"Two worlds, advancing side by side."
That was the strategy An Jing and the Sword Spirit had settled on: "If I run into danger in the Huaixu Realm, I'll take refuge in the other world. And vice versa."
"In the Huaixu Realm, I need to evade any pursuit by the Tianyi Demonic Sect, the Red Armor Guards' search, and any possible tracking by the Heavenly Demon."
"I need to quickly grow stronger, leave the deep mountains, return to a town within Da Chen, take on a new identity, and lie low."
"In the other world, I need to head to a populated area as quickly as possible to gather information, figure out the language spoken in this world, observe how people behave, imitate their customs, and then hide my identity and blend in."
"I still have a piece of Spirit Jade and a Black Jade Skull that I can use as bargaining chips. I don't know what they're worth, but they should be enough to get me settled for the time being."
"However, weapons in the other world are extremely dangerous too. Those gunpowder weapons and Spirit Light Guns... I'll have to be very careful."
"If possible... should I capture someone alive first?"
"Or maybe wait for an opportunity to lend the locals a hand..."
The plan was in place. All that remained was to wait for the rain to stop.
"What a shame."
Peering through the cave entrance at the churning gray-purple rain clouds outside, An Jing patted his stomach and said ruefully, "I was planning to go look for something to eat in the woods outside. Looks like I'll have to go hungry now... Hmm?"
Suddenly, An Jing heard the clatter of hooves nearby, drawing closer as they headed toward the cave entrance.
The hoofbeats were hard to