strong would strengthen.

Originally, Aofeng did not plan to meddle. However, when she saw a flame insignia on a mercenary that was running over in terror, her eye twitched.

Crimson Forge Mercenary Company!

Rong Luo’s handsome and reliable face flashed across her eyes. Aofeng did not hesitate to take out “Vanquisher of Armies.” Jumping lightly on the b.a.l.l.s of her feet, she descended from the tree.

“Ahhhh! Save me!” The mercenary that was running was tripped by his fellow. The odor of the berserk corpse-eating ghoul came down on his. The sharp teeth were clear to see, and he screamed in a panic.

Just as he thought that he would die, a black shadow flashed over his head and a blade severed the neck of the berserk corpse-eating ghoul!

This mercenary watched as the berserk corpse-eating ghoul fell down in front of him, the noxious blood spraying over his body. He lifted his head slightly and saw a youth dressed in long and exquisite black robes wearing a cold expression. His eyes widened in disbelief as though he was more terrified than when he had been being chased by a corpse-eating ghoul.

Heavens, what kind of person was this! The other only seemed to be fifteen or so, and was able to kill the nine-star magic beast corpse-eating ghoul in one blow!

Just as he was thinking, he heard the aloof black-robed youth ask, “Which direction is your main group in.”

Many mercenaries had scattered as they fled. Following the sound, she might not find the right place, so she asked the question.

“Ah, Daren! That way! Captain and the others are over there!” The mercenary hurriedly pointed in a direction. He warmed, “Daren, be careful! There are about fifty corpse-eating ghouls there. If Daren cannot manage, do not force yourself and cause trouble to come to you!”

The great majority of people in the Forest of Neversetting Sun would not help save other people. He was very grateful that Aofeng had saved his life. The mercenaries had their own rules. Even Captain would not hope that the one who saved him would risk their life trying to save others.

“Liao Ya, go!” Aofeng nodded when she heard this and called for Liao Ya to come down the tree. Silver light flashed under her feet and Liao Ya turned back into his true form of a four-winged silver wolf. Aofeng jumped up. The human and the wolf flew in the direction of battle.

That mercenary had been worried originally but when he saw the silver pattern under the “young man’s” feet, he was struck dumb.

“Nine-star senior magister? The h.e.l.l!”

Fighting was intense in the nearby forest.

“Captain Thetan! The members on the perimeter is not strong enough, the defense line will collapse! Even if we kill this group of corpse eating ghouls, we will have heavy loses!” a five-star senior magister cut off the head of a corpse eating ghoul and said urgently as he wiped his face of blood and sweat.

The other young male that was on a Hurricane Eagle that was a six-sword senior magister said as he fought, “Vino, tighten the ranks, we are part of Crimson Forge, we cannot fall here! Brother Luo is still waiting at Neversetting Sun City for us to meet up together to fight against the magic beast tide. If we cannot complete this mission, we have no honor left with which to see him!”

The other mercenaries nodded and raised their weapons. Just as the battle was intensifying, an enormous shadow suddenly came over their heads in the sky!

“Heavens! Such a large wolf!” The mercenaries shouted in shock. Just the physique of this magic beast was powerful. The four-winged silver wolf was an extremely rare spirit-rank magic beast. They could barely manage against a nine-star magus beast. But if it was a spirit beast, unless the young captain was here, they could not defeat it.

The group of mercenaries thought that a calamity was about to descend when they saw the silver wolf’s enormous wings flap and blow away that group of corpse eating ghouls. The wolf showed no intentions of attacking them and they gaped.

Before they managed to digest the shock, a black and thin shadow landed from the back of the silver wolf and entered the battle. As the person moved their hand, the heads of the surrounding corpse eating ghouls fell to the ground. The ghostly figure immediately swept in another direction. Everywhere the person pa.s.sed, the bodies of the corpse eating ghouls fell to the ground!

“Heavens! Who is that!” Thetan inhaled deeply and said in shock, “So that silver wolf is his!”

“Captain! That person is so strong! He probably can match Young Captain!” The five-star senior swordsman Vino shouted excitedly.

“They are on our side! Kill!” The mercenaries immediately reacted, their presence increasing as they furiously fought back. After the addition of Aofeng and Liao Ya, the situation immediately reverse. Not even fifteen minutes later, more than fifty nine-star magic beast corpse-eating ghoul corpses fell to the ground. The mercenaries cheered after their hard battle.

After a short period of celebration, the people’s excited gazes gathered on the person and the wolf nearby. That was a youth clad in black robes with cold features.

Aofeng put away the short Vanquisher of Armies. Liao Yao turned back into a normal silver wolf. The mercenaries moved to form a path of their own accord. Their eyes when they looked at her were filled with shock, respect and gratefulness. Most importantly was that the person’s presence when they appeared out of the sky had won over everyone here.

Thetan and Vino exhaled in relief and turned to look

look at the black-clad person walking towards them. When they looked, their shock erupted. In battle just now, they had not seen the person’s appearance clearly. When they looked now, they found it was such a young and beautiful youth.

“Mimicry? That’s a sacred beast!” The breath they had just exhaled was sucked in again. Thetan had gone to many places and was widely learned. He naturally knew that only magus beasts that were sacred rank or above could use mimicry. His gaze when he looked at Aofeng became even more astounded. Which prestigious family was this young master from?

People would usually not obtain such high ranking magus beasts unless it was a prestigious family.

Thetan walked forward. He bent forward slightly and his right hand turned into a fist at the left of his chest as he made a full bow. “Young Magister Daren, I am very grateful for your help! Thetan of Crimson Forge gives you my respect.”

Aofeng looked around and didn’t see Rong Luo. She was slightly disappointed. She said coolly, “Gather the spoils, we must leave here soon. Otherwise, the blood will attract more corpse-eating ghosts.”

The surrounding mercenaries were overjoyed. While the corpse-eating ghosts were the bottom among the nine-star magus beasts, and they gave off a noxious odor, their entire body was treasure. Their claws and teeth could be sold. Aofeng telling them to clean up meant that the person was giving this wealth to them. Even if they hadn’t completed the mission this time, their trip could be considered fruitful.

Several dozen nine-star magus beast corpses were nothing to Aofeng. All of her interest was on the Fire Dragon Fruit at Soul Breaking Cliff, so she did not care.

“Thank you for your generosity!” Thetan said with a respectful and joyful smile. He hurriedly directed his subordinates to clean up the battlefield as fast as possible, and then left with Aofeng to continue to move towards the Soul Breaking Cliff.

Through Thetan’s introductions, Aofeng learned the ident.i.ties of this group. They were the Ninth squad of the Crimson Forge Mercenary Company. Thetan and Rong Luo were extremely close friends.

Rong Luo had brought the people that had just left Qin City to partic.i.p.ate in the Neversetting Sun City’s magic beast tide. Thetan’s squad had coincidentally received the mission of the Fire Dragon Fruit. They planned to first obtain the fire dragon fruit and then meet up with Rong Luo on their return. They hadn’t expected to have the bad luck to encounter a large swarm of corpse-eating ghosts.

“You are also searching for the Fire Dragon Fruit?” Aofeng’s fine brows creased as she reminded them, “According to my knowledge, there are many spirit beasts that reside on Soul Breaking Cliff. Even one spirit beast isn’t something that your squad can withstand. Aren’t you going to your deaths?”

“Is Zhui Yun Daren‘s magus beast that sensed this?” Thetan looked with admiration at Liao Ya. He then glanced at Aofeng who had an aloof expression from the start and rarely spoke. He was even more sure of his guess. Only sacred beasts could feel the presence of other high star-level spirit beasts.

Vino laughed from the side and added, “So Daren has also come for the Fire Dragon Fruit. You really found the right people. Actually, our squad received this mission last year, and we found a secret.”

Aofeng’s eyebrow rose. “Secret?”

“Yes, Daren, there is actually more than one place where the Fire Dragon Fruits grow.” Thetan said to Aofeng without concealing anything. “There is a Fire Dragon Fruit near the front of Soul Breaking Cliff and it will attract many mercenaries and magic beasts when it matures. There will most likely be great chaos then. This is something everyone knows. Last year when Vino and I came here, we accidentally wandered into a hidden valley that reaches into the depths behind Soul Breaking Cliff. Fire Dragon Fruit also grows there as well, and it seems to be the nest of only a single sacred beast. We picked the fire dragon fruit when the front was in chaos and finished our mission.”

The Fire Dragon Fruit matured once a year. If one knew the location, they could come to pick them annually. Thetan undoubtedly was trusting Aofeng greatly to speak of this.