The City Lord's Mansion

The player completed the quest 'Blacksmith's Fury' and received a Fine Iron Sword as a reward, along with 1500 Experience Points.

Both equipment and experience, and it was a quest finished on the side—pretty worthwhile.

The wooden club in Fan Lang's hand was nothing but junk; swapping it for this iron sword was like trading a popgun for a cannon, a massive upgrade.

"Here! This is an iron sword I forged with care. I blended two rare ores into it—it can cut through metal and jade without issue. Use this sword to kill a few more Unicorn Rabbits for me! Let me vent some anger!" Blacksmith Zheng tossed a brand-new iron sword to Fan Lang.

Fan Lang caught the sword in one hand—it had a decent weight. The scabbard was carved with simple patterns, and the hilt was wrapped in cloth, giving it an unadorned look.

Clang!

He drew the blade, and a cold gleam flashed.

The iron sword's stats automatically popped up.

Fine Iron Sword: Stars: ★★ Sharpness: 230 Durability: 189 Effect: None

"A two-star iron sword. It'll do for now—at least it's way better than my wooden club. Too bad I'll have to wait a bit to get the Dragon Scale Sword from the City Lord's Mansion. That sword is a Divine Weapon, leagues above this iron sword."

Fan Lang calculated silently, itching to get his hands on the Dragon Scale Sword right now. In the early stages, that sword was incredibly dominant, letting you crush opponents above your level without issue.

"Thanks, old man. I'll drop by again when I get the chance. Take care." Fan Lang waved with a smile, bid farewell to Blacksmith Zheng, and walked out with the iron sword slung over his shoulder.

Relying on his memory and asking passersby for directions, Fan Lang found another quest hand-in location.

It was a medical clinic that needed various herbs. They were short on Unicorn Rabbit horns and buying them at a very good price. This was a trade quest, so Fan Lang sold off all the horns he had, earning a hefty eight hundred taels of silver.

Do quests, level up, kill monsters.

Do quests, level up, kill monsters.

Fan Lang spent the rest of the day on these tasks, and by evening, he finally grinded his level up to Mystic Soldier!

Player level increased to Mystic Soldier Level 0. Mystic Power +200, Health +200.

Player has unlocked a new ability. From now on, Mystic Power can be imbued with elemental damage. Base elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Ice.

The moment he leveled up, Fan Lang's body rapidly transformed. His Dantian expanded several times over, and the Mystic Power within surged even more violently.

Mystic Apprentice, Mystic Soldier, Mystic General—these were the major realm divisions. Every time he broke through a major realm, he started from Level 0, with 0 to 9 forming a cycle.

Each major realm was worlds apart, and breaking through granted new abilities.

Mystic Apprentice opened the Dantian.

Mystic Soldier added elemental attributes.

At the Mystic Soldier realm, Mystic Power could be imbued with elements like Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, and so on, enhancing its destructive force.

What element it became depended on the skill used.

"Right now, my only skill is Thug Fist—way too weak. I need to learn some new skills, or I'll have no element at all. The City Lord's Mansion has ways to learn skills. When I go back, I'll grab a few Skill Books."

Fan Lang set a new goal for himself.

It was getting late, so he headed back, walking through the twilight streets to the City Lord's Mansion.

The two guards at the gate looked at Fan Lang with contempt. His earlier confession of love to Luo Hongyan had already spread through the mansion, making him a laughingstock.

"Oh, look who's back. Isn't it the City Lord's son-in-law?"

"Heh, the City Lord's son-in-law—we should address him as 'Young Master' out of respect."

"Too bad he married Miss Luo in a dream, and a daydream at that—doesn't count at all."

"He was probably drooling during that daydream."

"Yeah! Isn't that what toads do—drool?"

"Haha."

"Haha."

The two guards sneered and mocked him without restraint.

The deeds of the original Fan Lang were all pinned on the transmigrator Fan Lang. These harsh words stoked his anger, burning fiercely in his chest.

Crack.

Fan Lang clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. He wanted nothing more than to beat these two senseless.

"A small loss is better than a big mess. Beating these two would mess up my plans. I'll hold back for now. When the time is right, I'll come back and settle the score."

Reason won out, and Fan Lang suppressed his rage.

He memorized the faces of the two guards. Today's mockery would be repaid twofold in the future!

Ignoring the guards, Fan Lang walked into the City Lord's Mansion.

The City Lord of Wind Cloud City was like a local emperor. His residence was enormous, with hundreds of courtyards large and small. Stepping inside felt like entering a maze.

Fan Lang made his way through the courtyards and halls, when another group of people came walking toward him from the opposite direction, meeting him head-on.

It was a flock of chattering young women, most of them maids from the City Lord's Mansion, with one exception. All the maids clustered around this woman like stars around the moon.

She was young, but her figure was exceptionally tall and slender, dressed in a peach-red brocade gown, adorned with several pieces of jewelry that gave her a glittering, opulent air. Her features were pure and ethereal, her skin fair and rosy, and her eyes possessed a captivating, water-cut beauty.

Luo! Hong! Yan!

Fan Lang recognized the noblewoman at a glance, and his heart gave a jolt.

He had seized this body and inherited everything that came with it, so Luo Hongyan was a special presence to him—he simply couldn't pretend she didn't exist.

As the two sides drew closer, Luo Hongyan in the crowd looked straight ahead, paying no attention to Fan Lang.

According to the rules of the City Lord's Mansion, someone of Fan Lang's status had to lower his head and step aside when meeting Luo Hongyan. Fan Lang moved his feet and yielded to the side.

Luo Hongyan walked past with her entourage of maids, not even bothering to spare Fan Lang a glance, utterly dismissing him from her mind!

It was no wonder. With Luo Hongyan's status, she was like a princess in Wind Cloud City—second only to one, above ten thousand. Why would she care about a servant in the mansion?

When Fan Lang had confessed his feelings that time, Luo Hongyan hadn't even offered a response, merely furrowing her brow slightly. She hadn't even bothered to punish him; otherwise, a single order could have had him killed.

They lived under the same roof, yet it was as if they belonged to two different worlds—one in the heavens, the other on the ground.

After Luo Hongyan had walked far away, Fan Lang finally lifted his head, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.

The gatekeeper's mockery and Luo Hongyan's disregard had both stung Fan Lang's pride.

"You all think I'm not good enough for Luo Hongyan, huh? Well, I don't buy that! One of these days, I'll win Luo Hongyan over and make her my wife! No, wait—make her my concubine!"

Fan Lang silently resolved that he would not rest until he achieved his goal.

Player has triggered a flirting quest. Quest name: 'Young Lady's Heart'. Quest reward: 1 random 6-star card, 50000 Experience Points. Time limit: 60 days.

"A quest triggered? This is great—flirting comes with rewards! And the rewards are pretty good!"

Fan Lang's eyes lit up. This was an unexpected bonus.