Look at My Little Eyes

Jokes were jokes, but business was business.

After the joking was over, Fan Lang threw himself into battle and killed an Aquamarine Crab.

The drop rate was indeed different after being modified.

Congratulations, player. You have killed 1 Aquamarine Crab and gained 1,000 Experience Points.

The Aquamarine Crab dropped 4 Azure Crab Shells, 4 Large Crab Meat, and 1 Magnificent Crab Roe.

You collected 4 Azure Crab Shells, a quest item. Crab Shells and Shields quest completion: 21%.

Magnificent Crab Roe:

Category: Ingredient.

Effect: After being cooked and eaten, it could increase the Mystic Power limit by 10% for a short time. One serving per person. Eating too little would reduce the effect. The effect could stack, as long as the stomach could hold it.

A fourfold drop rate was simply fantastic. Four Azure Crab Shells had dropped at once!

He had once thought gathering a hundred Azure Crab Shells would take forever, but he no longer felt that way.

The Magnificent Crab Roe also made Fan Lang very happy. With a one-percent drop rate, it was far too unlikely to drop. A twenty-percent drop rate was different—it was easy to obtain.

Eating Magnificent Crab Roe at certain times could greatly enhance one's strength. That was the value of rare items.

Fan Lang grinned, thoroughly satisfied. He was even more motivated to grind monsters.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Fan Lang led Li Yunyan in relentlessly killing crabs. The Azure Crab Shells in his inventory kept piling up at an encouraging rate.

Perhaps they had killed too many Aquamarine Crabs and enraged the Crab Kings hiding at the riverbed. Several oversized Crab Kings charged out with a swarm of Aquamarine Crabs, a rather spectacular sight, like a small army.

Rather than being alarmed, Fan Lang was delighted. The more giant crabs came, the better!

After killing that group of giant crabs, the number of Azure Crab Shells had risen to over ninety. Fan Lang killed a few more and finally gathered a hundred.

You collected 4 Azure Crab Shells, a quest item. Crab Shells and Shields quest completion: 100%. You can now find the Drunken Blacksmith to turn in the quest.

"At last, I've gathered a hundred."

Fan Lang let out a long breath.

By then, night had fallen. The moon hung high in the starry sky, gently casting down its radiance.

Fan Lang took Li Yunyan to turn in the quest. He took out exactly one hundred Azure Crab Shells and piled them by the roadside. The blacksmith was overjoyed when he saw them. He counted them and inspected them carefully.

As agreed, the blacksmith gave the five-star Crab Shell Shield to Fan Lang.

Crab Shell Shield:

Category: Equipment Card.

Star Rating: ★★★★★

Attribute: Ice.

Defense: 1500.

Durability: 1600.

Effect: Release freezing air through the vents at the front of the shield, putting enemies into a frozen state.

Fan Lang weighed the Crab Shell Shield in his hand. It was quite heavy. It would be good for defense, and probably not bad for smashing people either.

"Thanks," Fan Lang said with a smile.

"I should be thanking you. With this pile of crab shells, I can earn more drinking money, hehe. Come by my little shop more often. You're welcome anytime if you want to drink with me." The blacksmith smiled back.

It was getting late, so Fan Lang bid the blacksmith farewell and returned to the City Lord's Mansion to rest.

The next morning.

Fan Lang got up early, intending to browse for two more pieces of equipment that day. Before he could even leave, however, a group of people intercepted him. They were all from the City Lord's Mansion. Their leader was a sharp-looking young man with hawk-like eyes and an imposing air.

These people clearly meant trouble.

The hawk-eyed young man stepped forward, looked Fan Lang over, and said in a deep voice, "You're Fan Lang? I heard the City Lord personally chose you to participate in the Wind Cloud Genius Battle."

"So what if I am?" Fan Lang replied coldly.

"My name is Xiang Chong. That spot was originally supposed to be mine, but the moment you returned, the City Lord changed his mind."

"Oh."

"You can't just dismiss me with an 'oh.'"

"Stop beating around the bush. Tell me what you want." Fan Lang sounded impatient.

"Fine. You're straightforward, so I'll be direct. I want to test your skills. If you're stronger than me, I'll have nothing more to say and never compete for that spot again!" Xiang Chong finally bared his fangs.

"I never turn down a fight." Fan Lang sneered. His eyes immediately changed as he activated the Eye of the Dragon. His pupils became long and narrow, like those unique to the Dragon Race, surrounded by beautiful mottled patterns. A faint golden glow shone from his eyes.

Eye of the Dragon: Intimidation Effect!

Fan Lang locked eyes with Xiang Chong, like a lofty member of the Dragon Race looking down upon prey. The unique pressure of the Dragon Race spread out, making hearts tremble.

Xiang Chong's expression changed drastically. Fear rose from deep within him, and he confirmed one thing.

Fan Lang knew an eye technique!

Eye techniques were even harder to cultivate than combat techniques and often required a great deal of time to master. Most Mystics spent their time cultivating combat techniques, and very few knew eye techniques.

Those Mystics who knew eye techniques were usually quite powerful.

Xiang Chong had arrived full of momentum, but one glare from the Eye of the Dragon immediately crushed his spirit. Like a defeated rooster, he wilted. He no longer dared to look Fan Lang in the eyes, shifting his gaze away and even taking a step back.

Just one look had put Xiang Chong at a disadvantage.

If they truly fought, the outcome would be obvious.

Feeling humiliated, Xiang Chong no longer wished to fight. He gave a bitter smile and said, "That was just a joke. I was only saying it casually. The City Lord is wise and mighty, so he certainly couldn't have chosen the wrong person. The Wind Cloud Genius Battle depends on you now. I hope you can bring glory to the City Lord's Mansion."

After saying a few flattering words to save face, Xiang Chong clasped his hands and left in embarrassment. The people who had come with him had expected to watch a good show, only to end up seeing one of their own make a fool of himself. They left as well. Staying any longer would only make things more awkward.

Being scared off by a single look showed that Xiang Chong was all bark and no bite.

Fan Lang shook his head, somewhat disappointed. The Experience Points that had practically reached his mouth had flown away!

Before one wave settled, another rose.

After breakfast, someone else came to cause Fan Lang trouble. This time, however, it was a young woman.

She wore a long red dress and possessed peerless beauty, like a red flower blooming atop a high mountain, proudly blossoming amid endless greenery. She was beautiful yet unattainable, unforgettable after only one distant glance.

Luo Hongyan.

She was the most beautiful woman in the City Lord's Mansion, and perhaps the most beautiful woman in all of Wind Cloud City.

Fan Lang was slightly surprised. He had not expected Luo Hongyan to seek him out on her own. This beautiful young woman had always taken the aloof route before; even getting her to say a word was difficult.

Perhaps some emotions remained in this body. Whenever Fan Lang saw Luo Hongyan, inexplicable ripples arose in his heart, preventing him from remaining completely calm.

Luo Hongyan rarely took the initiative to speak. She asked, "Are you free right now?"

"The City Lord's daughter has come looking for me. Free or not, I have to make some time. Tell me what it is." Fan Lang felt a stir in his heart, but only that. He was not overly excited.

"Tomorrow is the Wind Cloud Genius Battle. You and I are both participants, representing the City Lord's Mansion. Before the battle, I want to spar with you."

"I just sent away someone who wanted to fight me, and now you've come to fight me too."

"It's not a fight. It's a sparring match. The concepts are completely different. Sparring ends at the right point. We fight tomorrow, so neither of us can get hurt."

Fan Lang had no reason to refuse this request.

Sparring was good. A sparring match meant there might be a chance to touch her little hand or slender waist. And if there was a Dragon-Claw Hand move involved, wouldn't that be even better?

"Where are we fighting? Lead the way." Fan Lang smiled.